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            [Illustration: _Lestevenon de Berkenroode._]

                     [Illustration: Decoration.]




                                  THE

                                MEMOIRS

                                  OF

                            _CHARLES-LEWIS_,

                           Baron de POLLNITZ.

                                 BEING

                    The OBSERVATIONS He made in his
                  late TRAVELS from _Prussia_, through

                               _POLAND_,
                               _GERMANY_,
                                _ITALY_,
                               _FRANCE_,
                                _SPAIN_,
                              _FLANDERS_,
                               _HOLLAND_,
                             _ENGLAND_, &c.

                 Discovering not only the PRESENT STATE
                     of the Chief CITIES and TOWNS;

                                  BUT

                The CHARACTERS of the PRINCIPAL PERSONS
                         at the Several COURTS.

                                VOL. IV.

                               _LONDON_:

            Printed for DANIEL BROWNE, at the _Black Swan_,
              without _Temple-Bar_; and JOHN BRINDLEY, at
                the _King's-Arms_, in _New Bond-street_.

                            M. DCC. XXXVIII.




                           TABLE OF CONTENTS


                       MEMOIR                  1

                       APPENDIX              301

                       INDEX                 356


                      [Illustration: Decoration.]




                                MEMOIRS

                                 OF THE

                           Baron DE POLLNITZ.

                                VOL. IV.


_To Madame_ DE ----.

The Conduct of the Court of _Spain_, tho' it really made the Court of
_Vienna_ uneasy, did not hinder the Emperor from carrying on the War
against the _Turks_ with Vigour: And Heaven so prosper'd the Imperial
Arms, that in 1718 Prince _Eugene_ gain'd the most signal Victory near
_Belgrade_ that the Christians could have hop'd for. Soon after that
Battle the victorious Troops reduc'd _Belgrade_, and at length the _Turks_
were forc'd to sue for a Peace: While every Thing seem'd to have a
Tendency that way, _Spain_ put to Sea the most formidable Fleet she had
ever equipp'd since that unfortunate one call'd, _The Invincible Armado_;
and sent it to the Coast of _Sicily_, where it put a numerous Army on
Shore, under Command of the Marquis _de Lede_. The Count _de Maffei_
Viceroy of the Kingdom for the Duke of _Savoy_, who was King of _Sicily_,
made all the Resistance possible, considering the Weakness of his Army;
and tho' not able to save the Island, yet he made such a Defence as
hinder'd the _Spanish_ Army from pushing its Conquests farther by giving
Time to Admiral _Bing_, who commanded the _English_ Fleet, to enter the
_Mediterranean_, and execute the Orders he had to attack the _Spanish_
Fleet. These Orders imported, that he was to act in a friendly manners in
case that _Spain_ desisted from its Enterprizes against the Neutrality of
_Italy_; but otherwise to make a vigorous Resistance. Admiral _Bing_
communicated these Orders to Cardinal _Alberoni_, who answer'd him
gravely, _That he had nothing to do but to put them in Execution_. The
Admiral did so with a Vengeance; for on the 11th of _August_ he gave
Battle to the _Spanish_ Fleet, and intirely defeated it. As soon as the
Duke Regent was inform'd of the News, he sent away a Courier to the
_French_ Ambassador at _Madrid_, with Letters from the Earl of _Stairs_ to
the _English_ Ambassador Earl _Stanhope_. The Design of his Royal Highness
was to engage the latter to return to _Madrid_, from whence he set out on
the 27th of _August_, that he might make fresh Instances there for a Peace
with Cardinal _Alberoni_, who to be sure was a little stunn'd at this
Reverse of Fortune. But the Earl, whether he did not meet the Courier, or
whether he did not think it proper to return to _Spain_, arriv'd at
_Paris_ on the 9th of _September_.

Mean Time the War betwixt the Emperor and the _Turks_ was at an End, and
Orders were actually given for sending the Imperial Troops into _Italy_.
The Regent despairing at that Time of persuading the King of _Spain_ to a
Peace, order'd the Abbat _du Bois_, the _French_ Ambassador at _London_,
to sign the Treaty commonly call'd _The Quadruple Alliance_, in
Conjunction with the Ambassadors of _England_ and the Emperor. He also
repeated his Orders to the Duke of _St. Aignan_, to try all the means
imaginable to prevail on the King of _Spain_ to accede to the Terms that
were propos'd to him by the Quadruple Alliance; but his Catholic Majesty
persisted so long in his Refusal, that his Royal Highness resolv'd to
declare War against him, and the Duke of _St. Aignan_ had Orders to demand
his Audience of Leave.

At that Time the Regent happily discover'd a Conspiracy that was form'd
against him in the very Heart of the Kingdom. The King of _England_ had
before appriz'd him, that there was some Contrivance on Foot; but the
Names of the Conspirators, and what they were to do, was a Secret. Mean
time the Regent suspecting that all these Intrigues were only fomented by
the Minister of _Spain_, he caus'd the Prince _de la Cellamare_,
Ambassador from that Crown, to be so narrowly watch'd that he was soon let
into the Secret of the whole Intrigue carrying on against him, which was
in short no less than to remove him from the Regency. The _Spanish_
Minister for the better Success had caus'd a Body of Troops to be
assembled in _France_, where they stroll'd about like Fellows that dealt
in unlicens'd Salt, and other Contraband Goods; but upon a particular Day
they were to enter _Paris_, invest the Royal Palace, and to secure the
Person of the Regent. The Conspiracy was detected almost at the same
Instant that it was to have been executed; and of this the Prince _de
Cellamare_ himself was partly the Cause; not that I suspect him of having
betray'd the _Spanish_ Minister, but probably he was too credulous of
every one that came to him; for I was told, that the Pacquet containing
the whole Mystery of the Conspiracy, and the Names of the Conspirators,
was put into the Hands of the Abbat _Portocarrero_, in Presence of a
Couple of Domesticks, whose infidelity was not perhaps Proof against the
Lewidors of the Royal Palace. Besides, this Abbat, tho' a Person of Merit,
had not perhaps Experience or Wisdom enough to behave as was absolutely
necessary in so ticklish an Affair. Be this as it will, he set out for
_Madrid_ with such Dispatches committed to his Care as contain'd the
Fortunes of a great Number of People. He had not travell'd far, when, as
he was passing a Ford, his Chaise broke, and he had like to have been
drown'd; but notwithstanding the Danger of his Person, he seem'd to be
more in Pain for his Trunk than for his Life. This Earnestness for the
Preservation of his Trunk gave a Suspicion to those who attended him; and
the Spies whom the Regent had planted upon him, advertis'd that Prince of
it time enough for him to give his Orders to the Commandant of _Poictiers_
to cause him to be arrested, and his Trunk to be secur'd. The Abbat was
accordingly arrested[1], and brought back to _Paris_. The Prince _de
Cellamare_, being inform'd of what had pass'd, claim'd the Trunk, saying
it contain'd the Memoirs of his Embassy: He was given to understand, that
his Word was not to be taken, and the Trunk being open'd at the Royal
Palace, there was all the Scheme of the Conspiracy, and the List of the
Persons that were enter'd into it. The Thing that gave the Regent most
Vexation was, to see the Names of Persons there, upon whom he had heap'd
his Favours. His Royal Highness acted in this delicate Conjuncture with
all the Moderation possible, and his Behaviour was in every Respect so
discreet, that it was hardly discernible that any Thing extraordinary was
passing in _France_; he caus'd the Abbat _Portocarrero_ to be releas'd, as
an insignificant Tool; but as to the Prince _de Cellamare_, he was invited
to a Conference at the Royal Palace, to which he no sooner arriv'd, but
Messengers were sent to clap a Seal on his Effects. The Ministers went
with him afterwards to his own House, where he was surpriz'd to find a
Guard that was charg'd to be answerable for his Person. Some Days after
this, all his Papers were examin'd, and Three Boxes were fill'd with them
in his Presence, which were seal'd and carry'd to the _Louvre_, there to
be kept till the King of _Spain_ sent Persons that he could confide in to
fetch them. At length on the 13th of _December_, the Prince _de Cellamare_
set out from _Paris_ with a Guard: As for the Smugglers, they vanish'd as
soon as the Conspiracy was brought to Light: All this pass'd in the Month
of _December_, 1718.

The 29th of the same Month the Duke and Duchess of _Maine_ were arrested:
The Duke had been the Day before to pay a Visit to the Duchess of
_Orleans_ at the Royal Palace, and stay'd there Three Hours, after which
he return'd to lye at _Seaux_; where next Morning a Lieutenant of the
Guards came and told him, that he had Orders to carry him under a strong
Guard to the Castle of _Dourlens_. The same Day at Seven in the Morning,
the Marquis _D'Ancenis_, who was Captain of the Guards after the Death of
his Father the Duke of _Charost_, during whose Life he had the Post in
Reversion, had an Order to arrest the Duchess of _Maine_: This Officer had
supp'd but the Night before with the Princess, and stayed with her very
late; guess then how he must be surpriz'd when he came Home, and found the
_Letter de Cachet_ or Warrant, which put him upon an Office that he would
have been glad to be excused from serving; but the Order must be obeyed,
and therefore he went next Day to the Princess's Apartment, who was then
in Bed, as were also her Ladies; so that the Servants were very much
startled to see M. _D'Ancenis_ there again so early, and scrupled at first
to awake the Duchess; but, as they imagined the Marquis was come about an
Affair of great Consequence, the Ladies let him in: The Princess, being
wak'd out of her Sleep by the Noise of the Door, as it open'd, ask'd, Who
was there? M. _D'Ancenis_ having told her his Name, she said to him
hastily, _Oh! my God! What have I done to you, that you should disturb me
so soon in the Morning?_ He then told her the melancholy Commission that
he was sent upon. They say, her Ladyship was much more provok'd at this
Disgrace than the Duke her Husband; and she could not help dropping some
Words which shew'd plain enough that she was impatient under her
Misfortune. However, she was quickly dress'd, and getting into a Coach
with Three of her Waiting-Women, she was conducted to the Castle of
_Dijon_: All her chief Domestics were committed, some to the _Bastille_,
and others to _Vincennes_. The Prince of _Dombes_ and the Count _de Eu_
were banish'd to _Eu_, where they had so much Liberty however, that this
Change of Fortune had not altogether the Air of Disgrace. As for
_Maidemoiselle de Maine_, the Princess of _Conty_ took her Home with her.
The Cardinal _de Polignac_, who was very much attach'd to the Family of
_Maine_, also shar'd their Fate; for he was banish'd to his Abbey of
_Anchin_, and had but Two Hours allow'd him to set his Affairs in Order.

While these Things pass'd in _France_, the King of _Spain_, or rather his
Minister, caus'd the Duke of _St. Aignan_, the Ambassador of _France_, to
be very ill treated, who having taken Leave of the King and Queen, stay'd
some Days longer to settle his domestic Affairs, perhaps also to see what
Turn Things would take, in case the King of _Spain_, who was then
dangerously ill, should die. I am assur'd that the King having told him,
that by his Will he left the Regency to the Queen and Cardinal _Alberoni_,
the Ambassador made Answer, That his Testamentary Settlement might
probably be of as little Effect as _Lewis_ XIV's was. This Answer
displeas'd the Cardinal, who thought of nothing but of being reveng'd; and
indeed some time after, the Marquis _de Grimaldo_, Secretary of State,
went to the Duke of _St. Aignan_, and signify'd an Order to him from the
King, to leave _Madrid_ in Twenty-four Hours, and the Kingdom in Twelve
Days. 'Twas 10 o'Clock at Night when this Order was notify'd, and next
Day, _viz._ the 14th of _December_, at 7 o'Clock in the Morning, the
Ambassador's House was surrounded by a Party of Life-Guards, commanded by
an Exempt, who having plac'd Centinels at all the Doors of his Lodging,
enter'd the Duke's Apartment, who was still a-bed with his Duchess, made
them dress themselves with all Speed, and then conducted them out of the
City.

Cardinal _Alberoni_, who did not yet know, that the Plot he had laid was
discover'd, wrote with Speed to the Prince of _Cellamare_, that he might
guess what to expect after the Treatment that had been shewn to the
Ambassador of _France_; tho' he told him, that ought not to be a Reason
for using him in the same manner, and that the Duke _de St. Aignan_'s
Misbehaviour had made it necessary to take that Course with him. He
exhorted him not to stir from _Paris_, till he was compell'd to it by
Force, nor even then, till he had made all the convenient Protests. He
said to him in the Conclusion, _Put the Case that your Excellency be
oblig'd to go, you will first set Fire to all your Mines_. Little did he
think how terribly they were at that Time countermin'd!

This Letter, which was a farther Confirmation of the Prince _de
Cellamare_'s Conspiracy, and the Affront put upon the Ambassador of the
most Christian King, intirely convinc'd the Regent, that the _Spanish_
Minister was resolv'd to go all Lengths. War was declar'd on both Sides,
in which _Spain_ did not come off with Honour. I shall have further
Occasion to speak of it to you some Time hereafter.

I am next to give you an Account, how it far'd with myself at this Time:
Tho' I had no Hand in this Plot, yet I was shrewdly suspected; for several
Conferences were held at my House: I was intimate with those who were
deepest in the Secret, and in Fine, whether it proceeded from Prudence,
or from a Panic, I resolv'd to take Care of myself. I set out from _Paris_
in a very great Hurry, with a Design to repair to the Palatine Court, and
stay there till the Storm was quite over. I went to _Germany_ thro'
_Lorrain_, but had much ado to get thither, because I had no Passport, and
Orders were arriv'd from Court, to stop all that travell'd without one; I
therefore thought of the following Stratagem.

       *       *       *       *       *

About a League from _Toul_, which is the last Place in _France_, I feign'd
myself sick, that I might have some colour for halting there, and
dismissing my Postilion. At that Village I lay all Night, and rising very
early next Morning, I told my Landlady that I would go to _Toul_ on Foot,
and desir'd her to send my Boots according to a Direction I left with her.
My Design was to go into _Toul_ as a Townsman; for I hop'd, that my being
on Foot, and not having the Air of a Traveller, I should pass without
Molestation; but I was quite mistaken; for the Guard stopp'd me, and ask'd
me, Who I was, and, Wither I was bound? I said, That I was a _German_,
that I had been the _Valet de Chambre_ of a _German_ Nobleman, who dy'd at
_Paris_, and that I was returning from thence Homewards. The Officer
carry'd me before the King's Lieutenant, who, I thought, was a mere Brute;
yet I think I should be in the Wrong to complain, for I gave myself out
for a Footman, and really as such he treated me: He put several Questions
to me, which I always made Answer to like a most submissive Lackey, in
Hopes of soothing his sullen Humour; but nothing could defend me from his
Reproaches: _You are not a Footman_, said he, _I rather believe you are
some Bankrupt; therefore tell me the Truth, or I'll instantly throw you
into a Dungeon._ I still affirm'd, that I was a Footman; but the
Lieutenant, not well pleas'd with my Answer, committed me to the
Guard-House, where he left me Five or Six Hours, and then sent me Word,
that I might go to an Inn: I was conducted thither by a Soldier, who was
always a Guard upon me, and next Day carry'd me again before the King's
Lieutenant, who took me into his Closet, and told me, 'Twas to no Purpose
for me to think of concealing myself any longer from him; for that he was
just inform'd who I was, by a Person who knew me. I own, _Madame_, that I
began to be afraid, yet I stood to my Text still, with all the Assurance
that could be. He then call'd one of his Domestics, and bid him fetch the
Man that knew me; but 'twas well for me, that this Person had no Existence
but in his Imagine. Mean Time he seem'd to be out of Patience that he did
not come; and at last told me, that I must return to the Guard-House, and
not stir from thence till I had fully satisfy'd him who and what I was.
Then I happen'd to hit upon an Expedient which prov'd a lucky one; I told
him, That I was very willing to remain in Custody till I had receiv'd an
Answer from the Landlady of the Inn where my Master dy'd, who would make
good what I had affirm'd. Upon this he order'd Paper to be given me; and I
wrote in short to my Landlady at _Paris_, by the Name of a _Valet de
Chambre_, whom I left there when I came away. As she was a Woman of quick
Apprehension, and knew my Hand-Writing, I persuaded myself that she would
easily comprehend the Meaning of it. When my Letter was finish'd, I shew'd
it to the King's Lieutenant, who read it, and told me, That he would
undertake both for its Delivery, and an Answer to it. In the mean Time he
remanded me back to my Inn, and in Two Hours after, sent to tell me, that
I might pursue my Journey. You will naturally imagine, that I took him at
the first Word. I accordingly walk'd out of _Toul_ on Foot, but I hir'd a
Horse at a Village belonging to the Principality of _Elboeuf_, and went to
_Nancy_, where I had the Precaution to provide myself with a Passport,
which the Innkeeper, where I lay, procur'd me, by the Name of a certain
Merchant of that City. I did not think fit to go to _Strasbourg_, where
perhaps I might have been known; but went to _Haguenau_; from thence to
_Fort Louis_, where I pass'd the _Rhine_; and at last arriv'd at
_Heidelberg_ in the Beginning of the Year 1719.

       *       *       *       *       *

The Palatine Court resided at _Heidelberg_[2], but 'twas not the same
Elector that I had the Honour to mention to you before, for he was dead,
and was succeeded by his Brother Prince _Charles_, who kept a numerous and
magnificent Court, and was the Darling of all his Family. He was so good
to his Domestics, that there are few such to be found among Princes; and
yet without debasing his Rank, of which he understood every Part of its
Dignity, and perfectly knew how to have the Respect paid that was due to
him: Being withal generous, good-natur'd, affable and charitable; he lov'd
People should speak to him with Freedom. He was very regular in his
Conduct, even to a Degree of Devotion, yet in no respect an Enemy to
Pleasures; on the contrary, he often procured them for his Court; and he
was especially fond of Dancing, which he perform'd indeed too well for a
Prince.

The Elector has had Two Wives, but he has had only one Child, a Daughter,
marry'd to the Hereditary Prince of _Sultzbach_, who is the Elector's
presumptive Heir. She is a very lovely Princess, tho' somewhat pitted with
the Small Pox; she is not tall, but perfectly well-shap'd; she is complete
Mistress of every Thing which young Princesses are usually taught; she
dances and sings with a very good Grace, and especially the _Italian_
Airs, which she plays at the same time to Perfection upon the Harpsichord.
The Prince her Husband was a clever handsome Man, and his Outside was a
sufficient Indication of his Endowments: He had so grave an Air, that one
would be apt to suspect him of a little Austerity, yet this did not render
him a whit the less polite; and, above all Things, he was very civil to
Foreigners. He shew'd an extraordinary Respect to the Elector, who, on his
Part, gave him all the possible Marks of a Tenderness for him. This young
Prince had a Son by this Marriage, who dwelt at _Neubourg_, where he had
been brought up; it being apprehended that the Fatigues of Travelling
would be hurtful to his Health, but, notwithstanding this Precaution, the
young Prince dy'd in 1724.

The Elector was a very early Riser; as soon as he was up, he spent some
Time in Prayer; then the Great Chamberlain or Grand Master of the Wardrobe
talk'd to him about Affairs of State, or such as were Domestic; when those
Gentlemen were retir'd, the Prince employed himself in reading Dispatches,
or in Writing; after which he dress'd himself: About 11 o'Clock he went
to Mass, accompany'd by the Prince his Son-in-Law, and the Princess his
Daughter: When he held a Council there, 'twas after Mass was over: Upon
other Days he play'd at Billiards till Dinner-time, which held a long
while, and sometimes a little too much was drank at it; which indeed they
could not well help, the Wine there was so delicious. After Dinner was
over, his Electoral Highness went with the Princess his Daughter to her
Apartment, where he stay'd a little while, and then retir'd to his own,
where he caus'd himself to be undress'd, and went to Bed for a few Hours.
About 5 or 6 o'Clock in the Evening he was dress'd, after which he gave
public Audiences, or else apply'd himself to something in his Study. At 7
o'Clock he went into the Assembly Room, where he found the Princess and
the whole Court; and after having chatted some Time, he sate down to
Picquet, or to a Pair of Tables; but when the Game was over, he retired,
and the Princess went to Supper.

In the Afternoon, when the Elector was withdrawn, the Princess went into
her Lady of Honour's Apartment, where there was always a great Assembly,
and often a Concert, in which the Princess sung some _Italian_ Song or
other, together with _Signora Claudia_, one of her Waiting-Women. This
little Concert was made up also of some Musicians selected out of the
Elector's Band, and is one of the completest that I ever heard. The Prince
of _Sultzbach_ assisted at it sometimes; but he most commonly retir'd to
his Apartment at the same Time that the Elector did to his.

As these Two Princes shew'd me great Marks of their Goodness, the
Courtiers too, in Imitation of their Masters, were mighty civil to me: I
was invited to the best Houses, and treated every Day with grand Feasts,
and fresh Parties of Pleasure; and in a Word I pass'd the little Time I
stay'd at _Heidelberg_ very pleasantly. I was so charm'd with that Court,
that I had a great Mind to put in for some Employment there; and for that
end I engag'd some Persons, who I thought could do me most Service; but
notwithstanding the Courtiers seem'd so fond of me, I found a Cabal in my
Way, which was powerful enough to hinder me from obtaining my Wish. These
were, to my Misfortune, Persons of very good Credit, who did not care to
see any body in Place, but such, as they knew, would truckle to them. The
Great Chamberlain, to whom I plainly saw I was not acceptable, was one of
those who made the greatest Opposition to my Advancement. 'Tis true, that
I drew his Resentment upon me by my own Rashness and Folly: For one Day,
as I was attending the Elector from the Princess's Apartment to his own, I
went into a Room which, according to the Custom of the Court, no body was
permitted to enter, except the Great Chamberlain; but this was more than I
then knew, and therefore I went boldly into the Room, when a Harbinger of
the Court came, and, with a very impertinent Air, bad me _turn out_----I
ask'd him, Whether he had his Order for saying so from the Elector? He
said, No; but from the Great Chamberlain: I then made him an Answer in a
Style that surpriz'd him, and bad him tell the Grand Chamberlain something
that I knew he would not be pleas'd with: At the same time I talk'd both
against the Chamberlain and his Emissary in such a manner as gave Vent to
my Spleen, but excluded me from the Service of one of the best Princes in
the World. I took Leave afterwards of the Elector, who bad me Farewel,
made me a considerable Present, and moreover gave me Letters of
Recommendation to _Vienna_, where I intended to solicit some Employment.

I shall now give you a brief Account of the City and Castle of
_Heidelberg_: The City stands on the Banks of the _Neckar_, with high
Mountains on each Side, and only a narrow Passage between them, from which
however there's a Prospect of the noblest Plain in _Germany_. In this City
there was formerly a famous University, founded by _Rupert the Ruddy_,
Count Palatine and Duke of _Bavaria_ in 1346. Here was to be seen one of
the finest Libraries in _Europe_, but General _Tilly_ carry'd it off in
1622, and sent it to _Rome_, where it makes a considerable Part of the
_Vatican_ Library. _Lewis_ the Dauphin of _France_, Grandfather of _Lewis_
XV. made himself Master of _Heidelberg_ by a Capitulation in 1698.
nevertheless, all manner of Disorders were committed in it; a Part of the
Electoral Palace was blown up, the City was burnt, and the very Corpses of
the Electors, which were in the Coffins with the Ornaments of their
Dignity, were dragg'd out of their Graves into the Square: And the
_French_ would undoubtedly have committed greater Cruelties, if the Army
of the Empire had not advanc'd towards _Heidelberg_, of which the
_Germans_ made themselves Masters; and the Governor was prosecuted for
Treachery, and sentenc'd to have his Choice, Whether to die by the Sword,
or to have his Coat of Arms defac'd, his Sword broke, to be kick'd by the
Hangman, and turn'd out of the Army with his Life: But he was so
mean-spirited, as to prefer Infamy to Death, and retir'd to _Hildesheim_,
where he has the Misfortune to be still living.

Some Time after this, the Marshal _de Lorge_ attack'd _Heidelberg_, but he
could not master it, tho' the Place was defenceless. A Song was made upon
him, the Burden of which was, _He would have taken_ Heidelberg, _if he had
found the Door open_. There's no Sign now that _Heidelberg_ was ever
ruin'd; 'tis well rebuilt; and if the present Elector had continued his
Residence in it, would have been one of the finest Towns in _Germany_; but
'twas owing to the Protestants, that the Elector remov'd to _Manheim_.
What gave Occasion to it was this: The Protestants of _Heidelberg_ and the
Catholics have one Church between them, where the Nave of it belongs to
the Protestants, and the Choir to the Catholics. When the present Elector
had fix'd his Residence at _Heidelberg_, he desir'd that this Church, in
which the Electors are interr'd, might be intirely Catholic; and for this
end he made a Proposal to the Protestants, to give up the Nave, and
engag'd that another Church should be built for them. The Inhabitants were
very willing to consent to it, but the Ministers oppos'd it, and
represented to the Citizens, that 'twas of dangerous Consequence to resign
that Church, which was included in the Treaty of _Westphalia_, and in all
the Treaties that had been made with the Princes of _Neubourgh_, on their
Accession to the Electorate; that, after such a Resignation was once made,
they could no longer expect the Protection of the Powers of their own
Communion; and finally, that even the new Church, which was promis'd to be
built for them, might with very great Ease be taken from them. The Elector
having declar'd that he would be obey'd, the Ministers apply'd to the
Protestant Body at the Dyet of the Empire. The Affair made a great Noise;
and the Elector threatened the Inhabitants to abandon them; but they did
not seem to be much concern'd at it, because they imagin'd, that if the
Court went, the Regency and the Courts of Justice would remain with them,
as they did in the Time of the late Elector. Nevertheless they were out in
their Calculation, and the Elector, justly incens'd at the Disrespect of
his Subjects, abandon'd them, and transfer'd his Court and all the
Tribunals to _Manheim_; so that the Citizens, whose sole Dependance was on
the Court, or the Officers of those Tribunals, are now very poor. They
were quickly sensible of the Error they had committed, and went and threw
themselves at the Elector's Feet; but the Prince