captives, at the bottom of a deep well, shut down by bars of iron; and
    men, women, and children, making all manner of horrible contortions. 
    “Those, says the chronicler Wencker, “who saw such a piteous sight,
    wept, and gave money liberally—­for the possession of indulgences;—­of
    which the money, raised by the sale, was supposed to be applied
    towards the ransom of Christian captives.”  HERMANN; Notices
    Historiques, &c. de Strasbourg:  vol. ii. p. 434.

LETTER IV.

AUGSBOURG.  CIVIL AND ECCLESIASTICAL ARCHITECTURE.  POPULATION.  TRADE.  THE PUBLIC LIBRARY.

In ancient times—­that is to say, upwards of three centuries ago—­the CITY OF AUGSBOURG was probably the most populous and consequential in the kingdom of Bavaria.  It was the principal residence of the noblesse, and the great mart of commerce.  Dukes, barons, nobles of every rank and degree, became domiciled here.  A thousand blue and white flags streamed from the tops of castellated mansions, and fluttered along the then almost impregnable ramparts.  It was also not less remarkable for the number and splendour of its religious establishments.  Here was a cathedral, containing twenty-four chapels; and an abbey or monastery (of Saints Vlric and Afra) which had no rival in Bavaria for the size of its structure and the wealth of its possessions.  This latter contained a LIBRARY, both of MSS. and printed books, of which the recent work of Braun has luckily preserved a record;[31] and which, but for such record, would have been unknown to after ages.  The treasures of this Library are now entirely dispersed; and Munich, the capital of Bavaria, is the grand repository of them.  Augsbourg, in the first instance, was enriched by the dilapidations of numerous monasteries; especially upon the suppression of the order of the Jesuits.  The paintings, books, and relics, of every description, of such monasteries as were in the immediate vicinity of this city, were taken away to adorn the town hall, churches, capitals and libraries.  Of this collection, (of which no inconsiderable portion, both for number and intrinsic value, came from the neighbouring monastery of Eichstadt,[32]) there has of course been a pruning; and many flowers have been transplanted to Munich.  Yet there are graphic treasures in Augsbourg well deserving the diligent search and critical examination of the English Antiquary.  The church of the Recollets has an organ which is considered among the noblest in Europe:  nor must I forget to notice the pulpit, by Eichlen, and some old pictures in the church of St. Anne.

[Illustration:  MONASTERY OF SAINTS ULRIC & AFRA, AUGSBURG.]