SAXE-AL'TENBURG, the smallest of the minor Saxon states, is a duchy bounded by Saxe-Weimar, Prussian Saxony, the kingdom of Saxony, Saxe-Meiningen, and Schwarz burg-Rudolstadt, and separated into two nearly equal parts by the interposed principality of Reuss-Gera. The eastern portion, or circle of Altenburg, from its being watered by the Pleisse, was formerly called Pleissengau. It contains 254 English sq.m., with a pop. '71, of 94,502. The western part, or circle of Saal-Eisenberg, is watered by the Scale, with the Orla and Rode, and contains 256 English sq.m.; pop. '71, 47,620. Total area, 510 sq.m.; pop. '71, 142,122; '75, 145,844, nearly half of whom are inhabitants of towns. The vast bulk of the population (999 in 1000) are Protestants, there being in 1872 only 193 Catholics, 16 Christian sectaries, and 10 Jews. The eastern portion is open, undu lating, and very fertile, and agriculture has here attained considerable perfection, and is diligently pursued by a large proportion of the population, so that much more corn is produced than is necessary for home consumption. The peasants in this circle, though speaking the Tlitiringian dialect exhibit in their dress, manners, and customs a family resemblance to the Wendish-speaking Serbs bf Lusatia; and numerous names of places, especially those endikg iu itz, indicate their Slavic origin. They are celebrated through
out Germany for their skill as agriculturists, and their superior intellirrence, knowledge, and comparative wealth. The budget estimate of revenue for 1875-77 was £111,178; and the expenditure, including the duke's civil list of £22,900, to time same sum., The troops are, of course, under the command of the emperor of Germany. Saxe-Altenburg is a limited monarchy, in accordance with the constitution of April 29, 1831, modified somewhat by the events of 1848-49. By the law of 1870 the single chamber consists of. 30 members, 9 representing the towns, 12 the country, and 9 the persons who pay most taxes. The government is in the hands of a ministry of three. As a member of the empire, Saxe-Altenburg has one vote in the council, and one repiesentative in the diet. Altenburg (q.v.) is the seat of government. See GERMANY.