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Divisions and Government: Federal

The Federal Council, composed of fifty-eight members appointed by the governments of the different states has great powers and privileges, and its consent is necessary to a declaration of war. Of its members, seventeen represent Prussia, six Bavaria, four Wurtemburg, four Saxony, three Baden, three Hesse, two Brunswick, two Mecklenburg- Schwerin, and the other states each select one. The Reichstag or Parliament is composed of 382 members, of whom Prussia elects 236, Bavaria 48, Saxony 23, Wurtemberg 17, Baden 14, Hesse 9, and the others each from one to six. Members of the Reichstag are chosen by universal suffrage and the ballot, and the legislative period is three years. The Reichstag can, however, be dissolved by a resolution of the Federal Council, approved by the emperor. The customs and excise duties and the profits of the postal and telegraphic services are devoted to the support of the general Government, and any deficiencies there may be, are made up by the several States in proportion to their taxable property. Each state manages its own internal affairs, and disputes between them are settled by the Federal Council. As in all other constitutional Governments the Cabinet or ministry has great power. The emperor is commander-in-chief of the army and navy in time of war, and (except of the Bavarian army) in time of peace also. He appoints all officers (except in Bavaria and Saxony), and has other and extensive powers.

ARMY AND NAVY.-With a few exceptions every subject is enrolled as a soldier after completing his twentieth year. Three years are spent in the regular army, and the four from twenty-three to twenty-seven must be passed in the army of reserve. The soldier then remains five years in the landwehr or militia, subject to be incorporated in the regular army in time of war. From thirty-two to fifty he is enrolled in the landsturm, whose members are only called upon for home service. The army on the peace footing consists of 21,238 officers and 468,409 men, with 81,598 horses and 1,486 guns. On the war footing the total strength amounts to 35,427 officers and 1,456,677 men, with 312,731 horses and 2,808 guns. The field army has 744,031 men and 19,391 officers, 242,415 horses and 2,040 guns. The depôt troops, "Ersatztruppen," number 296,614 men, 4,796 officers, with 31,373 horses and 440 guns. The garrison troops, "Besatzungstruppen," with 416,032 men, 11,240 officers, 38,943 horses and 324 guns. The "Landsturm," a last reserve, is not included in the above, but it is not organized in time of peace.

In 1887, 41,135 men, forming thirty-one battalions, twenty-four field batteries nine companies of pioneers, and fourteen of train, were added to the peace establishment. On a war footing, Germany is prepared to place more than 3,000,000 men in the field fully armed. The organization of the German navy dates from 1872.

BERLIN AND OTHER CITIES. - Berlin, the capital of Prussia and the German Empire, is a remarkably handsome city of about 1,400.000 inhabitants. It is situated on the river Spree, in the old Province of Brandenburg, and its history dates back some 7 centuries, although it was not until after the close of the Thirty Years' War that it attained any distinctive prominence. At the present time it is one of the most important cities of Europe, and it has been the scene of many historical events. Its streets, except those of the older quarters, are wide and regular, the chief being Unterden Linden, the fashionable promenade; the Friedrichsstrasse, Leipziger Strasse, Königsstrasse, Wilhelmsstrasse, and Luisenstrasse, business and residence thoroughfares. Over 40 bridges span the river Spree, the chief being the Schloss, Friedrichs, Marschalls, Kurfursten, and Konigs bridges. The city abounds with handsome public buildings, and among its hundred churches are several remarkably fine pieces of architecture. The royal palaces, the Town Hall, the old and new Museums with their wealth of pictures and statuary, the Royal Library, the Exchange, Post Office, and the buildings devoted to Government offices and educational institutions, are interesting structures. Berlin has several fine parks, a botanical garden, zoological garden, aquarium, and many other interesting resorts. The city is well supplied with hospitals and other charitable institutions. Dresden, the capital of Saxony, is located on both sides of the Elbe, and is the 4th city in the empire. It is the centre of a flourishing manufacturing district. The Hanse Towns, Hamburg, Bremen, and Lubeck, are chiefly interested in shipping. Munich, Cologne, Breslau, Hanover, Magdeburg, Königsberg, Leipsic, and many other important cities, are scattered throughout Germany. Each has a history, stretching back through the Middle Ages.

HISTORY. All that is known of the history of Germany prior to its nominal conquest by Cæsar and succeeding Roman generals, is that the country was inhabited by numerous semi-barbaric tribes engaged in agriculture and the chase, and dwelling in villages and small towns. The Germani and allied tribes were warlike and independent, and successfully opposed the attempts of the Roman generals to subdue the country. Under Clovis (481-511) and his successors the great Frankish empire was formed, and Charlemagne (771-814) ruled over an empire which extended from the Ebro to the Elbe and from the Atlantic to the head-waters of the Danube and the line of the Po. On the death of this great monarch the empire was divided, and for many centuries the country was cut up into a 100 or more petty duchies and principalities. From time to time one or another of these rulers was able to attain prominence above his fellows, as did the Elector of Brandenburg in the beginning of the 18th century. The title of Emperor of the Romans vested in Saxon, Franconian, Swabian, and other families, until, in 1273, Count Rudolph of Hapsburg, the founder of the ruling house of Austria, attained to kingly power. Under Charles the Fifth, Germany became the ruling nation of Europe, that monarch uniting the crowns of Spain, the Netherlands, Germany, and Naples. Throughout the entire Middle Ages, and even up to 1814, Germany was the battlefield of Europe, and a mere catalogue of the campaigns, sieges, and battles fought upon its soil would fill a volume. The boundaries were subjected to constant changes, and the name of Germany became nothing more than a geographical expression. It was overrun by the armies of Napoleon, and when in 1806 the Rhenish Confederation was formed under the protection of France, the Emperor Francis resigned the German crown, and the empire was formally dissolved. After the downfall of Napoleon a Confederation of the remaining States which had preserved some semblance of sovereignty was formed, and for 50 years this Confederation was alternately swayed by Austria and Prussia. Gradually the power of Austria waned, while that of Prussia increased; and after the first successes of the united German armies against France in 1870-1 the imperial crown was placed upon the head of King William of Prussia, and Germany once more became a united nation.

PRUSSIA. The mainstay of the German Empire is, of course, Prussia, an extensive kingdom, comprising the larger portion of Germany, situate in lat. 49° 7' and 55° 52′ N., and long. 5° 50' and 22° 50′ E. At the last census the population was as follows: