contract that illustrious Alliance which is to unite you to the greatest
of Kings and the most amiable of Princes, I adore what God designs you
for, and admire with Transport the Course that Providence is steering to
conduct you to the Throne which you are going to ascend. You are
descended, MADAME, from a Family illustrious for its Antiquity, for its
Alliances, and for the eminent Employments which the great Men it has
given to _Poland_ have fill'd successively with so much Glory. You are the
Daughter of a Father, who, thro' the various Events of a busy Life,
chequer'd by good and bad Fortune, has always shewn himself the Gentleman,
the Hero, and the Christian. You have for your Mother, and your
Grandmother, Princesses, who like to _Judith_, and to that virtuous Woman
whose Character is drawn in the Scriptures, have attracted the Veneration
and Respect of the whole World, by the Fidelity with which they always
walk'd in the Fear of the Lord. In your Person, MADAME, are center'd all
the Accomplishments that can be form'd by a happy Birth, and an admirable
Education, supported by Examples equally strong and affecting. In you,
that Goodness, that Mildness, and those Charms are predominant, which gain
Love at the same time as they inforce Respect; that Integrity of Heart
which nothing can resist; that Superiority of Understanding and Knowledge
which are conspicuous, as it were in spite of you, and in spite of that
Modesty and noble Simplicity which are natural to you; and finally that
which is the Crown of so much Merit, that Taste for Piety, and that
Attachment to the true Principles of Religion, which animate your Actions,
and regulate your Conduct. Adorn'd with all these Virtues, what Crown is
there to which you might not reasonably aspire, exclusive of the Custom
which in some measure obliges Kings to look no farther than round the
Throne for Princesses that they have a mind would reign with them? He who
disposes of Empires puts the Sceptre of _Poland_ into the hands of a
Prince to whom you owe your Being, and by giving the Father that Splendor
conducts the Daughter insensibly to the sublime Station he is preparing
for her. But, O God, how impenetrable are thy Designs, and how far above
human Prudence are the Means thou makest use of to bring about thy wise
Purposes! This Prince was scarce seated on the Throne in which the Choice
of the Grandees, and the Affection of the People had plac'd him, but he
was oblig'd to quit it: He is abandon'd, betray'd, persecuted; one fatal
Shot bereaves him of the Hero his Friend, and the chief Stay of his Hopes:
He submits to the necessity of the Times without abating in his Courage:
He seeks refuge in a Country which is the common Shelter of unfortunate
Kings: He comes to _France_, and thither, MADAME, you are following him.
All that see you there, touch'd with your Misfortunes, admire your Virtue,
the Odour of which spreads to the Throne of a young Monarch, who, such is
the Lustre of his Crown, the Extent of his Power, and above all, the
Charms of his Person, might have made his choice out of all the Princesses
of the World: But being guided by wise Counsels, he fixes it upon You; and
here the Finger of God is plainly visible in improving that very
Misfortune which separates the King your Father from his Subjects, and
takes you out of _Poland_ to give Us in your Person, a Queen who shall be
the Glory of a Father and of a Mother, of whom she is now the Comfort and
Delight; a Queen, who shall render that Nation happy which most richly
deserves it, at least for its Respect and its Fidelity to its Sovereigns;
a Queen, who being inviolably attach'd to her Duty, full of Tenderness and
Respect for her Husband, and her King, and wisely employ'd in what is
capable of procuring her solid Happiness, will revive to us the Reign of
the Empress _Flaccilla_, of whom History says, that having always kept the
Precepts of the Divine Law in her view, she conferr'd thereupon daily with
the great _Theodosius_, and that her Words like a fruitful Rain, water'd
with success those Seeds of Virtue which God had sown in the Heart of her
Husband. Come then, MADAME, Come to the Altar. May the Engagements you are
going to enter into, sacred of themselves, (since according to the
Apostle, they are the Symbol of the Union of Jesus Christ with his Church)
may they be also sanctify'd by your own Disposition. May you be so
sensible of what you are going to be, that you may acknowledge that in
crowning your Merits, he crowns his Gifts: And may you Christians that
hear me, when you see the shining Rewards that are bestowed in this World
upon true Virtue, learn to respect and love it.'
* * * * *
_The Cardinal's Speech after the Celebration of the Marriage._
_MADAME_,
'Now that august Ceremony is ended which crowns our Hopes and our Wishes;
give me leave to desire your Majesty's Royal Protection for the Church of
_Strasbourg_. This Church has not forgot and never will forget the signal
Favours it has received from our former Kings. How great are its
Obligations to our last Monarch! Being deliver'd up by the Misfortunes of
the Times to the Furys of Schism and Heresy, it would perhaps have
perish'd as many others did, if that great Prince, by resuming the Rights
of his Ancestors, had not undertaken its defence, and supported it with
all his Power. To him it is oblig'd for the Advantage of being restored
to the Possession of this sacred Temple from which it had been banished.
There's nothing here but what puts us in mind of his Pious and Royal
Magnificence. Temples adorn'd, Pastors liberally maintain'd, Missions
founded, new Converts protected and supported, are so many Monuments of
the Zeal and Piety of a King whose Memory will never die. He had not the
Comfort to finish the Work which he had undertaken; that is to say, the
reuniting of all the Sheep of this illustrious Flock in one and the same
Fold: This was reserv'd to the worthy Heir of his Zeal and Crown. It will
be your part, MADAME, to represent to your August Spouse how much the
Remembrance of his Great Grandfather, his own Glory, and our Necessities,
which are even those of Religion, require of him. You will not desire that
Recourse shou'd be had to those Methods which exasperate, without
persuading; such would not be to your Majesty's liking, and God forbid
that we should suggest them to you. Those Children who disown us are your
Subjects, MADAME, and the Church of _Strasbourg_ confiding intirely in
God's Mercy, still looks on itself as their Mother. We therefore conjure
you by the Bowels of Jesus Christ, to employ, for the sake of uniting
them, every Thing with which an active but sympathizing Charity may
inspire you. God will bless your Majesty's Endeavours, and our Desires,
and will employ the Instances of your Piety and your Faith to the total
Confusion of Error, and the Triumph of the Truth. May your Reign be long
over us, MADAME, for the Happiness of the King, and the Welfare of this
great Kingdom. May God hear the Prayers which the Church has now offer'd
up for your Majesty, and may you be so good as to place us in the Rank of
your most zealous and most faithful Subjects.'
[Illustration]
LETTER XIX.
_SIR_, _Heidelberg, March 12, 1730._
Being in the Neighbourhood of SAVERNE where the Cardinal _de Rohan_ lives,
I had a mind to go thither. I have had the Honour to be known to that
Prelate a long time, and was overjoy'd at the opportunity of paying my
respects to him.
_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.
From _Landau_ I pass'd to BRHOUSEL, with an Intention to pay my respects
to the Cardinal _de Schonborn_ Bishop of _Spire_ who resides there, but I
did not succeed better there than at _Rastadt_; for his Eminency excus'd
himself from seeing me because he was going a hunting, and put me off till
next day; but I did not think it worth while to wait, what had happen'd to
me at the Court of _Baden_ being too fresh in my Memory. I was afraid of
the same Fate at _Brhousel_, where I lay at such sorry Quarters that I
cou'd not avoid catching Cold, my Lodging-Room being without Glass, and be
famish'd into the bargain, there being nothing to eat: Besides, my
Landlord told me that the Cardinal made even those People who came to him
upon Business dance attendance for three or four days. I said to my self
therefore that he had much more reason to make me wait, who came to his
Court out of meer Curiosity. I resolv'd therefore, as any Gentleman ought
to have done in the like case, and took the opportunity of the Cardinal's
Absence to go and view the outside of his Palace. 'Tis a great Structure
not yet entirely finish'd, which the Cardinal has hitherto carry'd on from
the very Foundation; but if I must be sincere with you, all these Works,
considerable as they are, have been form'd upon pitiful Plans. It has cost
a very large Sum of Money; and I fancy that in the time of the ancient
_Teutonics_, it wou'd have been reckon'd a very fine Structure. The chief
Beauty of it lies in its Situation; for a great Variety of agreeable
Objects are discovered from the Apartments. The Gardens are also so new
that one can scarce know the Plan of 'em; it seems to me that they are not
of an extraordinary Taste, and that they wou'd be much more suitable for a
private Man than for a Sovereign.
The Cardinal _de Schonborn_ is a keen Sportsman. He has Game enough in his
own Bishoprick, for the Country so abounds with all sorts that the Fields
are ruin'd by the Deer. The Peasants are so hard put to it to preserve
their Corn that they are oblig'd to watch it day and night. The Cardinal
often makes Hunting-Matches for the Stag and wild Boar, in which they kill
hundreds; at such times the Peasants are oblig'd to take a certain
quantity of Meat, for which they pay so much a Pound, according to a
Price that is regulated. The Bishoprick of _Spire_ is one of the
fruitfullest Provinces in _Germany_, but the Inhabitants are extremely
poor; for their Provisions lie on their hands, and they have scarce
wherewithal to pay the great Taillies due to their Sovereigns.
The Dignity of the Bishop of _Spire_ is elective, as are all the
Bishopricks of _Germany_ which are not in the hereditary Dominions of the
House of _Austria_. The Bishop is Sovereign of the Country, but the City
of _Spire_ has particular Privileges, as have all the Imperial Cities. You
know it was at _Spire_ that the Emperor _Charles_ V. establish'd the
Imperial Chamber, which is as it were the Parliament of the Empire. The
_French_ having destroy'd _Spire_ when they ravag'd the _Palatinate_, the
Chamber or supreme Tribunal was transferred to _Wetzlar_ in _Wetteravia_,
where indeed it seem'd to be more in the Center of _Germany_, and secur'd
from all manner of Insult.
_Damien-Hugo_ Count _de Schonborn_ Cardinal, is at this present Bishop of
_Spire_, and Co-adjutor of _Constance_. He is also grand Commander of the
Teutonic-Order. He was heretofore a Member of the Emperor's Privy-Council,
and his Plenipotentiary to the Circle of Lower _Saxony_. _Clement_ XI. of
the _Albani_ Family honour'd him with the Purple. He is descended of a
Family in which Merit has happen'd to be back'd by Fortune. The Cardinal's
Father was the first Count of it. He was also one of the Emperor's
Privy-Council, and Brother to _Lotharius-Francis_ Elector of _Mentz_ and
Bishop of _Bamberg_. The Cardinal has actually a Brother who is Elector of
_Triers_, another who is Bishop of _Wurtzbourg_ and _Bamberg_, whom I have
mention'd to you upon other occasions; and lastly, a third who is a
Counsellor of State[130] to the Emperor, and is now the Head of the
Family. Messieurs _de Schonborn_ had formerly an Elector of _Mentz_ in
their Family, who was at the same time Bishop of _Wurtzbourg_, but that
Prince left them no great Estate; so that they were not very rich when
_Lotharius-Francis_, Uncle to them all, was chose Elector of _Mentz_. But
this Prince procur'd them both Wealth and Honours, and render'd the Count
_de Schonborn_, who is Counsellor of State to the Emperor, one of the
richest Noblemen in _Germany_.
From _Brhousel_ to _Heidelberg_ there's one of the finest Countries in the
World, planted with Fruit, and especially Walnut-Trees, which bring in a
great Revenue.
The City of HEIDELBERG, upon the _Necker_, is very much pent up by that
River, and a Chain of Hills, so that 'tis not near so broad as 'tis long.
This City is the Capital of the Lower _Palatinate_, and was formerly the
Residence of the Electors. Here is a University which was founded in 1346,
by _Robert_ Prince _Palatine_, who was chose King of the _Romans_. No Town
has smarted more by the Scourge of War. Since the Disgrace of _Frederic_
Elector _Palatine_, whom the _Bohemians_ chose for their King, it has been
taken, plunder'd, or burnt four times. In 1622, the Emperor's General
_Tilly_ put 500 _Palatines_ in it to the Sword, and at the same time the
Emperor carry'd off the famous Library, which he gave in part to _Urban_
VIII. who caused it to be placed in the _Vatican_, where 'tis still to be
seen. In 1634, _Heidelberg_ was besieg'd twice. _John de Werth_ took it
for _Lewis_ XIV. but not being able to carry the Castle he retir'd. Not
many days after, the Marshals _de Force_ and _Brezé_ forc'd the Quarters
of the _Germans_, and took both the Town and Castle. The _French_ took
this City a third time in 1688, and again in 1693, which was the last
time, Sword in hand; at what time they committed Cruelties shocking to
remember, and of which there are woful Marks still left in _Heidelberg_,
and all the Towns in the _Palatinate_. This City was beginning to recover
it self by the Elector's residing there, when it brought a more heavy
Disgrace upon it self than all the Misfortunes it had suffer'd by the War.
The Case was thus:
The great Church of _Heidelberg_ since the Peace of _Westphalia_ belongs
half to _Roman_ Catholics, and half to the _Calvinists_, of whom the
former have the Choir, and the others the Body, and nothing but a thin
Partition separates the two Communions. The Choir not being big enough to
contain the Catholics when the Court resided at _Heidelberg_, the Elector
propos'd to the _Calvinists_ to yield him the Body of the Church,
alledging that not only the Choir was too scanty, but that he shou'd be
very glad that the Church in which the _Palatine_ Princes lie interr'd
were altogether Catholic. He promis'd at the same time that another Church
should be built for them larger and finer than what they were to yield to
him. The _Calvinists_ said that the great Church had been granted to them
by the Treaty of _Munster_; that all the Princes who were Guarantees of
the Peace of _Westphalia_ were engag'd to preserve them in the enjoyment
of it; that therefore they could not give it up without violating that
Treaty, which was their Security, and without rendring themselves unworthy
of the Protection of the Protestant Powers. The Elector, in order to
remove those Obstacles, consented that the Powers who were Guarantees of
the _Westphalian_ Treaty of Peace, in which the Church he desir'd was
expressly mentioned, should be Guarantees of the Church which he promis'd
should be built for them: But all these Offers how reasonable soever were
not accepted by the _Calvinists_. The Elector being thereby incens'd,
made use of his Sovereign Authority, and took by force what they were not
willing to yield to him; whereupon the _Calvinists_ had recourse to the
Protestant Princes of the Empire, the _Lutherans_ as well as the
_Calvinists_, who constituting but one Body and one Communion when the
Catholics are to be oppos'd, united together, and engag'd in their Quarrel
the Kings of _Great Britain_, _Denmark_, _Sweden_, and _Prussia_, and the
_States-General_. These Powers caused the Catholic Churches in their
Dominions to be shut up, sequester'd the Estates of the Convents, and made
such Clamors and Menaces that the Elector was oblig'd to reinstate the
_Calvinists_ in the Nave of the Church; but he was so angry with the
Inhabitants of _Heidelberg_ for their Disrespect to him that he remov'd
his Residence to _Manheim_. The Burghers were not very sorry at first for
the Departure of the Court; for being accustom'd to its Absence, they
flattered themselves that the Tribunals of the Regency, which, since the
Accession of the _Newbourg_ Family to the Electorate, had constantly been
kept at _Heidelberg_, would remain there still. But they were soon thrown
into the utmost Consternation when they saw those Tribunals follow the
Elector. They went and cast themselves at the Feet of their angry
Sovereign, and asking his Pardon for having affronted him, they offer'd
him the Church which was the cause of his Displeasure, and conjur'd him to
return to their City. But all their Supplications were fruitless; the
Elector was stedfast in his Resolution to punish _Heidelberg_, and
abandon'd it for ever. _Heidelberg_ having no Trade, and subsisting only
by the Court, or by the Tribunals of the Regency, of which it was totally
depriv'd, falls now into decay, and will, no doubt, e'er 'tis long dwindle
to little or nothing.
The Elector's Palace is higher than the City, and situate in such a manner
that there's a Prospect from the great Apartments quite through the
Opening between the Mountains, by which the _Necker_ runs into the Plain.
The Palace is built of Free-Stone, and is a magnificent Structure. The
greatest part of it was burnt by the _French_ when they destroy'd the
_Palatinate_: The Lodging-Rooms that are subsisting are very substantial,
tho' not built in the modern Taste. The Apartments are large, but want
Ornament, especially since they have been stript of their Furniture. The
Gardens were formerly reckon'd the finest in _Germany_; but there's scarce
any thing left of them except the Place where they flourished. If one may
judge of what they were by their Situation, they must have been very
pleasant, by reason of the extensive Prospect they afforded into the
Country.