a circle of Germany, bounded on the north by the circle of Upper Saxony, on the east by that of Bavaria, on the south by that of Swabia, and on the west by the circles of the Rhine. The middle is fertile in corn, wine, and fruits, but the borders are full of woods and barren mountains.

This country was overrun by the French republicans in the summer of 1796; but in September the Austrians compelled them to retreat. The Franks, who conquered France, came from this province, and gave their name to this kingdom.