The Elector-Palatine appear'd next, encompass'd with his Guards, and preceded by his Courtiers. He went on horseback to a Kitchen built for the purpose in the great Square, where he found a whole Ox roasting on a Spit, of which he cut off a Slice, and putting it into a Gold Dish he carry'd it to the Emperor's Table.
The Count de Zinzendorf, Vicar to the Elector of Hanover as Treasurer of the Empire, came next. He was on horseback attended by the Emperor's Guards, and taking a compass round the Square he scatter'd Medals of Gold and Silver among the Populace, which he took out of a couple of Bags of Cloth that were ty'd to his Saddle-Bow. These Medals represented on one side the Globe of the Earth encompass'd with Clouds, and this Latin Inscription, Constantiâ & Fortitudine. On the other side was this Legend, Carolus, Hispaniarum, Hung. & Bohem. Rex. A. A. Electus in Regem Roman. coronat. Francof. 22 Decemb. 1711. Over which there was an Imperial Crown like to that of Charlemain.
The Count de Dhona Ambassador from the King as Elector of Brandenburg, perform'd the Function of Great Chamberlain of the Empire in the absence of the Prince of Hohenzollern the Elector's Vicar, who was at that time indispos'd. The Count preceded by all his Livery, and accompany'd by some of the Emperor's Guards, rode on horseback towards the middle of the Square, where a Table was erected on which there was a Basin and Ewer of Silver gilt full of Water, with a Napkin that had been dipp'd in it, all which he took and carry'd into the Banquetting-Room, and gave to the Emperor to wash.
Afterwards the Count de Kinski, Ambassador of his Imperial Majesty as King of Bohemia, officiated for the Person whom he represented, as Great Cup-Bearer of the Empire: For this purpose he took a Goblet of Gold and fetch'd Wine at a Fountain erected in the middle of the Square representing the Imperial Eagle; which done, the Count went into the Banquetting-Room, and gave it to the Emperor to drink.
Thus did the Officers of the Empire acquit themselves of their several Functions: After this the Emperor plac'd himself alone at a Table upon a rais'd Floor, cover'd with red Cloth; and over it there was a Canopy of Gold Brocade. When the Emperor was seated the Electors plac'd themselves at Tables that were prepar'd for them on both sides of the Hall, on Floors that were a Step lower than the Emperor's. Over each Table there was a Canopy of Crimson-Velvet inrich'd with Gold, and they had each an Arm-Chair of the same. On the Right-side of each Table there was a magnificent Beaufet. The three Electors sate alone at their several Tables, and the Ambassadors of the absent Electors, after having stood a little while behind the Chairs plac'd for their respective Masters, went into another Room. On the following Days the Electors din'd with the Emperor, and his Majesty went also and din'd with the Electors. At length, after the Emperor had perform'd all the Ceremonies that are observ'd at Coronations, he set out from Francfort for his Hereditary Dominions, where he was impatiently expected by his Subjects.
Just as I was ready to depart from Francfort I receiv'd the melancholy News of the Death of the King's Brother the Margrave Philip, to
whom I was very much attached, and was therefore mightily afflicted for the Loss of him. The King's Ambassadors, to avoid the Expence of putting their Equipage in Mourning, kept his Death secret, so that they did not notify it to his Imperial Majesty till the Day before he went.
I set out from Francfort much about the same time as the Emperor did, and pass'd through Cassel, Hanover, and Dusseldorff. I lik'd Francfort so well before, that it tempted me to return to it; and besides, that was the Place to which a Passport was to be directed that I had sent for from France, in order to carry me to Paris. As soon as I receiv'd it I traveled thro' Minden, which I have already had the Honor to mention to you; and from thence, after having pass'd through Bilefeld a little Town in the County of Ravensberg, I arriv'd at Munster.
This, which was formerly an Imperial City, is now the See of a Bishop, Prince of the Empire, and Lord of the Town and its Jurisdiction. It stands in Westphalia in a large Plain, and on a little River which renders it very strong. It was the Birth-place of the famous Muntzer, the Head of the Anabaptists, a Sect of Heretics, who grew so powerful that they undertook to make themselves Masters of the City, and to chuse themselves a King; and about the End of the sixteenth Century, they accordingly chose for their Sovereign one John of Leyden, a Taylor, infamous for the Cruelties and Outrages which he committed. But Heaven deliver'd the City from such a Scourge; for at length after some Resistance it was reduc'd, and John of Leyden was put to death by the Hangman. The City revolted again afterwards; but at last the Bishop