HALBERSTADT, is an ancient town of Prussia, and capital of the principality of the same name. It is situated in the circle of Lower Saxony, on the small river Holt zemme. The principal public edifices and curiosities are, the cathedral, from the summit of which there is a fine view of the town, the court of St Peter's, the church of Notre Dame, and its organ. The palace now forms the town-house and excise-offices. There is here a literary society, which has published several journals of merit ; and there are excellent libraries belonging to the cathedral, to the church of Sta Maria, the church of St Martin, and that of the Franciscans. The cathedral library contains a ma nuscript of Priscian upon parchment, and several annota tions in the handwriting of Luther. The Temple of the Muses, belonging to M. Gleim, one of the celebrated Ger man poets, is worthy of being visited. The principal manu factures of this town are the,se of woollen and linen goods, gloves and pipes, paper and wax. There is here also a work in which cobalt is prepared. The mountains of Spie
gelberge, about half a league from this town, are deserv ing the notice of travellers. They have been laid out in the English style of landscape•gardening, by the late Baron Spiegel. The village of Stropke, about 1 z leagues from Halberstadt, is celebrated for the skill with which its pea santry play at chess. Halberstadt was burned in 1179 by Henry the Lion, and a remarkable diet was held there by Lotharius II. in 1134. In 1203, it was surrounded by walls and ditches. By the treaty of Tilsit it was annexed to the kingdom of Westphalia ; but we believe that it has now re verted to the Prussian monarchy. Breyhahn, the supposed inventor of beer, was born in this town ; and his house, con taining an inscription in honour of him, is still shewn. The population, which now amounts to 11,700, is composed equally of Catholics and Calvinists. East Longitude I I° 3' 33", North Latitude 5l° 53' 35".