PART I.
-------------------------------------------
LETTER I. Page 1.
Introductory.
LETTER II. Page 5.
Ridiculous Effects of Ignorance, exemplified in a whimsical Story of two Dublin Aldermen.
LETTER III. Page 10.
Author’s Motives for going to India. Melancholy Presentiments. Caution against Superstition. Journey to Margate. Packet. Consoled by meeting General LOCKHART on board. Lands at Ostend.
LETTER IV. Page 15.
Short Account of the Netherlands. Conduct of the Belgians. Ostend described. Wonderful Effects of LIBERTY on the Human Mind, exemplified in the Defence of Ostend against the Spaniards.
LETTER V. Page 20.
Caution against using Houses of Entertainment on the Continent kept by Englishmen. Description of the Barques. Arrives at Bruges. Gross Act of Despotism in the Emperor. Imprisonment of LA FAYETTE.
LETTER VI. Page 27.
Description of Bruges. Reflections on the Rise and Decay of Empires. Chief Grandeur of the Cities of Christendom, consisted in Buildings, the Works of Monkish Imposture and Sensuality. Superstition a powerful Engine.
LETTER VII. Page 33.
Opulence of the Bishop of Bruges; Cathedral. Church of Notre Dame. Vestments of THOMAS A BECKET. Extraordinary Picture. Monastery of the Dunes. The Mortification of that Order. A curious Relic.
LETTER VIII. Page 40.
Passage to Ghent. Cheapness of Travelling. Description of Ghent Cathedral. Monastery of St. Pierre. CHARITY of the Clergy.
LETTER IX. Page 47.
Description of two brazen Images, erected in Commemoration of an extraordinary Act of Filial Virtue. Journey from Ghent through Alost to Brussels.
LETTER X. Page 52.
General Review of Austrian Flanders.
LETTER XI. Page 58.
Short Description of Brussels. Royal Library. Arsenal. Armour of Montezuma. The Enormities committed under the Pretext of Christianity, by far greater than those committed by the French in the Frenzy of Emancipation.
LETTER XII. Page 65.
Brussels continued. Churches, Chapels, Toys, Images and Pictures. A Host, or Wafer, which was stabbed by a Jew, and bled profusely. Inns excellent and cheap.
LETTER XIII. Page 72.
General Remarks on the People of the Netherlands. Account of the Emperor JOSEPH the Second. Anecdote of that Monarch. His Inauguration at Brussels. Burning of the Town-House. Contrasted Conduct of the Belgians to JOSEPH on his Arrival, and after his Departure. The detestable Effects of Aristocracy.
LETTER XIV. Page 82.
Liege. Constitution of the German Empire. Tolerant Disposition of JOSEPH the Second, occasions a Visit from His Holiness the Pope, who returns to Rome in Disappointment. Situation of the present Emperor. Reflections on the Conduct of Russia and Prussia to Poland.
LETTER XV. Page 90.
Luxury of the Bishop of Liege. Reflections on the Inconsistency of the Professions and Practice of Churchmen, particularly the _Nolo Episcopari_, which Bishops swear at their Instalment. Advantages of the Study of the Law in all Countries. Liege, the Paradise of Priests. Sir JOHN MANDEVILLE’s Tomb.
LETTER XVI. Page 96.
Aix-la-Chapelle. A bit of Earth in a Golden Casket. Consecration of the Cathedral, by an Emperor, a Pope, and three hundred and sixty-five Bishops. Their valuable Presents to that Church.
LETTER XVII. Page 102.
Juliers. Reflections on Religious Persecution. Cologne. Church of St. Ursula. Bones of eleven thousand Virgin Martyrs. Church of St. Gerion. Nine hundred Heads of Moorish Cavaliers. Reflections on the Establishment of Clergy, and the Superiority of that of Scotland.
LETTER XVIII. Page 109.
Cologne continued. Strange Ambition of Families to be thought Descendants of the Romans. Story of Lord ANSON and a Greek Pilot. Bonne. Bridge of Cæsar. Coblentz. Mentz. Frankfort.
LETTER XIX. Page 115.
Frankfort described. Golden Bull. Augsburgh. Manufactory of Watch-Chains, &c. Happy State of Society arising from the tolerant Disposition of the Inhabitants.
LETTER XX. Page 121.
Augsburgh continued. Adventure in the Convent of Carmelites. A good Friar.
LETTER XXI. Page 128.
Tyrol Country. Story of Genii leading the Emperor MAXIMILIAN astray. Innspruck.
LETTER XXII. Page 134.
Tyrolese. Innspruck. Riches of the Franciscan Church there. One Mass in it sufficient to deliver a Soul from Purgatory. Hall. Curiosities at the Royal Palace of Ombras. Brisen. Valley of Bolsano. Trent.
LETTER XXIII. Page 140.
Description of the Bishopric of Trent. Obvious Difference between Germany and Italy. Contrast between the Characters of the Germans and Italians. Council of Trent. Tower for drowning Adulterers. Bassano. Venice.
LETTER XXIV. Page 146.
General Description of Venice, and Reflections on the Venetians.
LETTER XXV. Page 154.
Concubinage more systematically countenanced in Venice than London. Trieste. Loss of Servant and Interpreter. Sail for Alexandria. Zante.
LETTER XXVI. Page 160.
Adventure at the Island of Zante. Alexandria. The Plague, and an Incursion of the Arabs. Pompey’s Pillar, Cleopatra’s Obelisk, &c. Island of Cyprus. Latichea. Aleppo.
---------------------------------------------------------