one of the provinces of the present kingdom of Hanover. It was formerly the duchy of that name, erected by the emperor of Germany, in the year 1235, and along came to the Hanoverian branch of the family of Brunswick. It extends along the left bank of the river Elbe, by which it is divided from the Prussian and the Polish dominions. It is 4475 square miles in extent, and comprehends twelve cities, twenty-six market-towns, 184 parishes, in which are 1501 hamlets, 32,944 houses, and about 260,000 inhabitants. It is generally a level district, with sandy soil; but near the rivers there is some good arable and pasture land, though the heaths form seven tenths of the whole province. The principal river is the Elbe, into which the Ilmenau, the Ohre, and their tributary streams, fall; but some of the rivers run to the West. The climate, though not unhealthy, is severely cold in winter, and as intensely hot in summer. The chief employment, besides husbandry, is spinning flax. The capital is the city of the same name, on the Ilmenau, which is navigable to the Elbe. It contains four churches, orphan-house, two hospitals, and 1896 dwellings, mostly in a very ancient style, and 10,039 inhabitants. The place is now in a dilapidated state, and there are few public buildings, though there are institutions for education. There is but little trade, except in salt made from a lime spring, and in brewing, distilling, and tanning, for the use of the neighbourhood. Long. 10.19.32.E. Lat. 51.15.7.N.