furnish'd this Library with part of these Rarities and left an Example worthy to be imitated by others I receiv'd Information here of the Honour that the Senate had done me in making a Present to me of certain Medals which they had sent to Paris for my use whereupon I was overjoy'd and ready to make all manner of Acknowledgments for so great a favour altho' I had not as yet those Treasures in my own possession It was requisite that the Plenty of Noremberg shou'd be divided and therefore the University is settl'd at ALTORF Where the Liberal Arts and Sciences flourish with all manner of splendour the curious Publick Library being the foundation of these Studies and the Professors the Instruments M. Hofman there teaches the Art of Physick with great success but M. Wagenseil more particularly applies himself to the study of the Hebrew Tongue and of the Divinity of the Jews How great delight wou'd the great Scaliger have taken in conferring with him about so many Difficulties relating to their Law and the Talmud with which his Noble Mind was so much taken up None ever attain'd to so profound skill in these matters since the Nativity of Jesus Christ and since Scaliger's time as I am apt to believe none has advanc'd the knowledge of 'em so far This most Ingenious Person takes much delight in the viewing of Medals and is well vers'd in the method of distinguishing 'em I am also indebted to his Courtesie for a Greek one of Gordianus coin'd at Byzantium which I shall publish at a convenient opportunity At the distance of about three daies Journey from Noremberg stands BAREIT It is a small Town which with its adjacent Territory serves as an Inheritance to a Prince of the House of Brandenburg He who is at present Master of it at first took to Wife the Daughter of the Elector of Saxony and afterwards marry'd that of the Duke of Wirtemberg namely Sophia that prudent judicious and magnificent Princess She is highly honour d by all those who know her because her Merit requires it and even in regard that she is much addicted to Curiosity Her Repository is as it were a Sore-house of Golconda I saw there all those choice precious Stones which are usually taken out of the Mines of that Country and among others one longer and broader than my Eye very thick and perfectly clear It is a Diamond of great value by reason of its extraordinary beauty and weight If the Town of Bareit be so rich in its Repository 't is no less so in its Wine-Cellar I have been there My Lord and shou'd not have been able to return from thence if I had follow'd the Advice of those that conducted me thither Perhaps Vlysses wou'd not have been so sober at his departure from this Place as when he left Circe's inchanted Island for here he wou'd have met with the Liquors of his own native soil accompany'd with all the Delicates of the Western Countries Indeed these kinds of Rencounters sometimes put a stop to the carrying on of the most generous Designs I have been inform'd that the Prince spares no costs in making those agreeable Provisions as neither does the Princess in adorning her Cabinet of Jewels This delectable store of Rarities and Riches did no longer retard my Journey than during so much time as was requisite to take a view of ' em Afterward I set forward to Saxony and arriv'd at JENA Where I saw that so flourishing University to which all the Students of the North usually resort to pay their first Hommages There are above 3000. of 'em and 't is probable that their number wou'd be augmented if the profound Peace which they now enjoy shou'd drive away all suspicion of a future War Otherwise a small Commotion wou'd be sufficient to terrifie the Muses and I am afraid that at the very first discharge of a Cannon they wou'd all quit their claim to their Mount Parnassus However the Prince who is of the House of Saxony causes this University to be enlarg'd and leaves no means unessay'd that may tend to encrease its ancient Splendour I was there acquainted with two very eminent Professors viz. M. Rolfinus and M. Bosius the former is very Famous for his skill in the Art of Physick and the other for that of History But I have reason to fear that they will not long possess those honourable Stations one of 'em being very old and extreamly indispos'd neither does the other enjoy a much greater degree of Health altho' he be much younger This M. Bosius has divers considerable Medals and is well vers'd in the knowledge of 'em He permitted me to draw with a Pen some Copies which may one day be of use to the Republick of Learning and in the mean while serve to adorn my Manuscripts Give me leave My Lord to represent to You a Character of this Prince in a few Words who notwithstanding his Youth is endu'd with as much Judgment as the most accomplish'd so that nothing seems to be wanting to him but an occasion of making known his excellent Endowments to the World He has a particular respect for France and its Natives and speaks their Language as politely as the Persons of Quality at Paris and in the French Court The Dutchess his Wife was born Dutchess of Trimouille and apparently promotes this Inclination What shall I say in commendation of her Vertue and generous Temper which were not sufficiently known either in France or Germany The Ermine which I gave for her Device may discover somewhat of it in these Words CANDOR MIHI SUFFICIT UNUS WEIMAR Which is situated in the Neighbourhood communicates its name to a Branch of the House of Saxony to distinguish it from the Electoral It is a Town of a moderate largeness whose Palace nevertheless is extreamly spacious and Magnificent That Hall in which are painted the memorable Actions of Duke Bernard is the stateliest that I have seen in Germany If nothing can be made finer to delight the Eye than this piece of Work-manship it may be justly affirm'd that another Chamber is contriv'd on purpose to divert the Mind where those Persons who stand in the middle cannot hear so much as one Word that is spoken by those that are plac'd at the ends One wou'd suspect it to be a Magical Artifice and indeed 't is very surprizing yet 't is only a Device of Architecture which conveys the sound of the Voice along the concave Line of the arched Roof to the other end without dispersing it thro' the great Vacuum of the spacious Chamber But my Mind was taken up with much more melancholy Thoughts as I was travelling from Jena to Leipsick thro' those vast Plains which seem as yet to reek with that prodigious quantity of Blood which was spilt there about forty years ago What strange Idea's then presented themselves to my Imagination There was slain as they told me the great Gustavus there Papenheim was wounded
one and are there more numerous I was told one day a Story in the same place which seem'd to me very pleasant A certain German disputed in Latin with a Jewish Physician and press'd him to acknowledge the coming of the Messias citing some Passages which he shew'd in Hebrew in the Prophecies and other Places of the Old Testament insomuch that the Doctor who cou'd not find sufficient Proofs to maintain his Argument told him at last Will not you grant that our Religion was given us by the true God Creator of Heaven and Earth and that he made a Covenant with us The German readily acknowledg'd it then reply'd the Jew When you can demonstrate to me that your Religion proceeds from God by as good Testimonies as we prove ours all will be well The German upon this occasion was endu'd with more Zeal than Discretion For my Lord what answer wou'd the Jew have made if any Man had reply'd to him This Religion was given you as a Preparative for the accomplishment of the Promises and this Covenant as a Type or Figure of the true one to be afterward made by the Messias Now if the Promises are apparently accomplish'd and if the Messias be already come your Religion and your Covenant or Dispensation are terminated Therefore according to the Rules of an equitable Argumentation it is not sufficient for you to prove the Continuation of your Religion and your Covenant by the Settlement which God made with your Ancestors but it lies upon you to prove it by a Negative that is to say by shewing in the Holy Scriptures which are common to us that the Messias who ought to consummate all things is not as yet come Indeed their Misfortune is very great in regard that 't is grounded upon the Word of God The Jews are extremely obstinate in their Opinions and very Superstitious yet they are miserable and every where laden with the Publick Hatred I have had some concern with 'em but none relating either to Religion or State Affairs and have purchas'd of 'em divers extraordinary ancient Medals they are easily wrought upon because Ignorant otherwise they are well skill d in Arithmetick The Counts of Dietrichstein and Zinzendorf are also principal Officers in the Emperor's Court the former is the Gentleman of the Horse and the other the Great Huntsman both most worthy of their Master's Favour The Count of Trauthson is one of the most considerable Lords of this Court He is a very ingenious Person and has in his Repository all manner of Curiosities viz. Books ancient and modern Medals Paintings Agates Marchasites Indian Rarities and in short every thing that can be imagin'd Notwithstanding the little time I spent in viewing all the particular things contain'd in this Musaeum the Description of 'em wou'd afford too much matter for a Letter Here was to be seen that famous Painting of Corregio which was the most precious Spoil of the Sacking of Mantua His most Christian Majesty who well knew its beauty thought fit to afford it a place in the Louvre and I was also desirous to see it there Another very remarkable Curiosity is a Cherry-stone on which are engrav'd above an hundred Portraitures with different Ornaments of the Head viz. Crowns Diadems Mitres Cowls Hats Hoods and Commodes for Women of various sorts This is to bring Art to it s heighest pitch of Perfection to comprehend such variety of Works within so small a space and even in a manner to proceed as far as Nature it self which animates Atoms and gives 'em organical Parts I shall also make mention to your Highness of an Amethyste Cup that I saw there it seems to be as fine as those fabulous Cups with which the Gods were wont to Carowse and indeed if the Fable cou'd impose on our Eyes as well as Mind one wou'd be apt to believe it This Lord has the stateliest Palace and the most spacious Garden in all Austria which is altogether extended in length or at least very near from the very City Gates of Vienna to the Danube His Grand-Father was the Favourite of Rodolph II. and I am of opinion that the Curiosity of this great Emperor excited that of his Confident If your Highness requir'd an Account of the other illustrious and ingenious Persons of Vienna you wou'd engage me to make mention of too many neither do I know all But I cannot forget Monsieur Schrimpf who is Resident to the Elector of Saxony the Duke of Wirtemberg and many other Princes and States of the Empire Cato and Brutus might be endu'd with as much Virtue and as generous a Disposition as he but according to my Judgment not with more His Liberality was so great as to offer me whatsoever Rarity I cou'd find in his House which oblig'd me to take a Resolution to commend nothing any longer in his presence nevertheless I did not refuse all the Presents which he thought fit to make me and I hope e're long to shew some of 'em to your Highness In the mean while I must entertain you with two or three Divertisements which I saw taken by his Imperial Majesty who delights very much in Hunting and sometimes by that means recreates his Spirits wearied with the Fatigues that are inseparable from the Management of the Publick Affairs of the Empire I had a sight of the Emperor in a Forest about three Leagues from Vienna to the North where his Grand Huntsman had caus'd a Tent to be prepar'd for him under which he was with the Empress and those Courtiers whom he had sent for thither I was there in the Retinue of the Marquess of Baden Durlach a Prince whom you know my Lord to be Learned Judicious and as well vers'd in Civil as Military Affairs The Hunters started a great number of Stags and Hinds which were constrain'd to run round the Tent by reason of the Gins that were laid on all sides The Empress first fir'd at 'em with a Harquebuss and the Emperor shot nine or ten several times within the space of an Hour About five or six days before their Imperial Majesties had discharg'd Twenty three shot at Prater which is the usual Walking-place of the Emperor and the Gentry of Vienna It is a Forest of high Trees situated along the sides of the Danube convenient spaces being left for all sorts of Walks indeed this Place is very pleasant where Ogni di infonti o in boschi Scherzar si vedon ' colle belle i vaghi I saw one day three Tents which the Emperor had order'd to be fixt for the above-mention'd Hunting they were those that the Grand Signior had presented to him by his last Ambassadors and which were valu'd at sixty thousand Crowns His Imperial Majesty in like manner takes much delight in residing at Laxemburg which is a small Palace situated in a Champion Country at the distance of three Hours Journey from Vienna where he passes every Year four or five Weeks in the Season of
Roland who is the Governour of the said Castle gave me entire Satisfaction in this Matter his Merit is extraordinary and his manner of Deportment the most obliging in the World I had Commendatory Letters from his Imperial Majesty which gave me admission into all the Appartments but I perceiv d in the Governour 's being so extremely officious to me that he was not only ready to obey the Orders but that he had also a particular Respect for the Bearer of 'em and that I cou'd not come off without acknowledging that I ow'd the sight of so many rare Curiosities purely to the Emperor's favour being also oblig'd to him for part of the delight I had taken in the viewing of ' em After having observ'd the Out-works of the Castle its Situation the order of the Buildings and the Fortifications I enter'd and apply'd my self entirely to the Enjoyment of those incomparable Treasures The first things that offer'd themselves to my view were some of those sorts of Stones of which the old Romans were wont to make use to mark the distances of Places which were counted in those times by tertio aut quarto ab Vrbe Lapide i. e. The third or fourth Stone from the City Some of 'em had no Inscriptions and those that had any were conformable to what I have read in ancient History From thence I pass'd into two Galleries full of all sorts of different Armour which are now in use and were so in former Ages They induc'd me to make this Reflection that Men notwithstanding that they might wear Skins of Iron and Steel or at least Cloaths made of those Materials were nevertheless neither invulnerable nor immortal I there saw the Arms of the two Maximilians of Charles V. and of some other Emperors as also those of Francis I. King of France with the Garment which he wore at the Battel of Pavia which makes me call to mind that I had already seen one in the Repository of Brussels so that he either put on two Suits of Cloaths on that day or they were divided on purpose to spread abroad the fame of the Victory at Brussels and Inspruck There are also to be seen those of Charles IX King of France of Ferdinand and Philip Kings of Spain of Don John of Austria and of many other Princes I was told that these last were the very same that he wore at the famous Battel of Lepanto But I spent some time in viewing those of Alexander Farnese Duke of Parma Governour of the Low-Countries recollecting what I had read in Strada concerning the notable Exploits of this Prince I know not whether any thing were wanting to his Merit but I am perswaded that his History cannot be better writ and that even the actions of Achilles and Alexander the great are not set off to more advantage by Historiographers than his I admir'd the Arms of Solyman the Great which as yet strike Terror into the Minds of Beholders and I remember with some Consternation that this Ottoman Emperor once caus'd the whole World to tremble The Arms of the most part of the renowned Generals of these later Times are in like manner kept in the same Repository The Arch-Duke Ferdinand made this Conquest cou'd any Man proceed farther my Lord than to disarm so many Heroes But this was only an amicable Conquest this Prince who was the most excellent Antiquary of all that govern'd in his Age knew well what value ought to be set upon those precious Spoils He was desirous to obtain 'em every where and was even sometimes prevented I am apt to believe that they were offer'd to him lest not being sought for they shou'd not have the good Fortune to be so gloriously consecrated At the end of one of the Galleries I saw the representation of a Giant and a Dwarf the living Originals of which had sometime resided at Vienna Indeed this exorbitant inequality of Stature between two Men is a very strange thing the Elder of these was not able to reach with his Hand to the Navel of the other yet a Ballad was made concerning a Box on the Ear which was given by this Dwarf to the Giant It is true that the later stoopt to take up the Emperor's Glove who had let it fall on purpose to facilitate the giving of the Box o' th' Ear. These sports of Nature are still much esteem'd at Vienna either because her Ability in forming Men of quite different sorts and sizes is there admir'd or her Error in sometimes making much more or else much less than she ought Their Imperial Majesties likewise maintain some of these Giants and Dwarfs in their Court whom I cou'd never behold without a kind of Horror in regard that they are so far from the ordinary proportion and size of other Men. In a spacious Hall are to be seen all the several sorts of Garments which the Turks are wont to wear both in their Houses and in the Camp There are many rich Vests in which the price quality quantity and colour of the Stuff of which they are made shew the natural Disposition of this Nation to Luxury and Magnificence This manner of attiring surpasses all ours that are introduc'd purely by a fantastical Humour and the continual change of which denotes but too much Levity If we cou'd be once perswaded to imitate this August manner of Apparelling and to appear in these magnificent pieces of Drapery perhaps we shou'd continue the use of 'em and our Fashion might turn to a settl'd Custom as among the Levantines And indeed these Infidels have got the advantage in this respect insomuch that one of their Visiers one day told the Venetian Ambassador that the Christians were apt to deride but were not well clad The Venetian might have reply'd elsewhere than at the Port 't is true but 't is pity to see such Swine as you attir'd with the Ornaments of Sovereign Princes I also observ'd there Turbans of a hundred various Fashions and one wou'd not imagine that they had all the same use The finest of 'em have a kind of stately Air and notwithstanding whatever our nice Fashion-mongers may affirm to the contrary these Mountains of Linnen-Cloath that serve so well to adorn the Heads of these Barbarians wou'd not disguise our Hero's for they really implant Grandeur and Severity in the Countenance which wou'd even set off Majesty it self Afterward I took a view of divers Cimeters or Hangers of great value for the rich Ornaments with which they are cover'd and also upon account of their rare Temper so that Fury it self might well go to work with these Weapons Lastly all manner of choice Rarities of this Country are to be found Here. In the same Hall are two Figures that represent two Turkish Lords on Horse-back and I observ'd in 'em as great an Air of Grandeur Gravity and Stateliness as is possible for Art to express in Copies but 't is probable that the Originals were quite another thing One
adorn'd with all the Embellishments of Painting I cou'd never look upon it without making very pathetical Reflections upon our Mortality It is expos'd to publick view and to make it as it seems yet more publick the whole Design was engrav'd on Copper-prints in the preceeding Age by a very able Master And indeed this little Book is not unworthy of a Place in a fine Library If I were oblig'd to stay till I had taken a full view of all the Rarities in this City I shou'd never leave it yet there is one notable Circumstance of which I cannot but take some notice In the Arsenal are to be seen the Spoils of Charles Duke of Burgundy I mean that great Prince My Lord whose memorable Exploits fill up the whole History of that Age but the Switzers made it appear that he was not invincible and that 't is very dangerous at the same time to make an attempt upon Justice and Liberty of which Truth Morat and Nancy will be everlasting Proofs In the Neighbourhood of Basil one may observe a thousand Remarkable Things that depend on the Situation and Nature of the Place The natural Landskip of the Country thereabouts is a most delightful object and even the Prospect of Basil along the River which runs thro' the two Towns is admirable Is not that part of the Rhine where the Salmons go up again from the Sea to propagate their kind in like manner very considerable The Season of their arrival is precisely known as also the time of their abode and that of their departure The Fisher-men are ready to take an advantage from this opportunity and are never deceiv'd The Golden Sands which are found in some parts of the adjacent Country sufficiently shew that there are some Mines of Gold and I cou'd wish that they were already discover'd by such Persons as deserve to be fortunate At my return from Basil I saw BRISACH One of the Strongest Holds in the World none can be ignorant of the Conquest of those Parts made by Bernard Duke of Weimar who deliver'd up the Town to the French which was also granted to 'em in the Treaty of Munster I saw the little Village where he dy'd between Basil and Brisach This wou'd be a proper place to make mention of Strasburg but I shall referr the matter to another opportunity since this Famous City deserves a more particular Description In passing down the Rhine we come to PHILIPSBVRG Philippopolis and Vdenheim are the Names by which 't is known in the Latin and German Writings It has been noted for its Sieges during the last Wars of Germany but now thanks be to God all those commotions are allay'd The General Treaty of Peace has left this Place to its old Master the Bishop of Spier under the Garrison of the King of France that is to say the Town belongs to that Prelate and the Fort to his Most Christian Majesty or rather the Bishop is the Lord of it and the King the Master About four hours Journey from thence to the right stands HEIDELBERG This City notwithstanding its meanness is beautify'd with all manner of Ornaments The Necker which washes its Walls supplies it with very wholsom Water abundance of Fish and the most pleasant Walks in the World But that which renders it most delectable and enhances its Reputation is the generous Wine that bears its Name and which is drunk in all the parts of Europe where there are any noble Entertainments The University was heretofore one of the most Famous in Christendom and still retains its whole Merit but is somewhat depopulated thro' the malignity of the Times For that Country has been oppress'd with War above 30 years and stood in need for its restauration of a Government as prudent and as exact as that of a Prince who now constitutes the sole happiness of his Subjects The differences between him and the Duke of Lorrain have for a while interrupted his Design of restoring this Place to its ancient splendour but 't is probable that Heaven will prosper his Undertakings and good Intentions The Alliance which is at present negotiating between his Noble Stock and the Royal Family of France is a sufficient Testimony of the Esteem that he has gain'd in that Court England Sweden and Denmark maintain a very considerable Correspondence with him and even a greater than with the other Princes of the Empire The Marriage of the Electoral Prince with the Princess of Denmark is an Illustrious proof of what I have just now declar'd but his Highness's presence is capable of affording more Noble Idea's Indeed every thing that is sublime serves only to consummate his Character that is to say Magnificence Generosity Magnanimity Solidity of Judgment and that profound Wisdom which appears in all the particulars of his Conduct As for the Electoral Prince His Son none of these excellent Endowments are wanting in him which promise to represent to us one day in His Person all those rare Qualities which we so much admire in that of the Elector His Father Perhaps I might have left Heidelberg without making any mention to Your Highness of the Great-Tun if the ingenious M. Polier had not admonish'd me that it ought not to be forgot I confess that Advice seems to tend somewhat to debauchery yet it proceeds from a very sober Person whose moderation is every where well known but he is sensible that Prodigies deserve to have a place among Curiosities This huge Tun My Lord is as Famous as the Rhodian Colossus was heretofore which had no greater a quantity of Water between its Leggs than this contains of Wine within its Cavity I am apt to believe that the product of a whole Vintage might be stow'd in it and its compass and thickness is so great that 't is requisite to undertake a Journey to View it all over For it is twenty one Foot high thirty one long and sufficiently capacious to hold two hundred and twenty ordinary Tuns of Wine Thus this prodigious Vessel bears its own Ocean and such a one as has its ebbing and flowing Tides 't is also very dangerous to sail upon it and a Navigator is no sooner come near it but he immediately loses his Compass Storms frequently arise there without any boistrous Winds or foul Weather and the Understanding suffers Shipwrack even in the very Harbour In a word this is that Pacifick Sea which involves the whole World in a Hurricane without disturbing its own Tranquillity In following the course of the Necker one may arrive at MANHEIM It wou'd be difficult for me to forget its Situation for besides that I have often taken particular notice of it 't is also represented upon that Medal with which his Electoral Highness Palatine has thought fit to honour me where it appears that this Fort serves as a Defence to the Rhine and Necker both which Rivers are cover'd and secur'd by it At my return I saw the residue of that Magnificent Entertainment which
most courteous Gentle-men in the World and I was perswaded that I shou'd have done an injury to the Honourable M. Seidel not to have made this Parenthesis in his favour I know that he is a Lutheran and a zealous Professour of the Reformed Religion but that most inviolable Friendship which has been alwaies between us and the Conformity of our Inclinations wou'd never suffer us to differ tho' never so little about the Diversity of our Opinions The two young Princes My Lord will be one day great Patrons of Curiosity Their tender Age receives its form from that of the Heroes with whom they daily converse and His Electoral Highness himself is a domestick Model from whence they cannot but take very noble Idea's They have already attain'd to the knowledge of divers Languages and are very expert in all sorts of Martial Exercises neither are they less instructed in those Sciences which are capable of cultivating their generous Minds For their several Appartments are rather loaded than adorn'd with Books Geographical Maps Chronological Tables Globes Sphaeres and Medals In short these are the Instruments that work Miracles by innocently maintaining Magnanimity during Prosperity and by supporting it even in Adversity It is a general Maxime among the Prudent to be alwaies prepar'd for all manner of Events as we learn from the Example of Hannibal It is very probable that these Princes may alwaies see Fortune smiling and uncapable of doing 'em any injury but 't is a much more Royal Praerogative to have Vertue for their familiar Friend and Confident The Baron de Swerin principal Minister of State and a great Patron of the Muses has inspir'd 'em with these generous Sentiments and has done a very signal piece of Service to His Electoral Highness in so well managing the Dispositions of these two young Princes and in so happily following the Advice of Aurelius Victor who writes to this effect Compertum est eruditionem elegantiam comitatem praesertim Principibus necessaria esse cùm sine his naturae bona quasi incompta aut etiam horrida despectui sint i. e. It is certain that Learning Curiosity and Courteousness are more especially necessary in Princes in regard that without these Qualities the Endowments of Nature wou'd appear as it were unpolish'd if not altogether rude and deform'd Having left the Marquisate of Brandenburg I enter'd Saxony where the Climate is undoubtedly more temperate and consequently the Soil more fruitful I never saw a finer Garden than that which His Electoral Highness has caus'd to be cultivated in the Suburbs of DRESDEN I there saw the Royal Princess of Denmark marry'd to the Electoral Prince who as they say takes greater Delight in these Walks than in any other Divertisements The Wines of the neighbouring Country are most delicious and the Beer there brewd is as good as in any part of Germany There is also more variety of Game than in any Place in the World which every where causes good cheer and plentiful Entertainments I am very much oblig'd to Doctor Schubart in whose House I lodg'd upon this very account as also for giving me a sight of the most remarkable Curiosities in the City of Dresden I wou'd willingly make no mention of 'em at all because I am sensible that the most part of what I have to say as to these Matters is already known and that I am not capable of expressing my self sufficiently in their commendation This City is very Beautiful Strong and Rich not to add that 't is adorn'd fortify'd and enrich'd more and more every day and I have lately perus'd an advantageous Description of it in a Book that bears the Title of L'Europe Vivante but I am not inclin'd to make Repetitions The Palace contains a World of Wonders a List of which has been printed but they are not all comprehended therein Seven spacious Chambers are fill'd with the richest Jewels that Your Highness can possibly imagine with a prodigious quantity of Vessels of Rock-Chrystal Coral and precious Stones besides curious Paintings drawn by Albert Durer Titian Lucas Leydensis Lucas Cranis Rubens and many other excellent Masters I saw there the Life of the Virgin Mary represented by the first of those Hands which was carv'd in Wood and a large piece of the real Cross upon which our Saviour was crucify'd One may there also observe with much delight the Mechanical Works of divers Princes and 't is admirable My Lord to behold what Art can produce when exercis'd by so noble Hands Therc is perhaps a greater number of Automata than in any other place in the World and those too very large rich and surprizing I shou'd have spent much longer time in the Examination of 'em were it not that my Mind was taken up with the curious Medals which presented themselves to my View M. Beurel to whose care they are committed will e're long applie himself to these kinds of Studies so that I doubt not but that he will find sufficient Employment in delineating a considerable number of rare ones which are there preserv'd and in placing 'em in a more regular Order I cou'd not get a sight of a little Chest of old Gold because 't is kept in the private Closet of His Electoral Highness who was then absent from Dresden and came not thither during the whole time of my abode in the Town but only to lie there one Night This rich Treasure is very highly valu'd and 't is probable that I shou'd have esteem'd it no less if I had had the good fortune of seeing it Indeed 't was no fault of the Barons de Frizen who have there the most honourable Employments as well as the chiefest Merit but as I have already declar'd the Prince's Absence alone depriv'd me of that satisfaction which I might have otherwise had However I determine to return thither once more on purpose and the Delight that I alwaies take in the viewing of Medals is so great as to oblige me to resolve upon this Journey neither have I any regard to the loss of time or Expences whenever I find an opportunity to enrich my Mind with new Discoveries I shall then have seen the Repositories of five Secular Electoral Princes and perhaps none has so great an insight as myself into the admirable Curiosities of this Nature p. 269. It is a very singular Object to behold the Repository of Skeletons for the Founders of it have taken much pains in causing 'em to be made of all sorts of Animals and they are preserv'd with no less care and circumspection which is to procure 'em a kind of Immortality To these are joyn'd many other sorts of Rarities and among others I remember that I have seen a Prodigy It is a real Elephant about a Foot long which is avouch'd to be the Foetus of a Woman Let the Inquisitive seek for the cause of so strange a product in the effects of a depray'd Imagination or in a Crime which 't is much