Note 77 — LETTER VII.

Since these Letters were written the Face of the Court of Gotha is very much altered. The Duke therein mentioned is dead. The Hereditary Prince Frederic has succeeded him, and his Mother the Duchess Dowager retired to Altenbourg, with the Princesses her Daughters, who are Frederica born July 6, 1715, O. S. and Augusta born Nov. 18, 1719, and married April 27, 1736, to his Royal Highness Frederic Prince of Wales. The Duke's Brothers, who are William, John-Augustus, Christian-William, Lewis-Ernest, Maurice and John-Adolphus, are gone into the Service of the Emperor, the King of Poland, and the Prince of Hesse-Cassel. As to the Government, the Duke treads in the very Steps of his late Father. M. Backover is his Chancellor, and the First Man in his Council. M. de Hering, formerly in the service of the Duke of Saxe-Weimar, is Vice-Chancellor. The Count de Ronaw is now Envoy at the Dyet of Ratisbon, M. de Damnitz, heretofore in the Service of the Prince de Rudelstad, is Grand Marshal; and seems to have a Share in the new Duke's Confidence. This Gentleman is also a Major-General, and the Camp seems to be a fitter Element for him than the Court.—The Office of Master of the Horse is not yet fill'd up. M. de Wurm, a Person of Quality and Merit, was in possession of that Office in the late Duke's time, but he lately resigned it of his own accord. M. de Stotterheim, is to be appointed Great Cup-Bearer, who is as yet, I think, in the Service of some Foreign Prince.