SAN MARINO, or Manmo, one of the most ancient and most limited republican states of Europe, consists of a craggy mountain 2,200 ft. in height, situated amidst the lesser ranges of the Apennines, and encircled by provinces formerly belonging to the Pontifical States. It possesses a total area of 21 m., and comprises a t. of the same name, and several villages in the adjacent territory. The climate is healthy, but, owing to its expo sure, high winds and frequent rains prevail. The town of Marino is built on a slope of the mountain; it is accessible only by one road, and is protected by walls and towers; it contains several squares and streets, rudely paved, and various public buildings, includ ing seven churches, a town-hall, a theater, the governor's palace, convents, museums, and hospitals. The inhabitants, who numbered. in 1874, 7,816, arc noted for their hos pitality, sobriety, industry, and general morality. They are sensitively jealous of their rights, and cling with tenacity to their territorial and legislative independence. Their chief trade is in agricultural produce and cattle.
The early history of the republic is very obscure. During the mediawal wars of Italy, Marino had its pigmy fends and factions, which seem to have been none the less enven omed from the pettiness of the arena in which they were enacted. In 1740 the demo cratic:al to.in or was securely guaranteed against further asswilt. 'The rights of this nindinure suite were scrupulously respected by Napoleon during his Italian cum paiga. The goVCrUnient, designated the sovereign grand council (gefierille priacipc), is composed of GO members, of whom one-third arc nobles. From this number are selected the smaller "council of twelve" (tWo-thirds from the town and the rest from the country), who, with the assistance of a jurisconsult, decide in questions (Attie 2d s al iu tance. The representatives of the at ate are termed camains-regettt (capita la ). They are chosen, the one from the party of the nobles, tile other from the bourgeoisie. They each hold office only for si.: months. The army, or rather the mili tia of the repablic, numbers 950 men.