REUSS

REUSS, the name of two principalities in Germany, among the smallest of the states of the German Confederation, but which form the remains of a country that was anciently much more extensive. The country, bounded by Bohemia, Bavaria, and Thuringia, seemed to the German kings to be from its position and natural character, so defended as not to require the protection of a margrave, but was to be governed by officers of the crown; and accordingly divided into five bailiwicks (Vogteien), viz.—Weida, Plauen, Gera, Greiz, and Hof. Of these, Weida and Gera belonged in the twelfth century to Henry the Rich, a prince probably descended from the ancient families of Luxemburg, Schwartzburg, and Gleisberg, who afterwards obtained possession of the other three bailiwicks. His four sons, dividing the land among them, founded the lines of Plauen, Greiz, Weida, and Gera. The three last became extinct in 1236, 1532, and 1550 respectively; from the first are descended the present princes of Reuss, from Henry II., second son of Henry the Rich. The family did not at this time bear the name of Reuss, but this title was introduced in the next generation. The son of Henry II. left two sons, who were surnamed, from the nationality of their mothers, Henry the Bohemian and Henry the Russian (Russe or Reusse). From the Bohemian descended a line of lords (Herren) of Plauen, which became extinct in 1572; their possessions being lost in various

Reuss. ways to the surrounding states, till the last of them was sold in 1569 by the last of the family to the Elector of Saxony. But the other family, with the name of Reuss and a part of the original territory, was more durable. It was, and still is, a peculiarity in this family, that all its members, in honour, it is said, of the Emperor Henry IV., who first elevated the original Henry the Rich, bear the name of Henry, and were distinguished at first by surnames, or by the titles of Elder, Middle, and Younger; afterwards by numbers, with the necessary provision that after reaching C. in the elder branch, and at the end of each century in the younger, they begin again with I. The two lines at present existing are derived from two of the sons of Henry the Peaceful, who died in 1535. Both branches were raised in 1673 to the rank of counts of the empire and to that of princes,—the elder or Reuss-Greiz line in 1778, and the younger or Reuss-Schleiz in 1806. The younger line was subdivided in 1666 into the branches of Gera, Schleiz, and Lobenstein; the first became extinct in 1802, and its possessions were governed in common by the others, till in 1848 the last prince of Reuss-Lobenstein, Henry LXXII., abdicated in favour of the Prince of Reuss-Schleiz; so that there now exist only the two principalities. The country consists of two parts, separated from each other,—the more northerly bounded N. by Prussia, S. by part of Saxe Weimar, E. and W. by the two parts of Saxe Altenburg; the more southerly lying between Saxony and Bavaria on the S., and parts of Schwartzburg, Prussia, and Saxe Weimar on the N. The former and the western portion of the latter form the principality of Reuss-Schleiz, the remainder that of Reuss-Greiz. The area and population of the two countries are:—

A considerable part of the principalities is mountainous, being occupied by branches of the Erzgebirge and Frankenthal. This part of the country is for the most part well wooded; but there are also valleys and small plains. The principal rivers that water the country are the Saale and its affluent the Elster, both flowing in general from S. to N. Though in some parts light and sandy, yet the greater part of the soil is fertile, and yields in both principalities the ordinary productions of Germany. The climate is temperate. Among the mineral riches of the land are to be numbered iron, salt, building-stone, slate, pottery and porcelain clay, and alum. Farming is largely carried on. Corn is produced in Reuss-Greiz below, and in Reuss-Schleiz above the demands of the inhabitants. In both there are also raised potatoes, pulse, flax, and hops. Of the former, the most important produce is timber, especially pines and firs; the latter derives much of its wealth from the rearing of cattle; and contained in 1849, 2074 horses, 29,677 horned cattle, 33,419 sheep, 5046 goats, and 14,963 pigs. The principal manufactures in both are those of woollen and cotton fabrics; the larger principality manufactures also tobacco, beer, brandy, pottery, and other articles. There are exported manufactured articles, iron, timber, butter, and cattle. In both principalities the government is in the hands of a prince, limited in each by a separate diet. The highest law tribunal is the upper court of appeal at Jena, beneath which there are courts at Greiz, Gera, and other places. The princes and the great majority of their subjects are of the Lutheran religion. Education is well provided for by numerous elementary schools, two Latin schools, a gymnasium, and three normal seminaries; the university of Jena is considered the national one. The military force of Reuss-Greiz is 609, that of Reuss-Schleiz 260; total, 869. The annual public revenue of the former amounts to about L.8400, of the latter L.38,000; the expenditure L.37,000.