good Cannon; nevertheless, the Elector of Bavaria took it with Ease in the Beginning of the late War, when that Prince declar’d for his Nephew the King of Spain, tho’ ’tis said, his Electoral Highness had a Correspondence at the same time in the Town. But the Battle of Hochstet help’d to restore it to its Liberty, and notwithstanding the Menaces of the Marshal de Villars, it receiv’d an Imperial Garison.
From Ulm I went to Augsbourg[4], a very ancient City, where a Roman Colony was planted by the Emperor Augustus, from whom it had the Latin Name Augusta. It has from time to time undergone several Revolutions: In 1518 Luther came hither to give a public Account of his Doctrine; and in 1530, Charles V. summon’d the Dyet of the Empire hither, which Dyet was famous for the noted Confession of Augsbourg, that the Protestants presented to the Emperor. In another Dyet held in 1548, the same Charles V. propos’d that Formulary call’d the Interim, with regard to the Communion in both Kinds, and the Marriage of Priests: This Formulary has done irreparable Injury to the Catholic Religion.
Augsbourg had a very great Share in the Civil Wars between our Ancestors, on account of Religion. During that Period, the Protestants seiz’d the City, and turn’d out the Bishop and Clergy; but Charles V. having retaken it, re-establish’d the Romish Religion in it, and alter’d the whole Government, which continued in that State till the Beginning of April 1552, when the Protestants took it again, and restor’d what the Emperor had destroy’d; and at length a Peace was concluded at Augsbourg; but the City did
not long enjoy the Sweets of it, and Violences were soon committed on both Sides. The famous Gustavus Adolphus, King of Sweden, came to the Aid of the Protestants. He arriv’d at Augsbourg in 1632. The Inhabitants paid him extraordinary Honours, which was very provoking to the Catholic Princes, and to the Duke of Bavaria, who Two Years after punish’d them for it. This Prince having declared himself the Protector of the ancient Religion, besieg’d Augsbourg, and reduc’d the Citizens to such Extremity, that they eat Rats, Cats, and even human Flesh. It was settled at the Peace of Westphalia, that the Catholics and Lutherans should tolerate one another, which was afterwards punctually observ’d. Nevertheless, this City was again molested by the Elector of Bavaria in the last War, when he made himself Master of it, but his Troops abandon’d it immediately after the Battle of Hochstet. After the Peace of Westphalia, the Emperor Leopold summon’d the Dyet of the Empire to Augsbourg in 1690, and there he caus’d himself to be crown’d, and his Son Joseph to be elected King of the Romans.
The assembling of the Dyets, and the flourishing Trade at Augsbourg, have render’d it one of the most magnificent Cities in Germany. Its Squares are large, its Streets spacious, and its Fountains very beautiful. The Town-House is one of the finest Buildings that I have seen. ’Tis a vast square Edifice, well built of Free-Stone. The Porch is all of Marble. Almost all the Rooms are wainscotted and ceil’d with very fine Timber. There’s a Hall 110 Feet long, 58 broad, and 52 Feet in Height, the Pavement of which is Marble, and its Walls adorn’d with Paintings, intermix’d with Emblems and Devices
relating to the Government. The Ceiling, which exceeds all the rest for its Beauty, has Compartments, the Squares and Pannels whereof are inrich’d with Sculptures, very finely gilt, and full of beautiful Pictures and other Ornaments. The Cathedral is large and spacious, with a most remarkable great Gate, all of Brass, over which there are several Scripture Passages, represented in Basso-Relievo of very nice Workmanship. The Episcopal Palace has nothing extraordinary. The present Bishop is of the Family of Newbourg, and Brother to the Elector of Triers, and the Elector Palatine. The Dignity of Prince of the Empire is annex’d to that of Bishop of Augsbourg, in the same manner as it is to all the Bishopricks of Germany. He is chose by the Chapter, which is compos’d of Canons, who are noble by Sixteen Descents. The Bishop’s Sovereignty extends over almost all the Territory of Augsbourg.
I am now going to give you an Account of one of the most splendid Courts in all Germany, I mean that of Bavaria, which I had the Honour to see at Munich, whither I went at my Departure from Augsbourg.[5]Munich, which is the Capital of Bavaria, stands upon the River Iser, that falls into the Danube, for which Reason the Neighbourhood is almost all Meadow Land. The Town is not large, but very well built, so that I have scarce seen any that makes so gay an Appearance. Munich contains several stately Buildings, both sacred and profane. Among the former, the Two finest, that I took Notice of, are, our Lady’s Church, and that of the Jesuits.
In our Lady’s Church there’s a magnificent Tomb of the Emperor Lewis IV. adorn’d with
Figures of Marble and Brass. There’s one Thing remarkable in this Church, and that is, at the Entrance of the great Gate there’s a particular Place, from whence, as one stands, we observe such a Regularity in the Disposition of the Pillars which support the Roof, that there is not a Window to be perceiv’d in it, tho’ there are a great many.
The Jesuits Church is also extremely magnificent. It consists intirely of one Nave, very lofty and spacious, the Roof of which is very noble, and adorn’d all over with Sculpture. The Vestry contains a great deal of Wealth in Relics, and in Vessels of Gold and Silver.