a country of Germany, in the circle of the Upper Rhine; bounded on the south by Baden and Bavaria; on the east by the principalities of Saxe Meiningen, Saxe Weimar, and the Prussian states; on the north by Brunswick and the Prussian states; and on the west by the same states and Nassau. 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 about 60 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 Schwalm, the Werra or Weser, and Diemel. The Mainze passes 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. Cassel and Darmstadt, of which Philippsdale, Rhinfelds, and Homburg, are collateral branches; the two first of Hesse-Cassel, and the last of Hesse-Darmstadt. Their rights and privileges are very considerable. In particular, they have votes at the diet of Frankfort. The princes of Hesse-Cassel 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 370,000l. a-year, and those of Hesse-Cassel to near 380,000l. The small county of Schaumberg 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. In 1818 Hesse Darmstadt contained 619,500 inhabitants, and Hesse Cassel 549,000. The troops that the former 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 Cassel, Homburg, and Philippsdale, are Calvinists; that of Darmstadt, Lutherans; and that of Rhinfelds, Roman Catholics. The prince of Hesse-Cassel, 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 guarantors, 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 consistories, superintendents, 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 Cassel 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, Chassi, Hassi, and Hessi. The two chief branches of Cassel 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 diet of the empire. In 1806, the greater part of Hesse Cassel was incorporated with the kingdom of Westphalia, erected by Bonaparte in favour of his brother Jerome. But in 1813 it was restored to the hereditary prince. Both Hesse Cassel and Hesse Darmstadt have received considerable additions of territory since the year 1800.