The Cathedral of _Metz_, which is dedicated to St. _Stephen_, is a Church of greater Note for its Antiquity than for its Beauty. The most remarkable Thing in it is its baptismal Font, which is of one intire Piece of _Porphyry_ about 10 Foot in Length. There is very good Company at _Metz_, and I should have been glad to have stay’d there longer, if my private Affairs would have permitted it. There is a Parliament, which consists of a good Number of Men of Quality, who are all very rich. Besides, here is always a strong Garison, and several Persons of easy Fortunes, who commonly spend the Winter here. When I was here, _M. de Saillant_ was the commanding Officer. He liv’d with Splendor, and I commonly din’d with him, and supp’d with the Intendant of the Province, who was then _M. de Celi_ of the _Harlay_ Family, and was very much esteem’d. * * * * * When I set out from _Metz_, I struck into the Road for _Germany_, and went to SPIRES. This Town may be consider’d as a Monument of the Ravage of War, there being a great many Ruins to be seen in it, which are the Remains of the Houses burnt by the _French_, in the War they made for the Destruction of the Palatinate. It was formerly the Seat of the Imperial Chamber, which after ’twas ruin’d, was transfer’d to _Wetzlar_. _Spires_ is the See of a Bishop Suffragan to the Bishop of _Mentz_. * * * * * I pass’d the _Rhine_ at _Spires_, over a Bridge of Boats, and arrived in a few Hours at _Heidelberg_, from whence I went to _Stutgard_, and so to ULM.[3] This is one of the most considerable Cities in _Germany_, and has magnificent Structures both sacred and prophane, and great Squares adorn’d with Fountains. Our Lady’s, which is the most considerable of all the Churches, belongs to the Lutherans, who are the Magistrates of the City; but the Roman Catholics are allow’d the free Exercise of their Religion here. This City was formerly but a Village, which _Charlemain_ granted to the Abbey of _Reichenau_. The Inhabitants of _Ulm_ redeem’d their Liberty on the Payment of a considerable Sum, after which they got their Town made an Imperial City, and at last it became the Capital of _Swabia_. _Ulm_ is very well fortify’d; it maintains a stout Garison, and its Ramparts are furnish’d with good Cannon; nevertheless, the Elector of _Bavaria_ took it with Ease in the Beginning of the late War, when that Prince declar’d for his Nephew the King of _Spain_, tho’ ’tis said, his Electoral Highness had a Correspondence at the same time in the Town. But the Battle of _Hochstet_ help’d to restore it to its Liberty, and notwithstanding the Menaces of the _Marshal de Villars_, it receiv’d an Imperial Garison. * * * * *