At six a clock this evening, it being then very dark, I take a passage in the ordinary post chaise for _Leipsick_, paying four florins for the space of thirteen German miles. By ten at night we come to _Misten_, and there cross the _Elbe_ over a large covered bridge. The benefit of the star light gives me opportunity to observe some part of the town, particularly the castle seated on very high ground. Hence we continue our journey all night, till about ten a clock the next morning we come to _Wurzen_, where we dine; and then ferrying over the _Muldaw_, now a large and rapid river, after having endured a cold and severe snow all the day, we arrive at _Leipsick_ about five a clock in the afternoon, where I provide myself with a private lodging. December vi. This morning his Excellency and his retinue arrive at _Leipsick_ by eleven a clock, and lodge at the _Golden hen_ in the high street, to which place I therefore now remove myself. _Leipsick_ is a neat and compact place, well built, the streets almost straight, and conveniently wide. The market place is a regular quadrangle, surrounded with fair and lofty houses, among which is the town hall, or court of justice. Not far from the market is another small square, at one end of which is a new and spatious room, to which we ascend by stone steps. This serves for an exchange, where the merchants meet. The city has three large churches, one of _St. Nicholas_, another of _St. Thomas_, and a third called the _New Church_. These are all well beautified within, especially that of _St. Nicholas_, the altar of which is a neat pile, representing in good sculpture the burial and resurrection of our _Savior_, his shewing his wounds to _St. Thomas_ and the other disciples, and over the whole his ascension in a cloud. At the upper end of the two outward isles are painted two good pieces of perspective. The town has no public buildings, besides an old castle, and a new hospital; the latter of which serves both for the reception of lunatics, and also a house of correction for vagabonds. The fortification is regular, and of the new fashion, but not of any great importance; however it has a foss, that may be filled with water upon occasion from the _Pleiss_, which washes the walls of the city. The town is governed by a senate of twenty three, of whom three, called _Burgomasters_, have the prime authority; and by a chief magistrate, who has the title of _consul_, and is chosen annually. The present consul is one _Romanus_, a young gentleman of great fortune, and vast designs; who is erecting a noble palace in the city, built of free stone. Among the senators are several persons of quality, who have fair estates, and a learned education.