RIESBECK’s TRAVELS THROUGH GERMANY.

27 9

LETTER LXIX.

Amfierdam .

I HAD intended to go from Cologne to Elolland by the Rhine , and promifed myfelfgreat pleafure from the journey, but the King of Prufiia forbad the fport; he buffers no-

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body to go by water through the territory of Cleves, in order not to hurt his pods byland, which are formed. You are obliged to take the ports on the frontiers, or at leart

land, which are formed.

to pay certain taxes, if you have a carriage of your own. “ This,” faid I to feme bailorsof Rotterdam who told me of it,. “ this,” faid I, “ is againrt the law of nature, againftthe law of nations, againft the law of hofpitality, and againft all the laws in the world.”“ We have known that,” anfwered they, “ long ago.”

As being prevented from going by water, I determined to fee as much of the countryas was poflible by land, and for this purpofe partly on horfeback, partly on foot, andpartly in the carriages of the country, I wandered, over the feveral parts of Weftphalia.belonging to the King of Pruffia and the elector Palatine, entirely indifferent where the-vifit (hall carry me, and following only the direction of my nofe.

The reward however was well worth the trouble I took for it, for the degree of cul-tivation and riches far exceeded all ideas I had formed of them, and quite aftonilhed me..AH the cities and villages abounded in tradefpeople. Muhlheim, Elberfeld, Solingen ,Sorft, Ham, Duifburg, Meurs, Wefel, Cleve, and fome other cities have capital manu-factures in them. They make a great number of linens and woollens, fupply almoft allthe country of the Upper Rhine, Suabia , and Franconia, with white threads-: they havebefides manufactures of handkerchiefs, bilks, and cottons ; they prepare fteel and ironat Solingen, better than in any other part of Europe , England alone excepted. Their,commerce extends all over the Netherlands , part of Franconia, and the'whole empire.

This wonderful induftry, united to the natural fertility of the country,.renders thisone of the’ richeft, and moft remarkable parts of Germany ; a gentle administration,and a fecurity againrt defpotifm, derived from the ftates of the country, contribute not ahttle to the happinefs which obtains. The inhabitants are cheerful, hofpitable, and wellmannered ; they may be quoted as a new inftance to be added to the numberlefs onesI have already given, of the little influence which religion has over the civil condition ofmen, when not attended with other local circumitances. Though the proteftants in thiscircle are far from being fo enlightened, or fo tolerant, as thofe of their perfuafions inother countries,, and though they are much more addicted to fenfual enjoyments thantheir brethren of other places, they are,, notwithstanding, the moft induftrious people,an d the beft fubjefts that can be found ; nor does the bigotry of the catholics hurt themanufacture and agriculture of the Gountry, their education only directing it to fuch ob-jects, as have no connection with manners, or civil fociety. Every thing therefore inmy opinion depends upon the habits atnidft the which men grow up. When once in-duftry is habitual to a people, the moft abjeCt fuperftitions will have no influence ontheir temporal felicity ; the priefts themfelves will render their ferinons conformable tothe manners of the country, nor will the monkifli theorifts themfelves be able to overturn;them. There are as many legends in this country, as in Cologne , nor are the peoplelefs fond of proceffions and pilgrimages, and yet they are infinitely more induftrious,more frugal, and more wealthy than at Cologne . It is neither therefore the fault of thereligion, or fuperftition, but of the government alone, that the people of Cologne aredebauched, and that the priefts of the place openly ret

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e ducation has made their religion prejudical to them.

The corporation iyitem, which

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