It was in Leipsick, that I first observed the Lutheran manner of communicating. The priest and the deacon, who assists him, are habited in surplices, copes, and sleeves, like those of the Greeks and Romanists. The service is chanted by the priests standing, and the people round about at a distance, but in the same posture. The consecration being ended, the communicants draw near, and on the north side of the altar approach the priest, who delivers into the mouth of each of them still standing the consecrated wafer. The communicants from thence walk round the back part of the altar, and so come to the deacon, from whom they likewise standing receive the cup, and thence return orderly to their proper places. In the mean time, while the species are delivered by the priest on one side and the deacon on the other, two choristers habited likewise in copes and surplices attend each, holding under them a rich pall of velvet, or other stuff, to receive any particle of the elements, which may fall accidentally. This done, they likewise chant a thanksgiving service in a standing posture, and so depart. The ecclesiastics of the place wear large white ruffs, not only in time of divine service, but likewise as their ordinary habit when in public; and with this a round cloth cap, like that lately alloted to the commoners in the university of Oxford.
These are the principal observations I had leisure to make at Leipsick, where his Excellency staid from the sixth to the fourteenth of this month. On this day therefore we proceed on our journey five German miles to Hall over an open arable country. This is an antient city, founded and perfected by the several Othos, Emperors of Germany. It is now large, but meanly built, tho famous for its salt pits, from whence it has the name of Hall. In these they work night and day with an uninterrupted diligence, nor ever cease, but in the time of divine service on Sundays. It is situated on the river Sala, which name corresponds with that of the city.
The King of Prussia, as has been said, Sovereign of the place, opened an university here some years since, which at present flourishes with about a thousand students, and several professors of eminent note, among these are Strychius, Thomasius, and Franckius. The last is the person, who sent me formerly into Turkey several little tracts of his own composition, which had been translated into Latin and Italian, in order to be distributed here. I therefore visited him this evening, and discoursed with him upon his famous project of an ample charity; by which he maintains above six hundred children of both sexes, and that by no other fund, than collections gathered by his own industry. Three hundred of these, being boys, he has reduced to a college, which he now calls the Orphanotrophium. It is an handsome building, well contrived for the reception of so many poor orphans, for their diet, lodging, schooling, clothing, and afterwards their removal to some proper calling. He has here a printing house for the use of the society, and from thence have now been published several treatises, of which he presented me with two, concerning the Jewish history, and the ecclesiastical government of Bohemia. The King of Prussia, who is thought the principal supporter of this great charity, has lately authorized the Orphanotrophium under an ample patent, and allowed both the society, and the founder of it, several honourable and advantageous privileges. By this great undertaking Mr. Franck proposes to lay a scheme and foundation for the reformation of manners, and better advancement of learning at the same time. But as he is one of the primary Pietists in all Germany, the opposite party among the Lutherans in these parts, who in distinction call themselves the Orthodox, cease not to calumniate both him and his design. Tho how justly, God only knows. He delivered me a packet for Mr. Ludolf, and commissioned me to salute Dr. Bray, and Mr. Woodward of Stepney, with whom he corresponds in relation to this intended reformation.
December xv.
From Hall we now pass to Koendern, and by the way cross the Sala in a ferry boat at Alsleber, leaving Eisleben, the birth place of Luther, a little on the right hand. The day following we continue our journey from Koendern to Aschersleben, leaving Paidleburg in sight on the left hand. And the next day we move forward to Halberstadt, palling from Upper into Lower Saxony in this day’s journey. Halberstadt is a large town, subject to the King of Prussia, having about fourteen churches, which are pretty equally divided betwixt Protestants and Papists.
December xviii.
This day we leave Halberstadt and proceed to Hessen, a small village belonging to Rodolphus Augustus, Duke of Brunswick; who has here an old moted house, with a pleasant garden, and a fountain of brass work, which for the variety of animals there artfully represented, and the device of the whole, deserves to be remarked. We continue here the two following days, and then set out for Wolfembutel, where we arrive at night, and lodge in the suburbs.
December xxii.
His Excellency departed this morning from Wolfembutel with a design to go directly to Hildesheim; upon which I desire leave to take a different road, in order to see Brunswick, Hanover, and Hamburg. However I spent this day at Wolfembutel, in observing what was curious there.