a duchy in Germany, recently become an independent though a small sovereignty. It was united with Saxe-Gotha till the decease without issue of the Grand Duke of Saxe-Gotha Altenburg, when a dispute arose between the several branches of the family, which was terminated by a treaty in 1826, Gotha being transferred to the Duke of Saxe-Coburg, and Altenburg being created a sovereign state. It is 502 square miles in extent, but is not compact, and some parts are surrounded by the territories of other states. It contains ten cities and towns, and 458 villages, with (in 1836) 120,690 inhabitants, who, with the exception of 3900 Catholics, adhere to the Lutheran religion. The revenues of the state amount to L.68,250, consisting nearly one half of the rent of the domains, and the other half of direct taxes on consumption. The annual expenditure is somewhat less, and the surplus is applied to the discharge of the debt, which, in 1832, amounted to L.183,900. The force to form the contingent to the German confederation is fixed at 982 men. By a constitution fixed in April 1831, the assembly of the states is appointed to consist of nobles, burghers, and peasants, and, with the duke, to make or alter the laws. The district is hilly and woody, but more so on the western than on the eastern side. In the latter division the soil is generally fertile, producing abundant crops of corn, and containing much rich meadow-land, adapted to the fattening of cattle. The river Saale rises in this duchy, and receives many of the smaller streams which run to the Elbe. The chief manufacturing industry is spinning the flax of their own growth; but a few woollen goods are made, and some iron ware. The capital is the city of Altenburg, containing 13,900 inhabitants. Two other places contain more than 4000, viz. Röthenburg 4640, and Eisenburg 4605.