The national debt of Hanover is about three years income, or somewhat more than L.3,000,000 Ster ling. A part of this was owing before the occupa tion of the country by France ; hut, during the pe riod they were in possession, it was much increased; and the preparations made for war when Bonaparte returned from Elba caused a farther augmentation. The interest is paid at the rate of four per cent., and the debt has been diminished within the last four years. It is almost wholly owing to the sub jects of the kingdom.
The regular forces of Hanover amounted to 12,940 men and officers, but they are undergoing a reduc tion, which is intended to bring them to less than 8000 for a permanent peace establishment. The militia, or landwehr, have hitherto been 18,000 ; but they are, like the regulars, gradually reducing, and will be fixed at about two-thirds that number. Hanover has no naval force, except a single brig of war, moored off the city of Stade, to enforce the tolls which all merchant vessels passing up the Elbe are bound to pay, and which amounts to about L.5000 Sterling anneally.
The judiciary system of Hanover is very compli cated. Many of the inferior judges and magistrates are appointed by the proprietors of particular es tates ; and many of those nominated by the king are rather by his prerogative as owner of some estates than as the monarch. Some of these jurisdictions are small, but yet have the power of life and death. An attempt is now making to simplify and assimilate the administration of justice in the different pro times, among which there is considerable variation. It must, however, be a work of time, as the inha bitants are much attached to their local customs. A court of appeal at Zell has extensive power, and it is intended to increase its authority by allowing all the provinces to have recourse to it for final judgments.
In Hanover there is not merely toleration, but equal establishment to the three Christian sects of Lutherans, Catholics, and Reformed ; and the smal ler sects of Menonites, Hernhuthers, and others, en. joy perfect protection. The members of the Lu theran community amount to 1,050,000 ; the Ca tholics to 160,000 ; the Reformed to 90,000 ; the remainder comprise Jews and the smaller Chris tian communities. The Lutheran church is regu lated by superintendents, who resemble bishops, but are assisted, and somewhat controlled, by the consistories. The seat of these is in Hanover, Stade,
Osuabriich, Hildesheim, Aurich, and Hohnstahi. The Catholics are divided into dioceses, and have bishops at Osnabriich, Hildesheim, and Regersburg ; and the provinces of Meppen and Eimsbuhren are under the spiritual of the Prussian Bi shop of MUnster. The Lutherans and Reformed are united in some of the consistories, and the trifling differences in their faith and modes of worship are easily compromised or reconciled.
The means of education are very amply provided for all classes of the community. Each village has a schoolmaster for gratuitouslyteaching the poorer inhabitants; all of whom are instructed in reading, writing, and the common rules of arithmetic. In the capital there is a large institution, established for the tuition of the parochial schoolmasters. In all the cities, and many of the towns, are Gymnasiums, in which classical and elementary instruction is dis pensed on very moderate terms. The University of Gottingen, established by King George II. in 1734, has been greatly celebrated for the learning of its professors and the number of its pupils. Owing to some turbulent conduct of the latter, their num ber has been reduced from 1200 to 800, none of whom are either subjects of Hanover, of Hesse Cm.. eel, or of Brunswick. The library belonging to the university is admirably conducted, and consists of near 300,000 volumes. There is a valuable chemical, mechanical, and philosophical apparatus; an astro nomical observatory ; and dissecting rooms for sur gical and veterinary studies. The university is go..
versed by its own magistrates, and the professors may publish what works they lease, without a pre vious censurate being • The press in Hanover is not, however, ume strieted. All works, except those of the Gottingen professors, must be examined and licensed before publication ; but the censors are very liberal in the exercise of their duty, andseldom suppress any works, however contrary to established opinions, if they are unmixed with slander, invective, or person sales. There is no law in Hanover to prevent the introduction of any work, however obnoxious, that is published in other parts of Germany, or in foreign countries.