Armand Gaston Cardinal de Rohan was elected Bishop of Strasbourg the 10th of April 1704[127], and received the Cardinal's Cap from the Hands of Lewis XIV. the 18th of May, 1712. The Year following he succeeded the Cardinal de Janson as Great Almoner. The Emperor granted him the Temporal Investiture of the See of Strasbourg[128] on
the 10th of June 1723, and in 1724, he obtain'd a Seat in the College of Princes at the Assembly of Ratisbon. This Prelate who is considerable for his Birth and Dignities, is much more so for his great Soul, his polite and obliging Behaviour, and for an Air of Grandeur which accompanies all his Actions. He is a comely Person, as are indeed all of his Family. Being noble and magnificent in every thing that he does, he lives wherever he is like a great Nobleman, but particularly at Saverne. I found at his Palace the Duke and Duchess of Tallard, the Duchess de la Meilleraie, Madamoiselle de Melun, the Prince and Princess of Birkensfield, M. Dangervilliers, the Intendant of Strasbourg, the Count and Princess of Hanau, and in short a great many Officers of Distinction. They had all convenient Lodgings and Accommodation in the Castle; and Gaming, taking the Air, Hunting, Music, and Good Cheer were their constant Diversions.
The Bishops of Strasbourg have resided for a long time at the Palace of Saverne, which was always a convenient House; but the Cardinal de Roban has made it very considerable. The outside of this Palace is not so magnificent as the inside. The Entry which leads to the chief Stair-Case is lighted to great advantage, and has several Outlets that have a convenient Communication with the lower Apartments, which are high, and very finely embellish'd. The principal Stair-Case is very grand, and leads to a stately Salon with most curious Decorations. It has a double Apartment which is render'd as commodious as possible; and the Furniture consists of Embroidery of Gold and Silver, which may be thought perhaps too rich. The Queen, who lodg'd at the Cardinal's House when she came to Saverne, was charm'd with the Splendor of it, and the extraordinary Respect with which she was attended here.
The Cardinal de Rohan designs that this rich Furniture shall remain annex'd to the See; for which his Successor will certainly have very great Obligations to him: But his Eminence was not so much oblig'd to his Predecessors; for when he was chose Bishop he found a House very much out of order, and scarce a Chair in it, whereas 'tis now fit for a King. His Eminency is about making very large fine Gardens, which are in very great forwardness, and perfectly answerable to the Grandeur and Beauty of the Palace; and at the end of them there is a stately Canal which cost infinite Labour and Expence. The whole of it is the more magnificent because Saverne stands at the foot of very high Mountains; and in digging the Canal the Workmen often met with Rocks which they were forc'd to blow up.
At the Cardinal's Table there's both Abundance and Elegance; and his Eminency entertains in such a manner as really charms his Guests. All his Domestics follow his example; and 'tis certain that they are all very diligent; and that there is not a House in France, or in Europe, where there's better Attendance. His Eminency's Houshold, and all his Temporal Affairs in general, are directed by the Abbott de Ravanne, Counsellor in the Parliament of Paris.
The Cardinal is one of the richest Noblemen in France, and without dispute the most expensive. He has built a Hotel at Paris, and furnish'd it sumptuously. He has made considerable Works at Saverne, and laid out a great deal of Money in Plate, Furniture, Pictures, antique Vessels, and Busts, Medals, and Books. Some time ago he purchas'd of the President Menard the famous Library of the illustrious Messieurs de Thou, formerly one of the most celebrated in France; and he daily in-riches
it with all the most curious and uncommon Books and Manuscripts.
Besides all these Expences, the Cardinal intends also to build a new episcopal Palace at Strasbourg[129], where he is indeed but indifferently lodg'd at present. The Marquiss de N—— talking of the Cardinal de Rohan's Expence, said, That, to be sure, his Eminency had found out the Philosopher's Stone. I think so too, and that he has done it by procuring himself five or six hundred thousand Livres a-year in good Benefices.
From Saverne I went to Haguenau, and to Weissenbourg, formerly Imperial Cities, and now subject to France, but Places of little consequence. King Stanislaus after the Death of Charles XII. King of Sweden, being forc'd to quit Deux-Ponts to which he had retired with his Family, came and resided at Weissenbourg; and here it was that he receiv'd the first Proposals that were made to him for the Marriage of his Daughter with King Lewis XV. I came and took up my Quarters at Landau, one of the most scoundrel Places in the World, but the best fortify'd; and famous for having stood out several Sieges. The Emperor Joseph took it when he was King of the Romans. The French retook it a little before the signing of the Peace at Rastadt, by which Treaty it was left in their hands. They maintain a good Garison in it, and have added several Works to it.