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Worms.] GERMAN T.
143
and in 1689 by the French, but has always rifen with advantage from its>
afhes. The magirtracy here is Lutheran, and the city itfelf is accounted
one of the free Lv.'.hiran Imperial cities, with toleration and freedom of
worllnp to the catholics. The foundation lloneof the new Lutheran church
was laid in the year 1709: The Lutherans are alfo in polleinon of the cid
church as it is called, St. Magnus^ now in ruins, and St. Leonard's a little
way without the city. The Proteftants have alfo a church here. To the
Catholics belongs not only the cathedral, which fince its deftrudion, by the
French has been rebuilt with great magnificence, but likewife four collegiate
and the like number of pari fli-ch arches in or near the city, a Jefuits
college, a gymnafmm, now under the diredion of the fame order, three
convents and three nunneries. The bifliop's palace here was built quite
new in the year 171 9 at the expence of biiliop Francis Leivis.
The Kings of the Francs appointed counts and dukes over it. From time
immemorial it has been termed a free Imperial city, and is fo ftyled in fom.e
records of the Emperor C/'^zr/t^^ IV. bearing date in the years i^SS ^"'^
1356, and in the regiller of the cities of 1386, and was alfo acknowledged
fuch in the year 1479 in the Diet at Nurnhurg; and by the Emperor Maximilian
I. in formal inftruments of 1507 and 1508. It has hitherto filled
the fourth feat on the bench of the Imperial cities of the RJ:ine, and likewife
votes in the Diet of the Circle of the Upper-Rhine. Its matricular allcilment
to the Empire is feventy-five florins, and to the chamber at IVetzlar
it pays one hundred and eighteen florins thirty-four kruitzers. The biihops
of Worms have often conteiled its independence, and by excommunication
and even military hoftilities extorted conventions; among v/hich that of the
year 15 19 is particularly remarkable; in that in fuits exceeding fifty guilders,
an appeal lies from the city-court to that of the bilhop; but, if before
the appeal be entered upon, the appellant fliall petition for the removal of
his caufe to the Emperor or the Aulic Council, the bifliop mull: comply,
and it is he who tranfmits the papers. The bifliop alfo pretends to the
collation of the magiflrates, and to homage from them. It is likewife well
known, that exclufive of a toll on the Rloine, he levies feveral other gabels
and imports there, though the city itfelf is under the prote6lion of the
Palatinate.
There is fcarce any place fo famous for interviews of Sovereigns, nuptials
of Kings and Princes, and other folemnities. In the years 1495, 152 1,
1545, and 1578 Diets were held here; and this was the place in which
the Reformation began in 1525. In the year 1743, a treaty was concluded
here betwixt his Britannic Majefty, the Queen of Hungary, and the King
of Sardinia,
Near it grows that Rbeniß) wine, which, for its delicioufncfs, is called
Our Lady's milk,
The