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AN ACCOUNT OF THE CITY OF VIENNA, AND THE MANNERS OF ITS INHABITANTS.

VIENNA has for many ages been considered as in some measure the capital of the Roman empire, and seems to have had a right to aspire at pre-eminence among European cities. It has been so enlarged, that comprehending its vast suburbs, it has justly been compared to a small bird with the wings of an eagle. In 1796 the buildings in the city alone amounted to the number of 1,897, and in the suburbs 5,102, beside a large tract of land for building on. In addition to this the gardens in the latter are very large and numerous, and the edifices occupy a great space. From the topographical situation of this metropolis we should at first sight be authorized to believe that its temperature was very warm; it is a little towards the latitude of Orleans, but it has been remarked that the nearer a country is situated to the east, the colder it is on that account; Vienna, besides, encircled by mountains or lofty hills upon which heaps of snow and ice continue for a long time undissolved, does not experience powerful heat for more than two months in the year; and in the winter the cold is very severe. The heat is likewise moderated by very frequent, and sometimes sharp winds, to which habit has so far familiarized the inhabitants that their usual reply to the Italians, who complain of it, is become proverbial: "Vienna o ventosa è, o Fenosa;” Vienna is either windy or poisonous. Thus they say to the Lombardians, and those good Milanese who take refuge among them and abandon a mild climate, which is always the favourite of heaven.

If they suffer there less cold than in some other rountries where it is more intense, it arises from their practice of cloathing themselves according to the example of their neighbours, the Poles and Hungarians, the Greeks and Turks in a pelisse at the commencemen: of the cold weather, which as true Germans the inhabitants wear in apart ments heated with stoves.

The northern inhabitants, who find in Lombardy the summer too hot and the winter too cold, bere meet with a suitable temperament in every season; if, however, it disagrees with some, it must be attributed to the frequent and violen winds. There are immense numbers who di annually in this city of consumptions. true this disease creeps into all great cities, but here it makes more devastation than in any other, in spite of every effort of art. Although the practice of physic is perhaps more cultivated at Vienna than in any other city of Germany, and

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has succeeded in snatching an infinite number of victims of pleasure from pain and death, which every thing concurs to multiply among a licentious people, greedy of frequent and substantial food; for there is reason to believe, that the syphylic disorder is more general at Vienna than even at Paris.

Next to these two scourges the most mortal disease is the small pox. In 1795 it had swept off 1,098 persons. The new method of inoculation by the vaccine, which is just introduced, bids fair for rendering this disorder less destruc

tive.

The city has the advantage of being divided by the Danube, but this advantage is attended with its inconveniences. When the streams which descend from the mountains suddenly swell by the thaws of snow and ice, they make the river overflow and inundate the suburbs to a con siderable height. It is at these times that the excellence of the police evinces itself in a striking manner. It is difficult to form an idea of all the precautions that are taken for the preservation and comfort of the families exposed to this disaster.

From the situation of this river we should be led to suppose, that many parties of pleasure are formed on it; but this is not the case, it is a species of amusement by no means common, as the advantages of this river are confined to merchandize.

Vienna is inferior in beauty to any capital in Europe. It has no exterior mark of splendour to attract the attention. The streets project in many places in the most irregular manner. Not far from the centre there is a street in the form of a bridge. thrown over another (called the Tiefe Graben) so that travellers passing through the first often find themselves exactly above another equipage in the second; it has so very singular an appearance as to have often fixed the attention of the writer of this account. There is but one street in this metropolis which can be called superb; it is formed by a continued chain of magnificent buildings in a straight line, .nd is known by the name of the Herren Strasse.

The only promenade in this city (except that of the ramparts, which is frequented only insummer) does not extend round any place, but only along the pathway; it is called the Graben, and resembles the Place de Saint Marc in nothing but the number of unemployed persons who assemble there, the argusses of the police, and the

legions of unfortunate beings who make a trade of their charms. As to the rest, though the city is daily receiving embellishments, we can predict that it will never be perfectly beautiful. The suburbs are constructed upon a better plan, and would be much more elegant if the buildings which are raised were larger, and the architecture more grand.

attend the poor in the circle. In 1795 there were about nineteen thousand eight hundred and twenty who received the benefit of this institution, four hundred and sixty four died, and six hundred and twenty-three were sent to the hospital. This institution was found so beneficial, that in the following year the city was made to share its benefits.

We ought not to pass over an establishment

ed for the reception of children under ten years of age. In 1795 one thousand nine hundred and thirty-five children were cured, and only one hundred and thirteen died.

Most of the streets are wide, regular, and level, but they are principally inhabited by manufac-something similar to the former, which is foundturers, and a great number of labourers; these people are exposed too much to the dangerous influence of luxury, and are led by example to incur more expences than those in country towns, which are generally thinly populated, and receive the benefit of the climate, and the fertility of the soil.

The whole population of Vienna in 1795 amounted to 231,105, of which 1,231 were ecclesiastics, 3,253 nobles, 4,256 public officers, and 7,533 citizens. The mortality is by no means so excessive as we might expect in so populous a city, where every thing concurs to augment it; this we may attribute to the success of medicine, and the great care of government for the whole community, and of individuals for the diseased.

Among the establishments formed for the benefit of the public we may reckon as one of the best the great hospital, the principal direction of which is entrusted to the celebrated Franck. In 1796 about 11,860 sick persons were received into it. To this hospital has been added a pathological museum.

The hospital for lying-in women stands next in rank, which received in the same year one thousand nine hundred and four, one hundred and eleven of which died. The hospital for lunatics contained in 1795 two hundred and sixty one persons, of which there were one hundred and fifty six males and one hundred and five females. In the following year one hundred and ninety individuals entered, and one hundred and twenty-two were discharged. The principal remedies in use are abstinence and regimen, and no person is admitted without carrying a detail of the treatinent he has before received, in order that a better judgment may be formed of his condition.

There is a military hospital, and others that are attended by the religious; there is even one for the Jews, which is not less distinguished for neatness than good treatment in general.

Vienna can likewise boast an institution which is equalled by nothing but the establishments made in favour of the poor at Hamburgh, Kiel, &c. The suburbs are divided into eight districts, each of which has its surgeon, physician, and widwife, who are provided by government to

Among the regulations made for the preservation of health, we may mention one worthy of serving as a model to other countries (particularly at a time when great cities are continually enlarging); it is that made in May, 1796, by which all persons were forbidden to inhabit a new house, before the physician of the district had examined it, and given his opinion that it was in a proper state of dryness.

The price of provisions is more moderate than has been imagined. Hungary furnishes meat, corn, and wine in abundance, and rustrica wood, which is carried over the Danube, and seldom exported. About one hundred and fifty gardeners cultivate large kitchen gardens in the suburbs, if not with the minute economy practised in the environs of Paris, at least with much greater skill, particularly in their method of watering by a wooden shovel made for the purpose. By means of their industry herbs are very cheap, and they gain at the same time a comfortable subsistence. They are aided in their labours by the mountaineers of Stiria, who regularly come for that purpose every spring.

By this means bread, meat, and vegetables, are an abundant nourishment for the inhabitants, so that the labourer may be satisfied with a moderate salary, in a country producing all the first articles of necessity, and the principal materials of manufacture; there are but few merchandizes of Indian luxury, which are always attended with a considerable expence. The police at the same time watches with so much care over every thing that relates to the nourishment of the people, that it frequently happens, that when the officers meet with persons who have purchased meat, they weigh it again in their presence in order to ascertain the weight, and prevent deceptions.

Particular societies and private circles are so numerous, that coffee-houses cannot be much frequented; on the contrary, taverns are much resorted to; there is consequently a greater number than in any other city.

People are better accommodated at coffee

houses than at ordinaries. Besides a great number of tables which are constantly kept open, and at any hour of the day, and even at midnight, persons may enter and take part in the conversation and entertainments free of expence.

Notwithstanding this it is remarkable, that at ten o'clock in the evening the most perfect tranquillity and silence preside in the streets, as it is a rule for every person going home after that hour to make a small compensation to the porter of the house which he inhabits. If we walk in the suburbs after ten, the calm and solitude which we observe there is truly astonishing. No individual is to be met with but the watch, and in the morning none are roused very early. Vienna in this particular offers a perfect contrast with Naples, which will bear a pleasing comparison with the former in every other respect, and is equalled by no city in Europe, not even London or Paris.

The coffee-house of Hugelinan, in the suburb of Leopolstad, is worthy the notice of a foreigner. This house, situated between the Danube and the street where carriages pass to the promenade of the Prater, is so frequented by Greeks (who are very numerous at Vienna), that upon hearing their language, and observing their costume, our imaginations transport us into that spot once so famed for science and wisdom.

The government, as well as individuals, are entitled to commendation for their efforts in preven'ing mendicity. The orphan house in the beginning of 1797, supported about 1,479 of these unfortunate beings. But this establishment, united with that formed for the relief of the old people and fathers of families unfitted for procuring their own livelihood, has been unable to suppress this pernicious order of society so perfectly at Vienna as those at Hamburgh, Kiel, &c. which deserves the imitation of other cities.

The industry of the inhabitants, although no way comparable to that of the English, merits, however, some eulogium. Vienna and its suburbs include a great number of manufacturers, principally of silk; embroideries are no where so cheap, but their value has been diminished by the war; the proper number of labourers has failed, and the raw materials imported from Italy are become very dear. Among the articles of manufacture which have particularly succeeded, are the steel work, silk ribbands, carriages of every sort, &c. These merchandizes are however

seldom exported.

The inhabitants are not much distinguished for their taste. This however does not arise from any deficiency in the means of solid instruction. They have opportunities to receive lessons in the arts even gratis.

The academy of arts is divided into seven classes, each of which has its particular professor. There is one for subjects relative to manufactures; others are appointed for historical painting, for landscape drawing, for sculpture, architecture, casting of metals and engraving. Every class contains a considerable number of scholars.

Every week during the summer season the professor for landscape drawing makes an excursion with his pupils, in order to exercise them in drawing after nature.

Many of these professors enjoy a just celebrity. The gallery of the Prince de Lichtenstein and that of the Belvedere are superb.

The art of gardening has continued to receive improvements for many years, to an extent unequalled in any place except England. The gardens are laid out with great taste near the city and suburbs.

Music is very much cultivated here, as may be fairly concluded from the number of illustrious composers who have adorned this city; among whom may be reckoned Gluck, Mozart, Haydn, and others. The two former are dead, but the latter is still living. An attachment to this fine art has extended to the lower classes, who apply to it almost to a fatiguing excess. In many private circles they never meet without a concert.

The German theatre at Vienna has always been held in great repute, and for a long time has been considered the best in Germany. The lively Italian operas are very well performed. Almost all the suburbs have their distinct theatre. That of Casperl excels in the low.comic; that of Schicaneder has been remarkable for its successful representation of the Magic Flute by Mozart, and similar performances. The taste of the inhabitants for ballads arose from the excellent dancing at the great theatre.

Literature does not flourish in this city. Whatever title the Germans have to the appellation of a learned nation, the inhabitants of Vienna and the north of Germany can have no share in the honour. With the exception of Petersburgh and Rome, no city contains so large a collection of useless books. It has, however, a great uni versity, and a superb library of MSS. and works purely literary and scientific. Individuals may, however, be found whose erudition equals that of any persons in Europe; but they are as it were a privileged order. The pre-eminence of science is difficult to be obtained here, as an individual is exposed to every species of examination, disappointment, and chicanery foreign to learning.

[To be continued.]

A DREAM ON THE OCCUPATIONS OF DEPARTED SOULS.

I DREAMT I had died. Seeing the body || mired, their jealousy———.” Dear Chloris, I

from which my soul had departed lay on the bed, I was as little affected as a player is when

admit the truth of your observations; but be so good as to let me proceed. On my writing desk

he beholds the dress in which he acted a prince.lay a sketch of a work which I had committed

to paper the preceding night. 1 was going to seize a pen with that ardour so natural to myself and many more literary men, in order to complete that important work for the benefit of my critical brethren. But how great was my terror, when my disembodied soul was not capable of lifting up the pen, and much less of writing! I cannot express the terror which seized me, and am perfectly assured, that a like anxiety is felt by no one else but by a poet who haunts after a rhyme without being able to find it. Seven times, and again seven times did I attempt to write; but in vain. I wanted to consult an Encyclopaedia which frequently had been essen

1 should be very sorry if any of my readers should contradict me in this assertion, or interrupt me in the very beginning of my narrative, by deny- || ing that it is impossible a soul could remain so indifferent at the sight of her inanimate body. Those that know me will easily comprehend that it is not improbable my soul could. I was born and educated in a small town, in which there Were no young gentlemen, except the son of the justice of peace, and the town-clerk. Therefore I had not many examples before me which could have seduced my soul to bestow her principal care upon her body; not to mention that my body was by no means calculated to inspire me with thoughts of vanity, or to tempt|tially useful to me in my literary compositions; me to bestow extraordinary care upon it. I appeal, for the confirmation of the truth of this assertion, to the taste of my late wife, who, in the course of her life, knew many bodies that seemed to appear to her by far more charming and elegant than my person. I demand therefore that my readers at least should believe my wife, if my individual testimony should be suspected. The judgment of ladies, like my late wife, may safely be relied upon in matters relative to human bodies and faces; as for subjects which concern the understanding, I am willing to admit that some satisfactory proofs may be required. This short digression was the more necessary the more desirous an historian naturally is that his account should not be suspected. I expect therefore that my readers should entertain no further doubts of the indifference of my soul towards her body.

As soon as I saw my inanimate body lay before ine I flew to my writing desk. "I thought you would! (Chloris will exclaim,) I thought you would. These pedantic authors constantly reproach us for our predilection for the toilet,|| whilst they, in their study, betray the same weakness which we scarcely are guilty of before our toilet. They commit more acts of vanity by means of their pens than we do through the medium of our rouge-boxes, curling-irons, and band-boxes. In their writings they admire their supposed genius and literary excellence more frequently, and with less certainty, than we admire our charms in the looking glass. Their infatuation, their pride, their desire of being ad

but this satisfaction too was denied me. I wrung my hands, lamenting the irreparable loss which my publisher, my country, and posterity would sustain; nay, I should add, that I pitied myself, were it the custom of the learned to be so open respecting this point. In short, I saw that my whole literary existence was at an end, because [ was deprived of the power of writing. The only thing I could do, to console myself in some degree, was to fly to my book case, and to survey, with paternal tenderness, all the books which owed their existence to my indefatigable fingers. Whilst I contemplated them, I was as pleased and enraptured as parents are, who, indeed, have no longer the power of begetting children, but in those to whom they have given existence, behold more mental accomplishments and abilities than any one else would be able to discover.

I should, perhaps, have continued a considerable time longer in that posture, had I not, in my dream, observed the joyous terror with which my impatient heirs were seized at the sight of my corpse. They flew to my bed with as much avidity as though they were going to divide a booty." "Is he dead?" exclaimed they. "Yes! at length, he is actually dead! Make haste, and send for the undertaker!" cried a nephew of mine, and was joined by one of my nieces, who by my death expected to inherit all those accomplishments which certain solid lovers hitherto had missed in her, whence, to her vexation, they had not robbed her of her liberty. That niece shed a torrent of tears, and by her unex. pected affliction would have perplexed me very

much had she not abruptly raised her hands, and groaned aloud:-" That honest soul of an uncle! God bless him! he is happy! we will not envy him his happiness!" This was the signal for general plunder. My strong box had to sustain the first assault. My clothes and furniture shared the same fate. They carried every thing into a chamber which they proposed should be sealed up by a certain gentleman whose name I do not recollect, but who was declared to be an honest and respectable man, because he carried a large seal, and was attended by two witnesses. Thus far I had been a patient observer of the proceedings of my heirs, but began to tremble when I saw that my papers were to be attacked likewise. They were examined with the most scrupulous care. All papers which began, I promise to pay, &c. were treated with religious regard, and carefully put by; but a few others which commenced with the words, Bought of, &c. caused them to shake their heads. They at last assailed my literary manuscripts, which rendered me furious. flew, in despair, to defend them; but, probably, should not have succeeded, if the son of my sister, a master of arts, had not assisted me undesignedly, by throwing the whole bundle underneath the table, protesting they were waste. paper.

I

The dunce! Preparations were now made for my interment, which was forwarded with astonishing dispatch; and as soon as the tailor and mantua maker had finished the usual badges of mourning and affliction, no money was spared to remove my corpse without further delay. My body was carried to the church, attended by a numerous train of mourners, and all ceremonies which usually are observed on the interment of those who are justly regretted in death, and leave ample property behind them, were performed with the strictest decorum and exactness. At last appeared in the pulpit an grator, whom my heirs had rendered sensible of all my virtues by means of a sealed paper which appeared rather heavy. Satisfied as I always was with myself during the whole course of my life, I was nevertheless doubtful whether I really was the identical person of whom he spoke in his funeral sermon. I surveyed the whole church, imagining I should perhaps discover another corpse, to whom the panegyrics of the erator related, but could not descry any, and now perceived that they must apply to myself. He called me a great, celebrated, and learned man, a patron of the sciences, his Mecenas; and against this I had not much to object, as it was Bot too much for twelve ducats. He lavished more than twenty tropes to depict the sorrows which my heirs felt at the untimely death of their excellent relation; and the former, from

gratitude, were so modest as to conceal their faces with the crape, lest they should give him the lie. He gave them several pious directions how to stop the torrent of their tears; but these the good man night well have spared. I listen-ed, however, with great patience to his discourse. But at length he went too far. He protested with such violence, that he grew quite red in the face; I say, he protested that I had been a man of great erudition, but of still greater humanity, a zealous promoter of the arts and sciences, but by far a more zealous and strenuous protector of widows and orphans. He added, my happy marriage had been a visible reward of these rare virtues. "C Appear!" exclaimed he,

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come forth from your tomb, ye decayed bones of the late amiable and excellent Mrs. Heavens! how did I tremble when I heard him call upon my late wife! I fled without looking, back. I fled out of the church.

Apprehending that my gentle consort would obey the invocation, I soared aloft, when I descried a great number of departed souls, some of whom were known to me, and others not. This unexpected sight astonished me. Surprize made me gaze at them with eyes wide open, as an owner of a chandler's shop in a small country town would stare at the exchange at Hamburgh on seeing it the first time. I should never have expected to meet at that place with such a numerous society of departed spirits. All their occupations appeared singu ar and uncommon to I was curious, and yet irresolute. I knew not whither I should turn myself, but neverthe less had not sufficient courage to apply to one of them to remove my doubts.

me.

A very lively spirit, resembling very much the soul of our young men of fashion, was the first who noticed my perplexity. We were perfect strangers to one another, but he was so complaisant as to fly towards me, protesting a thousand times upon his honcur and soul, that he should deem himself superlatively happy in rendering me any service in his power, assuring me that his offer was not intended to be a mere compliment. He shook me by the hand till it began to ache, repeating his proffers of friendship again and again, and I was just going to avail myself of his kind offer, when he turned himself round on hi heel, whistling a tune, and flying to another spirit to offer his services in a similar manner.

This incident considerably encreased my confusion. I had not the courage to apply for information, for fe r I should a second time fall info the hands of an officious young gen leman.

While I was yet undetermined what I should do, I observed within a small distance a soul who seemed to be an attentive observer of every thing that was doing in that spot. I could clearly

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