Westerbotten

Westerbotten, a N. län of Sweden, in Norrland, bordering on Norway and the gulf of Bothnia; area, 23,865 sq. m.; pop. in 1874, 96,084, including many Lapps. It is traversed by branches of the Kiölen mountain chain, and includes Lakes Stor, Stor Uman, and Horn Afvan. It is drained by the Umea and its branch the Windel, the Pitea, and other rivers, most of them forming cataracts and rapids. The heat in summer is oppressive. Agriculture is limited. Forests abound, and the principal trade is in timber. Iron, lead, and copper are produced. Fish are plentiful, especially salmon. The province is famous for its furs and game, particularly reindeer, and it is a favorite resort of sportsmen. Capital, Umea.

Westerwald

Westerwald, a mountain range of Germany, in Prussian territory, lying E. of the Rhine, bounded N". by the Sieg and E. and S. by the Lahn. It consists of a lofty plateau from which rise numerous moderate elevations, the highest of which, the Saalberg, reaches a height of about 2,500 ft. The N. E. and central parts of the range, known also as Hoher Westerwald or Kalte Eich, are the highest. The rounded eminences frequently enclose a lake or marsh, and the large number of these renders the climate harsh and unfavorable to agriculture. Forests appear only upon the lower slopes and toward the Rhine. The winters are long and severe, and the snows heavy. The products are potatoes, oats, barley, flax, and hay. Some copper and iron are found, and there are considerable deposits of lignite and potters' clay. At and near Ramsbach large quantities of earthenware are manufactured, known in commerce as Coblentz ware. Malachite has lately been discovered.

Westland Marston

Westland Marston, an English author, born in Boston, Lincolnshire, Jan. 30, 1820. lie received a legal education in the office of his uncle, a solicitor in London, but relinquished the law for dramatic authorship. Among his best plays are the tragedies of " The Patrician's Daughter " (1841), "The Heart and the World" (1847), "Strathmore" (1849), " Philip of France " (1849), and "Anne Blake " (1852), several of which possess poetic merits of a high order. He has also produced some comic dramas. His more conspicuous later works are: "Pure Gold," "Donna Diana," "The Favorite of Fortune" (1866), "A Hero of Romance " (1867), and "Lifefor Life " (1868). He has also published some lyrics in periodicals, a volume of poems (1842), " A Lady in her own Right," a novel (I860), and a collection of his contributions to periodicals under the title of "Family Credit, and other Tales " (1861).

Westmanland

Westmanland, a S. E. län of Sweden, in Svealand, bounded E. by the län of Stockholm; area, 2,549 sq. m.; pop. in 1874, 119,485. It is mountainous, and contains many mines. Iron and copper are the principal products; silver is mined at Sala. There is little tillable land. Capital, Westeras.