Under these Rooms there’s another Gallery, full of Statues of Marble and Plaister, according to the Model of all the celebrated Statues of _Rome_ and _Florence_; the Moulds of which were collected by the Elector _John-William_, with very great Care and Expence.
In the Market-place opposite to the Palace, is that Elector’s Equestrian Statue, who is represented in Armour on Horseback, with the Electoral Bonnet on his Head. But this Monument, which is of Brass, is not answerable to the Cost of it: For the Horse is represented in a walking Pace, with his Tail dragging nine Inches on the Ground, which makes a very wretched Figure; tho’ ’tis said, that the Man who cast this Statue, took a Horse which the Elector had for his Model. Possibly he might have a fine Mane and Tail, but this is what does not appear in Brass. The whole Monument is erected on a Pedestal of grey Marble, very solid, and even without any Inscription or Ornaments. Nevertheless, _John-William_ of _Neubourg_, the Elector _Palatine_, deserved as much as any Prince in the World, to have his Virtues transmitted to Posterity by some Inscription. He was magnificent, generous, liberal, a Protector of the Arts and Sciences: His Court and his Disbursements were like those of a King; his Good-nature render’d him amiable; he was the Delight of his Courtiers, and the Darling of his Subjects.
This great Prince lived at a Time when _Germany_ had four other Princes, who were as great Patrons of the Arts and Sciences as himself; _viz._ _Frederic-Augustus_ King of _Poland_, _Frederic_ King of _Prussia_, _Antony-Ulric_ Duke of _Brunswic-Lunenbourg_, and _Charles_ Landgrave of _Hesse Cassel_; of all which Princes, the only one that survives is the King of[99] _Poland_, the rest having no Life but in History, where they are sure of Immortality; for, besides the Monuments they have left of their Grandeur, Men of Learning will not fail to transmit their Glory to the latest Posterity.
The present Elector _Palatine_ having fixed his Residence at _Manheim_, there’s a Regency at _Dusseldorff_, of which the Count _de Schasberg_ is the President. The Country of _Berg_, and that of _Juliers_, depending on it, are governed by States, without whose Consent the Sovereign cannot lay any Taxes. These Countries bring in a Million of Crowns to the Elector. All Religions are tolerated here, and every Communion has its particular Churches; but the Catholics only are admitted to the Civil Employments. The Reverend Fathers the Jesuits have a fine Church, and a beautiful Convent here. There’s a Chapel without the _Cologne_ Gate, which is worth seeing. ’Tis built after the Model of the _Santa Casa_ of _Loretto_, and adorned with very fine Paintings. ’Twas founded by the Electress, Wife of _John-William_, to the Honour of the most Holy Virgin.