By eleven a clock this night I depart in the post waggon for _Zell_, and in the way make these observations on _Hanover_, and the persons I saw there. The town is moderately large, fair, and compact, seated on the _Leine_, and reasonably well fortified. The palace of the Prince is old, and mean in outward appearance, but within beautiful and splendid. The clergy here is but meanly esteemed, and more meanly provided for; except that Abbot _Gerhardus_ has an income (the sole remainder of church lands not sequestered) to the yearly value of eight hundred pounds sterling. By this preferment he is superintendent of the whole clergy in the territories of the Duke of _Brunswick Hanover_, and is by the same incapable of marrying. The Elector is a sage, discreet, just, and sober Prince. The Princess his mother is courteous, affable, condescending, and prudent; well versed in the Dutch, English, French, and Italian languages; and gay and vigorous to a miracle at the age of seventy two. The young Prince is brisk, affable, and ingenious. The Princess, daughter to the Elector, comely, ingenious, lively, and her courteous behaviour charms all, who converse with her. Mr. _Cresset_, who has long resided as Envoy to this court, and those of _Zell_, _Brunswick_, and _Wolfembutel_, is a wise and pious gentleman, has a family well governed, and lives much to the honour of himself and his country. December xxx. By seven a clock this morning I arrive at _Zell_, where I remain the rest of the day, and take that opportunity of seeing the castle; as likewise the venerable old Duke, _William George_, now eighty years of age; to whom I was admitted by the favour of Mr. _Robbeton_ and Mr. _De la Forest_, two gentlemen who here shewed me great civility. December xxxi. I set forward from _Zell_, and lodge this night at a post house, in a small village called _Sorndorf_. The country is here pleasant, with a variety of fir, oak, and other wood, but for the most part barren, and overrun, with heath. January i. From _Sorndorf_ I reach _Harburg_ by twelve a clock this day, dine there, and then take boat for _Hamburg_ cross the _Elbe_. The river is here above a German mile broad, and interspersed with various islands. In the evening I delivered Mr. _Cresset’s_ recommendations to Mr. Aldersey, who thereupon received me courteously, and procured me a good lodging from Mr. Townly in the English house. I was detained here to the twenty eighth of this month, partly by the extremity of the frost, which had made the _Elbe_ now unpassable; and partly by the kindness of our English merchants, who reside in this place.