LEMGO  , a

town of Germany, in the principality of Lippe, in a broad and fertile plain, 9 M . N. from Detmold and on the railway Hameln-Lage . Pop . (1900) 884o . Its somewhat gloomy aspect, enhanced by the tortuous narrow lanes flanked by gabled houses of the 15th century, has gained for it among countryfolk the sobriquet of the " Witches' nest " (Hexen-Nest) . It is replete with interest for the antiquarian . It has four Evangelical churches, two with curiously leaning, lead-covered spires; an old town-hall; a gymnasium; and several philanthropic and religious institutions . Among the latter is the Jungfrauenstift, of which a princess of the reigning house of Lippe-Detmold has always been lady superior since 1306 . The chief industry of Lemgo is the manufacture of meerschaum pipes, which has attained here a high pitch of excellence; other industries are weaving, brewing and the manufacture of leather and cigars . The town was a member of the Hanseatic league .