FRANKFORT-ON-THE-MAINE, an independent republic in Germany, consisting of the city and a small district around it, containing two market-towns, five villages, 896 houses, and about 7000 inhabitants. The system of government is somewhat complicated, being partly of the aristocratical and partly of the democratical kind. The city is surrounded by promenades formed out of the ancient walls. The fine river Maine passes close to it, and on its banks are some of the best dwellings of the city. There are within it 3600 houses, and about 50,000 inhabitants. The antiquities of the city attract much attention, especially the Römer, and the electors' hall, where the emperors were chosen, and the cathedral. The situation of Frankfort, between France and Germany, makes it a place favourable for the exchange of the commodities of England, the Netherlands, France, Italy, and Germany; and at two large fairs, in the spring and autumn, a vast portion of business is transacted. Much trade is carried on by the Maine and the Rhine with Holland, especially for the German wines, and the woods of its vast forests. The greatest business in amount is that of exchanges, as the bills of all countries can be negotiated with facility at Frankfort, by the rich bankers, owing to their extensive transactions with the several states of Europe.