one of the principal provinces of the empire of Germany towards the east; from which situation it takes its name Ost-ryck, in the German language signifying the East Country. It is bounded on the north by Moravia; on the east by Hungary; on the south by Styria; and on the west by Bavaria. It is divided into Upper and Lower. Upper Austria is situated on the south, and Lower Austria on the north side of the Danube. Vienna the capital is in the Upper Austria, which contains several other very considerable towns. The country is very fertile, has a great many mines, and produces vast quantities of sulphur.

In the ninth and tenth centuries, Austria was the frontier of the empire against the barbarians. In 928, the emperor Henry the Fowler, perceiving that it was of great importance to settle some person in Austria who might oppose these incursions, invested Leopold, farnamed the Illustrious, with that country. Otho I. erected Austria into a marquise in favour of his brother-in-law Leopold, whose descendant Henry II. was created duke of Austria by the emperor Frederic Barbarossa. His posterity becoming extinct in 1240, the states of the country, in order to defend themselves from the incursions of the Bavarians and Hungarians, resolved to put themselves under the protection of Henry marquis of Münster; but Otho II., king of Bohemia, being likewise invited by a party in the duchy, took possession of it, alleging not only the invitation of the states, but also the right of his wife, heiress of Frederic the last duke. The emperor Rodolphus I. pretending a right to this duchy, refused to give Otho II. the investiture of it; and afterwards killing him in a battle, procured the right of it to his own family. From this Rodolphus the present house of Austria is descended, which for several centuries past has rendered itself so famous and so powerful, having given 14 emperors to Germany, and six kings to Spain.

In 1477, Austria was erected into an archduchy by the emperor Frederic the Pacific, for his son Maximilian, with these privileges: That they shall be judged to have obtained the investiture of the states, if they do not receive it after having demanded it three times; that if they receive it from the emperor, or the imperial ambassadors, they are to be on horseback, clad in a royal mantle, having in their hand a staff of command, and upon their head a ducal crown of two points; and surrounded with a cross like that of the Imperial crown. The archduke is born privy-counsellor to the emperor, and his states cannot be put to the ban of the empire. All attempts against his person are punished as crimes of lese-majesty, in the same manner as those against the king of the Romans, or Electors. No one dared to challenge him to single combat. It is in his choice to attend at the assemblies, or to be absent; and he has the privilege of being exempt from contributions and public taxes, excepting 12 soldiers which he is obliged to maintain against the Turk for one month. He has rank immediately after the electors; and exercises justice in his states without appeal, by virtue of a privilege granted by Charles V. His subjects cannot even be summoned out of his province upon account of lawsuits, to give witness, or to receive the investiture of fiefs. Any of the lands of the empire may be alienated in his favour, even those that are feudal; and he has a right to create counts, barons, gentlemen, poets, and notaries. In the succession to his states, the right of birth takes place; and, failing males, the females succeed according to the lineal right; and if no heir be found, they may dispose of their lands as they please.