strongly fortified town of Prussian Westphalia, capital of a government of the same name, on the left bank of the Weser, here crossed by an old bridge 600 feet long, 37 miles W. from Hanover. This is one of the oldest towns in Germany. The Emperor Henry IV. resided here for a long time; and at the imperial diet held here in 1026 his father Henry III. was chosen emperor. The town is irregularly built, and contains few good buildings. It has five churches, the principal of which, the cathedral, is a handsome edifice 200 feet long by 82 wide. Among its educational institutions are a gymnasium, a normal school, and a Lutheran young ladies' seminary. The manufactures are considerable, comprising woollen stuffs, linen, hosiery, hats, leather, tobacco, soap, beer, brandy, sugar, &c. Minden also carries on some trade by means of the river. The French were defeated in the vicinity of this town on 1st August 1759 by an Anglo-Hanoverian army under Prince Ferdinand. Pop. (1849) 13,060.

Mindoro, one of the Philippine Islands, is situated to the S. of Luzon, from which it is separated by the Strait of Manilla, between 12°10' and 13°30' N. Lat., and 120°27' and 121°43' E. Long. Length about 100 miles; average breadth between 40 and 50; area estimated at 4150 square miles. Its form is triangular, and the coasts are skirted with a range of hills; while in the interior the surface gradually rises to a very great elevation. The surface is well wooded, and watered by a great number of streams rising in the centre of the island. There are some Spanish settlements in Mindoro; and the aborigines are employed largely in piratical expeditions. Pop. 28,060.