The present Elector Charles-Albert-Cajetan has embellish'd the Palace with a new Apartment, which, tho' not so big as the Emperor's, exceeds it in Magnificence. 'Tis adorn'd with noble Pictures, antique Busts, and Vases plac'd upon[111] Tables of very
great Value; and among other Things there's the Picture of the Virgin done by St. Luke.
There's a secret Passage from the Palace thro' little Galleries to all the Churches and Convents in the Town. The nearest Church is that of the Theatins, which together with their Monastery was built by Maria-Adelaide of Savoy Wife to Ferdinand-Mary. The Fryars of this Convent must be twenty seven in number, and all Men of Quality. They subsist by charitable Donations; but dare not ask Alms, and must wait for such Provisions as Providence shall please to send them. When they have suffer'd extreme Want at any Time for three Days together, they are permitted to ring a Bell as a Token of their Distress; but it has been observ'd that this never happen'd above twice since their first Establishment, because the Electors are too charitable to let them want. The Tomb of the Princes of Bavaria is in the Church of these honest Fryars.
The Church of our Lady is the parochial Church of Munich. In it is the stately Tomb of the Emperor Lewis of Bavaria who died of Poison. 'Tis adorn'd with a great many fine Figures of Brass and Marble. In this Church the Elector on the 24th of April last instituted the Order of St. George, by Authority of Pope Benedict XIII. The Ceremony was perform'd with a vast deal of Pomp, and the Elector of Cologn officiated at the High Mass. The Promotion consisted of three Grand Priors, six Grand Crosses, a Commander, and six Knights. Some time after this first Promotion the Elector made a second, in which he appointed one Grand Cross, and nine Knights. 'Tis said there will speedily be a third Promotion of eight more Knights, the whole Number being to consist of forty[112].
The Elector intends to annex Commanderies to his Order. They who are admitted into it must give Proofs of their Extraction from sixteen Descents; and this is so strictly observ'd that his most Serene Electoral Highness, as Grand Master of the Order, has renounc'd all Power of granting any Dispensation from it. According to the Statutes of this Order all the Knights are oblig'd to be Catholics, to defend the Faith and the Church, to protect Widows and Orphans, and to practise all the Christian Virtues. The Badge of the Order is a large Sky-blue Ribbon border'd about the breadth of an Inch with a black and white Stripe; and at the end of the Ribbon hangs a Cross enamell'd with blue, in the middle of which there is a St. George.
The Church and Convent of the Reverend Fathers the Jesuits are two very magnificent Structures. The Roof of the Church which is one single Nave is a Work of Skill and Ingenuity, wherein the Apertures are contriv'd with very great Art; for which reason, the Curious look upon this Fabric as a Master-piece of Architecture.
The Church of the Reverend Fathers of St. Austin, tho' but of a moderate Size, contains Beauties that are not always to be met with in greater Fabrics. The Pictures with which it is adorn'd are highly esteem'd, and good Judges agree there are few that can parallel them.
Tho' the Houses of Munich are all very well built, there are few that can be call'd Hotels or Palaces. The Count Piosas a Piedmontese has caus'd one to be built of late Years which is a considerable Structure with regard to the true Proportions of its Outside, and to the ingenious Distribution of the Apartments, which have fine Decorations and good Furniture.
The Court of Bavaria observes most of the Customs of the Court of Vienna in matters of Ceremony,