formerly an electoral state, now a kingdom of Germany, of which the king of Great Britain is king.—Though the house of Hanover is the last that was raised to the electoral and kingly dignity in the empire, it may vie with any in Germany for the antiquity and nobleness of its family.

The present kingdom of Hanover is bounded on the north by the duchy of Oldenburg, by Holstein and Lunenburg, on the east by Prussian Saxony, on the south by the Prussian dominions and Hesse-Cassel, and on the west by the kingdom of the Netherlands. It contains about 14,770 square English miles, and in 1818 its population was 1,333,632 souls.

The principalities of Kalenburg, Gottingen, and Grubenhagen, are very mountainous, especially in their southern divisions. The other provinces form a part of the extensive plain which commences on the shores of the German ocean, and terminates on the frontiers of Hanover. Russia. The whole plain is a sandy soil, resting on a bed of granite, and is generally sterile, except on the banks of the rivers. The most considerable mountains are those of the Hartz Forest, which extend beyond the limits of the kingdom. The Bruchberg, the highest summit of these, has an elevation of 3020 feet. These mountains are covered with wood, and abound in minerals.

In consideration of the great services performed by Ernest Augustus, duke of Brunswick-Hanover, in the wars which the emperor Leopold had with Louis XIV., that emperor conferred the dignity of an elector of the holy Roman empire upon him and his heirs male, of which he received the investiture on the 19th of December 1692. This new creation met with great opposition both in the electoral college and the college of princes: at last, by a conclusion of the three colleges on the 30th of January 1708, it was unanimously determined, that the electoral dignity should be confirmed to the duke of Hanover and his heirs male; but it was added, that if, while that electoral dignity subsisted, the Palatine electorate should happen to fall into the hands of a Protestant prince, the first Catholic elector should have a supernumerary vote.

The princes of this house had their seat in the college of princes, immediately after those of the electoral houses; each branch having a vote. The elector, besides his seat in the electoral college, was invested with the office of arch standard-bearer of the empire; but this being disputed with him by the duke of Wirtemberg, the elector Palatine having obtained the office of arch-steward, yielded that of arch-treasurer to the elector of Hanover, who was confirmed in this dignity by a decree of the diet of the 13th of January 1710.

The government of Hanover is a monarchy, and the prince is deemed to be of age at 18. The legislative power is shared between the prince and the assembly of the states, consisting of 102 deputies chosen from the three bodies of the clergy, nobility, and burgesses. The ministers are known, however, to have the nomination of the greater number of the members; and to make sure of their servility, three-fourths of them have places under the crown. No government can be more mild; and an air of content is spread over all the inhabitants. The High Court of Justice, and the Regency, are the principal courts of justice; besides which, every province has its municipal administration with the inferior divisions into bailiwicks, &c. The police is excellent, and justice fairly administered.

Lutheranism is the established religion; but all others enjoy a perfect toleration, and are publicly exercised. Difference in religious sentiments here gives no interruption to that harmony which should subsist among fellow citizens. There are 750 Lutheran parishes, 14 Reformed communities, a Romish college, a convent, and some Catholic churches.

Literature is in a very advanced state throughout these dominions. The university of Gottingen is deservedly celebrated; and contains about 800 students of different nations, and 60 professors. There are besides several colleges, and a number of well established schools, throughout the electorate. In general, education is much attended to.

Although there are various tracts of heath and marshy marshy ground, the soil in general produces abundance of corn, fruits, hemp, flax, tobacco, madder, and some wine. There are several large salt-works. A good deal of cattle are reared, and a great number of excellent horses. Most metals and minerals are found here. The forests furnish sufficient timber, and large quantities of pitch and tar. The natural productions of the electorate furnish ample materials for commerce, so as to prevent the balance being against them, although their manufactures are not sufficient for consumption. Cattle, horses, salt, wrought iron, and fuel, are principal articles of export. Bremen is one of the greatest commercial towns in Germany.

The king of Hanover is descended from the ancient family of the Guelphs, dukes and electors of Bavaria; one of whom, Henry the Lion, in 1140, married Maude, eldest daughter of King Henry (Plantagenet) II. of England. Their son William succeeded to Brunswick-Lunenburg, and his son Otho was created duke thereof. The dominions descended in a direct line to Ernest, who divided them upon his death in 1546 into two branches, that of Brunswick-Lunenburg Wolfenbuttle, and Brunswick-Lunenburg Zell. The possessor of the latter, Ernest Augustus, was in 1692 raised to the dignity of an elector; before which he was head of the college of German princes. Ernest married Sophia, daughter of Frederic, elector Palatine and king of Bohemia, by Elizabeth, daughter of James I. king of England. Sophia being the next Protestant heir to the house of Stuart, the parliament fixed the crown of Great Britain upon her on Queen Anne's demise; and George Louis, her elder son, became king of Great Britain in consequence thereof; since which the electors of Hanover have filled the British throne. See Hanover, Supplement.

Hanover is also the name of the capital of the above electorate; and is agreeably situated in a sandy plain on the river Leyne, in E. Long. 10° 5'. N. Lat. 52° 5'. It is a large well-built town, pretty well fortified, and contains about 24,000 inhabitants. It is noted for a particular kind of beer, reckoned excellent in these parts. In 1803, when the war between Britain and France broke out, this capital, as well as the electorate, was seized by the French, and subsequently given up to Prussia. It was afterwards in part annexed to the kingdom of Westphalia, but was delivered from the French yoke in 1813, and raised to the rank of a kingdom the following year.