Austria-Hungary

An empire in the southern central portion of Europe. Since 1867 it has consisted of Austria and Hungary united under one hereditary sovereign, a common army and navy and diplomacy controlled by the Delegations, a body of 120 members, one-half representing the legislature of Austria and one-half that of Hungary, the upper house of each country returning 20 and the lower house 40 delegates. Orditria consists of the Provincial Diets representing the provinces and the Reichsrath, which consists of an upper house composed of princes of the imperial family, nobles, ecclesiastics, and 120 life members nominated by the Emperor; also a lower house of ■353 members, elected. There is a ministry of nine members. The legislature of Hungary Is conjointly In the King and the Diet or Reichstag. This consists of an upper house or house of magnates, including hereditary peers, ecclesiastics aud fifty life peers appointed by the Crown and other special representatives, and the lower house elected by the people to the number of 453. There Is a ministry of nine, including a president. The supreme court of Austria sits at Vienna, that of Hungary at Buda-Pesth. An administrative court, a high court of justice, and a court of cassation also sit at Vienna. There are courts of second instance in the larger cities and circuit courts at most of the principal towns throughout the Empire.