Sir Benjamin Thompson letter

Address: Munich. To Lord Sheffield [John Baker Holroyd, 1st Earl of Sheffield]. Describes the condition and people of Bavaria. Speaks of the Elector's troops: '... I know of no Troops that are so well and so comfortably clothed as ours, both for Summer and Winter ...'. Gives details of the crops, minerals and commerce of Bavaria. 'It would be difficult,'he writes, 'to convey to your Lordship an adequate idea of the Ignorance, Superstition and corruption which pervade and darken every part of this neglected Country.' Says that the clergy and nobility hold a monopoly of the beer in Bavaria: '... which is the great source of their riches, and on that account Drunkenness must be encouraged.'
Autograph, with signature.

See hard copy catalogue.

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Catalogue of the manuscripts and autograph letters in the University Library at the central building of the University of London (1921). A copy is available in the Library's Special Collections Reading Room.

Further material relating to the 1st Earl of Sheffield is held in the archives at Senate House Library, see references: MS124, MS 126, MS132, MS139, MS423, MS869, MS942 and MS984; AL55, AL60, AL115, AL120, AL121, AL144, AL145, AL227, AL268, AL277 and AL346.