ALTENBURG, the chief town of the duchy of Saxe-Altenburg, near the river Pleisse, and about twenty-four miles south of Leipzig, with which it has been connected by railway since the end of 1842. The town, from its hilly position, is irregularly built, but its streets are wide, and ornamented with many large and beautiful buildings. Its ducal castle is a very ancient building, surrounded by picturesque scenery, with a beautiful garden, and an extensive library. Of its public buildings the most remarkable are the cathedral, and St Bartholomew's church, with its two steeples. It has several other churches, a gymnasium with a considerable library, a theatre, an infirmary, an obstetric institution, and several elementary schools and charitable institutions. The trade in grain is very considerable, as well as in cattle and in silk; and sealing wax, tobacco, woolen goods, and gloves, are among its manufactures. Pop. 15,300.