a country of Germany, in the circle of the Upper Rhine; bounded on the south by the bishoprick of Fulda; on the east by the principalities of Hersfeld, Thuringia, and Eichsfeld, as also by that of Calenburg; on the north by the bishoprick of Paderborn and Waldeck, the duchy of Weftphalia, and the county of Witgenstein; and on the west, by Naufl-Dillenburg, the county of Solms, and Upper-Ifenburg. In the above limits, the county of Katzenelnbogen and some other territories are not included. The whole country, in its utmost length, is near 100 miles, and in some places near as much in breadth. The air is cold, but wholesome; and the soil fruitful in corn, wine, wood, and pasture. The country abounds also in cattle, fish, and game; salt springs, baths, and mineral waters. The hills, which are many, yield silver, copper, lead, iron, alum, vitriol, pit-coal, sulphur, boles, a porcelain earth, marble, and alabaster. In the Eder, gold is sometimes found; and at Frankenberg a gold mine was formerly wrought. Besides many lesser streams, Hesse is watered by the following rivers, viz. the Lahn, the Fulda, the Eder or Schwale, the Werra or Weser, and Diemel. The Rhine also and the Mayne pass through the county of Katzenelnbogen. This country, like most others in Germany, has its states, consisting of the prelates, as they are called, the nobility, and the towns. The diets are divided into general and particular, and the latter into the greater and smaller committees. The house of Hesse is divided into two principal branches, viz. Caffel and Darmstadt; of which Philipfdale, Rhinfeldts, and Homburg, are collateral branches; the two first of Hesse-Caffel, and the last of Hesse-Darmstadt. Their rights and privileges are very considerable. In particular, they have several votes at the diets of the empire; and causes, not exceeding 1000 florins, are determined by the courts of the country, without appeal. The princes of Hesse-Caffel are not of age till they are 25, but those of Hesse-Darmstadt are so at 18. The right of primogeniture hath been established in both houses. The revenues of Darmstadt are said to amount to near 100,000l. a-year, and those of Hesse-Caffel to near 200,000l. The small county of Schaumburg alone yields a revenue of 10,000l, and that of Katzenelnbogen, with the forests of Richardswalde, it is said, was farmed near 200 years ago at 12,000l. The prince of Hesse-Caffel has 40 or 50,000 men in his dominions fit to bear arms; and the troops that he hires out have often brought him in large sums, especially from Great Britain. He keeps a standing army of 15,000 men. This family is allied to most if not all of the Protestant princes in Europe. The branches of Caffel, Homburg, and Philipfdale, are Calvinists; that of Darmstadt, Lutherans; and that of Rhinfeldts, Roman Catholics. The prince of Hesse-Caffel, in the year 1749, embraced the Roman Catholic religion; but in 1754 drew up, and confirmed by oath, an instrument, of which all the Protestant princes are guarantees, declaring that the established religion of his dominions should continue in every respect as before, and that his children should be brought up and instructed therein. Here, as in the other Protestant Lutheran countries of Germany, are confistories, superintendants, and inspectors of the church. In the whole landgraviate are three universities, besides Latin schools and gymnasia, for the education of youth. The manufactures of Hesse are linen cloth, hats, stockings, gloves, paper, goldsmiths wares; and at Caffel a beautiful porcelain is made. They have also the finest wool in Germany; but are reproached with want of industry, in exporting instead of manufacturing it themselves.—This is supposed to have been the country of the ancient Catti, mentioned by Tacitus, &c. who in after-ages, were called Chattii, Chasii, Hafti, and Hessi. The two chief branches of Caffel and Darmstadt have many rights and privileges in common, which we have not room to specify. Both of them have a seat and vote in the college of princes at the diet of the empire, and those of this circle. Each of these princes, besides their guards and militia, maintains a considerable body both of horse and foot.