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Erzgebirg.]
GERMANY.
1725, the number of its inhabitants was efteemed at 60,000. It is environed
with a double waU, each of which has towers and out-works to it, but the
inner of the two the greatell number. Round it runs aho a lined ditch.
The circumjacent country is fertile, but the traft about it pretty mountainous.
The town itfelf is under immediate vaflalage, and belongs to the
lefler felection of towns. It is likewife the feat of the circle-amt and
an upper mine-office, which has the diredtion of the whole Mifnian minecircle,
as alfo of all the mines of the country, of a mine-affize, which is appointed
by the council, and from which fentences relating to mine-affliirs
are finally received;
of an upper tenth-office, which has the infpeftion of all
other tenth-offices ; of a mine-office, which has in particular the infpeflion
of the mine-works ; and of a fuperintendency, whofe fpiritual jurifdidtion is
divided into two circles, namely, into the firft or lower, and into the fecond
or upper; and comprizes in it nine towns, fifty-eight mother-churches in
the country and fourteen filials. The citadel of Freiuienßein lies not far
from the Kreuz-gate, being feparated a little from the town and environed
with a remarkable deep ditch, as alfo having a church of its own. The
other churches here are the cathedral, which is the principal and head
church, together with the eleftoral burying-chapel near it in which the Electors
down from Maurice, and many other princely perfons, have been interred;
St. P^/^r's church, S(. NljJo/as*s and that of St. James. Before
Peters gate ftands the church of St. John, with a hofpital, and St. Bartholomews
church, having likewife a hofpital. In this town are eleven preachers,
including the fuperintendant. The gyvinafmm has eight teachers belonging
to it, and in it is kept the public library. The filver mine-works here are
important and the mofl: profitable in all Meißen. It yields likewife copper,
tin and lead. From the year 1529 to 1630, the profits of thefe mines
after deducing all expences, amounted to 3,725,337 florins ; and froiri
1630 to 1708, to 9, 10,592 dollars. Freyberg contains alfo a cannon and bellfoundery;
makes thread, fine Lye« lace and lace of Tomback; and near the
town is a fulphur and vitriol-houie. Its excellent beer is exported to a great
diflance. In 13 18, it obtained the privilege, that all carriers who go to
Bohemia fhould be obliged to expofe their wares to public fale, for three
whole days, to the Freybergers. The difcovery of the filver mines he-e, in
the year 1171, gave occafion to the building of this town, which was
done in 1175; at which time the villages of Chrijiianfdorf and Lofznitz were
joined, ere(f^ed into one town and furrounded with walls. The greateft
fires it has fuft'ered by, were thofe of 1375, 1386, 1471 and- 1484. In
1632, it was befieged and taken by the /»;/»ir/fl/zy?j ; and, in 1643, briikly
cannonaded by the Swedes, but not taken ; not to mention other calamities
which it has endured by war.
2. Brand, or The Brand, a mine-town, inhabited only by miners, and
united into one parifli with Erbijdorf.
3. Haynichn,.
'
597