The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-06-29

lin, G0ttingen, Vienna, Bonn, Prague, (l346,) and
honIgsberg being tho most famous. The number OF
students in each varies from 400 10 1900. Some
l5Opublc libraries contain some 1000 600 volumes,
besides MSS
Mysticism and in6deIity obtain much amongst
the Germans: in their habits and mode Of living
little vice. comparatively, is observable, but in many
of the large cities cannot fail to notice that skep-
ticism and freethinking prevail TO an alarming ex-
tent. The peculiar grave and serious character of
the people, their fondness for abstruse studies,
habits Of augmentation, and the superstitious,
mystical nature OF their legends tales, and HISTORIES
may be reckoned among the reasons why, in the
birthplace Of the Reformation the seed has not
produced sound and aourishing growth
The XXXVlIl States forming the Confedera-
ton of 1915, may be classed as follows: First, the
Empire Of Austria, with population of some
4OOOO,O OO, but a small proportion of whom, how
ever, speak the original German, and embracing a
great variety of races, languages, sympathios, and
customs; these various tribes inhabit the Kingdoms
OF Hungary, Bohemia, Lombardy, and Venice, the
Dalmatan provinces Of the Danube, Croatia and
ScavonIa, with their fierce, half-savage warriors,
Galcia, Syria, SiIesia, Transylvania, IlIyra, &c
Next, the five Kingdoms Of Prussia, Saxony, Bava-
ria, Hanover, and Wurtemberg, the duchies Of
Baden, Hessen, Holstein, Luxembourg, Brunswick,
MeckeDburg, Anhalt, Nassau, Oldenburg, &c, the
Lppe, WaIdeck, Schwarzburg, Lichtenstein, and
the four free towns Of Bremen, Frankfort, Ham
burg, and Lubec. A great variety of interests POI
lltical social, and commercial, are embraced in the
various States named above.
The ferceness Of the struggle now going on in
Austria between the Hungarians and the Austrians
proper, (aided by the Croats,) the hatred Of the
Lombard for his Austrian ruler, the antipathies Of
Bohemian, Sclave, Gallician, and Tyrolean, the
Rhinelander's fear of Prussia and the constant
quarrelings of the minor duchies, together with
great diversity of commercial interests, and still
A.
manifold difficulties now experienced in forming
the new German Empire.
The Zoll-Verein or Custom-housc League, form
ed some years since, was one important step
towards Capitalization and political union of Ger
many. Previous to this Zoll-Verein, articles in
tended for any of the interior States subjected
to heavy duties and tolls upon crossing the frontiers
of any or all of the intervening States, and in this
way some of the States remote from the sea board
were forced to pay transit duties several times be-
fore the goods actually came into possession.
This was burdensome, vexatious, expensive, and
highly embarrassing to trade. In the year 1885,
the present system agreed upon, founded upon
similar scale of duties for all goods passing
through, or intended for, the States who united
under this one system of customs A single exam
ination on the frontier, now, passes merchandise
through the various States of the Zol-Verein, and
the duties are likewise paid but once. The revenue
thus collected is divided amongst the States of the
League in proportion TO the population. Prussia,
Bavaria, Saxony, Wiirtemburg, &c, stand first in
this commercial union; whilst Hanover, Aldenburg
and few other small duchies, have not yet joined
Austria, of course, still adheres to her old system
and in fact but little for the nationality Of
Germany.
The legislative chambers promised the people in
1915, when the Confederation was entered into
have been, except in few instances, constituted.
The neglect and refusal of the princes to permit
these popular bodies. had long been subject Of
grave complaint. The desire for German Empire,
uniting all classes of the Father-land under one head
has for years been the ardent dream of the Ger
manic race. They point backwards with pride to
the time of their emperors when, united, they stood
forward the foremost power in Europe and eagerly
embracing the present opportunity afforded by con-
vusive and troublesome times, they seek once more
NATIONALITY. A large empire or republic so
formed in central Europe would soon become the
prominent power, and well may England, France,
Russia, and Austria feel jealous of the realization Of
such an empire. s.