TO THE MANAGER

TO THE MANAGER. [Lo

c of Germany, in the
rounded to the north by
Brabant, to the south by Champagne and Luxemburg,
to the east by Limburg and Juliers, and to the west by
Brabant, Namur, and Hainault. It is very unequal
both in length and breadth; the former being in some
places above 90 miles, in others not half so much; and
the latter in some places 45, in others hardly 25. The
air here is very temperate; and the soil fruitful in
corn, wine, wood, and pasture. Here also are mines
of lead and iron, pits of coal, quarries of marble and
stone, and some celebrated mineral waters, as those
of Spa and Chau-fontaine. The principal rivers are,
the Maes and Sambre. The manufactures and com-
modities of the country are chiefly beer, arms, nails,
serge, leather, with the products we have just men-
tioned. The states of the bishopric are composed of
three bodies: the first is the chapter of Liege; the
second, the nobility of the country; and the third,
the deputies of the capital and the other towns. The
three estates are seldom called together, except to
raise taxes for the service of the province, or upon
some particular emergency; but there is a committee
of the states, who meet thrice a-week, and in time of
war daily. They are always about the prince-bishop,
to make remonstrances, and demand the redress of
grievances. The bishop is spiritual and temporal lord
of the whole country; but, as bishop, is suffragan to
the archbishop of Cologne. He styles himself, by the
grace of God, bishop and prince of Liege, duke of Bouil-
lon, marquis of Franchimont, count of Loon, Hooen, &c.
His arms for Liege are, a pillar argent, on a pedestal
of the same, with a crown or, in a field ruby. In the
matricula he was formerly rated at 50 horse and 170
foot; or 1280 florins monthly, in lieu of them, but
now only at 826. An abatement of one-third has also
been granted of the ancient assessment to the chamber-
court, which was 360 rix-dollars 62½ kruitzers for each
term. Here are several colleges which sit at Liege, for
the government of the country, and the decision of
causes, civil, criminal, spiritual, and feudal, and of
such also as relate to the finances. The chapter con-
sists of 60 persons, who must either prove their nobility
for four generations, both by father and mother, be-
fore they can be admitted; or, if they cannot do that,
must at least have been doctors or licentiates of divi-
nity for seven years, or, of law, for five years, in some
famous university. The bishopric is very populous

VOL. XII. Part I.

and extensive, containing 1500 parishes, in which are
24 walled towns, besides others, 52 baronies, besides
counties and seignories, 17 abbeys for men, who
must be all gentlemen, and 11 for ladies, exclusive
of others.