Religion.— The religion of the state is Roman Catholicism, which embraces more than seven-tenths of the population. The remainder are principally Protestants and Jews. In 1910 the Roman Catholics numbered 4,862,233; Protestants, 1,942,385; Jews, 55,065. The pro portion between Catholics and Protestants has scarcely varied during the last three-quarters of a century. All citizens, whatever their creed, are equally admissible to the same public func tions and employments, and possess the same civil and political rights. The articles of the concordat concluded with the Pope are sub ordinate in their application to the fundamental law of the state. By an ordinance of Louis I females are prohibited from pronouncing any monastic vow until having passed their 33d year. The dioceses of Bavaria comprise two archbishoprics, Munich and Bamberg; and six bishoprics, Augsburg, Ratisbon, Eichstadt, Passau, Wiirzburg and Spires. The Salaries are paid by the government. The Protestant Church is under a general consistory and three provincial consistories. In Bavaria marriage between individuals having no capital cannot take place without the consent of the principal persons appointed to superintend the poor in stitutions, who, if they grant such liberty where there are no means of supporting the children that may spring from such marriage, render themselves liable for their maintenance. The law is intended to prevent improvident marriages.
People.— In personal appearance the Bava rians are stout and vigorous, well adapted to bear the fatigues of war, and are generally considered good soldiers. Of a lighter, gayer temperament than the Prussians, they are some times accused of being indolent and somewhat addicted to drinking, but are brave, patriotic and faithful to their word. Their manners and customs toward the close of the 18th century were described as very coarse, and they were said to be deeply imbued with superstitious bigotry; but since the more general diffusion of knowledge a great change for the better has taken place. Many of the peasantry wore long, loose, snuff-colored coats, lined or edged with pink, and studded in front with silver or white metal buttons, thrown open to display a smart waistcoat of various and brilliant colors ;• their hats were often ornamented with artificial flowers. Many of the Bavarian women are handsome, lively and graceful. They dress smartly and display much taste in their attire. Some of them wear black silk handkerchiefs, decorated with flowers or ribbons, tied tightly around their heads; some caps of silver or gold tissue, and all have their hair neatly braided. German is the language spoken, with local peculiarities, but Bavarians have never been conspicuous for the cultivation of their native tongue.
Constitution.— Bavaria became a member of the North German Confederation by the Treaty of Versailles, 23 Nov. 1870, and now forms part of the German empire, but possesses certain special privileges in regard to the ad ministration of the army railways and posts, and the collection of revenue for its separate budget. It is a constitutional monarchy, the
crown being hereditary in the male line, or if that fails, in the female line. The executive is in the hands of the king, but a ministry of seven members is responsible for his acts, and he is advised by a state council consisting of the seven ministers, nine other members and one royal prince. The executive power is exer cised jointly by the king and Parliament, con sisting of an upper and lower House. The former is composed of princes of the royal family, the great officers of state, the two arch bishops, the head of certain noble families, and about 30 other hereditary councillors, a bishop named by the king, the president of the Prot estant General Consistory, and a certain num ber of life members appointed by the Crown, which must not exceed one-thitd of the heredi tary councillors. The number of deputies, or members of the lower House, is fixed at 163, being at an average rate of one for every 38,000 inhabitants. They are elected for six years, since 6 April 1906, by direct secret vote, to which every citizen over 25 years old, who has paid a direct tax for at least a year, is entitled. Bavaria is represented in the Im perial Bundesrat by six members, and in the Reichstag by 48. In regard to local administra tion the country is divided into eight provinces, or government districts, subdivided into ad ministrative districts. Each government dis trict has a provincial government consisting of two boards, one for the management of the police, schools, etc., and the other for the man agement of financial affairs; and each has a landrat, consisting of representatives of the districts, towns, clergy, landed nobility and university, if there be one. The budget is voted for two years. The estimates for 1914-15 balanced at $196,267,182. The total debt for 1911 amounted to $606,820,789, of which $478, 328,800 were for railways. The army is raised by conscription — every man being liable to serve from 1 January of the year in which he completes his 20th year —and it forms an independent part of the army of the German empire, namely: 1st, 2d, 3d Bavarian army corps. In the time of peace it is under the com mand of the king of Bavaria, but in time of war it is placed under that of the German Emperor as commander-in-chief of the whok German army. The period of service is two years in the ranks, five in the reserve, five in the Landwehr or second army line, six in the Landsturm for home defense, cavalry and horse artillery three, four, three and six. On a peace footing the Bavarian army is between 72,000 and 73,000 men. No Bavarian can settle or marry, except by definite appointment, till he has fulfilled his military liabilities.