GIESSEN, a city of the grand duchy of Hesse, in Germany, in the province of Upper Hesse. It stands on the river Lahn, at its junction with the Wiesbeck, and is the seat of the several boards of government, of justice, and of the ecclesiastical superintendent. The university, founded in 1607, is flourishing, and has twenty-three professors and between two and three hundred students. It has connected with it two public libraries, a botanical garden, and various museums. It contains 720 houses and 7000 inhabitants, including the university. Long. 9. 38. E. Lat. 50. 36. N. It is the capital of a bailiwick of the same name, comprehending two cities, one market-town, and thirty-five villages, with 8219 houses and 20,450 inhabitants.