Volume 2 — LETTER V. (continued 2)

In short, the Count de Sulkowski who has the first place in the Cabinet, and this Gentleman who has the second, are the Ministers who decide all Affairs with the King's good Pleasure. They are Gentlemen who know nothing of Jealousy nor Envy; and, as they act from one and the same Principle, so they have both the same View, which is to increase, if possible, the Glory of the King, and the Happiness of the Government.

The Office of all the above-mention'd, as Ministers of the Cabinet, is so eminent at this Court that it gives those who are invested with it the Precedence of all the Generals, both of Horse and Foot.

Besides these, there are three other Ministers of the Cabinet, who, tho' retir'd from Court, enjoy the Rank and Pensions annex'd to the Ministry. They are the Count de Manteuffel, the Count de Promnitz, and the Marquiss de Fleuri.

Ernest Count de Manteuffel, Knight of the Order of the White Eagle, is descended of a Family which has been for a long time of distinguish'd Rank in Prussian Pomerania. He was Gentleman of the Bed-Chamber to Frederic I. King of Prussia. Certain Ballads being handed about at Court, which were insulting Lampoons upon the Count de Wartemberg, the King's Prime Minister and Favourite, M. de Manteuffel was charged with being the Author of 'em; who knowing that the Favourite wou'd not put up with the Affront, retir'd to Saxony, where the Count de Flemming, who then bore the greatest sway at the King of Poland's Court, receiv'd him as his Countryman, and employ'd him in foreign Affairs; which he managed with the Approbation both of his Majesty and the foreign Ministers he had to treat with. M. de Manteuffel kept in with the Favourite without giving into the Flattery which that Minister expected from his Creatures; and while the King was Vicar of the Empire, he made M. de Manteuffel Count of the Empire. His Majesty had some time before honour'd him with the Order of the White Eagle, and preferr'd him to his Cabinet-Council; and after Marshal Flemming's Death, M. de Manteuffel[68] had the principal Direction of the foreign Affairs. But this able Minister, and one of the chief Ornaments and Confidents of the late King's Court, retir'd from it in 1730, to his Estate in Pomerania, and now resides at Berlin; where he still enjoys a Pension of 24000 Crowns, or 12000 Rixdollars, which was secur'd to him by the present Elector. It adds to his Character, that after he was retired, the Want of him was lamented.

He is pretty tall, well set, has a grand Air, and is one of the handsomest Men that I have seen. His Behaviour is noble and easy, he has a good Fund of Learning, an extraordinary Memory, and such a Happiness of expressing himself that when he talks he never fails to give Pleasure. He lives nobly, and when he was at Dresden his House was open to all Persons of Distinction and Merit. He married a Baroness of Pludouska, who is, as well as himself, of the Lutheran Religion.

Erdmann, Count de Promnitz, is more at his Estate than at Court; he is also Knight of the Order of the White Eagle. He married a Princess of Saxe-Weissenfels. He always distinguish'd himself by his Zeal, and his Attachment to the Royal Family; of which he gave Proofs by raising an Independent Company at his own Expence, for the Service of the late King, which he sent to reinforce his Majesty's Troops in the Camp before Zeithaim: And for the same Use he has since rais'd a Regiment of Horse.

Francis Vicardel, Marquiss de Fleuri and de Beaufort, is a Savoyard. He was the King of Sardinia's Minister, and his Envoy to the Court of Vienna, when the late King of Poland invited him into his Service, admitted him to his Cabinet-Council, and made him a Knight of his Order. This Minister is endow'd with all the Talents that can be desir'd in a Man who has an Employment. He has an agreeable Aspect, engaging Manners, a just Discernment, a quick Apprehension, and a very even Temper. But his frequent Ailments disabling him from the Exercise of his Talents, he desir'd, and obtain'd leave to retire to his Estate in Savoy; and the late King, who had always a great and noble Soul, being desirous that he shou'd be a Witness of his Goodness and Royal Magnificence, secur'd the Enjoyment of his Pensions to him; which the present King has also been pleased to confirm.

Another of the Cabinet Ministers, who was also formerly Prime Minister to the late King of Poland, was the Count de Hoym, descended from one of the principal Families in Saxony, and Brother to the Gentleman that married Madame de Cosel. I knew him intimately before he was advanced to the Ministry, at Paris, and at Vienna, as well as here at Dresden. You must have seen him in Silesia, where he has a very fine Estate. There is not a Minister at this Court more civil, more learned, or a better Friend to learned Men. During his long Residence at Paris as Ambassador from the King of Poland, his House was open to all Men of Learning as it is now at Dresden; and he had the splendid Title given him of the Mecænas of Saxony[69].

They who are actually Privy Counsellors, or Ministers of State here, are eight in number. They are descended from some of the best Families in Saxony, and profess the Protestant Religion. The Detail of their Characters, their Experience, and their Merit, wou'd oblige me to transgress the Limits of this Work, were I only to treat of those who are bound by their Employments to attend the King's Person, and who compose his Majesty's Houshold. But for the Reputation of the Privy Council, 'tis proper just to observe that all its Members are Subjects who do Honour to the King's Choice; that they are vigilant for promoting the Good of the Public, and that in their Deliberations they manifest their Zeal for the King, and their Affection to their Country.

The President of this Council, is Alexander de Miltitz de Scharffenberg, who is a Native of Saxony, the same that was the King's Governour; of whom so much has been already said, that I avoid to make any more particular mention of him here.

Two of the Privy Counsellors are Counsellors of the Conferences, which are held in presence of his Majesty, viz. Gotlob-Frederic Baron de Gersdorff, and Bernard Baron de Zech. The former comes from an ancient Family of Distinction, which has given several great Men to this State. The latter has acquitted himself with Success in the several Negociations wherein he has been employ'd. They are both laborious, vigilant, upright Men, and of great Experience in Business.

The King's Great Officers are,

I. The Grand Marshal; which Office is now held by Waldemar, Baron de Lowendahl, who has under him

The Gentlemen of the Bed-Chamber, The Pages, The Huntsmen, The Musicians of the Chapel and the Chamber, The Dancers, The Comedians, The Trumpeters, The Footmen, The Turks, The Heydukes, The Messengers, The Negroes;

and in short, a considerable number of other Officers and Domestics of the King's Houshold. His Jurisdiction extends not only over those that I have mention'd, but also over all Foreigners of Quality who happen to be at Dresden; and there is a Tribunal or Court for this purpose, of which the Great Chamberlain, the Great Master of the Kitchens, the Great Cup-Bearer and the Marshal of the Court are Members.

II. The Great Chamberlain; who is at present Henry-Frederic Count of Friesland. 'Tis he that receives the Ambassadors and other foreign Ministers, and introduces them to an Audience of the King. He has under him the several Chamberlains.

III. The Master of the Horse, Alexander-Joseph Count de Sulkowski, is in possession of this Office, which is one of the best and noblest Employments at Court, the Person who is invested with it being serv'd by the King's Equipages and Livery, and having the disposal of all the inferior Offices appertaining to the Stables. He has under him the Equerries, the Prickers, and all the Workmen employ'd for the Service of the Stables, and the making of the Equipages.

He that is the only chief Equerry is Adolphus de Bruhl, one of the King's Chamberlains. He officiates in the absence of the Master of the Horse, is Brother to Henry de Bruhl Minister of the Cabinet, and resembles him in Candour and Integrity. His Honesty, which is imprinted on his very Countenance, reflects a Lustre on all his Actions. He is so sensible of the Charms of Friendship that he fulfils all the Obligations of it; and besides those Qualities of the Mind, he makes an agreeable Appearance, is dextrous in his Exercises, has a solid Relish of the Arts and Sciences, is perfect Master of Music, and plays on several Instruments.

He was heretofore in the Service of the Duke Regent of Weissenfels, and next in that of the Duke of Saxe-Weimar, who had such an Esteem for his Merit that to him he referred the Direction of his Court. Nevertheless he left this Prince, and enter'd into the Service of the late King, who conferred those Employments on him which he now enjoys. Since he came to Court, he married a young Lady of Quality of the Family of Opelen, whose Fortune and Charms into the bargain made her such a considerable Match that she did not want Suitors.

IV. The Great Huntsman. The Gentleman who at present possesses this Office, one of the most lucrative at Court, is Charles de Leubnitz. It gives him the Superintendance over all the Officers of the Venery, in which Number are included the Rangers, the Verdurers, the Gentlemen and Pages, and above a hundred Huntsmen or other Persons depending on them. The Great Huntsman is a Protestant, as well as his Lady, who is of the Family of Schaurot.

V. The Great Master of the Kitchens is Adolphus Baron de Seyffertitz, of a Family which has been for a long time distinguish'd in this Electorate. His first Step at Court was in the Employment of Gentleman of the Bed-Chamber. Augustus II. at the request of the late Czar Peter the Great, plac'd him Governor to the Czarowitz when that young Prince came into Germany. He continued in this Post till after the Marriage of the Czarowitz to the Princess of Brunswic-Wolfembuttle-Blanckenbourg. After his return to Saxony he accompanied the late King to Berlin, when his Majesty together with Frederic IV. King of Denmark, went thither to make a visit to Frederic I. King of Prussia. In 1711, M. de Seyffertitz was appointed Marshal of the Embassy which Augustus II. sent to Francfort, for the Election of an Emperor. His Imperial Majesty Charles VI. at the Ceremony of his Coronation, made him a Knight of the Empire, and at length the late King made him one of his Chamberlains, and then Great Master of the Kitchens, which Office he manages with Dignity and Politeness. He married a Lady of the Family of Haxthausen, Widow of the Count de Beichling the Great Faulconer. They are both of the Lutheran Communion.

In the absence of the Grand Marshal, the Great Master of the Kitchens officiates, and at the grand Ceremonies wears like him a Staff tipp'd with Silver gilt. Under his Province are the Comptrollers of the Kitchen and of the Houshold, the Clerks of the Kitchen, the Purveyors, the Cooks and Turn-spits, the Pastry-Cooks, the Pursers, Fishmongers, &c.

VI. The Great Cup-Bearer is John-Adolphus de Haugwitz, a Gentleman of good Extraction. His Father was Grand Marshal to the late King. He is a handsome Man, has a noble Mien, performs all sorts of Exercises with a Grace and with Dexterity, and does the Honours of the Court in a becoming manner. He is of the Protestant Religion, and married to a Lady of the Family of Beist. His Employment sets him above all the Officers of the King's Buttery, Cellar, and Pantry. In the absence of the Grand Marshal and the Master of the Kitchens, he officiates for them, and at great Ceremonies he carries like them a Staff of Silver gilt.

VII. The Great Faulconer is an Office held by Anthony Count de Moschinski, a Polish Nobleman, and a Roman Catholic. He was formerly Page to the King, and attended his Majesty in his Tours to France and Italy, where he acquir'd great Politeness, and a very engaging Deportment. At his return to Dresden, he was made one of the Gentlemen of the Bed-Chamber to the King, who was then the Prince Royal. Afterwards the late King appointed him one of his Chamberlains; and when the Count de Fitztuhm unhappily lost his life at Warsaw, his Majesty who had given his Office of Great Chamberlain to the Count de Friesland, bestow'd that of Great Faulconer, which was held by that Nobleman, upon the Count de Moschinski, who was grac'd almost at the same time with the Order of the White Eagle, and the Post of Treasurer to the Court of Poland. His Majesty also granted him in Marriage one of his natural Children, the Daughter of the Countess de Cosel. Never was a Person more deserving of Honours than the Great Faulconer, who is truly magnificent, and makes such an Appearance, that he does an Honour to his Character. By his Behaviour he engages the Friendship and Regard of all that have to do with him. He has under his command the Officers of the Faulconry or Mews where the Hawks are kept, the Faulconers, and in general all those Persons that have any relation to the Faulconry.

VIII. The Great Master of the Wardrobe is Alexander-Joseph Count de Sulkowski. He has under his Jurisdiction the Catholic Clergy, the Physicians of the Body, the Footmen, the Secretaries, Writers and Clerks of the Chamber, the Inspectors of the Chamber of Curiosities, the Ushers of the Chamber and of the King's Closet, his Peruke-makers, Surgeons and Taylors, the Negroes, Dwarfs, and Pages of the Back-Stairs, the Architects, Engineers and Designers.

IX. The Post-Master-General is Maurice-Charles Count de Linar, who is also one of the Chamberlains, and a Knight of the Order of St. John. He is descended from a Family which has been of Eminence for a long time in this Electorate. His good Mien is answerable to his Birth, and by his Politeness, his Manners, and his Expences, he does an honour to the Prince that employs him. The King, after his Coronation, sent him to Muscovy to notify the Accomplishment of that Ceremony to the Empress of the Russians, and he still continues at that Princess's Court, to take care of his Master's Interests, which he does in a way that cannot but turn to his own Advantage, and the Honour of the King.[70] This Gentleman was also employ'd by the late King at the Court of Prussia, and at the British Court when at Hanover, and always discharg'd his Commissions with such Success as was crown'd with his Majesty's Approbation.

X. The Marshal of the Court is John-George d'Einsiedel, who is also a Privy-Counsellor, and a Gentleman of a good Family, his Ancestors having possessed the chief Offices of the State. He has visited the principal Courts of Europe, where he contracted that polite Turn which is seen in his Behaviour. He is a handsome Man, has a noble Air, and his Demeanour is answerable. He knows a great deal, and performs all the academical Exercises very well. He married the Daughter of the General Count de Flemming Governor of Leipsic, who was a rich Heiress, and to be valued for the Qualities of her Mind. The Marshal of the Court and his Lady are both of the Lutheran Communion. His Office joins him in Commission with the Grand Marshal, the Great Master of the Kitchens, and the Great Cup-Bearer; and like those Officers he carries the short Staff of Silver gilt at the grand Ceremonies. 'Tis commonly he that makes the Court-Entertainments.

Curt d'Einsiedel Marshal of the Court, and one of the Chamberlains, is remarked for his genteel Mien and Extraction. His good Qualities and Deportment render him worthy of all Employments. He is of the establish'd Religion of Saxony, and lately married Madamoiselle de Schoneberg de Maxen, whose Personal Charms are an Ornament to the Court.

Ernest-Ferdinand d'Ermandsdorff, Marshal of the King's Houshold, and one of the Chamberlains, has procur'd himself Esteem by his Merit as well as his good Birth and Breeding. Besides his Knowledge of various kinds which qualifies him for Business, he is Master of several Languages, particularly the French. He married a Lady of the Family of Hesler, and they are both of the Lutheran Religion.

XI. The Chamberlains. Of these there are too many to be all mention'd here, so that I shall only take notice of the twelve Pensioners who are in waiting about their Majesties, and without regarding the Seniority of their Admittance. They commonly attend the King and Queen, each a whole Week in their turn, and have the Rank of Major-Generals. The finest Prerogative of their Employment; is the Honour of eating with their Majesties when they are in Waiting, and of being the Depositaries of the Petitions which are presented to the King in his Passage.

1. Henry Rodolph de Schonfeld, Lord of Lowenitz, is the King's first Chamberlain. He has a fine Presence and Behaviour, and a sweet and amiable Temper. He keeps a handsome Table and Equipage, suitable to his Fortune. He attended the King, by his Majesty's Order, to Cracow, and lastly to Oliva.

2. Helmuth de Plesk is of a Family in the Dutchy of Holstein, of some Note for their great Estate there, and for the Rank they bear at the Court of Denmark, where several Lords of Plesk are in the Ministry. The Gentleman here mention'd is actually the King's Envoy Extraordinary to the Court of Denmark.

3. Augustus-Henry Gottlob, Count de Callenberg, is of this Electorate, where his Family has for a long time enjoy'd a considerable Rank, and a fine Estate. He has been the King's Envoy Extraordinary to the Courts of France, Brussels, Cologn, Triers, and the Elector Palatine, to notify the Death of the late King, and the Accession of their present Majesties to the Electorate. He married the Countess of Bose, lives nobly, and adorns the Court by his Politeness. He is of the Protestant Communion.

4. John-George de Carlowitz is of the same Religion. He is a Saxon, and married to Madamoiselle de Neitsch. He has a peculiar Talent of gaining the Love of all Mankind; which he owes to his Travels, and his natural Genius.

5. Frederic-Augustus de Brandstein, after having finish'd his Studies at Wittenberg, travell'd to good purpose to the principal Countries of Europe. At his return the late King declar'd him a Gentleman of his Bed-Chamber, and some time after one of his Chamberlains. He is well descended, and what is convenient for a Courtier, he adheres to the Religion which is uppermost in the State.

6. Detler-Henry d'Einsiedel, Brother to the Marshal of the Court, honours his Name by his personal Qualities. He is a handsome tall Gentleman, has a grand Presence, and few Gentlemen surpass him in Good Manners, Address, and polite Literature. He study'd at Wittenberg, and afterwards made a Visit to the principal Courts of Europe: The last he made was to that of Sweden, whither he was sent by the King to notify the Death of his late Majesty, and the Accession of his present Majesty to the Electorate.

7. Sigismond d'Arnim, is not only one of the King's Chamberlains, but Colonel of a Regiment of Horse. He is of an ancient Family which has Lands in Lusatia. His Employments are owing both to his Birth and personal Merit. He is of the Religion of the Country.

8. Maximilian, Count d'Herzan, is of Bohemia. The late Countess his Mother was the Queen's first Lady of Honour, and attended her Majesty hither from Vienna. He is able to cut a Figure at Court, but is absent above half of his time; and is a Roman Catholic.

9. Charles-Christian de Minckwitz, is a Gentleman of a fine Mien. As he has been a great Traveller, he has acquir'd a great share of Knowledge and Politeness. He was born a Saxon, but has embrac'd the Roman Catholic Faith; tho' he has defeated himself by it of the Reversion of a considerable Inheritance.

10. Henry-Augustus de Breitenbauch, is a Gentleman of fine Sense and Manners suitable to his Extraction. Such is his good Taste and Skill in Music, that he has been singled out for the Direction of the King's Pleasures. He is of the Communion of the Country, and marry'd to a Lady of the Family of Schonberg.

11. Nicholas-Schwizinski is a Native of Poland; he has valuable Qualities, and a great Attachment to the Roman Catholic Religion.

12. N. N. de Sehgutt-Stanislawski is of a Family which was formerly possess'd of a great Estate in Silesia, with the Title of the Counts de Sehgutt, till the Conquest of the Country by the Teutonic Knights, when his Ancestors remov'd to Prussia; and spreading afterwards in Poland, they assum'd the Name of Stanislawski, as what was more agreeable to the Poles. This Chamberlain is a Person of strict Honour and Integrity, without any manner of Guile. He spent his Youth at the Academy of Berlin which was erected by King Frederic I. and afterwards enter'd as Gentleman of the Bed-Chamber to Augustus II. who not many Years after made him a Chamberlain of Poland, and put him upon the Establishment of Saxony; and when the present King came to the Government, he continued him in his Employment. His Majesty also made choice of him to attend him to Cracow, and lastly to Oliva.

XII. Of the Steward of the Queen's Houshold. Since the Queen's Arrival at Dresden, there have been four Stewards of her Majesty's Houshold. The Count de Diedrichstein was the first that had this Place, which he resign'd for the Grand Priory of Bohemia. His Successor was the Count de Konigsegg who actually commands the Emperor's Army in Lombardy. This General being recall'd to Vienna, was replac'd by the Count de Wratislau, and he by the Count de Waldstein who lately quitted that Post to go and take possession of the Office of Landshauptmann, or Intendant of Silesia, which was conferr'd on him by the Emperor. The Count de Wratislaw, who has the care of his Imperial Majesty's Affairs at this Court, officiates there again as Steward. This is the Officer who leads the Queen, and gives Orders to all her Officers and Domestics, and who must be apply'd to by those that solicite for an Audience of her Majesty.

XIII. The Queen's first Lady of Honour, is Theresa Baroness of Stein, and Countess Dowager of Collowrat; who honours her Station by her Virtues, and by the Dignity with which she fills it. The late Count de Collowrat her Husband was Great Chamberlain of Bohemia, and one of the chief Noblemen of that Kingdom. This Lady, his Relict, is a Roman Catholic, and is such in an exemplary manner. Those Ladies who want to kiss the Queen's Hand, or to pay their Duty to her, must apply to this Lady, who introduces and presents them. She has the Precedence before all other Ladies, and only yields it to the Princesses of the Blood.

XIV. Of the Governess of the Ladies of Honour, and of the Ladies of Honour themselves. In the absence of the first Lady of Honour, the Governess of the Ladies officiates. The Baroness Dowager of Rohr worthily fills this Station, and has under her six Ladies, two of whom, viz. the Countesses of Waldstein and Kokersowitz, are Ladies of the Bed-Chamber, a Title which procures them Admittance to the Queen's Closet. All the Ladies of Honour must always appear in the Court-Dress. Their manner of Living is such that it obliges Calumny itself to respect them.

XV. Of the Lords and Ladies that are attach'd to the Court by their Offices, or by the Favours of the King.

Tho' the Polish Lords cannot be put upon the Establishment of the Court of Saxony, that there may be nothing in common between the two States, yet it may be thought inexcusable not to mention in this place John-Alexander Lipski, Bishop of Cracow, Duke of Servia, and Great Chancellor of Poland; not only because this Prelate, who is descended from one of the best Families in the Kingdom, was appointed Bishop of Cracow by the late King, but because he has given signal Proofs of his Gratitude and Attachment to the august Family of his Benefactor. The Virtues of this Gentleman intitle him to Respect: He is pious without Hypocrisy, generous without Ostentation, magnificent without Pageantry, officious meerly for the Pleasure of obliging, a Courtier without Servility, a Man strictly attach'd to his King and his Country, learned without being positive, a great Orator, a good Bishop, and a wise Minister, always ready to embrace a good Proposal, and firm to support it, laborious, vigilant, acting only out of Principle, and by consequence susceptible of Friendship, and scorning Revenge. The late King, out of his Esteem for the Qualities of this Prelate, made him Bishop of Cracow, Great Chancellor of Poland, and honour'd him with his Order of the White Eagle. By this means he so rivetted him to his Interest, and to that of the Prince his Son, that after his Majesty's Decease, his most Reverend Highness directed Affairs in such a manner that the Republic chose his Son for their King. Augustus II. being proclaim'd accordingly, the Prince and Bishop was appointed Head of the Embassy which the States of the Kingdom sent to the new Monarch at Tarnowitz, to carry him the Diploma of his Election. He spoke upon this occasion with a noble Eloquence, rendering to their Majesties all due Respects, and yet maintaining the Dignity of the most Serene Republic. Having discharg'd this Commission, he went before the King to Cracow, made his Entry there, and took possession of the Bishoprick. Some days after this, he consecrated and crown'd their Majesties in his Metropolis. When the King return'd to Saxony, the Prelate followed him, and attended him to Oliva; and 'twas he that receiv'd the Allegiance and Homage of the Dantzickers to his Majesty. He is since come hither to rejoin the Court, is belov'd, reverenc'd, and every one does Justice to his Virtues.

Charles-Lewis, Prince of Holstein-Beck, Colonel in the Service of the King, and Knight of the Order of the White Eagle, is the second Son of the late Lewis-Frederic Veldt-Marshal of Prussia, Governour of Koningsberg, and Knight of the Order of the Elephant. This Prince married Anne Countess of Orselska, the legitimated Daughter of the late King.

George-Ignatius, Prince de Lubomirski, Sword-Bearer of the Crown, Lieutenant-General of the King's Forces, Colonel of the Life-Guards, and Knight of the Order of the White Eagle, is descended from a Family of very great Distinction in Poland. After he return'd from his Travels, being attach'd to the Court of Augustus II. he married the Daughter of the Count de Fitztuhm, who was Great Chamberlain; a Lady of such Beauty, such personal Charms, and such fine Sense, that she engages the Veneration of all that know her. Prince Lubomirski is a jolly handsome Man, very polite, thinks and acts agreeable to his Birth, has a good share of Literature, and is perfect Master of Music. He lives in a handsome manner very suitable to his Rank.

The Princess of Teschen is a Polish Lady, and ally'd to the greatest Families in the Kingdom. Her Uncle was the famous Cardinal Radjowski, Archbishop of Gnesna, and Primate of the Kingdom. She was formerly marry'd to Prince Lubomirski, Great Chamberlain of the Crown; but the Marriage was dissolved, so that she quitted the Name of Lubomirski for that of Teschen, which she still bears, tho' she afterwards marry'd Prince Lewis of Wirtemberg. This Princess supports her Rank with Dignity, has a grand Air, is respected for a noble distinguish'd and engaging Behaviour, and lives in so handsome a manner, that she is one of the most shining Ornaments of this Court.

Josepha Countess de Lagnasco is the Daughter of the Count de Wallenstein, who was Great Chamberlain to the Emperor Joseph, and one of the most worthy Noblemen of the Imperial Court, by Eleonora Countess of Losenstein; a Lady whose Memory is with Justice rever'd by all Vienna. The Countess de Lagnasco was the Widow of Count Thaun, when she marry'd the late Count de Lagnasco, Minister of the Cabinet to Augustus II. General of the Saxon Cavalry, Captain of the Horse-Guards, and Knight of the Order of the White Eagle. Since that Nobleman's Decease, which was in April 1732, his Widow has always liv'd at Dresden; where she enjoys the Esteem of their Majesties, and the Veneration of the Courtiers. This Countess is Mistress of several Languages to Perfection, thoroughly understands Music, and sings with Grace and Method. Her noble generous way of living, and her graceful and distinguish'd Behaviour cannot be express'd, nor indeed equall'd to any thing but the Goodness of her Temper. The late Count de Lagnasco is of a good Stature, and his Behaviour polite and civil. I think you know that he was of a Family in Piedmont of some Distinction. How, or when he first enter'd into the Service of the King of Poland, I cannot tell you; but I know that he presently insinuated himself into his Master's Favour, by his very great Assiduity, agreeable Temper, and by a vast Complaisance to enter into his Pleasures. He establish'd himself so firmly in the King's Favour that the Count de Flemming look'd upon him as the only Rival he had to fear, and therefore he never much lik'd him. The Count de Lagnasco was employ'd in several Embassies; and when he had finish'd that at Rome, which was his last, there was a Talk that he was to go Ambassador to Vienna, and that the young Count de Wackerbart was to go to Rome. I must further acquaint you that M. de Lagnasco was happy in all respects, even in Marriage, not only with his first, but his second Wife, who, when he married her, was a young, rich, brisk Widow. His first Wife was the Daughter of the Count de Noyelles, Lieutenant-General in Holland, a Lady of great Virtue, esteemed by all the People at the Hague, and possess'd of a considerable Estate, of which, dying young, and without Issue, she made her Husband sole Heir.

Francis, Count de Montmorency, is a Name too well known to speak of his Extraction. He was a Colonel in France when he went into the Service of Augustus II. who receiv'd him with that Demonstration of Esteem which that King was so ready to grant to Persons of Merit. His Majesty first appointed him Major-General of his Forces, and some time after he declar'd him a Lieutenant-General, and Captain of his Horse-Guards. At that time the Count married Madame Potschin, Widow of the Great General of Lithuania; a Lady whose Birth, Qualities, and Fortune, recommended her for a very considerable Match. The Countess de Montmorency, in the time of her former Husband, went to Paris for the Recovery of her Health, and receiv'd extraordinary Honours at the French Court, where she was admir'd for her Politeness, the Delicacy of her Sentiments, and the Ease with which she express'd them in the Language of France; from whence they conceiv'd an advantagious Idea of the Court of Augustus II. not imagining how 'twas possible for the Manners of a Foreign Lady so much to resemble their own. She is also as much rever'd at Dresden as at Paris; and all that know her, agree she is highly to be valued for her Sentiments.

Antoinetta of Lichtenstein, Countess of Wallenstein, is Wife to Leopold Count de Wallenstein, heretofore Great Master of the Queen's Houshold; a Lady both belov'd and honour'd at this place, for her Virtues and civil Deportment; and as she is preparing to follow her Husband into Silesia, she will carry with her the Esteem of their Majesties, and leave the Court sorry for her Absence.

XVI. Of the Foreign Ministers who reside at this Court.

Francis-Charles Count de Wratislaw, one of the Emperor's Privy Council, and Knight of the Orders of Russia and Poland, resides at this Court in quality of Ambassador from his Imperial and Catholic Majesty. He is descended from one of the greatest Families in the Kingdom of Bohemia, and a Family which has given wise Ministers to the august House of Austria. This Gentleman has been for a long time in the Management of the most important Affairs: He was Ambassador for the Kingdom of Bohemia to the Dyet of the Empire at Ratisbon; From thence he went in the same Character to Poland, where he was present at the Dyet of Grodno. The Emperor afterwards nam'd him Great Master of the Houshold to the Princess Royal and Electoral, now Queen of Poland. The Count having worthily acquitted himself of that Office, was for several Years Ambassador at Russia, where he concluded that happy Alliance subsisting between the two Empires, and acquired the Esteem of the Empress, who honor'd him with her Order of St. Andrew; Augustus II. having before given him that of the White Eagle.

This Minister, since his Return from Muscovy, has moreover been charg'd by the Emperor with important Commissions to the Courts of Prussia, Brunswic, and Holstein. At length he is come back again to this Court, as Ambassador from his Imperial and Catholic Majesty; and officiates also as Great Master of the Queen's Houshold. This Nobleman is of a middling Stature, of a happy Physiognomy, is civil, beneficent, and loves Grandeur and Pleasures, but does not abandon himself to them so far as to neglect the Interests of his Master, whose Affairs he negociates with a noble Candour which has render'd him as much esteem'd at the Courts where he has resided, as he is beloved for his Affability and Politeness. His Wife is the Countess of Kinski, whose Father was Great Chancellor of Bohemia, under the Emperor Leopold, and whose Brother is now in that Office under the most August Charles VI.

Hermann-Charles Keyserling, Plenipotentiary Minister from the Empress of the Russians, is of a Family of Note in Courland. He study'd at Koningsberg in Prussia. After he had visited the principal Courts of Germany, and return'd to his own Country, he was made Gentleman of the Bed-Chamber to the Dutchess of Courland, Anne of Muscovy, the present Empress, who employ'd him in several Commissions to the Courts of Prussia and Poland. Nevertheless he quitted her Service for one of the judicial Offices in that Country.

When Anne came to the Throne, the States of Courland deputed M. Keyserling to that Princess, who offer'd him an Employment at her Court, and appointed him Vice-President of the Chamber of Justice of the Russian Empire. Some time after, she made him President of the Academy of Sciences at Petersbourg, and sent him to this Court, where he discharges his Ministerial Office with universal Approbation. The Wife of this Minister is the Daughter of the Starost Forchs, who, for opposing the Pretensions of a certain Power which challeng'd more Respect, was assassinated at Mittaw. Both he and his Lady are of the Lutheran Communion.

John-Hartwig-Ernest, Baron of Bernsdorff, Gentleman of the Bed-Chamber to the King of Denmark, and his Majesty's Envoy at this Court, is of a Family which is possess'd of a fine Estate in Mecklembourg, and has given an able Minister to the House of Hanover. The Envoy, of whom mention is here made, does honour to his Character, and behaves with a Prudence not inferior to Ministers of the greatest Experience.

By the Detail I have now given you, Sir, you must have observ'd that the chief Employments of the Court are in the hands of Foreigners, and that Saxons have little to do in Affairs of State, for which they are oblig'd indeed to the Count de Flemming. This vain, haughty, and imperious Minister expected every one shou'd truckle to him. He found that Foreigners were much more submissive than the Saxons, who are by nature stately, and Enemies to Slavery in any shape. Count Flemming being dead, it's probable that the Saxons will be more employ'd than they have been; and indeed they have Capacities equal to any Nation in the World. They are well made, robust, agile, laborious, good Soldiers, cunning Courtiers. They have naturally more Spirit than the French allow to the Germans; they improve in the Sciences, and in bodily Exercises, and they have good Writers among them upon all sorts of Subjects; witness the Works of M. Leibnitz, the famous Philosopher, and of Thomasius, one of the most able Civilians of his time. The Saxons are addicted indeed to all Pleasures in general, but to none so much as the Bottle and Gaming. They love Pomp and Expence, and are naturally not very engaging, being exceeding ceremonious, and affecting more than all the Germans to ape the French, with whom they sympathise very much, particularly in their Fondness for new Fashions, their Forwardness to make new Acquaintance and Friendships, and perhaps too in their Readiness to fall out with them upon very trivial Occasion.

Since I have spoke so much of the Men, I must also give you some account of the Saxon Women. They are all of a fair Complexion, and there are among them the finest Faces in the World. They are generally well shap'd too, which is what they are chiefly taken notice of for: They are tall and slender; they dance well, and have a surprising genteel Air, which they take great care to improve by rich Dress. One Fault I find with them is, that they are very affected, and that they have too much Action when they talk. As to their Tempers, they are reckon'd to be good-natur'd; but then they are subtile and crafty. They love Dress and Ornament more than all Women that I ever saw. They are lively and gay, and passionately fond of Dancing and Merriment. When they are told that they are handsome, they are so far from being surpriz'd that they look upon it as a Compliment due to them. When once they love, they love with Tenderness; and there are among them such Examples of Constancy as would eclipse even a Cleopatra, or a Clelia. These heroic Sentiments of Love they learn from Romances, which they are vastly fond of: But this must be said to their Honour, that Gallantry does not take up so much of their Time and Thoughts as to make them neglect their Business; for they are laborious, dextrous, and amuse themselves with all sorts of Work. They do every thing too with a good Grace; and in a word it may be added to their Praise, that a Saxon Woman wants nothing more to make her amiable, but an Inclination to acquire that Character.

Pleasures and Recreations commonly attend the Ladies so closely, that in treating of the one I can't but remember the other; and the Inhabitants of Dresden are so much devoted to Pleasures, that I think I ought to put them into a separate Article. When the King is at Dresden there are Pleasures in abundance, such as Plays, Masquerades, Balls, Feasts, Running at the Ring, and Races on Sleds, Turnaments, Hunting-Matches; but when the King is in Poland there's a very great Vacuum. The Electoral Prince and Princess are often at Wermstorff, alias Hubertsbourg; and even when their Royal Highnesses are in Town, they are pretty retir'd: They see Company while they are at Dinner, but for the rest of the day none come near them besides the few that have the honour of their Confidence. The rest are scatter'd up and down the Town to the great Disappointment of Foreigners that happen then to be here; for there's no body keeps open House, they being all select Societies to which 'tis very difficult to gain admittance. If one is invited to dine with some Lord of the Court, one has a good Dinner 'tis true, but after Dinner is over a Man knows not how to bestow himself. One is sure of finding Company no where except at the Houses of Madame de Brebentau the Widow of the great Treasurer of Poland, and of the Countess de Lagnasco; nor are their Houses always open, for Madame de Brebentau is often sick, and Madame de Lagnasco often abroad, or engag'd in Parties with the Electoral Princess, and then one knows not where to go; for there's no Play to be seen, and as for the young People, they amuse themselves with the common Pleasures of that Stage of Life; they drink, they game, and do something more.

When the King is at Dresden, the People partake in most of the Pleasures of the Court, the generality of the Entertainments which the King gives being public. Plays and Masquerades are free for any People of Fashion; there's nothing to pay, and all divert themselves as they like best. The Citizens Wives are more tractable here than in any Town in Germany: They love to imitate the Ladies of Quality, and 'tis sometimes as good as a Comedy to see what Airs they give themselves.

They are extremely fond of Dressing, which Luxurious Taste extends even to Wives of the Mechanics, and of the Livery; so that were a Stranger to come hither on a Sunday or a Holiday, when every body is dress'd, he wou'd be tempted to think that Plutus had scatter'd all his Wealth among these People; and a very great Nobleman, who 'tis like was not acquainted with the God Plutus, returning home once from Dresden, told his Wife that he was come from a City to which the Devil had carry'd all the Money.

The Parsons here do indeed cry aloud against these Abuses, but the worst on't is, that like the Clergy in many other Places, they preach what they don't practise; and while they are declaiming against Luxury and new Fashions, they suffer their Wives and Daughters to be the first to set off their Charms with the gayest and the newest Patterns.

While I am speaking of the Pastors, I must be a little more particular. These Gentlemen stand very high in the Opinion of the Laity, and are ready to think themselves Bishops. Having such Notions as these in their Heads, they anathematise all that are not Lutherans: The Catholics and the Reform'd, or, to speak as they do, the Papists and Calvinists, all Christians in short who are of a contrary Opinion to those charitable Ecclesiastics are damn'd without Mercy. Yet by the Appearance of these severe Judges, one would think they preach'd only Peace and Paradise; and they have such a meek, humble, modest, and timorous Air, that you wou'd be apt to take them for Saints.

A few days ago I had an Adventure with one of those Clergymen, which I will acquaint you of, because I think it may give you an Idea of their Character; for he that sees one of them, sees all.

I happen'd to be making a Visit to a Lutheran Lady, who passes for a very devout one: There was already a pretty deal of Company, and who should come in to add to it but a Minister that was a Doctor, and by consequence a Man of Importance; as such too he was receiv'd by the Mistress of the House, who said to me as soon as she saw his Face, You will now see a holy Man. The good Man, or Saint, as he wou'd be reckon'd, enter'd the Room with his Eyes cast downward, making profound Reverences, and prostrating himself in such a manner as if he had said Domine non sum dignus. At last, after a great many Compliments, he sat down, was silent for a few Moments, and then he spoke. His Words were all sacred, and his Sentences such as if the wise Man himself had spoke with his Lips: God be prais'd was in every Phrase, and he was hearken'd to with as much Attention as an Oracle. I listen'd to him first like the rest, but at length I thought I might as well talk to a pretty young Lady that sat just by me. The Doctor offended to see the little Regard I paid to what he said, enquir'd of the Mistress of the House who I was. She told him my Name, and withal that I was once a Calvinist, but that I was turn'd Papist. What a Thunder-stroke was this to the Doctor! He threw himself to the back of his Chair, lifted up his Eyes to Heaven, sigh'd, and cry'd out, Das Gott erbarme, i. e. God help us. Then transported by a Fit of Zeal, he turn'd about to me and ask'd me what had induc'd me to embrace a Religion which he treated as Idolatry? I told him that I did not think he need to give himself any Trouble about my Conversion, since according to his System I was damn'd when a Calvinist as well as when a Catholic. The Case is not quite the same, said the Minister; but to turn Papist! cry'd he, to adore Baal! to become a Disciple of Antichrist! alas! it were better to be a damn'd Calvinist! I own that I had much ado to help laughing outright at the Minister's impertinent Zeal: yet I had the Discretion to contain myself, for I had a mind to see to what length he wou'd carry his sanctify'd Rant. He said indeed a great deal, and because I made no Answer, he thought he had convinc'd me, if not touch'd me to the quick. He was actually applauding himself for the good Work he had wrought upon my Soul, when I told him that he ought not to conclude from my Silence that he had convinc'd me; that it neither consisted with my Character nor my Temper to dispute about Religion, that I left every Man to his own Opinion, and that I knew which to adhere to. What Blindness is here! cry'd the Doctor again, What a mad Papist are you? If you will not be of our Communion, return to the Religion which you have abandon'd, in which there are some Hopes at least that God will pardon you.

The fanatical Doctor concluded his Exclamations by a Prayer, in which he begg'd God to preserve every good Lutheran Soul from the Errors of Popery; and then he went away, leaving the Company more scandaliz'd than edify'd by his Zeal.

Formerly the Preachers had the pleasure of venting their Choler in the Pulpit, but the King by a wise Decree, which indeed ought to be followed in all Countries, has confin'd them to the Preaching of the Gospel, and to treat of Controversial Matters no farther than is merely necessary for the People's Instruction. For the rest, the Parsons need not fear being soon supplanted, for the Saxons are hearty Lutherans; and if they tolerate the Catholics, 'tis because they can't help it. They have excluded them from Offices in the Courts of Judicature, and from the Privilege of enjoying Lands; but they have not been able to keep them out of Places in the Ministry, or at Court, nor from Employments in the Army, which are three very engaging Articles to make Proselytes among the Gentry.

Thus, Sir, you have all that I can say to you relating to Dresden and Saxony. 'Tis now high time to put an end to my Legend. I kiss your hand, and am, &c.