522 
His love of the fine arts, and his 
liberal protection of artists, rendered 
Erfurt a desirable residence for men 
of learning. Every spark of genius 
was fostered by the governor: his 
evening assemblies were crowded by 
the most distinguished inhabitants ; 
and Gotha, Jena, Weymar, contri- 
buted to their interest, by the frequent 
visits of the most eminent characters 
of those universities. Nor did stran- 
gers, in whom was discoverable any 
degree of talent, pass through Erfurt 
without the honour of an invitation. 
In these meetings the brilliancy of the 
governor’s imagination, the profound- 
ness of his observations, the facility of 
his delivery, and the mild urbanity of 
his manners, seemed equally to claim 
the greater share of approval; but 
justice refused any inequality of 
praise where all were admirable. 
The Hlectoral Academy of Mayence 
improved daily under the presidency 
of Charles-Theodore. The members 
were animated to new labours by the 
scientific treaties delivered from the 
chair; and literary enquiry became 
general. 
In the year 1787 Baron Dalberg 
was nominated coadjutor of the Grand 
Chapter, and of the Electorate of 
Mayence; and also of the Grand 
Chapter of Worms: in the year fol- 
lowing, coadjutor of Constance, and 
Archbishop of Tarsis. In 1799, the 
Grand Chapier of Constance fell under 
his sole authority, when he was ele- 
vated to the rank of Prince Bishop, 
and Prince Director, in Suabia. 
The Elector of Mayence dying in 
1862, the Prince Bishop was honoured 
with the titie and privileges of Prince 
TLlector, and Grand Chancellor of the 
German Empire. We have now reach- 
ed the important epocha when the 
new form of government established 
by Napoleon, under the denomination 
of the Confederation of the Rhine, over- 
threw all the settled maxims and 
usages of Germany. ‘the political 
opinions of the Prince Hiector had 
already given way to the influence of 
the French preponderance, and he no 
longer adhered to those sentiments 
which he had publicly expressed as 
coadjutor of Mazence in the year 
1797. Under the authority of Napo- 
leon, he was declared Prince Primate 
of the Rhenine Confederation, Sove- 
reign Prince and Lord of Aschaffen- 
burg, Ratisbon, and W etzlar, renoun- 
3 
Prince Primate of the Confederation of the Rhine. 
[Jan.1, 
cing, at the same time, the principali- 
ties of Constance and Worms. 
The reputation of few men have 
undergone a ruder shock than that 
which assailed the Prince upon his 
elevation to these new dignities; to 
the dereliction of his former political 
principles have been deduced the evils 
brought down upon Germany by the 
abandonment of its ancient forms of 
government; and it was generally 
supposed that the gigantic project of 
Napoleon would have met with insu- 
perable difficulties, had not the Prince, 
after a conversation with Hedouyille, 
(the nature of which has never been 
divulged,) unequivocally pronounced 
his adherence to it. 
The visit of a private agent of 
Napoleon was soon reported to the 
cabinets of Germany. Every part of 
the Prince’s conduct testified his bias 
towards the French government, and 
of course bis alienation from the Em- 
peror’s interest. His elevation was 
therefore attended with all the sorrow- 
ing eflects of general censure. Amongst 
the complaints which issued from all 
directions, may bo mentioned those 
which related to the nomination of 
Cardinal Fesch, as coadjutor of the 
Primacy: this has been supposed a 
Most violent stretch of authority on 
the part of the Prince, and, as such, 
vehemently disapproved by the digni- 
taries of the church. But the factis, 
the Prince acted from compulsion, and 
did not accede to, the mandate of 
Napoleon on this subject until he had 
exhausted, without effect, every en- 
deavour to nominate Count Stadion, 
then canon of Mayence, or Count 
Sternberg, then canon of Ratisbon. 
In truth, this appointment was pro- 
ductive of uo ill effect: it was a mere 
nullity. Be it as it may, he who had 
commanded universal respect became 
the object of universal reproach, and 
all his honours were an insufficient 
compensation for the wounded feel- 
ings which accompanied them. The 
oppressive influence which France 
exercised over his existence in 1810, 
compelled the exchange of Ratisbon, 
in favour of Bavaria, for the country 
of Hanau, and part of the possessions 
attached to the bishopric of Fulda; 
upon which occasion he took the title 
of Grand Duke of Frankfort, and fixed 
his residence amongst his new sub- 
jects, warmly espousing their interests, 
and exposing their fortunes to no other 
taxes 
