s the
diversion of seeing a populous City adorned with magnificent Palaces,
and the most Romantic Solitudes, which appear quite Apart from the
commerce of Mankind, the banks of the Danube being exquisitely disposed
into Forests, Mountains, Vineyards rising in Terraces one above the
other, Fields of Corn and Rye, great Towns, and Ruins of Ancient
Castles. Now for the first time did I see the Cities of Passau and of
Lintz, famous for the retreat of the Imperial Court when Vienna was
besieged by the Great Turk, the same that John Sobieski, King of Poland,
timeously Defeated and put to Rout, to the great shame of the Osmanlis,
and the Everlasting Glory of the Christian arms.

And now for Vienna. This is the capital of the German Emperor Kaiser, or
Caesar as he calls himself, and a mighty mob of under-Caesars or Archdukes
he has about him. In my young days the Holy Roman Empire was a
Flourishing concern, and made a great noise in the world; but now people
do begin to speak somewhat scornfully of it, and to hold it in no very
great Account, principally, I am told, owing to the levelling Principles
of the Emperor Joseph the Second, who, instead of keeping up the proper
State of Despotic Rule, and filling his Subjects' minds with a due
impression of the Dreadful Awe of Imperial Majesty, has taken to
occupying himself with the affairs of Mean and common persons,--such as
Paupers, Debtors, Criminals, Orphans, Mechanics, and the like,--quite
turning his back on the Exalted Tradition of undisputed power, and
saying sneeringly, that he only bore Crown and Sceptre because Royalty
was his Trade. This they call a Reforming Sovereign; but I cannot see
what good comes out of such wild Humours and Fancies. It is as though my
Lord Duke were to ask his Running Footmen to sit down at table with him;
beg the Coachman not to trouble himself about stable-work, but go wash
the carriage-wheels and currycomb the Horses himself; bid my Lady
Duchess and his Daughters dress themselves in Dimity Gowns and Mob caps,
while Sukey Mobs and Dorothy Draggletail went off to the drawing-room
in Satin sacks and High-heeled shoes; and, to cap his Absurdities,
called up all his Tenants to tell them that henceforth they were to pay
no Rent or Manor Dues at the Court Leet, but to have their Farms in
freehold for ever. No; it is certain the World cannot go on without
Authority, and that, too, of the Smartest. What would you think of a
ship where the Master Mariner