The English atlas

[illustration] map of the marquisate of Misnia and Voigtland

Marchionatus MISNIAE una cum VOITLAN∣DIA.

Authore Olao Ioannis Gotho S. R. M. Sueciae Geographo.

Excudebant Janssonio-Waesbergi•••• Moses Pitt et Stephanus Swart.

[illustration] blazon or coat of arms

To IAMES FRASER Esqr. this Map is humbly dedicated.

THE MARQUISATE OF MISNIA.

MEISSEN or Misnia (which is so called from a City of the same name, formerly a Bishop's. See, and the Metropolis of this Country; but now dwindled into a Town of little note) is bound∣ed on the East with Lusatia or Laussnitz; on the South with Bohe∣mia; on the West with Thuringen; and on the North with the Upper Saxony.

The whole Marquisate (which is a vastly large Country) is usually divided into four parts. 1. Misnia, strictly so call'd; or Oster∣land, containing Dresden, Konigstein, Pirna, the old Fort of Sonnenstein, &c. 2. Der Ertzgeber∣gische Creyss, a Mountainous Countrey; wherein are comprehended the Mine-Towns of Friberg, Alteberg on the Moglitz, Augustus-burg, Annenberg, Marienberg, with some others. 3. The Circle of Leipsick; which (besides the depenances on that rich City) comprises the Counties of Roch∣litz, Waldheim, and Geringswald; with some other places of note. 4. Voitlandia; which was for∣merly reckon'd a distinct Principality of it self, but is now accounted by all a part of Misnia.

Besides these Provinces, there are in this Mar∣quisate three Bishopricks. 1. Meissen. 2. Naum∣burg. 3. Mersburg. To each of these there are several Lands and Territories annex'd; some part of the Revenues whereof are disposed of towards the maintenance of a certain number of Canons in every Cathedral; but the greatest share is em∣ployed in raising Portions and Estates for the Elector's younger Children.

The Plains of Misnia are wonderfully fruitful in all manner of grain; and the Hills as well stored with the richest Metals. In some places (especially on the banks of the Elb, near Dres∣den and Meissen) you may meet with large Vine∣yards; but their Wine is none of the best. At Libenau, Possern, Teuditz, and some other places in the Bishoprick of Mersburg, there have been formerly Salt-pits; but these were so infinitely out∣done by those at Halle before mention'd, that the Salters were forc'd at last to relinquish the trade as an employment which would by no means quit labour and cost. The whole Land is suf∣ficiently furnish'd with Wood; and in most places the Forests afford good store of Venison; tho only the Woods near Tschopau shelter Bears.

The chief Rivers in this Province are the Elb,* 1.1 Mulda, Pleiss, white and black Elster. The lesser are: Moglitz, Weiseritz, Flohe, Meisse, &c. All which afford plenty of all manner of fresh water fish; especially Carp, which are as numerous and large here as in any part of Europe.

'Tis agreed by most Historians, that the Mis∣nians had their original from the Mysi,* 1.2 a people of Asia; of whom Cicero (in his Oration pro Flacco) gives this character, that they were a people so contemptibly mean, that to call a man Mysorum ultimus was the most opprobious lan∣guage you could give him. However, the mo∣dern Mysi, or Mysnii, have no part in this cha∣racter, being a people of a singularly courte∣ous and affable behaviour. Nor are they less commendable for their delicate shape and neat∣ness in clothes; whence the Germans have a pro∣verb (Meissner Gleissner), intimating, that a Misnian makes the greatest shew of any German, Albinus commends them highly for chastity; and probably the severity of their Saxon Law (which punishes Adultery with death) may be one grand inducement to the practise of this vertue.

Chief Cities in MISNIA.

DRESDEN.* 1.3 The usual Seat of the Elector; a neat and well fortified City on the River Elb, which runs thro the midst of it, dividing the old Town from the the new. A Town which (as 'tis probably guess'd) had its name from the three Lakes (von den dreyen Seen) not far from it; which etymology of the word seems the more rational, for that (as its ancient Records testifie) the name of this City was formerly written Dresen. The new City (in which stands the Elector's Palace) is the much more beau∣tiful of the two, and better fortified; a place perhaps as well worth a curious Traveller's view as any Town in Germany.

Not to mention the Stone-bridge,* 1.4 which unites the two Towns, and for its largeness and length (consisting of seventeen fair Arches) is reckon'd one of the wonders of Germany; nor other no∣table pieces of Architecture in and about the Duke's Palace; that which most delights a stran∣gers eye is the Elector's Kunst-Kamer, or Cham∣ber of rarities, in which are to be seen a vast com∣pany of the wonders of Art and Nature. I had presented me by one of the late Elector's Courtiers a perfect Catalogue of all the rarities in this ad∣mirable Repository: but that being too large to insert in this place, I shall only at present give the Reader a short view of the choicest of them, in the words of the ingenuous and learned Dr. Edw. Brown, in the account he has publish'd of his Travels in Germany A. D. 1668.

In the first partition are to be seen all man∣ner of well made Instruments belonging to most Trades, as Joiners, Turners, Barbers, Smiths, Chirurgeons, and other Artificers; instruments to force open doors, chests, &c. In the other Chambers these and the like are observable: A Tube Glass four Ells long. A large blew Turkish Glass. Variety of Coral, and artificial works of it. Fowls made of mother of Pearl. Drink∣ing Cups in the shape of Dragons, Elephants, &c. Castles of Gold and mother of Pearl. Several Fowls and Cups made out of Nautili, and other shells. A fine Oestrich made out of its Egg, with feathers of Gold. A Cup made of the Ball taken out of an Oxe's stomach, richly set, about a foot long. A stone as big as a man's fist, like a Bezoar's stone, taken out of an Horse. A Purse made out of the Linum Incumbustibile. Silver Ore from the Mines of Freyberg, almost pure, in strings and shoots. A natural Cross of Silver Ore. One hundred and twenty one heads carv'd on the outside of a Cherry-stone. A religious man, or Friar, of Japan carv'd in Box. A Crystal Cabinet sold by Oliver Crom∣well; wherein is kept a Ring, with stones in it of the shape of a Castle. His present Majesty of England, King Charles the Second, on Horse∣back; carv'd in Iron. An Head of King Charles the first. A Glass Organ. Topazes unpolish'd, ten inches in diameter. A Cup out of a To∣paze. Emeraulds, an inch in diameter, as they grow in the rock, resembling the vitriolum na∣tivum. Thunder-stones, smelling of fire. Rocks made out of all sorts of Ore; and the names of the places where they were digg'd written upon them. The figures of Fishes in stones out of Mansfeld; the stones are dark colour'd, but the Fishes of a Gold or Copper colour,

(see more of these stones in the description we have given the Reader of the County of Mansfeld).

All sorts of stones which are to be found in Saxony and Misnia, polish'd. Two large pieces of pure Virgin Gold out of the Mine. A Hart with a Cabinet in his side, containing all medicines taken from a Hart. A white Hart as big as the life, made out of the sha∣vings and filings of Harts-Horn; looking like Plaister. Figures printed in Trees. A Spur in part of a tree. Horns in trees.

Besides these,* 1.5 and some other rarities of less note, the foremention'd Author takes particu∣lar notice of the pictures of all the Dukes and Electors of Saxony (both in their Military and Electoral Habits). Amongst whom he might have observ'd the lively portraictures of Hengist and Horsus; drawn questionless according to the descriptions given of them by some of our Ro∣mantic English Historians. I shall not trouble the Reader with an historical account of the life and death of each particular Elector. We have already given a Catalogue of the Dukes of Saxony down as far as Henry the Lion, in the description of those Territories which are now subject to the Dukes of Brunswic and Luneburg. Upon the deposing of that Prince by the Emperor Frideric Barbarossa, Bernhard Prince of Anhalt (Son of Albert Marquise of Brandenburg) was made Ele∣ctor; and was succeeded by, 2. Albert his Son; from whom the Dukes of Lawenburg derive their pedigree. After him came 3. Albert the se∣cond, Son of his predecessor. 4. Rodolph I. Al∣bert the second's Son. 5. Rodolph II. Son of Rodolph the first. 6. Winceslaus, Son of Rodolph the se∣cond. 7. Rodolph III. Son of Winceslaus. 8. Al∣bert III. Son of Rodolph the third; the last Duke and Elector of Saxony of that Family. Upon the failure of this Line (and the neglect of the Princes of Lawenburg to lay claim to the Electo∣rate) Frideric, Landgrave of Thuringen and Mar∣quise of Misnia, was created Duke of Saxony and Elector by the Emperor Sigismund. By which means the Title return'd again to the Family of Wittikind King of the ancient Saxons; from which it had been alienated for the space of two hundred years. From this Frideric is derived the succession of the present Electors, down to this day, in the following order: 2. Frideric II. Son to the First. 3. Ernest, Fride∣ric the second's Son. 4. Frideric III. Ernest's Son. 5. John, Frideric the third's Brother. 6. John-Frideric, the Son of John; a great promoter of the Reform'd Religion. 7. Maurice, Cousin-German to his predecessor John; who drove Charles the fifth out of Germany, and was slain in the Battel of Siffridhuse against Albert Marquise of Brandenburg. 8. Augustus, Maurice's Brother. 9. Christian, Augustus's Son. 10. Christian II. Son of Christian the first. 11. John George, Christian the second's Son; who first sided with the Em∣peror Ferdinand against the Elector Palatine, and afterwards with the King of Sweden against the Emperor. 12. John George II. Son to John George the first. He spent the greatest part of his time in ease and quiet; and dying this last year (1680) in a good old age, left the Electorate to his Son 13. John George III. This Elector is a Prince of low stature, but great Spirit; something fat and corpulent, but withall active and brisk. He was born the 20th day of June A. D. 1647, and in the year 1663 married Ann Sophia Princess of Denmark, and Sister to the present King Christian. By her he has several children, the eldest of whom (John George) is the Electoral Prince.

The Revenues of this Elector are thought to be as great (at least) as any other Prince's in Germany,* 1.6 excepting only the Imperial Family;

altho the circuit of his Dominions and number of his Subjects fall far short of what his neigh∣bour, the Elector of Brandenburg, is master of. They that reckon his yearly Revenue to amount to 400000 pound sterling, speak modestly e∣nough; and he that shall carefully compute all the incomes of his Treasury from the Imposition upon Beer and all other Commidities, from Taxes, Mines, &c. will (I presume) find it rise to a much larger sum. The profit which arises to him out of the silver Mines at Freyberg and some other places in his Territories has been long since computed to amount yearly to 130000 pound; and certainly the daily encrease of la∣bourers will rather augment that sum. The Excise or Impost upon Beer in Leipsick only (a City consisting of no more then two Parishes) is usually farm'd at the rate of 20000 pound per annum. Besides this, and the like Customs, he has Tenths of all the Corn, Fruit, Wine, &c. in his Country. Add to these the great standing Tax laid upon his Subjects towards the main∣tenance of a war against the Turk; granted at first in times of danger and hostility, but gather'd since in days of peace (at least, as to that Ene∣my) under pretence of being in a readiness to receive him, whensoever he shall attack this Country.

Answerable to these vast revenues is the pomp and splendour of his Court; his Attendants be∣ing usually more numerous then the Trains of any of his neighbour-Princes. 'Tis reported, that in the Elector Christian the second's Court, at the same time, three Dukes, as many Earls, and five Barons (of foreign Nations, besides a great number of the Nobility of his own Country) were Pensioners to that Prince. Nor have the two late Electors abated much of this state and grandeur. Witness the Funeral of John George the First, in the year 1657, at which were twenty-four Horses of State cover'd with black, and the Electoral Eschutcheon wrought thereon, each of them being led by two Gentlemen; after which follow'd three thousand five hun∣dred persons in mourning.

The Court of Saxony has been always more bronded with excessive intemperance in drinking then any other Prince's Palace in Germany. Nor have the Electors themselves been able to shun the imputation; a red nose being, as is reported by some of their own Historians, the insepara∣ble badg of that Family.

II.* 1.7 LEIPZIG. This City is supposed to have been built by the Vandals (who were ancient inhabitants of these parts) about the year of Christ 700; and to have had its name from the Slavonian or Wendish word Lipzk, which sig∣nifies a Linden-tree (from the multitude of this sort of Timber, which formerly grew in this place). Whence in Latin Authors we sometimes meet with Phylurea instead of Lipsia; from the Greek word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, tilia. 'Tis seated at the con∣course of three small Rivers (the Elster, Pleissa, and Parda) in a pleasant and fruitful plain, a∣bounding with all manner of necessaries and pleasures; as, large and rich meadows, which are mowed twice constantly (sometimes thrice) a year; pleasant Woods, and an infinite number of fine Orchards, plentifully stock'd with all sorts of fruit.

Within the walls there is no such thing as Orchard or Garden; but the whole plot of ground is cover'd with stately Fabricks. Pleissen∣burg (or the Castle, seated on the Pleissa, which defends the Town) is a strong Fort, and strictly guarded; and St. Nicolas's Church is thought to be the fairest, on the inside, of any Lutheran Church in Germany. The Citizens have gene∣rally well-built houses; many whereof (especi∣ally near the market-place) are seven, some, nine, stories high.

Near this place was the chief seat of the late civil wars of Germany: insomuch that this Town was five several times besieged and taken in the space of two years. At the last 'twas taken by the Imperialists on the 12th of August 1633. but restored upon the ratification of the Treaty of peace betwixt the Emperour and Elector of Saxony, sign'd at Prague A. D. 1635.

At this day 'tis famous for (besides the purity of the high Dutch tongue; which is thought to flourish here in a more refin'd strain then in any other part of Misnia, and consequently of Ger∣many) the three things following: 1. The great Traffic and concourse of Merchants from all places of note in Europe; especially dureing the three fairs which are here kept yearly, at Christmas, Easter and Michaelmas. 2. The high Court of Judicature: before which the Ele∣ctor himself is bound to appear upon summons. The manner of proceding in this Court is at large deliver'd by Zobelius in his book entituled Diffe∣rentiae Juris Saxonici & Civilis; and by the Au∣thor of the Chronicon Lipsiense, written not ma∣ny years since in High-Dutch. 3. The Universi∣ty; which was founded here A. D. 1408 upon the quarrel betwixt the Hussites and Papists at Prague, whereby the former were forced to leave the town and to settle themselves at Leipsig; to which City two thousand of them are said to have flock'd in one day. There are in it at this day four Colleges and twenty four public pro∣fessors: amongst whom the chief professor of Divinity is Dr. John Adam Schertzer, a person of wonderful humanity and as great learning. The several books he has publish'd (especially his Col∣legium Anti-socinianum; wherein he has bravely confuted those knotty arguments of the Craco∣vian party, which few of his Countreymen be∣fore him were able to understand) sufficiently demonstrate to the world the quickness of his parts and foundness of his judgement. His Scho∣lar J. Carpzovius (son to the famous lawyer of that name, who was formerly professor in this University) has got himself great credit by his skill in the Eastern languages and his apprehen∣sive quickness in unfolding the mysteries of the antient and modern Jewish Rabbies: the greatest part of which accomplishment he had (as him∣self confesses) from the good Instructions of his Master Schertzer. Besides these old Mr. Thoma∣sius (Schoolmaster near St. Nicholas's) is look'd upon as a man singularly well skill'd in all man∣ner of philological writings.

Amongst the old Manuscripts in their Library (which amount to some thousands; but are on∣ly the despicable plunder of a few demolish'd Monaseries) the onely rarity is Tzetzes's Greek Commentary upon Homer's Iliads: a book per∣haps hardly to be met with elswhere, and writ∣ten in a fair and legible character.

III. FREYBERG.* 1.8 A famous and pleasant Mine-Town not far from the bank of the River Mulda. The Citizens have so grand a conceit of the delicacy of this Town's situation, that this is an ordinary proverb amongst them, Were I Lord of Leipsic, I would spend my Income at Frey∣berg It derives its name from the rich hills upon which 'tis seated:

Fribergam Indigenae claro de nomine dicunt, Libera de fossis quasi ferres munera terris.

In St. Peter's Church at Freyberg is the usual bu∣rying place of the Electors, many whereof ly

here entomb'd in fair Monuments; especially Elector Maurice, whose Monument of black Marble is rais'd three piles high, and adorn'd with many rich statues in Alabaster and white Marble. This is reckoned one of the noblest, and perhaps may pass for the very best, of its kind in Germany. When this City was surren∣dred into the hands of the Duke of Friedland's Sol∣diers in the year 1632, the Elector of Saxony paid 80000 Ricx-dollars to save these Sepulchers of his Fathers from being ransack'd and defac'd. And this large sum was the more willingly given because 'tis the fashion to bury the German Princes in their Robes and Ensigns of Honour, Rings, Jewels, &c. which would have been rich plun∣der for the Soldiers, if not compounded for.

The Mines are said to have been found out accidentally in the year 1180,* 1.9 by a fellow car∣rying Salt; who in a Cart-road first discover'd a piece of Ore, which was found to be as rich in Silver as the best in Germany. Since that time the multitudes of Miners who have swarm'd hi∣ther, have made so great progress in their work as to undermine the whole Town; which stands (at least the greatest part of it) upon Vaults and Caverns. Besides these Mines within the walls, there are a great many more within a mile or two of the City; the most remarkable of which is that on the top of the high hill (Auff dem hohem berg); which is above seventy seven of their fathoms in depth. Now each of these fathoms contains twelve of their Ells, three of which make an English fathom; so that this Mine is (in all probability) the deepest in Europe.

The Miners have a peculiar habit of their own, which cannot so well be describ'd as repre∣sented, in a figure, to the eye.

They dig several sorts of Metals and Mine∣rals out of these Mines;* 1.10 tho the only thing they labour for, is Silver. One of the Overseers of these Mines gave me thirty-two several kinds of Ore; all of which would yeild some Silver, but in a proportion different from the rest. The most ordinary sorts of Ore contain either Silver and Copper, Silver and Lead, or all three; but the Lead and Copper are not much regarded. They have here great quantity of Sulpher or Brimstone Ore; which is hard and stony, and usually speckled (which the Miners look upon as a sign of the richest Ore) with red spots. Some of this Ore contains Silver, some Copper, and some both; but in a small and inconsiderable proportion. An hundred weight of Ore yeilds commonly three pounds and an half of Sulphur; which runs out of a Furnace (made for that purpose) into water, and is afterwards melted over again and purified. The reliques of the Ore, out of which the Silver is already melted, serves for two uses; first, to melt down Silver; which, when too hard, it makes fluid. But the more consideral use of it, is in the making of Vitriol or Copperas, after this manner: They burn the Brimstone-Ore again, and then, put∣ting it into a large Fat, pour water thereon; which having stood a competent while, is boil'd to a considerable height, and then let out into Coolers. In these there are a great many sticks set up (as in the making of Sugar Candy), to which the purest Vitriol cleaves; as the worse sort does to the sides and bottoms of the Ves∣sels.

They have several ways of discovering Mines;* 1.11 the chief of which is with the virgula divina, the use whereof some of them look upon as a piece of Conjuration, rather then an experiment drawn from the principles of Natural Philosophy. 'Tis a forked piece of Hazel; the two horns of which the discoverer holds in his hands, with the forks upright. In this posture he traverses the ground, muttering a set form of unintelligible words to himself. When the fork'd stick (mov'd by an occult impulse) turns in his hand, and points to the ground, 'tis taken for an infallible argu∣ment of some rich veins of Silver in the place it points at. Upon this sign given, they imme∣diately fall a digging; and seldom miss of the expected success.

Sometimes they meet with damps in the deep Mines; which are always dangerous,* 1.12 and often prove mortal to the labourers. But the greatest inconvenience, and which constantly attends their labour, is the dust; which grates upon and frets their Skins, Lungs, and Stomachs; and too often shortens their days, by bringing them into irrecoverable Consumptions. To secure themselves against these two evils, they some∣times use large Vizards with glass-eyes; under which they have room enough to breath for some considerable while.

At Freyberg there is a yearly Coinage of Ricx-dollars,* 1.13 and other money; which is most com∣monly true sterling, and look'd upon generally as the best Cash in Germany. For whereas the Emperor's Coin is usually a base and mixt mer∣tal; the Elector's is pure and true Silver, cur∣rant in all parts of the Empire.

IV. MEISSEN. Once the Metropolis and chief City in this Marquisate;* 1.14 but at this time so inconsiderable, as that it hardly merits the fourth place in this Catalogue. It has its name from the River Meisse; on the banks of which 'tis seated. Before the Civil Wars of Germany, 'twas famous for a great wooden Bridge cross the Elb near this place; which Dresser is pleas'd to call the bravest sight of its kind in Germany; and Bertius ventures to name it the wonder of Europe. But some of the unruly Soldiers rob'd the Town of this piece of credit; and it has now nothing to brag of, but the Elector's Pa∣lace, which would be fit enough to entertain a Prince if it stood at Dresden, or any such plea∣sant part of Misnia.

V. MERSEBURG. Formerly a Bishop's See,* 1.15 but now usually assign'd as a portion to some of the Elector's younger Brother's; and upon that account enjoy'd by Duke Christian, young∣est Brother to the late Elector of Saxony. Some Antiquaries affirm, that in this place stood for∣merly the famous Saxon Idol Irmensewl (of which the Reader has already had an account) which they take to be the same with Mars among the Romans; and thence conclude the true ety∣mology of the word to be Marsburg, or the City of the God Mars. The Town at present con∣sists of a great number of old fashion'd and rui∣nous houses; amongst which there is hardly any thing worth the taking notice of, save the Ca∣thedral. Near this Church they have a Library, wherein are a great company of venerable Ma∣nuscripts, but very ill kept. Amongst which I took notice of the Books of Sammuel and the Kings in Latin; written in a fair and ancient Anglo-Saxonic character.

Torgau (falsly plac'd by Mercator in the Upper Saxony), Ilenburg, Naumburg, with some others, are Towns of some note and traffick; but not by much so considerable as those already described.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Rivers.
• * 1.2

  Inhabi∣tants.
• * 1.3

  Dresden.
• * 1.4

  Rarities.
• * 1.5

  Du••••••.
• * 1.6

  Reve••••••••.
• * 1.7

  Leipzig.
• * 1.8

  Freyberg.
• * 1.9

  Mines.
• * 1.10

  Metals and Mi∣nerals.
• * 1.11

  Virgula divina.
• * 1.12

  〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.13

  〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.14

  〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.15

  〈◊〉〈◊〉.