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THE Habitable World DESCRIBED.

Inscribed by Permiſsion to His Royal Highneſs Frederick DUKE OF YORK, &c. &c.

HONI SOIT QUI MAL Y PENSE

LONDON: Published as the Act directs, by the Author, No. 62. Wardour-Street, Soho.

1788.

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THE HABITABLE WORLD DESCRIBED, OR THE PRESENT STATE OF THE PEOPLE IN ALL PARTS OF THE GLOBE, FROM NORTH TO SOUTH; SHEWING The Situation, Extent, Climate, Productions, Animals, &c. of the different Kingdoms and States; Including all the new Diſcoveries: TOGETHER WITH The Genius, Manners, Cuſtoms, Trade, Religion, Forms of Government, &c. of the Inhabitants, and every thing reſpecting them, that can be either entertaining or informing to the Reader, collected from the earlieſt and lateſt Accounts of Hiſtorians and Travellers of all Nations; With ſome that have never been publiſhed in this Kingdom; And, nothing advanced but on the beſt Authorities.

WITH A great Variety of MAPS and COPPER-PLATES, engraved in a capital Stile, the Subjects of which are moſtly new, and ſuch as have never yet been given in any Engliſh work.

BY THE REV. DR. JOHN TRUSLER.

VOL. IX.

LONDON. Printed for the AUTHOR at the LITERARY-PRESS, No. 62, WARDOUR-STREET, SOHO; and ſold by all Bookſellers.

M DCC XCI.

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HUNGARY.

CHAP. VII. Tranſylvania.

TRANSYLVANIA is environed on all ſides with mountains, whence it enjoys a temperate air and wholeſome river waters. It is both woody and mountainous; yet the ſoil in the vallies is fertile, and produces every neceſſary of life. The mountains run from north to ſouth, branching out likewiſe eaſt and weſt. The Carpathian mountains divide it from Poland on the north, Moldavia on the eaſt, Walachia and a part of Hungary on the ſouth, and on the weſt by the principal provinces of Hungary.

The province of Tranſylvania extends from 45 deg. to 48 deg. north latitude; and from the 22d to the the 25th deg. eaſt longitude, from the meridian of London: being about 40 leagues in length from north to ſouth, and about as many from eaſt to weſt.

[4]The air is exceſſively hot in ſummer, but, notwithſtanding, it is reckoned very wholeſome. The water which comes from ſome of the ſprings is accounted unwholeſome, on account of the pernicious quality of the mineral ſubſtances through which it paſſes. The famous river Atlanta takes its riſe in the Carpathian mountains, and falls into the Danube. It is the boundary of the Ottoman and German empires.

Beſides this, there are the Meriſh and Samos, two large rivers, both which diſembogue themſelves into the Teyſſe.

There are ſeveral mineral ſprings, ſome cold and ſome hot; and a ſingular petrifying ſpring, that reſolves every kind of wood into a kind of a congealed ſubſtance, reſembling ſtone.

In this country there are four different kinds of inhabitants; the firſt originally Saxons; the ſecond Huns; the third Walachians; and the fourth Cinga, or gypſies. Theſe laſt pitch their tents in all convenient parts of the country; are in fact a ſort of licenſed vagrants, and, as in England, deceive the credulous part of the fair ſex, who are fond of the flattery of fortune-tellers.

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Figure 1. A BOHEMIAN GIPSY.

It is ſingular that throughout the world, human nature ſhould be ſo ſtrongly impregnated with a deſire to know future events; and that nothing can ſtem the credulity of both ſexes, whilſt the juvenile paſſions are warm; that ſatisfaction of being told ſome fable from the cabinet of genius, whence the roving diviner draws the ſource of a caſual ſubſiſtance, or rather exiſtence, by the futile productions of a fantaſtic brain, ſtored with luxuriant imagery to ſolace the giddy youth of either ſex, who gladly pays the impoſtor's price, and for years to come lays up the tale as part of the creed of fortune, nor dares to overtop the ſeer's ſage advice!

The eſtabliſhed religion in Tranſylvania, is the Roman-catholic, as in all the reſt of the Emperor's hereditary dominions; but nevertheleſs there are great numbers of Lutherans, Calviniſts, and Proteſtants of all denominations, who are great ſufferers on account of their religion. The ſeverity exerciſed towards them, has been the occaſion of many inſurrections; but we ſee the day approaching, and probably not far diſtant when the dark receſſes of bigotry, and the tattered cloak of religion will be finally removed from the Imperial dominions: the late Joſeph has done much, [6] and it is to be hoped the preſent Leopold will do more; but we ſhall ſpeak more of this hereafter, in deſcribing of Auſtria.

It may not be unneceſſary to ſay that Tranſylvania, is annexed to the kingdom of Hungary; conſequently ſubject to the Emperor of Germany. This province has been conquered by the Hungarians ſo early as the year 1004.

But it is alſo neceſſary to obſerve that the government of Tranſylvania is totally different from that of Hungary, although united under one crown; which has induced us to mention it ſeparately, as appears by the approbata, concordata, and diplomata, or joint conſent of prince and people, formed into a kind of an Ariſtocratical government: which is carried on in the name of the prince and nobility by the diet, the office of ſtate, the royal government, the exchequer, the aſſembly of courts, the tribunals of juſtice, and the magiſtrates.

The diets meet by ſummons from the prince at the capital, and are divided into an upper and lower table. The firſt conſiſts of the prelates, counts, and barons; and the ſecond, of the king's council, the deputies and tribunes: and at both, ſits a preſident, who repreſents the ſovereign, and draws up and ſends the Emperor their deliberations for his ſanction or royal aſſent.

[7]The high government which reſides at Hermanſtadt, ſuperintends the affairs of the principality, whether temporal or ſpiritual. At the head of it is a governor, with the commiſſioners of the three nations, catholicks, the reformed and proteſtants. The police of the whole nation is divided into ſeven grand tribunals, each governed by a count, and four inferior ones, under the juriſdiction of judges or magiſtrates.

The revenue of this country ariſes from the cuſtoms on metals, minerals, royal demeſnes and confiſcations. Hermandſtadt is the capital, which is pleaſantly ſituated on the banks of the river Cibin, about 80 miles N. E. of Temeſwaer. This is a royal free town, ſeated in a plain, being large and well built, and fortified with a double wall and deep moat, which render it, in general, very ſtrong.

It is alſo the ſeat of government, as was before obſerved, and is governed by the royal chamber, the tribunal of appeal and the diet; beſides which the commanding general and royal governor of the Saxon nation have their reſidence in this place.

The church of the Lutherans here is built, as near as can be, on the model of St. Peter's, at Rome. There is a Gymnaſium likewiſe. It is a biſhopric. Cronſtadt or Corunna, is the next in magnitude, which is 50 miles N. E. of Hermanſtadt: beſide theſe, [8] there are ſix or ſeven ſmaller cities and towns of little note.

Cattle, fowls, and other animals, are very numerous and cheap in Tranſylvania; and the wild bees are a peculiar branch of commerce in this country, as great quantities of honey and wax are exported to all parts of Europe from them.

The only manufactures of this country, beſides thoſe of iron, tin and copper, are cloth, tallow, wine, mead, and rock-ſalt.

The manners and cuſtoms of the inhabitants of Tranſylvania are rather ſingular; for at their funerals the women, in the true ſtile of Hibernian ſorrow, ſet up a howl, and follow the corps to the grave, with all the apparent marks of grief, till the body is interred; and then they ſeverally greet each other with perhaps a ſmiling countenance, or a hearty laugh, and it is not improbable ſome of the mock mourners may aſk who the deceaſed was! Thus they are ſorrowful, and lamentably oppreſſed externally, as ſhewing marks of deſpair and agony, for the loſs of one whom perhaps they do not know!

The cloathing of the Tranſylvanians, is uſually a waiſtcoat, over which is a ſhort looſe coat lined with fur: their breeches and ſtockings are of one piece, [9] and ſit cloſe to the leg and thigh, with clogs ſhod with iron, and on the head a cap like that of an Engliſh light dragoon, lined with fur. And like the Germans, they never become acquainted with any one till they have got drunk together.

They are very fond of muſic and dancing, as well as various ſports which exerciſe the agility of the body. And there is no peaſant, be his ſtation ever ſo low, but what pretends to be the deſcendant of ſome great family. Thus a Scotchman, a Welchman, and a Tranſylvanian will equally agree on the topic of noble anceſtry, flatter themſelves, or at leaſt each other, that they are men of honour; and will aſſume a title very unſuitable to the rank or mean occupation they are neceſſarily engaged in; which ridiculous idea muſt cauſe every honeſt Engliſhman to exerciſe his muſcular features in a hearty fit of laughter.

Tranſylvania is part of the ancient Dacia, the inhabitants of which long employed the Roman arms before they could be ſubdued. Their deſcendants ſtill retain a military character. The population of the country is not aſcertained. But it is aſſerted by moſt of the modern writers that this country can produce an army of 30,000 men, conſequently the whole number muſt be very conſiderable.

[10]At preſent its military force is reduced to ſix regiments of 1500 men each; but it is well known that during the laſt war, in which the Auſtrians were engaged, the Tranſylvanians did great ſervices.

The various revolutions in their government prove their impatience under ſlavery; and though the treaty of Carlowitz, in 1690, gave the ſovereignty of Tranſylvania to the houſe of Auſtria, yet the natives enjoy what they call a loyal ariſtocracy, which their ſovereign does not think proper to invade.

Although Hermandſtadt is its only biſhoprick, yet it is to all appearance quite ſufficient; as the natives, at preſent, ſeem very little inclined to concern themſelves with religion, learning, or any ſcience human or divine.

[figure]

CHAP. VIII. Hungarian Illyricum, or the Kingdoms of Sclavonia, Croatia, and Dalmatia.

[11]

MODERN Sclavonia is bounded by the Drave and Danube, which ſeparates it from Hungary towards the N. and E. by the river Save, which divides it from Servia and Boſnia on the S. and by Styria on the W. is computed to be upwards of 200 miles long, and about 70 broad: and lies between 16 and 22 deg. of E. long, and 45 and 47 deg. of N. latitude.

The air is good, the country for the moſt part level, and not much incumbered with woods and mountains, but exceedingly well watered by thoſe noble rivers, the Danube, Save, and Drave, beſides many leſſer ſtreams; from whence we may conclude it to be a very fruitful country.

The bounds of the reſpective diviſions or counties of this province have been ſo frequently altered, as being a frontier between Turkey and Chriſtendom, that it is impoſſible to lay down its exact dimenſions.

[12]The chief or capital town of the firſt diviſion, called the Banat, is that of Poſega, or Roſega, ſituated in lat. 45 deg. N. on the river Oriana, 120 miles W. of Belgrade. It conſiſts of about 1000 houſes, and is a place of good trade. Walpo is the next town of note; Eſſeck next, famous for its bridge, near the confluence of the Drave and the Danube, which has already been deſcribed in treating of Hungary. Peterwaradin, Carlowitz, Semlim, and Gradiſka, are places well known in the late war between the Turks and Imperialiſts.

The natives of Sclavonia are of a good ſtature and ſound conſtitution, well adapted to laborious employments. The reaſon aſſigned by ſeveral authors, that Hungary, Tranſylvania, Sclavonia, and other nations ſubject to the houſe of Auſtria, in thoſe parts contain a ſurpriſing variety of people, differing in name, language, and manners, is, becauſe liberty here made its laſt ſtand againſt the Roman arms, which by degrees forced the remains of the different nations they had conquered into thoſe quarters.

The thickneſs of woods, the rapidity of rivers, and the ſtrength of the country in Sclavonia, favoured their reſiſtance: and their deſcendants, notwithſtanding the power of the Turks, Auſtrians, Hungarians, and Poles, ſtill retain the ſame ſpirit of independency. Without minding the arrangements of Europe, they [13] are quiet under the government that leaves them moſt at liberty. That they are generous as well as brave, appears from their attachment to the houſe of Auſtria, which, till the laſt two or three wars, never was ſenſible of their value and valour.

The Sclavonians formerly gave ſo much work to the Roman army, that it is thought the word ſlave took its original from them, on account of the great numbers of them that were carried into bondage, ſo late as the reign of Charlemagne.

Though Sclavonia yields neither in beauty nor fertility to Hungary and Tranſylvania; yet the ravages of war are ſtill viſible in the face of the country, which lies in a great meaſure unimproved.

The navigable rivers which paſs through this province, render it exceedingly proper, to carry on trade between the German empire and Turkey. But the misfortune is, that notwithſtanding theſe frontier-countries are bleſſed with all the advantages that nature can beſtow upon them, yet great part of them are often a perfect deſart, and only conſiderable for the ſtrength of their towns, and the number of their garriſons, which are always pernicious to trade and huſbandry; for none will attempt to eſtabliſh manufactures or improve their lands, where the ſoldier perhaps will probably reap the fruits of their labour.

[14]The whole province being now under the dominion of the Emperor, the Roman-catholic is the eſtabliſhed religion, though Greeks and Jews are tolerated. There are two biſhoprics, that of Roſega and Zagrab: but no univerſities.

The inhabitants are compoſed of Servians, Radzians, Croats, Walachians, Germans, Hungarians, and a great number of other nations as the military muſter-roll ſpecifies, whenever the Emperor has occaſion for their ſervices.

In the late war with the Porte, this province was over-run by the Turks, and ravaged with all the terrors of war; ſo that it will be many years before it recovers its loſſes in the articles of building, furniture, &c. But with reſpect to the face of the country little injury can be ſuſtained there, as the animal verdure and agricultural induſtry of the huſbandman ſupply every defect occaſioned by the untimely incurſions of the enemy's troops.

Croatia lies between the 15th and 17th degrees of eaſt longitude, and the 45th and 47th of north latitude. It reaches from the river Drave to the Adriatic, turning eaſtward on Sclavonia and Bothnia; weſtwardly on Stiria and Carniola. It is 80 miles in length, and about 70 broad.

[15]The chief towns are Carlſtadt or Carlowitz, the capital of Imperial Croatia, ſituated on the river Culp, 20 miles ſouthward of the Save; and being a frontier-town is tolerably well fortified; Caſtanovitz, is ſituated on the river Unna, 30 miles weſtward of Gradiſka.

This country is naturally fruitful, producing plenty of corn, wine, and oil, where it is cultivated; but, being a frontier againſt the Turks, it has not yielded much more than would ſupply the neceſſities of the inhabitants of late years.

The people are of a good ſtature; and in their manners, cuſtoms, language, government, and laws, are modelled exactly like the Sclavonians, who are their neighbours.

They are excellent irregular troops, and as ſuch are famed in modern hiſtory, under the name of Pandoms, and various other deſignations. The truth is, the houſe of Auſtria finds it its intereſt in ſuffering them and the neighbouring nations to live in their own manner. All the ſovereignty exerciſed over them by the Auſtrians, ſeems to conſiſt in the military arrangements, for bringing them occaſionally into the field.

[16]The Croatians derive their origin from the Sclavi, who were the firſt inhabitants of Sclavonia, and anciently had kings of their own, who were ſtiled kings of Croatia, and tributary to the emperor of the Eaſt. In the 11th century, Croatia devolved to the king of Hungary, and the Croats have continued ever ſince under the dominion of that monarchy, though not without frequent attempts to recover their independency.

Dalmatia, or Hungarian Delmacia as it is uſually called, lies on the upper part of the Adriatic ſea, and conſiſts of five diſtricts, moſt of which are under the generalſhip of Carlſtadt. This country is of very ancient date. Moſt cabinets produce coins and inſcriptions of the atchievements of its kings previous to the building of Rome, There was a famous city called Dalmatia, which was the capital, and was took and deſtroyed by the Romans about the 597th year after the building of Rome.

Various changes took place, till at length the country became ſubject in a great meaſure to the Hungarians: but at preſent the Venetians, Turks, and Raguſans claim part of it. The maritime towns are poſſeſſed by the Republic of Venice. The two latter powers poſſeſs ſome of the interior parts of this kingdom, which is now reduced to a province.

[17]The rivers of Dalmatia have no long courſe, but are moſtly navigable. The country is as it were ſtrewed with mountains. The ſoil on them is very fruitful and produces olives, vines, myrtles, and a great variety of palatable and wholeſome vegetables growing upon them, beſides treaſures of gold and ſilver ore within them. It has alſo many fertile plains, and beſides a ſufficiency of horned cattle, feeds large numbers of ſheep. The air is temperate and pure.

The moſt remarkable places are the two following viz. Segna and Ottoſchatz. The firſt is a royal, free town fortified both by nature and art, ſituated near the ſea, in a bleak, mountainous and barren ſoil.

The biſhop of this place is a ſuffragan to the archbiſhop of Spalatro. Here are twelve churches, and two convents. The governor reſides in the old palace called the royal caſtle.

The laſt mentioned town, is a frontier fortification on the river Gatzka. That part of the fortreſs where the governor, and the greateſt part of the garriſon reſide, is ſurrounded with a wall and ſome towers; but the reſt of the buildings, which are but mean, are erected on piles in the water, ſo that one neighbour cannot viſit another without a boat.

[18]Near Segna dwell the Uſcocs, or Huſcocks, a people who, being galled by oppreſſion, eſcaped out of Turkiſh Dalmatia, from whence they obtained the name of Uſcocs from the word Scoco, which ſignifies a deſerter or run-away. They are alſo called Springers or Leapers, from the agility with which they leap, rather than walk along this rugged, and mountainous country. Some of them live in ſcattered houſes, and others in large villages. They are a rough ſavage people; large bodied, courageous, and given to rapine; but their viſible employment is grazing.

The dreſs of the native Uſcoc, is rather curious, they wear a coarſe, baize jacket, belted round the waiſt, and generally green; a pair of blue linen trowſers, red ſtockings, and wooden ſhoes in winter, but light ſlippers in ſummer. Their head-attire is a cap of woollen with a taſſel, like our charity-children in England, and a looſe cloak gathered at the neck. Their arms are a long knife in a ſheath, with a long pole. They alſo know perfectly well the uſe of fire arms, but generally prefer a bow and arrows.

The dreſs of the female is a jacket and petticoat, of green baize in winter, or blue linen in ſummer; half-boots and a ſtraw bonnet. The ſuperfluous [19] appendages of dreſs are not here, conſequently the luxury of that article is deemed a matter unworthy the notice of the uncultivated inhabitant.

In their religion, they come neareſt to the Greek church, but ſome are Roman-catholics. They have an arch-biſhop, biſhops, prieſts and monks. The prieſts are not prohibited marriage, but their wives muſt be of a good family, which is only to be diſtinguiſhed for the multiplicity of its flocks and herds. But at her deceaſe they are proſcribed from ſecond marriage. Their children are not baptized till they are adults. None among them go to confeſſion till they are thirty years of age. They are ſtrong predeſtinarians.

In their language they uſe a dialect of the Walachian. Literature is not cultivated, conſequently all the refinements of a polite education are unknown to them. Therefore it is not to be wondered at, if they deſpiſe what they deem an unneceſſary taſk. To inſtance this, we need go no further than the natives of our own country, who are as ready to cenſure literary acquiſitions as the Uſcocs poſſibly can be, if they are without letters themſelves. Nor will the pious Methodiſt, although ſcarcely able to read a text out of the bible, ſcruple to ſay, that he is certain all human learning is uſeleſs in expounding the ſacred oracles, and will tramples on thoſe gifts of [20] knowledge, becauſe he is unacquainted with their efficacy and valuable poſſeſſion!

The Hungarian Illyricum produces every neceſſary of life in plenty, and we may add, many of its ſuperfluities alſo. Its chief rivers are the Drave, Save, Danube, Culpa, Unna, and Maraka: all which diſcharge themſelves in the Adriatic ſea. All the inhabitants are of Sclavonian extraction, and, according to the different provinces, divided into a different people.

The principal nations are thoſe already deſcribed, who make as it were one people with the Hungarians. The leſſer parts or ſubdiviſions, ſuch as Sclavonia and Raſcia, have a mixture of Germans and Hungarians amongſt them. The Croats are augmented by colonies from Germany and Wallachia. The Dalmatians, including the Uſcocs juſt now deſcribed, who may be termed chriſtian refugees from Bulgaria, Servia and Thrace, with the Marulachians or Black Latins, a people much like them, are the other branch of the Huns, faſhioning their manners and ſhaping their attention to the cuſtom of their neareſt neighbours. However, the Uſcocs may ſtill be ſaid to be partial to their ancient Garb, as has already been deſcribed.

[21]The Illyrians, in general, apply themſelves to trade, agriculture or war; but to theſe arts the Dalmatians add navigation, in which they are very bold and expert.

The only religion publicly tolerated throughout Hungarian Illyria is that of the Roman-catholic. Moſt of the biſhops have Hungarian titles without revenues. The government of all the countries, deſcribed in this chapter ſeem to have a connexion together, notwithſtanding they are three ſeveral kingdoms or rather large provinces. The government of Sclavonia and Croatia is connected with that of Hungary and Stiria, being hereditary in the arch-ducal houſe of Auſtria. The government of Dalmatia is three-fold. That of Venetian Dalmatia is adminiſtered by certain proveditors in the name of the republic of Venice. Turkiſh Dalmatia is governed by a Baſhaw, deputed by the grand Seignior: and the government of Raguſan-Dalmatia is lodged in a rector and magiſtrate under the protection of Hungary, Turkey and Venice.

The prelates, nobility, gentry, and royal free Caſtellans, enjoy the ſame privileges with the Hungarians. At the diets, which conſiſt of the four orders of each province, all deliberations run in the name of the Sovereign. At the Hungarian diets the ſtates of Illyria appear by repreſentatives.

[22]The adminiſtration of juſtice in Sclavonia and the Bannat of Croatia is the ſame as in Hungary: the free towns having inferior courts, from whence cauſes may be removed to the royal treaſurer. The like alſo have other towns, from whence there lies an appeal to the Bannat-court, which is ſo called from the ban or prorex, who is preſident thereof. And this man at certain times, hears cauſes brought to him from the goſpenchafts, holding conſultations on other important matters: ſometimes when the cauſes require a further inſpection, he diſmiſſes the litigants to the tabula regalis at Peſt, from whence they may proceed farther to that of the ſeven men.

The public revenue ariſes from contributions, cuſtoms, trade, tillage and grazing: and is divided between the king of Hungary in the perſon of the Emperor of Germany, the republic of Venice, the grand ſignior and the Raguſian ſtates, according to the extent of their ſeveral dominions.

The military force of the Hungarian Illyrians is very conſiderable, and, when in a collective body, muſters at leaſt an hundred thouſand able troops, fit to endure the hardſhips of a campaign in any quarter of the globe. The late emperor Joſeph II. highly applauded the perſonal bravery and intrepidity of the army collected from thoſe parts, as they were well ſuited to oppoſe the ferocity of the Turks, who are [23] in battle frantic to excel each other in the honours of the field; upon a ſuppoſition that he who dies in the bed of honour, in defence of his religion, king, and country, directly partakes of the paradiſe of the bleſsed in the regions of life beyond the grave.

Though the peculiar happineſs of our government leads every thinking ſubject to diſcloſe freely his ſentiments, as far as he may judge them conducive to the natural welfare; yet in ſpeaking of public affairs, the mind ought in a peculiar manner to be diveſted of all prepoſſeſſion, or it can anſwer no end but to adopt or confirm a principle, which, though true, loſes its charms by being founded in prejudice.

If the purſuit of wiſdom and virtue is the proper buſineſs of life, we ought to examine before we pronounce ſentence, and always to be diffident, where we have not had opportunities of knowledge. I am very ſenſible that even general reflections on political intereſt belong to thoſe who are grown grey in experience, rather than for tranſient ſpectators.

How can it be imagined in an age in which corruption abounds not in England only, but in every country, that only virtuous men ſhould be in office? To rail at them, without conſidering the corruption of mankind in general, muſt render the complainant ſuſpected [24] of diſcontent, becauſe he is not in office himſelf.

When the influence of the crown preponderates and the meaſures which are purſued do not immediately produce all the good we fondly expected: the ſubjects who do not receive any pecuniary advantages from government, (for others have generally the wit to hold their tongues) are apt to cry out againſt the court, or againſt the miniſter, forgetting that the true ſource of national calamities in a free ſtate is the venality and impiety of the people.

I ſhall cloſe this chapter with a remark on poliſhed ſtates, in order to contraſt theſe with the foregoing countries which are ſcarcely yet civilized.

The paſſage of a merchant from one country to another in purſuit of commercial affairs, ought not to be conſidered in the ſame light as the travels of a man of letters, in ſearch of arts or learning; but if in the courſe of their obſervations, they have ſupported one common ſpirit of national affection; in proportion to their advantages of education and natural abilities, the effect will be in a great degree ſimilar. Their own country muſt neceſſarily become the dearer to them according as they diſcover the ſuperiority it enjoys in laws and government above other nations.

[25]Being thus excited by a generous emulation, inſtead of bringing home the vices of other countries, they will ſtrive to plant the virtues which are more peculiar to foreign climes and not the proper growth of their own ſoil.

The ravages of time, the ruins of cities, the deſolation of countries, the tyranny of kings, the folly and iniquity of ſubjects in ſelling themſelves like beaſts to the ſlaughter; with all the pernicious effects of arbitary power, muſt in a ſerious mind draw reflections on the uncertainty of human affairs.

By tracing theſe events, as near as poſſible to their ſource, the heart will be lifted up to the great Author of nature, and adopt a conſiſtent principle concerning the general law of his moral government, by obſerving that vice is ever productive of miſery.

Though the diſpenſations of Providence are ſometimes incomprehenſible, yet this ought not to weaken a ſteady perſuaſion, that virtue is in every region, and under every government, acceptable to him. "That what he delights in muſt be happy," however the face of things may appear. And to check every fond preſumption of independency, though we graſp the fleeting moments, it is but as to-morrow, when a curtain will be drawn over all the glories as well as the miſeries of this world.

[26]In the mean while, whether we go abroad or remain at home, enjoy a profuſion or mediocrity of the gifts of Providence, we are travelling to another country. Our nobleſt ſcience, our higheſt accompliſhment and ſupreme felicity, is the knowledge and obſervance of that compaſs whoſe needle points to our proper home; to thoſe regions where millions of bleſſed ſpirits inhabit: where the eye will be ſatisfied with ſeeing, the underſtanding with knowledge, and the heart with delights, of which this world can give but faint ideas.

Let us not deſpiſe therefore, the uncultivated tribes of the countries juſt now deſcribed, from a ſuppoſition that we are of a ſuperior order of mortals, or have a prior right to the attention of the Deity: for as in every nation he that doth the will of God is accepted; it is not to be underſtood that this will is a particular ſyſtem laid down by men; but it is to be underſtood to ſerve one another in brotherly love, or as a celebrated author ſtiles it "public love." Then, of courſe, we ſhall adore that Being who hath done all things for his good pleaſure.

In a word, whether we are hackneyed in the paths of gain and ambition; or purſuing the delights of a philoſophic and religious caſt of thought, life ſtill ebbs out much faſter than we are aware of, or can eaſily diſcover; or even to deal fairly with ourſelves to acknowledge. [27] But a day, an hour employed in the exerciſe of reaſon and the practice of religion is, upon the whole, preferable to an age waſted in fooliſh purſuits which riſe no higher than this periſhable world.

[figure]

A DESCRIPTION OF GERMANY. From Buſching, Brown, Keyſler, Reiſbec, Moore, Wraxall, Marſhall, Salmon, Hanway, Montagu, and others.

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CHAP. I. Of the Country, Climate, Productions, and Polity.

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Figure 2. A MAP of GERMANY BOHEMIA (&c.)

The air in the ſouthern provinces is temperate, and healthful, and the ſoil extremely fruitful; but towards the north, it is very cold, and ſevere in the winter, and the land by far leſs prolific, producing none of the fruits of the warmer climates, or the oils or wines which are ſo plentiful in the ſouth. The open or level parts enjoy a different air from the mountainous; and the deep, moiſt and marſhy places feel different from the more elevated, dry and ſandy parts: hence alſo, the produce of the fields, gardens, and trees, ripen at different times in one place to what they do in another. Formerly Germany was very woody, but it has now few of thoſe valuable foreſts that were it's former boaſt, ſo that the natives figuratively feel the evil effect of the prodigality of their anceſtors, who wantonly cut down the woods to ſupply themſelves with fuel, and to build houſes; inſtead of raiſing the former out of the coal pits, or making bricks of the latter.

[30]The productions of Germany are very numerous; and its agriculture is every day improving; thus it is rendered annually more fertile, rich, and beautiful. It yields all kinds of grain in plenty: and many of the American products; tobacco, rice, and ſaffron, are cultivated with great ſucceſs, and every ſpecies of herbs is found in great plenty in the gardens of the curious.

The German wines are known under the denomition of Rheniſh, Mozel, Franconian, Neckar, Cocher, and Muſcadel. Lemons, oranges, olives, almonds, figs, and cheſnuts are the productions of the ſouthern parts of Germany, as well as of France, Spain, or Italy: but the northern parts are ſo fertile in the products of our own country, that it is unneceſſary to enumerate them. Their cattle, fowls, and other tame animals are commonly the ſame ſpecies as thoſe found in England: but their exotics are, bears, wolves, linxes, wild-boars, wild-cats, wild-goats, and a ſpecies of leopard, and another of beavers; beſides the uſual wild-beaſts, we find here, ſuch as foxes, badgers, polecats, &c. The chaſes in Germany are extenſive, and numerous, abounding with deer, hares, rabbits, &c. nor is game of any kind wanting to employ the ſportſman.

The mineral kingdom is likewiſe very full of neceſſary ſupplies in this empire; the ſand-ſtone, alabaſter, [31] ſhiver, variegated marble, cornelian, chalcedony, onyx, jaſper, and various ſpecies of chryſtals and precious ſtones, ſuch as diamonds, rubies, ſapphires, emeralds, amethyſts, and carbuncles, are found in different parts of Germany.

Of the ſpecies of ore, I ſhall only enumerate, vitriol, allum, ſalt-petre, ſpring-ſalt, and ſtone-coal; and the mineral productions ſuch as virgin and quick-ſilver, black amber, ſulphur, bizmuth; and of metals, only iron, ſteel, lead, gold and ſilver. Added to theſe there are various petrifactions in the form of different objects, both in the animal and vegetable kingdoms found in this country.

The number of the excellent acid waters and Fhemae here is great, particularly thoſe of Pyrmont, Seltzer and Spa, of which we ſhall ſpeak hereafter.

The ſeas of Germany are the Baltic and German ocean; and frequently the gulph of Venice is reckoned amongſt the number. The ocean waſhes but a ſmall part of the German ſhores, though Germany gives name to that ſea which flows between Great-Britain, the Netherlands, Denmark, and Norway: but, as it lies to the North of Holland and Germany, it has alſo been called the North ſea.

[32]The Baltic lies between Denmark, Germany, Pruſſia, Courland, Ruſſia, and Sweden. This ſea is not obſerved to ebb or flow, but ſeems to diſcharge itſelf into the Sound, or the Swediſh and Norwegian ſea.

The principle, navigable rivers of Germany, are, the Danube, which is ranked as the firſt in Europe; it takes its riſe in Swabia, and is augmented by a number of others, particularly the Drave, a large navigable river, which ſeparates Hungary from Sclavonia, and falls into the Danube near Eſſeck, and the Save, which paſſes through moſt of the cities of Sclavonia and Servia, and diſcharges itſelf into the Danube at Belgrade. The Teyſe riſes in the Carpathian mountains, and running ſouthward through Hungary, falls into the Danube over againſt Salanakenem.

The ſwiftneſs of the current is very remarkable, for it renders the waters of the Danube muddy and of a whitiſh colour; inſomuch, that the clear ſtreams of ſome of the rivers which fall into it are plainly diſcernable after a courſe of ſeveral miles. And what is ſtill more remarkable is, that notwithſtanding the many large rivers which the Danube receives into it, it never is obſerved to riſe higher than uſual, though the banks of the leſſer rivers which fall into the Danube are often over-flowed.

[33]This river has ſo deep and ſo wide a channel, that both the Imperialiſts and Turks have had fleets of men of war on it, as well as many engagements, particularly at the late ſiege of Belgrade. The whole courſe of this river from its ſource to the Euxine ſea, into which it diſcharges itſelf by ſix or ſeven mouths, is computed to be about 1500 Engliſh miles; in its courſe it waſhes the walls of Ratiſbon, Paſſaw, Vienna, Eſſeck, Belgrade, and contains ſeveral iſlands, of of no ſmall extent.

There are three cataracts, or whirlpools in the courſe of this famous river; the firſt is called the Swines Snout, ſo named from the craggy rock which hangs over the river near Lintz in Auſtria. This vortex is dangerous, as its draught is directed downwards, ſo that both ſmall craft and large ſhipping may alike be ſubject to danger and ſink, if too heavily laden.

When the river is high this whirlpool is ſafeſt, for then the water runs off a great ſpace above the rocks, but the ſtream is at that time more violent and rapid, as it boils the ſtronger, and its extent the larger. This danger too is at that time heightened by a counter current, which joins it to the right of what is called the Loch, which is a narrow paſſage winding round the rocks, and at low water quite dry.

[34]The ſecond fall is called the Thunderer; this cataract is near the town of Gran in Auſtria; and the third is a whirlpool about a furlong lower down. But however terrible they have been repreſented of old, yet, by modern experience, we find the pilots of the river wade this danger.

The next great river, is the Rhine, which receives its ſource in the country of the Griſſons in Switzerland, and paſſes by the cities of Straſburg, Heidelberg, Cologn, Bonn, Duſſeldorf, and Cleve; thence through Holland and empties itſelf into the German ocean.

There are reckoned nine cataracts in this river; the firſt of which are only conſidered as dangerous; one is a little below Schaffhuyſen in Swiſſerland, where the whole river falls from the top of a rock 75 feet high; the other is at Lauffenberg. The Rhine runs to the northward, between Swabia and Alſace into the Palatinate, receiving in its way the Mayne.

The Elbe is a large river that riſes in Sileſia, runs northward into Saxony, to Hamburg, and thence diſembogues itſelf into the German ocean. This is reckoned the deepeſt river of any in Germany, and navigable for large ſhips up to Hamburgh, which is 70 miles from the ſea. Near Hamburg it joins many iſlands, and between theſe and the ſea is a very broad ſtream.

[35]The other principal rivers are the Weſer, and Oder.

Of the lakes the principal is that of Conſtance, between Suabia and Swiſſerland; that of Bavaria; the Cirkeritzer-ſee, in the duchy of Carniola; the ſweet and ſalt lake of Seeburg, in the country of Mansfield; the great Haaf in Pomerania; the lake of Mecklenburg; and the Dammer-ſee of Diepholz.

Next to the lakes and waters, the caves and rocks are the chief natural curioſities of Germany. Mention is made of a cave near Blackenberg in Hartzforeſt, of which none have found out the end, though many have advanced 20 miles to it; but the moſt remarkable curioſity of this kind is near Hammelen, about thirty miles from Hanover, where, at the mouth of a cave, ſtands a monument which commemorates the loſs of 130 children, who were ſwallowed up in 1284; though this fact is ſtrongly atteſted, it has been diſputed by ſome. Frequent mention is made of two rocks near Blackenberg, exactly repreſenting two monks in their proper habits, and of many ſtones which ſeem to be petrifactions of fiſhes, hogs, trees, and leaves. We will now proceed to the polity of the country.

In former times there were neither towns in Germany, nor any places of ſtrength. Single houſes, detached [36] from others, were built in commodious places, generally ſtraw huts, ſometimes waſhed over with a pure gloſſy earth. Places of ſtrength here are of more ancient date than the towns; the Romans having erected the firſt caſtles in Germany. In the time of the Frank emperors, Chriſtian churches and other buildings were erected here in the Gothic taſte, and every mountain and eminence fortified with a caſtle. The wars of the Huns cauſed Henry I. to build towns and places of ſtrength, and from that period civil and military architecture in Germany, roſe to great perfection; ſo that it may now boaſt of ſome thouſands of boroughs and cities, many of which are very conſiderable, large and fine, and alſo of important places of ſtrength, not to mention ſome thouſands of villages, and a great number of cloiſters, caſtles, and gentlemens ſeats. The vaſt Gothic palaces, cathedrals, caſtles, and above all, town-houſes throughout Germany are very curious, they ſtrike the beholder with an idea of rude magnificence, and ſometimes have an effect preferable to Grecian architecture.

The chief houſes in great cities and villages, have the ſame appearance probably as they had 400 years ago, and their fortifications generally conſiſt of a brick wall, trenches filled with water, and baſtions or half-moons.

[37]In the firſt century after the birth of Chriſt, Germany was divided into ſeveral petty ſtates, which had no common ſupreme governor. After the diſſolution of the weſtern Roman Empire, ſix principal nations aroſe in it, the Swabians, Alemans, Franks, Friſians, Saxons, Thuringians, and Bavarians. The French reduced Gaul to their ſubjection, and conquered the other five nations above-mentioned, ſo that under Charlemayne all Germany was united into one kingdom, though not independant; but as a part of the Frank monarchy. The conquered German nations had hereditary dukes of their own at firſt, and were governed by their own laws, but Charles, that is Charlemayne put an end to the former, and governed the countries by counts, and royal miſſionaries. The diets, however, which had ſubſiſted of old, were ſtill retained. In the year 800, Charles alſo revived and confered the dignity of a Roman Emperor on himſelf and family. His ſon Lewis divided the kingdom among his ſons, upon which the greateſt troubles enſued, which in 843 were adjuſted, and Lewis the German obtained all Germany, quite to the Rhine, with the three towns of Spires, Worms, and Mentz, and thus Germany became an independant kingdom. In 94 the German Carolingian line, that is the deſcendants of Charlemayne became extinct. Germany was, at this time, a hereditary ſtate, but the power of its kings was limited by the diets; yet it continued hereditary till 1224, when it was torn by inteſtine commotions. [38] In 1273, however it began to recover from its diſtracted ſtate, and by a compromiſe of the electors, Palegrave Lewis was choſen ſupreme head, and from him has ſprung the race of the houſe of Auſtria.

The empire is now elective, but the election ſeems to be ſettled in the Auſtrian family. During the life of the Emperor, his ſucceſſor is choſen king of the Romans by the nine electors, and on the death of the Emperor ſucceeds to the empire of courſe.

The revenue of the Emperor including all his territories, Bohemia, Hungary, &c. amounts to almoſt four millions and a half ſterling.

Every new king of the Romans muſt ſolemnly renounce all attempts of rendering the empire hereditary to his heirs and followers; but it ſeems I ſay, to be ſettled in the Auſtrian family. The laws of the empire require no other qualifications in a candidate for the Roman crown, than to be Juſtus, bonus et utilis, that is juſt, good and uſeful, without any limitation of religion, nation, ſtate, or age. This choice is ſettled by the electors, and declared by the elector of Mentz, as ſoon as conveniently can be done after the deceaſe of the former emperor, by means of envoys and public reſcripts to the electors, which ceremony laſts for three months, and is performed at Frankfort, on the Mayne.

[39]The electors appear in perſon or by their envoys, who muſt be inveſted with unlimited power. After ſettling the deliberations, as well relative to the capitulation of election as other matters propounded by the eſtates, foreign envoys or others, and after all foreigners, who belong not to the retinue of the electors, or their envoys, have been ordered to depart the town before the day of creation, the election proceeds; that is to ſay, all the electors, who are preſent, with the firſt envoys of ſuch as are abſent, betake themſelves in their reſpective electoral habits, and in formal proceſſion, on horſe-back from the council-houſe to the church of St. Bartholomew, where after maſs they ſolemnly promiſe before the altar, that they will elect the fitteſt perſon to be the emperor, and then they ſhut themſelves up in the chapel of election.

When they have once bound themſelves by oath, to let a plurality of votes ſtand good; theſe votes are collected by the elector of Mentz, according to the rank of the electors; after which the electors of Saxony aſk the elector of Mentz, for his own. Whoever has more than half of the voices of the college for him is elected, and an elector may give his vote for himſelf.

When the election is over, the perſon elected, or his plenipotentiary, or proxy, muſt directly ſwear and ſubſcribe to the capitulation of election, upon which [40] he is congratulated, and the choice made public in the church.

If the elected king of the Romans, be not preſent in perſon, he muſt yet give a peculiar counter bond for the maintenance of the capitulation of election, and before the coronation ſwear to it himſelf, till which he cannot take upon him the government, but muſt leave it to the vicars of the empire.

An authentic copy of the capitulation of election, ſubſcribed by the elected, or his envoy, and confirmed by the ſeal of the former, is delivered to each of the electors; on the contrary, the electoral college, cauſes to be delivered to the elected an inſtrument of election, and, when abſent, it is to be carried to him by a prince, with a writing of notification.

On this he appoints a day for his coronation, which according to the etiquette of the empire, ought to be held at the Imperial city of Aix la-Chapelle; but the cuſtom has been of late diſpenſed with, and it is held in the town of election; and a counter bond is given to the city of Aix-la-Chapelle, and then the jewels of the empire are delivered up at the place of coronation, with great ſtate and ſolemn formality.

The ſeveral things delivered are, a rich crown and ſceptre, two Imperial rings, a book of the goſpel [41] richly ornamented with diamonds and precious ſtones, two broad ſwords, belts, veſtments, &c.

Then having the jewels of the empire carried before him in ſtate, he goes in proceſſion to the church, where he is alſo received by the ſpiritual electors: and at maſs they preſent him with a book, when he takes the oath of a ruler, and, among other things, promiſes all due veneration to the Pope and the church. After which he is anointed ſeven times by either the elector of Mentz or Cologne, and then adorned with the ancient veſtments and Imperial enſigns, and once more ſworn. Upon which he dubbs ſome new knights; and ſuffers himſelf to be admitted a canon of the Collegiate church of St. Mary's, at Aix la Chapelle, and is then conducted on foot in ſolemn proceſſion to the council-houſe, to a table, at which the hereditary officers attend.

Of the nine electors there are three ſpiritual and ſix temporal; the three ſpiritual electors are thoſe of Mentz, Treves, and Cologne: the temporal are thoſe of Bohemia, Bavaria, Saxony, Brandenburg, Elector Palatine, and Hanover; next to theſe rank the princes of the empire, which are numerous. The title of the Emperor runs thus: L. by the grace of God elected Roman Emperor, at all times augmenter of the empire, in or out of Germany, King.’ The arms of the empire are a black eagle with two heads, hovering with [42] expanded wings in a field of gold, and on the head of this eagle the Imperial crown. To theſe the arms of the ſeveral hereditary countries are annexed.

The Emperor is conſidered by all ſtates as the firſt European potentate; being the ſupreme of the German empire, he enjoys all manner of privileges; but is ſubject to the ancient laws of the empire. He has the right of beſtowing dignities, creating honours, and eſtabliſhing privileges. He can ſecure a debtor againſt a creditor, give letters of protection againſt illegal power, and can confer majority or minority, that is, give a minor power to enjoy his eſtates. He can render baſtards legitimate, can confirm contracts and remit extorted oaths. In ſhort, he can do many things which other princes cannot.

The eſtates of Germany are divided into eccleſiaſtical and temporal. The eccleſiaſtical eſtates are either Catholic or Proteſtant, but the one has not more privileges than the other: the temporal are electors, princes, counts, lords, and Imperial towns; but theſe are not ſubject to each other. They arrive to the ſucceſſion of theſe eſtates by blood, conſent of the Emperor and empire, public treaties, inheritance, and compact of confraternity, and the ſtates of the empire are obliged to marry conformable to their rank. With reſpect to leagues and wars of the empire, alienations, and mortgages of lands belonging to it, and all caſes [43] which concern its ſecurity and public ſtate, the Emperor can do nothing without the conſent of the electors, or at their deſire. They may meet together in common conſultation, or hold what is called an electoral diet. A ſubject may be guilty of treaſon againſt them, and they rank as princes. The eccleſiaſtical are ſtiled Electoral Grace; the temporal electors, Moſt gracious Lords. They give precedence to kings; their envoys yield place to thoſe of crowned heads, and kings call them brothers.

The diet of the empire is an aſſembly of the Emperor and all the ſtates of the empire, or their envoys and plenipotentiaries. This diet is ſummoned by the Emperor, who, in conſultation with the electors, appoints the time and place. The firſt diet of an emperor is to be held at Nuremberg. The preſent received its beginning at Ratiſbon, in 1663, and has been continued there, at ſtated times, ever ſince. The Emperor either attends in perſon, or by a prince, his commiſſary, and the other electors, either perſonally or by their envoys, or charging the envoys of other ſtates with their voice. The eſtates of the empire divide in their conſultations into three colleges, namely, into the electoral and princely, the latter of which comprehends the prelates, counts, and lords, and into the college of the Imperial cities; and the buſineſs is conducted much in the manner of our parliaments.

[44]The taxes of the empire are impoſed by the diet only. Each ſtate contributes its proportion to the maintenance of the Emperor and empire, and for ſupport of the army. But the Emperor cannot commence a war of the empire, without the conſent of the diet, nor can he make any peace, but with their approbation.

The empire of Germany in the year 1552, was erected into ten circles, eſtabliſhed for its maintenance and promotion of its external peace, repelling hoſtile violence, and for the diſpoſal of ſuch things as tend to the common good: but all ſtates and diviſions of the empire are not comprized in theſe circles, for example, Bohemia, Moravia, the Luſatias, and Sileſias, the nobility of the empire, and in ſome circles, certain counties and ſeigniories are without ſeat or voice at the diets of theſe circles.

The circles have each their ſummoning prince, who appoints the diet of ſeparate circles, regulates theſe diets, receives all matters addreſſed to them, communicates them to other ſtates, and executes the ſentence of the ſupreme courts of the empire paſſed againſt a ſtate of their circle, &c.

There are 73 ſieſs in Italy, belonging to the empire, among theſe are the duchies of Milan, Mantua, Modena, Tuſcany, &c. But the power of the Emperor [45] in theſe ſtates is inconſiderable, He promotes to dignities there, and grants immunities, and can put them under the ban of the empire; yet they are often refractory and ſeldom pay their ſtated taxes, in time of war, without compulſion. After having given a general account of Germany, I mean to treat of it according to its ſeveral circles, when I ſhall enter more minutely into matters that occur.

CHAP. II. Of the Character of the Germans, their Habits, Diſpoſitions, Manners, Cuſtoms, &c.

THE deſcription of the cities and buildings will occupy their proper portions, when we come to ſpeak of the various circles of which this empire is compoſed, particularly the court, and Imperial ſeat, at Vienna.

A curious and obſerving traveller muſt ſoon diſtinguiſh a very remarkable difference among the Germans in regard to temper, and mode of living, [46] which is no ſmall argument that they conſiſt of ſeveral diſtinct nations; and theſe characters of diſtinctions will never fail to continue.

That ſtrong paſſion for imitation, peculiar to the Germans, is often times, in many of them, a dangerous infection, yet frequently produces beneficial and laudable effects. It is to their honour, that almoſt all the kingdoms in Europe owe to German blood their crowned heads.

The number of inhabitants in Germany can only be determined by comparing it with other countries; being, in general, populous; and containing, at leaſt, a thouſand ſquare miles more than France, which being eſtimated at twenty millions, Germany muſt fairly be allowed to contain 24 millions.

The ancient Germans, as well as the preſent race, were always conſidered as athletic and robuſt. Whether the French nation is juſtifiable or not in its charge, I cannot pretend to ſay, but they tax the whole German nation with ſtupidity and want of ſenſe; inſinuating that it is not poſſible for the ſoul to animate ſo vaſt a bulk with the ſame advantage it does one of an inferior ſize. The leaden temper of the Germans (ſays Voltaire) wants to be mended by mingling the French quick-ſilver with it. And certainly it is true, that almoſt every people have ſomething [47] in their tempers, as well as in their perſons, to characterize them. The levity of the French, and the gravity of the Spaniard, are as much occaſioned by the ſituation of their reſpective countries, as the different taſtes of their wines. Animals of ſuch and ſuch a frame of mind and body, are as natural to ſome certain ſoils, as the plants peculiar to the country.

But, notwithſtanding the different tempers, and capacities, that are to be met with in the world, the heavieſt and moſt intractable part of mankind are capable of being wonderfully improved by education, and application to buſineſs. Nor is it the youth of the quickeſt parts that always makes the greateſt man. If one, whom nature has been more bountiful to, at firſt, makes ſwifter advances in his ſtudies than uſual, perhaps he wants the patience and diligence of others, who, by their unwearied application, at length may poſſibly ſurpaſs him.

Again, if one perſon wants a ready wit, it is frequently made up to him in good judgment. And, as it is with particular perſons, ſo I apprehend it to be with nations. If they are defective in one reſpect, it is made up to them in another. Heaven has not given us all the ſame endowments, but has, however, diſtributed the gifts of nature ſo equally, that every one is ſatisfied with his particular portion; and, perhaps, there are very few defects but may be ſurmounted [48] by diligence and application: not a German, but, if his genius was duly conſidered, and he was introduced into an employment ſuitable to it, might make a figure in the world; of which we ſhall be further convinced, when we come to ſpeak of their learning, their arts, and their ſciences.

The morals of the Germans alſo have been cenſured, for drunkenneſs is ſaid to be a vice peculiar to the country; but whether they are more addicted to drinking than their northern neighbours, or, indeed, than the Engliſh at preſent, is very much queſtioned. Certain it is, they cannot exceed the Ruſſians in diſorders of this kind. Drinking ſocieties are common in Germany, much upon the ſame plan as in England. Vices equally culpable in both nations. According to the celebrated Melancthon, the Germans were guilty of eating, as well as drinking to exceſs, for he uſed to ſay, "We Germans eat ourſelves ſick, we eat ourſelves into hell." It is no extraordinary thing for them to ſit from twelve at noon to five in the evening at dinner; and from ſeven at night, to two or three in the morning.—But, query: are not we equal ſlaves to the vices of the table?

In the delicacies of the table the ſnail-pie is not omitted, being a ſingular delicacy. There is ſcarce a nobleman's garden but has a ſnail-houſe in it, which [49] furniſhes his table. In other reſpects they eat and drink as do the Engliſh.

The Germans, however, with all the vices and vanities aſcribed to them, are allowed to be endowed with ſome very commendable virtues, particularly honeſty and fairneſs in their dealings:—and are, for the moſt part, free and open, and great enemies to flattery and diſſimulation in trade; yet are the greateſt dupes poſſible in their etiquette on every ſuppoſed mode of faſhion.

Hoſpitality is another good quality which the ancient, as well as the preſent Germans, are allowed to have. If a traveller can obtain a paſſport, he may travel all over the empire without a ſhilling.—And, what is ſtill more to their credit, few countries in the world can boaſt of leſs robberies, murders, or acts of deception and fraud. There is no nation more in love with travelling than the Germans: we meet with them in all the courts of Europe; and if it ſhould be admitted that their natural parts are not equal to their neighbours, the experience they gain abroad makes ample amends for what they are ſuppoſed to be naturally deficient in. But the misfortune is, their paſſion for travelling frequently ruins their eſtates, and impoveriſhes their country: for a German nobleman will not be ſeen in a foreign court without an equipage ſuitable to his quality, and perhaps beyond it.

[50] [...]

[51] [...] [48] [...] [49] [...]

[50]The courage and bravery of the Germans muſt always be acknowledged.—And if the empire is ever conquered it muſt be by Germans, as an elegant writer expreſſes it; which implies, that it muſt be either from the mercenary troops hired from thence, or by their own diſſentions. The ſingular peculiarities of this people ſhall be treated of in their proper places, when we come to ſpeak of the different circles.

Hunting the wild boar is a faſhionable ſport among the Germans of quality; but there ſeems to be but little riding in the caſe; for the beaſt being found by the huntſmen ſome time before, is ſurrounded by a large company, who with their guns, lances, ſpears and dogs, diſpatch the creature as ſoon as they can, without ſuffering him to run for his life.—Sometimes, indeed, a wild boar will break through the crowd, and it is well if he do not wound either man or horſe with his tuſks.—

Another diverſion in winter is the riding through the ſtreets on the ſnow in ſledges, which are drawn by horſes richly accoutred, and adorned with bells and feathers, &c. The game which they chiefly delight in is cheſs— and is the grand entertainment of every polite circle; and may be ſaid to be the amuſement of every rank down to the loweſt peaſant.— The Germans, however, are well acquainted with all [51] our modes of gaming, from none of which are they precluded, except the pernicious national folly of lotteries: a miſchievous mode of government-finance in this country, which in the memory of every one of our readers has deſtroyed the lives and fortunes of many of his majeſty's ſubjects, both in this and the neighbouring kingdom.

CHAP. III. Of the Learning, Language, Univerſities, and Police of the preſent Germans.

THERE are but very few who write and ſpeak the German language with purity and correctneſs; and even the very Grammarians themſelves are of different opinions, with reſpect to the rules and principles on which it is formed; a fate common to all living languages.

[52]The preſent language of the Germans is much corrupted by the introduction of Italian, French and Latin words. There are alſo ſeveral dialects of the High Dutch or German; ſo that the natives of diſtant parts of the empire can ſcarcely underſtand what is ſaid by thoſe of the hither parts, ſo great is the vanity to which this error leads.

Buſching boaſts, that the German language yields not, by any means, in elegance, ſoftneſs and charms, to any one language whatſoever. It muſt, indeed, be acknowledged to be very flowery, copious and pathetic, for the works of Geſner, Wieland, and Lavator, have thoſe deſireable elegancies in the higheſt perfection.

With reſpect to learning, the Germans, at preſent, diſpute the palm with all other nations. Not only their natural vivacity and ſtrong itch of imitation, but alſo the variety of government in Germany, their mutual emulation, and the freedom proteſtants enjoy there of writing according to their own judgment, has procured the greateſt improvement of the ſciences among them: their itch for reading too, is become ſo great and general, and particularly amongſt the proteſtants, that it is deemed unbecoming the fair ſex, and perſons of any rank, either not to read or to have read.

[53]Nor is there any place in the world where more books are written and printed than among the Germans; and though this itch for writing gives riſe to many ordinary and mean performances, yet have many important and weighty writings appeared, from time to time, in their publications.

It may be alſo ſaid, that printing is encouraged to a fault in Germany; for every man of letters is an author; and therefore they multiply books without number, whether they have any thing new to entertain the world with or not: but it were to be wiſhed that a little more moderation were uſed in publiſhing thoſe various ſuppoſitions and diſputations which annually overſtock Frankfort and Leipſic.

In Germany there are 36 univerſities, viz. ſeventeen proteſtant ones, as follow:

1 Altorff. 2 Duiſburg. 3 Erlangen. 4 Franckfort on the Oder. 5 Gieſſen. 6 Gottingen. 7 Griefswalde. 8 Hall. 9 Helmſtadt. 10 Jena. 11 Kiel. 12 Leipſic. 13 Marburg. 14 Rinteln. 15 Roſtoch. 16 Tubingen. 17 Wirtemberg.

And 17 Roman Catholic ones, viz. 1 Bamberg. 2 Cologne. 3 Dillengen. 4 Freyberg. 5 Fulda. 6 Gratz. 7 Ingolſtadt. 8 Inſpruch. 9 Louvain. 10 Mentz. 11 Olmutz. 12 Paderborn. 13 Prague. 14 Saltzberg. 15 Treves. 16 Vienna. 17 Wurtzburg.

[54]And two other diſſenting ones, viz. 1 Erfurth. 2 Heidelberg.

The number of riding academies, colleges, gymnaſia, paedagogies and Latin ſchools, is here alſo very great. And there are likewiſe academies for ſciences and ſocieties of literature. viz.

1 The Imperial Leopoldine academy of the naturae curioſi. 2 The Gottingen ſociety of ſciences. 3 The Erfurth academy of uſeful ſciences. 4 The Leipſic ſociety of liberal arts. 5 The Duiſberg learned ſociety. And 6 The Latin ſociety of Jena.

The public libraries are: 1 Vienna. 2 Hanover. 3 Wolfenbuttel. 4 Gottingen. 5 Leipſic. And 6 Weimar.

There is no ſpecies or branch of learning which has not already been cultivated among the Germans, or which has not been carried by them to a greater perfection. The theological ſciences are not more indebted to any people than the Germans of the reformed churches. They have written largely upon the Roman and canon laws. Sthal, Van Swieten, Storck, Hoffman and Haller, have contributed greatly to the improvement of phyſic; Ruvinus and Dillenius of Botany; Heiſter, of anatomy and ſurgery: and Newman, Zimmerman, Pott, and Margraff, of chemiſtry; [55] but the late publication of Fourcroy ſuperceeds even thoſe.

In aſtronomy Kepler deſervedly obtained great reputation; as did Puffendorf, for the Elements of the Laws of Nature and Nations. Leibnitz and Wolfius opened the way to philoſophy; and Gottſched, who was a great favorite of Frederick II. King of Pruſſia, introduced a ſtandard for compoſition and the beſt grammar, with directions for ſtudying the Belles Lettres.

Moſheim, Jeruſalem, Spalding, Zollikoſer, and others, have written ſermons on the model of our beſt Engliſh authors, particularly Tillotſon, Sherlock, &c. and whoſe publications would do credit to any country. The only error in compoſition, which deſerves cenſure, is their prolixity: but it ſtill remains a fault, that great numbers of the German prieſts are too much addicted to vulgar language, and abſurd opinions.

Some of the Engliſh periodical writings, ſuch as the Spectator, Tatler, and Guardian, being tranſlated into the German language, excited great emulation among the writers of that country; and a number of periodical papers appeared of various merit. One of the firſt and beſt was publiſhed at Hamburg under the title of "The Patriot;" in which Dr. Thomas, late [56] biſhop of Saliſbury, was concerned; he being, at that time, chaplain to the Britiſh factory at Hamburg, and a conſiderable maſter of the German language. Profeſſor Geliert, one of the moſt elegant of the German authors, and one of the moſt eſteemed, has greatly contributed to the improvement of their taſte. His way of writing is particularly adapted to touch the heart, and to inſpire ſentiments of morality and piety. His fables and narrations written in German verſe; his letters and his moral romances, are ſo much read in Germany, that even many of the ladies have them by heart. His comedies are alſo very popular, though they are rather too ſentimental, and better adapted for the cloſet than the ſtage.

The ſons of Apollo, may be ranked with the poets, Haller (a phyſician,) Hagedom, Uz, Cronegh, Leſſing, Gleim, Gerſtenbuger, Kleiſt, Klopſtock, Reuenler, Zachariac, Wieland, and Geſner. Schlegel, Cronegh, Leſſing, Wieland, and Wieſe, have acquired fame by their dramatic writings. Rabener has, by his ſatyrical works, immortalized his name, as have the beforementioned Geſner, whoſe Idylls and Death of Abel having been tranſlated into the Engliſh language, is known among us in a more favorable light.

In chemiſtry and medicine the merit of the Germans is very conſpicuous; and Reimanus, Zimmerman, [57] Abt, Kaeſtner, Segner, Lambert, Mayer, Keuger and Sulzer, have acquired fame by their philoſophical writings. Buſching is an excellent geopraphical writer; and Maſcow, Bemau, Putter, Gattner and Gebaur, have excelled in hiſtorical works, but it cannot be denied however that the Germans are behind us in romances, by nearly a century; for moſt of their publications in this line are productions in imitation of ours, and this ſpecies of theirs is very dry and uninviting, which perhaps is owing to education, to falſe delicacy, or to a certain taſte of knight-errantry, which is ſtill predominant among ſome of their novel writers.

In works of literature relative to antiquity the names of Klag, Leſſing and Winckleman, ſtand forward. In eccleſiaſtical, philoſophical and literary hiſtory, the names of Albertus Fabricius, Moſheim, Sembler and Brucker, are well known amongſt us. Cellarius, Burman, Taubman, Reiſhe, &c. are excellent claſſical publiſhers of Latin and Greek.

It is an unfavourable circumſtance for German literature that the French language ſhould be ſo faſhionable in the courts inſtead of the German, and that ſo many of their Princes ſhould give it ſo decided a preference; but the Pruſſian court has, within the laſt two years, fully adopted, and we ſay, reſtored the language.

[58]And with reſpect to the fine arts, the Germans have acquitted themſelves tolerably well. Germany has produced ſome good artiſts in painting, ſculpture, architecture and engraving, and claim to themſelves the origin of engraving, etching and metzotinto, and even claim the origin of printing, gun-powder, and great guns. The celebrated Handel, the muſical compoſer, was of this court, as was the late Bach, A [...]el, Heſſe, and the preſent Hadyn, &c. Yet we cannot omit this opportunity of obſerving, that though Handel arrived at the ſublime of muſic, he had not the ſmalleſt idea between muſic and ſentimental expreſſion; therefore it is yet to be accompliſhed by ſome future genius to unite ſenſe and ſound, as none of the modern compoſers have thought of any expedient to adapt ſuch a plan.

The language of the Germans at this day is the Teutonic, and has no relation to the Celtic,—and by way of eminence is called the High Dutch, of which the following is a ſpecimen:

The Pater noſter.

Unſer vater, der du biſt im himmel. Geheiliget, weird dein name. Zukomme dein reich. Dien wille geſche [...]e, wil im himmel alſo auch auf erden. Unſertaglich brodt gib uns heute. Und vergib uns unſer ſchuld, als wi vergeben unſem ſchuldigem. Urnde fuhre uns nickt [59] in verſuchung. Sondem erloſe uns von dem boſen. Dem dein is is das reich, und die krafft, undie herrichkeit, en ewigheit. Amen.

In the taſte of the Germans, as has been already obſerved, they affect ſplendor; for both men and women are fond of rich dreſſes, which in faſhion are the ſame as in France and England; but the better ſort of men are exceſſively fond of gold and ſilver lace, eſpecially if they are in the army. The ladies at the principal courts, differ little in their dreſs from the French and Engliſh, except their not being ſo fond of paint as the former. At ſome courts they appear in rich furs, and all of them are loaded with jewels, if they can obtain them. The female part of the Burghers families, in many of the German towns, dreſs in a very different manner, and ſome of them inconceivably fantaſtic, but in this reſpect they are gradually reforming, and many of them make quite a different appearance in dreſs, from what they did 30 or 40 years ago.

As to the peaſantry and labourers, they dreſs as in other parts of Europe, according to their employments, conveniency and circumſtances.

The ſtoves in Germany are the ſame with thoſe already mentioned in the Northern nations, and are ſometimes made portable ſo that the ladies carry them [60] to church. In Weſtphalia, and many other parts of Germany, they ſleep between two feather-beds with ſheets ſtitched to them, which by uſe becomes a very comfortable practice.

The moſt unhappy part of the Germans are the needy, little petty princes, who ſqueeze them to keep up their own grandeur, but in general the circumſtances of the common people are far preferable to thoſe of the French.

The Germans, in general, are thought to want animation, and indeed induſtry, application, and perſeverance are the great characteriſtics of the German nation, eſpecially the mechanical parts of it. Their works of art would be incredible were they not viſible, eſpecially in watch and clock-making, jewellery, and turnery. At the greateſt tables, though the gueſts drink freely at dinner, yet the repaſt is finiſhed with coffee, after three or public toaſts have been given. But no people have more feaſting at marriages, funerals, and on birth-days.

All the ſons of noblemen inherit their father's titles, which greatly perplexes the heralds and genealogiſts of the country. It is recorded by Reiſbec, that the German huſbands are not ſo complaiſant as thoſe of ſome other nations to their ladies, who are not entitled to any preheminence at the table, nor indeed do they ſeem to [61] affect it, being far from either ambition or loquacity, though they are ſaid to be too fond of gaming.

Many of the German nobility having no hereditary eſtates, by the ſound of their titles eaſily get admiſſion into the army of the Emperor, or of the neighbouring kingdoms. Their fondneſs for titles is attended with many inconveniences. Their princes think that the cultivation of their lands, though it might trebly pay their attention, of no conſequence; ſuch is the error of pride!

CHAP. IV. Of the Religion.

ALL Hiſtorians agree that the ancient Germans were heathens, but yet they had more rational principles of religion than either Greeks or Romans. About the beginning of the ſeventh century they received the chriſtian religion, by the miſſion of Killion, an Iriſh biſhop. In the eight century this attempt was further improved, and under the ſpecious name of propagating the doctrines of the goſpel, the miſſionaries from Rome ſubjected the people to the Romiſh yoke.

[62]In the 16th century a reformation in religion took place, and the proteſtant faith was introduced; but as we profeſs not to write an eccleſiaſtical hiſtory, we ſhall leave the manner how, and the means by, which it was effected, to be ſearched for in other authors.

It is computed that the Calviniſts gain ground of the Lutherans, in Germany, being ſupported by diſſenters of every perſuaſion: but much the greater part of the Empire adhere to the Roman-catholic religion, however the doctrines of the reformation produce this effect, that many biſhopricks have been converted into ſecular principalities, and a new form of church-government ſet up in many places, inſtead of the epiſcopal.

Thoſe biſhops, who are ſtill of the Roman-catholick communion, exerciſe a greater authority in their dioceſes than any prelates in Europe. They are moſt of them temporal princes, and have as abſolute a dominion over their ſubjects, ſpiritual and temporal, as the ſecular electors have over the laity in their territories.

Beſides the three eccleſiaſtical electors, there were formerly five archbiſhops and thirty biſhops who had voices in the diet of the empire; but the archbiſhops of Magdeburg, Bremen and Riga, with the biſhoprics of Halverſtadt, Minden and Verden, have, ſince the reformation, turned into ſecular principalities. Thoſe [63] of Metz, Toul, Verdun, Beſancon and Straſburg, have been cut off from the empire and united to France or Lorrain. Thoſe of Valeſia, Loſanna and Coire, have been aboliſhed by the Swiſs Cantons; ſo that, except the eccleſiaſtical electors, there is in the college of the princes of the empire only the archbiſhop of Saltzburg and ſeventeen or eighteen biſhops who have votes.

The loſs of the biſhoprics may be conſidered as a great diſadvantage to the younger branches of great houſes, who uſed to get a princely maintainance on being preferred to them: whereas they enjoy now little more than an empty title, without any patrimonial eſtate or inheritance, and the court or army is their only refuge at preſent.

The biſhopric of Lubeck is ſtill an eccleſiaſtical preferment, altho' in the hands of the Lutherans; and is in the gift of the dukes of Holſtein and Sleſwick.

The archbiſhop of Saltzburg is the firſt German prelate, being born legate of the ſee of Rome, and gives place to none but the electors in the public diets. The other popiſh biſhops, who ſtill have a voice in the diets of the empire, are Bamberg, Wurtzberg, Worms, Spire, Erichſtedt, Augſburg, Conſtance, Hildeſheim, Paderborn, Munſter, Paſſau, Friſingen, Liege, Trent, Brix and Bazil. The late [64] dukes of Hanover were alſo poſſeſſed of Hildeiſhem, but now it is in the dominion of the elector of Cologn. Vienna is alſo a biſhopric, ſubject to the archbiſhop of Saltzburg.

By the authority of the council of Trent the ſole power of confering dignities and prelacies, is veſted in the pope, not only in Germany, but alſo in all chriſtendom, where the Romiſh yoke is tolerated.

There are other eccleſiaſtical princes, beſides biſhops, who have voices in the diets of the empire, the firſt of whom is the great maſter of the Teutonick order, the abbots of Fulda, Hirſesfield, Murback, Kempton, Corbray, Prum, Stabel, Ludos, the grand prior of Malta, the provoſts of Elvang and Beresfoldaguden; theſe ſit on lower benches than the biſhops in the aſſembly of the diet.

There are alſo 23 other prelates, and 14 abbeſſes, who are placed below the ſecular princes, but theſe have no voices in a full body any more than the counts. The abbeſſes ſend their repreſentatives to the diets of the empire, being excuſed a perſonal appearance upon account of their ſex.

The 23 inferior prelates have either the title of provoſt, abbot, or bailiff, of ſome popular place, and the revenues annexed to their dignities are frequently ſuperior to thoſe of the princes.

[65]The proteſtants in the German empire, whether Lutherans or Calviniſts, acknowledge the ſupremacy of the prince in whoſe dominions they reſide, and he is appealed to in all caſes, unanimouſly, as ſupreme judge in all ſpiritual caſes as well as temporal cauſes: but the church-diſcipline of the Lutherans and Calviniſts is very different. The Calviniſts have neither biſhops nor ſuperintendants, whereas the Lutherans have their general and particular ſuperintendants; the general ſuperintendants anſwering to our archbiſhops, and the particular ſuperintendants to our biſhops; and in the dominions of every prince is held a conſiſtory, which anſwers to our convocation. This aſſembly has the power of degrading and puniſhing offenders, and of making rules or canons for the better government of the clergy.

The ſuperintendants viſit their dioceſes once a year, and make a ſtrict enquiry into the doctrine and manners of all the clergy under their care. There are ſome Lutheran princes that have the title of biſhops, who are as abſolute in their dioceſes, as ſecular monarchs in their temporal dominions, and have an unlimited command over both clergy and laity.

The countries or ſtates of Germany where the Lutheran opinions chiefly prevail, are thoſe of Saxony, Brandenburg, Brunſwic, Lunenburg, Holſtein, Mecklenburg, Wirtemberg, Darmſtadt, Domlach, Lawenburg, [66] and Eaſt Frieſland. But there are a great number of Calviniſts among them; which ſect, as I have obſerved, ſeems to gain ground of the Lutherans.

CHAP V. Of the Military Power, Revenue, Conſtitution, &c.

THE Elector of Mentz keeps what is called a matriculation or regiſter-book, which contains the aſſeſſments of men and money, which every prince and ſtate of the empire is obliged to advance when the Imperial army takes the field.

The contributions are called Roman months, on account of the monthly aſſeſſments paid to the emperors when they viſited Rome. Theſe aſſeſſments however are ſubject to great mutability.

It is ſufficient to ſay, that upon a moderate computation, the ſecular princes of the empire can bring to the field 379,000 men, and the eccleſiaſtical 74,50, [67] in all, 453,500; of theſe the Emperor as head of the Houſe of Auſtria, is ſuppoſed to furniſh 90,000.

The quota of each is thus ſtated,

1 The Elector of Mentz,6000
2 The Elector of Triers,6000
3 The Elector of Cologn,6000
4 The Biſhop of Munſter,8000
5 The Biſhop of Liege,8000
6 The Archbiſhop of Saltzburg,8000
7 The Biſhop of Wurtzburg,2000
8 The Biſhop of Bamberg5000
9 The Biſhop of Paderborn,3000
10 The Biſhop of Oſnaburg2500
11 The Abbot of Fulda,6000
12 The other Biſhopricks of the empire,6000
13 The Abbies and Provoſtſhips of the empire,8000
Total of the eccleſiaſtical princes,74,500 men
1 The Emperor for Hungary,30,000
2 — for Bohemia, Sileſia, and Moravia,30,000
3 — for Auſtria and other dominions,30,000
4 The King of Pruſſia,40,000
5 The Elector of Saxony,25,000
6 The Elector Palatine,15,000
7 The Duke of Wirtemberg,15,000
8 The Landgrave of Heſſe Caſſel,15,000
9 The Prince of Baden,10,000
10 The Elector of Hanover,30,000
11 The Duke of Holſtein,12,000
12 The Duke of Mecklenburg,15,000
13 The Prince of Anhalt,6,000
14 The Prince of Lawenberg,6,000
15 The Elector of Bavaria,30,000
16 The Prince of Naſſau,10,000
17 The other Princes and the Imperial towns,60,000
The Secular Princes,379,000 men
The Eccleſiaſtical Princes,74,500
Total,453,000

By this liſt, which is far from being exaggerated, it appears that the Emperor and the empire is the moſt powerful government in Europe; and if the whole force was united and properly directed, Germany would have nothing to fear from any of its ambitious neighbours. But the different intereſts purſued by the ſeveral princes of Germany, render the power of the Emperor of little conſequence, except with regard [69] to his own forces, which are indeed very formidable. The army of the preſent Emperor is computed to amount to 200,000 men.

The eccleſiaſtical princes are as abſolute as the temporal ones; the principal of whom are the archbiſhop of Saltzburg, the biſhops of Liege, Munſter, Spire, Worms, Wurtzburg, Straſburg, Oſnaburg, Bamberg, and Paderbon. Beſides theſe, there are other eccleſiaſtical princes. Germany abounds with many abbots and abbeſſes whoſe juriſdictions are likewiſe abſolute, and ſome of them very conſiderable, and all of them are choſen by their ſeveral chapters.

The chief of the ſecular princes are, the landgrave of Heſſe, the dukes of Brunſwic, Wolfenbuttel, Wirtemburg, Mecklenburg, and Saxa-Gotha; the marquiſſes of Baden and Culmbach with the princes of Naſſau, Anhalt, Furſtenburg, and many others, who have all high titles and are ſovereigns in their own dominions. The free cities are likewiſe ſovereign ſtates, thoſe which are Imperial or compoſe a part of the diet bear the Imperial eagle in their arms; thoſe which are Hanſe towns have ſtill greater privileges and immunities, but they ſubſiſt no longer as a political body.

Buſching gives us this account of the Hanſe-towns. Towards the middle of the 13th century, many towns in Germany, as well as in other countries, lying in [] [...] [] [...] [68] [...] [69] [...] [70] the German Ocean and the Baltic, entered into a mutual league with each other for the ſecurity and promotion of trade and navigation, and were therefore called Hanſe towns. Though the trade of theſe fell greatly to decay in the fifteenth century and the name of the league ceaſed in time, yet the trading towns of Hamburg, Lubeck and Bremen are ſtill ſo called and have a league ſtill ſubſiſting between them, under the name of which they conclude treaties of commerce with foreign powers. Hamburg is the moſt important town of trade in all Germany, and much reſorted to by the Engliſh and Dutch. The other principal towns of trade are, Francfort-on-the-Maine, Leipſic, Nuremburg, Augſburg, Vienna, Fiume, and Trieſte, which laſt is alſo a free port. At Embden is eſtabliſhed a new Eaſt India company.

Indeed with reſpect to commerce, Germany enjoys all kinds of advantages, for it not only borders on the German Ocean, the Baltic, and gulph of Venice, but is watered by many navigable rivers, and ſeated in the heart of Europe, ſo that it can commodiouſly export what it has to ſpare, and import all it wants. For the promotion of inland trade, ſo many land-carriages have been introduced, that the expence is very low. Each German ſovereign has a privilege of eſtabliſhing manufactures, and prohibiting foreign merchandize, limiting exportation, and excluding the trade of foreigners, &c. The goods exported from Germany [71] into the neighbouring and remote countries are corn, tobacco, horſes, lean cattle, butter, cheeſe, honey, ſyrup, wine, particularly Rheniſh and Moſelle, linen, woollen-ſtuffs, yarn, ribbands, ſilk, and cotton-ſtuffs, Nuremberg wares, goats-ſkins, wool, wood, particularly for ſhip-building; iron plates and ſtoves, cannon-balls, bombs, grenadoes, tin-plates, ſteel-work, copper, braſs-wire, porcelaine, earthen-ware, mirrors, glaſſes, beer, Brunſwick-mum, tartar, ſmalt, Zaffer, Pruſſian blue, hog's briſtles, printers ink, and many other things.

The revenue or private income of the Emperor does not exceed £.6000 Engliſh, which ariſes from a few inconſiderable fiefs in the Black Foreſt: but the magnificence of many of the German courts is ſo great, that a ſtranger would be induced to conceive very high ideas of the income of their princes; which is owing to the high price of money in that country, and conſequently the low price of proviſions and manufactures.

Few of the revenues or territories of the German princes are ſo large, as to be aſſigned to viceroys, to be oppreſſed and fleeced at pleaſure; nor are they entirely without redreſs when they ſuffer any grievance; they may appeal to the general diet or great council of the empire for relief.

[72]The ſubjects of the petty princes are moſt unhappy, for as they affect the grandeur and ſplendour of the moſt powerful monarch, in the number and appearance of their officers and domeſticks, whether in their palaces, gardens, curioſities, pictures, guards, bands of muſic, tables, dreſs, and furniture, they are obliged to ſupport all this vain pomp and parade at the expence of their vaſſals and dependants.

With reſpect to the burghers and peaſants of Germany, the former in many places enjoy greater liberty or privileges; the latter alſo, in ſome ſpots, for inſtance, in Franconia, Suabia, and on the Rhine, are generally a free people, or perform only certain ſervices to their ſuperiors, and only pay taxes: whereas in Brandenburgh, Pomerania, Luſatia, &c. they may ſtrictly be denominated ſlaves, though in different degrees.

Were the many improvements which have been talked of by the court of Vienna for the hereditary dominions, put into execution, it would, at the ſame time, much improve the revenue, and in a manner free the country of thoſe evils which uſually flow from increaſing the public income of a crown. But there is a dilatorineſs and a languor in every thing tranſacted at this court, even in its moſt intricate concerns, that damp the ſpirit of all improvement, ſo that any object of this ſort, upon a moderate computation, will [73] be talked of half a century before it is executed: this was the caſe with the eſtabliſhment of the woollen manufactory in Hungary, and with every thing elſe; ſo that it is not thought that the Auſtrian revenues, however they would admit of it, will for a long time be put upon a better footing than they are, or have any other improvements than what reſult from oppreſſing the lower claſſes of the people ſtill more; than which no meaſure can give a greater ſtab to all general, national improvements.

Had the king of Pruſſia poſſeſſed the Auſtrian dominions in exchange for his own, we ſhould have ſeen them make a very different appearance; he would have raiſed much greater revenues, with far greater eaſe to the people, and would have thrown ſuch a vigour into all the tranſactions, which the poſſeſſion of Flanders and the Italian dominions would have introduced him to, that the importance of them would have ſpeedily appeared in a very different light from what they do at preſent.

[figure]

CHAP. VI. Of Moravia, Auſtrian Sileſia and Luſatia.

[74]

BEFORE I begin to treat of the regular circles, I will ſpeak of thoſe places not included in them: theſe are Moravia, Auſtrian Sileſia and Luſatia.

Moravia is bounded, to the weſt, by Bohemia; to the north, by Glatz and Sileſia; to the eaſt, by Sileſia and Hungary; and to the ſouth, by Auſtria, being about 360 German ſquare miles in extent. It is called Moravia from the river Morava. Towards Hungary, Bohemia and Sileſia, it is partly environed by mountains, and partly by woods. Above one half of it is mountainous and woody; and many of the mountains are ſo high, as to be almoſt deſolate. In the more open parts are many moraſſes, bogs and lakes, where the water is unwholeſome; and in the mountainous regions the air is rough; and ſo cold, that in many places, even in ſummer, the people are obliged to uſe ſt [...]ves. More corn, however, grows here than the inhabitants conſume. It produces alſo plenty of hemp, flax, vegetables, fruit, and fine ſaffron. They dig both frankincenſe and myrrh out [75] of the earth, and ſome places produce good wine, both white and red. Its wide foreſts are favourable to bees, afford plenty of veniſon, wolves, bears and leopards. Quarries of marble, baſtard diamonds, amethyſts, and other minerals, are alſo found here, and their lakes and ponds yield variety of fiſh. The number of towns and villages are about 2550. The native language is a dialect of the Sclavonian, little differing from the Bohemian; but the German language is very common alſo.

The ſtates of the country conſiſt of the clergy, lords, knights and burgeſſes. That of the clergy, is formed of the biſhop of Olmutz, and the eccleſiaſtics entitled to wear a mitre and poſſeſſed of eſtates; that of the lords, of the princes, curates and barons; that of the knights, of the reſt of the gentry; and that of the burgeſſes, of ſome few particular towns. The diets are appointed by the regency, and held at Brunn.

Olmutz has a univerſity; a learned ſociety is there eſtabliſhed, and the ſciences begin to flouriſh greatly. The religion of the whole country is Roman-catholic, and ſubject to the juriſdiction of the biſhop of Olmutz, who ſtiles himſelf duke and prince of the holy Roman empire. In the commotions of the Huſſites in Bohemia, the Moravians bore a conſiderable part; and, in the end, divided from the Roman-Catholics, [76] and called themſelves Moravian brethren; of theſe there are ſtill ſome deſcendants in the country, who externally conform to the Romiſh church, but privately hold ſeparate aſſemblies, and partly, as opportunity offers, fly to proteſtant countries. We have had them in England.

The chief commodities of this country are the cloth manufactures at Iglau and Trebitz, where are alſo ſome iron and glaſs works, and where they make paper, gunpowder, &c. but their commerce is very trifling. Brunn, however, enjoys the principal part. Olmutz is the capital of the province; has a caſtle of conſiderable ſtrength, ſurrounded by the river Morava; the town is well fortified, rich and populous, and divided into the old and new. It contains 26 churches, five chapels, nine cloiſters, ſeveral hoſpitals, and two ſeminaries, beſides the univerſity. It has been frequently beſieged and damaged by fires. In 1741 it was blocked up for ſome months by the Ruſſians. Moravia contributes about one third to the exactions which Bohemia pays. Seven or eight regiments are generally quartered there.

Auſtrian Sileſia was once a part of Poland; but many German colonies having ſettled there in the 13th century, a ſeparation of the country was then began, and afterwards effected and united to the [77] crown of Bohemia; but, in 1740, Frederick II. king of Pruſſia, claiming ſeveral duchies in it, marched an army into Sileſia; a war broke out between him and the houſe of Auſtria; and the king having conquered all lower Sileſia and part of Glatz, it was confirmed to him by the treaty of Breſlau and Dreſden in 1742 and 1745. Hence it is this part only of Sileſia that belongs to Auſtria as a Bohemian fief. We have deſcribed Ruſſian Sileſia, which ſufficiently depicts that belonging to Auſtria. The territories of Auſtrian Sileſia are the principality of Teſchen; that part of the principality of Troppau, which lies to the ſouth of the river Oppa, a part of the principality of Jagerndorf, and a part of that of Grotkau.

Luſatia runs from north-weſt to ſouth-eaſt, bounded on the eaſt by Sileſia, on the ſouth by Bohemia, on the weſt by Miſnia, and on the north by the marquiſate of Brandenburg, excluſive of that part of Brandenburg which belongs to it, and which makes about 20 German ſquare miles. This province is about 180 miles in extent.

Upper Luſatia abounds more in mountains and hills; and enjoys a purer air than the Lower, on which are many bogs and mooriſh parts, but has ſome fine woods. In the mountainous parts there is but little room for agriculture; and the heaths on the confines of Lower Luſatia and thoſe of Sileſia, conſiſt [78] of a pure ſoil, affording little elſe than fine hunting. But where there is huſbandry, grain of all kind is cultivated, and flax; and throughout is found what is uſually called manna. Garden-ſtuff they have little; but they make wine, both white and red. A great quantity of cattle is here bred; and they have plenty of veniſon.

In Upper Luſatia are ſix cities, 16 ſmaller ones, and four market-towns; but in the Lower, only four cities, two market ones and 13 county towns; theſe towns are almoſt wholly peopled with German inhabitants; but in the villages we meet with ſome of the Wends, the ancient inhabitants of this country, who retain the Wendiſh dreſs and language. Each marquiſate of Upper and Lower Luſatia conſiſts of two ſtate, the country and towns. In Luſatia are made all ſorts of linen from unbleached and bleached yarn, common and fine, as alſo fine white damaſk, for table and bed-linen, and white tick. There are alſo in Luſatia good manufactures of hats, leather, paper, gunpowder, iron and glaſs, and wax bleaching.

I cannot paſs over the Wendes without acquainting my readers from Reiſbec of their groſs ſuperſtition. The characteriſtic of the inhabitants of all this country is ſtriking bigotry, united with manifeſt ſenſuality. You need only ſee what is going forwards here, to be convinced that the religion taught by the monks is as [79] ruinous to the mind, as it is repugnant to chriſtianity. The ciciſbios, or gallants, accompany the married women from their beds to the church, and lead them to the very confeſſional. The pilgrimage to Mariazell, which is a watering-place, like Bath, is a ceremony half religious and half profane. A friend of mine ſays Reiſbec, had the honour to accompany a lady who went there with her lover. As it was expected the next day, being the feaſt of the Virgin, there would be great crouds at confeſſion, the lady was aſked, whether it would not be better to expedite matters and confeſs the night before? 'No,' anſwered ſhe, 'if I do, I ſhall have to confeſs again tomorrow morning, before I can go to ſacrament, with a pure conſcience.' Their lovers are chiefly officers and high churchmen, between which orders, on this account, there is a conſtant jealouſy.

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Figure 1. MAP of the CIRCLE of AUSTRIA.

CHAP. VII. Of the Circle of Auſtria.

THIS Circle borders, to the north, on Moravia, Bohemia, and the Circle of Bavaria; to the weſt, on Swiſſerland; to the ſouth, on the territory of the republic of Venice and the Adriatic ſea; to the eaſt, on Hungarian Illyria and Hungary. Thoſe territories which are called the hither Auſtrian countries, lie ſcattered in and about Swabia.

Auſtria is reckoned among the circles that are entirely catholic. It is called from the arch-duchy of the ſame name, which conſtitutes the principal part of the circle-country, whereof Vienna is the capital.

The arch-duke, now Emperor of Germany, is the governing prince, director and ſovereign of the whole [82] circle. Diets for the circle are not uſual in this country, the greateſt part of it ſtanding under one ſingle lord, according to whoſe good pleaſure the reſt of the ſtates regulate themſelves. To the aids of the empire this circle contributes its ſhare, as often as the public ſecurity requires it; which contribution uſually amounts to a fifth part of the empire.

Lower Auſtria would breathe a very unwholeſome air, was it not purified by very ſtrong gales; it is principally level, except the lofty mountain which commences about two hours, or two leagues (each league four miles) from Vienna, on the Danube, and extends for 50 miles.

The country is fertile, and yields ſuch plenty of corn, that the inhabitants are able to diſpenſe with conſiderable quantities of it to their neighbours. The natural productions are very numerous, as here almoſt every native production of the empire is raiſed.

Upper Auſtria is mountainous, particularly towards Stiria and Bohemia, in which countries ſeveral tracts alſo lie uncultivated. The ſoil of Upper Auſtria, on account of its numerous water-ſprings, is wet, and the air, all the year round, moiſt and cool; which latter property ſeems to be owing to its ſaline earth, and chiefly to the ſituation of the country; for as it lies on the ſhady ſide of the mountains of Upper [83] Stiria and Saltzburg, the warm ſoutherly and weſterly winds are thereby precluded acceſs.

Upper Auſtria, on account of the nature of its ſoil and air, as juſt deſcribed, is uncommonly fertile in muſhrooms, and it is likewiſe for the very ſame reaſon, that the inhabitants plant a vaſt number of fruit-trees. In corn it has not a ſufficiency; but that deficiency is ſupplied by Lower Auſtria. The breed of cattle here is pretty good. They abound alſo in all ſorts of game.

Near Munden is a conſiderable mine of ſalt, out of which both the cryſtal and variegated ſort is dug, but the latter of theſe is little eſteemed. In theſe parts alſo freſh water is conveyed into the ſalt-works, or pits, which after it has impregnated itſelf with alcaline particles, is extracted by machines, and conducted through canals to the diſtance of four miles for boiling.

The rivers and lakes here yield many ſorts of fiſh. There are alſo two medicinal baths in this country, one at Millack and diſtrict of Miſel, near the Danube; and the other at Kirchſlag, near the borders of Bohemia, and diſtrict of Mackland.

In Lower Auſtria are fifteen royal towns, together with eighteen others belonging to particular lords, as [84] alſo market-towns, and many common boroughs, foundations, and cloyſters, which enjoy both ſeat and voice with the country; as alſo ſome cloyſters, citadels and noblemens ſeats.

In Upper Auſtria are ſeven royal towns, together with five belonging to particular lords, 81 market towns, many common boroughs, 13 foundations and cloyſters, which enjoy both ſeat and voice with the country; two knights-commanderies, two colleges, one reſidence of jeſuits, 17 other cloyſters, and 217 citadels and noblemens ſeats.

The Auſtrian-German dialect, which differs greatly from the High-Dutch, is ſpoken from the Adriatic ſea, to the N.—N. W. and weſterly quite as far as Sileſia, Saxony, Franconia, Suabia, and Swiſſerland. It alſo extends itſelf to the E. and S. through Hungary and the Sclavonian territories, yet there is an obſervable difference in the pronunciation, and in a few particular words uſed in certain parts of this large tract of country.

The ſtates of this country conſiſt of four orders, viz. 1ſt, Of the prelates, under which title are included biſhops, abbots, and provoſts. 2d. Of lords, under which claſs are reckoned princes, counts, and barons. 3d. Of the knights. 4th. Of the towns and markets.

[85]The nobility of this circle are numerous and powerful, and divided into two ranks, one of counts, the other knights. The eſtates of the nobility are either allodial or feudal. The elector of Brandenburg preſides by his deputies the margraves, over the fief court of Auſtria, which conſiſts of the commiſſary, the fief provoſt, and fief advocate. But the party aggrieved may appeal to the Auſtrian government. And for the differences between lords and vaſſals, a main court is generally appointed. This is alſo obſerved by the archbiſhop of Saltzburg, together with the biſhops of Bamberg, Paſſau, Ratiſbon, Freyſingen, and others, who are poſſeſſed of vaſſals in Auſtria, Stiria, and Carinthia.

The ſciences here are in an improving condition. For the promotion of learning in this country have been eſtabliſhed the lower ſchools and Gymnaſia, together with the univerſity of Vienna, which ever ſince the year 1752, has been put on a better footing, as alſo the Thereſian college. The importation of foreign commodities is prohibited under great reſtrictions. The exports of this circle are chiefly ſaffron, wine, allum, and gun-powder.

To the high privileges of the houſe of Auſtria, belongs an arch-ducal title, which no other prince in the world bears, and which in the year 1245, was raiſed to the royal dignity. The arch-dukes are at liberty to [86] appear, or not, at the diets of the empire, agreeably to their pleaſure. They are exempt from the taxes of the empire, yet are under the immediate protection of it.

The particular colleges for Lower and Upper Auſtria, are the Imperial royal repreſentation and chamber, as alſo the government in matters of juſtice, or the land government for Lower Auſtria at Vienna, with two colleges of the ſame nature at Lintz, for Upper Auſtria; the juſtice-council in Lower and Upper Auſtria, together with the Imperial royal town and land judicatory.

The civil law is alſo in force in Auſtria; unleſs where the ſovereign or the land uſage has prohibited it: as in both caſes it has no precedence. To the revenues of the ſovereign belong the collections and ſubſidies which the ſtates grant.

Vienna is the principal city, and being the reſidence of the Emperor, is accounted the capital of all Germany. This city lies on a branch of the Danube; its ſituation is pleaſant, as the E. and N. country around it are entirely level; but to the W. and S. are ſeen an entire range of mountains, covered with trees and vines; the Danube here is wide, and divides itſelf into ſeveral arms, forming ſo many iſlands, which are planted with wood.

Figure 2. PLAN of the CITY of VIENNA
References.
  • 1. The Castle
  • 2. City Hospital
  • 3. Chranen
  • 4. The Mint
  • 5. Salt Store House
  • 6. The Arsenal
  • 7. The Foundery
  • 8. St. Peter
  • 9. St. George
  • 01. Augustin's Convent
  • 11. The Pauliner
  • 12. Little Father Convent
  • 13. St. Catherine
  • 14. Cordeliers Convent
  • 15. Hall Sant
  • 16. Capuchin Convent
  • 17. St. Agnes
  • 18. St. John
  • 19. St. Ursulla
  • 20. St. James
  • 21. St. Ignace
  • 22. Jacobins Convent
  • 23. Benedictins Convent
  • 24. St. Elizabeth
  • 25. Magdalen Church
  • 26. The Hall
  • 27. Our Lady
  • 28. Carmelites
  • 29. Town Hall
  • 30. St. Leopold
  • 31. Nusdorff Gate
  • 32. The Hospital
  • 33. Lerchenfeld Gate
  • 34. Mariahalf Gate
  • 35. Royal Mill
  • 36. St. Egidi
  • 37. Jesuits Convent
  • 38. Dominician Convent
  • 39. Starenberg
  • 40. Vienerberg Gate
  • 41. Favourite Gate
  • 42. St. Mark
  • 43. St. Mark's Gate
  • 44. St. Roch
  • 45. The Jesuits

[87]The city is not ſeated upon the head channel of the Danube, but a part of it, for here it divides itſelf into ſeven branches, forming ſeveral diſtinct iſlands. The river Wien-paſſes on the eaſt ſide of the town, and a little below it falls into the Danube. After heavy rains this little river ſwells prodigiouſly, and does a great deal of miſchief in the ſuburbs.

There is a remarkable bridge at Vienna, called the High Bridge, made by croſſing the two ſtreets at right angles; but as the ground in one ſtreet is as high as the tops of the houſes of the other, it was found neceſſary to build a bridge in the lower ſtreet, to let the upper ſtreet paſs over it; ſo that the lower ſtreet paſſes under the arch of this bridge.

The city of Vienna, independent of the ſuburbs, is not very large, as a perſon may walk round the Glacis in an hour; it is well fortified, having a ſtrong rampart with 11 ſtout baſtions, 10 ravelins, very broad and deep ditches, with neceſſary outworks. The number of the inhabitants from pretty exact computations, does not exceed 50,000; but the ſuburbs, which all round exceed 5 or 600 paces from the fortification of the city take up a great deal of ground, which make the aggregate of the inhabitants to be about 500,000. The ſtreets are very narrow and winding, and the fronts of the houſes are alſo very [88] narrow and extremely high, ſome of them being eight ſtories. The palaces of Vienna are indeed, for the moſt part almoſt hid in narrow ſtreets; but in ſplendor and magnificence they greatly ſurpaſs the hotels of Paris; but more eſpecially if we take in the noble ſtructures in the ſuburbs.

Vienna however is a noble and ſtrong city, and the princes of the Houſe of Auſtria, have omitted nothing that could contribute to its grandeur and riches: it contains an excellent univerſity, a bank, which is in the management of its own directors, or magiſtracy, and a court of commerce.

One of the ſuburbs ſtands on an iſland in the Danube, ſo that the river runs through the town. The garriſon here conſiſts of one regiment of foot. Out of the countries belonging to the Emperor lying on the Danube, and of courſe out of Bohemia, Moravia, Hungary, Stiria, Tyrol, and Italy, all ſorts of proviſions, together with neceſſary and agreeable things are brought here. The proteſtants frequent the worſhip held in the houſes of the proteſtant ambaſſadors. In the city are all ſorts of artiſts, manufactures, and handicraftmen, &c. The many high colleges and judicatures, which have their ſeat here, add to the credit and vivacity of the place.

[89]Vienna certainly ſtands upon much more ground than Paris, but it is not ſo much built upon. No houſes without the walls of Vienna are not allowed to be erected, nearer to the glacis, than 600 yards; ſo that there is a circular field of 600 paces all round the town, which has a beautiful and ſalutary effect. Beyond this plain, the ſuburbs are built, and there are ſix and twenty of them; thus they form a very extenſive and magnificent town of an irregularly circular form, containing within its boſom, a ſpacious field; which has for its centre the Imperial town of Vienna, conſiſting only of 1230 houſes, and theſe very narrow.

Theſe magnificent ſuburbs, are not near ſo populous as the town, becauſe many houſes in the ſuburbs have extenſive gardens belonging to them; and many families who live, during the winter, within the fortifications, paſs the ſummer months in the ſuburbs. Reiſbec ſays, there are three or four hundred ſuch garderns; the air and water are much better here than at Paris, of courſe the city is more wholeſome as a place of reſidence.

There are ſcarce eight buildings in the whole city, which can be called beautiful or magnificent. The moſt diſtinguiſhed of theſe are the palace of Leichſtenſtein, the Emperor's library and the chancery. The Emperor's palace is an old black [90] building, that has neither beauty nor ſtatelineſs. It is a great maſs of ſtone, which was built ſeven ſtories high, in order to contain as many people as poſſible. It conſiſts of ſeveral courts, ſurrounded with irregular buildings; the apartments are neither ſpacious, nor furniſhed equal to what one might expect at one of the moſt expenſive courts in Europe. Though there are 15 ſquares or places, there are hardly three which make any figure. The greateſt thoroughfare is from the palace over the coal-market, the Graben, the Stirkameiſenglaſs, and through the Carnthnerſtraſſe. In either places the thoroughfare is as great, and the motion as lively as in any ſtreet of London or Paris. There are not more than eight buildings, worth looking at, in the ſuburbs; and the taſte of the buildings, about the gardens and ſummer-houſes, is miſerable. The ſtreets, which are about 80, are crooked and narrow; and, in the winter, are lighted with lanterns.

It would be endleſs to enumerate the many palaces, two of which are Imperial, of this capital; its academies and libraries, and, among others, the fine one of prince Eugene, with his and the Imperial cabinet of curioſities hereafter deſcribed. Among its rich convents is one for the Scotch nation, built in honour of their countryman, St. Colman, the patron of Auſtria; and one of the ſix gates of this city is called the [91] Scotch gate, in remembrance of ſome noble exploits performed there by the troops of that nation.

After all that has been ſaid of this magnificent city, the moſt candid and ſenſible of thoſe who have viſited it, are far from being laviſh in its praiſe: the houſes and furniture of the citizens are greatly diſproportioned to the magnificence of the palaces, and other public buildings; but, above all, the exceſſive impoſts laid by the houſe of Auſtria, upon every commodity in its dominions, muſt always keep the manufacturing part of their ſubjects poor.

The late emperor, Joſeph II. was ſenſible of the truths which were plain to all the world, but his predeceſſors and their counſellors: he examined things with his own eyes, and deſcended from that haughtineſs of demeanour which rendered the Imperial court ſo long diſagreeable, and indeed ridiculous to the reſt of Europe. In general, the condition of the Auſtrian ſubjects has been greatly meliorated under his government.

What diſtinguiſhes the people of this place from the Pariſians, ſays Reiſbec, is a coarſe pride not to be deſcribed, an unſurmountable heavineſs and ſtupidity, and an unaccountable propenſity to guzzling; the hoſpitality of the table, about which great noiſe has been made, is only the effect of pride. It is the cuſtom, [92] when a man is firſt introduced into a new houſe, to ſix a day in every week for him to be a regular gueſt there, and are greatly offended if he forgets it. The middle rank of people have five or ſix diſhes at dinner, over which they ſit, at leaſt, two hours, and have three or four ſorts of wine.

At the beſt tables, of the ſecond order, you commonly meet a monk, but more commonly a player, whoſe very refined air enlivens the whole company. The monk is generally ſerved by the lady of the houſe, with whom he coquets, and the player is ſeated at the other end, and laughs at them, till the whole company breaks out into ſhouts of laughter, far above the capacity of common lungs or ears either to join in or to bear.

Nobody here makes remarks upon the miniſter or the court; nor entertains his company with the news of the day. None here ſpeaks in public at the expence of his neighbour; but the public places of reſort are all adapted to eating and drinking, inſtead of talking. They breakfaſt till they dine, and dine till they ſup, with only the interval, perhaps, of a ſhort walk, or going to the play.

If you go into a coffee-houſe, of which there are about 70 at Vienna, or into a beer-houſe, which are the moſt elegant and beſt furniſhed of all the public [93] houſes (I ſaw one, ſays Reiſbec, with red damaſk tapeſtry, pictures with gilt frames, looking-glaſſes, clocks, a la Grecque, and marble tables) you will ſee nothing but a perpetual motion of jaws. No one in theſe places talks, but to his neighbour, and that in a whiſper, ſo that one would think they took one another for ſpies.

Notwithſtanding the care that is taken by the Emperor of the morals of his ſubjects, all the charities here depend on the court alone for ſupport. I queſtion, ſays Reiſbec, whether it would be poſſible to get a collection of 10,000 guilders at Vienna. Though this place has ſeveral houſes in it, with which the moſt opulent in Paris cannot be compared; pride, gallantry and diſſipation are all the feelings the people of Vienna are ſuſceptible of. Though moſt of the richeſt people have been, for years, oppreſſed with debts, they have not yet learned to confine their expences, and would think it a ſhame to live within bounds. As to the middling orders, they live from hand to mouth, and are well ſatisfied if, at the cloſe of the year, they can make both ends meet. Economy is a term unknown here; every man ſwills and lives for the pleaſure of ſenſuality.

In ſome houſes the maſters of which affect to live in the higheſt ſtate, it is cuſtomary when an entertainment is given, to provide doſes of tartar emetic, and [94] ſet them in the adjoining room: here the gueſts retire when they happen to be too full, empty themſelves, and return to the company again, as if nothing had happened, and this, ſays Reiſbec, is a characteriſtic of the country.

There are a great number of ſinecure offices in the country, but many counſellors and aſſeſſors have either nothing to do, or appoint deputies to do the duty for a very little money. The luxury in which theſe people live is beyond conception; his honour (for every pettifogging judge of the court of conſcience is ſo ſtiled) muſt have his gentleman; and her honour, his wife, muſt have her waiting lady, nor is it, as it is with us, where between the gentleman and the footman, there are no intermediate ranks; here there muſt be a maitre a'hotel and a ſecretary, and as his honour has great buſineſs every where but in his own court, he muſt likewiſe have his coach. In a word there is not a court in Europe, except the Turkiſh, which pays its officers of the ſecond order ſo well as this, and yet is ſo ill ſerved by them.

Notwithſtanding many great princes at Vienna have vaſt eſtates, they are moſtly in debt. In moſt countries ſome one favourite luxury has the aſcendancy, but here they all reign, and are all carried to the utmoſt exceſs. Here are ſeveral ſtables of 50, 60, or more horſes; whoever has an eſtate of 50 or 60,000 florins, [95] muſt have from 24 to 30 horſes, and it is a moderate eſtabliſhment, ſays Reiſbec, which conſiſts only of a maitre d'hotel, a ſecretary, a valet de chambre, two running footmen, two huntſmen, two coachmen, five or ſix footmen, and a porter. The houſes of Lichtenſtein, Eſterhazy, Schwartzenburg, and ſome others, keep 50 footmen, and the two former have a body-guard. A ſingle plate of fruit often coſts from 60 to 70 florins; and Count Palm once appeared in a coat that had coſt him 90,000 guilders. (£.3000 Engliſh) It is common to give from 30 to 40,000 florins for a lady's dreſs, and though hazard is forbidden, there are ſeveral games at which you may lofe from 15 to 20,000 florins at a ſitting.

The women of this place are handſome and well made, but have no colour, and their faces are not intereſting. They are eaſy and lively in their motions, and alſo in their gait and their ſpeech. They are more compoſed, more determined and more manly, than the French women, but not ſo heroic as the Engliſh women. I cannot give you a better idea of them, than by telling you they are between the French and Engliſh.

A tinge of ſuperſtition, peculiar to the women of this place, is united to great ſenſibility of heart, and rather tends to increaſe, than to repreſs love, friendſhip and benevolence.

[96] Moore has made ſome good obſervations upon this ſubject; but nothing gives a better idea of it than ſeeing a lady beſpeak maſſes in a convent, and give alms, with a wiſh that God may recover her ſick ciciſbeo.

The Ciciſbeat is upon the ſame footing here as in Italy; it ſubſiſts among the great as a mode that has been once eſtabliſhed; the poor take it up as a matter of trade, and it is only amongſt the merchants and manufacturers that jealouſy prevails: I ſhall here preſent our readers with an anecdote from Reiſbec, which he vouches for, as being a fact.

A man of faſhion having been rather too frequent in his viſits to a rich tradeſman's wife; the huſband, who was diſpleaſed with the intercourſe, as every fond huſband ſhould, took the following method of putting a ſtop to it:—One morning, when he knew the loving couple were together, he ordered all his ſervants to be in waiting with flambeaux on the ſtairs; he then ſtept into the room, and told his excellency that his ſervants were come to light him home; the other was exceedingly ſurprized, but affected not to underſtand him; upon which the merchant immediately took him by the arm, and led him very ceremoniouſly into the ſtreet, the ſervants holding the lighted flambeaux on every ſide, although it was about mid-day, which brought together a concourſe [97] of people, to the great diſgrace and confuſion of the guilty nobleman, and the remedy took the deſired effect.

In the ſhort time I was there, ſays Reiſbec, I ſaw more ſplendid equipages and horſes than there are in all Paris. French faſhions prevail here univerſally. Dreſſed dolls are regularly ſent from Paris, for the purpoſe of teaching the women to put on their gowns and dreſs their heads: even the men get, from time to time, memoranda from Paris, and lay them before their taylors and hair-dreſſers. All the women are painted up to the eyes and ears, as at Paris. The knowing ones tell you, that the eyes acquire a kind of fire by theſe means, which gives an inexpreſſible animation to the whole look. Indeed, paint ſeems a neceſſary evil to hide the yellowneſs of their ſkins. I ſaw ſeveral of them, ſays Reiſbec, who had every reaſon to cry out, La verole, mon Diéu, má rougé juſqu'aux os.

It is not here as at Paris, where there is an office in every part of the city, giving an account of what houſes or lodgings are to let, and for what price. Here every owner of a houſe puts up a bill before his door, ſtating very circumſtantially what rooms he has empty.

[98]And as the houſes conſiſt of five or ſix ſtories, and each ſtory has an owner, who may have a room or an apartment to let, you often find the doors plaiſtered all over with bills; and may be near half an hour reading, before you get the information you wiſh. The firſt room, ſays Reiſbec, who hunted for a lodging, the firſt room I ſaw, was up four pair of ſtairs; the looks of it did not diſpleaſe me, but I diſliked the owner, and inſtantly trudged to another that was up ſix pair of ſtairs; and when I got to the top, there came out of a lower apartment a little diminutive man in a night-gown: he had a pen behind his ear, and was followed by a maid, who gave him the appellation of your honour. Only your honour, thought I, may do: I ſhould have been off at a higher title; I went into the room, and was half induced, by the pure air I breathed in theſe upper regions, to cloſe the agreement; but opening the window, and ſeeing nothing but a proſpect of roofs and chimnies, I altered my mind. I ſaw ſix apartments that day without finding any thing that would ſuit. Among other landlords we met with an excellence, rather a magnificence, (for, I had choice of titles) who lived in the back part of a ground floor, and with whom I did not chooſe to partake of the foul air he breathed. The next day's ſally opened with a gnadige frau, who recommended her fraeleii tochter to me for ſo many things, that it was impoſſible to think of coming to an agreement with her. 'Look here,' ſays ſhe, 'my daughter, herſelf, [99] will bring you your coffee in the morning; if you chooſe tea in an afternoon, my daughter, herſelf, will attend you; if you chooſe to go now and then to the play, my daughter, herſelf, will accompany you,' and ſo on. For it is not in Germany as at Paris; where a woman of character conſiders it as an affront to be offered to be treated to a public place, by one who is not a relation or a particular friend. Here it is the cuſtom to frank women, wherever you go with them, and I ſoon ſaw that the pretty girl's ſervices were included in the price of the lodging; ſo off I was again, and tired myſelf another day with ſearching for what I could not find, namely, an apartment to my liking. The beſt houſes in the town are very dear, becauſe the ſecond ſtory of every ſuch houſe is allotted for the reſidence of the imperial court officers. From ſix, to eight guilders a month, is paid for one of the beſt rooms in a good ſtreet, and three, for one of the worſt. Thoſe who lodge in the ſuburbs cannot ſtir out in ſummer without being choaked with duſt. Vienna lies open to the drying eaſt and north winds; but is protected, by its neighbouring hills, from the ſouth and weſt. When it has rained here a whole night, all is dry again a few hours after ſunriſe; and, by noon, the clouds of duſt begin to riſe. Indeed, when it rains more than a day, the duſt is all mud, and very deep. Thoſe who croſs from the ſuburbs to the citadel, muſt paſs over the naked plain that parts them, and put his handkerchief in his [100] mouth, that it may not be filled with duſt. The hackney coaches of this place are always on a trot or gallop; and it requires care, in ſome ſtreets, to paſs through the clouds of duſt, without being run over by a coach, or running againſt ſome traveller.

Many families in this city live by letting their houſes; there are ſeveral habitations, ſays Reiſbec, worth from two to 300,000 guilders, or from 20 to 30,000l. a year, which conſtitutes the whole fortune of their poſſeſſors. Any man out of debt, and who has a houſe in this city, is accounted a rich man. The houſe of the bookſeller, Trattnem, is an object of 30,000 guilders, or 3000l. a year to him. The houſes at Paris are more magnificent than thoſe at Vienna; but, owing to the walls and gates before them, they make but little appearance.

Among the eccleſiaſtical buildings at Vienna, the principal is St. Stephen's church, a Gothic ſtructure, adorned with many pieces of ſculpture, and the roof of which is covered with glazed tiles of various colours. If the tower of Straſburg is looked upon as the moſt curious, and that of Landſhutter to be the fineſt in Europe, St. Stephen's tower is unqueſtionably the ſtrongeſt; which, as well as the church, is built with large ſquare blocks of free-ſtone, faſtened together with iron braces. The height of this tower is 74 fathoms, three feet and a half, it was finiſhed in [101] 1400, and contains a bell, according to Dr. Kuchelbecker, above 10 feet high and 32 in circumference, which, without the clapper, weighs 1328 lb. the whole weight of the bell, iron-work, &c. amounts to 25 tons and 1400 lb. The church is ſo very dark that, even at noon; a diſtinct view of its ſeveral objects cannot be had. It has a ſuperb marble tomb of the emperor Frederick III. which is ſaid to have coſt 30,000 ducats.

Of late years, ſays Keyſler, if any woman enters St. Stephen's church, or any other large church at Vienna, in a French ſack, ſhe is immediately ordered to withdraw. It was grown a cuſtom among the ladies at Vienna, in the morning, to ſlip on a ſack without ſtays, or hardly any other covering; and, in that garb, hurry away to maſs, which indecent cuſtom occaſioned this Imperial prohibition. The clergy, from the pulpit, have given vent to their zeal againſt ſuch looſe dreſſes in very bitter terms. One, with great warmth, exclaimed, "that the women came to church in ſacks, not to repent, as believers of old uſed to do in ſackcloth and aſhes; but the better to expoſe their wares to ſale; ſo that no prieſt in adminiſtering the ſacrament could, with a ſafe conſcience, look at them." Another indecently threatened, 'that if he ever ſaw a lady with her neck uncovered, he would ſpit down her boſom.' A little before the wearing of ſacks in churches was ſuppreſſed, three [102] ladies, with bare necks and dreſſed in the abovementioned robe, preſented themſelves for the communion, among other perſons round the altar; but the prieſt paſſed by them, as if he had overlooked them.

In that part of the ſuburbs called Wieden, their late Imperial majeſties began to build a moſt magnificent church, in purſuance of a vow made in the time of the peſtilence, but it will be many years in finiſhing. Without the city, near the court, the empreſs dowager, Wilhelmina Amelia, has built a nunnery for ladies. Theſe nuns obſerve the rule of St. Francès de Sales; and, among other vows, engage themſelves to educate and inſtruct young ladies of noble families; and on account of the illuſtrious founder, it is accounted a very great honour for a young lady to be admitted into this convent for a few years. On the large area called the Hoff, oppoſite to the noviciate college, ſtands a braſs pillar erected by the emperor Leopold, in 1667. On this pillar is a maſterly figure of the Virgin Mary; and the gilding, though expoſed to all the injuries of the weather, ſtill retains its luſtre. This ſame emperor, in 1693, erected another pillar to the Holy Trinity, in the moat called by that name; it coſt 300,000 guilders; and is an admirable piece of architecture, built with ſtone, 66 feet in height.

[103]Formerly it was uſual for people, by way of amuſement, to ſit round theſe pillars, which often produced many pleaſing incidents; but a company, among which were ſeveral counteſſes, having, by way of diverſion, given too much to the ſoldier on guard, at the Virgin Mary's pillar, ſuch a diſturbance enſued as cauſed theſe aſſemblies to be forbidden; at preſent, people only kneel round them; but, in the evening, the reſort does not ſo much proceed from devotion, as from appointments of aſſignation.

But of all the buildings at Vienna, the palace of prince Eugene, in the ſuburbs, is undoubtedly the fineſt. It has a ſuite of eleven rooms in a direct line, in the front and the towers at the angles, and another of ſeven rooms in the wings. In the room adjoining the prince's bedchamber are ſeveral exquiſite pieces of painting in little; and in the next apartment is a luſtre of rock cryſtal, valued at 20,000 guilders; here is alſo a Dutch painting, which coſt 13,000 guilders, repreſenting an old woman on her death-bed, with her daughter on her knees, taking leave of her, whilſt her maid is ſtirring a medicine in a ſpoon, and the phyſician looking into the urinal. Among the excellent paintings in the other apartments are a piece repreſenting Adam and Eve, as large as life, ſaid to have coſt 50,000 guilders; a woman embracing a youth in a bath, valued at 30,000, with Endymion and [104] Diana, worth 12,000 guilders; a guilder is 2s. 4d. ſterling.

The gardens lie in a ſlope, and are very well adaptted for the elegant water-works there exhibited. In one part, called Paradiſe, is a ſpacious aviary made of curious wire-work, with beautiful walks and gilt ſummer-houſes; alſo a fine orangery, where ſome of the trees remain out all winter, with a cover only over the tops of them. The ſpecies of uncommon herbs growing here are computed at 2000. In this palace is alſo a fine menagerie. There is another palace within the city, in which Prince Eugene reſided in winter, a ſuperb building magnificently furniſhed, with very expenſive articles and coſtly pictures. Here is a chimney-piece of grey marble that coſt 20,000 guilders, and a cryſtal luſtre that coſt 10,000. In this palace is a fine library, conſiſting of 14,000 volumes, moſtly folios, gilt, lettered, and bound in red Turkey, and a fine collection of engraved portraits, conſiſting of 48 volumes of illuſtrious perſons in France, 61 volumes of thoſe in Germany, ten of the United Provinces, nine of the Spaniſh Netherlands, &c. two of Lorrain, 13 of Great-Britain, &c.

The Prince of Lichtenſtern has three palaces in Vienna, with fine paintings and great curioſities. The great ſtaircaſe in one of theſe palaces conſiſts of two flights, and every ſtep being a ſingle block of red [105] marble, ſeven common paces long, coſt 60 guilders. In the two flights are 108 ſteps. In ſhort, Italy which is famed for magnificent ſtructures affords very few equal to this: the walks, parterres, water-works, and ſtatues, make the garden a moſt delightful place, and it commands a fine proſpect.

Cloſe by Prince Eugene's gardens in the ſuburbs, is the Prince of Schwartzenburgh's palace, celebrated for its gardens. The ſumptuouſneſs of this edifice eclipſes the Favorita, or Imperial palace that ſtands near it. The place was built by the late Prince of Fondi, and coſt 300,000 guilders, but his heirs after his deceaſe ſold it to Prince Schwartzenburgh for 50,000 dollars, who expended on it 300,000 dollars more. This laſt owner was killed in hunting in the year 1732. The ſaloons, ſtair-caſes, marble tables, looking-glaſſes, porcelain vaſes, paintings, beds, and other rich furniture, make this one of the fineſt palaces in or near Vienna. The trees in the large orangery ſtand here alſo in the open ground, but are ſheltered in winter by a little ſhed placed over them, and which can occaſionally be warmed. The walks, groves, and water-works, are extremely beautiful; the laſt are ſupplied by a hydraulic machine, worked by fire, which coſt near 20,000 guilders, and throws up in 24 hours into a large reſervoir above, 11,880 hogſheads of water. The honour of this invention is due to the Engliſh, and is ſuch as are uſed in ſome coal-mines in Scotland [106] for draining them. It is ſuch a one as is uſed at York Buildings, London, to ſupply that part of the town with water.

On the red tower here hangs the flitch of bacon, (though at preſent made of rind) which, according to the common ſtory, may be claimed by that extraordinary perſon who can prove that he abſolutely rules his wife.

Every court in Germany produces a ſort of petit muſeum, or cabinet of curioſities, artificial and natural, ancient and modern. The Imperial library at Vienna is a great literary rarity, on account of its ancient MSS. It contains upwards of 80,000 volumes, among which are many valuable MSS. in Hebrew, Syriac, Arabic, Turkiſh, Armenian, Coptic, and Chineſe; but the antiquity of ſome of them is queſtionable, particularly a new teſtament in Greek, ſaid to be written 1500 years ago in gold letters, upon purple. Here are likewiſe many thouſand Greek, Roman, and Gothic coins and medals; with a vaſt collection of other curioſities in art and nature.

It is very lofty, and adorned with good paintings in freſco, ſculpture, and a ſuperb gallery, ſo that it has the appearance of a temple. The importance of [107] its manuſcripts may be ſeen in Lambecci's Bibliotheca Vindobonenſis, publiſhed in 10 vols. folio, as alſo in Neſſelius's catalogue. They are ſaid to be above 10,000 in number. Among the Greek MSS, is a very ancient Dioſcorides, written in a large character on vellum, with the herbs painted in their natural colours. In truth, this library is inferior to none but the Vatican at Rome, and that of the King of France; theſe may exceed it as to manuſcripts, but not in printed volumes, which are far above 100,000. Here are likewiſe a Greek tranſlation of Geneſis, ſuppoſed to be above 1200 years old, illuſtrated with near 50 hiſtorical paintings, Ptolomy's Geography finely written, and Nicephorus's Eccleſiaſtical hiſtory; the only Greek MS. from which all the editions of that author have been publiſhed. Among the Latin MSS. is a Livy, which is of great antiquity, being written in capitals, and without points: but thoſe decads which are wanting in the other copies are alſo miſſing here. Here is alſo a vellum MS. of the golden Bull, illuminated with many golden letters. It is written in the year 1400, by order of the emperor Winceſlaus.

On the firſt page, and in the firſt letter, which happens to be a W, the initial of the emperor's name, he is repreſented as being in priſon at Prague, bound with hand-cuffs, and his feet confined in the ſtocks. Near him is a repreſentation of his maid ſervant Suſanna, by whoſe aſſiſtance he made his eſcape. Here [108] are alſo eight volumes of Jacobus de Strada's treatiſe of medals.

The collection of medals in this library conſiſts of no leſs than 16,000 ancient and modern. Here is alſo ſhewn a tooth weighing ſeveral pounds, which is pretended to have belonged to a giant, but in reality is one of the dentes molares of a whale.

The model of the quick-ſilver mines at Idra, will be viewed with great pleaſure by the lovers of mechanics.

At the end of the library, is a particular cabinet appointed for antient, Roman inſcriptions and monuments; and a conſiderable collection is to be ſeen by the curious inſpector.

The expence of this library annually including the ſalary of officers and ſervants belonging to it, is about 12,000 guldens, or 400l. Britiſh money.

The library is open every day; the Emperor's chief librarian is always the firſt phyſician, who appoints two ſub-librarians. The attention paid to foreigners who viſit this royal collection is both pleaſing and flattering, as true politeneſs is ſcrupulouſly obſerved.

[109]The Imperial muſeum is in the caſtle; and one cannot, without aſtoniſhment, ſee the infinite variety of curioſities in gold, ſilver, ivory, and mother of pearl; mathematical inſtruments of exquiſite workmanſhip, excellent pictures, antique intaglios; vaſes of agate, jaſper, cryſtal, garnet, emerald, &c. jewels of ineſtiable value, and abundance of reliques.

One of the moſt remarkable curioſities in this muſeum is a large bowl of agate, three ſpans in diameter, in the middle of which are theſe characters, ſaid to be delineated by nature. ‘B. XRIS R. S. XXX.’ which is thus deciphered:

Beatori orbis; or, Beatori generis Chriſto,
Regi Sempiterno, Triuno, crucifixo.

‘To Chriſt the Saviour of the world, the King eternal, the crucified Triune.’

The three croſſes, and particularly the laſt, are ſomewhat obſcure; and no ſmall ſtrength of imagination is required to make them ſignify Tri-uno crucifixo.

This bowl is ſaid to be a Fidei Commiſſum, or feoffment of truſt, brought hither as part of the inheritance of the houſe of Burgundy.

[110]In this muſeum is alſo to be ſeen, among other pieces, the city of Buda, the Duchy of Auſtria, and the arms of Hungary, on three pieces of agate; but how far art may have aſſiſted nature in theſe repreſentations cannot be determined without an accurate examination. In the mean time I apprehend, that the above-mentioned agate bowl will be of no more weight towards the conviction of anti-trinitarians, than the natural repreſentation of Apollo and the muſes on an agate in the poſſeſſion of King Pyrrhus, in convincing the ancients of the divinity of thoſe imaginary perſons.

This collection has a curious ſpecimen of the transmutation of metals, to which the favourers of alchymy with great confidence appeal; particularly a very thick gold medal, weighing 300 ducats; with this inſcription: ‘Performed at Prague, on the 16th of January, 1648, in the preſence of his Imperial majeſty Ferdinand the Third.’

The artifices which pretenders in alchymy generally make uſe of to blind thoſe whom they have once drawn in, are too numerous to be related.

It is ſurpriſing, that in our enlightened age, ſuch impoſtors ſhould meet with any dupes to impoſe on, ſince the hiſtory of former ages have detected ſo many palpable frauds practiſed by them. The projectors at [111] Worms who have been ſtigmatiſed for their deceptions, ſeem to have been followed by the late unfortunate, but ingenious Dr. Price, F. R. S. for having once got through the fiery ordeal of alchymy, his fame ſoared aloft on eagles wings, and he was extolled to the ſkies as the golden idol of the day; but alas! all human acquiſitions are vain and tranſitory; for, on being required by his brethren of the Royal Society to perform the like proceſs before that auguſt body of the literati; ſo great was his ſhock, confident he could not deceive the cloſe and minute examination of the philoſophers who were to be his judges, that he put a period to his exiſtence, A. D. 1782.

To the curious reader, the proceſs of our own ingenious countryman muſt be very ſatisfactory; it was as follows:

He melted together one part of fine gold, and two of ſilver, which he beat into thin leaves, and cut into very ſmall pieces; and then he made a very ſtrong powder of crocus martis, which he mixed with corroſive ſulphur, ſalts, and pulverized pumice-ſtone; and incoporating them with the prepared metal; he burnt the maſs in an intenſe fire, repeating the proceſs three times. At laſt, he ſeparated the ſilver from it with aqua-fortis, and produced ſome gold, which ſtood the teſt both of the aqua-fortis, and the cuppel. The proceſs was accounted juſt and authentic, [112] till by the means of antimony, the impoſture was diſcovered.

But to return to our ſubject. Among the pictures in this muſeum, is that of Cupid ſcraping and poliſhing his bow, ſaid to be an original by Corregio, and is valued at 18,000 ducats.

Here are alſo ſeveral other fine paintings; but the picture-gallery and Imperial chamber of curioſities particularly deſerve a traveller's notice. In the anti-chamber, are two portraits, with this inſcription in High Dutch: ‘Janos Rovin, aged a hundred and ſeventy-two, and Sarah his wife, aged a hundred and ſixty-four years, both of the Greek communion; they lived together in wedlock and hundred and forty-ſeven years. They were born and lived at Stadova, in the diſtrict of Curanſezeſer and the Bannerate of Tameſwaer; and had iſſue two ſons and two daughters, who are ſtill living; the youngeſt ſon is in his hundredth and ſixteenth year, &c.’

Among the many pieces in the gallery, the following are the moſt remarkable, viz. A Pietâ, by Andrew Del Sarto; St. Margaretta by Raphael, which coſt 26,000 guilders, and our Saviour ſtanding before Pilate ſitting on the tribunal, by Titian, valued at 60,000 ſcudi, or crowns; the Rape of Proſerpine, by Solimene, is remarkable for its fine amber frame.

[113]In the fourth apartment of the muſeum is ſeriouſly ſhewn a daemon or familiar ſpirit, which, being conjured out of a daemoniac, was confined in a glaſs; but, in reality, is nothing but a dark coloured piece of moſs, or ſome ſuch ſpecies of the vegetable kingdom, naturally incloſed within a triangular piece of chryſtal, which, in ſhape, has ſome reſemblance of a little man.

Among the diverſions of the Imperial court, thoſe of the carnival are not the leaſt, though the ſtrictneſs of the ceremonial checks the liberty and freedom allowed at other courts in the carnival maſquerades. No ladies but thoſe who have acceſs to the empreſs's chamber are admitted at court on theſe occaſions. The Emperor generally dances ſeveral times with the empreſs and archducheſſes; but the empreſs dances with the Emperor only. In country dances their Imperial majeſties are ſpectators only, but the archducheſſes mingle with the company. Some months before the carnival, lots are drawn; and, from that time, the gallant is obliged to wait upon the lady, his partner, every day with a noſegay of natural or artificial flowers, with ribbands and ſuch little preſents. The cavalier is likewiſe to provide his lady's dreſs; ſo that the whole expence to him is ſeldom leſs than 3000 guilders. Beſides, if the weather prove ſnowy, the expence of a ſledge, &c. amount to near 500 guineas, [114] Engliſh. For, on this occaſion, every one ſtrives to outſhine each other in the ſplendor of their liveries.

The opera at Vienna is carried on at the expence of the Emperor; and, on certain gala days, coſts him a conſiderable deal of money; for the magnificence of the theatre, the ſplendor of the decorations, the richneſs of the habits, and the performance in the orcheſtra, ſurpaſs any thing of the kind in Europe. The band of muſic for the Imperial chapel and the palace conſiſts of above 120 perſons; and ſtands the Emperor, at leaſt, in 200,000 guilders a year; tho' ſeveral of the female vocal performers have a ſalary of 6000 guilders (200l.) yet it is a ſaying among the Italians, that Vienna is the hoſpital of the virtuoſe in ſingers, and that they never go there till they are worn out.

The players alſo are in the pay of the court; money is taken at the doors, and whatever the receipts are, if they exceed the expences, the ballance is divided among them according to their talents. The higheſt ſalary is about 180l. Engliſh, per year, and the loweſt, 40l. The whole expences amount to about 8000l. a year, and the receipts to 12,000l. The author of a new piece is (beſides a premium) entitled to a third part of what his work produces, and he may ſell the copy. The cabals and intrigues, however, of the players, a foreigner can have no conception of. Every new part makes a new quarrel, in which the [115] courtiers take part, and the public ſuffers accordingly. The public indeed, at Vienna, have a very bad taſte. Every thing here cries out panem & circenſes, and the multitude ſeem to have here no other wiſhes than to fill their paunches, and have a theatrical entertainment by way of deſert. Beſides the national theatre, ſix or ſeven ſtrolling companies occupy the ſuburbs; theſe are ſuch as Suabia is accuſtomed to; the actors conſiſt of taylors, barbers, apprentices and ruined ſtudents, who are ſometimes on the ſtage, ſometimes in the hoſpital, and ſometimes in the army. Theſe gentlemen play by a half light, favourable to intrigue. Of theſe, they ſucceed beſt who have their booths in a garden, where a man may walk with his friend between the acts. They are conſcious that the public does not come to ſee the play, that half the company is commonly at the alehouſe, whilſt the piece is going on, and one man acts three or four parts.

One of the moſt pleaſing ſights is the company of the lemonade booths in the ſummer evenings. They erect a large tent in ſome of the public parts of the town, and round it are ſeveral hundred ſtools occupied by the ladies and gentlemen of the place. At ſome diſtance there is a band of muſic; the wonderful muſic, the feſtive dance, the ſilence and the familiarity which night diffuſes over every thing, have all of them an unſpeakable good effect.

[116]To ſee the equipages of Vienna, you muſt go to a firework, on the Prater, in the ſummer time. This Prater is a wood of oaks and beaches on an iſland of the Danube, near the city. Towards the entrance, under the trees, there are about 30 tents, furniſhed with chairs and tables, in which you meet with all kind of refreſhments. This place is conſtantly reſorted to by day, but, to ſee it in its ſplendor, you muſt go to a fire-work: at this time about 12,000 people aſſemble and take their ſupper under the trees. Towards the beginning of the night, on a ſignal given, they flock to the meadow, ſurrounded with high trees, in which the ſpectacle is exhibited. Directly oppoſite to the firework is a magnificent amphitheatre filled with ſeveral hundred ladies, whoſe high painted cheeks, rich jewels, and light ſummer-cloths, have a delightful effect. The pit, between the amphitheatre and the fire-work, is filled with men, as full as it can hold. At the concluſion of the feſtival a moſt extraordinary ſight takes place, a row of from 12 to 1400 coaches, phaetons, and other four-wheeled carriages, goes from the wood to the city, in ſo direct and cloſe a line, that when they ſtop, the ham of the hinder carriages are cloſe upon the cheſt of the fore, ones, the conſequence of which is, that, as they go in full trot or gallop, many of the carriages are liable to be broken, and the people in them expoſed to the utmoſt danger; moſt of theſe are gentlemen's coaches, with four or ſix horſes; the number of them at Vienna is at leaſt [117] 3,500; there are about 500 hackney coaches, and about 300 job coaches. Notwithſtanding the number of equipages on this occaſion, there is hardly ever the leaſt diſorder, the foot paſſengers have their road, which no coachman dares break in upon; the bridge between the ſuburb of Leopold and the Prater, in which the preſſure is the ſtrongeſt, is divided into four parts; the two outermoſt of them are for the foot paſſengers, and the innermoſt for the coaches, that is, one for thoſe going, and another for thoſe coming. This order is kept up through the wood and on the Chauſeé in the ſuburb, till you come to the city, and ſome cuiraſſiers ride to and fro with drawn ſabres, to ſee that the order is obſerved. There is no inſtance of an accident having happened at the time of a feſtivity; all the caſualties that take place through the neglect of coachmen, happen in the daily buſineſs of the city.

As to the firework itſelf, I ſet it, ſays Reiſbec, far above all the amuſements of the place, not excepting the national theatre itſelf. M. Stuwer, who was the artificer when the Baron was there, underſtood it thoroughly, he exhibits whole gardens, large palaces, and temples, in due perſpective, with all their different ſhades and colours, and almoſt as large as nature. His machines are particularly large and beautiful, and often make from ſix to eight fronts, from fifty to ſixty feet long. At the opening of the exhibition they let [118] off ſeveral hundred rockets, which fly up with a noiſe like thunder, ſhake the whole foreſt, and make it light as at noon day.

The Augarten is likewiſe one of their ſummer amuſements, at which you may meet with all the great world. This is a large park in the ſame iſland of the Danube in which the Prater is. It is a park of the late emperor's, who, as an inſcription on the door ſtates, firſt opened it, as a friend to mankind, for a place of relaxation to all ranks; it is however viſited only by the higher orders; thoſe who ſee it is not made for them voluntarily exclude themſelves. It is a true Engliſh garden, and the Danube waſhing its banks gives life to the whole. But the moſt pleaſing perſpective is that of a large foreſt in view at a diſtance, which has been cut through on the other ſide of the river, and is bounded by the remote hills of Moravia, which flit about it like light clouds. There is a magnificent pavilion, in which is a billiard table, and refreſhments of all kinds. Here all ranks, particularly the nobleſſe and literati, mix together. Spa waters are brought from Spa, Pyrmont, &c. The ladies drink, that they may ſhew themſelves in negligeés, and the men drink, becauſe the ladies are not ſo ſtiff in negligeés, as when they are full dreſſed.

There are ſeveral other places of public reſort in this city. That which is moſt generally viſited is the rampart, [119] which, though expoſed to a very warm ſun, is almoſt always full. The middling people cannot go to church in the afternoon without taking a turn round the ramparts, which takes them up an hour; thoſe of higher ranks walk out to ſhew their dogs, which, in this place only, are ſafe from horſes and carriages. Hounds are a great article of luxury here; the great endeavour to outvie each other in them; at preſent the little Pomeranian breed is all the mode, one either ſnow white, or coal black, with a ſharp ſnout, will fetch from 10 to 15 ducats: Prince Chriſtian gave 25 ducats for one. Every man who aims at all for ton, muſt have his Spiſſchen, that is, his dog. The peaſants who profit by this folly, have built a dog market, adjoining to the poultry market.

They have alſo their winter amuſements, as I ſhall mention preſently. A perſon of quality and fortune, who is fond of cards, may here gratify ſuch a diſpoſition as far as he pleaſes, and be aſſured of being well received in all aſſemblies. The uſual queſtions, particularly of the ladies, with regard to a ſtranger, introduced by any of their acquaintance into an aſſembly, turn upon theſe three capital points, viz. 1. Whether he be of old nobility? 2. Whether he be rich? and 3. Whether he be fond of play? If theſe three queſtions are anſwered in the affirmative, no further enquiry is to be apprehended. Sometimes if a ſtranger gambles deep, that qualification makes up any [120] deficiency in birth or fortune: this vice being as pernicious in Germany as in any part of England. Vienna ſwarms with what they call new nobility, i. e. perſons who have acquired fortunes by trade, and then aſſume what titles they pleaſe. It alſo ſwarms with literati; when a man accoſts you, ſays Reiſbec, whom you do not know, by his dirty hands, to be a painter, a ſmith, or a ſhoe-maker; or, by his livery, to be a footman; or, by his fine clothes, to be a man of conſequence; be aſſured he is either a man of letters, or a taylor, for between theſe two claſſes I have not learned to diſtinguiſh. Indeed the title of a man of letters is now ſo much deſpiſed at Vienna, that ſuch of high rank as cultivate knowledge for themſelves, or employ their talents in the ſervice of their country would be aſhamed of it. The principal men of merit here are foreigners: Stork is a Suabian; Denis, the great Auſtrian poet, a Bavarian, and Hill, the mathematician, a Sileſian. Many of the higher poſts of the ſtate are filled by natives; the Emperor's confidential ſecretaries are foreigners: nay, what is more, all the new enterpriſes have been alſo ſet on foot by foreigners, who have been poorly rewarded. The inventor of the penny poſt was obliged to run away for debt: a French officer who was called in to improve the artillery was driven away by ingratitude, and an Engliſhman, who taught the art of gelding horſes ſafely, being paid only by fair promiſes, ſhot himſelf.

[121]Muſic is the only thing for which the nobility ſhew a taſte; ſeveral of them have private bands of muſicians, and all the public concerts atteſt that this fineſt of arts is here in the greateſt eſteem. You may bring together four or five large orcheſtras, which are all incomparable. The number of private virtuoſi is ſmall, but there is no finer orcheſtras of muſic in the world. I have heard, ſays Baron Reiſbec, thirty or forty inſtruments play together, all which gave ſo juſt, ſo clear, and ſo preciſe a ſound, as to ſeem but that of a ſingle, very ſtrong inſtrument; a ſingle draw of the bow gave life to all the violins, and a ſingle blaſt to all the wind inſtruments. An Engliſhman, by whom I chance to ſit, continues the Baron, was aſtoniſhed not to hear, in a whole opera, I will not ſay, a ſingle difference, but a haſty ſtroke, too long a pauſe, or too loud a blaſt; though juſt come from Italy, he was enraptured with the juſtneſs and the clearneſs of the harmony. There are about 400 muſicians here, who divide themſelves into particular ſocieties, and often labour together during a long courſe of years. On a particular day of the year they have a general concert for the benefit of muſicians widows, and I have been aſſured, that the 400 play together as diſtinctly, as clearly, and as juſtly, as when there are only twenty or thirty.

The Kalteburgh, which lies on the Danube, about three miles from the city, is a delightful place of reſort: [122] the way to it is through a wonderfully well cultivated country. At ſome diſtance to the left, on the ſlope of a hill, and under ſome very old oaks, is Field-marſhal Lacy's elegant villa, with his Engliſh garden. By degrees you gain a thick foreſt on the brow of the hill; at the top of this ſtands the Camaldeuleuſe convent in the fineſt point of view you can imagine. Under ſome trees before the convent, are a table and ſome benches, where the ladies, who cannot viſit the inſide of the monaſtery, without ſpecial leave of the Archbiſhop, are entertained till their friends return. Each monk has his own ſeparate hut, with a little garden belonging to it. To the outer cells there is a terrace, which looks over a perpendicular precipice into the Danube, and commands a proſpect of which a monk of this ſort is quite unworthy. You have the whole city of Vienna like a ground-plot under your feet; you think you hear the conſtant hum in it, and your eye carries you over this part of Auſtria, as far as to the borders of Hungary and Moravia. The majeſtic Danube winds its way thro' an immenſe plain; at ſome diſtance it conſiderably widens, and, not being varied with woods and elevations, caſts a ſilver appearance on the landſcape to the right: the wood-crowned hill you are upon gradually decreaſes to the ſuburbs, whilſt, to the left, it ſtretches its high neck along the Danube; where at three miles diſtance, we ſee the golden hill of Enſerdorf, which produces one of the beſt Auſtrian [123] wines. The numberleſs fine valleys, the blue hills ſwimming on the horizon, and all the various aſpects of wood and water, diffuſe a delight which impreſſed me to ſuch a degree, that I could not help exclaiming with enthuſiaſm to the monk who was near me, ‘Happy muſt be that brother, who inhabits the outer cell!’ "No," returned he, ‘we are not of your opinion; none of us chuſe to live in it; it is too much expoſed to the winds, and is as cold again as any other.’ In a moment the man brought me out of my enthuſiaſm, and convinced me, I am one of thoſe who, in ſummer, never think of winter, and who hate nothing more than to be forced to ſee the ugly ſide of things, be they as natural as they may, whilſt I am taken up with the beautiful ones.

Dr. Moore tells us, that he, with the Duke of Hamilton, went up to this convent in a party to dinner; when they got to the foot of the hill or mountain, as the common carriages could not be drawn up, they found chaiſes of a particular conſtruction calculated for ſuch expeditions; theſe had been ordered by the ambaſſador for the accommodation of the company. The table for dinner was covered in a field near the convent, under the ſhade of ſome trees. Every delicacy of the ſeaſon was ſerved up; a very beautiful and ſprightly lady did the honours, ſome of the fineſt women of Vienna, her companions, [124] were of the party; ſo the whole entertainment was conducted with equal taſte and gaiety.

During the deſert, ſome of the fathers came and preſented the company with baſkets of fruit and ſallad from their garden. The ambaſſador invited them to ſit, and the ladies pledged them in Tokay. A permiſſion had been obtained for the ladies to enter the convent; and they did, with the company, as ſoon as dinner was over.

You would readily believe that the appearance of ſo many handſome women would be particularly intereſting to a community which had never before beheld a female within their walls. This was ſufficiently evident in ſpite of the gravity and mortified looks of the fathers.

One lady, of a gay diſpoſition, laid hold of a little ſcourge, which hung at one of the father's belts, and deſired he would make her a preſent of it, for ſhe wiſhed to uſe it when ſhe returned home; having, as ſhe ſaid, been a great ſinner; the father, with great gallantry, begged ſhe would ſpare her own fair ſkin, aſſuring her that he would give himſelf a hearty flogging, on her account, that very evening; and, to prove how much he was in earneſt, fell directly on his knees, and began to whip his own ſhoulders with great earneſtneſs, declaring that when the ladies [125] ſhould retire he would lay it, with the ſame violence, on his naked body; for he was determined ſhe ſhould be as free from ſin, as ſhe was on the day of her birth.

This melted the lady's heart; ſhe begged the father might take no more of her faults upon his ſhoulders; the lady aſſured him that her ſlips had been very venial, and that ſhe was convinced what he had done already, would clear her as completely as if he ſhould whip himſelf to the bone.

There is ſomething, ſays Dr. Moore, ſo ludicrous in all this, that you may naturally ſuſpect the repreſentations here given to proceed from inventions, rather than memory. I aſſure you, however, continues he, in downright earneſt, that the ſcene paſſed as nearly as deſcribed; and, to prevent the miſchief, I put the ſcourge, which the zealous father had made uſe of, into my pocket.

On my return to Vienna, I called at the counteſs of Walſtein's, where the late emperor, Joſeph II. was on a viſit. Some one had mentioned to him the pious gallantry of the father. He aſked for a ſight of the whip, which he was told I had brought away; I had it in my pocket, and immediately ſhewed it to him. He laughed very heartily at the warmth of the father's zeal, which he ſuppoſed had been augmented by the ambaſſador's tokay.

[126]The firſt claſs of people not only live luxuriouſly, but are much addicted to feaſting and carouſing, dancing and fencing, which are their ordinary recreations within doors: but in the winter, when the ſeveral branches of the Danube are frozen over, and the ground covered with ſnow, the ladies take their recreation in ſledges of different ſhapes, ſuch as griffins, tigers, ſwans, eagles, ſcollop ſhells, &c. a repreſentation of one of the moſt elegant of which we have preſented to our readers. (See the plate.)

Here the lady ſits dreſſed in velvet lined with rich furs and adorned with laces and jewels, having on her head a velvet cap; and the ſledge is drawn by one horſe, ſet off with plumes of feathers, ribbons and bells: and as this diverſion is chiefly taken in the night-time, footmen ride before the ſledge with torches, and a gentleman ſitting on the ſledge behind, guides the horſe. The winters are much ſeverer at Vienna than at London; though the latitude at London is between three and four degrees further north, but then the weather is more conſtant and ſevere there; and they clothe themſelves ſo well with furs and warm caps in the day-time, and cover themſelves with feather-beds at night, that they are not very ſenſible of the difference, eſpecially as every one, male and female, drink ſome ſtrong waters to preſerve an internal warmth and circulate the fluids in the animal ſyſtem.

Figure 3. AMUSEMENTS AT VIENNA.

[127]At the carnival, which begins the new year, all ſorts of diverſions are carried to the greateſt height, except that of maſquing, which is never permitted during a war with the Turks, or any of the ſurrounding nations.

The balls are at public places, where the gentlemen pay a gold ducat at entrance, but the ladies nothing; where it is not uncommon to have an aſſemblage of 1000 gentlemen, and as many ladies. The rooms are well decorated, and the muſic good; but the din of hunting-horns would be ſufficient to deafen any one beſides the people of Vienna, who never have a concert without them. The ball always concludes with Engliſh country dances; which, for the moſt part, are ſo ill danced, that there is little pleaſure in ſeeing them, and much leſs to be of the party.

The manners of the court of Vienna are conſiderably altered ſince Lady Mary Wortley Montague was there; particularly, ſince the acceſſion of the Empreſs, the people of different ranks now do buſineſs together with eaſe, and meet at public places without any of thoſe ridiculous diſputes about precedency, of which Lady Mary has given ſuch lively deſcriptions. Yet trifling punctilios are not ſo completely baniſhed as could be wiſhed; for there is certainly ſtill a greater ſeparation than good ſenſe could direct, between the various claſſes of the ſubjects.

[128]The higher, or ancient families, keep themſelves as diſtinct from the inferior, or newly created nobility, as thoſe do from the citizens; ſo that it is very difficult for the inferior claſſes to be in ſociety, or to have their families much connected with thoſe of ſuperior rank. There is a law in force that obliges the offices of ſtate to be in the hands of the higher order of people, whether they have abilities for the office or not. As for the peaſantry, they are, in many parts of the Emperor's dominions, in a ſtate of perfect ſlavery, and almoſt totally dependent on the proprietors of the land.

The ideas, reſpecting dreſs, ſeem to have entirely changed ſince Lady Mary's time; and if the dreſs of the ladies be ſtill as abſurd, it is at leaſt not ſo ſingular; for they, like the reſt of Europe, have now adopted the Pariſian modes; and if the ladies were ugly 70 years ago, they are not ſo now, and of courſe gallantry may be more general.

It is not uncommon for married ladies here to avow the greateſt degree of friendſhip and attachment to men who are not their huſbands, and to live with them in great intimacy, without hurting their reputation, or being ſuſpected even by their own ſex of having deviated from the laws of modeſty.

[129]One evening, ſays Moore, at Count Thune's, when there was a pretty numerous company, I obſerved one lady uncommonly ſad, and enquired of her intimate friend, who happened to be there alſo, if ſhe knew the cauſe of this ſadneſs? I do, replied ſhe, Mr. De—, whom ſhe loves very tenderly, ought to have been here a month ago, and laſt night ſhe received a letter from him, informing her that he cannot be at Vienna for a month to come. But pray, ſaid I, does your friend's huſband know of this violent paſſion ſhe has for Mr. De—? Yes, yes, anſwered ſhe, he knows it and enters, with the moſt tender ſympathy, into her afflictions; he does all that can be expected from an affectionate huſband to comfort and ſoothe his wife, aſſuring her, that her love will wear off with time. But ſhe always declares that ſhe has no hopes of this, feeling an increaſe of it daily. Mais, au ſond, continues the lady, cela lui fait bien de regret, parceque malheureuſement il aime ſa femme à la folie. Et ſa femme qui eſt la meilleure créature du monde, plaint infiniment ſon pauvre mari; car elle a beaucoup d'amitié et d'eſtime pour lui; mais elle ne ſçauroit ſe défaire de cette malheureuſe paſſion pour Monſieur De—?

Its univerſity is very famous throughout Germany and Hungary; the number of ſtudents is conſiderable, and they have good accommodations for thoſe of fortune, and many valuable privileges.

[130]This city, like moſt others in Roman-catholic countries, is over-run with lazy, indolent prieſts, who do nothing to gain their livelihood, but are maintained by the induſtry of every body elſe. It is amazing, that Roman-catholic princes do not find out that every monk in their dominions might be a ſoldier, without the country ſuffering any thing the more; and, in many caſes, the ſoldier would pay well for his maintenance; but, as to the monk, he is ſupported in the moſt unuſeful of all ſpecies of idleneſs.

The late Emperor, Joſeph II. was truly ſenſible of this; and, with a great deal of wiſdom and polity, put an end to the monkeries: he aboliſhed the convents, and obliged the inhabitants to find out ſome other mode of living; and it was truly laughable to ſee the effect of this event.

Thoſe drones of ſociety were removed from their neſts by the edict of this wiſe monarch, and ſtript of their ſacerdotal habits, which were replaced by the leſs diſtinguiſhed ones of laymen. Nor were the ſecluded nuns free from the general alarm; but were obliged to reſume the cloathing of uſeful females.

[]
Figure 4. DESTRUCTION OF THE MONASTERIES.

But there are other inſtances of the catholic piety of Vienna, beſides her monks and her nuns; in one of the ſquares is a very large and coſtly ſtatue of the Trinity, repreſenting the Deity claſping Chriſt in his arms; and the Holy Ghoſt hovering over them. To this famous piece of folly all the Roman-catholics bow as they paſs.

Religious prejudices ſhould certainly be laid aſide by travellers; but is it poſſible for a man of ſenſe not to rejoice that education has not enſlaved him to an obſervance of, or veneration for ſuch mummery? In many inſtances religion makes Roman-catholic countries very diſagreeable.

[132]There is a haughty reſerve in the citizens of Vienna, ſo that it is impoſſible to get an intelligent perſon to acquaint the moſt polite ſtranger with any particulars relative to agriculture, manufactures, commerce, revenue or military power: for, in the faſhionable circles, none of theſe inſtructive leſſons are regarded; vice and folly taking the lead of all wholeſome conſiderations.

The great attention at Vienna is the army; this is ſo far reprehenſible in politics, as it increaſes the neceſſity of laying a foundation previous to every ſuperſtructure: it is the revenue that ſupports and pays the army; and all the increaſe of the latter, muſt depend on a foregoing increaſe of the former: to raiſe a great revenue is much more eſſential than to raiſe a great army; but the ſoldiers have a peculiar faculty of ſwallowing up a revenue, they have none at creating it. That prince, therefore, who would be truly formidable, ſhould attend to the proſpects of his income before he thinks of greatly increaſing his troops.

The police of this place is intirely taken up with the object of ſuppreſſing every thing that indicates vigour and manly ſtrength, as will be ſeen; that, however, is not the beſt police, whoſe object is to make every member of ſociety as ſecure as poſſible; but that which knows how to give the greateſt ſecurity to the whole, and, at the ſame time, encroaches as little as poſſible upon the freedom of individuals.

[133]It is certain, that by ſetting watches about every citizen's houſe, to take an account of what is going forward at his table and in his bed, and to follow the ſeveral members of his family wherever they go, is to guard effectually againſt diſorder; but who is there exiſting on earth that loves the order kept up againſt galley-ſlaves exerciſed upon themſelves?

The wiſe Creator, whoſe government ought to be the model of every prudent legiſlature, left us that free will which we ſo often abuſe. He gave us ſtrong incitements to good, without taking away the power of doing evil. In this liberty, notwithſtanding the miſchiefs which ariſe from it, conſiſts the true greatneſs of man. Religion teaches us that, in his own good time, God will puniſh the wicked and reward the good. Without the freedom to do ill, we ſhould have neither moral feelings nor moral happineſs.

We cannot follow a better method of legiſlation and police, than what is ſet us by the Creator. As it is the buſineſs of legiſlation to puniſh the wicked without partiality, and reward the good with a liberal hand; ſo the police, which is ſubordinate to it, ought to have no other object, than to give it the means of rewarding virtue and puniſhing vice. To go farther than this, and endeavour to make moral evil phyſically impoſſible, is ſubverting the order of nature. Human juſtice knows of no evils but thoſe which ſpring from [134] offences, and are hurtful to ſociety; for the tribunal of juſtice muſt not imperiouſly extend to the internal morals of man, but to his outward actions only.

Probably Vienna is the only city in the world, which has a court called a ſpecial Commiſſion of Chaſtity. A few years ago, the ſpies of this extraordinary tribunal uſed to follow the young people into their houſes, and even break open their bed-chambers, and viſit their beds in the middle of the night. The horror which this raiſed in ſociety was ſo univerſal, that the Emperor was conſtrained to remove the evil by limiting this abuſed power. Now it is ſafe to walk in public, yet ſpies are numerous, under pretext to guard againſt the exceſſes or indulgences of youth.

It is the opinion here, that the beſt way to prevent criminal intercourſe, and infant-murder, is to compel the man who has a child ſworn to him to marry the woman immediately. This is done with a view, alſo, of increaſing population. The following curious fact will ſerve as an example. A young man was ſummoned before the conſiſtory to make anſwer to a young woman, who claimed him for a huſband. As he was in the outward chamber waiting for her, he ſaw another poor young woman who was come there on the like errand. Having made himſelf acquainted with all the circumſtances of her caſe, and finding that the ſuppoſed father of her child was fled, he offered [135] her a good ſum if ſhe would take him in his ſtead, and date her complaint prior to the time of that which he expected to be brought againſt him. She agreed to his propoſal, and he went to the judges full of confidence in the ſucceſs of his project. The court put the uſual queſtion, whether he had criminal intercourſe with the female before the bar? He confeſſed he had; upon which he was told to give his hand to the woman. To this he replied, he had no objection, but that there was a perſon in the anti-chamber, who had prior claims upon him. Upon her being called, it appeared viſibly ſhe was farther gone than the other. The firſt plaintiff was reſtrained, and ſatisfied with a little money. After ſhe was gone, the judges deſired he would give his hand to the other, whereupon he pleaded the artifice, but having no witneſſes to produce in evidence, he was compelled to give his hand to a woman he had not known above half an hour.

Theſe marriages by compulſion are attended with very pernicious conſequences both to ſociety and the ſtate. And if it prevents the evil complained of, it is equally certain it muſt increaſe adultery. Truth, confidence and love, the moſt holy and uſeful bands of ſociety, they entirely diſſolve. The man who from the circumſtance of his having been compelled to marry, conſiders his wife as a proſtitute, conſequently cannot ſo reſpect her, as to make the yoke of matrimony ſit light and eaſy. It is indeed aſtoniſhing how indifferent [136] the married people of this place are to each other. In Paris their indifference ariſes from the national manners, but here from neceſſity, and by the force of compulſory laws. It is no doubt owing to this want of the affections of ſocial and domeſtic life, ſays Reiſbec, that the people have here ſo few moral feelings.

It is always allowed, every thing has its good as well as weak ſide. From this analogy we may deduce, that the people here, want ſpirit; conſequently their vices are few, and as weak as their virtues. Nothing of the tragedies of London, Paris or Naples, is ſeen here. For the choler of two ſtout men extends only to menace and grinning: blows being ſcarcely ever made uſe of to decide the conteſt; leſt any of the ſix hundred ſpies which creep round the metropolis ſhould, ſans ceremonie, put the combatants into ſafe ward. Thus the frays at Vienna, like thoſe of Billingſgate, in London, all vaniſh into air.

We ſeldom hear of any extraordinary inſtances of impropriety and indecency in this place. Conſidering the ſtate of the country, it is not extraordinary that a taſte for pleaſure ſhould be ſo prevalent as it is. it having certainly more food here than any where elſe. The number of poor is much ſmaller than at Paris, and probably than at London. Every thing, even the cloathing of the loweſt ſervants, beſpeaks a degree of affluence. The prodigality of the higher [137] nobility, the many and great appointments paid by the court, and the extenſive commerce of the midling claſſes, greatly aſſiſts the circulation of money. The expence of living here is likewiſe leſs than it is any where elſe, and Vienna is probably the only town in which the price of the neceſſaries of life is not equal to the quantity of gold in circulation. This ariſes from the great want of money in the neighbouring Hungary. You have good wine here for three kreutzers, or three farthings Engliſh, the bottle, and a very good dinner for 3d. I knew a traiteur, ſays Reiſbec, who for 13 ſols a head, furniſhed a table d'hote, conſiſting of vegetables, broiled meat, a pudding, roaſted calf's liver, and beef fried, and a gill of wine included. In a word, a man of ſmall fortune may live here very well, but if he has a great one, he will be certainly tempted to ſpend it. The more nature gives, the more neceſſities men create to themſelves, and ſhe is ſo profuſe here, that they of courſe become ſo too. The infinite number of richly penſioned dependents of the court, the numerous nobility, and the many ſtrangers who come here, merely for amuſement, know no other pleaſure than to follow it, whereſoever it leads, riches, idleneſs, and the liberality of nature muſt render a people diſſipated, where religion is the oppoſite to frugality, and whoſe governors cannot give their ſpirits any other occupation.

[138]The individuals of a country which exiſts only by ſubordination, will, of courſe, be weak and feeble characters. Though no nation has ſo much checked the power of their kings at different periods as the Engliſh: yet hiſtory affords no greater inſtances of the devotion of individuals to the ſovereign. The ſame love which the Engliſhman has for liberty, extends to the perſon of the prince, as long as the ſovereign leaves the conſtitution unmoleſted, and manifeſts a love for his people. So that a Briton will preſerve ſtrength of character, as long as his conſtitution laſts.

The government of this place endeavours to make ſome amends for the univerſal ſubjection under which theſe people are held by a moſt exact adminiſtration of juſtice, by taking meaſures for univerſal ſecurity, and by the free admiſſion and encouragement of every pleaſure (the ſingle one of lawleſs love alone excepted) that can delight the human mind. The police is ſo vigilant and acute, that the moſt ſubtle thefts are commonly diſcovered, and the owner gets his goods again. The Imperial houſes and gardens are almoſt conſtantly open to the public. The players are under the peculiar protection of a court, who ſhews, in every thing, that the reſtraint it lays the people under, ariſes more from principle than the deſire of tyrannizing over them.

[139]Yet, notwithſtanding all this pleaſure, and all this ſecurity, I had rather, ſays Reiſbec, be expoſed to a London footpad, or have the bottles and glaſſes whiſtle round my head on the laſt night of Vauxhall, than enjoy all the placid tranquillity of this place. Theſe laſt are diſorders indeed, but they are diſorders which are inſeparable from a ſtrong national character, ſuch as is the people by whom they are committed.

The late Emperor Joſeph II. was of an affable diſpoſition, and in fact the ſitting magiſtrate of Vienna. He heard the complaints of all ranks of people; for the meaneſt of his ſubjects had free acceſs to him. His diſpenſations in juſticiary matters were truly excellent, and well worth the attention of princes, whoſe deſire is to adminiſter equity and juſtice to their ſubjects.

The following anecdote of him is well known: a poor family, the father of which had worn out his better days as a ſoldier, in the ſervice of the ſtate, and was entitled to ſome claim for thoſe ſervices, not having ſufficient intereſt to procure them, was pining out the remainder of his life in want and diſtreſs. He at laſt thought of petitioning the Emperor, and ſent one of his daughters with the petition. The Emperor was ſo ſtruck with the appearance of the girl, and ſo won by her modeſt deportment, that he not only ſigned the paper, ordering the claims to be made good, but [140] added Let a penſion of 600 livres be annually paid him. (See the plate.)

The hand of juſtice in all chriſtian ſtates ſhould be tempered by the ſoft feelings of mercy, and the wretch, who, violating the laws deſerves puniſhment, ſhould be meliorated by the remiſſion of every ſpecies of torture. A noble fundamental principle of Britiſh laws! In Vienna, the way of executing criminals is commonly done by cutting off their heads; though in caſes of high treaſon, they firſt cut off the right hand: the executioner generally ſtrikes off the head with one blow.

In the city of Vienna, as I have obſerved, ſwarms of literary characters are to be found. Some of whom are above and ſome below mediocrity. It would be invidious in me to point out their defects, and weak to ſpeak in their praiſe; ſuffice it therefore to ſay, that there are ſome of all denominations. Were we to point out the literary ſocieties, and mark out all the rules and regulations of this great mart for literature, it would ſwell this article to the ſize of a volume, without adding to the entertainment of our readers; we ſhall diſmiſs therefore the ſubject with only obſerving, that a habit of writing is generally adopted by the ſtudents of Vienna; of courſe, it muſt naturally be ſuppoſed that ſome of them are not very bright geniuſes.

Figure 5. JOSEPH II: EMP: OF GERMANY.

[141]The flowery diction of a Geſner, a Wieland, or a Lavater, muſt ever be regarded by men of letters as the effuſion of a daring imagination cloathed in the diction of politeneſs and elegance, as well as ſublimity and flowing periods.

The German ladies are not wanting in this article; for very neat productions have been uſhered into the world, from ſome of thoſe ſtudious females at the capital.

The taſte for dramatic writing is now revived, and the rational amuſement of the ſtage ſeems now to be in a fair way to be retrieved from its long neglected ſtate. The late emperor began it, and the preſent one ſeems to have fixed a reſolution of raiſing it to the higheſt pitch of excellence. It is carried on, and the performers ſalaries paid at the Emperor's expence, as has been before obſerved.

The city of Baden is ſituate about 18 miles ſouth of Vienna. It is a neat well built town, and a place of public reſort in the ſummer, on account of its hot baths. The German phyſicians preſcribe its waters, (and iſſuing from rocks of ſalt, allum, and brimſtone, they taſte ſtrangely of theſe minerals) as ſalutary for valetudinarians; and particularly beneficial in all diſorders of the head, ſuch as head-aches, dimneſs of ſight, deafneſs, &c. They are uſed by internal and [142] external applications. Modern practice of the faculty recommends this water as an antidote againſt the gout; as well as for the dropſy and other chronical diſtempers.

There is nothing to attract the traveller's attention in this city, except the ſalubrity of the climate, and the faſhionable reſort of the higher ranks of the citizens of Vienna. The uſual taſte for diſſipation and genteel vices are not wanting here. For there are no ſpies of chaſtity, nor yoke of moral conduct, as at the capital, ſo that all ranks indulge in thoſe pleaſures that are moſt ſuitable to their inclinations.

Baden wants none of the requiſites that conſtitute a place of luxurious enjoyments, added to the great good qualities of its ſprings.

The dukedom of Stitia, and the earldom of Cilley, have Gratz and Cilley as the principal cities. The former ſituated on the banks of the river Muer, and the latter on the banks of the river Drave. There are no vineyards in this part of the country, but the native ſupplies are plentiful in every other article of life. It is very remarkable that in this country, the natives are frequently troubled with a ſtruma, or ſwelling on their throats or chins, to a monſtrous degree. This epidemical diſtemper is ſuppoſed to proceed from the ſnow-water they drink, which falls from the mountains; [143] but the nobility and better ſort of people, who drink wine and other ſtrong liquors, are ſeldom troubled with it.

Gratz is a well built town, its ſtreets are ſpacious and well laid out, the caſtle ſtands on a high hill, and has the conveniency of a well that has a communication with the Muer, for the convenience of water carriage to Hungary. It has a good armory and alſo ſpacious magazines. In the Jeſuits library here is ſhewn a manuſcript tranſlation of the Bible, at the concluſion of which is a memoir, ſignifying that it was written and finiſhed by Eraſmus Stratter, at Saltzburg, before the Ember week in autumn, 1469. In this manuſcript, the ſo much diſputed text in the 5th chapter of the 1ſt Epiſtle of St. John, v. 7. concerning the three witneſſes in heaven is to be found, but the ſixth verſe runs thus, And the ſpirit is that which witneſſeth that Chriſt is the truth. The text in a printed Bible, to be ſeen there, is expreſſed in the ſame manner. The reaſon why this text is not to be found in ſo many manuſcripts is well known, but all the craft of the enemies of our holy faith has but little weight, as the connexion not only neceſſarily requires the ſentence in diſpute, but Tertullian, ſo early as the ſecond, and St. Cyprian, in the third century, expreſsly appeal to this paſſage. At the Dominican convent, which lies between the church and the area before the palace, is a piece of painting repreſenting Catharine, [144] of Sienna, exchanging her heart for that of Chriſt. Not far from it is the portrait of St. Alan, a Dominican monk, who was a native of England. An inſcription beneath, according to Keyſler, ſays, that the Virgin Mary was ſo pleaſed with the love he bore her, that in the preſence of the Son of God, an infinite multitude of angels and bleſſed ſpirits, ſhe was eſpouſed to St. Alan, gave him with her virgin mouth a kiſs of everlaſting peace, refreſhed him with the milk of her chaſte breaſts, and preſented him with a ring in token of the marriage. This pretended ſtep-father and foſter brother of our Lord, died in 1475. That the Virgin Mary ſhould expoſe her boſom in the preſence of many ſpectators, will not appear ſtrange to thoſe who from other legends have learned, that it is not uncommon for them to repreſent her as condeſcending to ſuch familiarities with her favourite votaries, as not to be read without a bluſh. This devout Alan informs us, that the Virgin once paid a formal viſit to St. Dominic, the founder of his order, attended by three maids of honour, each of which had a retinue of 150 angels. He adds, that theſe three maids of honour repreſented the three perſons in the bleſſed Trinity, by whom Dominic (who had fallen into a ſwoon at the radiancy of this celeſtial viſit) was raiſed and delivered into the hands of the Virgin Mary, who received him as her bridegroom, kiſſed and ſuckled him at her breaſt. Craſſus and Caeſarius give us an account of many more ſuch condeſcending weddings. Some [145] ſenſible Romaniſts however, not of this order, have openly expreſſed their abhorrence of ſuch impious fictions.

In the market-place at Gratz is a fine pillar of gilt braſs erected to the Trinity; the town is well fortified, and contains beſides a pariſh church, eight cloyſters with their churches, and about 30,000 inhabitants.

There are perſons in it who have incomes from 30 to 40,000 florins, and the luxury that prevails is not to be deſcribed; they have four regular meals, morning, noon, evening, and night; ducks and chickens are the ordinary food of the common citizens. They made me almoſt ſick, ſays Reiſbec, with the ſight of their paſties, tarts, ragouts, &c. They talk of nothing but the kitchen, and the cellar, the attention to cooking only excepted, and do not ſeem many degrees above Orang-outangs. This alſo is the great mart for all indecent and irreligious books; and hence they are ſent into other countries.

Two ſtages from Gratz, in the way to Vienna, on the right of Retelſtein, is a cave, out of which are continually dug ſeveral large bones called unicornu foſſile, not unlike thoſe of Canſtein. The entrance is very large and the cave runs under a rock to the diſtance, 'tis ſaid, of two German miles, or eight Engliſh ones. It is conjectured that theſe bones [146] belonged to cattle or wild beaſts, who, at the time of the deluge, or ſome other extraordinary inundation, had ſheltered themſelves here. The vulgar call them dragons teeth, or giants bones, and imagine that before the deluge, this cavern was the abode of ſavage women.

The Dukedom of Carinthia has St. Veit for its capital, and is famous for its early reception of the chriſtian religion. The duchy of Carniola has Trieſte for its chief town. There is a curious lake in this dukedom, 70 miles in length, and 35 in breadth, ſurrounded by high mountains, that in the month of June, annually, retires under ground, and returns again in September, with great violence ſpouting up the water to a great heighth. But what is moſt ſingular, during the abſence of the waters, the bottom of the lake is ſuddenly covered over with graſs, ſo that cattle graze there with ſafety.

The county of Tyrol has Inſpruc for its metropolis, which contains 14,000 inhabitants. And thoſe of Brixen and Trent, have towns of the ſame names. Theſe three ſtates are remarkable for their productions in foſſils, both in ſtones and gems.

The commerce of this country is now extremely flouriſhing, but it was a long time before the Auſtrians knew how to enjoy the advantage, which nature had [147] given them. Notwithſtanding they were maſters of one of the largeſt rivers in the world, which carries ſhips upwards of 70 German miles before it comes to them, and afterwards opens them a way into the Levant and Black ſea; there was no ſpirit of trade before the time of Francis—. Trade was conſidered as below the attention of a gentleman; and though the emperor Francis was himſelf a merchant, and by degrees the nobility began to look upon the induſtrious tradeſman with ſomewhat leſs degree of contempt; ſtill a great deal was reſerved for the late emperor, Joſeph II. whoſe popularity and averſion to old prejudices, are in no inſtances more conſpicuous than in this. He introduced ingenious artiſts and merchants into the firſt ſocieties. It is true indeed, that thoſe who think all merit conſiſts in birth and external appearance, neglect nothing to make the plebean feel he is out of his element; but a word from the monarch ſets all to rights, and the more the nobleſſe diſturbed themſelves, the more Joſeph was ſure to take opportunities of humbling their pride. Some years ago, when he was at Prague, he came into a large company, leading a citizen's wife by the hand: all the ladies immediately began to ſtare, but he took no farther notice of it, than by going down a dance with her, the only dance he danced.

With all this, however, trade is ſtill far below what it might be; but it makes great ſtrides every day. It [148] is ſaid there are already above a hundred ſilk-weavers looms in Vienna. There are alſo pluſh and cotton manufactures; and foreign trade is carried on with Auſtrian and Hungarian wines, Bohemian and Moravian linens, (which go by Trieſte into Italy, Spain, Portugal, and Turkey) wrought iron, ſteel, and copper, leather, china, and other articles.—Theſe produce many millions. All this the government protects ſo heartily, that it has always a fund ready for the encouragement of the enterpriſing and diſcrete projector. This fund lends out money without intereſt, for five, ſix, or even ten years, after which it receives intereſt gradually, from one to two or three per cent. From theſe beginners great advantages are, no doubt, to be expected in the next generation, when inſtead of being proud of their debts, the nobility ſhall deign to be in company with a rich trader, and inſtead of reaſoning on a bill of fare, will converſe with him on the profits of the year.

[figure]
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Figure 6. MAP of the CIRCLE of UPPER SAXONY

CHAP. VIII. The Circle of Upper Saxony.

[149]

THIS circle terminates on that of Franconia, the Upper Rhine, and the circle of Lower Saxony, as alſo on the Baltic ſea; Pruſſia, Poland, Sileſia, Luſatia and Bohemia. Its whole extent being eſtimated at 1950 ſquare geographical miles.

It contains as follows: Pomerania N. E. Brandenburg, and Middle hall ſubject to the king of Pruſſia; Pomerania N. W. ſubject to Sweden; Thuringia W. ſubject to the elector of Mentz: Saxe-Hall, ſubject to its biſhop; Anhalt N. ſubject to the prince of Anhalt Deſſau; the duchies of Saxe Meinungen, Saxe Zeitz, Saxe Altenburg S. E. Saxe Weimar W. Saxa Gotha W. Saxe Eiſnach S. W. Saxe Saalfeldt, and Saxe Naumburg, ſubject to their own dukes; the counties of Schwartſburg W; Belchingen N; Mansfeldt N; Stolberg N. W; and Hohenſtein W. ſubject to their reſpective counts; all the reſt of the circle belongs to the elector of Saxony. Such parts as belong to Pruſſia and Sweden, we have ſpoken ſufficiently of already, when deſcribing thoſe kingdoms; the leſſer dukedoms, &c. we ſhall paſs over in ſilence, [150] as deſcribing the country and manners of Germany in general, is deſcribing of theſe; we ſhall dwell only on the electorate of Saxony.

The duchy of Saxony, which gives the Elector the title of Duke, is of no great extent, and bounded by the principality of Anhalt on the N. Luſatia and part of Brandenburg on the E. Miſnia on the S. and Mansfeldt and Thuringia on the W. But the electoral country contains 210 towns, 61 market-towns, 3157 villages, 1591 gentlemens eſtates, with villages annexed, 130 royal citadels, and 196 royal manners; in the whole 225 towns, and 5685 villages.

The air of this country is cold, but healthful. The ſoil yields wheat and ſome wine, though not in great plenty. There are ſeveral mines of ſilver, and other metals, but the want of fuel to work them with, prevents the Elector from riſing the ore.

Of this duchy, which alone contains 24 cities and towns, three boroughs, and 494 villages, Wittenburg is the chief city, but Dreſden is the metropolis of the electorate.

This electorate has had the honour of giving riſe to the reformation in the tenth century, and the Proteſtant Lutheran church is the prevailing ſect here. The Calviniſts, as well as the Roman-catholics, have, [151] at Dreſden and Leipſic the free exerciſe of their religion.

The ſciences flouriſh in this electorate, printing being at no place more common, and book-ſelling no where more conſiderable than at Leipſic. At Meiſſen, Pforte, and Grimma are princely, country ſchools, and good ſeminaries at other places.

The uſeful and fine manufactures and fabricks are very numerous in this electorate. Great quantities of yarn are ſpun here, thread bleached, coarſe and fine linen wove, and tick made, together with cerecloth, fine lace, ribband, edging, and paper. The porcelain of Meiſſen is famous throughout all Europe, and known alſo in other principal parts of the world, under the name of Dreſden china. Fine glaſſes and mirrors are made here, and out of the ſerpent ſtone all manner of things. Iron is wrought here, alſo ſteel and braſs. Saxony has likewiſe its manufactures of gold and ſilver; cotton, wool, and ſilk are made up here in handkerchiefs, cloths, fuſtians, flannels, ſtuffs, pluſh, and ſtockings. It makes alſo gloves, caps, and hats. Here are beſides fine tapeſtries; and in theſe manufactured wares, as well as in the natural productions of the country, namely, in corn, flax, aniſe, woad, blue, ſtarch, arſenic, ſaffron, wine, &c. and in cattle, wool, and many other articles an important foreign commerce is carried on. The tin [152] here is very exellent, and gems they have in great plenty.

The Elbe is the principle river in this country, and greatly promotes its trade. Leipſic is not only the greateſt trading town in this electorate, but one of the greateſt in all Germany.

The Elector of Saxony ſtiles himſelf, Duke of Saxony, Juliers, Cleve, and the Berg; alſo of Engers and Weſtphalia; archmarſhal and elector of the holy Roman empire, Landgrave in Thuringia, Margrave of Meiſſen and of Upper and Lower Luſatia, Burgrave of Magdeburg, princely count of Henneberg, count of the Mark, Ravenſberg, Barby, and Hanau, and lord of Ravenſtein, and he is now choſen preſumptive heir to the crown of Poland. His arms for Saxony are a garland of rue for the head and hair. The diet is held at Dreſden.

The chief cities in this electorate, and thoſe we ſhall ſpeak of, are Wittenburg, Leipſic and Dreſden.

Wittenburg is the head town of the circle, lying not far from the Elbe, over which it has a ferry; the city is not large but fortified; the old citadel was formerly the electoral palace, and here are kept the common archives of the Saxon houſes. It has a [153] univerſity, and the number of ſtudents are about 700, where they are taught the arts of dancing, fencing, and other polite accompliſhments. They are under the care of 12 profeſſors who teach Latin, Greek, and French. Young perſons are ſent hither from all parts of Germany, particularly from Hamburg and Dantzic.

The Sokoloff church here is a building of about 300 years ſtanding, where Martin Luther firſt preached the doctrine which occaſioned the revolt from the Roman principles. He is alſo interred here, but has no other monument than a ſimple braſs plate with an inſcription, except his original portrait at length, painted on wood, and well preſerved ſince 1540.

The people in Leipſic, as in moſt places, where the Lutheran religion prevails, have a ſtrong tincture of Romiſh ſuperſtition. Among ſeveral inſtances of which the credulous firmly believe and report as a fact, that in the library now belonging to the academy, the Devil paid a viſit to Luther, and offered to ſhake hands with the reformer, as a mark of politeneſs and reſpect, at which the pious man was ſo incenſed that he took up his large, leaden ink-ſtand, and threw it right in the intruder's face, ſo that he was obliged to make a precipitate retreat, all ſmeared over with ink, muttering horridly that he would be revenged of the doctor, who had ſo ſaucily treated him, for no other [154] cauſe than his friendly attention to him to call and aſk him how he did!

Indeed this mark of diſreſpect in Luther, ſtrongly indicated his reſolute determination to be at continual variance with the prince of the air; for honeſt Martin, built his fabric on a ſolid foundation, and erected the whole fabric with faith and good works as the ſtone and lime of durability, which, no doubt, greatly diſpleaſed his highneſs who is highly delighted with the frivolity of ceremony.

But as all human inventions are imperfect in their conſtruction as well as application, and always admit of ſeveral amendments, we cannot omit this opportunity of paying the good man the higheſt compliment for his extraordinary talents in removing the veil of darkneſs from the eyes of millions then unborn! not to ſpeak of the grand work he performed then of diſciplining thouſands by the force of rational argument and appealing to the underſtandings of men of common capacities.

In this city are at leaſt 500 private manufactories in various branches; particularly the art of dyeing is performed here in a ſuperior ſtile, ſo that from all parts of the country for many miles diſtant, cloths are ſent to be dyed, blue, green and ſcarlet. Hence the elegant colours of theſe hues, are emphatically [155] called Saxon, thereby implying that they are of faſt colours. The nap, pile, or ſheering, is grained according to any order ſent, with extraordinary neatneſs, and the neweſt face poſſible appears on the goods; an act worthy of imitation and attention.

Leipſic is the next city in this electorate, and is the capital of Miſnia; it is a very ſmall but very handſome, and, in ſome places, ſplendid city, though it has been the theatre of almoſt every German war. It is ſituated in a pleaſant, fruitful plain, at the meeting of three ſmall rivers, viz. the Elſter, Pleiſca, and Parda, about 40 miles N. W. of Dreſden. It is a town of great trade, eſpecially at the three annual fairs of Chriſtmas, Eaſter, and Michaelmas, when their ſtreets are crowded with foreign merchants.

The civility and politeneſs of the inhabitants, its elegant buildings and the delightful gardens with which it is ſurrounded, make it appear ſuperior to many capital cities. The country round it is very pleaſant and well cultivated. Its fertility draws hither multitudes of larks which are very fat and has a delicate flavour, ſo that Leipſic larks are famous all over Germany, and the exciſe on them produces £.900 a year ſterling to the city; the revenue accruing to the Elector from this city alone is computed at £. 70,000 a year. In the ſand-pits about Leipſic are dug up corals, ſtar-ſtones, ſhells, and other marine productions, [156] which ſeem to confirm the account of the univerſal deluge, for though the land be moſtly level, it lies pretty high, the neighbouring rivers are never known to overflow the country, nor are the marine productions, found here, ever found in thoſe rivers.

The commerce and manufactures of this place are very conſiderable. It is the centre of the book-trade of all Germany, and of the wool-trade of all Saxony, and there are few cities in Germany which ſurpaſs it in commerce and exchange. Here they make velvets, woven ſilks, ſhags, linens, cloths, rattines, carpets, and a great variety of other things. This city ſupplies the greateſt part of Saxony with drugs, and has a conſiderable ſhare of the trade which is carried on betwixt the ſouth of Germany, Switzerland, Italy, and the north. There are ſeveral wealthy houſes here. The fair is no more than a ſhadow of what it was thirty years ago. The moſt remarkable part of the preſent trade, is the exchange of books, carried on by the German bookſellers. Their number is about 300, and the value of the books they exchange amounts to 500,000 rix-dollars, or about £.73,000 ſterling: formerly they had three fairs, and merchants brought or ſent goods from every part of Europe; vaſt magazines were formed of Eaſt-India goods of all ſorts, and of Weſt-India commodities; but the wars have been its deſtruction.

[157]There are no eccleſiaſtical buildings here worth notice, except the church of St. Nicholas, which is ſaid to be the fineſt Lutheran church in all Germany. The exchange is a very noble ſtructure, and the cieling of the hall well painted. There is a famous univerſity here, which conſiſt of only four colleges, as the ſtudents are not confined to their chambers, as in other places, but the buildings are not ſo fine in any reſpect, as thoſe of Oxford.

In this city the purity of the German language is preſerved with great care. The library of this univerſity contains 12,000 well choſen volumes. The half of which are in folio. This library is open for the uſe of the public from ten to twelve, on Wedneſdays and Saturdays.

On the ſame days, in the afternoon, free acceſs is allowed to the magiſtrates' library, which conſiſts of 25,000 volumes, many of which are well choſen.

The cabinets of urns, antiques and medals, are kept in good order. There are alſo ſeveral copper-plate prints and deſigns by the moſt celebrated maſters; an Egyptian mummy, entire, with its coffin and hieroglyphical characters; four globes, each 12 feet in circumference. Here are likewiſe ſhewn petrifactions, foſſils, minerals, and other curioſities of nature and art. There are alſo ſeveral fine paintings to be ſeen here, in high preſervation.

[158]In Richter's collection, various curioſities of the kingdoms of nature are to be ſeen preſerved in balſamic ſpirits. The animal kingdom takes up 800 glaſſes, and are very rare ſubjects, amongſt which are ſeveral extraordinary ſkeletons of the human ſpecies, well worth the inſpection of the learned traveller. The exotics of land and water are very numerous and intereſting. In the mineral kingdom there are 130 glaſſes, exhibiting petrifactions of many parts of animal and vegetable nature, particularly the complete ſkeleton of a large crocodile. In this curious collection, there is one pearl valued at 1800l. Engliſh.

The connoiſſeur will find plenty of matter for an unlimited indulgence here; for every thing that can delight the virtuoſo is to be ſelected by the ſcientific adept.

The way of living, ſays Reiſbec, is totally different here from that of the other Saxon towns; and much more luxury and profuſion reigns here than at Dreſden. They play in all companies, and often extremely high. The ladies of this place are far behind-hand with the reſt of their country-women of other towns, in domeſtic oeconomy, but agree with them in the articles of dreſs and coquetry.

Amongſt the literati, who ſwarm here, there are too many petit-maitres, boaſters, ignoramuſſes and [159] fools of all ſorts. But you meet with men in all ſciences, (continues Reiſbec,) who, from the extent, as well as the depth, of their learning, are really deſirable companions.

There are 40,000 inhabitants within the walls, and the ſuburbs alſo are filled with people. They have ſix churches for the Lutherans, which is the eſtabliſhed religion, one for the reformed, and a chapel for the Roman-catholics in the caſtle; but this laſt is not permitted to uſe bells.

They have adopted a new kind of luxury, even in their devotion, ſays Hanway, for one of the capital churches has a number of chapels projecting about ſix feet from the main wall, through which they communicate with the church, each chapel having its diſtinct door without. Some of the richeſt citizens have beſtowed on theſe auxilliary buildings 1500, or 2000 dollars.

The ſober part of the people think the expence had been better beſtowed on the poor, as the affectation of ſo great a diſtinction is by no means conſiſtent with that equality which is ſuppoſed to be among their addreſſes to Almighty God. It ſeems to be the remains of that paſſion which the Romans had for the ſplendid embelliſhments of their temples.

[160]The people here affect to be religious; and it is a conſtant cuſtom obſerved, to ſhut their ſhops up every Friday morning, and during their devotions, which laſt till 10 o'clock, if any perſon preſumes to ſell any thing, they are ſubject to a fine of ten crowns.

The fortifications of Leipſic ſeem rather calculated for the uſe of the inhabitants to walk on, than for defence. Theſe, however, have four ſtone gates, and the citizens ſupport 200 ſoldiers; this exempts them from quarters, though they are otherwiſe ſubject to be taxed as arbitrarily as any town in Saxony.

This city is of a very ſmall extent; but the houſes are lofty, as well as elegant, in their fronts. Some of them have three ſtories of cellars, as well as of granaries on the tops of them, to the number of three or four ſtories; ſo that the whole makes an appearance of ſeven, eight, or nine ſtories. The ſtreets are clean, commodious and agreeable, and there are two or three large ſquares which they uſe as market-places.

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Figure 7. PLAN of the CITY of DRESDEN.
References.
  • 1 Work houses
  • 2 Black House
  • 3 Great Guard
  • 4 The City House
  • 5 Bridge Guard
  • 6 The Lions
  • 7 The Bears
  • 8 Work house
  • 9 Barracks
  • 10 Black Gate
  • 11 New Town Church
  • 12 White Gate
  • 13 Palace Guard
  • 14 The Palace
  • 15 The Chapel
  • 16 The Castle
  • 17 Opera House
  • 18 The Laboratory
  • 19 St. Sophia
  • 20 Play House
  • 21 The Virgin Mary
  • 22 Riding Academy for the Young Princes
  • 23 Riding Academy
  • 24 The Stable
  • 25 The Cisterns
  • 26 St. Cross
  • 27 Water House
  • 28 Our Lady
  • 29 The Powder Mag.
  • 30 The Arsenal
  • 31 Post Office
  • 32 Duty Office
  • 33 Pirna Gate
  • 34 Hussenberg Bastions
  • 35 Pirna Gate Guard
  • 36 Jupiter Bastions
  • 37 Jews Lake
  • 38 Seeberg Bastions
  • 39 Auſder Platle Bastions
  • 40 Wilsch Gate
  • 41 Hospital for Men
  • 42 Holy Ghost Hospital
  • 43 The Gallows
  • 44 Freyberg Gate
  • 45 Church Yard
  • 46 New Ch. Yard
  • 47 The Princes Gardens
  • 48 Hotel of Moshinska

Dreſden is the metropolis of the electorate, has a grand appearance, and opens on all ſides a magnificent object. It is beyond all compariſon, ſays Reiſbech, the fineſt city in all Germany he ever ſaw. The houſes are built in a much better taſte than thoſe of Vienna; and the eye is quite dazzled with the large and magnificent appearance of the bridge over the Elbe, which joins the two parts of the city together, and which is built on a plain, on both ſides the river, ſurrounded by lofty hills, at the diſtance of ten leagues. The bridge is built of ſtone, 540 feet long, and 36 broad, on 18 arches. The paſſage over it is horizontal, and takes off very much from the grand effect it would otherwiſe have, if formed in a curve, as are the bridges of Blackfriars and Weſtminſter in London.

Great order is obſerved in paſſing this bridge, one ſide being appointed to lead to the new city, and the other to the old. Near the latter, it is adorned with a crucifix of braſs, of curious workmanſhip, about half as big as life. It is fixed on a ſtone pedeſtal, on which are the emblems of death and the devil, repreſented by a human ſkull and a ſerpent in braſs.

[162]The river, which at ſome diſtance from the city, is compriſed within very narrow bounds, widens by degrees as you approach, and is here a powerful ſtream, which beſpeaks all the magnificence of the town and ſtate. The hills, at a diſtance, have a ſuperb appearance; and the mountains on both ſides the river, partly naked and partly planted with vineyards, form an uncommonly beautiful perſpective.

Here are ſeveral ſquares and lofty ſtone buildings, in which are ſix or ſeven ſtories. The rooms, though neat, are not large. The buildings make an elegant appearance, but are inferior in beauty to Berlin. Dreſden is an ancient city, and many of the ſtreets, of courſe, are narrow.

In a kind of open place or ſquare, between the old city and the new, is an equeſtrian ſtatue of King Auguſtus, made by a common ſmith, the workmanſhip however is but indifferent.

Few princes in Europe are ſo magnificently lodged as the Elector of Saxony.

The Electoral Palace, in the New Town, is well worth the attention of the curious. It is large, and contains many beautiful apartments. The hall, eſpecially, is admired for its many beautiful paintings in freſco. On both ſides of the gallery ſtand ſeveral [163] large vaſes of beautiful porphyry, with a great number of marble and braſs buſts. The room adjoining to this gallery is full of portraits of the firſt perſonages of Europe.

But the place that will afford the greateſt entertainment, to the curious, is the Green Vault, as it is called, which is a muſeum. Here are ſeven apartments painted green, and the curioſities diſpoſed claſſically, and depoſited in them. I will not enumerate the prodigious number of curioſities, natural and artificial, to be ſeen here, as it would fill a volume. Some of the laſt, indeed, are curious, becauſe they are inviſible to the human eye. Of this number is a cherry-ſtone; upon which, by the help of a microſcope, above one hundred faces may be diſtinguiſhed. Theſe little mechanical whims, undoubtedly, diſplay the labour, perſeverance and minute attention of the workmen; but they are not proofs of the wiſdom of thoſe who can employ artiſts to ſo little purpoſe. In the firſt apartment are all manner of models of metal ſtatues and buſts, in plaſter of Paris; in the ſecond, is a variety of curious works in ivory; in the third, pure ſilver work; in the fourth, gilt ſilver plate and veſſels of pure gold; in the fifth, pure precious ſtones and curioſities formed in them; the ſixth, the arms of the ſeveral Saxon countries, the crown, ſceptre and Imperial apple; and, in the ſeventh, ſome very rare jewels. I will mention ſome few of the moſt curious [164] articles for the information and amuſement of ſuch of my readers as may delight in ſuch reading.

In one of theſe rooms are various pieces of clock-work well worth examining. Theſe are automata of various kinds in gold and ſilver, made by Dinglinger, the famous mechaniſt. Among theſe is a ſhip ſailing round a table, while ſome of the ſailors in it weigh anchor, and the reſt are in continual action; and, at the ſame time, it performs a piece of muſic. Another piece of clock-work repreſents the Virgin Mary and Joſeph, with the infant Jeſus, in a manger, and the ſhepherds, with the eaſtern magi, performing their adorations to the Meſſiah, while the heaven ſeems to open with a ſurprizing effulgence: beſides many others equally curious and intereſting.

In the next room is a different ſpecies of artificial works in ivory. And, in like order, other rooms ſhew, gold, ſilver, precious ſtones, and gems of great value. Added to theſe, enamelled tables of exquiſite workmanſhip, and really things highly advantageous to the artiſt and man of ſcience.

A work of jewelry is alſo much admired; this repreſents the celebration of the Mogul's birth-day, the Mogul ſitting on his throne, his grandees and guards, and many elephants, all exhibited on a table about an ell ſquare. This employed the artiſt and 15 [165] aſſiſtants above ten years, and coſt 85,000 dollars. Here is likewiſe repreſented, in pearl, the ſtory of the prophet Jonah, the ſhip, the whale, the prophet, the rocks and the ſea. Another article ſhewn and made by the ſame jeweller, for which he was paid 46,000 dollars, is a tea equipage, with the table, &c. all of gold enamelled, and ſet with diamonds.

The great value of the different gems and jewels in this cabinet is almoſt paſt belief. There is here an onyx that coſt 48,000 dollars. It is of an oval form, near a quarter of an ell in its longeſt diameter; alſo a baſon of oriental agate, as large as half a cocoa nut, cut longitudinally. Among the ſingle gems are a large oriental ſapphire, a very extraordinary large topaz, of a reddiſh water, with a great number of precious ſtones to an immenſe value; particularly an entire aſſortment of diamonds, being a ſet of buttons for a ſuit of cloaths, and the badge of the order of knighthood, with the ſtar, buckles, and head of a cane, &c. In the order of knighthood is a diamond for which the king of Poland, a few years ago, paid 200,000 dollars, it weighs 194½ grains. It is placed between two diamonds, each of which is equal to a large nutmeg, and in the cane-head is a diamond of the ſame bigneſs.

The Elector Auguſtus was the founder of this muſeum, and valuable articles are every year added to [166] it. There is alſo another in the palace very little inferior [...]o this of the green vault. The muſeum of Florence, with its contents, may in value exceed this collection, but the judicious arrangement of the ſeveral pieces here, give it an appearance which pleaſes the eye beyond the Florentine muſeum.

In the palace is an apartment full of a collection of fine prints of all kinds, and a mineral gallery containing every thing relating to metallurgy, aſſay, ores, &c. and a model of a mine. Here is a topaz weighing two or three cwt. but impure: ſome few years back, an inhabitant of Averbach, about two miles from Dreſden, diſcovered a topaz quarry in a wood; it was in a rugged rock, 70 ells high. This rock is 240 paces in circumference. The topazes found here cut glaſs like the beſt diamond, and are not much inferior in colour to the oriental.

In ſhort, this green room or muſeum is filled with every production of nature that can be ſaid to be valuable and worth the labour of a minute inſpection.

The library of this Elector is very large, and well-choſen, and the cabinet of medals, as well as the anatomical figures and putrifactions, are ſingularly curious, and well diſpoſed, in order of arrangement. Exotic plants, (and their generical characters are finely diſplayed by the anatomy of them) are alſo ſhewn in an [167] adjoining apartment. It would be too tedious to enumerate the collections of wood, doubtful names, animals and other natural ſingularities; ſuffice it to ſay, that no place can exceed Dreſden for ſuch various ſpecimens of art and nature; monſters and ſtrange productions in a variety of ſhapes.

The arſenal is ſuppoſed to contain arms for 100,000 men beſides 15,000 braſs cannon, among which field-pieces are the ſmalleſt. There are two large mortars, which were preſented by the late king of Pruſſia, that will throw bombs of 500 lb weight.

Under the arſenal are the king's cellars, conſiſting of four large and two ſmall vaults. Two of the former are 175 common paces in length, and 100 broad, therefore by far the biggeſt of any ſet of cellars in Europe, and ſufficient to ſtow five thouſand pipes of wine at a time without incommoding the paſſage; a thing almoſt incredible, was not Keyſler's veracity pledged for the fact.

The next curioſity is the Chineſe palace, ſo called from the taſte of the buildings, and the intention of furniſhing it with porcelain. But Marſhal ſays, notwithſtanding the exaggerated account of it in different writers, he thinks it a ſilly affair, and by no means elegant. The ornaments of the architecture and the relievo in the frontiſpiece, are after the Chineſe and [168] Japan manner. This palace ſtands on the Elbe, and commands a view of the bridge and of the Romiſh chapel, but it is far from being an elegant building, and is ſeated too near the river.

The vaults of this palace conſiſt of 14 apartments filled with China and Dreſden porcelain. Figures of various kinds are to be ſeen here in porcelain, both ſcriptural and hiſtoric: beſides theſe, birds, beaſts, and fiſhes.

In this Chineſe, or Japaneſe palace, there is a ſtate bed, with ſome chairs, made of beautiful feathers of different colours, which coſt 30,000 dollars. This palace, Keyſler tells us, was pulled down when he was there, which was in 1729, and it was to be new built in a quadrangular form, with four grand entries. The ground-floor was to be 20 feet high, and all ornamented with modern China. The ſecond floor was to be 38 feet high, and nothing admitted but Meiſſen china. In this ſtory was to be a gallery 170 feet long, filled with all kinds of birds and beaſts, both wild and tame, made of China, and in their natural ſize, and colour. Many of theſe were finiſhed, and he could not ſufficiently admire them.

In the menagerie were two mule leopards, each of which coſt 2000 dollars, got between a lion and a tygreſs, ſwift as the latter, and ſome apes that bred. [169] At the Elector's country ſeat, he had 14 tame ſtags which drew in a carriage, and one uſed for the ſaddle. Theſe ſet out with great ſpirit, but ſoon ſlagged.

A ſuperſtitious reverence for the Meiſſen china has induced the Elector to preſerve ſome of the firſt efforts of the porcelain fabric, and other performances in their ſeveral gradations to the perfection the art is now arrived at.

In order to preſerve this art as much as poſſible a ſecret, the fabric is rendered impenetrable to any but thoſe who are immediately employed about the work, and the ſecret of mixing and preparing is known to very few of them. The workmen are all confined as priſoners, and ſubject to be arreſted, if they go without the walls; conſequently a chapel and every thing neceſſary is provided within.

There are about 700 men employed, moſt of whom have not above ten German crowns a month, and the higheſt wages are 40, ſo that the annual expence is not eſtimated above 80,000 crowns. This manufacture being intirely for the Elector's account, he ſells yearly to the value of about 600,000 crowns, or 105,000l. beſides the magnificent preſents he occaſionally makes, and the great quantities he preſerves for his own uſe.

[170]It is almoſt impoſſible to enumerate the multitude of pieces of fine porcelain, both foreign and homemade that are to be ſeen here. The culinary porcelain veſſels only are valued at a million of dollars. In one apartment are 48 vaſes of blue and white China, for which the Elector gave the king of Pruſſia a whole regiment of dragoons. The manufactory of common porcelain is carried on near Dreſden, but the fine ſort, which has a high price, is made with the ſtricteſt precaution and ſecrecy in a caſtle at Meiſſen. Dreſden owes the invention of its porcelain to alchymy. Botticker, the firſt inventor of it, died in 1719, but he arrived at no farther than the white ſort, and it was not till 1722, that the art of making brown and white porcelain-ware was found out.

The articles of mineralogy and metallurgy ſeem to be better underſtood here than in any other part of Europe, for the greateſt works of nature are repreſented by the modellers, with ſuch ſcrupulous exactneſs, that no feature of the original is omitted: to ſuch an effect have thoſe ingenious people brought the imitative arts.

The palace is furniſhed as becomes the manſion of ſuch a prince. The drawing-rooms are particularly worth ſeeing, were it only for 12 pictures by Louis Sy [...]ſter, repreſenting the rape of Proſerpine, the metamorphoſis of Act [...]on, and other fables of Ovid: the [171] looking-glaſſes, in ſome of theſe apartments, are between eight and nine feet high, and ſix and ſeven broad; the aſſembly-room for the royal family is hung with rich tapeſtry, repreſenting the atchievements of Alexander the Great. Among the ſurprizing quantity of plate which is kept in the plate-cabinet, are four ſtands, each weighing 470 marks, and 12 others not of much leſs weight; two vaſes, each above five feet high, ſcarce to be fathomed by two men, weighing 600 marks each; two pieces of the ſame faſhion, little inferior in weight; eight ciſterns, with the veſſels ſtanding in them, each weighing 800 marks. Not to mention the great number of curious clocks, beautiful tables, rich cabinets, and other furniture, here is a confident's table, a curious piece of mechaniſm, by means of which the Elector dines privately with his confidents; for this table, with all its appurtenances is brought up through the floor from the lower apartment into the upper, and not one ſervant ſeen in waiting. The ball-room is paved with marble, and in the pavement are two large oval pieces, ſix Dreſden ells in the longeſt diameter, and between theſe another piece of red and white marble, cut out of a ſingle block, which is four ells broad, and eleven ells or ten common paces in length. This extraordinary piece of marble was brought from Voightlande, and coſt 14000 dollars. The room opens into fine walks made on the ramparts, from whence we have a view of ſeveral boats, &c. on the Elbe. On each ſide of [172] this ball-room are ſeveral fine water-works, caſcades, grottos, and baths. In the gardens are above 1500 ſtatues of white marble, well diſpoſed, with a vaſt number of ancient ones; the palace ſtands in the centre of the gardens. The garden is laid out in a ſquare form, each ſide of which is 2600 common paces in length, that is more than an Engliſh mile. The ſtables, which, with the addition of a ſecond ſtory, may be properly called the old wardrobe, are full of ſuch ornaments as are uſed to decorate the royal apartments on public days, rich habits, with the arms and furniture of foreign nations. Theſe take up no leſs than 42 rooms. In one is ſhewn the armour worn by the corps de guard on the marriage-feaſts of the ancient Electors, ſo ornamented with ſilver, that a ſingle dagger weighs ten pounds, and the quantity of ſilver is [...] at 12 cwt. In another room are ſhewn a giant's ſword, ſent as a preſent from Denmark, the blade of which is five Dreſden ells in length, and a horſe [...]ith its furniture, which formerly belonged to a [...]am of Tartary: this horſe, with others here ſhewn, are carved in wood, but exactly reſembling the originals both in ſize and colour. In this apartment, hangs the Elector Auguſtus's wedding cloaths of black velvet laced with gold, with ſome powder flaſks made out of cocoa nuts by himſelf. He had a taſte for turnery, and here are ſeveral of his tools. Here are figures of many fine horſes, with very rich furniture, gold and ſilver ſet with gems, preſents from other [173] ſtates: alſo ſtatues as large as life, dreſſed as officers of the Turkiſh court, and among others one repreſenting the Grand Seignor ſitting in the ſeraglio, a number of Turkiſh arms, the arms of the different Electors, alſo a figure of the Elector Auguſtus, in the habit he wore when he was crowned king of Poland. The robe is of blue colour, flowered with gold, faced with ermine and lined with ſilver tiſſue. The crown, ſceptre and globe, are only ſet with falſe ſtones. A ſtep lower ſtands Charles XII. of Sweden, in a ſilver, half cuiraſs on the left, and the Czar Peter on the right; and near theſe an executioner's ſword, by which 1400 perſons are ſaid to have been beheaded. There are a thouſand other curioſities of great antiquity, too tedious to mention.

In the ſtables are very handſome apartments, where foreigners of diſtinction are generally entertained. The ground-floor contains ſtabling for 130 horſes. The Doric pillars in the centre are adorned with baſſo relievos of braſs, and by turning a cock in theſe pillars, the ſtables are ſupplied with water for the horſes.

In ſpeaking of the curioſities to be met with at Dreſden, it would be unpardonable to paſs over in ſilence John Melchior Dinglinger, the Elector's modeller and jeweller, who flouriſhed in the beginning of this century. When the Czar, Peter the Great, was at Dreſden, in 1712, his majeſty choſe to lodge with [174] Dinglinger, with whoſe ingenious contrivances in his little box, he was ſo pleaſed, that he ordered a model of it to be made in wood, and ſent it to Ruſſia as a perfect ſpecimen of a commodious dwelling-houſe. On the top of it is a ciſtern, which one man, by means of a machine placed below in the yard, could fill with water in a very ſhort time, and from this reſervoir the water was diſtributed all over the houſe. On the ſtair-caſe, at every landing-place, was a braſs cock, with two leather buckets, ſo that in caſe of fire water could be carried to any part. The leads on the top ſerved for an obſervatory, and had a complete collection of mathematical inſtruments. He had a water-work which chimed a ſet of muſical bells, and a machine for forcing a loaded waggon up hill, by the help of water.

The Elector's country ſeat at Konigſtein, about 13 miles from Dreſden, ſtands on a rock, cut ſo ſteep that it appears quite perpendicular; it is a fortreſs, and the fort in many places has projections or baſtions which command the ſides of the rock. Wood and other neceſſaries are raiſed up to the fort by cranes. Konigſtein is always ſtocked with proviſions for 26 years. The garriſon conſiſts of only 150 men, but on the firſt alarm the neighbouring villages are obliged to furniſh ſome hundreds more. This place, however ſtrong and otherwiſe ſerviceable for ſecuring the archives and other things of value in caſe of emergency, [175] is not ſufficient to cover the country or annoy the enemy: on the top of the rock is a large green area, a wood and ſeveral gardens, in which are 38 different kinds of foreſt and fruit trees. It takes half an hour to walk round the ramparts. The fortreſs is provided with five ciſterns or ſmall ponds, as reſervoirs for ſnow and rain-water, and in them are ſeveral kinds of fiſh for the governor's uſe. The water which the garriſon drinks is drawn up by a wheel from a well 900 Dreſden ells deep. The ſinking of this well was a work of 40 years, before a ſufficient quantity of water could be obtained, which ſtands at preſent 18 ells deep. I obſerved, ſays Keyſler, that when a pitcher of water was poured down the well, it was 45 ſeconds before it reached the ſurface of the water. It is always kept clean, and a machine is contrived to let down workmen to repair or clean it. In this fort is a winecaſk, which took three years making; it is 17 Dreſden ells long, and its diameter at the bung, 12 ells. It conſiſts of 157 ſtaves, eight inches thick, and 54 boards for the heads; each head weighs 77½ cwt. The caſk was filled in 1725 with 6000 quintals of good Meiſſen wine, which coſt above 40,000 ducats, or £.6000 ſterling, reckoning the quart only 3d½. Engliſh. It holds 3,709 hogſheads of Dreſden meaſure. Till this was made, the tun of Heidelberg was reckoned the largeſt in the world, but th [...]s at Konigſtein contains 649 hogſheads more. The top of this caſk is railed in, and affords room for 15 or 20 perſons [176] to ſit and regale themſelves. The Konigſtein caſk lies in a vault, as in a temple of Bacchus.

The town does not ſeem to be peopled in proportion to the ground it ſtands on. The number of inhabitants is eſtimated at 50,000; though the fact is, that it loſt near a third of the people ſince the breaking out of the Sileſian war, and the death of king Auguſtus. Proviſions are dear; and few men of large fortunes are to be met with here. The artificers are extremely pinched, and find it difficult to provide the neceſſaries of life by their induſtry, as the wages of tradeſmen are very low. And, notwithſtanding all theſe diſadvantages, this ſingle town contains more manufacturers and uſeful artiſts than all Bavaria beſides. Several fabrics of woollen cloth, ſerges, ſilks, &c. are well wrought here.

The opera and theatres here are in the ſame ſtate as all other public amuſements which require expence. The inhabitants are too oeconomical to pay for an entertainment, which the court formerly gave them for nothing, and the loſs of which is eaſily made up by the charms of their private ſocieties. Rural theatres, where children act, flouriſh much more here than the rational one does.

In the late Elector's time this court was, perhaps, the moſt brilliant in Europe. The court-band of [177] muſic, the opera, and the dancers alone, were ſuppoſed to coſt the Elector, yearly, upwards of 780,000 French livres, or upward of 34,000l. ſterling. His table, ſtables and his hunters, were all in the ſame ſtile of expence. Strangers uſed to flow here from all countries to partake of this magnificence; and Dreſden was the rendezvous of the north for taſte and refined living. The numerous followers of the court, and the great number of ſtrangers, occaſioned an extenſive circulation of money, and made all the arts alive. Amid the intoxication of proſperity, the miniſter adopted a plan of operations, which it was impoſſible he ſhould ſee the end of; and which left him at the diſcretion of the more powerful monarch, with whom he entered into a league againſt a dangerous neighbour.

The Saxons entered into an alliance with Ruſſia, then formidable to Poland; they attached themſelves to Auſtria, and endeavoured to weaken the king of Pruſſia. The king of Pruſſia fell on the country, as Charles XII. had fallen upon Poland under Auguſtus II. and their army, which was 17,000 ſtrong, and was expected to do wonders, ſurrendered without ſtriking a ſtroke.

The manners, and way of living of the people in this city, is quite oppoſite to thoſe of the reſt of Germany. Finer ſhapes more animated countenances, [178] eaſier and leſs conſtrained motions, general courteſy, univerſal cleanlineſs, are the features which characterize the people of this place. The ladies, in ſhort, are handſome. I recollect, ſays Reiſbec, that an Auſtrian lady made the following anſwer to a gentleman who was extolling the Saxon women in her company. "Give us only," ſaid ſhe, "as handſome and ſtrong built men as the Saxons are, and we will take care of the reſt."

Eating and drinking do not go forwards here quite ſo briſkly as in the ſouthern parts of Germany; the broth here is ſo thin, the meat ſent up to table ſo cold, and always ſo ſlender, that an inhabitant of Vienna could not make ſhift to live a month with a family in the middling ranks of life here. There is even, in the beſt houſes, a parſimonious attention to the cellar and kitchen, which, in Auſtria and Bavaria, would paſs for poverty.

This rigid oeconomy extends to every article of houſkeeping; the only appearance of expence is in that of dreſs, which is carried farther here than in the ſouth of Germany. Every perſon of the middle claſs of life, nay, of the lower one, men, as well as women, dreſs according to the faſhion; whereas, at Vienna, Munich, and ſome other places, there is a kind of national dreſs, which perſons, even of the better kind, conform to.

[179]The contraſt between the women of the two countries is equally ſtriking. Thoſe of the ſouthern parts of Germany have nothing but their beauty; but theſe have beauty and animation too; they appear, however, ſoon to fade; and there are few women paſt thirty, without ſome marks of old age. The Bavarian women, perhaps, excel theſe of Dreſden in complexion; but the latter are much better made, and their countenances are much more intereſting.

Dreſden ſuffered much when attacked by the King of Pruſſia in 1759; and the wretched citizens were expoſed to a continued cannonade and bombardment. Churches, fine buildings, and whole ſtreets, were laid in aſhes. Many of the houſes ſtill lie in rubbiſh; but the inhabitants are gradually rebuilding; and, probably, all the ruined ſtreets will be repaired before a new war breaks out in Germany. No fortified town ſhould have palaces or ſuburbs; and it would be fortunate for the proprietors of eſtates in Dreſden, if they were allowed to deſtroy the fortifications; theſe fine buildings would then be in little danger of being overthrown.

The late Count Bruhl's magnificent manſion, now belongs to the Elector; and his fine collection of paintings were ſold to the empreſs of Ruſſia for 150,000 rix-dollars; they ſay, here, that the Count had, at leaſt, 300 different ſuits of cloaths; of each of [180] theſe he had a duplicate, as he always ſhifted his clothes after dinner, and did not chuſe that his dreſs ſhould appear different in the afternoon from what it had been in the morning. A painting of each ſuit, with the particular cane and ſnuff-box belonging to it, was very accurately drawn in a large book, and preſented to his excellency every morning, that he might fix upon the dreſs in which he wiſhed to appear for the day. This miniſter was accuſed of having accumulated a great fortune.

There is at Dreſden a very ingenious foundery for bells and cannon. The fine arts of painting and ſculpture are well performed in this place. Needlework and lace are articles for which this city is famed all over Europe. The commerce of the town is conſiderable for the works of art it produces.

But the ſilver that is brought from the mines at Fridburg every fifteenth day, and reduced to a regular coinage for the benefit of the proprietors, is a great article of general utility here. The reaſon which may be aſſigned for it, is on account of its virgin purity, being ſeven per cent better than our Engliſh ſtandard; conſequently, an advantageous trade may be followed by the merchants, in this ſingle branch of exportation, to other countries. The produce of the whole of the mines may now be eſtimated at 10,000l. a month.

[181]The chief religion of the inhabitants is Lutheraniſm; but there are profeſſors of all denominations; and the clog of ſuperſtition ſeems to be here intirely done away.

The Saxon troops have a very martial appearance. The men, in general, are very handſome and well made. Neither they nor their officers are ſo very upright and ſtiff in their manner as the Ruſſians. They are like the Engliſh, who are ſoldiers only when in action; and are as brave as any thing you can call brave; but, at this time of day, bravery alone is not ſufficient. They tell you a ſtory of them, which would appear ridiculous in the eyes of a Pruſſian or Auſtrian commander; but which muſt recommend them to a friend of human nature and a citizen of the world. The officers of a Saxon regiment of dragoons, which made part of the army that fought againſt Prince Henry of Pruſſia in Bohemia, took an oath, ſub dio, that they would put to death any of their number who ſhould run away in action. The Saxon army is 25,000 ſtrong. The uniform of the guards is red and yellow; that of the marching regiments white. The ſoldiers, during the ſummer, wear only waiſtcoats, even when they mount guard, and always appear neat and clean; the ſerjeants, beſides their other arms, have a large piſtol; this is ſo commodiouſly faſtened to the left ſide, as to give no trouble. [182] The band of muſic belonging to the Saxon guards is the completeſt of the kind that can be.

Dr. Brown ingeniouſly gives a deſcription of the mines of Friburg, which, he ſays, lie remarkably deep, and produce ſuch rich ore, that it yields 65 pounds of ſilver for every 112 pounds of it. Theſe mines, ſince they were opened, have produced, according to the moſt authentic accounts, upwards of 30 millions ſterling.

The method of diſcovering mines, as practiſed here, muſt gratify the curious reader, therefore we ſhall lay before him what two authors of known veracity, Dr. Brown and Dr. Nicholſon declare, and they were eye-witneſſes to the experiment.

A perſon took in his hand a hazel ſtick, forked at the end, which he carried horizontally, whilſt he walked over the ground; and, on his croſſing a place where ore lay under the ſurface of the earth, the ſtick changed its poſition by turning in his hand; whereupon he marked the ſpot, and then proceeded further, and as often as there was ore in his way, the ſame thing was experienced by the experimentaliſt.

The working of theſe mines is very dangerous to the workmen, who frequently meet with damps that [183] prove mortal. Another inconveniency is, that the duſt of the ore cankers and frets the ſkin, lungs and ſtomach, and brings them into irrecoverable conſumptions: to ſave themſelves againſt which, they frequently wear maſks with glaſs eyes.

The mines are cold, as far as the air can penetrates but afterwards warm enough.

The Saxons have diſtinguiſhed themſelves by their ſkill in mining all over Europe. Their ſtrong bodies, their indefatigable induſtry, and their good underſtanding, particularly qualify them for this kind of employ, which is the moſt complicated and laborious of all human occupations, and which requires the greateſt variety of knowledge to bring to perfection.

Eyſleben is the principal city of Mansfeldt county, and is famous for its giving birth to that eminent character, Dr. Martin Luther, in 1483, who died here in 1564.

As we boaſt of Saxon original in this country, I have endeavoured to diſplay the character of the people, in a comprehenſive manner, ſo that the reader may eaſily compare the one with the other, and judge of the copy from the original. But, that the former has the advantage by the poliſh and gracefulneſs [184] of manners, from his ſituation in a land of freedom, I doubt not will be readily admitted.

Hunting is the ruling paſſion of this electorate, and a fatal paſſion it is; for the rational inhabitants are more diſtreſſed by it than the brutes. In the hard winter ſome years ago, it was computed that above 30,000 head of deer died in the Duke's dominions; and yet in the open lands and foreſts there is now ſuppoſed to be upwards of that number, none of which are to be deſtroyed by the inhabitants under the penalty of being condemned as a galley-ſlave; and theſe, with the wild boars, are a great nuiſance to the country. In every town of note there are 50 of the inhabitants to watch, five every night by rotation, and ring hand-bells every quarter of an hour, to frighten the deer, and defend their corn from the incurſions of ſo formidable an enemy.

This ill-timed paſſion, joined to a fooliſh reſpect for the cuſtom of their forefathers, thus induces the Electors of Saxony to violate the property of their ſubjects, at the ſame time they depart from the true ends of government, and conſequently from the true happineſs which they fondly ſeek by ſuch gratifications.

The adjacent country to the electoral palace, near Meſſein is highly proper for the ſport; and the dogs [185] and horſes are kept in order, being exerciſed twice a week. The hunting equipage of the Saxon court is very gay and brilliant, a uniform of yellow cloth laced with ſilver, being worn on theſe occaſions by every one who appears in the field.

The inhabitants of the ſmalleſt villages in the Saxon mountains, though often ſhut out from the world by hills on each ſide, are more poliſhed, better bred, and more alive than thoſe of the largeſt towns in the ſouth of Germany.

Reading is almoſt univerſal in this country, ſociability and hoſpitality accompany and encourage the hardeſt labour. Even the ſocieties of the inferior ranks are diſtinguiſhed by the liberality, knowledge of the world, wit and jollity, to be met with in them. The women are throughout remarkable for the beauty of their ſhapes, the animation of their looks, and their infinite ſpirit, eaſe and vivacity, and yet they are quite good natured, and admirable houſe-wives. The men have of late, indeed, began to complain a little, that, for ſome time paſt, their beautiful partners have been too much addicted to vanity, but their clamours would ſoon ceaſe, if the women were to unite and make a law, that every eighth or tenth man ſhould take an Auſtrian or Bavarian wife for the edification of the whole community. For my part, ſays Baron Reiſbec, the article of dreſs alone excepted, I have [186] not been able to diſcern a ſingle excreſcence which wants pruning; whereas the Bavarian and Auſtrian women, beſides being full as fond of dreſs, break out a little both at bed and board, and do not concern themſelves at all with domeſtic matters.

Conſpicuous as the induſtry and commerce of the people is, the ſituation of the farmer amongſt them is truly to be pitied. This is owing to the quantity of land in the hands of great farmers. Along the foot of the Ertzgeberg mountain, and in the plain, the villages on all ſides are ſo numerous that you can hardly count the ſteeples. Thoſe in the electoral territory, taking in the Lauſits, amount to near ſix thouſand. I ſaw ſeveral farmers ploughing with one ox and one cow, many have only a cow, that ſerves them for milk and to plough with. It is true the ſoil is very light, but no farmer can do well with ſo little cattle. Great part of them live upon potatoes, cabbage, and turneps; ſeldom is meat ſeen at their tables. But they all drink coffee, and the profuſe uſe they make of it is a ſtrong contraſt to their penuriouſneſs in other reſpects. It is made in large pots, but ſo weak as to have ſcarcely the colour of the berry. Their cleanlineſs, however, in the midſt of their poverty, is remarkable.

Throughout the whole level country, even the common people ſpeak good German, and excepting [187] on the mountains, ſo do the farmers. Some miles from Leipſic I viſited a gentleman, continues the Baron, on his eſtate, for whom I had letters from Dreſden, and I thought myſelf in a ſchool of paſtoral felicity, and ſhall ever conſider the few days I paſſed with him as ſome of the happieſt in my life. The eſtates of theſe gentlemen are ſmall; as the Saxon nobility, in general, are as poor as they are numerous, but it is to this very poverty that they owe their happineſs. They underſtand how to unite the beautiful with the uſeful, taſte with ſimplicity, economy with various amuſements, and nature with art; in ſuch a manner as to make that buſineſs, which other men look upon as a puniſhment, a ſource of endleſs and uninterrupted felicity. They reliſh pleaſures as Epicureans do rich wines, which they keep a long while on the palate, in order to reliſh the flavour; they underſtand how to mix the amuſements and the occupations of the country, ſo as to make them follow each other in agreeable ſucceſſion ſo well, that it is worth while to come among them to read Virgil's Georgics, which I am perſuaded cannot be read any where elſe with ſo much pleaſure. Fiſhing is with them a very weighty and important buſineſs, and no where have they brought the art to greater perfection. They have ſeparate ponds, in which fiſh are kept according to their age, and with different intentions. Theſe ponds are in fallow lands, which at certain times are broke up and ploughed again, ſo that the eſtate reaps thus a [188] double advantage, they fill their lands with great judgment, and ſtudy the art of planting beyond other nations. Saxon wool next to Spaniſh and Engliſh is the beſt in Europe, and ſo on.

To ſuch various practical and theoretical improvements of their lands, do the nobility add ſmall walks, viſits to their friends in town or country, collections of nature and art, and attention to improve the ſchools of their diſtricts, poetry and muſic. The rich, I mean thoſe who have from 800l. to 1000l.a year, Engliſh, (moſt have only from 80l. to 100l.) come to town for only one or two months in the year. Their daughters are the clevereſt and livelieſt creatures in the world. Their natural ſenſibility contracts a romantic turn in the ſtillneſs of the country, which appears in their converſation and actions, and leads them to take unguarded ſteps in the firſt years of their life. Unequal marriages and elopements, of courſe, are extremely frequent here. In Swabia, Bavaria, and Auſtria, I met, ſays the ſame author, with Saxon girls of good family, who in the laſt Sileſian war had enliſted with officers of the Imperial and Circle armies, and who all made excellent wives and mothers. The country girls have not in general great livelineſs or much coquetry. They are penſive and tender, and all of them are as handſome as angels. The kind of reading in faſhion in Germany, which is chiefly novels and romances, is no proper improvement [189] for the ladies of Saxony, who are, by nature, of ſuch inflammable conſtitutions.

The Court cannot make the ſmalleſt law without the conſent of the ſtates; theſe are made up of three orders, viz. the ſpiritualities, noblemen, and gentry; and they compoſe a ſort of diet; for the power of the Elector is confined to their direction.

The revenue of this country amounts to 1,100,000l per annum. The taxes are all appropriated by the ſtates to ſpecific purpoſes; nor can the Elector make any alteration in the deſtination of them, without their conſent. He has his own privy purſe, to the ſupply of which particular revenues are alſo appointed.

The induſtry of the natives makes this circle one of the moſt reſpectable in Germany, for they neither want food or cloathing; even the very loweſt among them makes an ample proviſion by his aſſiduity and attention to the calling he has been brought up in. A peaſant will carry a couple of hundred weight of proviſions to market eight or ten miles, in a wheelbarrow adapted to his uſe, and return to his home, having diſpoſed of his commodity, and all in good time to breakfaſt! Hence we may infer that the Saxons are not an indolent people, but on the contrary an active, induſtrious race of men.

[190]Before we diſmiſs this article, we ſhall remark, that from the diſpoſition of the natives to ſtrangers, are hiſtoric traits of narrative frequently drawn; which is a ſource pregnant with danger, and for the moſt part full of erroneous principles.

The Saxons are honeſt, blunt, and fair in their dealings and converſation: therefore a traveller will be ſome time before he arrives at a knowledge of their natural propenſities and diſpoſitions.

It is a fact well known in our own country, that the art of retailing falſehood is become a practice reduced to ſcientific principles, though we pique ourſelves on being nationally frank, and reſolve the queries of foreigners without reſerve, and in an open honeſty, peculiar to our country. Yet many needy pillars of ſtate, have their tale-bearer to the duns at the door, whoſe chief employment is to aſſert in the forenoon "his maſter's not up,"—in the afternoon "he is out," in the evening in company and at dinner,"— but at night the deluded crowd are informed — the deſired object "is gone to the play—ball—maſquerade, &c." and will only be home with the new born day, then to ſucceed! Yet this diſpoſition of the member, who is perſonally protected by his title or ſeat in the legiſlative aſſembly, can be no proof that the Engliſh nation are not punctual in paying the juſt demands of creditors; for on the contrary no people are more regular in doing it.

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Figure 8. MAP of the CIRCLE of LOWER SAXONY. &c.

CHAP. IX. Lower Saxony.

[191]

LOWER Saxony comprehends Holſtein N. Ditmarſh W. Stomaria S. and Wagerland E. ſubject partly to the king of Denmark, and partly to the duke of Holſtein Gottorp; Hamburg, a ſovereign ſtate; Mecklenburg Schwerin, and Strelitz, ſubject to their dukes; Hildeſheim, ſubject to its biſhop; Magdeburg and Halberſtadt, ſubject to Pruſſia; Brunſwick Wolfenbuttle, ſubject to its duke, and Brunſwick Lunenburg, Hanover, Bremen, Verden, &c. ſubject to the king of England, as elector of Hanover. Of Daniſh Holſtein, and the Pruſſian territories, we have already ſpoken; of the reſt we will now ſpeak.

The northern diviſion of Germany comprehends the upper and lower circles of Germany, which are bounded by the Baltic Sea, Denmark, and the German Ocean, on the North; by Poland and Sileſia, on the Eaſt, by Bohemia, Franconia, and the Langravate of Heſſe Caſſel on the South, and by the circle of Weſtphalia on the Weſt; ſituate between 8 and 18 [192] deg. of E. long and between 50 and 55 deg. of N. latitude.

As to the duchy of Magdeburg, and the principality of Halberſtadt, which are uſually reckoned to be contiguous to, and are incorporated with, the other dominions of the elector of Brandenburg, we ſhall not conſider them here, having treated ſufficiently of them when ſpeaking of Pruſſia. This circle is bounded by the German Ocean, Denmark, and the Baltic Sea, towards the North; by Pomerania, and the Marquiſate of Brandenburg, towards the Eaſt; by the territories of the Landgrave of Heſſe, on the South; and by the circle of Weſtphalia towards the Weſt, extending in length from Eaſt to Weſt 200 miles, and from North to South 190. The winters here are long, and air exceedingly cold; but the country produces corn in many places and does not want rich paſtures.

The Duchy of Mecklenburg, which includes the territories of the two families of Schwerin, and Strelitz, and the Swediſh town of Wiſmar, is bounded by the Baltic Sea on the North, by Pomerania, on the Eaſt, Brandenburgh on the South, and Lunenburg towards the Weſt. It is computed to be from 24 to 30 German miles long, with a breadth of nine, ten, and eighteen.

[193]This country has the advantage of the Baltic Sea for many miles, beſides great number of rivers and large lakes, which is one reaſon that the air is unhealthful in ſummer; and its northern ſituation renders it intolerable cold in the winter.

According to the remonſtrance of the nobility in 1718, to the Imperial court againſt the contributions required of them, the whole duchy is full of large and ſmall lakes, from one to three German miles long, and from one to one and a half broad, yielding little or nothing. There are likewiſe large and deſolate heaths here, with moors, woods, fens, and quarries. One half of the country conſiſts of a ſandy ſoil, which when well dreſſed, will produce, only a little rye and oats; and the paſtures, compared with thoſe of Holſtein and Pomerania, are very indifferent; of the other arable lands when well manured, a third bears barley, but produces very little wheat. In general the ſoil is light and ſandy, and yields only four for one. But the fact is, according to Buſching, quite different. The land is incomparable, and nothing in Holſtein or Pomerania can exceed it; and, when well manured, produces not only four-fold, but generally five, ſix, or eight. The country is interſperſed with delightful eminences, very pleaſant and profitable woods, and good fruit-trees. The lakes and rivers yield large revenues, abounding in fiſh, and the whole duchy has been much improved, and is ſtill [194] capable of greater improvement. Many of the nobility here have received the value of their lands double and treble. In it are alſo ſome ſalt ſprings, with allum, iron, and copper. According to eſtimation in 1628, the farms in the whole country amounted to 2496. The nobility are accounted a free ſtate, and enjoy very conſiderable privileges. The peaſants are under villenage.

The inhabitants are Lutherans. There are ſome Calviniſt congregations, and in Schwerin the Roman-catholics are permited the private exerciſe of their worſhip. The towns have grammar-ſchools, and at Roſtock is a univerſity. The country is not without woollen-manufacturers, tanners, leather-dreſſers, tobacco-ſpinners, and other trades, but the number of them is not ſufficient. Its exports are corn, flax, hemp, hops, wax, honey, cattle, butter, cheeſe, wool, and ſeveral kinds of wood.

The Duke of Mecklenberg Schwerin, has, by virtue of the duchies of Schwerin and Guſtro, two votes at the diets among the princes. The annual revenues of this dukedom is 300,000 rix-dollars, and thoſe of the Duke of Strelitz, between 70 and 80,000 rix-dollars.

The duchy is generally divided into ſix parts, wherein are 45 cities and towns. The chief of which are thoſe of Schwerin and Guſtro. The former is [195] the capital of the circle of that name, and the uſual reſidence of the Duke, being pleaſantly ſituated on a lake, which partly ſurrounds the town, abounding with a variety of fiſh. The city is neat and well built. The Duke's palace ſtands on an iſland in the lake, being fortified and communicating with the town by means of a bridge. Some parts of it command a moſt delightful proſpect.

The collection of paintings in this palace is very valuable, and its gardens laid out in a fine taſte, to the greateſt advantage poſſible.

The town church is called the Domkirk, and was formerly the cathedral of the ſee of Schwerin, which is now reduced to a temporality, and bears the name of a Dukedom.

Guſtro is the capital of the circle of that name, ſituated in the principality of Wender, on the little river Nebel, and is one of the largeſt and moſt pleaſant towns in the whole country, as alſo the ſeat of the chief courts of judicature, and a ſuperintendancy.

In this town there is a fine palace belonging to the Prince, and in the church belonging to it lies the vault of the ducal family. It likewiſe contains a cathedral and one pariſh church.

[196]Though Mechlenberg is a level country, it is not without ſome pretty landſcapes, where ſoft eminences are beautified with a great variety of woods; where we ſee meadows covered with flowers, and little cottages ſurrounding ſmall lakes, all forming very pleaſing pictures. Then as to their countrymen, the Mechlenberg farmers are a very ſtrong and healthy race of men. Their curling, white hair reminds the traveller of the old Germans who heretofore contributed to the Roman luxury; that aurea Caeſaries, which on the head of a thin-boned, ſallow-faced and coughing, young ſenator, muſt have been the greateſt ſatire on the corruption of Rome, in the eyes of thinking men. Almoſt all the farmers in Mechlenberg are ſlaves; but then their fate is not ſo hard as it ſeems, the nobility being humane, enlightened and good-natured. But theſe, as well as the burgeſſes of certain cities, enjoy a freedom here which has been loſt in Upper Germany. The dukes of Mechlenberg and the electors of Saxony, are the moſt limited princes of the empire; nor have any decrees at the Imperial court, which they have brought forward in their ſeveral contentions with their ſtates, yet been able to humble their nobility, whoſe jealouſy of the power of their governors ſometimes amounts to an almoſt ridiculous exceſs.

But notwithſtanding this, in a company of Mechlenberg nobleſſe, the ſociety is very agreeable. It is [197] true, we meet with no academicians, no abbés, no virtuoſi, no journaliſts, no players, nor any of the characters which contribute ſo much to enliven converſation; but, on the other hand, we meet with ſound underſtanding and good hearts, which give ſocial intercourſe a ſtronger and more ſubſtantial reliſh than all the anecdotes and hiſtoriettes de cour, comedies, brochures, and all other artificial ragouts, with which ſo much aſſafoetida is mixed.

I have ſeen no nobleſſe happier, ſays Reiſbec, or more hoſpitable than thoſe of Mechlenberg; and Nugent was in raptures with the attention and reception he met with. Their tables are wonderfully well covered, and they are tolerably well acquainted with the life of courts. Literature is found among all ranks above the populace. The women know nothing of what is called Ton; that is to ſay, they have none of that boldneſs and imperiouſneſs, nor yet any thing of that deſire of conqueſt in our countrywomen. They are gentle and attentive to their children, ſtill and baſhful; but all they ſay is ſo naif and hearty, that, compared to it, the wit of Pariſian dames appears loathſome and flat.

At New Strelitz is a palace belonging to the Duke; near which a genteel town has been built, ſince the year 1733. The old town, called Strelitz, it is intended [198] ſhall in time be joined, by elegant buildings, to this new one.

The title aſſumed by both the Dukes of Schewrin and Strelitz, is Duke of Mechlenberg, Prince of Wenden, Schwerin and Ratzburg, &c. There is ſtill ſubſiſting two lines of the Dukes of Mechlenberg. The Schwerin line commenced in 1695, and the Guſtro line having failed, the Schwerin line laid claim to it, but the Duke of Strelitz oppoſed it. In 1701, this conteſt was adjuſted at Hamburg by an agreement, importing that the principality of Guſtro ſhould be added to the principality of Schwerin; and the principality of Ratzburg and county of Stargard, be added to the principality of Strelitz, with ſeveral commendaries and tolls. At the ſame time the right of primogenitureſhip and lineal ſucceſſion was eſtabliſhed in both houſes, and the compact ratified by the Emperor. This latter branch has, in the perſon of our moſt gracious queen, given us an excellent princeſs.

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Figure 9. A MAP of the BALTIC SEA with the Surrounding Countries.

The province or duchy of Holſtein, including the Lordſhip of Pinnenberg, is ſeparated, towards the north, from Sleſwic and Denmark; the Baltick ſea to the eaſt; Lavenburg weſt; and the German ocean to the ſouth. It is divided between the King of Denmark and Great Duke of Holſtein Gottorf. The King of Denmark, for his ſhare, ſends a ſtadtholder to Gluckſtadt, and has a voice in the diet of the empire.

Its ſituation, between the Baltick and the German ocean, expoſes it to frequent ſtorms: which, if they purify the air, occaſion alſo a heavy expence to the diſtricts along the German ocean and the Elbe; for the inhabitants, to ſecure themſelves from the inundations which they have cauſe to dread in ſtormy weather, are obliged to raiſe ſtrong dykes, and to ſecure them conſtantly for their perſonal ſafety.

The land is excellent in its kind, producing every ſort of bread-corn, vegetables and nutritive herbs; by which means it affords fine breeds of cattle, ſtrong and healthy.

[200]In this country are found fiſh-ponds of a very ſingular nature, abounding with carp, lampreys, pikes and perch, for two or three years; but which, every third or fourth year, are drawn and drained, and the fiſh ſold; after which the pond, for ſome years, is ſown with oats and uſed as paſture-land; then again, laid under water and ſtored with fiſh. This is a moſt lucrative piece of oeconomy. Throughout the duchy there are no hills which can be properly ſo called.

This country is not without ſeveral manufactures and fabrics, particularly in the towns of Altena and Gluckſtadt, but theſe might be conſiderably augmented. Hamburg and Lubeck ſupply the inhabitants with moſt foreign commodities. The principal inland trading towns are Altena, Gluckſtadt and Kiel. Its exports are grain, malt, fine wheat, peas, beans, rape-ſeed, horned cattle, ſheep, rams, ſwine, horſes, poultry, butter, cheeſe, veniſon and fiſh.

Holſtein has an order of knighthood, that of Saint Anne, a red enamelled croſs worn pendant, at a red ribbon edged with yellow, from the left ſhoulder to the right ſide. The ſeat of the Great Duke's privy council and regency is Kiel.

Holſtein is ſtill a part of Germany; yet Reiſbec tells us, that he no ſooner got a few poſts beyond the Eyder, which is the natural boundary between Germany [201] and Denmark, than he found a manifeſt difference between the two countries; as ſtriking as any between Bavaria and Saxony.

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Figure 10. THE HOLSTEIN PRIEST

In no proteſtant country are the prieſts held in ſuch profound reverence by the people as in Denmark. Pride and inſolence in the miniſters of an humble religion are ſure marks of little knowledge and a bad government in the place where it is found. The government of Denmark is the moſt deſpotic in the univerſe. This form of government has its advantages and diſadvantages; the ſmallneſs of the country renders it eaſy to govern thus; and, on the other hand, this very circumſtance makes the people [204] feel, more ſeverely, the weakneſs and oppreſſion of its governors.

Denmark is, in truth, the ſmalleſt of all the European powers; it contains ſcarce two millions of inhabitants, Lapland, Greenland, Iceland, Norway and Holſtein included. The king's income does not amount, in all, to more than 83,333l. ſterling. He cannot cope with the elector of Saxony, and the elector of Bavaria is on a footing with him. Without ſubſidies the king of Denmark is unable to maintain an army of 40,000 men, and a fleet of 20 ſhips of the line, only for a few years.

We ſhall not ſay more of Holſtein, having mentioned it when ſpeaking of Denmark, but proceed to the principal towns of Kiel, Hamburgh, &c.

Kiel is the capital of the Great Duke's part of Holſtein, ſituated on a bay of the Baltic, with a convenient harbour. The place is well built; the ſtreets ſtrait and wide, but disfigured by rows of trees, which Dutch taſte of rus in urbe is deteſtable. It contains the Duke's palace and ſome ſtate colleges. It has alſo a univerſity and a conſiſtory of its own. The proſperity of this place is not a little promoted by the annual reſort to it, by the nobility and perſons of wealth of Holſtein and Sleſwick, for the transferring and placing out their money. This pecuniary [205] intercourſe laſts eight days; and at the ſame time, alſo, is held a conſiderable fair, which is rung in on Twelfth-day; and, on the eve of the purification, terminated by a ſecond ringing of the ſame bell. It was anciently one of the Hans-towns.

Hamburgh is a free Imperial city, independent of any other power but the Emperor, to whom it pays homage, a Hans town of the utmoſt importance of any in Europe. It ſtands on the borders of that part of Holſtein called Stormar, about 70 miles from the influx of the Elbe into the Ocean, and properly ſituated on the rivers Elbe, Alſter, and Bille. The Elbe at Hamburgh, including the iſlands on which part of the town ſtands, is not leſs than four Engliſh miles broad, forming two ſpacious harbours, and running through moſt parts of the city in canals, which being generally pretty broad and deep, are of great convenience to the merchants, whoſe houſes ſtand on them. The houſes of ſome of the warehouſes are from five to ſeven ſtories high, owing to want of cellaring: even their wines are kept in upper lofts. The merchants make their halls into ware-rooms, and they live upon the firſt floor; ſo that on entering the firſt houſes you find yourſelf at once amidſt hogſheads and bales of goods; and what is full as bad, they uſe them alſo for coach-houſes, and in ſome houſes the ſtables are under the ſame roof with the apartments. In the canals, as well as in the river itſelf, even to the diſtance of 12 or 16 miles above [206] Hamburgh, the tide ebbs and flows twice a-day, which is ſerviceable to the inhabitants, but ſubjects them to inundations, when the wind blows ſtrong at North-weſt, at which time the lower buildings and cellars are filled with water. There are no leſs than 84 bridges over the canals, many of them paved like the ſtreets, on a level with them, and houſes built on each ſide. Within the city are 40 water-mills, ſix wind-mills, ſix ſluices, and ſix large markets. The ſtreets are for the moſt part of pretty conſiderable breadth, but the houſes recommend themſelves more by their inward conveniences, and the gardens with which they are interſperſed, though more eſpecially ſtill by their ſituation for trade, than by any outward ornaments of architecture. Some of theſe ſtreets however make a grand appearance; but on the other hand ſeveral of them are very narrow and crooked, and there are ſtill a greater number of dark lanes, wherein the houſes are very high, and many families live together; ſo that the circuit of the city is by no means proportionate to the number of its inhabitants. The walls form nearly a circle of five miles and a half, and the number of inhabitants within this circuit excluſive of Jews, is eſtimated at 100,000. On a calculation taken of the inhabitants of Hamburgh, compared with thoſe of other large cities, and made from their regiſters of births and burials, they are found to be to thoſe of Paris, as one to four; to thoſe of Amſterdam as four to ſeven; to thoſe of Vienna, as eight to [207] thirteen, and to thoſe of Copenhagen nearly on a par.

It is naturally to be imagined that in ſo populous a place there muſt be great numbers of poor, and this has given occaſion to ſo many public charities, that Hamburg is greatly admired by foreigners. The houſe of correction is a very large building, and the perſons committed to it, among whom are all who are found begging in the ſtreets, are employed in various kinds of labour, particularly in raſping Brazil and other kinds of wood. The Wayſenhaus is a place where orphans are maintained and educated, and whoſe revenue is 6000l. a year; the Peſthof, where lunatics are confined, and theſe ſometimes to the number of one thouſand; the Pockenhaus, where thoſe are received who are afflicted with contagious diſorders; the Spenhaus, where proſtitutes and ſuch like offenders are confined, and many others inſtituted for the relief of the deſerving poor, ſo that not a beggar is ſeen. There is one place where children are educated gratis, and another where unmarried women may be admitted for a ſmall ſum and maintained during life, and there is another inſtitution for the redemption of ſeafaring perſons taken by the corſairs of Barbary, with many others no leſs deſerving of commendation. With reſpect to fires, ſuch regulations are made, that every one knows the part he is to [208] act. The town is regularly watched, and wiſe precautions are taken to prevent fires breaking out.

The fortifications of this city are in the old Dutch taſte, a high wall and a vaſt ditch, made deep and wide, with ſome outworks of no moment, the ramparts lofty, covered with graſs and planted with trees, and ſuch a breadth that ſeveral carriages may go a-breaſt. On theſe ramparts any one is at liberty to take the air. The garriſon never exceeds 2,500 men, too few by 10,000 to defend the town. The Hamburgerberg may be ſtiled a ſuburb, but this is not environed by any works, and the houſes in it extend almoſt as far as Altena, a town belonging to Denmark, ſo that it is merely a ditch that ſeparates the one from the other.

To the city are ſome capital gates, but theſe are not ſo much frequented as the two entrances by water from the Elbe, that is to ſay the upper and lower baſons. Through the latter paſs all ſhips going to or coming from ſea. Every morning at the opening of it, is ſeen a multitude of boats and ſmall barks, whoſe cargoes conſiſt of milk, fruits, and all kinds of proviſions, all ruſhing in at the ſame time. And in this manner the country people, who are for the moſt part under the neighbouring juriſdiction, together with a great number of others on the land ſide, in carriages, as likewiſe moſt of the neighbouring peaſants, daily [209] bring in part of the ſubſiſtence neceſſary to the city, and on the other hand return home with their own.

In the north of the town is alſo another entrance by water, which in this part runs into the city, ſo as to form a kind of lake, but included within the fortifications. Here alſo in ſummer-time, the inhabitants amuſe themſelves in barges, of which ſome have cabins and are called arks. Near this port too, up the river Alſter, is a walk conſiſting of a double row of trees of conſiderable length, which in ſummer evenings is crowded with people, and called the Junfern Stiêg, or the Young Ladies Walk.

The churches of Hamburg with their lofty ſteeples make a grand appearance. The moſt remarkable of theſe is the great church deſtroyed by lightning, in 1750, and not yet repaired. In St. Catherines church is a prodigious organ, with 6000 pipes, perhaps a lie uſually told to ſtrangers. The tower belonging to the cathedral leans as if falling, yet on account of the beauty of the architecture, the danger attending it has been overlooked. There are nine capital churches in all of which is ſomething worthy of notice, ſuch as tombs, ſplendid altars, pulpits, organs, paintings, and the like. The tower of St. Peter has two ſets of chimes belonging to it, one of which plays by clockwork. The houſes are chiefly built with a bad-coloured brick, and the city appears [210] on the whole not more elegant than Briſtol, though much larger.

The public edifices are wanting in nothing ſo much as in outward ſtatelineſs. The other ſtructures here are chiefly worth ſeeing, for their utility and the prodigious quantity of ſtores in them, ſuch as the building-yard, the arſenal and two armouries; and a ſtranger who has never ſeen ſuch a number of large ſhips together at one time, cannot but ſee the Baumbeuſe on the Elbe with aſtoniſhment. The lovers of old Rheniſh, who have not before ſatiated themſelves at Straſburg or at Bremen, will not fail to viſit the carpenter's cellar here. There are a number of inns here, but of theſe few are large enough to entertain foreigners with all their attendants; every part of the city being ſo cloſely built upon, and the inſides of the houſes not ſo judiciouſly diſpoſed, as in other places of a more modern date; ſo that the want of accommodation ill correſponds with the plenty of proviſions and wines. There is one houſe on the Elbe which was formerly a guard-houſe, with a very large room on the top, with windows all round, a room of entertainment, which commands a view of all Hamburgh and a large tract of country on both ſides, with a view of the ſhipping down the Elbe. As to the conſtitution and form of government, it exhibits a perfect model of a well ordered ſtate.

[211]The burghery of Hamburgh is divided into five pariſhes, agreeable to the five principal churches, and the magiſtracy is compoſed of 36 perſons, with a recorder at the head. It is now much above two hundred years ſince Lutheraniſm has been the eſtabliſhed religion of this city, and no other except the Jewiſh is here tolerated. But Papiſts and Calviniſts have an opportunity of attending the worſhip of the envoys of the emperor and other ſovereigns. The Hamburg clergy amount to 53 perſons; each of the five principal churches has a head miniſter and three or four deacons belonging to it: on Sundays there are four ſermons in moſt of the churches, and on every week day one, at leaſt in three places.

Hamburgh is ſo occupied by trade and manufactures, that ſcarce any diverſions are to be met with, except billiards, coffee-houſes and concerts. They are fond of muſic, and are expenſive in their public eſtabliſhments in its favour. The principal merchants have private concerts at their houſes, at which company who have ideas beyond a counting-houſe is ſometimes met with, but there is an inelegance, ſays Marſhall, through every thing, ſome few houſes of the more wealthy inhabitants excepted.

There is one ſpecies of luxury, in which however none of the Hamburghers vie with our Engliſh merchants, that is in the expenſiveneſs and elegance of [212] their houſes, and in their coſtly and ornamental furniture. Some of the merchants houſes in London are furniſhed like palaces, but thoſe of the richeſt in Hamburg, have nothing in them that ever reaches mediocrity. The higheſt appearance of luxury in this city, or at leaſt of unneceſſary expence, is in the entertainments given at taverns, at weddings, chriſtenings, burials, name-days, &c. In theſe many of the wealthy expend as much as would build houſes, and furniſh them when built; and they entertain at the death, as well as the birth of their relations.

The Hamburghers, ſays Marſhall, much affect the manners of the French, in language, dreſs, ceremony, and compliment. They had once an Italian opera, but it dropped, and they are now confined to one theatre, in which, in the winter-ſeaſon are exhibited, French and German comedies.

In ſhort, continues Marſhall, this city is not a place where a ſtranger ſhould reſort for pleaſure, for the people are envelopped in trade; their numerous markets afford but indifferent proviſions; their meat is not excellent, and their fiſh not of the beſt ſort, and they have no oyſters. Good claret is not met with in taverns, but their old hock and Rheniſh is in great perfection. A gentleman cannot ſpend leſs than a guinea and a half a day.

[213]The king of England as duke of Bremen is poſſeſſed of the Cathedral of Hamburg. Its chapter conſiſts of a provoſt, and dean, 13 canons, eight minor canons, and 13 vicarii immunes. The prebendines here are alternately in the gift of the king and chapter. The king of Denmark, as lord of Pinnenburg, nominates to one prebendary. The chapter generally conſiſts of nobles and men of letters.

Formerly the principal occupation of the inhabitants (commerce excepted) conſiſted in brewing and making cloth. At preſent, the chief manufactory is refining of ſugar. The cotton, ſtocking, gold thread, ribband, and velvet manufactures here, with others, are much eſteemed abroad.

With reſpect to its ſeveral branches of commerce, linen, cloth, ſilk-ware, wine, ſugar, coffee, colours, ſpices, metals, tobacco, wood, leather, grain, dried and ſalt fiſh, train oil, and furs are accounted the moſt conſiderable. A Preis Courant is publiſhed at ſtated times as a newſpaper, ſpecifying the courſe of exchange, with the prices of every article of merchandize The exchange is always crouded at one. This building is half covered and half open, being compoſed of an area or ſquare, with covered piazzas round it.

[214]The ſtate of carving and the fine arts are in great eſteem at Hamburg, and nothing omitted in the encouragement of them. Hamburg may be ſaid to abound in libraries, every church almoſt having one. There are many public ſchools here; in a word, few places equal this in its ſeveral inſtitutions for the liberal and religious education of youth. Among the fine arts, muſic is particularly encouraged; painting alſo is not without its admirers and connoiſſeurs, and it were well for the public, if architecture and mechanics were a little more in vogue. There is a city militia, conſiſting of five regiments, belonging to the five pariſhes. The regular forces conſiſt of 12 companies of infantry, and one troop of dragoons, and a company of artillery. The night-guard, like a regular corps, has its ſeveral officers, parades every evening, and calls the hours.

Within the juriſdiction of Hamburg are ſeveral villages and eſtates of value and importance. Its arms are a caſtle crowned with three towers.

The firſt appearance of Hamburg, ſays Reiſbec, is very diſguſting and ugly, the ſtreets being narrow, cloſe, and black, and the people fierce, wild, and in general not very clean. As ſoon, however, as a man has made his way into the principal houſes, he begins to conceive a more favourable opinion of it. In ſome houſes of the rich merchants we ſee taſte, cleanlineſs, [215] magnificence, and even at times profuſion. The Hamburghers, continues the baron, were the firſt Proteſtants he ſaw, who continued good Catholics in the material points of eating and drinking; nor is there a place in the world where they have ſo many refinements in ſenſual pleaſure as in this. Though in few parts of Germany, gardening is in as flouriſhing a ſtate as it is here, yet they are not contented with the wonderful vegetables which their own country affords, but import many ſpecies of them from England, Holland, and various parts of Germany. They collect from all points of the compaſs, what every country produces peculiar to itſelf and coſtly for the table. It is the cuſtom in great houſes to give particular wine with every diſh, according to the eſtabliſhed courſes of good houſe-keeping, Burgundy, Champaigne, Malaga, Port, Madeira, have each their different diſh to which they belong. With young green beans, which is a diſh of ſome ducats, and new herrings, which coſts a guilder, the Hamburghers ſeldom drink any thing but Malaga. Burgundy is the ſtanding vohiculum of green peaſe; oyſters muſt ſwim in Champaigne, and the coſtly ſalt meats admit of no other convoy than Port and Madeira. This is not on feſtivals only, but the daily food of the rich, and their way of living is proportionable. Few aſſemblies of Pariſians are more brilliant than the parties who meet in villas here, and they ſcarcely play ſo high. Thoſe who can afford to ſpend no more than [216] 20 or 30,000 livres, that is about 1,000 or 1,200l. ſterling, a year rank among the middling claſs, and though they are all obliged to ſupport themſelves by their own induſtry, and there is ſcarce any nobility with a ſtated income to be met with, there are many families who ſpend from two to 3,000l. a year in houſe-keeping.

Notwithſtanding all this love of good eating, the mind is not oppreſſed or borne down by the body here, as it is in ſouthern Germany. The Hamburghers of the higher claſs are ſtill more jovial, more happy, more converſible, and more witty than the Saxons. We meet here with many literati of the firſt claſs. Natural hiſtory flouriſhes much, and it was a Hamburgher that gave Linnaeus the fundamental ideas of his Syſtema Naturae. As moſt young people are ſent abroad to form trading connections in the ſeveral ports of London, Peterſburg, Calais, Bourdeaux, &c. in all which the Hamburghers have houſes, a ſtranger is ſure to meet with ſome perſons who are acquainted with his native country.

The women of this place are handſome, genteel, and freer in their manners than they are generally in Proteſtant countries. One of the great pleaſures of this city ariſes from the Alſ [...]erſluſs. It comes from the north, paſſes through the middle of the city, and forms a lake in it nearly 800 paces in circumference.

[217]In a ſummer evening this lake is almoſt covered with gondolas, which have not ſuch a melancholy aſpect as the Venetian ones; they are filled with a family, or other parties, and have often boats in attendance upon them, with muſic. The whole has an aſtoniſhing good effect; which is ſtill greater from there being a much frequented public walk by the lake; the livelineſs of which correſponds, very pleaſingly, with that of the people on the water.

Near the city are ſome villages on the Elbe, called the Four Lands, which are in ſummer alſo a rendezvous of pleaſure. The farmers who live in theſe villages are in very good circumſtances, and take a prodigious ſum of money from the town, for their excellent vegetables, and particularly for their green peas. Every day, during the ſummer, we meet here with parties from the city, who are as conſpicuous for their genteel appearance, as for their exceſſes in eating and drinking. The farmers daughters are very pretty, and their dreſs the handſomeſt to be met with among this claſs of people. They allure the young men of the city to their cottages, and many quarter themſelves here under the pretence of a milk diet; but, in fact, to be near their ſweethearts.

Theſe four villages ſupply the town with vegetables, butter, milk, hay, and many other things of [218] the kind; alſo with moſt of the women of pleaſure, and moſt of the ſpinners.

The city of Altona, which joins Hamburgh, affords alſo the Hamburghers many opportunities of amuſement. The King of Denmark, who from the jealouſy of Hamburge, endeavours by every means in his power to make this place flouriſhing, appears to have it in his head, ſays Reiſbec, to hurt the inns and brothels of the city, as well as the trade. Through his care, Altona has, in a ſhort ſpace of time, from a ſmall village, become a town of 35,000 inhabitants; among whom, however, to ſpeak freely, there are far too many raſcals.

Altona is ſeated on a high ſhore of the Elbe, contains about 3000 houſes, better in appearance than thoſe of Hamburgh, with two Lutheran and two Calviniſt churches; a fifth for the French Calviniſts, a ſixth for Roman catholics, two Menonite churches, excluſive of other ſects who are here tolerated. The Jews alſo are very numerous here and have a ſynagogue; they pay 2000 ducats a year for protection. Here is alſo a royal g [...]mnaſium, and three docks for ſhip-building. The town was profeſſedly built to ſteal the trade from Hamburgh, and is made a free port.

[219]The ſtreets are ſtrait and regularly built, wide and well paved. There is a new town-houſe erected, and ſeveral other public buildings ſhew, that the place is in a flouriſhing and improving way. The merchants houſes, like thoſe at Hamburgh, are on the waterſide, ſo that ſhips load and unload at their doors. The King of Denmark has made it the ſtaple of the Daniſh Eaſt-India Company; and, owing to this, it ſends large quantities of India goods into moſt parts of Germany, and herein rivals the Hamburghers, who are forced to buy their's of the Dutch; but the misfortune is, ſays Marſhall, that the great freedom of reception here brings all ſorts of wretches; even malefactors, from Hamburgh, here find an aſylum; nor does a merchant or tradeſman, of any kind, fail and defraud their creditors; but he appears here again on the ſtage, and carries on a freſh trade, as if nothing had happened. No ſtews, or ſtreet-walkers are allowed at Hamburgh; but both abound at Altona in the greateſt plenty; and the place ſwarms with Jews.

The country round about Hamburg, though a flat, is extremely pleaſant; the various and flouriſhing agriculture gives it a very gay appearance, and the water contributes much to its beauty. The river conduces extremely to the advantage of the city, which by taking the laſt toll, has almoſt an unlimited command over it. Notwithſtanding the quantity of water [220] and low ſituation, the air is very good, owing to the ſtrong winds which blow upon it from all quarters.

A word or two of its trade, and we have done.

Hamburgh is, without compariſon, the moſt flouriſhing commercial city in all Germany. Except London and Amſterdam, there is hardly a port in which ſo many ſhips are conſtantly ſeen. The preſent buſineſs conſiſts in great part of commiſſion and carrying; but the ſtated trade of the people is alſo very conſiderable. Hamburgh has ſupplied Spain with moſt of its linens, and with large quantities of iron, copper, and other articles of the north. The Daniſh government omits nothing that can hurt them. The Daniſh miniſtry have a favourite proſpect of uniting the Baltic to the German ocean, by a canal joined to the Eyder. This ſeems to be a death-ſtroke to the commerce of [...] and Hamburgh; but the intelligent part of the country are as eaſy about this as they would be, if his Daniſh majeſty was to order a canal to be dug in Greenland.

Hamburgh is truly ſingular as a commercial city; for you meet in it with perſon [...] who have been bankrupts three or four times, and yet have been rich at laſt. The misfortune is that as ſoon as a merchant makes 100,000 guilders, that is about 12,000l. ſterling, he muſt have his coach and country-houſe. [221] His expences keep pace with his income, ſo that the leaſt blow brings him back to poverty; but which, however, the ſlighteſt exertions will extricate him from. He ſets out in life again as a broker; and ſcarce ſhall his old eſtate and country-houſe and carriages be ſold, but he purchaſes another eſtate, another country-houſe, is able to drive through the town with two prancing Holſteins; has his garden, his coach, his gambling box—till, heigh preſto!—he is a broker again. This inexplicable facility of making uſe of one's money, renders the Hamburgher here too bold; ſo that he does more buſineſs with 50,000 florins, than a Dutchman will do with four times the ſum. However, the ſecurity he is under of not being obliged to beg in his old age, renders him quite careleſs. There are indeed no where ſuch good retreats for bankrupts as in this place. If broken merchants do not chuſe to try their luck again; by turning brokers, they have employments given them, on which they can live comfortably. The Hamburgher, however, works himſelf up again with the ſame eaſe with which he falls. Rich inheritances here are very ſcarce, in compariſon to the ſum of money there is in the place; and as this is divided among too many, the ebbs and flows are too frequent. The great capital of every inhabitant is induſtry and underſtanding.

[222]The government of Hamburgh is wonderful, a juſt mean between ariſtocracy and democracy. The legiſlative power is in the hands of the burgeſſes, of which there are houſes or colleges. The firſt conſiſts of the aldermen, three of whom are choſen by the inhabitants of the reſt of the five pariſhes. Each pariſh alſo ſends nine to the ſecond college, and twenty-four to the third. All laws muſt paſs theſe three houſes; the executive power is lodged in the hands of 36 perſons, who are graduated literati, and have given proofs of their learning. The income of the ſtate is very large, partly from ſtanding ſources, and partly from occaſional taxes. Hamburgh is, in truth, the model of a well-regulated commonwealth; and the beſt ſign of its wiſe adminiſtration is, that it is almoſt the only Imperial city that carries none of its ſuits, between its own members, to the tribunal of the empire.

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Figure 11. A PRIEST & BURGOMASTER OF HAMBURGH

The burgomaſters of this place, ſays Chiſul, never appear in public, but in a peculiar dreſs, which conſiſts of a high crowned hat, made of cloth, plaited thick and ſtrong in numerous folds, with a large ruff, and a black velvet coat ending at the knees, and plaited from the middle. There are likewiſe ſeveral other ancient habits uſed by all public perſons, even to midwives, dreſſers of the dead, and thoſe who bear the corps at funerals. The habit of their divines is a round black cap, a ruff, and a gown without ſleeves. All theſe may commonly be ſeen at once in the ſolemnity of a funeral, which they here affect to make very pompous, for all perſons, even thoſe of little children. The burgo-maſters, ſenators, divines, lawyers, phyſicians, and as many of all ſorts as they can procure, attend the corps from the houſe to the church, for which they are paid a certain fee; the chief about a florin, and inferiors proportionally. It is obſervable that the bearers of the corps have a peculiar ſtep, all moving their legs at the ſame time croſswiſe, from one ſide to the other.

Mr. Chiſul tells us, that he was informed of a deteſtable practice frequent among many melancholy and diſordered perſons of this place, who, weary of life, and apprehenſive of the ſin of ſelf murder, rather [224] choſe to murder ſome innocent child, and by this means be brought to capital puniſhment. This tragedy happening every year, and the frequency of the practice, is attributed to the too great facility of their confeſſors in affording peace and fair promiſes to all ſorts of dying penitents.

In this duchy, the lordſhip of Pinnenburg and town of Altona included, there are 14 towns and 18 boroughs. The eſtabliſhed religion here is Lutheraniſm.

Lubeck is an Imperial city, the capital of Wagerland, and is the chief of the Hanſe-Towns. It is pleaſantly ſituated in the duchy of Holſtein Gottorp, on the river Trave, ten miles from the Baltic ſea, and 40 miles north of Hamburgh. The uniformity and beauty of its buildings, as well as its groves and gardens, proclaim it to be a delightful ſpot. Several of the ſtreets are planted with rows of trees, and from a public reſervoir water is laid in to every houſe.

The city is oddly built on two ſides of a hill, and on that account is romantic to look at. At the bottom of each declivity is a river. The ſtreets are better laid out than thoſe at Hamburgh, broad and regular, but in general ſteep; the houſes are pretty well built with free-ſtone, but old faſhioned; they have large apartments, and ſpacious cellars, but the doors of the houſes are ſo wide and high, that a cart loaded [225] with hay may paſs through them. The city is kept very clean, by means of its uneven ſituation, every ſhower of rain waſhing down all the dirt and leaving it in better order than any ſcavengers could. Here are ſome public buildings, which they make a parade of ſhewing to ſtrangers, but they have nothing remarkable. It has five churches, a town-houſe, an arſenal, and an hoſpital.

St. Mary's church is the largeſt of the five. It is a lofty building, ſtanding in the centre of the city, has a double ſteeple, 217 yards high, built in 1304. The inſide is properly decorated with gilt pillars, monuments, &c. but few worth notice. The moſt remarkable thing at Lubeck is the clock in this church. It exhibits the ecliptic, zodiac, equator, and tropics, and the planets in their ſeveral courſes; which are ſo minutely done, that the ſtation of any of them is to be found at every time of the day, it ſhews the regular variations of the celeſtial bodies, ſun riſing and ſetting, the eclipſes of the moon, and other remarkable days, all which it will continue to ſhew till the year 1875. Beſides all this, it has ſeveral automata, among others, a figure of Chriſt, with a door on its right hand, which opening at 12 at noon, out come in order of proceſſion, the emperor and the ſeven eldeſt electors, and turning to the image, make a profound reverence; this the figure returns, by a wave of his hand; after which the whole group retires in the [226] ſame order through a door on the left, and both doors ſhut directly. In the lower, is another piece of machinery, and a much more agreeable one, the chimes. Theſe play the hours with a moſt pleaſing melody and minute exactneſs. Under them is the bell, on which is ſtruck the hour by a figure of Time, whilſt a leſſer figure, repreſenting Mortality, and ſtanding at the other ſide of the bell, turns aſide its head at every ſtroke. This work, for its preſervation, is ſurrounded with a wire frame, and by an inſcription we are told it was erected in 1405.

The Cathedral at Lubeck is a building of great antiquity, being erected in the year 1170, by Duke Henry, anceſtor of the preſent elector of Hanover. Lubeck has a trade that is not deſpicable, her ſituation and port are extremely commodious. From the Baltic, ſhe imports the products of Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Ruſſia, and Poland, and by her inland navigation, diſtributes them through many parts of Germany.

In many particulars there is a ſimilarity, between the way of living, diverſions and manners of the people of Lubeck and thoſe of Hamburg, and the inns here are very good, and entertainment full as cheap again as at Hamburg.

[227]The biſhop of Lubeck, though a Lutheran prince of the empire, ſits neither on the ſpiritual nor temporal bench, in the courts of princes, but in a particular place croſsways, laid there purely for him and the biſhop of Oſnaburg, when a proteſtant. The Cathedral of Lubeck, and the chapter, conſiſts of 30 perſons, four Roman-catholics and 26 Lutherans.

The magiſtracy are 14 burgomaſters, elected out of the nobleſſe and civil lawyers; and the council of 16, which may be either men of letters, patricians, or tradeſmen.

The territory of this city extends 60 miles in circumference, and contains ſeveral ſmall towns and villages. It is in point of independance the ſame as Hamburg.

The convents and nobility in the duchy of Holſtein, and the tenants of both, are ſubject to the joint government of the duke and king of Denmark, to which they alternatively ſucceed every Michaelmas.

The biſhoprick of Hildeſheim is generally reckoned in this circle (it is ſubject to its own biſhop,) the capital of which bears the ſame name, being ſituated 30 miles S. W. of Brunſwic, and [...]7 S. E. of Hanover. It is an Imperial city and ſovereign ſtate. The inhabitants are a mixture of Lutherans and Papiſts.

Of the TERRITORIES of the ELECTORAL HOUSE of BRUNSWICK-LUNEBURGH.
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The territories of this electorate belong chiefly to the circle of Lower Saxony, with a ſmall part of them in the Lower Rhine, and the ſmalleſt part of all in Upper Saxony. Amongſt the firſt are the duchies of Bremen and Lauenburg, with the principalities of Luneburg, Calenburg and Grubenhagen, and their incorporated counties and lordſhips: among the ſecond is the principality of Verden, &c. and the third claſs conſiſts of the county of Hohnſtein. All theſe ſeveral domains form a ſquare of about 700 geographical miles, being thus nearly of equal extent with the kingdom of Pruſſia, or the whole circle of Suabia, or even with the electorate of Saxony, or all the lands under the elector of Bavaria; the number of places in them, cities, plains, villages, and ſingle farms included, exceeds 4000; among which are 58 cities, and about 60 market-towns. In 1756, by a calculation, the inhabitants amounted to near 750,000.

Theſe countries, in general, produce all the neceſſaries of life, and abound with foſſils and minerals. The manufactures are improving conſiderably, ſuch as ſtarch, powder, linen, damaſk linen, ribbands, laces, cere-cloths, printed and painted, carpets, linen-printing, hemp and cotton worked up in all forms, tobacco and ſnuffs, madder and woad made into colours, leather, and manufactured wool, and woollen [229] ſtuffs; hats, fringes, laces, &c. gold and ſilver, embroideries, wax, ſugars, glaſs-houſes, works in iron, copper and braſs, paper and powder mills, with yards for ſhip-building. They export and import a great deal.

The chief towns have grammar-ſchools, and there is an excellent univerſity at Gottingen. The eſtabliſhed religion throughout is Lutheraniſm; the parochial churches are about 750, divided into 43 ſuperintendancies, under the inſpection of four general ones. In the electoral lands, properly ſo called, are ſeven Calviniſt churches, and as many in the duchy of Bremen. The catholics have a ſchool and church of their own: the ſecular catholic prieſts are nominated by the Emperor, and the exerciſe of the Romiſh religion is tolerated at Gottingen. The Jews are tolerated throughout.

Theſe territories now belong by regular deſcent to the King of Great-Britain, whoſe electoral title is ‘Duke of Brunſwick and Luneburg, arch-treaſurer and elector of the Holy Roman empire.’ The privy council of Hanover, is called the regency, as repreſenting the chief ſovereign. It directs in all affairs, both foreign and domeſtic, makes laws, and iſſues ordinances in the Elector's name, ſuperintends the polity, nomination of magiſtrates, and judicial officers in the country towns, grants inveſtitures of fiefs, &c. but in important affairs, ſends to London for the Sovereign's [230] inſtruction and approbation; their council conſi [...] of nine, among whom are divided the ſecond [...] a [...]miniſtration, each of which has its o [...] [...]; but things of moment are referred to the whole.

The revenues of the Elector, ariſes from demeſne land-farmed out, from tolls, mine-works, held jointly with the houſe of Brunſwick Wolfenbuttel, ſalt-works, foreſt-profits, poſtage of letters, coinage, exci [...]e and contributions in Bremen and Verden.

The military eſtabliſhment conſiſts of 12 regiments of horſe, ſome bodies of hunters, with huſſars, and light-horſe, 26 battalions of foot, and 31 companies of militia; making in all about 15,000 men.

The duchy of Bremen is about 50 miles long, and 42 broad. It is a level country, environed by the Elbe and Weſer. It has but two cities, and three places called towns, the chief cities are Stade and Bremen, but the latter is the principal.

Stade is a town that has a ſtrong fort on the Schwinge that falls into the Elbe, about a mile below; it is the ſeat of the regency of the duchies of Bremen and [...]erden; but Bremen is a much finer city. It is ſtrong by nature as well as art, the whole country round being eaſily laid under water, by cutting the [231] banks of the Weſer, which annually 'tis ſaid, like the Nile, overflows its banks, and enriches the ſandy ſoil about it. It was one of the Hans towns, a free city, has a gymnaſium under ſeven maſters, an epiſcopal palace, a chapter-houſe, containing 200 dwellings, an orphan-houſe, and two abbeys. The cathedral has the controul of 14 country pariſhes, and this belong to the King of Great Britain.

The only thing worth ſeeing here is ſome human bodies wonderfully preſerved without embalming; Mr. Wraxall declares it to be ſo ſingular and extraordinary, that unleſs he had been an eye-witneſs of the fact, no teſtimony would have convinced him of its reality. Under the cathedral church there is a vaulted apartment, ſupported on pillars, near 60 paces long, and 30 broad; the light and air are conſtantly admitted into it by three windows, though it is ſeveral feet beneath the level of the ground. There are five large oak coffers, rather than coffins, each containing a corpſe. I examined them, continues this author, ſeverally, for near two hours. The moſt curious and perfect is that of a woman. Tradition ſays, ſhe was an Engliſh counteſs, who, dying at Bremen, ordered her body to be placed in this vault un-interred, in the apprehenſion that her relations would order it over to her native country; they ſay, it has lain here 250 years. Though the muſcular ſkin is totally dried in every part, yet ſo little are the [232] features of the face ſunk or changed, that nothing is more certain than that ſhe was young and even beautiful. It is a ſmall countenance, and round in its contour; the cartilages of the noſe and noſtrils have undergone no alteration; her teeth are all firm in the ſockets, but the lips are drawn away from over them; the cheeks are ſhrunk in, but yet leſs than in embalmed bodies. The hair of her head is more than [...]8 inches long, very thick, and ſo faſt, that I heaved the corpſe out of the coffin by it; the colour is a light brown, and as freſh and gloſſy as that of a living perſon. That this lady was of high rank, ſeems evident from the fineneſs of the linen, which covers her body. The landlord of the inn who accompanied Mr. Wraxall, told him he had remembered it for forty years paſt, and during which time there was not the leaſt perceptible alteration in it. In another coffer is the body of a workman, who is ſaid to have tumbled off the church, and was killed by the fall. His features evince this moſt forcibly. Extreme agony is marked in them, his mouth is wide open, and his eye-lids the ſame; the eyes are dried up. His breaſt is unnaturally diſtended, and his whole frame betrays a violent death. A little child who died of the ſmall-pox is ſtill more remarkable. The marks of the puſtules which have broken the ſkin, on her hands and head, are very diſcernible, and one would ſuppoſe that a body which died of ſuch a diſtemper, muſt contain [233] in a high degree the ſeeds of putrefaction. There are in this vault likewiſe, turkeys, hawks, weaſels, and other animals which have been hung up here ſince time immemorial, ſome very lately, and are in the moſt complete preſervation, the ſkins, bills, feathers, all unaltered. The cauſe of this phenomenon is doubtleſs the dryneſs of the place. It is in vain to ſeek for any other. The magiſtrates do not permit that any freſh bodies be brought here, and there is no other ſubterraneous chamber that has the ſame property. It would have made an excellent miracle in proper hands, two or three centuries ago; but mankind are now grown too wiſe.

This city is celebrated for its old hock; the wine is all brought here from the banks of the Rhine, by land-carriage, and depoſited in the public cellars, which are wonderfully capacious, running beneath the town-houſe and exchange, but are not to be compared with the marquis of Pombals at Peyras in Portugal, or thoſe of Conſtantia at the Cape of Good Hope. There is one particular room in theſe cellars, where they keep wine (as they ſay) of 170 years old, and for which they aſk ſeven dollars (or 25s.) a bottle; but it is not fit to drink.

Bremen is ſituated on the ſame river as Verden, but here it is known by the name of the Weſer. Veſſels of burden, lie 12 or 15 miles below the city, there [234] not being ſufficient depth of water higher up. It contains 45,000 inhabitants, and it is ſaid, would exceed even Hamburgh in commerce, if the river was not an impediment. It is a free city under the protection of the Emperor, and, on the money ſtruck here, ſtiles itſelf a republic. The King of England, as Elector of Hanover, has however ſome important rights within the place, and not only the cathedral belongs to him, but a conſiderable number of buildings, public, and private. He poſſeſſes likewiſe a ſpecies of ſupreme, judicatorial power, as though the magiſtrates take cognizance of all crimes within the territory of Bremen, his delegate muſt pronounce ſentence. The fortifications, though kept in good order, are of no conſequence or ſtrength; the ſtrongeſt army in the field is always maſter, and during the laſt war in theſe parts, French or Engliſh were alternately received into the place, as they appeared before it. The ſtile of building here is horrid, all the upper ſtories being granaries, and totally uninhabitable; it has a moſt groteſque appearance to the eye, though many of the houſes now are in ſome degree modernized. The ſtreets are all narrow; the quay is the only pleaſant part of the city, being broad and commanding a view of the water.

By the municipal laws, all the race of Abraham is excluded from trading or reſiding here; each Jew being obliged to pay a duty of a ducat (near 10s.) a [235] day, ſo that not one is ſeen. Plutus and Bacchus, riches and drinking are the chief deities venerated in this city, and like the ſenate in the time of Tiberius, they will not admit the gods of ſtrangers. Pleaſure under every ſhape, of dance, of comedy, and of maſque, ſeems peculiarly hateful. She has indeed lately ſtolen in, once a month during the winter, in the form of a concert, to the no little terror of the burgomaſters, who have endeavoured to proſcribe this unprecedented refinement. The moſt polite manner of ſpending an evening, known for ſeveral centuries paſt at Bremen, has been that of meeting in ſmall boxes about 20 feeRaong, and ſix wide in the public cellar, where they drink hock under a cloud of ſmoke raiſed from their own pipes. One may ſwear theſe are genuine deſcendants of the ancient Saxons, who imagined the joys of heaven to conſiſt in drinking ale out of the ſkulls of their enemies! Women, the only venial object of idolatry, ſeem not here to hold any rank in ſociety, or to form the connecting charm which binds the jarring principles of human nature together. Man, ſolitary man, meets in clubs and companies, to doze, to drink, and to diſpute.

Bremen is a rich city, and carries on a large trade for iron, flax, hemp, and linen, with France, England, Spain, and Portugal; taking back other proviſions, with which it ſupplies Weſtphalia, and the countries about Hanover.

[236]The duchy of Verden is ſmall, about 24 miles ſquare. It conſiſts chiefly of heath and high, dry land, but has good marſh land, near the rivers Weſer and Aller. The city of Verden is ſeated on the Aller, and contains five churches. It was once a biſhop's ſee, and has a cathedral, built in 786. It contains only 500 inhabitants, excluſive of a battalion of Hanoverian ſoldiers; has no trade, and is very poor.

The principality of Luneburg Zell is watered by the Elbe and two other rivers; about 4000 acres of it are barren, but the reſt is prolific. It contains three large cities, Luneburg, Uelzen, and Zell, eleven towns, and 13 large villages. The general diets here are convened by the Sovereign, and held twice a year at the council-houſe at Zell: the princes propoſals are laid before the ſtates by a miniſter, and their ſentiments delivered verbally by their ſyndic.

Luneburg and the capital of the principality, lies on a navigable river, which runs through part of the town, is environed with moats and walls, fortified with towers, and is two miles in circuit, conſiſting of about 1,300 houſes, with between eight and 9,000 inhabitants, and three pariſh churches, with a palace for the prince. Here is alſo an academy, where young gentlemen of the principality are educated gratis; but foreigners, at a certain price, are taught French, fencing, riding, and dancing; the members of this [237] academy live in a ſpacious ſtone edifice, built in 1711, and counts and princes have been of their number.

Zell is a fortified and well built town, ſituated on a navigable river, and contains about 1400 houſes. It is a ſmall town, without trade or manufactures; the houſes are old and of a mean appearance, chiefly built with wood, yet the high courts of appeal in all the territories of the Elector are here held, and the inhabitants derive their principal means of ſubſiſtence from this circumſtance. Here are four Lutheran churches, one French, one Dutch, and one Spaniſh. A corps of 700 men are continually quartered here. It has long been diſtinguiſhed for a ſtud of fine horſes kept on purpoſe for ſtate. They are 150 in number, and the pedigree of each horſe is marked on the poſt of his ſtall. Beſides many beautiful ſaddle-horſes, here is a fine ſet of cream-coloured horſes for the ſtate-coach. The caſtle near the town is a ſtately building, ſurrounded by a moat, and ſtrongly fortified. It was formerly the reſidence of the dukes of Zell, and was repaired by order of the King of Great Britain, for the reception of his unfortunate ſiſter. The apartments are ſpacious and convenient, and handſomely furniſhed, but the country on every ſide is barren, ſandy, and unpleaſant. About 20 miles from Zell, on the ſouthern ſide of the river Aller, is the little palace, celebrated for the impriſonment of the Electreſs [238] Sophia, wife of George I. where ſhe died a ſhort time before the acceſſion of her ſon George II. the late king, to the crown of England. It is ſaid, that he once made an attempt to ſee his mother, whilſt under confinement, and having ſeparated himſelf from his attendants in hunting, came unexpectedly to the place, but the noblemen to whoſe care ſhe was entruſted, refuſed him admittance.

Dr Moore tells us, that when he was at Zell, he ſaw the queen of Denmark frequently; that every thing ſeemed to be arranged in the ſtyle of the other ſmall German courts, and that nothing was wanting to render the queen's ſituation as comfortable, as the circumſtances would admit; that her greateſt conſolation was in the company of her ſiſter, the princeſs of Brunſwick; that whilſt ſhe was with her, ſome degree of ſatisfaction appeared in her countenance, but the moment ſhe left her, the queen became a prey to dejection and deſpondency; that the princeſs devoted to her ſiſter all the time ſhe could ſpare from the duties ſhe owed to her own family; unlike thoſe which take the firſt pretext of breaking connexions which can be of no advantage, this humane princeſs diſplayed even more attachment to her ſiſter under her misfortunes, than ſhe ever did, whilſt in the meridian of her proſperity. The queen died of a putrid fever.

[239]I ſhall paſs over the principality of Grubenhagen, belonging to the King of England, with noticing only the mine-works of the Hartz, jointly carried on by our King, as duke of Brunſwick Luneburg and the duke of Brunſwick Wolfenbuttle. The Hartz is a part of the ancient Hercynian foreſt, and is renowned for its mines, the private property of which, according to Buſching, in the year 1724, did not produce leſs in ſilver, copper, iron, lead, and braſs, than 706,120 rix-dollars, the profit of which to the two dukes amounted to 136,000 rix-dollars, (each rix-dollar 3s. 6d.) though the profits to the other proprietors were 120,567 rix-dollars; but there are other mine-works which produce gold, ſilver, copper, lead, borax, ſulphur, vitriol, zink, pot-aſh, &c. to a great amount. The whole Hartz yields annually about 1,172,733 rix-dollars, of which, gold, to the value of 2880, is coined into ducats, and 802,860 of ſilver. The ſovereigns purchaſe the whole produce of the mines of the proprietors at a certain fixed rate. The ſilver and gold are coined immediately; the other products are taken at fixed prices to Hanover and Wolfenbuttle, making their returns in tallow and other neceſſaries for the mine-works, which are alſo furniſhed at ſtated prices.

The principality of Calenberg contains 19 cities, and 17 towns, of which Gottingen and Hanover are the two principal. Hanover is only ſecond in rank, [240] but being moſt familiar to an Engliſh ear, we will ſpeak of it firſt.

Hanover was formerly the capital of the electorate, and the proper reſidence of the Elector; it is even now the ſeat of the regency, of courſe, it is very populous. It lies on the left ſhore of the river Leine, which, after running in two channels between the old and new town, and thus forming an iſland, unites into one ſtream again, and becomes navigable. The town itſelf is fortified and well kept, and contains about 1200 houſes, among which are many large and handſome buildings. It is a neat, thriving, and agreeable city, and has more the face of an Engliſh town, than any town in Germany; and the Engliſh manners and cuſtoms gain ground in it every day. The general influence of freedom has extended to this place; tyranny is not felt, and eaſe and ſatisfaction appear in the countenance of the citizens.

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Figure 12. Plan of the CITY of HANOVER.
References.
  • 5 Great Brew House
  • 6 Sovereign Cot. of Justice
  • 7 City's Ho [...]or Guildhall
  • 8 St. James's Church
  • 9 Royal Printing Ho.
  • 10 The Consistory
  • 11 Church for the Garrisn.
  • 12 Reformed Church
  • 13 Croſs Church
  • 14 Pump House
  • 15 Riding Academy
  • 16 Royal Arsenal
  • 17 Tower or Powder Magaz
  • 18 Castle Chapel
  • 19 Electoral Castle
  • 20 The Kings House
  • 21 Royal Archives
  • 22 Royal Chantier
  • 23 French Reform'd Ch.
  • 24 New Town Place or G. M.
  • 25 St. John's Church
  • 26 D'Osnabrug Hotel
  • 27 Princes Court
  • 28 Jews Synagogue
  • 29 Catholick Church
  • 30 Cl [...]s Gate
  • 31 Court of Great Plat
  • 32 Barnstorf Inn
  • 33 Calemberg Gate
  • 34 St Egide Church
  • 35 The Court of Chanc.
  • 36 St. Egide Gate
  • 37 The Post Hotel

[242]Hanover, ſays Baron Reiſbec, conſider it in what light you will, is a very fine city; the number of its inhabitants is about 20,000. There are very good ſocieties here, to which the officers contribute not a little. The people are ſober and regular, and perform every eſſential part of duty well, though the diſcipline is not ſo rigid as in ſome other parts of Germany. The infantry are not ſo tall, as ſome other German troops, no perſon being here forced into the ſervice; whereas, in other parts of Germany, the prince picks out the ſtouteſt and talleſt of the peaſants, and obliges them to inliſt. It is allowed, in action, that no troops behave better than the Hanoverians, and they ſeldom deſert. The forces are always rated at 24,000 men.

It is not the mode here, at preſent, to lay ſo much ſtreſs on the tricks of exerciſe as formerly. The officers, in general, ſeem to deſpiſe many minutiae which are thought of the higheſt importance in ſome other ſervices. It is incredible to what a ridiculous length this matter is puſhed by ſome.

At a certain parade, ſays Moore, where the ſovereign himſelf was preſent, and many officers aſſembled, I once ſaw a corpulent general-officer ſtart ſuddenly, as if he had ſeen ſomething preternatural. He immediately waddled towards the ranks with all the expedition of a terrified gander. I could not [243] conceive what could put his excellency into a commotion ſo little ſuitable to his years and habit of body. Whilſt all the ſpectators were on tiptoe to obſerve the iſſue of this phenomenon, he arrived at the ranks, and in great wrath, which probably had been augmented by the heat acquired in his courſe, pulled off one of the ſoldier's hats, which it ſeems had not been properly cocked, and adjuſted it to his mind. Having regulated the military diſcipline, in this important particular, he returned to his prince's right hand, with a ſtrut expreſſive of the higheſt ſelf-approbation.

At the palace there is a houſhold eſtabliſhed, with officers and ſervants, and a guard regularly mounted, as at the time when the electors reſided here conſtantly. The liveries of the pages and ſervants are the ſame with thoſe worn by the king's domeſtic ſervants at St. James's. The memory of George II. is greatly venerated here. Many of the cotemporaries of a ſociety he formed were ſtill living when Moore was there; and from their accounts he learned that he was naturally of a very ſociable temper; and entirely laid aſide, when at Hanover, the ſtile and reſerve which he retained in England, living in that familiar and confidential manner which princes, as well as peaſants, will aſſume in the company of thoſe they love, and thoſe who love them.

[244] Reiſbec ſays, the nobility in this place are as refined in their manners as thoſe of any other German city. He was at Oſnaburg when the duke of York, the preſent biſhop of Oſnaburg, reſided there; and declares that, by his deportment, he made a particular circle of the inhabitants very happy; and it was the wiſh of the people that he would be made governor of this electorate, and reſide conſtantly among them.

Herenhauſen lies near this city. It is a pleaſant walk through a magnificent avenue of trees, as broad, and about double the length of the Mall in St. James's park. It is a ſmall hunting-palace, with very magnificent gardens, in which the water-works are particularly admired; but theſe gardens are in the old Dutch ſtyle, the ground perfectly level, and compoſed of ſtrait lines and compaſs-work, water, hedges, lawns, walks; every thing regularly fatiguing. The jet d'eau is, in its kind, fine; but the man who has been in England, and can admire jets d'eau, muſt have a miſerable taſte indeed. The houſe itſelf has nothing extraordinary in its appearance; but the gardens are as magnificent as the Dutch ſtyle will permit them. The orangery is reckoned equal to any in Europe. Here is a kind of rural theatre, where plays may be acted during the fine weather: a ſpacious amphitheatre is cut out in green ſeats for the ſpectators; a ſtage in the ſame taſte, with rows of trees for ſide ſcenes, and a great number of arbours and ſummer-rooms, [245] ſurrounded by lofty hedges for the actors to retire and dreſs in.

When the theatre is illuminated, which is always done when maſquerades are given, it muſt have a very fine effect. The groves, arbours and labyrinths, ſeem admirably calculated for all the purpoſes of this amuſement. In theſe gardens are ſeveral large reſervoirs and fountains; and, on one ſide a canal of a quarter of a mile long.

Though ſome parts of the electorate of Hanover, continues Reiſbec, are very fertile, yet on the whole it is the moſt miſerable part of all Germany. It is about 700 German miles or 2,800 Engliſh in circumference, but ſcarcely contains 700,000 inhabitants, a ſlender population conſidering the extent; but this is owing to the ſoil. The country abounds in ſand-heaths, which are almoſt impoſſible to cultivate. The whole revenues of Hanover amount only to 480,000 guilders, each guilder 2s. 4d. Engliſh, or 56,000l. of which the mines in the Hartz contribute a fourth part. The country belonging to the elector of Saxony, which is very little larger, transfers nearly as much again.

The government of this country is gentle. The great offices of ſtate are held by active and enlightened patriots. No money is here extorted from the [246] poor; little of it goes to London; but almoſt the whole is ſpent in the improvement of the country.

Gottingen is, in fact, the chief city of the principality of Calenberg; it is ſituated in a ſpacious, fertile and pleaſant vale, along the water called the New Leine, which is a canal drawn from the river of that name, the town being about 100 rods from it. This canal ſeparates the old from the new town; and, at about the diſtance of a mile, joins the Leine again. The ramparts amid the town, which are about 690 rods in circumference, command a delightful proſpect of gardens of aRakinds, with meadows, fields and eminences; and would form a moſt delightful walk, were the uſeleſs breaſt-works on it removed, and the wall levelled and planted with lime-trees. The town itſelf conſiſts of upwards of 1000 houſes, and about 80,000 people; and, ſince the erection of the univerſity, has been ſo embelliſhed with new buildings, and the old ſo repaired, that it is at preſent one of the beſt built towns in all Lower Saxony; and for the fine free-ſtone pavements on both ſides of its ſtreets, may be ſaid to have few equals. In winter, the town is illuminated with lamps. It has five parochial churches, and one for the Calviniſts. The papiſts here celebrate worſhip in a private houſe.

The principal ornament and advantage of Gottingen, is the univerſity founded in 1734, by George II. [247] of England; which, by the care of its curator, has acquired a very diſtinguiſhed reputation and pre-eminence over the other univerſities of Germany, and indeed throughout the whole republic of letters. It has been full of Ruſſian, Daniſh, Swediſh, and Engliſh ſtudents, the laſt of late have been baniſhed as loſt to every ſenſe of glory. The library is one of the moſt capital, not only in Germany, but even in all Europe. A royal ſociety of ſciences, founded in 1751, and a royal German ſociety form part of the univerſity. It has alſo a fine obſervatory, and an exquiſite phyſic garden; with an anatomical theatre, of ingenious conſtruction; a ſchool for teaching midwifry, a ſeminarium philologicum, and an academy of exerciſes. At Hanover are two celebrated gold and ſilver manufactories for galoons and laces, fringes, taſſels, &c. ſilk ſtuffs, leather, ſtockings, and ribbands; and at Gottingen, are a number of woollen manufactures, and one of a kind of dried ſauſſage, or ſmoaked pudding, ſent to all parts, and in high eſteem. It is to this univerſity that the Engliſh princes, ſons of George III. have been ſent for education. I will next ſpeak of

The PRINCIPALITY of WOLFENBUTTLE.

This is a part of the duchy of Brunſwick, and is included in the circle of Lower Saxony. The dioceſe of Hildeſheim and the principality of Halberſtadt divide [248] it into two parts. In this principality are ten boroughs, eight market towns, 386 villages, and 17 ſees and convents. The eſtabliſhed religion is Lutheraniſm. But at Brunſwick, the Calviniſts and papiſts are both permitted the uſe of a church. Not to mention the ſpinning of thread and the weaving of linen, here are ſundry manufactures in wool and ſilk, with houſes for bleaching of wax, which likewiſe is prepared in various ways; and Turkey, and other ſorts of leather are dreſſed here. Its porcelain, lead, iron and ſteel founderies too, are in great repute; and the glaſs-houſes are much admired for the beauty of their productions. Walnut-tree, turnery and cabinet-makers ware, &c. with the celebrated Brunſwick mum and duckſtein, which is beer brewed at Konigſlutter, are not without their celebrity.

Brunſwick is the capital of the country, and reſidence of the Duke. It is a fortified city, and lies on the Ocker, which enters the town by two branches, but within it divides itſelf into a great number, uniting again in one ſtream as it leaves the town. The ramparts are planted with mulberry-trees. The town is large, but its buildings are in the old taſte; however, lately, it has been beautified with new buildings, and its ſtreets better paved. In the library of the palace is a valuable collection of ſcarce and curious bibles, or parts of bibles, in various languages, to the number of 1000 volumes, collected by Elizabeth, widow [249] to duke Auguſtus, in 1731. In this city is an opera houſe and a theatre, ſome good public foundations, and ſeveral manufactories. The firſt ſpinning-wheels were invented here, in 1530, by Jurgen a ſtatuary. Brunſwick has two yearly fairs, and very conſiderable ones.

The number of inhabitants of this city are ſaid to exceed 30,000. The conſtitution of the place affords a military government; for a ſummary law inſtantly decides all litigated points between individuals.

Wolfenbuttle is the chief reſidence of the Duke of Brunſwick-Wolfenbuttle, and is alſo ſituated on the river Ocker, ſeven miles ſouth of Brunſwick, and 30 weſt of Halberſtadt.

It is ſurrounded by bogs and moraſſes, and ſtrong by nature and art. This place Dr. Brooke in his Modern Survey, ſays, is the ſtrongeſt town in Germany. It is well fortified, and elegant in appearance.

The public library is very conſiderable, and reckoned one of the moſt complete in Germany, containing upwards of 200,000 volumes; amongſt which are many curious Mſs. ſome of which were written by the two leaders of the reformation, Luther and Calvin.

[250]This edifice, ſays Dr. Moore, is entirely of wood, nevertheleſs there are ſome very magnificent apartments in it; and a great gallery of pictures, ſome of which are allowed by connoiſſeurs to be excellent. The picture gallery is 200 feet long, 50 broad, and 40 high; and altogether is ſurprizingly elegant in appearance.

In the palace there is a cabinet of porcelain, containing between 7 and 8000 pieces: and in another ſmaller cabinet is ſhewn a collection of coarſe plates, valuable only on account of their having been painted after the deſigns of Raphäel.

The circumjacent country is very pictureſque and pleaſing. A perſon is agreeably ſurpriſed on beholding the number of ſeats and noble manſions; a ſight very rare in Germany, where, if one avoids the towns and courts, you may travel over a great extent of country without perceiving houſes for any order of men, between the prince and the peaſant.

The family of Brunſwick-Wolfenbuttle was, till very lately, divided into three branches, viz. Brunſwick-Proper, Brunſwick-Wolfenbuttle, and Brunſwick-Beveren. The two firſt are extinct, and now the Duke of Bremen is ſtiled Duke of Brunſwick-Wolfenbuttle; as the Elector of Hanover is ſtiled Duke of Brunſwick-Luneburg.

[251]The princes of both houſes are deſcended from Erneſt Duke of Luneburg and Zell; the branch of Wolfenbuttle from Henry his eldeſt ſon, and that of Hanover from William his youngeſt ſon. Indeed this family derives not greater luſtre from its antiquity, then from having given empreſſes to Germany, and from having a younger branch on the throne of Britain.

The eſtabliſhed religion of the principality or duchy is that of Lutheraniſm. Calviniſts and Papiſts are likewiſe tolerated.

In this duchy and capital are ſeveral large manufactories for thread and linen cloth, and other fabrics; beſides all ſorts of dreſſed leather, turnery, foundery wares, lead, glaſs, with various large tobacco manufactories.

The Duke's palace at Salzdalum, or Saltzdahlen, is worthy the curioſity of a traveller; it is ſituated at the diſtance of half a league from Wolfenbuttle, and about a long German mile from Brunſwick, in a very mean village, and the road to it but indifferent. The greateſt part of this palace is of timber; the rooms are moſtly lined with painted cloths, which have a taſte of grandeur at a ſmall expence. Here the garden is in fine taſte, but the ſtatues are very mean. The gallery of pictures is a noble apartment, [252] and its contents not leſs worthy of attention. The end of it divides into ſeveral apartments. The left wing is furniſhed in a groteſque taſte, with porcelaine ranged in an agreeable manner. Another is full of painted enamelled ware, great part of which is ſaid to be done by Rhaphael de Urbino, when he was enamoured with the Potter's daughter. This collection is ſaid to be of above 200 years ſtanding.

Of pictures there are many curious originals, ſome remarkable for the ſubject, and others for the execution.

There are various ſeminaries for learning and educating of youth; but the univerſity of Helmſtadt, which is ſituated about four miles eaſt of Wolfenbuttle, may be reckoned a very excellent finiſhing ſchool.

The revenues of this country are ſaid not to exceed a million and a half of dollars, or 262,000l. and though the court is ſo numerous, the oeconomy of it is ſuch, that the duke has his theatrical and muſical entertainments, and foreigners are received with great civility. Perſons of great diſtinction being conſidered in ſome meaſure upon an equality, ſeldom leave this court without being extremely well ſatisfied with the reception they meet with. Engliſh noblemen in particular are well received when they occaſionally paſs [253] that way. The Duke ſeems to conſult his eaſe and happineſs, rather than the parade of life. He generally appears in his coach with three others of his family. His livery is yellow, laced with a galoon of blue ſilk and ſilver, and has uſually four footmen behind his carriage: two pages in blue cloth laced with ſilver on each ſide of it, and a ſervant in livery riding before him to prepare the way.

The character of the ſovereign at every court has great influence in forming the taſte and manners of the courtiers. This muſt operate with increaſed force in the little courts of Germany, where the parties are brought nearer to each other, and ſpend moſt of their time together. The pleaſure which the ducheſs of Brunſwick took in ſtudy, I mean, ſays Moore, the wife of the late prince Ferdinand, who was the favourite ſiſter of the late king of Pruſſia, made reading very faſhionable among the ladies of that court; of this her royal highneſs gave me a curious inſtance.

A lady, whoſe education had been neglected in her youth, and who had arrived at a very ripe age, without perceiving any inconveniency from the accident; had obtained, by the intereſt of ſome of her relations, a place at the court of Brunſwick. She had not been long there, before ſhe perceived that the converſation in the ducheſs's apartment frequently [254] turned on ſubjects of which ſhe was entirely ignorant, and that thoſe ladies had moſt of her royal highneſs's ear, who were beſt acquainted with books. She regretted, for the firſt time, the neglect of her own education; and although ſhe had hitherto conſidered that kind of knowledge which is derived from reading, as unbecoming a woman of quality, yet, as it was now faſhionable at court, ſhe reſolved to ſtudy hard, that ſhe might get to the top of the mode as faſt as poſſible.

She mentioned this reſolution to the ducheſs, deſiring, at the ſame time, that her highneſs would lend her a book to begin. The ducheſs applauded her deſign, and promiſed to lend her one of the moſt uſeful books in her library. It was a French and German dictionary. Some days after her highneſs enquired how ſhe reliſhed her book. Infinitely, replied the ſtudious lady; it is the moſt delightful book I ever read. The ſentences are all ſhort and eaſily underſtood, and the letters charmingly arranged in ranks, like ſoldiers on the parade; whereas in ſome other books which I have ſeen, they are mingled together in a confuſed manner, like a mere mob, ſo that it is very difficult to know what they mean. But I am no longer ſurprized, added ſhe, at the ſatisfaction your royal highneſs has in ſtudy.

[255]The academy at Brunſwick has been new modelled, and the plan of education improved by the attention, and under the patronage of the hereditary prince, who married the ſiſter of George III. of England. Students reſort to this academy from many parts of Germany, and there are generally ſome young gentlemen from Britain, who are ſent here to be educated.

Such of them as are intended for a military life, will not find ſo many advantages united at any other place on the continent, as at the academy of Brunſwick. They will be here under the protection of a family, particularly partial to the Britiſh nation: every branch of ſcience is taught by maſters of known abilities; the young ſtudent will ſee garriſon-duty regularly performed, and may, by the intereſt of the prince, often have liberty to attend the reviews of the Pruſſian troops at Magdeburg and Berlin. They will have few temptations to expence in a town where they can ſee no example of extravagance; have few opportunities of diſſipation, and none of debauchery.

It is well known that the Germans are fond of maſquerades, and I am not, ſays Dr. Moore, ſurprized at it, eſpecially among thoſe of high rank, being ſo much harraſſed by the ceremony and form, and cramped by the diſtance which birth throws between people who may have a mutual regard for each other. [256] I imagine they are glad to ſeize every opportunity of aſſuming the maſk and domino, that they may taſte the pleaſures of familiar connection and ſocial mirth. In company with the duke of Hamilton I once had the honour of dining at the houſe of a general officer. His ſiſter did the honours of the table, and on the duke's expreſſing his ſurprize that he had never [...]een her at court, he was told ſhe could not poſſibly appear there, becauſe ſhe was not noble. This lady, however, was viſited at home by the ſovereign, and every family of diſtinction, all of whom repined that the eſtabliſhed cuſtom of their country deprived the court of a perſon whoſe character they valued ſo highly. The general's rank in the army was a ſufficient paſſport for him, and would have been for his wife, but was of no ſervice to his ſiſter, for this etiquette is obſerved very rigidly with reſpect to the natives of Germany, though it is greatly relaxed to ſtrangers, particularly the Engliſh, who they imagine have leſs regard for birth and title than any other nation.

The Prince's title is only duke of Brunſwick and Luneburg, but his arms are more extenſive, conſiſting of thirteen fields, with ſuitable emblematical atchievements for ſeveral diſtricts beſides thoſe now mentioned.

The principality of Wolfenbuttle is poſſeſſed of a vote among the princes both in the college of the [257] empire, and likewiſe in the diets of Lower Saxony, in each of which, by virtue of an agreement concluded in 1706, when the ſeniority lies in the houſe of Brunſwick Wolfenbuttle, it precedes thoſe of the elector of Brunſwick and Luneburg, for Zell, Grubenhagen, and Calenburg, but otherwiſe comes after them. Further, the houſe of Wolfenbuttle, when ſenior, obtains the joint directory of the circle of Lower Saxony.

The military force, lately maintained by the Duke, conſiſts generally of four regiments of foot, each of two battalions, a body of horſe-guards, a regiment of dragoons, a militia regiment of five companies, each containing 128 men, with a corps of engineers and matroſſes. The invalids alſo form one regiment.

Brunſwick is a rich populous city, dealing largely in the articles of hides, butter, and mum. It was formerly one of the Hanſe-Towns, and an Imperial city, governed by its own magiſtrates, but now their Duke is an abſolute ſovereign.

The town is of a ſquare form, and upwards of three Engliſh miles in circumference. It has a citadel, erected by the Duke of Brunſwick Wolfenbuttle, when he conquered it in 1671. The Duke's palace and the Stadthouſe are magnificent buildings; the former of which is ſurrounded by a foſſe, and contains [258] a great number of apartments. The walls of every room are hung with prints, from the roof to within two feet of the floor. Perhaps there is not, ſays Dr. Moore, a more complete collection of framed ones in any private houſe or palace in the world.

In the ſquare before the caſtle is a famous ſtone ſtatue, with a lion made of block tin, done after life, with great exactneſs. In the arſenal is a curious gun, ten feet ſix inches long, and nine feet two inches in diameter, which is an unparalleled piece of ordnance, capable of carrying a ball 750lb. weight to a great diſtance.

Brunſwick is the rendezvous of the German Freemaſons, at the head of whom is the Prince; indeed moſt of the proteſtant princes in Germany are members of this numerous order, and it is allowed that it has made many of them more affable and gentle in their manners. Four princes of this illuſtrious houſe fought in the laſt Sileſian war for the honour and freedom of Germany; the youngeſt of them only 17 years of age died, covered with wounds, under a heap of huſſars, who had been the witneſſes of his valour, and whom he comforted to his lateſt breath. This is the elder branch of the houſe of Brunſwick, and the King of England is deſcended from a younger ſon. The preſent Duke is married to the ſiſter of George III. of Great Britain, and is allowed to be one of the [259] firſt generals of the Ruſſian army, and to have the firſt talents for conducting an army.

Being now in the north of Germany, I cannot but obſerve from the general accounts of all travellers, that though the German ladies in the north are, as the women of Florence in the ſouth, far ſuperior to all their countrywomen in life and ſpirit; yet the ideal beauty which dances before the eyes of our artiſts, and ſo often vaniſhes under their pencils, was never taken from Germany; for all the human figures you meet with between Brunſwick and the northern and eaſtern ſeas, are ſo far from poſſeſſing it, that there are no lines of it to be diſcerned among them.

In vain would you look for a girl's body reſembling the Grecian model. There are, it is true, faces enough with very ſoft ſtrokes in them, but they all want the Greek profile and ſpirit; nor has the fine white fleſh the firmneſs inſeparable from a truly fine form. In the lower parts of the Elbe and Weſer, we ſee, indeed, ſome ſnow boſoms, and ſome lily and roſy cheeks, but they ſoon vaniſh when the girls have once paſſed their bloom; and the white is ſo flat and lifeleſs, that you cannot give it the name of a fine form. Even among the Saxons, ſays Reiſbec, the faireſt creatures under the ſun, who are not Grecians, we ſeldom meet with a face which has any appearance of ideal beauty.

CHAP X. Of the Circle of the Upper Rhine.

[260]

THIS circle includes the territories of the different landgraves of Heſſe, Caſſel, Darmſtadt, &c. the Dukedom of Deuxponts; the biſhopricks of Worms and Spire, the territory of Frankfort-on-the-Maine, and the domains of the ſeveral courts of Naſſau, and other ſovereign counties, as alſo the abbey of Fulda, ſubject to its abbot; we will ſpeak of the principal of theſe.

From this circle, ſimply called the circle of the Rhine, almoſt all lands and ſtates ſituated on the other ſide of the Rhine have been from time to time taken away by France; that is to ſay, the greateſt part of the biſhoprick of Straſburg, as alſo thoſe of Metz, Tull and Verdun, together with the archbiſhoprick of Beſancon, the princely abbey of Murbech, the abbey of Munſter, the duchy of Lorraine, and the landvogtey of Hagenau which compriſed the ten ancient Imperial cities of Alſace.

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Figure 13. MAP of the CIRCLES of the UPPER and LOWER RHINE.
Of the TERRITORIES of HESSE-CASSEL and DARMSTADT.

Next to the electors of the empire, the Landgrave of Heſſe-Caſſel is one of the greateſt princes in Germany, and even of thoſe, the electors of Bohemia, Bavaria, Saxony, and Hanover only, are richer and more powerful than he; the Landgravate of Heſſe alone, is above 80 miles long. This country is in general hilly, with a great deal of wood, but interſperſed with fertile vallies and corn fields. The large ſubſidies this court received from Great Britain, during the late wars, with what is given in time of peace, by way of retaining fee, greatly contributed to the preſent flouriſhing ſtate of its finances.

The reigning Prince forſook the proteſtant faith in 1749, and made a public profeſſion of the Romiſh religion in the life of his father. This gave great uneaſineſs to the old prince, and alarmed his ſubjects, who are all proteſtants. The ſtates were aſſembled on this important occaſion, and meaſures were taken to maintain the religious conſtitution of the country againſt any future attempts to ſubvert them. The hereditary prince was excluded from all theſe in the education of [262] his ſons, who were put under the tuition of his firſt wife, daughter of George II. of England, being at that time ſeparated from her huſband. The eldeſt ſon on his father's acceſſion to the Landgravate, was put into poſſeſſion of the county of Hanau, ſo that the people have felt no inconveniency from the change of their Prince's religion; and as he himſelf has reaped no earthly advantage, either in point of profit or honour, by his renouncing, it is preſumed, his highneſs's hopes are now limited to the rewards which may await him in the other world.

The number of his ſubjects is about 330,000, the pariſh paſtors are about 320, and his income amounts to about 220,000l. ſterling; add to this the county of Hanau, which contains 100,000 men, and brings in about 50,000l. a year. The univerſity of Marburg alſo belongs to him.

Heſſe Caſſel is the moſt military country of all Germany; the peaſants are not only in continual diſcipline, but always ready to march any where through the wide world. Sending the Heſſian troops to America, cannot be conſidered as a hardſhip in itſelf, conſidering its intimate connection with Great-Britain; but it was a very unprofitable one for Heſſe. The Engliſh ſubſidies can never make amends for the loſs which the treaty has brought hitherto both on prince and people. The country was ſtripped of all its [263] young men, after the laſt Sileſian war; and ſcarcely had it began to bloom again, when they were ſent to America. At leaſt 20,000 Heſſians, of whom one half will never come home, are gone to that part of the world. The country has therefore loſt a ſixth of its moſt uſeful inhabitants by the tea-burning buſineſs at Boſton. The taxes being very conſiderable, the people deſert in great numbers, and go into Hungary, Poland and Turkey.

The military conſtitution of Heſſe has, on ſeveral occaſions, been as uſeful to the German empire in general, as it has been prejudicial to the people themſelves. So early as the reformation, the Heſſians contributed exceedingly towards maintaining the freedom of the empire, and the Sileſian war would not have ended nearly ſo well for England, or the king of Pruſſia, if 16, or 18,000 brave Heſſians had not ſtood the brunt.

This prince keeps on foot 16,000 men in time of peace, diſciplined according to the Pruſſian plan, the Landgrave himſelf, in 1770, having the rank of field-marſhal in the Pruſſian army. Dr. Moore tells us, that when he was there, which was about twenty years ago, the prince was ſo fond of exerciſing his men, that in bad weather he would have two or three hundred of the firſt battalion of guards in the dining room of his palace, and there make them go through their manoeuvres.

[264]During the life-time of Prince Ferdinand, the hereditary prince reſided at Hanau. He lived there in a ſtate of independency, poſſeſſed of the revenues of that country, guaranteed to him by the kings of Great-Britain, Denmark, and Pruſſia. The prince was not on the beſt terms with his father, and there was no intercourſe between this little court and that of Heſſe-Caſſel.

Heſſe-Caſſel and Darmſtadt formerly belonged to one prince, being divided between the ſons of one man; they are now the property of two families, but that of Heſſe Darmſtadt has the primogeniture. Many articles however are ſtill common between the two princes. Heſſe-Caſſel conſtantly keeps on foot 12 battalions and eight ſquadrons, which are reckoned as ſo many regiments, a troop of huſſars, and 300 matroſſes. Heſſe-Darmſtadt maintains a body of horſe-guards, two companies of grenadier-guards, two ſquadrons of dragoo [...], two regiments of infantry, and four battalions of regular militia. The inhabitants of Heſſe-Darmſtadt are proteſtants, as well as thoſe of Heſſe Caſſel. The univerſities of Marburg a [...]d [...]intein belong to Heſſe-Caſſel, that of Geiſſen, to the Houſe of Darmſtadt, and the prince of Darmſtadt has about half the revenue of the prince of Heſſe-Caſſel. The prince of Heſſe-Caſſel reſides at Caſſel, the prince of Heſſe-Darmſtadt, at Darmſtadt.

[265]The city of Caſſel is ſituated on the river Fulda. It conſiſts of an old and new town; the river divides them, over which is a ſtone bridge. The old town, which is the largeſt and moſt conſiderable, forms a ſemicircle on a hill, and, like the lower new town, is old faſhioned; but the French, or upper new town, betwixt which and the old town lies the eſplanade, being delightfully planted with rows of trees, is very regular and handſome. The ſtreets are beautiful, but not over-crouded with inhabitants. Here the nobility and officers of the court have their reſidence.

Beſides the large chateau in the town of Caſſel, which is the Landgrave's winter-reſidence, he has ſeveral villas and caſtles in different parts of his dominions. Immediately without the town there is a very beautiful building, in which he dwells for the moſt part of the ſummer; the apartments here are neat and commodious, ſome of them adorned with antique ſtatues of conſiderable value. Round the palace are ſome noble parks and gardens, with a very complete orangery and a menagerie, with a conſiderable collection of curious animals. In the Lycaeum is an anatomical theatre, a cabinet of natural curioſities, and an obſervatory well furniſhed with inſtruments. Among their curioſities they have a ſword which was conſecrated by the pope, and ſent to [266] one of the princes of this family, at his ſetting out on an expedition to the holy land.

Near the old chateau, and a little to one ſide, is a colonade of ſmall pillars, lately built, and intended as an ornament to the ancient caſtle, though in a very different ſtyle of architecture. The ſlimneſs of their form appears the more remarkable on account of their vicinity to this Gothic ſtructure. I mention this to introduce an anecdote.

Some time ſince, a mountebank came to Caſſel, who, beſides many wonderful feats, pretended that he could ſwallow and digeſt ſtones. A Heſſian officer, walking before the chateau, with an Engliſh gentleman who then happened to be at Caſſel, aſked him, what he thought of the fine new colonade? It is very fine, indeed, replied the ſtranger; but, if you wiſh it to be durable, take care not to ſuffer your mountebank to walk this way before breakfaſt.

Nothing in the country of Heſſe is more worthy of the admiration of travellers, than the Gothic temple and caſcade at Waſenſtein; there was originally, at this place, an old building uſed by the princes of this family as a kind of hunting-houſe. It is ſituated at the bottom of a high mountain, on the face of which is a ſeries of artificial cataracts, caſcades, and [267] various kinds of water-works, in the nobleſt ſtile that can be conceived.

The principal caſcades are in the middle; and, on each ſide, are ſtairs of large black ſtones of a flinty texture, brought from a rock at a conſiderable diſtance. Each of theſe ſtairs conſiſts of 800 ſteps from the bottom to the ſummit of the mountain; and when the works are allowed to play, the water flowing over them forms two continued chains of ſmaller caſcades. At convenient diſtances, as you aſcend, are four platforms, with a ſpacious baſon in each, alſo grottoes and caves, ornamented with ſhell-work, ſtatues of Naïads and ſea-divinities. The water ruſhes from the ſummit of this mountain in various ſhapes: ſometimes in detached caſcades; ſometimes in large ſheets, like broad chryſtalline rivers; at one place it is broken by a rock conſiſting of huge ſtones. There are alſo fountains which eject the water in columns of five or ſix inches diameter to a conſiderable height: all this has a very brilliant effect when viewed from the bottom.

On the higheſt part of the mountain a Gothic temple is built; and on the top of that, an obeliſk, crowned by a Coloſſal ſtatue of Hercules, leaning on his club, in the attitude of the Farneſe Hercules. This figure is of copper, and 30 feet in height; there is a ſtair-caſe within the club, by which a man may [268] aſcend, and have a view of the country from a window at the top.

Waſenſtein, ſays Moore, is, upon the whole, infinitely the nobleſt work of the kind I ever ſaw; and he had travelled over the greateſt part of Europe. I have been aſſured, continues he, there is nothing equal to it. It has not the air of a modern work, but rather conveys the idea of Roman magnificence.

Moore was at this court about 20 years ſince, with the duke of Hamilton, and gives us the following relation of their ſtile of living there for one day; which, with little variations, will anſwer for other days; and as all the German courts endeavour to imitate each other, it will ſerve to ſhew how young noblemen generally ſpend their time in travel. We went, ſays he, to the palace, about half an hour before dinner was ſerved, where we found all the officers that were united, aſſembled in a large room. The Landgrave ſoon appeared, and continued converſing with the company till his conſort, and the ladies with her, arrived. The company then walked to the dining-parlour, where there were about 30 covers every day, and the ſame number in an adjoining room. The doors being left open between theſe apartments, the whole formed, in a manner, but one company. The repaſt continued about two hours, during which, the converſation was carried [269] on with ſome little appearance of conſtraint, and rather in a low voice; except when either of their highneſſes ſpoke to any perſon ſeated at a diſtance.

After dinner the company returned to the room where they firſt aſſembled. In this they remained till the Landgrave retired, which he uſually did within a quarter of an hour; ſoon after the company ſeparated till ſeven in the evening; when they again aſſembled, and cards were then introduced, and gaming continued about two hours. The Landgrave then ſaluted her highneſs on both cheeks, and retired to his own apartment, whilſt ſhe and the reſt of the company went to ſupper. At this repaſt there was leſs formality, and, of courſe, more eaſe and gaiety than at dinner.

When her highneſs roſe from table, moſt of the company attended her up ſtairs to a ſpacious antichamber, where ſhe remained converſing a few minutes, and then retired. Theſe general forms were ſometimes varied by a concert in the Landgrave's apartments. There were alſo certain days of gala, diſtinguiſhed only by the company's being more numerous and better dreſſed than uſual.

During the carnival there were two or three maſquerades. On theſe occaſions, the court aſſembled about ſix in the evening, the men being all in dominos [270] and the ladies in their uſual dreſs, or with the addition of a few fanciful ornaments. They amuſed themſelves with cards and converſation till ſupper. During this interval, a gentleman of the court carried a parcel of tickets on his hat, equal to the number of men in company. Theſe were preſented to the ladies, each of whom drew one. Tickets, in the ſame manner, were preſented to the men, who drew likewiſe, keeping their tickets till cards were over. The officer then called number one, on which the couple who drew that number came forward, and the gentleman led the lady into the ſupper-room, ſat by her, and was her partner for the reſt of the evening. In like manner every other number was called.

After ſupper all the company put on their maſks; her highneſs was led into the ball-room; the reſt followed, each lady handed in by her partner. The landgravine and her partner walked to the upper end of the room; the next couple ſtopped at a ſmall diſtance below them; the third next to the ſecond, and ſo on, till this double file reached the whole length of the room. From this arrangement one would naturally expect a country dance. No, a minuet is all. The muſic began; and all the maſkers, conſiſting of 20 or 30 couple, walked a minuet together. This being over, which was rather a confuſed affair, every one ſat down, the landgravine excepted, who generally [271] danced nine or ten minuets ſucceſſively with as many different gentlemen. She then took her ſeat till the reſt of the company had danced minuets; which being over, cotillons and country-dances begun and continued till four or five in the morning.

Beſides the company who ſupped at court, the rooms were generally crowded with maſks from the town, ſome of whom were in fancy dreſſes, and kept themſelves concealed all the time; and although thoſe who came from the court were known when they entered the ball-rooms, many of them ſlipped out afterwards and changed their dreſſes and returned to amuſe themſelves by teaſing their friends in their aſſumed characters, as is uſual at maſquerades.

The country-dances were compoſed of all perſons, promiſcuouſly, who were inclined to join in them. Two women of pleaſure who had come to paſs the carnival at Caſſel, in the exerciſe of their profeſſion, and were well known to many of the officers, danced every maſquerade night in the country-dance which her highneſs led down: for the maſk annihilates ceremony, puts every one on a footing, and not unfrequently, while it conceals the face moſt effectually, ſerves the more to diſcover the real character and inclinations of the wearer.

[272]The playhouſe is neat, though ſmall. The front gallery, with a convenient room behind, is appropriated to the court. When the prince or princeſs ſtands up, whether between the acts, or during the repreſentation, all the audience do the ſame. From the arrival of the company of French comedians, who remain ſix weeks or two months, the court has a new reſource. The Landgrave pays them a ſtipulated ſum for acting twice a week during that time; and they have ſcarce any emolument beſides; for the people of Caſſel, who are Calviniſts, ſhew no great paſſion for dramatic entertainments.

Whilſt the players are here, the gala-days are more frequent and brilliant. I obſerved, continues the ſame author, two perſons in the drawing room ſaluting each other with great politeneſs and apparent regard; but neither of them was a Heſſian, a little after one of them touched my ſhoulder, and, pointing to the other, whiſpered in my ear, Prenez garde, Monſieur, de cet homme, c'eſt un grand Coquin. The other, within a few minutes, came up to me, ſaying, Croyez vous, Monſieur, que vous puiſſiez reconnoitre un fou, ſi je vous le r [...]mtrois? Le voilà, added he, ſhewing the perſon who had whiſpered me before. I have been ſince told, by thoſe who knew both, that each had hit exactly upon the other's character.

[273]This little trait I have related merely on account of its ſingularity, and to ſhew how very different the manners of this court and the ſentiments of the courtiers here, with regard to each other, are from thoſe of St. James's.

The Heſſians, ſays Baron Reiſbec, take them in general, are deformed to a degree. The women are the uglieſt creatures I ever ſaw; their dreſs is horrid. Moſt of them are clad in black, and wear their petticoats ſo high, that you can ſee no ſhape,—the ugly thick leg, as high as the knee, is moſt conſpicuous. The men, in ſome degree, make up in ſtrength, what is wanting in beauty. Upon the whole, though not a large, they are a ſtout ſtrong-built people. Here and there you ſee a gigantic figure; but they have all large bodies and large feet. Moſt of them are white, and their hair is criſp. Their way of living is ſuch, that their beſt food is potatoes and brandy, which laſt they give even to their children.

The people are much the ſame in the Fuldeſe. The whole tract of country, from Caſſel to the borders of Franconia, is rough and wild. The people are like the country, which abounds in woods and hills.

[274]The abbot or Prince of Fulda, calls the pope his brother. He is, without doubt, the richeſt abbot in the catholic world; the number of his ſubjects amount to 700,000; and he has an income of thirty thouſand pounds ſterling. The palace of Fulda is a very pretty building, and not without good company. The Abbot has eſtabliſhed ſeveral uſeful eſtabliſhments for education, and allows his eccleſiaſtics a freedom in ſpeaking and writing, which diſtinguiſhes them from thoſe of the other parts of Germany.

Notwithſtanding this tolerant ſpirit and knowledge, the prieſthood are far beyond their brethren of Auſtria and Bavaria, but there are ſome exceptions to the general character. Reiſbec ſays, he was ſpeaking to a prieſt here about the excluſion of witches, with which this government has been ſo often and ſo juſtly reproached, that he did not at firſt ſeem to underſtand him; but at laſt replied, with a confidential air, that the moſt intelligent perſons were not ſatisfied with the grounds of trial; as ſeveral learned divines had determined, that the woman who had been lately burnt for a witch, might have been Obſeſſa, as well as circumceſſa, by the devil; as much as to ſay, that the devil was not abſolutely in the circumference of her body; but that Satan, in order to play her into the hands of juſtice, made the miracles ſeem to come from her belly, and blinded the ſpectators at her coſt; and the ſame author aſſures, as they told him [275] at Wurtzburg, with a ſerious, confidential face, that the watch cannot be ſet, in a certain ſtreet, between 11 and 12 at night, on account of a very dangerous man walking at this time through it, who carries his body under his right arm.

Darmſtadt, the reſidence of the prince of Heſſe Darmſtadt, is ſeated on a river of the ſame name in a fruitful and pleaſant country. Its fertility may be inferred from the largeneſs of aſparagus. Keyſler ſaw a head that weighed half a pound. The gardeners in Auſtria lay ſmall ſticks over the beds when they begin to ſhoot, to ſhelter them from the weather and cold winds. Darmſtadt contains a new palace, one church, the burial-place of the family, a regency, a court of appeals, a conſiſtory, a criminal court, a grammar ſchool, and an orphan-houſe. There is no regular fortification round the town, but a very high ſtone wall, not ſo much to defend it againſt an enemy, as to prevent deſertion; for the ſoldiers ſeemed to take no delight in the warlike amuſements which conſtituted the ſupreme joy of the Prince.

Centinels (Moore tells us, when he was there) were placed, at ſmall diſtances, all round the wall; who were obliged to be extremely alert. One ſoldier gave the words, all is well, in German, to his neighbour on the right, who immediately called the ſame to the centinel beyond him; and ſo it went [276] round till the firſt ſoldier received it from the left, which he tranſmitted to the right, as formerly; and ſo the call circulated, without intermiſſion, through the whole night. Every other part of garriſon-duty is performed with equal exactneſs, and all neglects as ſeverely puniſhed, as if an enemy was at the gates.

The men are ſeldom in bed more than two nights out of the three. This, with the attention requiſite to keep their clothes and accoutrements clean, is very hard duty, eſpecially when the froſt is uncommonly keen, as it often is, and the ground covered with ſnow. The Prince has a ſmall body of cavalry, dreſſed in buff coats, and magnificently accoutred; theſe are his horſe-guards; and they are all not leſs in height than ſix feet three inches Engliſh; ſeveral of them conſiderably above it.

The Prince of Heſſe Darmſtadt formerly kept a greater number of troops; at preſent, his whole army does not exceed 5000; and there are thoſe who blame him for keeping ſo many; as an army of 5000 men, though ſufficient to burthen the country, is not ſufficient to defend it; as the number is far too great for amuſement, and infinitely too ſmall for any manner of uſe; as his finances are too much diſordered to ſupport ſuch an eſtabliſhment; and as agriculture and manufactures muſt ſuffer by [277] taking away the ſtouteſt men and exhauſting their ſtrength in uſeleſs parade.

The parade is an object of great attention at this place. Prince George has a moſt enthuſiaſtic paſſion for military manoeuvres and evolutions. Drilling and exerciſing his ſoldiers are his chief amuſement; and almoſt his whole employ; and that he may enjoy this in all kinds of weather and at every ſeaſon of the year, he has built a room ſufficiently capacious to admit 1500 men to perform their exerciſe in it altogether. This room is accommodated with 16 ſtoves, by which it may be kept at the exact degrees of temperature, which ſuits his highneſs's conſtitution. The Darmſtadt ſoldiers are tall, tolerably well clothed, and, above all things, remarkably well powdered. They go through their exerciſe with that dexterity which may be expected of men who are conſtantly employed in the ſame action, under the eye of their prince, who is an admirable judge and ſevere critic in this part of the military art.

Darmſtadt, ſays Baron Reiſbec, is a ſmall, but lovely place, where there is charming ſociety. If it depended upon myſelf to fix the place of my abode, I do not know where I ſhould pitch my tent ſo willingly as here. You are in the midſt of ſeveral large cities not far diſtant from each other. The air is good, proviſions are cheap, and you have it always in your [278] power to unite the city and country life. Add to this, the popularity of the court, the delicate Engliſh garden open to every one, the magnificent parade, the number of agreeable women and the hunting-parties, which are to be made at no great expence, render it a moſt deſirable habitation.

Some diſtricts of this country are uncommonly fruitful; the aſparagus of Darmſtadt are famous all over Germany for their ſize and beauty; at ſeveral places they make a tolerable wine. The little hamlet of Gerau ſells from four to five thouſand guilder's worth of cabbage, every year. The villages here have an uncommon neat and gay aſpect. The peaſants are a ſtrong and handſome race of men, well boned and well ſinewed. Better or more active troops than the three Darmſtadt regiments of infantry are not to be ſeen in Germany; nor are they to be purchaſed as the troops of Heſſe Caſſel.

The farms between this and Frankfort would paſs for towns in Bavaria or the north of Germany. They all beſpeak a high ſtate of opulence in the inhabitants. The beggary we occaſionally ſee, are the conſequence of the way of thinking of the German-catholics, who are liberal to a degree; and if there were not ſo many givers, the beggars would learn to work. A peaſant is, in general, extremely happy throughout the whole country. He is almoſt every where a freeman and [279] oppreſſed with no hard taxes. The earth yields uncommon returns, and the corn of this country is exported, far and wide, on the Rhine.

The duke of Hamilton accompanied a nobleman to his country-ſeat near Darmſtadt. The carriage was of a peculiar conſtruction. The nobleman ſat on a low ſeat next the horſe; the duke on a higher place, behind him. Each of theſe is made for one perſon alone; but, behind all, there was a wooden ſeat, in the ſhape of a little horſe, on which two ſervants were mounted. The uſual poſt-chaiſes in this country hold ſix perſons with eaſe; and perſons even of the firſt rank have generally two or three ſervants in the chaiſe with them. In point of oeconomy, theſe carriages are well imagined, and, in time of froſt, not inconvenient; for here travellers take ſpecial care to defend themſelves againſt the cold, by cloaks lined with fur. But when it rains hard, two of the company, at leaſt, muſt be drenched; for the German chaiſes are never entirely covered over.

The contraſt of character between the French and German is ſtrongly illuſtrated in the behaviour of the poſtillions of the two countries. A French poſtillion is generally either laughing or fretting, or ſinging, or ſwearing, all the time he is on the road. If a hill, or a bad road, oblige him to go ſlow, he will, of a ſudden, crack his whip over his head for a quarter of [280] an hour together, without rhime or reaſon; for he knows the horſes cannot go faſter, and he does not intend they ſhould. All this noiſe and emotion, therefore, means nothing; and proceeds entirely from that abhorrence of quiet which every Frenchman ſucks in with his mother's milk. A German poſtillion, on the contrary, drives four horſes with all poſſible tranquillity. He neither ſings nor frets, nor laughs nor ſwears; he only ſmokes; and when he comes near a narrow defile, ſounds his trumpet to prevent any carriage from entering, at the other end, till he has got through. If you call to him, to go faſter, he turns about, looks you in the face, takes his pipe from his mouth, and ſays, yaw, Mynheer, yaw, yaw; and then proceeds exactly in the ſame pace as before. He is no way affected, whether the road be good or bad; whether it rains, or ſhines, or ſnows: and he ſeems regardleſs of the perſons whom he drives, and equally callous to their reproach or applauſe. He has one object, of which he never loſes ſight, which is, to conduct your chaiſe and its contents from one part to another, in the manner he thinks beſt for himſelf and the horſes. And unleſs his pipe goes out (in which caſe, he ſtrikes his flint, and rekindles it) he ſeems not to have another idea, during the whole journey; your beſt courſe is to let him have his own way at firſt, for it will come to that at laſt. All your noiſe and bluſter are vain.

[281]
Not the proud tyrant's fierceſt threat;
Nor ſtorms, that from their dark retreat,
The lawleſs ſurges wake;
Not Jove's dread bolts that ſhakes the pole,
The firmer purpoſe of his ſoul,
With all it's pow'r, can ſhake.
BLACKLOCKE.

In 1731, Keyſler ſaw a very ſtrong ſtag-hart that drew in a chaiſe, and five others, bridled and put to a coach, which were as tractable as ſo many horſes.

Frankfort on the Maine is a free Imperial city, the uſual place of the election and coronation of the kings of the Romans, the place where the ſtates of the Rhine-circles meet, one of the four legeſtadts in Germany, and celebrated for its commerce. It lies in a delightful, fertile and healthy country along the Maine, which divides it into two parts. Frankfort and Sachſenhauſen, the former being the largeſt, is divided into 12 wards; the latter into two. Both are reckoned to contain 3000 houſes, large and ſmall, and not a few of them modern; ſome of them are rather ſtately palaces, particularly the palace of the prince de la Tours and the German houſe, an auguſt edifice near the bridge, which is 400 feet long, ſupported on 14 wide arches. It has three principal ſquares; in one is the town-houſe, an old-faſhioned building, the fore-part of which is ſupported by arches; under [282] it, in fair-time, are a number of toy-ſhops. Over theſe arches is a ſtall, where the Emperor uſually dines after his coronation, and into which opens the chamber, where the election of a new chamber is canvaſſed. Among the archives of the town-houſe is kept the celebrated golden bull of the emperor Charles IV, which is a parchment book of 43 quarto leaves, containing the fundamental inſtitutes of the empire, written in Latin capitals; which famous piece is kept in a tortoiſhell bag, ſet with mother of pearl and lined with yellow velvet; a ſight of it coſts a ducat.

A countryman of our's, who expected more amuſement for his money, complained loudly of this as an impoſition; and on hearing a German talk of the high price every thing bore in England, retorted on him in theſe words. Il n'y a rien en Angleterre ſi cher que votre taureau d'or à Frankfort.

The horſe-market, one of the ſquares is laid out in walks and rows of trees. In the town are three arſenals. The magiſtrates and city officers profeſs Lutheraniſm, which is the eſtabliſhed religion; but moſt of the churches, and thoſe too the chief, are in the hands of the catholics. French and German Calviniſts are very numerous here, and are doubtleſs the richeſt of the inhabitants; but the inquiſitorial ſtate of the Lutheran clergy will not allow them a church; [283] and they are forced to go three miles out of town, every Sunday morning throughout the year, to worſhip. There is a common ſaying at Frankfort, "that the Roman-catholics have the churches; the Lutherans, the magiſtrates, and the Calviniſts, the money." The number of coaches that attend on a Sunday morning, to carry the congregation, is about 250. Hackney-coaches are hired, by four perſons, at ten guineas for the year. The Jews have a public and a very conſiderable ſynagogue, their number is about 6000; they are confined to a certain narrow ſtreet, built up at one end, with a gate at the other, and are regularly ſhut up at a certain hour of the night. There are ſome who are worth a million, and vie with the chriſtians in every article of expence. Their induſtry is not to be conceived; they are pimps, language-maſters, fencing-maſters, dancing-maſters, writing and arithmetic maſters, and their daughters are at the ſervice of the uncircumciſed. Thoſe who go into their ſtreet are in danger of being preſſed to death by them; they fall upon ſtrangers by dozens, and compel them to buy their wares. It is very difficult for a man to diſentangle himſelf from them, without the help of a good ſtick, and they call to ſtrangers from the diſtance of three or four hundred paces. The houſes of their well-encompaſſed ſtreet are filled to the very top with inhabitants. In ſeven of them, which hardly occupied a ſpace of 50 yards, and were burned down ſome years [284] ſince, there were 1200 perſons. But, on the other hand, there is often only one family in the houſes belonging to the rich. This is the ſign of an incredible affluence; for houſe-rent is dearer in this ſtreet, than in any part of London, Paris, or any other great city. There is a law which forbids the Jews to live any where out of their own quarter, but the magiſtrate winks at the breaking it; and only renews it from time to time, to extort money from thoſe who chuſe to live elſewhere.

The catholic foundations and convents are ſubject to the archbiſhopric of Mentz. In the cathedral of St. Bartholomew is a ſmall chapel where the Emperor is elected. Two other churches are collegiate; in the whole there are about 12. The city is fortified, and it contains nine companies of ſoldiers. It has ſeveral villages within its territory, and is governed by its own magiſtracy. It's yearly revenue is about 70,000l. ſterling.

In the cathedral is a curious clock, conſiſting of three parts; it is divided into ſeveral circles, ſhewing the days and months, the golden number, the dominical letter, the age and change of the moon, the ancient Roman calendar, the names of the apoſtles and martyrs, the length of the days and nights, the entrance of the ſun into the twelve ſigns of the zodiac, the riſing and ſetting of the ſun, the months, the ſeaſons, [285] and the variable feaſts. The figures which ſtrike the hours, repreſent two ſmiths with hammers in their hands. This curious piece of clock-work was put up in 1605; and repaired, for the firſt time, in 1704.

Cabinets of curioſities are found in almoſt every conſiderable town in Germany; ſo great a number of private collections are made. Strangers cannot pay their court better, to ſuch collectors, than by requeſting permiſſion to ſee their muſeum; but the misfortune of attending them is, that the proprietor waits on you himſelf, and gives you the hiſtory of every piece of ore, petrefaction, and monſter he has; and as this lecture is given gratis, aſſumes the right of making it as long as he pleaſes, till he quite tires you.

In the year 1731, when Keyſler was there, he ſaw, in the cabinet of Dr. John Kiſmer, a learned phyſician, who died in 1734, a very remarkable human ſkull, which is ſaid to have petrified on a gibbet; alſo the head of an elephant, dug up near Gotha in 1695, where the whole ſkeleton was found; it was at the depth of eleven ells, on an eminence, where the beſt white ſand, for hour-glaſſes, is found. It had four large teeth, each weighed 12lb. and two horns, each four ells long. Where this extraordinary ſkeleton was dug, a large quantity of long and round ſhells were found. A Frankfort ell is about two feet three inches.

[286]In a garden in this city is a hazel-tree, which the Frankfort chronicles make mention of 250 years ago; whoſe trunk, in the lower part, is ſeven Frankfort ells in girth. Its height equal to that of the houſes near it, and it has nuts every year; the ſhells of the nuts are very thick, but the kernels like thoſe of other nuts. The emperor, Leopold I. dined twice under this tree. This ſoil muſt be particularly favourable to hazels, for though the adjacent grounds yield only common ſhrubs, yet, Reiſbec ſays, four hazel trees, planted within 15 years, were then above 20 feet high. The above-mentioned old tree was beginning to decay in 1731.

The ſtreets of Frankfort are ſpacious and well paved, the houſes ſtately, clean and convenient; the outſides of them are very ſplendid, and the ſtyle of the architecture ſhews that the inhabitants know how to lay out their money with taſte. There are about thirty inhabitants in the place that are worth 50,000l. each, and there may be about 200 houſes who have incomes of 10,000l. a-year and more: there is a high appearance of affluence throughout; the furniture of their houſes, their gardens, their equipage, dreſs and female ornaments, every thing in ſhort, beſpeak a ſtate above the ordinary citizen, approaching the extreme of magnificence. In a word, the air and genteel manners of the people ſufficiently ſhew, without other information, that there is no little [287] deſpot within their walls to impoveriſh them in ſupport of his grandeur, and to put every action of their lives, every movement of their bodies, under reſtraint by his caprice.

The houſes are of brick, but have a better appearance than brick houſes in general, owing to their chiefly being covered with a kind of reddiſh ſtucco lately come into uſe, and which it is thought will render the buildings more durable. The fronts of many of the fineſt are alſo adorned with baſs-reliefs of white ſtucco, in imitation of marble; theſe white ornaments on the red ground form too ſtrong a contraſt, and do not pleaſe an eye fond of ſimplicity, but the Germans in general have a taſte for ſhewy ornaments in their dreſs, furniture, and houſes.

Though the principal church is in the poſſeſſion of the Roman-catholics, no proceſſion of the Hoſt is permitted through the ſtreets, and the ceremonies of this religion is confined to houſes of individuals, or performed within the walls of this church.

There is a cuſtom obſerved here, which I ſhall mention, on account of its ſingularity, though its origin cannot be learned; two women appear every day at noon on the battlements of the principal ſteeple, and play ſome very ſolemn airs with trumpets, their muſic is accompanied by vocal pſalmody, performed by four [288] or five men, who always attend the female trumpeters for that purpoſe.

The people here have a great taſte for pſalm-ſinging; there are a conſiderable number of men and boys who make it their only profeſſion. They are engaged by ſome families to officiate two or three times aweek in the morning, before the maſter and miſtreſs of the family riſe. When any perſon in tolerable circumſtances dies, a band of theſe ſweet ſingers aſſemble in the ſtreets before the houſe, and chaunt an hour every day to the corpſe till it is interred. The ſame band accompanies the funeral, ſinging hymns all the way.

Funerals are conducted with an uncommon degree of ſolemnity in this town, a man dreſſed in a black cloak, and carrying a crucifix at the end of a long pole, leads the proceſſion. A great number of hired mourners in the ſame dreſs, each with a lemon in his hand, march after him. Then come the ſingers followed by the corpſe in a hearſe, and laſtly the relations in mourning coaches. The crucifix is carried in this manner at all funerals, proteſtant or Roman-catholic.

Many of the Calviniſt families here are deſcendants of French proteſtants who left their country at the revolution of the edict of Nantz. There are ſome [289] villages near Frankfort conſiſting entirely of French refugees, who deſerting their country at the ſame time have ſettled here in cluſters. Their deſcendants ſpeak French in their common converſation, and retain many of their original cuſtoms to this hour. Two or three families now living at Frankfort are of Engliſh origin, their predeceſſors firſt fled to Holland during the perſecutions in the reign of Mary, and being afterwards driven out of that country by the cruelty of the Duke of Alva, found an aſylum in this free Imperial city.

The Jews in Frankfort are obliged to fetch water when fire happens in any part of the city, and the magiſtrates, in return, permit them to chooſe judges out of their own body for deciding diſputes among themſelves.

Frankfort, ſays Baron Reiſbec, is a fine large city; there is no city in Germany which has larger and more magnificent inns. Excepting Hamburg, this is the only Imperial city which keeps up all its priſtine ſplendour. The inns, ſays Dr. Moore, for cleanlineſs, conveniency and number of apartments, are ſuperior to any I ſaw on the continent, and vie with our moſt magnificent inns in England; at theſe, as at all other inns in Germany and Switzerland, there is an ordinary at which ſtrangers may dine and ſup. It is a true table d'hôte, the landlord ſitting at the bottom of the table, [290] carving, which is not the caſe in France; there is no private lodgings to be had here as at London, nor any hôtels garnis, as at Paris; ſtrangers therefore are obliged to put up at inns, during their ſtay in any of the towns, and travellers of every denomination in this country under the rank of ſovereign princes, make no ſcruple of eating occaſionally at the table d'hôte of the inn where they lodge; which cuſtom is univerſally followed by ſtrangers from every country on the continent of Europe; even ladies themſelves, in a journey, eat at theſe ordinaries, where all orders of ſuperior rank are for the time laid aſide.

The celebrated colleges have a wonderful inſtitution. Theſe conſiſt of aſſociations of people of ſome rank, who aſſemble on a certain day. There are colleges of nobility, of artiſts of all kinds, of bookſellers, of doctors of law and phyſic; and, in ſhort, of all orders. It is not difficult for a ſtranger to be introduced to theſe; and the advantage he derives by it, of being acquainted, in an hour, with the moſt reſpectable people of his own rank, is incredible.

Society here is divided into nobleſſe and burgeois, the firſt conſiſts of ſome noble families from various parts of Germany, and who have choſen this place for their reſidence, and ſome few original citizens of Frankfort, who have now attained the rank of nobility, ſome of theſe nobility take pains to point out the eſſential [291] difference there is, and the diſtinction that ought to be, made between them and the burghers, who always, according to their opinion, retain a vulgarity of ſenment and manners, unknown to thoſe whoſe blood has poured through ſeveral generations, unmixed with that puddle which ſtagnates in the veins of Plebeians. But the Plebeians, in return, ſmile at ſuch nobleſſe, and take pains, by a magnificent ſhew, to convince the world they are the greateſt men of the two.

Moore ſays, he was one day riding along the banks of the Maine, in the territories of the elector of Mentz, and obſerved a building, which ſeemed to be the reſidence of ſome prince, or ſovereign biſhop at leaſt; was ſurpriſed he had never heard it ſpoken of before, having a more magnificent appearance than any modern building he had ſeen ſince his arrival in Germany. He rode up, and on entering it, found that the apartments within, though not laid out in the beſt taſte, ſeemed to correſpond, in point of expence, with the external appearance.

On enquiry, he was informed that this palace belonged to a tobacconiſt in Frankfort, where he ſtill kept ſhop, and had accumulated a prodigious fortune by making and ſelling ſnuff.

[292]Near to the principal houſe was another great building intended for a manufactory, with apartments for workmen, and vaulted cellars for ſtore-houſes. There were exactly 300 rooms in both buildings, and the greater number of them belonged to the dwelling-houſes. The owner of theſe premiſes is an Italian, of the name of Bolongaro, and his ſnuff is known by the ſame name; the government of Frankfort wanted to tax him as an out-burgher, and he was called on to lay an account of his property before the regency. He offered an immenſe ſum of money, if they would take his word for the ſum total; but nothing would ſatisfy them but an exact inventory. This enraged him, and he withdrew himſelf into the territory of Mentz, to a place called Hochſt, ſix miles from Frankfort. The conſequence of this is, that he now pays at leaſt 8000 guilders leſs to the cuſtoms of Frankfort, than he did before, when his whole buſineſs was done in that city. The legiſlature of Mentz have built him a crane, on the Maine, before his palace, and Mr. Bolongaro has carried his revenge ſtill further, by enticing one of the moſt intelligent of his countrymen, out of one of the beſt houſes in Frankfort, and entered into partnerſhip with him, for eſtabliſhing a commerce in drugs, the moſt capital branch of trade in Frankfort. To encourage Bolongaro, the government of Mentz have granted him an exemption of cuſtom for 20 years, which ſoon put 16,000l. into his pocket. Almoſt all [293] his tobacco is prepared up the country; and even the greateſt part of it is exported from Frankfort, he only removed that part of his trade to Hochſt, which he could not ſo well carry on at Frankfort, and availed himſelf of the privileges of a citizen of Mentz, to hurt his former place of reſidence. This man is ſuppoſed to be worth 150,000l. ſterling, and has ſpent more than a third of the ſum on his vaſt pile of buildings.

There is a public aſſembly at Frankfort once a week for the nobility, at which they drink tea, converſe, and play at cards from ſix till ten. On the other nights the ſame company meet alternately at each others houſes, and paſs the evening in the ſame manner. None of the burgeois families are invited to theſe parties; but they have aſſemblies of the ſame kind among themſelves, and often entertain their friends and ſtrangers in a very hoſpitable manner. The nobility who reſide at Frankfort, and the nobility of all degrees and every nation, who accidentally paſs through it, chearfully accept of theſe invitations to dine with the citizens; but none of the German ladies of quality condeſcend ſo far.

Diſtinction of ranks is obſerved in Germany with all the ſcrupulous preciſion, that a matter of that importance deſerves. There is a public concert in Frankfort, ſupported by ſubſcription. One would imagine that the ſubſcribers ſhould take their ſeats as they entered [294] the room, and that thoſe who came earlieſt would have their choice as in England. No ſuch thing. The firſt two rows are kept for the ladies of quality; officers and daughters of the citizens muſt be contented to ſit behind. Whilſt Moore was there, the theatre was opened for the winter, by a troop of German comedians; he was preſent the firſt night, and, previous to the play, there was a kind of allegorical compliment to the magiſtrates of the place. This was performed by Juſtice, Wiſdom, and Plenty, each of whom appeared in perſon with the uſual attributes. The laſt, ſays he, was very properly perſonated by a large fat woman big with child. As to the two former, I hope for the ſake of the good people of Frankfort, that they are better repreſented in the town council, than they were on the ſtage. The prologue was concluded by a long harangue pronounced by the plumpeſt Apollo, I dare venture to ſay, that ever appeared "in the heavens above, or in the earth beneath."

The play was a German tranſlation of the Engliſh play of George Barnwell, with conſiderable alterations. Barnwell is repreſented as an imprudent young man, but does not murder his uncle as in the Engliſh play, or commit any groſs crime. The tranſlator, therefore, inſtead of hanging, only marries him at the end of the piece.

[295]Moſt of the plays repreſented on the German ſtage, are tranſlations from the Engliſh or French for Germany, ſo fertile in writers of divinity, juriſprudence, medicine, chemiſtry, and other parts of natural philophy, has produced few poets till of late; but ‘"Now a new progeny from heaven deſcend,"’ and the German muſic is admired all over Europe. Her beauties are felt and applauded by men of genius, and even through the medium of a tranſlation, which is a ſtrong proof of her original energy. It is, however, a great diſcouragement to German poetry in general, and to the dramatic in particular; but the French language prevails in all the courts, and French plays are repreſented there in preference to German.

The native language of the country is treated like a vulgar and provincial dialect, whilſt the French is cultivated as the only proper language for people of faſhion. I have met, ſays Moore, with perſons who conſidered it as an accompliſhment to be unable to expreſs themſelves in the language of their country, and who have pretended to be more ignorant in this particular, than in reality they were.

That the German language is nervous, copious, moſt expreſſive, and capable of all the graces of poetry, [296] appears by the works of ſeveral late writers, who have endeavoured to check this unnatural prejudice in their countrymen, and to reſtore the language of their anceſtors to its native honours.

Among the winter amuſements of this place, traineau parties may be reckoned. Theſe can take place in the time of froſt only, and when there is a conſiderable quantity of ſnow upon the ground. I have given a repreſentation of theſe traineaus, when ſpeaking of Vienna. (See the plate, page 296). There is a little difference at Frankfort, the traineau is there drawn by two horſes inſtead of one, and ſometimes conducted by a poſtilion. And in the Frankfort traineau, a pole is fixed up on one ſide of it, to which an enſign or flag is faſtened, which waves over the heads of thoſe, placed on the machine, and the horſes have little bells hanging to the trappings.

Whole proceſſions of ſuch traineaus parade the ſtreets of Frankfort at night; the horſes go a briſk trot, or canter; the bells, enſigns, and torches make a gay, ſhewy appearance, and the motion in them is eaſy and agreeable.

CHAP. XI. Of the Circle of the Lower Rhine.

[297]

THIS circle is ſometimes called the Electoral Rheniſh Circle; and ſometimes the Circle of the four Electors on the Rhine; it terminates on that of Weſtphalia, Franconia, Suabia, and Burgundy, as alſo on Loraine and Alſace, dividing the circle of the Upper Rhine. Its real extent is ſcarce to be determined, but in conjunction with the Upper Rhine, it amounts to 960 ſquare German miles.

The preſent ſtates of this circle are the Electors of Mentz, Treves, and Cologne, with the Elector Palatine, the Duke of Aremburg, the Prince of Taxis, the Teutonic bailiwick of Coblentz, the Prince of Naſſau Dietz, on account of the ſeignory of Beilſtein and the Count of Sinzendorf, as burgrave of Rheineck. The ſummoning prince is the Elector of Mentz. The religion is mixed.

THE ELECTORATE OF MENTZ.

The Electorates of Mentz, Treves, and Cologne, are eccleſiaſtical ſtates and archbiſhopricks. In the electoral counties of Mentz, which are in this circle, there are forty-one cities, and twenty-one boroughs. In the proper archbiſhopric there are no proprietary nobles, but the nobility there belong to the body of the immediate [298] knighthood of the empire. In it are alſo no provincial ſtates, except on the Eichsfelde.

The electorate affords ſufficient ſubſiſtence for the inhabitants; excluſive of corn, are alſo fine garden-fruits and breeds of cattle, with an abundance of excellent wines, particularly the Rheniſh wines that grow in the Rheingau. Here and there too are iron-mines. This ſtate is watered with the Rhine, the Mayne, and two other rivers. In the archbiſhopric are ſome woollen and other manufactures; at Hochſt, an ingenious porcelain, and on Eichsfelde, they cultivate tobacco and flax.

The electorate is inſeparably connected with the archbiſhopric, and the archbiſhop is choſen by a free choice of the chapter, which conſiſts of twenty-four perſons, viz. five prelates, and nineteen capitulars. The former wear a mitre, the reſt are generally prieſts, but need not be ſo. When the archbiſhop is choſen, he muſt have the papal confirmation, and this is expenſive, and he is obliged to pay the Pope 10,000 florins annually, and is ſubject to him; he is, however, the firſt archbiſhop of Germany and firſt of the electors. His title is N. N. by the grace of God, of the holy ſee of Mentz, archbiſhop of the Roman empire throughout all Germany, archchancellor and elector, &c. The arms are a wheel argent in a field of g [...]les, with the addition of the family-arms. At the aſſemblies of the Emperor and ſtates, the Elector [299] of Mentz appears not only every where as the firſt ſtate of the empire, and next after the King of the Romans, but he alſo regulates all conſultations relative thereto. The biſhopricks ſubject to Mentz, are Worms, Spire, Straſburg, Conſtance, Auſburg, Chur, Wurzburg, Eichſtadt, Padderborn, Hildeſheim, and the abbey of Fulda; the electoral revenues are eſtimated at about 1,200,000 florins (a florin fourteen-pence Engliſh). The military conſiſts of a life-guard of horſe, a number of dragoons, three regiments of foot, and three provincial regiments.

Mentz is the capital of the electorate, lying on the Rhine, and not far from the Mayne; it is reckoned a barrier fortreſs of the empire, and the Circle of the Upper Rhine conſiders it as one of its fortreſſes, therefore keeps it under certain reſtrictions. The city itſelf is very large and populous, but conſiſts, for the moſt part, of narrow ſtreets and old faſhioned burghers houſes; though, in ſome few places, we ſee ſome fine buildings and a conſiderable palace. The electoral palace of Martinſburg, which, in 1750, received the addition of a beautiful new wing, together with the well built Favorita of the Elector, have fine gardens belonging to them. It has a cathedral, ſeven pariſh-churches, a benedictine prelature, a Jeſuits college, ſix monaſteries, five nunneries, ſix hoſpitals, and a univerſity.

The greateſt part of the town conſiſts of a heap of [300] black houſes, many of which threaten to fall into the narrow ſtreets; but the northern part of the city is full of very regular buildings; here are three ſtreets, called the Blerchen, a mile and a half long, which run parallel to each other from the banks of the Rhine, and are cut almoſt regularly by very pretty croſs ſtreets. The archbiſhop's palace has a commanding view of theſe ſtreets, the Rhine and the Rhinegau. The beaſt-market is well worth ſeeing, and the market in the middle of the town is one of the fineſt places in Germany.

The cathedral is an immenſe large, old Gothic building, the ſpire of which, being wood, was ſtruck with lightning ſome years ago, and burnt fourteen houſes before it was conſumed; it is now re-built with ſtone, and coſt 4000l. ſterling; but this grand edifice is ſo choaked up with ſhops and houſes, as ſcarce to be viſible; the ſcarcity of ground in the city occaſions this, a ſhop and ſingle room to live in, letting for 15l. Engliſh per annum; there is ſcarce another church in Germany of the height and length of this cathedral. The inſide is decorated with ſeveral magnificent monuments of princes and other great perſonages; in it is a treaſury, ſhewn for a ducat or two, conſiſting of jewels, rich veſtments, and other church-furniture. The other churches are modern. In another century the externals of the city will be quite changed; for new ſtreets are forming, and the houſes rebuilding.

[301]Before the Rhine reaches Mentz it is joined by the Mayne, and the waters of theſe rivers continue unmixed a conſiderable way from the place of their conflux, nearly the diſtance of four miles. A bridge of boats croſſes the Rhine at Mentz, 766 paces long, Roman hiſtorians make very early mention of this city; ſome will have the Eichelſtein, or acorn-ſtone, ſo called from its figure, to be the tomb of Claudius Druſus Germanicus, but the opinion is founded on a weak foundation, it ſtands within the citadel, on St. Jacobſberg.

The inhabitants, who together with the garriſon, amount to 30,000, are a good kind of people, who, like all the catholics of Germany, pride themſelves in a good table; their faces are intereſting, and they are not deficient either in wit or activity. There is no catholic ſtate which contains ſo many learned and deep-thinking men as this does, or ſo rich and numerous a nobility; there are ſome houſes here with eſtates of 10,000l. a-year, ſixteen or eighteen houſes have from 1500l. a-year to 3000l. The nobility of this place are ſome of the oldeſt and moſt untainted in Germany. After the Pope, there is no doubt but the Archbiſhop of Mentz is the moſt conſiderable and richeſt prelate in the chriſtian world. The provinces the moſt conſiderable in the whole papal dominions, all Swabia, Franconia, Bohemia, and almoſt all Saxony, with a part of Friezland, Bavaria and the Upper Rhine, belong [302] to this dioceſe, and the temporalities annexed to it add greatly to its ſplendor. Though the Elector of Mentz does not abſolutely poſſeſs the largeſt, yet he certainly has the richeſt and moſt populous domain of any eccleſiaſtical potentate in Germany. The country does not contain more than 125 German ſquare miles, whereas Saltſburg contains 240, but then Saltſburg has only 250,000 inhabitants, whereas Mentz has 320,000, Saltſburg has but ten cities, Mentz has forty. The clergy in this place are the richeſt in Germany, a canonry brings in 3500 Rheniſh guilders in a moderate year (362l.) the provoſtſhip is upwards of 4000l. a-year, the richeſt in Germany; the income of the chapter amounts to upwards of 30,000l. a year. Many of the canons have three or four prebends, ſo that there is ſcarce a man among them who has leſs than 8 or 900l. a year. The late provoſt, a count of Elts, had prebends enough to procure him an income of near 8000l. To give my readers an idea of the riches of the monaſteries of this place, I need only mention that at the deſtruction of the Jeſuits, their cellars of wine which ſold cheap, produced 120,000 rix-dollars, each rix-dollar, 3s. 6d. A little while ſince the Elector aboliſhed a Carthuſian convent and two nunneries, in the holy cellars of which there was found wine, to the value of at leaſt 500,000 rix-dollars.

Notwithſtanding this great wealth, there is not a more regular clergy in all Germany than in this place. [303] The nobility here refuſe the burgeois admittance among them; ſpeak a miſerable French jargon, and are aſhamed of their mother-tongue, of courſe know nothing of the literature of their own country; and their tables, dreſſes, and equipage, are all in the high Pariſian ton.

The peaſants are ſtrongly built, and are diſtinguiſhed from the people of Bavaria and the reſt of Germany, by their ruddy freſh complexions: the former have very ſallow complexions; but though the peaſants are ſtrong, they are not well limbed, owing to the abſurd cuſtom of ſwaddling their infants; their knees are either all bent in like a taylor's, or ſtand out ſtraight like a ſtick. Black and brown hair is much more common than white, the characteriſtic of the Germans in the time of Tacitus.

There is a great deal of wine made in the countries ſouth and weſt of the Rhine, but the true Rheniſh, which ſells here for 3s. 6d. a bottle, comes only from the Rhinegau, which lies on the northern banks of the Rhine. Reiſbec tells us he went to the Rheingau on a party of pleaſure, and was preſent at one of the prettieſt village feſtivities he ever beheld. It was that of a gentleman celebrating the firſt ripe bunch of grapes his vineyard produced, a cuſtom religiouſly obſerved by all the rich inhabitants of this country. On a ſudden the doors of his ſaloon were opened, and there came forth before it in feſtive order, a band of [304] muſic followed by two pretty girls, well dreſſed, who brought in a large bunch of grapes on a table, covered with a fine cloth; the ſides of the table were ornamented with flowers. They put the bunch of grapes into the middle, on a kind of throne that was raiſed on the table; this being done, the proprietor of the vineyard made an excellent ſpeech, ſuited to the nature of the feſtivity, and then they danced round the grapes. Can there be a more ſacred, or more reſpectable holiday than that, in which we joyfully thank the Creator for the benefits he has beſtowed upon us?

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Figure 14. THE VINEYARD FESTIVAL

In the approach to Mentz, the city preſents itſelf to your eyes, with a majeſty not to be deſcribed. The numberleſs brooks which deck its banks, as well as the numerous and magnificent towers of its churches, are reflected by the clear ſtream of the river. In a word, Dreſden, magnificent as it is, is ſcarce to be compared with Mentz.

In the territory of Mentz, behind Cronberg is a mountain called Altkoniger, or the Old King, which raiſes its head above the ridge of hills that protects the fine plain along the ſide of the Mayne, between Frankfort and Mentz, from the rude north winds. Reiſbec aſcended this mountain for the ſake of viewing the riſing ſun; to the ſouth it overlooks a plain thirty-three miles broad, terminated by the mountains Speſſart, and Odenwalde, the foreſt of Speſſart adjoining has a road through it ſixteen miles long, but very ſafe travelling, being guarded by Huſſars. In this plain you ſee all the villages, hamlets, and towns, between Frankfort and the Mayne; the eaſtern view is cloſed by the Speſſart, fifty-one miles diſtant. All the country along the Mayne and Neckar, lies like a map under the feet. In order to enjoy the ſight of the riſing ſun from this mountain, Baron Reiſbec wrapt himſelf in furs, though in a warm Auguſt, and made a [306] fire of wood in the night, but the break of day fully overpaid the toils of the night. Never did I feel, ſays he, my own exiſtence, or that of the Being that animates all nature more fully than at the inſtant in which the firſt ray of the moon gilded the tops of the Speſſart and Odenwalde, both which at a diſtance appeared to be iſlands of fire. As far as this hill, all was thick darkneſs, but this eaſtern view appeared like an illuminated iſland ſwimming in the black ocean of night. The morning, ſpreading wider and wider, ſhewed us the moſt beautiful landſcape in miniature that we had ever ſeen; we beheld villages afar off in the ſhade, which one ray of the morning ſun broke through and diſpelled the darkneſs of. By degrees we ſaw the ſeparation of the hills with their ſeveral tracks and windings; every thing appeared as a fine and well illumined landſcape through a perſpective glaſs. A ſenſation never before experienced took poſſeſſion of me: in beholding the ſcene, I felt as if expanded, and as if a weight was taken off my heart, and I breathed a pure air. But the firſt break of the ſun ſurpaſſed all the beauties of the dawn; the grandeur, variety and magnificence of this appearance is above deſcription. The plain ſeventy-five miles long and forty-two broad, which lies between the Speſſart, the Donnerſberg, and the eaſtern part of the Odenwalde, and our hills were overſpread with large ſtreaks of light contraſted in the ſtrongeſt manner, with the thickneſs of the ſhade. The top of the Donnerſberg [307] was gilded over, whilſt deep darkneſs brooded at his feet, and over all the Rhine beneath. We were ourſelves in light, but the plains and villages below were in a kind of half darkneſs, broken only by the reflection of the light from the hills on which we ſtood; the elevated parts of the immenſe plains which lay before us, broke through that darkneſs, with a cheerfulneſs which brought them much nearer to our view, and produced the moſt agreeable deception. Now, a ſpire emerged from the gloom, next the ſummit of a hill covered with wood, and then a whole village with its trees ſeemed to ſwim upon the earth; here lay a corn field in ſight, as it were, and raiſed up from the country round it. The river Mayne, which hitherto appeared like a dark ſtripe of the proſpect, began alſo to be illumined with ſilver, and the Rhine in a ſimilar manner was ſoon brought nearer to our eyes; this was followed with ſuch a blaze, ſuch a flood of light — but I feel I am attempting to deſcribe a ſcene that is indeſcribable, and to which I am inadequate. In ſhort, I have often ſeen, ſays our author, the ſun riſe, but never ſo magnificently as on the Altkonig. A man may travel through many countries and not meet with ſo favourable a ſpot as this, for ſuch an object.

Notwithſtanding the great reduction made by the archbiſhop of Mentz on his civil liſt, it ſtill remains by much too immoderate and expenſive; he has his [308] miniſters, his counſellors of ſtate, and eighty or ninety privy counſellors of various denominations. The expence of this eſtabliſhment is diſproportionate to the revenue of the ſtate, owing to the large number of poor nobility who can only accept of employments of this kind. Ignorance of the true principles of government are the cauſes of this evil; the conſequences are, that a great number of perſons who might be uſefully employed, live in idleneſs.

The military eſtabliſhment ſeems equally diſproportionate. At the acceſſion of the preſent Elector, though the whole army conſiſted only of 2200 men, there were ſix generals; the regular eſtabliſhment paid for, and ſupported by the country is 8000 men, though only 2000 are kept up. This army conſiſts of a German guard of fifty men, and twenty-five horſes; a ſquadron of Huſſars of 130 men (the moſt uſeful of the whole, as they ſerve as a patrol through the roads, and purge the land of robbers and murderers) a corps of artillery of 104 men, three regiments of infantry of 600 men each, and ſome companies belonging to the armies of Franconia and the Upper Palatinate.

Of the fortifications of Mentz, we may ſay much the ſame as of the army. Were they improved and kept up as they ought to be, they would vie with Luxemburg, and be the moſt powerful of all the barriers of France. The beauty and ſize of them are [309] objects of wonder, but though great ſums have been expended in building them, part of them are ſtill unfiniſhed, and parts are falling to decay. Their extent would require a great army to garriſon them, but this is evidently beyond the power of this court, or indeed, the whole circle of the Upper Rhine united, of courſe are to be looked upon as one of thoſe things, which ſerve more for ſhew than for uſe.

Whilſt the greater courts of Germany are endeavouring to ſimplify their ſeveral ſyſtems as much as poſſible, and to introduce efficacious economy; the diſſipation, pomp and love of outſide ſhow of the leſſer ones, is beyond all bounds, and paſt all belief. Theſe courts very much reſemble the expenſive puppet-ſhew theatre of Prince Eſtherhaſi. The orcheſtra is fine, the ſcenes beautiful, and machinery delectable, but the actors are only puppets, deficient in what conſtitutes true greatneſs. This reproach, however, does not ſo much affect the preſent Archbiſhop, who, as far as circumſtances allow him, is, perhaps, the only prelate, who endeavours to render his court more uſeful than oſtentatious.

Was I to deſcribe all the little courts of Germany, and all the capital cities, it would take up many volumes of this work; if I deſcribe the principal, I truſt my readers will think it ſufficient, there being a ſimilarity throughout the whole. I ſhall proceed, therefore, to [310] the electorate or archbiſhopric of Treves, which is bounded on the weſt, by Luxemburg; on the ſouth, by the territories of the elector palatine of the Upper Rhine; and on the north, by the archbiſhopric of Cologne. Its length is about eighty miles, its breadth various.

THE ELECTORATE OF TREVES.

The country here is rather mountainous and ſandy, but contains good paſturage and ſome cattle-land, yet much corn is imported; the growth of wines here, on the Moſel, is conſiderable; there is alſo plenty of game, and ſome valuable mines. The archbiſhopric contains twenty-eight towns, of which Treves is the capital. The nobility of this electorate enjoy almoſt a third of its eſtates. The electoral ſubjects are Roman-catholics, but there are ſome proteſtants ſubject to the Elector.

The Archbiſhop is choſen by the chapter; he is the ſecond ſpiritual elector, and his title is—"By the grace of God, archbiſhop of Treves, of the holy Roman empire, throughout Gaul and the kingdom of Arles, archchancellor and elector. The arms of Trems are a ſhield quartered, in whoſe upper dexter field and lower field ſiniſter, is a croſs of gules in a field argent. The ſuffragans to this archbiſhopric, are Metz, Tull, and Verdun. The chapter conſiſts of forty canons, all of [311] noble family. The chamber revenues of the Elector amount to about 50,000 rix-dollars (each three ſhillings and ſix-pence); he has an army of between eleven and twelve hundred men, and a life-guard of forty.

Triers or Treves was a town of note before the chriſtian aera; it was the head town of the firſt Belgium, the reſidence of the ancient Roman emperors, and ſo early as the days of Conſtantine the Great, it was the capital of all Gaul. Of the ancient town, there are ſome remains, particularly of the Roman theatre; the cathedral church ſtands on a hill, and is a large building; there are three collegiate churches, and five pariſh ones, with three Jeſuits colleges, thirteen convents, and a univerſity. The city is of a ſquare form, it is ſeated between two mountains on the Moſel, over which there is a fine ſtone bridge. The churches, monaſteries, and the Elector's palace, are eſteemed magnificent buildings, but have ſuffered in the late wars.

Coblentz is the ſecond city in this electorate, fifty miles N. E. of Treves, ſituated at the confluence of the Rhine and Moſel, wonderfully pleaſant, ſurrounded with vineyards, and at the diſtance of forty miles from Cologne. It is of a triangular form, having two of its ſides waſhed by the above rivers, and the third encloſed with a wall and modern fortifications; [312] its convenient ſituation has rendered it a town of good trade, in corn, wine, wood, and iron; the houſes are well built, and the ſtreets uniform; there is a ſtone bridge over the Moſel, and a bridge of boats over the Rhine; and on the oppoſite ſide of the Rhine, a caſtle, on a hill, commanding the town and the paſſage of both rivers, and at the bottom of this hill ſtands the Elector's palace, the front of which, and the two large wings, look towards the rivers.

Coblentz is a very pretty city, the uſual reſidence of the Elector, and yet rather a dead place; it contains about 12,000 inhabitants. The elector is alſo biſhop of Auſburg, which brings him in near 20,000 guilders; he has alſo another appointment that brings him in 8000 guilders; theſe, with the income of the electorate, would almoſt make me think with Bellarmine, "Only make me Pope (ſaid a Roman patrician to one who wanted to convert him), and I will be a chriſtian!"

THE ELECTORATE OF COLOGNE.

The country between Coblentz and Cologne is very fine and very well peopled; there is a beautiful town near the latter, viz. Newvied, quite a new town, regularly built, and full of induſtry. The inhabitants enjoy not only a perfect freedom of religion, [313] but an exemption from taxes. It is a colony of Moravians; but Bonn is the largeſt and handſomeſt town between Coblentz and Cologne; it is the reſidence of the Elector of Cologne, and contains 12,000 inhabitants.

The territories belonging to the archbiſhopric lie not all together, but are many of them ſeparated from each other by foreign territories; the chief part of it lies along the Rhine, and is above eighty miles in length, but very narrow. Theſe countries are of a very different nature; one mountainous and woody, another ſandy, and a third very fruitful.

This electorate has fifty-two towns, and ſeventeen boroughs; the land-diets are held at Bonn. Roman-catholics only enjoy the public exerciſe of their reliligion, but it has alſo many proteſtants. The Elector's title is, "By the grace of God, &c. archbiſhop of Cologne, and archchancellor of the holy Roman empire throughout all Italy; alſo elector and legatus natus of the holy apoſtolic ſee, Duke of Engern and Weſtphalia, &c." The arms of Cologne are a croſs ſable in a field argent. The electoral revenues are but ſmall; the military eſtabliſhment is a life-guard of halbardiers and yeomen, and a regiment of footguards.

[314]Near Rentz, on the Rhine, in this electorate, is to be ſeen the Konigſtuhl, or Thronus regelis, a remarkable piece of antiquity, conſiſting of a round vault, built of free-ſtone, and reſting upon nine ſtone pillars, one of which ſtands in the middle. This vault is eight German ells and a quarter high (each German ell half an Engliſh one) forty and half a quarter in compaſs, and twelve and a quarter in diameter, being furniſhed above with ſeven ſeats, agreeable to the number of electors at that time; the aſcent to it is by ſtairs of ſtone, conſiſting of ſeventy-eight ſteps, and it has two ſtone doors. On this regal chair the electors formerly held conſultations for ſome time, concerning the election of the king and emperor, previous to the election day at Frankfort, and whenever any thing prevented the election at that place, it was held here. The emperor, Henry VII. was here elected in 1308; here alſo was eſtabliſhed the electoral league in 1338; but it has not been uſed ſince the election of Maximilian I.

Cologne, an Imperial city, in the circle of Weſtphalia, is nevertheleſs the capital of the electorate, and of courſe mentioned here, it lies on the Rhine in the form of a ſemicircle, and is one of the oldeſt and largeſt cities, but at the ſame time, the uglieſt in all Germany; not a ſingle building worth ſeeing within its walls, which are nine miles in circumference; moſt of the houſes are falling to the ground, and a [315] great part of them ſtands quite empty; and as to the population, we cannot give a better idea of it than by ſaying, that every large houſe, with a court, ſtables, and a large garden, in one of the beſt ſtreets in the city will not let for more than about 5l. 10s. a year Engliſh. Round the walls which encloſe the whole domain of the ſtate, there are ſome hundred farm houſes, which produce all the vegetables, with as much butter, cheeſe, and milk, as is uſed in the city. In many ſtreets there is dung laying before the houſes on each ſide; many are ſo empty that you may walk in them for an hour and not ſee a ſingle perſon. The great ſquare or place would, however, from its ſize and the beautiful rows of lime-trees in it, be one of the moſt magnificent in the world, if it was not darkened by the half-fallen buildings about it.

The city was built before the time of the Romans; it is a free Imperial one, and maintains four companies of ſoldiers. In time of war it is garriſoned. Though the fortifications ſeem to have but little ſtrength, they are of vaſt extent, incloſing a great deal of ground that is not built on, and many gardens and vineyards of more than 300 acres. It has twenty-four gates, a vaſt number of public buildings, twenty-ſeven churches, thirty chapels, twelve monaſteries, twenty-two nunneries, and four large hoſpitals. The public edifices indeed are ſo numerous, in proportion to the city, that moſt of it is taken up with them; the [316] ſtreets are large and well paved, but there are only two ſquares or market-places. The cathedral is a large building, would be very magnificent if it were finiſhed, but that is not the caſe, though it was begun in 1254. In this cathedral they ſhew three ſkulls, richly enſhrined, which according to tradition, belonged to the wiſe men that came from the Eaſt to worſhip our Saviour, firſt brought to Conſtantinople by the mother of Conſtantine the Great, from thence moved to Milan, and in 1164, removed to Cologne. In the church of St. Gereon, they expoſe to view the heads of 1000 ſaints, who are ſaid to have ſuffered martyrdom under the emperor Maximilian. The foreſt of ſhips in the port, and the numerous church-ſteeples give Cologne at a diſtance, a very magnificent appearance, but it all vaniſhes on entering the city. The ſtreets and inhabitants, ſays Reiſbec, are alike dark and ugly; I came by water, and I had ſcarce made my entry, when I met with an event which gave me no very high idea of the police of the place. On my landing from the veſſel, they ſent a ſoldier with me to the inn, to ſearch my baggage; but we were no ſooner alone, than he told me how old he was, what a trouble it would be for him to go to the inn, and provided I would give him a few pence, I might go where I pleaſed; but I had hardly got rid of him, when a heap of beggars aſſailed me and followed me quite to the inn. Indeed a third part of the inhabitants are privileged beggars, who form here a regular [317] corporation; they ſit upon rows of ſtools in every church, and take precedence according to ſeniority. When the oldeſt dies, his next neighbour takes his place; the old people who belong to the fraternity, conſider a place upon theſe ſtools as a proviſion for a ſon, or a marriage portion for a daughter. Many of them have ſtools belonging to them in ſeveral churches, which they viſit alternately on the days of the moſt brilliant feſtivities, and divide among their heirs when they die. On the few days of the year on which there are no feſtivities, they diſperſe about the city and moleſt the paſſengers, with an inſolence and rudeneſs not to be conceived. Here it was king Charles II. of England ſpent the laſt two years of his exile.

When I came to the inn, continues the Baron, the hoſteſs was bargaining with a dirty Monk to ſay a maſs for her, he aſked fourteen ſtivers (that is fourteen pence) and ſhe would give him only twelve. At laſt when they had ſtruck their bargain, and the prieſt was gone, there came another who had overheard all that paſſed, and offered her, if ſhe would be off, to ſay maſs for ten ſtivers. One third of the inhabitants I have obſerved are beggars, another third are eccleſiaſtics; for beſides the numerous convents, the place is crowded with a motley race of men, which are called abbés, not ſuch powdered, ſmirking, eccleſiaſtic beaux as are ſeen at Paris, who make parties with the [318] ladies and attend at their levees; but rough and dirty clowns, beſmeared all over with tobacco, who play for pence with the peaſants in public ale-houſes, or after having ſaid maſs in the morning, run of errands, clean ſhoes, or are porters for the reſt of the day. I have never ſeen the church, ſays Reiſbec, in ſo contemptible a ſtate as it is here. There are ſeveral eccleſiaſtics, who do not themſelves know what they are. I was acquainted with a canon who made 2000 guilders annually of his ſtall, but who told me himſelf that he neither ſaid maſs, or ſaw his church for twelve months together. I met another of them in a coffee-houſe kept by a young woman whom he loved, but who was likewiſe courted by a merchant's clerk. The rivals having engaged in a game of billiards, from words proceeded to blows, until the prebendary was fairly laid under the table. When I had, with ſome difficulty, made peace, the clerk went his way, and another extraordinary ſcene followed. The canon had a pretty young man with him, whom he had lodged and boarded for ſome time; he took it ſo ill that this toad-eater had not taken his part, that after reproaching him with the favours he had conferred upon him, he renounced his friendſhip before the whole company. The part of the French abbés is played here by theſe regular canons, the Antonites and the prieſts of the order of Malta; you ſee them about the ladies in all great houſes. As to the nuns, Reiſbec aſſures us, there were four big with child [319] when he was there, and ſix were immured for not having underſtood the art of not being with child. In the firſt days of my abode here, the ſon of a gentleman to whom I was recommended, took me with him to a nunnery to ſee his ſiſter, we found her with another friend in a ſick room where they are allowed to receive viſits. In the firſt quarter of an hour of the viſit, I diſcovered that my friend was not come to ſee his ſiſter, and that her friend's diſorder was not very dangerous. I found the ſiſter agreeable enough, not to be tired of her, whilſt the brother was entertained by the friend. The next week the ſiſter was ill and the friend attended her to the hoſpital; ſhe gratefully returned the favour the week after, and I ſoon found that, let me ſtay here as long as I pleaſed, we ſhould have viſits to make every week, till the whole circle of diſeaſes had been gone through by theſe nuns.

Want of proper government is the cauſe of the unlimited freedom which is enjoyed by the eccleſiaſtics of this place, they live in the greateſt anarchy; for though they are properly ſubject to the Archbiſhop of Cologne, the magiſtracy of the place is jealous of the Archbiſhop's power, and will ſuffer none of his orders relating to diſcipline to be carried into execution; thus between the two powers, poor diſcipline falls to the ground.

[320]The laſt third of the people conſiſts of ſome patrician families and of merchants and mechanics, on whom the other two parts live. On the whole, Cologne is at leaſt a century behind the reſt of Germany, Bavaria itſelf not excepted. Bigotry, ill manners, clowniſhneſs, ſlothfulneſs are viſible every where, and the ſpeech, dreſs, and furniture of the houſes, every thing, in ſhort, is ſo different from what is ſeen in the reſt of Germany, that you conceive yourſelf in the midſt of a colony of ſtrangers. There are certainly ſome exceptions where maſters of families are diſtinguiſhed for their taſte and elegant manner of living, but theſe exceptions are very few.

It is owing to the government of the country that this city is ſo far behind the other ſtates of Germany. Together with the hatred of innovation common to all republics, and the uſual impatience and weakneſs of the magiſtrates, the abſurd corporation-ſyſtem prevails here with more force than in any other of the free Imperial cities. One inſtance will ſhew how impoſſible it is for this town ever to go on improving, as the reſt of Germany has done. A few years ſince ſettled here, a baker from the Palatinate, who from the circumſtance of the other bakers, baking ſuch bread as only an inhabitant of Cologne could eat, ſoon carried on a thriving trade. Jealouſy at his good fortune, ſoon brought his brethren of the company to his houſe, who pulled down his oven. The affair was [321] brought before a court of juſtice; on the day it was to be determined, not only the company of bakers, but the other companies of barbers, ſhoemakers, &c. aſſembled round the court-houſe and ſwore they would put an end to the magiſtrates and magiſtracy together, if they licenſed any man to bake better bread than the other gentlemen of the corps. The magiſtracy knew its men, who, on a former occaſion had huſtled ſome of them in the church-yard, and admoniſhed by the precedent, they made this ſpirited decree. "That whereas the audacious baker had taken upon him to bake bread, ſuch as the reſt of the corporation did not bake, he ſhould build up his oven again at his own expence, and for the future be cautious and only bake ſuch bread as the town has been uſed to feed upon."

The obſtinacy with which the ſeveral corporations of the place defend their privileges, the rudeneſs of the common people, which ſome think proper to dignify with the name of liberty, and the immoderate and unreſtrained licentiouſneſs which univerſally obtains, render Cologne very deſerving of the name of Little London, and indeed by which name ſome of its inhabitants love to diſtinguiſh it. Like the Great London, it is remarkable for the pride of the common people and the inſolence with which they treat ſtrangers. Having behaved rather impertinently to their neighbours, the elector of Cologne, and the elector [322] Palatine; an attempt was made to reform them in the moſt effectual way, by cutting off their proviſions. The magiſtracy immediately diſpatched meſſengers to the Emperor to acquaint him that they were upon the point of being ſtarved to death, and in the mean time the burghers rubbed up their old ſwords, and aſſembling in crowds in the ale-houſes and other public places of the city, denounced death and vengeance on the Elector. The Emperor out of pity had the interdict taken off, and ever ſince the populace have exclaimed, "we have brought the Elector to reaſon, he was appriſed of our intended march, and has acted very wiſely in not ſuffering matters to run to extremities!" Preciſely in the ſtyle of a London mob.

The government of the city conſiſts of ſix burgo-maſters, ſeven aldermen, and one hundred and fifty common councilmen, who all continue for life. Two of the burgo-maſters are regents by turns; the aldermen are appointed by the archbiſhop, and the common council elected by the trading companies of the city. A governing burgo-maſter of Cologne holds nearly the ſame ſtate as the Lord Mayor of London. He wears a Roman toga, half black, half purple, a large Spaniſh hat, Spaniſh breeches, and waiſtcoat, &c. he has alſo his lictors, who carry the faſces before him when he appears in his public character. In the laſt war, a French regiment deſired to march through the city, but it was oppoſed, on the pretence that the [323] king of Pruſſia was their liege lord, as duke of Cleves and count of the Mark, and they told the colonel, who deſired to have the gates opened to him, that they were determined to obſerve a ſtrict neutrality. It was in vain for him to remonſtrate that he was conducting auxiliary troops to the ſervice of the Emperor, their ſovereign lord. The gates were kept ſhut, and nothing leſs than the pleaſure of having their houſes burnt about their ears, would content the mob of the place. However, when the cannon were planted and ready to fire, the council thought better of it, and to the great mortification of the populace determined to permit the paſſage. The commanding officer, as ſoon as he had got in, made the beſt of his way immediately to the hall to remonſtrate with the mayor, whom he found with all the inſignia of majeſty on his throne, encompaſſed with his lictors. As theſe however did not prevent a few remarks being made, the magiſtrate immediately drew up, and ordering the lictors to raiſe the faſces, aſked the colonel "whether he had a proper conception of the dignity of a Roman burgo-maſter, or whether he knew that he repreſented the majeſty of the Roman Caeſars, and had opened the gates to him merely out of good will." The officer who had drawn up his troops with their bayonets fixed, and firelocks primed, in the great ſquare, and was in full poſſeſſion of the city, could not abſtain from laughing, but as he had already the door in his hand, [324] the only anſwer he made was, "you are not quite right in your head."

The want of all police, a want which in this town conſtitutes the eſſence of liberty, brings here from the Upper Rhine, Weſtphalia, the Imperial Netherlands, France, and Holland, vaſt numbers of people who chooſe to live incognito. There are very good ſocieties to be met with, made up of the better ſort of theſe adventurers, numerous Pruſſian and Imperial officers, the canons of the place, ſome patrician and proteſtant merchants. For though the eſtabliſhed religion of the place is Roman-catholic, yet the principal merchants and tradeſmen are proteſtants, of whom the Lutherans have a church in the city, but the Calviniſts are obliged to go ſix miles on the other ſide the Rhine, to Mulheim to worſhip. The briſk navigation, particularly of the Dutch, for which this town is the ſtaple, and which they dare not paſs by; the low price of all the neceſſaries of life; the neighbourhood of Bonn, the total abſence of the inſupportable court airs, and inſolence of the nobleſſe, which is met with in almoſt every other city, the wholeſomeneſs of the air, and the cheerfulneſs of the inhabitants of the neighbouring electorate and duchy of Berg, renders, this is a very agreeable abode to thoſe who wiſh to mix ſomewhat of the country with the city life, notwithſtanding the diſagreeable manners of the majority.

[325]Theſe moroſe and heavy people are equally diſtinguiſhed from the reſt of Europe, for their religious, as well as for their political ſuperſtitions. The republican pride gives a colouring to every thing done here, which cannot but highly intereſt a friend of humanity, were it only to make him laugh; which was the uſe Democritus of Abdera made of his fellow citizens, to the no ſmall advantage of his lungs.

The ſuperſtition of this Little London ſurpaſſes every thing we can imagine. They are not contented here with ſingle ſaints, but muſt have whole armies of them. In the church of St. Urſula, is ſhewn the tomb of that ſaint, who, if their records may be credited, came over from Britain, with 1100 virgins, to convert the infidels of this country, and who all ſuffered martyrdom under the Huns; and although a collection of 11,000 Britiſh virgins in the days of the heptarchy, may appear an impoſſibility on the face of it, a man who ſhould attempt here to ſubtract a ſingle one from the number, would ſtand a very great chance of being knocked on the head. Wonderful as this ſtory is in itſelf, other wonders are brought in confirmation of it. Among the reſt, there is a monument which has a ſmall coffin encloſed in it, and on which the following words are written. "A natural child was buried in this church with the virgins, but innocent as he was, they would not ſuffer him to mix his bones with theirs, but drove him out again, and there [326] was a neceſſity of burying him above ground." It is natural to ſuppoſe, that there are authors who do not agree with this account; ſome ſcout it wholly, and others think the princeſs had a maid of honour called Undecimilla, which, by ſome blundering monks was changed into 11,000. Here alſo lies interred in a church, which bears his name St. Gereon, with 1200 or 12,000 (for they do not ſtand for a cypher here in reckoning up ſaints) of his ſoldiers; but what is moſt laughable, is two wooden horſes painted white, which are looking out of a window of an old building in the new ſquare. The hiſtory of this monument is as follows: "A wealthy young woman was formerly buried from this houſe, with very rich ornaments, which the grave-digger having obſerved, he came in the night to rob the corpſe; ſcarce was the coffin opened, but the woman ſtood up, and ſeizing the lanthorn, which the aſtoniſhed grave-digger dropped in his fright, walked directly home with it; ſhe knocked at the door, and the maid came to the window, and aſked, Who was there? Your miſtreſs, anſwered the other. The girl immediately ran with the account to her maſter, who, perhaps, not being pleaſed at the return of his wife from her grave, cried out. It is as impoſſible for it to be my wife, as for the two horſes to come out of the ſtable, run up into the garret, and look out of the window. No ſooner ſaid than done. The two white nags trotted immediately up ſtairs, and have remained at the window to this day." The [327] poor man had no remedy but to take back his wife, who lived ſeven years with him after this, and wove a great quantity of linen, which, together with a ſet of paintings, exhibiting the whole ſtory, is ſtill to be ſeen in the neighbouring church. Unfortunately for the Cologneſe, who are in every thing diſtinguiſhed from the reſt of the ſons of men, this ſame ſtory is told preciſely with the ſame circumſtances in two other places of Germany; but the people of Cologne have added the viſible and perpetual monument of the two horſes.

It is not here as in the other dark parts of Germany, where ſmall tales only ſerve for the amuſement of the idler; the Cologneſe are in downright earneſt, they conſider their country as the ſpecial habitation of the ſaints, call it the holy city, and the earth itſelf as holy, and are equally ready to become martyrs for the truth of what they advance, or to make martyrs of any who doubt it.

The prieſts of the place, eſpecially the monks, carry no better ſtories with them into their pulpits, and the neceſſary conſequences are, that the manners of this people are more corrupted than in any other place under the ſun. The churches themſelves, ſays Reiſbec, are made places of rendezvous, where every kind of licentiouſneſs is in part agreed upon, and in part carried into effect.

[328]The evening ſervices of the monks are like the evening walks in the ſuburbs of Vienna, and every ale-houſe round the place teems with adultery and fornication. Go into them on a holiday, and you will commonly find the viſitors in ſuch a ſtate of drunkenneſs, as exactly reminds you of the Germans and Scythians of old.

Formerly Cologne could reckon 30,000 men bearing arms, and in the twelfth century, it ſtood a ſiege againſt the whole empire united. Her commerce was ſo flouriſhing, that ſhe was at the head of the Hans towns of the third order. Indeed, when we conſider her ſituation, lying on one of the moſt navigable rivers in the world, the ſhores of which are covered with inhabitants; its ſtaple; the republican form of its government; the admirable roads which connect it with all Germany, and various other advantages; the greateſt wonder of all the wonders of this wonderful city is, how it can poſſibly have contrived to have fallen ſo low; at preſent, it does not contain more than 25,000 people. Their manufactures are low, ſave that of tobacco, a few inſignificant laces, and the pins which are made by the wives and daughters of the poor, all ſpirit of induſtry is effectually ſuppreſſed by monkery, and a diſſolution of manners annexed to it. Thoſe who paſs for merchants are only brokers and commiſſioners for other countries. Excepting a few ſmall bankers, there is [329] ſcarce above ten or twelve houſes that have any thing like a ſolid commerce; the object of theſe are drugs, wine, wrought and unwrought iron from the mines of Naſſau, wood from the Upper Rhine, Mayne, and Neckar, and a few other leſs important articles.

When a ſtranger objects to the people of Cologne, their intollerance towards the moſt uſeful inhabitants of the city, namely, the proteſtants; when he compares the ſtupidity, the barbarity, debauchery, and poverty of the citizens of the place, with the knowledge, induſtry, frugality, and riches of the foreigners there reſiding, they are not the leaſt affected with the juſtneſs of the remarks, but turn them to their own advantage in the following manner. "Theſe heretics, ſay they, are loſt ſouls, their hearts are wrapt up in worldly poſſeſſions, which God vouchſafes them, in order to render their damnation the greater. God has evidently reprobated the rich in his holy writ, and their riches are the faggots, which, in another world will be piled up to burn them." With opinions, like theſe, which the monks hold forth from every pulpit, can it be wondered at, if the third part of the inhabitants are beggars?

Nothing diſplays the conſtitution of the German empire, in a better light, than the navigation of the Rhine; every prince, ſo far as his domain on the [330] banks reaches, conſiders the ſhips that paſs as foreign veſſels, and loads them, without diſtinction, with intolerable taxes, determined to get by the navigation, whether they loſe by the export of commodities or not. In the ſmall diſtrict between Mentz and Coblentz, which, with the windings of the river, ſcarce makes 27 miles, there are not leſs than nine tolls to pay; each of theſe produce annually from 25,000 to 30,000 guilders, not to mention a number of articles which pay toll in ſpecie, and make a part of the pay of the toll-gatherers. Theſe tolls contribute in a great meaſure to the ruin of the country, and have been called, by an Engliſh writer, an incomprehenſible duty. When the Elector Palatine made it difficult for the city of Mentz to export the corn of his country, the archbiſhop endeavoured to revenge himſelf by raiſing the toll of the grape of the Palatinates, the tobacco, and the other productions. On the other hand, the Elector Palatine made repriſals by his toll on the Lower Rhine, and revenged himſelf on the Mentz wines carried into Holland. Every ſpecies of chicanery, which hoſtile powers can uſe towards each other, was made uſe of on this occaſion.

The preſent government of the archbiſhopric of Cologne, and the biſhopric of Munſter, which are held by the ſame perſon, is, without a doubt, the moſt active and moſt enlightened of all the eccleſiaſtical governments of Germany. The miniſtry of [331] the court of Bonn, where the archbiſhop reſides, is excellently compoſed, and the biſhopric of Munſter, beſides the effect, which their influence has on it, is happy in the protection of the ſeveral members who compoſe the aſſemblies of its ſtates. The eccleſiaſtics of both the countries are a moſt ſtriking contraſt to thoſe of the city of Cologne, for their great learning and good manners. The cabinet of Bonn is ſingularly happy in the eſtabliſhment of ſeminaries, the improvement of agriculture and induſtry, and the extirpation of every ſpecies of monkery. The Electorate of Cologne is worth about 100,000l. ſterling, and the biſhopric of Munſter about 110,000l.

The paſſage on the Rhine from Mentz to Cologne is the moſt delightful of its kind, the hills which hang perpendicularly over the Rhine, are ſome of them covered with various greens, ſome with naked ſtones, and others with blue and white ſlates. Their appearance, their ſlope, the different and various cultures, together with the windings of the river, change the proſpect almoſt every moment. There is a village almoſt every three miles, and every hill is covered with a caſtle, formerly the habitation of ſome German knight. The moſt pictureſque fancy can paint nothing more romantic, than the ſituation of their cities and villages. In the midſt of the Rhine, between the two cities, on a rock, which hardly riſes above the ſurface of the water, ſtands a high, thick, ſolid tower, [332] called the Palatine, ſuppoſed to have been originally the ſeat of the elector, and nothing can be conceived more ſingular or ſtriking in a landſcape, when viewed at a certain diſtance, than the ſituation of this tower.

OF THE PALATINATE ON THE RHINE.

The country of the Elector Palatine is alſo called the Lower Palatinate, and thereby diſtinguiſhed from the Upper Palatinate, in the circle of Bavaria. To the eaſt, it terminates on the county of Katzenellnbogen, the archbiſhopric of Mentz, the biſhopric of Worms, and a part of the territories of the Teutonic order in Franconia; to the ſouth, on the duchy of Wurtemburg and the biſhopric of Spire; to the weſt, on Alſace, the duchy of Deuxponts, the county of Spanheim, the duchy of Simmeren, and certain diſtricts belonging to the Elector of Mentz; and to the north, on a part of that archbiſhopric and the county of Katzenellnbogen. A ſtraight line drawn from Bacharach to the Neckar, near Neckarſulm, which may be conſidered as the greateſt extent of the electorate, will meaſure about eighty miles. It contains forty-one cities and ſeveral boroughs.

This country is partly mountainous, but very fruitful, producing all manner of corn and fine heads of cattle, with plantations of tobacco, and good Neckar and Rheniſh wine. The Rhine runs partly through [333] the borders of this electorate, and partly through its centre. Out of the ſands near Germerſheim and Seltz, is waſhed the beſt Rheniſh gold, which is conſidered as a royalty, and farmed by the Elector.

The electoral title is that of Palſgrave of the Rhine, arch-treaſurer and elector of the holy Roman empire, duke in Bavaria, Juliers, Cleve, and the Berg, prince of Mors, marquis of Bergen-op Zoom, count of Veldem, &c. The electoral arms are a lion or, in a field ſable. There is here an order of knighthood, that of St. Hubert, a quadrangular croſs pendant to a red ribband, and a ſtar on the breaſt. The Elector maintains two regiments of life-guards of horſe, and another of Swiſs, with ſome few regiments of horſe and foot. The cities which are part of this electorate, are Manheim and Heidelberg.

Manheim is the ſecond town in this electorate, and the reſidence of the Elector. It is a ſtrong fortreſs lying in a low plain, near the influx of the Neckar into the Rhine, twelve miles N. W. of Heidelberg. It is generally eſteemed as one of the moſt beautiful cities in Germany. The ſtreets are all ſtraight as an arrow, being what they call tirées au cordeau, and interſect each other at right angles, ſo that the ſpectator has at each corner a view of four ſtreets. This never fails to pleaſe at firſt, but becomes ſooner tireſome, than a town built with leſs regularity. When a man has walked through the town [334] for half a forenoon, his eyes ſearch in vain for variety; the ſame objects ſeem to move along with him, as if he had been all the while on ſhip-board.

To the great market here, the Roman-catholic church, and the council-houſe, with the tower ſtanding between them, add an ornamental ſymmetry. In this market is a fine fountain with four pillars, in which ſtands a lion, but ſtill the town ſo labours under a want of good water and wholeſome air, that the people uſe the water of Heidelberg. The electoral palace is one of the fineſt buildings in all Europe, ſituated at the junction of the Rhine and Neckar. The collection of paintings in this palace and the cabinet of curioſities, is worth attention; here is depoſited the golden crown of the unhappy elector and Bohemian King, who married the daughter of James I. and from whom the preſent reigning family of Great Britain is deſcended. Beſides the church above-mentioned, here is a Calviniſtical one, and a Lutheran one, beſides a jeſuit's college, and a fine church belonging to it; there are alſo two other convents and a Jewiſh ſynagogue. Manheim contains likewiſe ſome manufactories, with a conſiderable trade, and a fine ſtaple magazine.

They calculate the number of inhabitants at 24,000, including the garriſon, which conſiſts of 5000 men. This city has three noble gates, adorned with baſſo [335] relievos, very beautifully executed. It is an eaſy hour's walk round the ramparts. The fortifications are well contrived, and in good order, and the town acquires great additional ſtrength, being almoſt ſurrounded with the Neckar and Rhine, and ſituated in a flat, not commanded by any riſing ground.

The lives and manners of the inhabitants of this city ſeem to be as uniform as the ſtreets and buildings; no noiſe, mobs, or buſtles; at mid-day every thing is as quiet as the ſtreets of London at midnight, a preſumption that the citizens are under ſome reſtraint and diſcipline with the troops. Theſe laſt perform their exerciſe every morning on the parade. All their motions, even thoſe of their bodies, are under the direction of the major's cane. For example, the major flouriſhes his cane—the drum gives a ſingle tap, and every man, under arms, raiſes his hand to his hat;—at a ſecond ſtroke of the drum, they take off their hats, and are ſuppoſed to pray;— at a third, they finiſh their petitions, and put their hats on their heads again.—If any man has the aſſurance to prolong his prayer a minute longer than the drum allows him, he is puniſhed on the ſpot, and taught to be leſs devout in future.

At this court is kept a royal jeſter, the only remaining inſtance of ſuch an officer. Moore tells us, he dined with the Elector, that the table conſiſted of [336] thirty covers, and that with the deſert, this jeſter introduced himſelf. He walked round the table, and converſed in a familiar manner with every body preſent, the princes not excepted. He ſpoke German, but his obſervations being followed with loud burſts of applauſe, Moore ſuppoſed there was ſome wit in them, but not knowing the language, and being ill explained to him in French, he could not ſay, whether the wit was keen or not.

Heidelberg is the capital of the electorate, ſituated in a hollow on the banks of the Neckar, ſurrounded by charming hills properly cultivated, enjoying a wholeſome air and good water. The city is but ſmall, but it is finely built. The Elector's caſtle is placed on an eminence which commands the town, and a view of the valley below; but the caſtle itſelf is commanded by another eminence near it, from which this noble building has been and may be cannonaded. In this caſtle ſtands the famous Heidelberg tun, which was repaired in 1727, and decorated with a great variety of ornaments. It is ſometimes full of wine, and holds 204 tons of liquor. The head of this caſk is railed round, ſo that ſeveral perſons may walk about, and have an entertainment on it. It was made by order of the Elector in 1664, the weight of the iron hoops is one hundred and ten quintals; on it is the following inſcription in High Dutch.

[337]
God bleſs the Elector of the Rhine,
From year to year with gen'rous wine.

The univerſity has fourteen profeſſors, about 180 proteſtant ſtudents, and eighty Roman-catholic ones.

The Calviniſts are poſſeſſed of St. Peter's church, the Lutherans, of the church of Providence; but the next church is divided into two apartments, in one of which the proteſtants, and in the other the papiſts perform public worſhip, a ſingular proof of their moderation. Beſides theſe there is a fine college of jeſuits, and ſix other cloiſters, all with churches, and a univerſity, with Calviniſt and Roman-catholic profeſſors. The bridge on the Neckar is covered. From Heidelberg runs an avenue to Schwetzingen, a hunting palace of the Elector's, lying at one hour's diſtance from the city.

About two leagues from Heidelberg, the Bergſtraſſe or mountain-road begins, in travelling along which, an Italian is ſaid to have broke out into this exclamation: O Germania, Germania, quam velles eſſe Italia! that is, O Germany, Germany, how fain would'ſt thou be Italy! The Bergſtraſſe extends as far as Darmſtadt, but the beſt part of it is from Heidelberg to Benſheim, where it is about eight leagues long and four broad. This continued chain of hills and eminences [338] on the right, is covered with woods near the top, and nearer the plain with vineyards. The level road is all along planted with rows of walnut-trees, with fields and meadows of an exuberant fertility on each ſide, and the eye is entertained with a variety of fine and extenſive proſpects.

CHAP XII. Of the Circle of Franconia.

MODERN Franconia lies almoſt in the heart of Germany, and is bounded by Heſſe and Thuringia N. Bavaria E. Swabia S. and the Lower Rhine on the W. It extends about 130 miles from E. to W. and 100 from N. to S. The ſoil is fertile and the country beautifully diverſified with hills and valleys, producing great plenty of corn and wine. Its principal rivers are the Maine and the Sala; the latter of which gives name to the country where the famous Salique law was made, which reſtrains the ſucceſſion to the heirs male.

This circle comprehends the biſhoprics of Wurtſburg, Bamberg, and Aichſtat, ſubject to their reſpective biſhops; the marquiſates of Cullenbach and Anſpach, ſubject to their reſpective margraves; the [339] principality of Henneberg, the duchy of Coburg, ſubject to its own duke, and the duchy of Hilburghauſen, ſubject to its dukes; the burgravate of Nuremberg, an independant ſtate; the territory of the great maſter of the Teutonic order, Margentheim, and the counties of Reineck; Bareith, ſubject to its own margrave; Paphenheim, ſubject to its own count; Wertheim, Middle Caſſel, Schwartzburg, ſubject to its own count, and Holach; all having chief towns of the reſpective names of thoſe places. The ſummoning princes of the circle are the biſhop of Bamberg and the margraves of Brandenburg, Bayreith and Anſpach. In point of religion, this circle is one of the mixed. Of the cities we ſhall ſpeak only of Wurtſburg, and Nuremberg.

Wurtzburg is the capital of Franconia, and ſtands on the river Main, ſixty miles E. of Frankfort in lat. 49 deg. N. The river runs through the middle of the town, over which is a very fine ſtone bridge 300 paces long. The Biſhop's palace ſtands on an eminence in the ſuburbs of the town, from which there is a delightful proſpect of the city and the adjacent country.

The Biſhop has a great extent of country under his juriſdiction, in which it is computed there are no leſs than 400 villages. It is one of the richeſt biſhoprics in the country, and contains within the dioceſe 190,000 people. He is an abſolute prince in his own dominions, [340] and lives in all the ſtate of a ſovereign monarch. In his equipage, a ſword of ſtate is carried before him; and at the diet of the empire, he takes the fifth place on the ſpiritual bench. But in the circle of Franconia he has the firſt voice.

The town is divided into eight parts, viz. four quarters and four ſuburbs, and has a univerſity. The prevailing religion here is the Roman-catholic, but there are alſo Lutheran and Calviniſt churches within the juriſdiction of the city. The Biſhop's palace is one of the fineſt in Germany. The town is ſeated in a large plain, very fruitful in vines, and watered by the Mayne.

There is among the people here ſuch an alacrity, ſuch a love for the pleaſures of the ſenſes, and freedom of intercourſe between the two ſexes, as beſpeaks very ſtrongly the great affluence and eaſe of the country. Wurtſburg has a fine manufactory of looking-glaſſes and china. The prebends of the cathedral are worth 350l. a year, ſeveral prebendaries have four or five prebends in as many cathedrals, and receive from 20 to 30,000 florins a year. The whole trouble of a German canon conſiſts in a month's reſidence yearly, and no other qualification is required of him, than to be able to read Latin, and prove himſelf deſcended from a good family on the mother's ſide. It is credibly aſſerted, that every canon of Wurtſburg, at his firſt entrance into the chapter, receives a ſtroke [341] with a ſwitch from each of his colleagues. This extraordinary inauguration is continued with a view of preventing any prince (who, of courſe, cannot ſubmit to ſuch a ceremony) from deſiring to be of the chapter.

Nuremberg or Nurenberg is an ugly town, which grows daily more and more deſerted: at the end of the thirteenth century it contained above 50,000 men, who were not above one fourth of the whole, whereas the whole population now ſcarce amounts to a ſixth part of the number. Many hundred houſes ſtand quite empty, and the reſt are tenanted only by ſingle families.

This biſhop is ſupreme head of the Imperial tribunal eſtabliſhed in the circle, and all the neighbouring ſtates appeal to his duchy court in matters of litigation. This college of juſtice conſiſts of a ſpiritual regency to ſettle all epiſcopal differences; a vicarate which determines all diſputes relating to religious perſons and things, and a conſiſtoral, which has the management of matrimonial affairs; beſides theſe there are five other councils for temporalities. The epiſcopal revenues are eſtimated at 800,000 Rheniſh florins, each florin 1s. 2d. Beſides this the biſhop holds the ſee of Bamberg, worth 70,000l. Engliſh for ever. There are five regiments of horſe and foot, which are maintained at the expence of the Biſhop, and are under the direction of his aulic council of war.

[342]The burgravate of Nurenberg is an independent ſtate. The city, which bears the ſame name, is a well built town, ſituate forty miles S. of Bamberg, and as many N. of Ingoldſtat, in the very heart of Germany, and centre of Europe. It contains, ſays Keyſler, 128 principal ſtreets, 400 lanes, and is adorned with twelve large and 133 ſmaller fountains, beſides 117 wells. There are ſixteen churches, forty-four religious houſes, and ten markets, and it takes up three hours to walk round the city and its ſuburbs. The river Pegnitz runs through the town and divides it in equal parts, over which there are twelve bridges, ſix of ſtone, and ſix of wood; but the river is not navigable. The town is environed with double walls, and fortified with 365 towers, and a broad deep ditch in circuit about five miles. The number of houſes are about 8000, none of which are extraordinary buildings.

This city ſtands in a plain, therefore enjoys a temperature of air and wholeſomeneſs of climate, as the extremes of the ſeaſons are thereby precluded from exerciſing their intenſeneſs.

In curioſities this city may compare with moſt cities in Germany. In the town-houſe are ſeveral valuable paintings, amongſt which are, one of the Virgin Mary, with the child Jeſus, by Cranach; and another of Adam and Eve, by Albert Durer, both of which are well worth the traveller's curious eye; each of them [343] are ſaid to be worth 50,000 dollars! But the former are only ſhewn to reigning princes, perſons deſcended from ancient noble houſes, and the ambaſſadors of emperors.

Nuremberg has had the honour for many centuries paſt to keep the Imperial crown, jewels, and relicks. In the latter of which is ſaid to be a tooth of St. John the Baptiſt, three links of the chain with which St. Peter, St. Paul, and St. John were bound; a piece of the manger wherein Chriſt lay when an infant, an arm of St. Ann; a piece of the table cloth uſed by Chriſt and his diſciples at the laſt ſupper, the ſpear with which his ſide was pierced, and five thorns of his crown! Such is the groſs ſuperſtition of this catholic repoſitory!

The new church and that of St. Sebbald are very well worth ſeeing. There is a fine library in the predicant convent, containing near 60,000 volumes. The oldeſt of which is ſaid to be of 800 years ſtanding, and contains the primitive liturgy in Greek, finely illuminated.

The arſenal contains 274 large pieces of braſs cannon, and 18,000 ſtands of arms. The ſmall arms are very beautifully diſpoſed in the form of columns, ſhields, ſuns, trophies, and the arms of the city; curiouſly arranged, like thoſe in the tower of London.

[344]This opulent, Imperial city, keeps in conſtant pay ſeven companies of foot, 100 men each, with ſeveral troops of cavalry, and a large body of artillery. The obſervatory is in a caſtle, which ſtands on the top of a hill in the middle of the town, and well worth inſpection. There are ſeveral elegant pieces of ſtatuary to be ſeen in various parts of the town; alſo the fountains are very remarkable for their order and conſtruction.

There are divers other curioſities and muſeums to be ſeen here, ſo that the philoſopher and virtuoſo will find very agreeable entertainment for ſeveral weeks, in exploring the numerous collections of art and nature.

But few things deſerve a traveller's notice more than a machine which is put in motion by water, where the ſilver ingots are drawn through a ſucceſſion of ſmall holes, gradually leſſening into the fineſt ſilver wire imaginable. Though it is obvious to the ſenſes, yet it is difficult to form an adequate idea of the incredible extenſion of metals, as it is here performed, until it is demonſtrated by computation. A cylinder of ſilver weighing nine ounces, 12 penny-weights, and about twenty-two inches in length, in the hands of the wire-drawer becomes above nine thouſand times ſmaller in diameter, and is drawn out to a length of 224 Engliſh miles. But the ductility and extenſion of gold, by this method, is ſtill more wonderful. As [345] the ſilver cylinder of twenty-two inches in length, is gilt before it is drawn into wire, the thickneſs of the gold laid on it diminiſhes in proportion to the length, to which the cylinder or the wire is extended.

The gold at firſt is commonly but the ninetieth part of a line in thickneſs, and never exceeds an entire line, ſo that only ſix ounces, oftentimes two, and ſometimes but one ounce is uſed for gilding a cylinder of twenty-two inches in length. If the gilding be computed at two ounces to the above-mentioned cylinder, it may be demonſtrated by the drawing of the ſilver, that the extenſion of the gold ſurface is ſo great, that a ſingle ounce of gold (1220 of which go to a cubic foot) is ſufficient to cover 1190 ſquare feet of ſilver. When the gold is thus extended, its thickneſs is but 75,000½ part of a line. But, as I obſerved before, the gilding of a cylinder of ſilver weighing nine ounces, 12 penny-weights, may be performed with one ounce of gold, it is evident that the latter may be drawn to that fineneſs, that it ſhall not exceed 525,025th part of a line. The conſideration of ſuch ductility muſt abſorb the human mind and elude its comprehenſion; eſpecially if we reflect, that even this amazing tenuity may be doubled to 1,050,080th part of a line, a line being but the 12th part of an inch. That the gold does not only communicate its colour to the ſilver, but that its conſtituent parts remain in their natural arrangement, is proved by the following experiment. viz. If you lay [346] the gold wire in aquafortis, it will corrode the ſilver, but without damaging the gold in the leaſt, for ſuch wire or thread becomes a hollow tube, of a fineneſs beyond imagination.

Thoſe who are fond of mechanical arts and manufactures, may here abundantly gratify their curioſity. It is a town filled with an abundance of the works of art and nature; and may, with juſtice, be eſteemed the firſt city in Europe for ſingular productions and curious ſubjects of inſpection.

Here is an anatomical theatre founded at the expence of the city, in which are near one hundred ſkeletons of different animals, eſpecially of the winged tribe. The ſkeleton of a tortoiſe, that was diſſected here, ſhews that the outward ſhell makes a part of its body. The amphiſbaena is generally ſuppoſed to have two heads, but in the ſerpent preſerved here in ſpirits, which goes under that name, the head and tail are manifeſtly diſtinguiſhable. Dr. Treu's cabinet contains a collection of near 6000 plants, ſeveral petrifactions, all kinds of ſeeds, and many curious ſkeletons of leaves and fruit; Dr. Thomaſius's 800 volumes of epiſtles of learned men, and a very extenſive collection of coins and medals. In a word, there are ſuch a number of private collections in this place, of natural and artificial curioſities, that it would be endleſs to enumerate them.

Figure 15. PEOPLE of NUREMBURG

[347]The vocal muſicians and ſingers here who have a great affinity to the bardi and ſcaldi of the ancient Germans, generally hold their meetings on feſtivals, and perform even in private houſes for money. Muſic flouriſhes greatly at Nurenberg, where they have frequently their krantzel or concerts.

Converſation with the fair ſex is under much greater reſtraint at Nurenberg, than in moſt other large cities. A ſtranger is ſeldom allowed to ſee them in the aſſemblies, which they held among one another, and even the natives of the place are not admitted, unleſs they are particular friends. And although a foreigner is recommended to a Nuremberger in the ſtrongeſt manner, he will very ſeldom invite him to his houſe, if he has a wife or daughter, but is ſo miſtruſtful, that he rather chuſes to carry him to a tavern, and there do him the honour of a kauſche, that is, make him drunk.

The ſhops of this city are loaded with merchandize, and the commonalty are clean and chearful, though the ſtreets are narrow and dirty. A ſort of ſhabby finery is perceptable amongſt the quality. Here there are eſtabliſhed ſumptuary laws, which diſtinguiſh men of rank by their dreſs, and prevent the exceſs which ruins ſo many other cities. The plate exhibits a gentleman, his lady, and a peaſant.

[348]When one conſiders impartially the merit of a rich ſuit of clothes in moſt places, the reſpect and the ſmiles of favour it procures, not to ſpeak of the envy and ſighs it occaſions, which is very often the principal charm to the wearer; one is obliged to confeſs, that there is no need of an uncommon underſtanding to reſiſt the temptation of pleaſing friends and mortifying rivals; and that it is natural to the inexperienced to fall into errors, which betrays them into various ſpecies of folly and extreme poverty.

This town has the greateſt trade of any place on the continent, if we conſider that it has neither a navigable river or any water-carriage convenient. Their artificers in wood, iron, ſteel, ivory, alabaſter, &c. are ſaid to be inimitable, and afford their goods very cheap. It is from this part of Germany that thoſe toys, which we call Dutch toys are imported here. The annual profit to the city from thoſe toys, exceed 17,500l. ſterling; in 1728, as many were ſold at Conſtantinople only, as amounted to 1983l. It is nothing but the genius and extraordinary diligence of the people, that procures this flouriſhing trade and plenty; for they live in a barren country, which affords ſcarce any merchandize to traffic with, but what receives the greateſt part of its value from their labour and ingenuity.

Nurenberg has long produced artiſts, who vie with the beſt Engliſh ones in making mathematical and [349] phyſical inſtruments. You meet no where out of England, with ſuch good manufactures in ſteel, iron, and copper, as in this place, and will any man condemn their making of toys amidſt their more important buſineſs, when it gives a uſeful and profitable employment to their wives and children?

The great cauſe of the ruin of this town is the Auſtrians. The government is in the hands of twenty or thirty families, who very ill treat the reſt of the citizens. Every tradeſman here taxes himſelf, he gives in an account of his property, and if he miſtates it, is liable to have his books examined, ſo that the rich citizens have left the place, and taken refuge in the Auſtrian or Pruſſian territories.

The morals of the Nurenbergers are better and purer than thoſe of any other German city. The magiſtrate is particular anxious to put a ſtop to fornication, and it is a fact, ſays Reiſbec, that the young men of the city, at one particular time, underwent a medical viſitation by ſome of the members of the magiſtracy, attended by phyſicians.

The eſtabliſhed religion here is the Lutheran; the Roman-catholics are only allowed to perform divine ſervice in a church of the Lutherans when they have done with it. The Calviniſts are not allowed any public place of worſhip, but are forced to go to church ſome diſtance out of town.

[350]The governors and principal magiſtrates of the city are elected out of the nobility and gentry. The common-council conſiſts of forty-two members, of whom thirteen are burgo-maſters, and as many aldermen; the reſt are only ſtiled elders or ſages of the people. One burgo-maſter has the military, and one alderman the civil government of the city, for a month, and are then ſucceeded by two more; ſo that there is a burgo-maſter and an alderman for every month of the year, in whom the executive power is veſted in by turns.

The ordinary affairs of the government are debated in the common-council. The raiſing of forces or levying taxes are equally referred to a ſelect number of the common-council, ſtiled, by way of eminence, the eight. And, upon any extraordinary emergency, the principal burghers, elected out of every trade and profeſſion in the town, are ſummoned to the number of 400, who have alſo the power of electing the members of the other councils, and of the magiſtrates of the place, which are choſen annually.

The Nurenbergers have a country of about twenty miles in extent, and ſeveral towns and villages under their juriſdiction, which is a more conſiderable territory than any other Imperial city. The number of its ſubjects, in the country, is eſtimated at 400,000. Their villages are very pretty, though a great deal of ſand about them, and every thing beſides has a great degree of opulence in the farmers, who, as well as the town's people, remain faithful to their old dreſs.

OF THE TERRITORY OF THE GRAND MASTER OF THE TEUTONIC ORDER.
[351]

Margentheim is a ſmall city, ſituated on the river Tauber, twenty-two miles W. of Wurtſburg, where the great maſter of the Teutonic order hath his reſidence; it is the capital of the ſmall territory belonging to him. There are no particularities that are worth diſtinguiſhing in it. I will only obſerve, that the knights of this order poſſeſs thirteen commanderies in Germany, and have a right to chuſe their grand maſter out of the princes of the empire, who, in conſequence of this election, has the firſt ſeat in the diet after the electors. The knights, on their admiſſion, are obliged to prove their nobility, for ſixteen deſcents, both by father and mother.

The arms and enſigns of this order are; an erect croſs ſable in a field argent, which arms Pope Celeſtine III. granted to it. In the field is a croſs, or, which was conferred by King Henry of Jeruſalem; and in the center is to be ſeen the Imperial eagle, beſtowed by the Emperor Frederick II. At each of the four corners is a lily, or, which was added to theſe arms by Saint Louis of France.

This Teutonic order was founded in Paleſtine in 1190, and the knights of this order were called knights of the Virgin Mary, or brothers of the Teutonic houſe of our lady of Jeruſalem. They bound themſelves by [352] vow to the defence of the chriſtian religion and the Holy Land, and to the ſervice of the poor and ſick, to be all of them Germans, and to be of true ancient nobility. This order removed from Venice to Marburg, and thence to Marienburg in Ruſſia, gradually ſubdued all Ruſſia, Courland, Semi-gallia, and Livonia, but loſt them again, ſince which time, the grand maſterdom is become little better than a mere title.

Both Roman-catholics and proteſtants may be inveſted with this order, and the proteſtant knights are permitted to marry. On ſolemn occaſions the knights wear a white mantle, with a black croſs on it, edged with a rim of ſilver. In other reſpects, their dreſs is the ſame with that of the ſeculars.

The ſeigniories and elders which the Teutonic order is ſtill poſſeſſed of in Germany, and which they obtained partly by purchaſe, and partly by donation, lying contiguous, would form a conſiderable principality. Theſe elders conſiſt of what is properly called the maſterdom of Margentheim, and 12 bailiwicks, in which the grand maſter exerciſes ſuch a ſovereignty, as at preſent the ſtate of the empire enjoys. The remainder of Franconia is compoſed of a number of ſmall principalities, where the people in general ſuffer great oppreſſion from their ſovereigns, who reſide at the great courts; ſpending their money away from them, and leaving them to the plunder of their deſpotic agents.

END OF THE NINTH VOLUME.
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Citation Suggestion for this Object
TextGrid Repository (2020). TEI. 5043 The habitable world described or the present state of the people in all parts of the globe from north to south shewing the situation extent climate including all the new discoveries Wit. University of Oxford Text Archive. . https://hdl.handle.net/21.T11991/0000-001A-60B4-C