the capital city of the electorate of Saxony in Germany. It is seated on the river Elbe, which divides it into two parts. One part is called Old Dresden, and the other the New Town, in the German language Neustadt. They are joined together by a stone bridge, supported by 19 piers, and 630 paces in length. As this bridge was too narrow for the crowds of people that were continually passing and repassing, King Augustus in 1730, caused two walks for foot passengers to be built, one on each side, in a very wonderful manner; the one for those that go into the city, and the other for those that return back. These are bordered with iron palliades of curious workmanship. Dresden is surrounded by strong and handsome fortifications; and contains, according to the latest accounts, 110,000 inhabitants.
All the buildings of this city are constructed with square freestone, and are almost all of the same height. They have stone from the neighbourhood of Pirna, about ten miles from this city, which is readily brought down the Elbe. In general the houses are high and strong; the streets wide, straight, well paved, clean, and well illuminated in the night; and there are large squares, diloped in such a manner, that Dresden may pass for one of the handsomest cities in the world. The elector's palace is a magnificent structure, and abounds in many valuable curiosities both of nature and art. The collection of pictures is reckoned one of the finest that exists, and is valued at 500,000l.
Above 700 men are here constantly employed in the porcelain manufacture, the annual expense of which is estimated at no more than 80,000 crowns; and the manufacture yields to the king 200,000 crowns yearly, besides besides the magnificent presents which he occasionally makes, and the large quantity reserved for the use of his household.
The other most considerable article of trade is silver, of which the mines near Fridburg produce every 15 days near the value of 20,000 dollars. The metal is brought into the city in ingots, where it is immediately coined and delivered to the proprietors.
The court of Dresden is one of the most remarkable in Europe for splendour and profusion. Six thousand five hundred ducats are yearly allowed for comfits and similar articles, which is near twice as much as the king of Prussia allows for the whole expense of his table. The revenues of the elector are estimated at about 1,576,000l.; which arise from the taxes on lands, and a capitation of six dollars on all males as soon as they commence an apprenticeship or begin to work. People of a higher rank are taxed according to their class, and are liable to be called to account if they assume not an exterior appearance correspondent to the extent of their fortune. Every foreigner pays capitation after residing six months in the country. The Jews are taxed at 50, their wives at 30, and their children at 20 dollars. There is also an excise on all eatables and liquors; and 10 per cent. is levied out of the incomes of the people.
Though this city lies in a low situation, yet it hath agreeable prospects. It is supplied with a prodigious quantity of provisions, not only out of the neighbourhood, but from Bohemia, which are brought every market day, which is once a week. E. Long. 13. 34. N. Lat. 51. 12.