HANSEATIC LEAGUE, a combination of towns in North-western Germany for the mutual protection of their commerce against the pirates of the Baltic and the mutual defence of their liberties against the encroachments of neighbouring princes; it dates from 1241, and flourished for several centuries, to the extension of their commerce far and wide; numbered at one time 64 towns, and possessed fleets and armies, an exchequer, and a government of their own; the League dwindled down during the Thirty Years’ War to six cities, and finally to three, Hamburg, Luebeck, and Bremen.

HANSTEEN, CHRISTOPH, a Norwegian astronomer and mathematician, born in Christiania, where he became professor of Mathematics; is famous for his researches and discoveries in connection with the magnetism of the earth, and the impetus he gave to the study of it; he prosecuted his magnetic researches as far as the E. of Siberia, and published the results (1784-1873).

HANSWURST (i. e.  Jack Pudding), a pantomimic character in comic performances on the German stage; a great favourite at one time with the vulgar; distinguished for his awkwardness, his gluttonous appetite, and his rotundity.

HANUMAN, the monkey-god of the Hindus, a friend of Rama, for whose benefit he reared a causeway across seas to Ceylon.

HANWAY, JONAS, a traveller and philanthropist, born in Portsmouth; travelled through Russia and Persia, and settled in London as one of the navy commissariat; devoted himself to the reclaiming and befriending of unfortunates of all kinds; was a man of very eccentric ways (1712-1786).

HAPSBURG or HABSBURG, HOUSE OF, a famous royal house which has played a leading part in the history of Continental Europe from its foundation in the 12th century by Albert, Count of Hapsburg, and which is represented to-day by the Imperial family of Austria.  Representatives of this family wore the Imperial crown of the Holy Roman Empire for centuries.  It takes its name from the castle of Habsburg or Habichtaburg, on the Aar, built by Werner, bishop of Strasburg, in the 11th century, a castle, however, which has long since ceased to be in the possession of the family.

HARBOUR GRACE (7), a seaport and the second town of Newfoundland, lies on the W. side of Conception Bay, 84 m.  NW. of St. John’s; its commodious harbour is somewhat exposed; it is the seat of a Roman Catholic bishop, and has a cathedral and convent.

HARBURG (35), a prospering Prussian seaport in Lueneburg, on the Elbe, 5 m.  S. of Hamburg; its industries embrace gutta-percha goods, oil, chemicals, &c.; is a favourite watering-place.