The TOWN HALL in this city, which I mentioned in my last letter, is thought to be the finest in Germany.  It was yet exceeded, as I learn, by the old EPISCOPAL PALACE, now dismembered of its ancient dimensions, and divided into public offices of government.  The principal church, at the end of the Maximilian Street, is that which once formed the chief ornament of the famous Abbey of Sts.  Ulric and Afra.[33] I should think that there is no portion of the present building older than the fourteenth century; while it is evident that the upper part of the tower is of the middle of the sixteenth.  It has a nearly globular or mosque-shaped termination—­so common in the greater number of the Bavarian churches.  It is frequented by congregations both of the Catholic and Protestant persuasion; and it was highly gratifying to see, as I saw, human beings assembled under the same roof, equally occupied in their different forms of adoration, in doing homage to their common Creator.  It was also pleasing, the other day, to witness, upon some high religious festival, the crowds of respectable and well-dressed people (chiefly females) who were issuing from the Church just above mentioned.  It had quite an English Sunday appearance.  I have said that these females were “well dressed”—­I should, rather have said superbly dressed:  for their head-ornaments—­consisting of a cap, depressed at top, but terminating behind in a broad bow—­are usually silk, of different colours, entirely covered with gold or silver gauze, and spangles.  The hair appeared to be carefully combed and plaited, either turned up in a broad mass behind, or terminating in ringlets.  I asked the price of one of the simplest of these caps—­worn by the common order of servants—­and found it to be little less than a guinea.  But they last long, and the owners attach some importance to them.

Augsbourg was once distinguished for great learning and piety, as well as for political consequence; and she boasts of a very splendid martyrological roll.[34] At the present day, all is comparatively dull and quiet; but you cannot fail to be struck with the magnificence of many of the houses, and the air of importance hence given to the streets; while the paintings upon the outer walls add much to the splendid effect of the whole.  The population of Augsbourg is supposed to amount to about thirty thousand.  In the time of Maximilian, and Charles V. it was, I make no doubt, twice as numerous.

Of the TRADE of Augsbourg, I am not enabled to transmit any very flattering details.  Silks, stuffs, dimity, (made here for the first time) and jewellery, are the chief commodities; but for the latter, connected with articles of dress, there is rather a brisk demand.  The reputation of the manufactory of Seethaler, is deserving of mention.  In the repository of this respectable tradesman you will find varieties of every description:  rings, buckles, clasps, bracelets, and images of Saints, of peculiar and interesting