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T R A V E L S THROUGH
ktt, the Emperor Conrade, furnamed S»ii<!UE, made a gift of it, in 1027, to its bi/hop,
ivitli its territorial poffeffiom; wliicli was again confirmed, in 1155, by the Emperors
Frederick the Firft and Second.
StNCE tlut epoch the city of Trent has been under tltc jutifdiflion of its bilhops,
who talte tlic title of Prince; altltough the counts of Tyrol have referved the right of
Prefcdure over the bifliopric, which is Hill under their proteflion. They have alfo
the privilege of appointing a governor, during a vacancy in the epifcopal fee.
TUE houfe of Aufttia, having been in poffeffion of the county of Tyrol fmce the
year 1369, enjoys all the privileges abovementioned. In 1363, Bilhop Albert, with die
confent, and by the advice, of the Chapter, iffued a decree in behalf of Duke Rodolphus, by
which he joined his bifliopric for ever to the county of Tyrol, agreeing to fliare in all the
cxpences that might be ncccffary for the fafety of the ftite; granting alfo free accefs to
his troops, into all tlie cities, caflles, and fortreffes of his dominions. This offer was
accepted by tlie Dukes Albert, Frederick, and Sigifmnnd; and afterwards by the
Emperor Maximilian the Eirft and Ferdinand the Firft.
A.OOT the year i j i i , it was agreed between the Archduke of Auftrii and the Bifliop
of Trent, that the latter Ihould fend deputies to the diet of Tyrol; and that he Ihould
not only participate in their deliberations, but join in defraying the neeeffary cipences
incurred in maintaining the profperity and fafety of the State; but, at the fame time,
the Archduke promifed, as Sovereign of Tyrol, partly to reimburfe the bifliopric for all
extra charges relating to the empire. This treaty was again ratified, in 1548, at the
diet of Augfljurg.
T m Bifcop of Trent, being a Prince of the empire, has confequently a vote and feat
in that quality, at the Diet of Ratilbon, See. He is elefled for life by the Chapter,
which confifts of eighteen canons and prebendaries of the moft ancient nobility of the
country, who have alfo a feat in the alTemblies of Tyrol.
THE Aulle Council of that Prince is compofed of ecclefiaftics and laymen.
TH. hereditary places belong to certain diftinguiftied families: that of Grand Marflial
(which is confidered as the firft) belongs to the houfe of Firmians i that of High
Chamberlain, to the Counts of Darío; that of Cup-bearer, to the family of Thun; and
that of Senefchal or plead-bailiff, to the Barons Prato.
TBE territory attached to the biftropric is extenfive, being nearly eighty miles from
eaft to weft, and fixty from north to fouth. It contains feveral cities, and a number of
villages; it is well inhabited, and the country is both fertile and cultivated. Its inhabitants,
whofe honefty and fimplicity are generaUy marked on their countenances, are particularly
mild and affable; fo that, were one to judge of their form of government from their
apparent happinefs and induftry, one fliould not hcfitatc to pronounce it one of the
beft;
T H E RHIETIAN ALPS. 35
beft; for the people, although unadorned, and but indifFercntly ir.ftru<aed, yet, being
endowed with fo much virtuous fimplicity, they are objeds to be contemplated with pleafure.
Their taxes are moderate, and arbitrary power is fcldora exercifed. The language is
either German or Italian; but thofe who arc fituated to the weft of tlie Adigc, and
north of Trent, in general, fpeak German. That city cannot boaft of many curiofitics,
yet there are fome few churches wortli notice; the columns, pediments, &c. of which
are highly finiihed in various forts of beautiful marble, of tlie country; they alfo contain
feveral valuable paintings of the firft mafters. The capital houfes belonging to the
nobility ought not to pafs unnoticcd, the architeaure is good, and tliey are finiihed with
tafte; but, in general, their manfions are as fimple as their manners, and remarkably
neat. The ftreets are tolerably wide, and regular. The city is not fortified, havir^
only a fingle wall furrounding it, commanded by an old ruinous caftle, where a few
invalids are ftatioiied.
THE Biihop's palace is a Gothic building; it is fpacious, and merits the attention of
the traveller: it contains feveral beautiful paintings in frefco. The church of Santa
Maria Majore ought alfo to be feen, where the famous Council of Trent was held, the
fifteenth of December 15+5, and lafted till 1563. It was convened by the Emperor
Charles V. and Pope Paul III. in order to refute the dodrine of Luther, and refonn the
licentioufnefs and corruption which had crept in among the clergy and laity; but it had
not the defired effefl:, owing to the diffenfions among the heads of the council, and the
wars which at that time diftrafted Europe.
IT was convoked tliree times in the fpace of eighteen years, and during the reign of
five different Popes, viz. Paul IIL Julius III. Marcellus III. Paul IV. and Pius IV.
(For ftirther information fee L'Hiftoire du ConcU de Trente, by Pierre Soave Polani, or
Fra Paoli.)
IN the fame church is a large pifture, defcriptive of the event, with the members, &c.
as aflembled in council.
THE Adige, which croffes the city, and over which is built a curious wooden bridge,
one hundred and fixty-three feet long, not only gives it a commercial appearance, but
adds greatly to the wholefomenefs of the place; for, although it is fituated in the centre
of a. fmall plain, fiirrounded by elevated mountains, the air is reckoned falubrious;
wiiich muft be attributed in a great meafure to that and its proximity to the Alps.
THE heat is exceiTive in fummer; but, owing to the great Tridentine Glaciers, which
arc at no great diftance, they enjoy, morning and evening, a rcfrcftiing breeze. From
the Came caufe their winters are fevere (although in latitude +6), which is common to
all placcs fituated near the bafc of that extenfive range of mountains.
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