MENTZ

Is a quite different sort of a Place, and the Residence of the Elector con∣tributes not a little to its Reputation: Besides that 'tis large, Magnificent and very Populous; 'tis also considerable upon account of some Foot-steps of Antiquity which are there to be seen.

Within the compass of the Citadel, Page  182 which has been lately built, there is a rising Ground, suppos'd to have been the Tomb of Drusus: This Noble Roman had put the Germans so hard to it, that his name became detestable even to a Proverb, Das dich der Drus hole; never∣theless we read in Suetonius that his Fu∣neral obsequies were solemniz'd in the Campus Martius, and that his dead Bo∣dy was carry'd even to Rome, upon the Shoulders of the most eminent In∣habitants of the Places thro' which it was convey'd. However, we may get some farther light without departing from the Text of this Historian; in which 'tis observ'd that the Legions paid the highest Honours to the Memo∣ry of that great General; that they abhorr'd even the very Camp where he dy'd, leaving it the infamous name of Scelerata Castra; that they consecrated to him the representation of a Tomb, and certain Festivals, which were to be celebrated every year in the same Place, with combats of Gladiators and Horse-races; and that they engag'd the Page  183 ancient Gauls to compose certain An∣nual Prayers upon that solemn occa∣sion. Hence it may be easily concluded that this piece of Antiquity, which has acquir'd so much reputation, is only that Honorarius Tumulus or Honorary Tomb of which Suetonius makes mention.

I had also the satisfaction (My Lord) to converse there with a Person in whom I saw so many rare Qualities, that I soon perceiv'd that the publick Fame, which had talkt so much of him, had not given me a full narrative of all his Accomplishments. His extraordi∣nary Merit and solid Vertue, which have been equally conspicuous, both in Prosperity and Adversity, are not the only Ornaments of his Life and Con∣versation. The World has been suffi∣ciently inform'd of the share he has in the management of the principal Af∣fairs of the Empire, and how much his Counsels are esteem'd in the Impe∣rial Court. But 'tis requisite to take a nearer View of him to observe the sin∣gular Endowments of his Mind, which Page  184 render him most amiable, for a great deal of Generosity and Courtesy, and every thing that can be imagin'd to be honourable appears in his Conduct and Deportment. It wou'd not be necessa∣ry to declare that I mean the Baron of Boineburg, since this Character is no less peculiar to him than his very Name. His two Daughters have pass'd into the Noble Families of the Electors of Mentz and Triers, and there is no∣thing so Great, but what may be ex∣pected from his Son.

In travelling farther, the Countries afford a most delightful Prospect, and the Towns upon the Rhine are admira∣ble, as Coblentz, Colen, Andernach, Nuys, Wesel, Reez, Emmerick, &c. which perhaps I remember more par∣ticularly, because I had a sight of di∣vers curious pieces of Antiquity in those Places, and have even had the good Fortune to recover some of 'em. Your Most Serene Highness will be surpriz'd to hear, that the People of all condi∣tions have their Repositories of Rarities: Page  185viz. Princes, Noble-men, Divines, Law∣yers, Physicians, Historians, Students, Merchants, and even Artificers. I have in my possession divers Copies of ad∣mirable Designs, which I had caus'd to be taken in those Parts from very Cu∣rious Medals, which may afford Your Highness some Diversion at a conve∣nient Opportunity.

But I must by no means forget that Famous Vineyard, which produces those most delicious Wines, which are so highly esteem'd by Foreigners; nei∣ther is it without Reason that