Full resolution (JPEG) - On this page / på denna sida - Pages ...
<< prev. page << föreg. sida << >> nästa sida >> next page >>
Below is the raw OCR text
from the above scanned image.
Do you see an error? Proofread the page now!
Här nedan syns maskintolkade texten från faksimilbilden ovan.
Ser du något fel? Korrekturläs sidan nu!
This page has never been proofread. / Denna sida har aldrig korrekturlästs.
210 : RIESBECK’S TRAVELS THROUGH GERMANY.
feapes, where foft hills beautified with great varieties of woods; meadows covered with
corn, and little cottages furrounding fmall lakes, make a very fine picture.
The Mecklenburg farmers are a very {trong and healthy race of men. ‘Their curling
white hair reminds the traveller of the old Germans, who heretofore contributed to the
Roman luxury that aurea ce/aries which, on the head of a thin boned, fallow-faced, and
coughing young fenator, muit have been the greatelt {fatire on the corruption of Rome,
in the eyes of thinking men. Almoft all the farmers in Mecklenburg are flaves ; but
their fates are not fo hard as they feem, as the nobility are humane, enlightened, and
good- natured. They, as well as the burgefles of certain cities, enjoy a freedom here
which has long been loft in the Upper Ger many. ‘The Duke of Mecklenburg andthe
Electors of Saxony, are the moft limited princes of the empire ; nor have any decrees
of the imperial court, which they have brought forward in their feveral contentions with
their {tates, yet been able to humble their nobility, whofe jealoufy of the power of their
governors fometimes amounts to an almoft ridiculous excels.
The dukes obtained at the treaty of Tefchen, in return for having given up their
claims on the marquifate of Leuchtenberg, the famous Jus de non appellando, in confe-
quence of which no law-fuits can be carried out of their own courts to the tribunal of
the empire. ‘They thought by this to have gained a prodigious advantage over their
{tates; but thele protefted againft this privilege, as being inimical to their Tiber ties, and
the affair 1s not yet determined. Probably the dukes will maintain themfelves in the
pofleflion of a privilege poffefled by few except the electors, and by this means obtain
real dominion in their countries.
When I tell you men of the great world, that there is very good company to be met
with on the banks of the Lokenifs, the chap the Rekenifs, the Warne, and feveral other
rivers, which though you have never heard them mentioned in your lives, are not only
as true rivers as the Somme, the Scheld, the Sambre, but in many parts of them navi-
gable rivers.too; you will think that my tafte muft meeds have fuffered great corrup-
tion from the grofs air of Germany. I can aflure you, however, that if by a ftroke of
a magic wand you could be taken out of your perfumed beds, and without breathing a
drachm of German air, be tranfported into a circle of Mecklenburg nobleffe, you would
find the fociety very agreeable. It is true you meet there no academicians, no abbés,
No virtuofi, no journalilis, no players, nor any of the characters which contribute fo
much to enliven your fociety. But on the other hand, natural found underi{tandings
and good hearts give the converfation a ftronger and more fubftantial relifh than all
your anecdotes and /i/toriettes de cour, your comedies, brochures, and all the other arti-
ficial ragouts—with which you mix fo much aflafcetida.
I have feen no nobleffe happier, or more hofpitable than that of Mecklenburg,
efpecially that in and about Guftrow. Nor are they fo unacquainted with the refine-
ments of life, and the great world, as you may imagine. ‘The tables are wonderfull
well covered, and you may vifit many perfons who are very well acquainted with the
life of courts. Literature is found among all ranks who are above the populace. The
women know nothing of what is commonly called tox. They have none of that boldnefs
and imperioufnefs, nor yet any thing of the defire of conqueft of our country-women ;
they are gentle, and attentive to their children, {till and bafhful; but all that they fay is
fo naif and hearty, that the wit of our moft famous country-women appears loathfome
and flat to me when compared to it. I was not at all furprifed to find the prefent war
much the fubject of converfation throughout the whole of my tour. The nation takea
natural concern in it, both on account of the troops they let out, and from their having
been for feveral centuries very warlike themfelyes. No wonder that under fuch cir-
cum{tances
<< prev. page << föreg. sida << >> nästa sida >> next page >>
