From Hanau to Munich I never made a stop; but after having travell'd thro' Wurtzbourg, Nurembourg, and Augsbourg arrived here last night, and propose to set out again to-morrow, and after two or three days stay at Saltzbourg shall proceed by the way of Tirol to Venice, where I beg you would not fail to let me hear from you.
I am just come from attending the Obsequies of Theresa-Cunegunda Sobieski Electoress of Bavaria, Mother to the Elector. This Princess died lately at Venice, to which City she retir'd eighteen Months ago, and her Corpse is forthwith expected to be interr'd in the Tomb of the Electoral Family. She has left, as 'tis said, near six millions of Florins, which, since she has made no Will, are to be equally shar'd between the four Princes her Sons. She has moreover left a Daughter who is a Nun in a Convent of this City. In 1719, when she took the Habit, I was present. She chose this retir'd Life against the Will of her Father the Elector, who did all he could to dissuade her from it; and she liv'd in great Reputation for her Piety. But to return to the Obsequies of the Electoress: The Elector and Electoress assisted at them, together with the Elector of Cologne, the Duke Ferdinand, the Bishop of Freisingen, the Duchess Ferdinand, and the two Princes her Sons. These Princes had Cowls upon their Heads, and great Cloaks, which is not one of the most becoming Dresses. The Family of Bavaria observes a very singular Custom, which is, never to give a black Livery, nor to line their Coaches. I think this reasonable enough, for it does not look very well in a pompous Funeral.
I am, &c.
LETTER XXIII.
SIR,Saltzbourg, April 2, 1730.
At my departure from Munich I went and din'd at Eversberg, a Village belonging to the Reverend Fathers the Jesuits, who have a House there which is a large one, and that's all 'tis good for. I went and lay at Wasserbourg a Town of Bavaria built upon a Rock, so encompass'd with the River Inn that 'tis a perfect Peninsula. Mountains and Rocks hang over this Town as if they wou'd crush it, and indeed the Place is not worth much Description. It was settled as a Dowry on the Electoress Theresa-Cunigunda Sobieski who died last Month, but this Princess would never live in it, nor indeed do I know any other Prince that would.