I was some Years ago at Schwalbach, and was very merry there. ’Tis a little Town, between the Hills, three Leagues from Mentz, and belongs to the Landgrave of Hesse-Rhinfelds. The Waters which are drank there, very much resemble those of Spa in Taste; but, I think, they are stronger. I am sure, that if Schwalbach was so happy as to be frequented for the sake of its Waters, by two or three English Gentlemen of Distinction, it would make a Fortune out of the People of that Country, and bear away the Purse from Spa. The Method of taking those Waters is altogether the same as at Spa; and they observe the same Regimen, but with much greater Mirth. For here is a great Room, where every body meets without Distinction of Persons, and where they play at all Sorts of Games; and it’s surrounded too with Shops, in which there are a thousand Sorts of fine Toys. Here is commonly a Ball, and sometimes a German Comedy, which
really, I think, is but indifferent; and here are often great Feasts, at which every one pays their Quota. But there are generally some Princes here to take the Waters, who make Entertainments for the Gentry.
Schlangenbadt, which is a League from Schwalbach, is a Place that consists properly of two great Houses, one belonging to the Elector of Mentz, and the other to the Landgrave of Hesse Darmstadt. Here they use the Hot Baths, which are extremely wholesome for relaxing the Nerves, and for the Stone. Barren Women also frequent this Place; but if they don’t take very great Care of themselves, they generally return pregnant.
This, Sir, is all the Account I can give you of Mentz, and its Neighbourhood. Having done all my Business here, I am making ready to be gone in a few Days. I propose to go back the same Way that I came, and as I fall down the Rhine, I hope in two Days to be at Cologne, from whence I shall proceed thro’ Dusseldorff towards Cleves. There I hope to have a Letter from you, than which nothing can be more welcome. I am, &c.
LETTER XLIX.
SIR,Cleves, Sept. 1, 1732.
At my Return to Cologne, I went to see the Castle or Palace of Bensberg, belonging to the Elector Palatine, in the Country of Berg, three Leagues from the Rhine,
which River I passed over a flying Bridge, between Cologne and Duitz. This House is worth seeing. ’Twas founded by Order of the Elector John-William, who was a Prince in every Thing magnificent, and sent for the most able Workmen from Italy to build it. All this great Structure is built of very hard Stone. The Ornaments, such as the Frises and Architraves, are of a Kind of grey Marble, which they dig out of neighbouring Quarries. The Apartments are large, very well decorated, and adorned with the finest Paintings; and they have a Prospect of a vast Length of Country, which offers a Variety of grand and noble Scenes to View.