The Democrat. (Scotland Neck, Halifax Co., N.C.) 1884-1896, 1888-05-03
PIGMY NATIONS.
The Lilliputian Monarchies and
Republics Of Europe.
TavoIara, a Kingdom Only Five
Miles Square.

The republic Of Andorra IS in the
valley Of the eastern Pyrcnees, between
France and Spain. Its inaccesslblllty
has protected its liberties from the ear
liest times. 1t was nominally subject
to France but as its people had aided
Charlemagne in his campaign against
the Moors the emperor rewarded them
by conceding to them the privilege of
self government. The republic to this
day Acknowledges France as its suzeraln,
and pays the French government an an
nual tribute Of about 500 1t pays
similar tribute to tho bishop
of Urgol, who, by traditionary
privilege yields the ecclesias-
teal patronage of the state, Otherwise
the state Is independ ent and it is
governed by a sovereign council of
twenty-four members, chosen by the
people, and the council elects one of its
number to be syndic for life and WELD
the chief executive power, assisted by a
second syndic chosen in q similar man
ner Andorra has an area of between
200 and 800 square miles, and popuIa-
ton of about II, 900.
San Marine, which claims to be the
oldest and the smallest republic of the
world, is in the northwestern part Of
Italy, incloscd on all sides by Italian
provinces 1t is situated in the heart of
the Alpine district, 5000 feet above the
level of the sea. 1t has an area Of seven
teen square miles, and population of
5000.
1t is said to have been first settled in
the fourth century by Marinu:, a DIAL
matian hermit, and has always been in
dependent. The legislative power of
this republic is vested in "plincely
and sovereign grand council" composed
of sixty members, who are elected for
life, with power to fill vacancies-the
mobiles, citizens and rural proprietor' be-
ing represented in equal proportions.
The executive power is welded by
two captains regent, who are chosen by
blAO NOUhNAA CNCi 9IA iLAOLbllS- IlIlC
is also kind of senate, composed of
twelve members of the council, of which
two-thirds arc annually renewed. The
captains regent are assisted by two
secretaries of state, one for foreign af-
fairs, and one for the interior. For To-
cal administration, there is an officer
styled the syndic, appointed in each
village.
A still smaller state than either Of the
above is the principaIity of Monaco, on
the Mediterranean coast of France, near
the Italian frontier. 1t has an area Of
eight and one-third square miles and
$500 Inhabitants. This territory was,
from the tenth century, in the posses
sion of Gcnocse family, and was under
protection of various governments until
1898, when the National Convention of
Paris declared it part Of the Frcn Oh
Republic. In 1915, however, it was re-
stored to its hereditary owners, and was
placed under the protection of Sardinia
Monaco up to this time included two
adjacent commu1es, which its prince
coded to France in 1860 for a large in
demnity. When the province of Nice
was given to France in 1860, Monaco
came under Frances protection. The
province is under absolute control of
the ruling prince, who appoints nearly
all necessary officials. The present
prince, Charles Ill, in 1869 abolished
all taxes, and since then has derived his
revenue entirely from the rent of the
gaming establishments of the city.
But a still smaller European state
deserves mention. Thi, is the king
dom of Tavolara, comprising an island
ofabout five aud one-half square miles,
northeast Of the coast of Sardinia. 1t
has something less than one hundred
inhabitants The abs olutc sovereignty
of this island was granted carly in this
century by the King of S ,rdinia to the
Bartoleoni family, the head of which
has since borne the name of King of
Tavolara and ruled his little domain.
with the form, at least, of regal dignity.
King Paul L, who died few ara
since, has held rule for over fly yeats,
and was most generous and Kind
monarch; his death was much lamcnted
by his small family of subjects. rChica-
T,+,