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[Illustration: Lestevenon de Berkenroode]
THE
MEMOIRS
OF
_CHARLES-LEWIS_,
Baron de POLLNITZ.
BEING
The OBSERVATIONS He made in his
late TRAVELS from _Prussia_ thro'
_GERMANY_,
_ITALY_,
_FRANCE_,
_FLANDERS_,
_HOLLAND_,
_ENGLAND_, &c.
In LETTERS to his FRIEND.
Discovering not only the PRESENT STATE
of the Chief CITIES and TOWNS;
BUT
The CHARACTERS of the PRINCIPAL PERSONS
at the Several COURTS.
In TWO VOLUMES.
Vol. I
The SECOND EDITION, with ADDITIONS.
_LONDON:_
Printed for DANIEL BROWNE, at the _Black Swan_,
without _Temple-Bar_. M.DCC.XXXIX.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PREFACE, BY THE TRANSLATOR v
AUTHOR'S PREFACE ix
ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR xiv
PREFACE xv
ADDENDA to Vol. I xviii
ADDENDA to Vol. II xxi
BOOKS LATELY PUBLISHED xxiv
LETTER I 1
LETTER II 49
LETTER III 60
LETTER IV 69
LETTER V 80
LETTER VI 162
LETTER VII 178
LETTER VIII 183
LETTER IX 193
LETTER X 197
LETTER XI 210
LETTER XII 224
LETTER XIII 246
LETTER XIV 258
LETTER XV 272
LETTER XVI 280
LETTER XVII 293
LETTER XVIII 299
LETTER XIX 315
LETTER XX 327
LETTER XXI 338
LETTER XXII 357
LETTER XXIII 364
LETTER XXIV 377
LETTER XXV 391
LETTER XXVI 408
LETTER XXVII 422
OTHER BOOKS 432
INDEX 433
ERRATA
FOOTNOTES
[Illustration]
To the Right Honourable
PHILIP, _Lord_ HARDWICKE;
Baron of _Hardwicke_, in the
County of _Gloucester_;
LORD HIGH CHANCELLOR
of _Great Britain_;
AND
One of the LORDS of His Majesty's most
Honourable PRIVY COUNCIL.
MY LORD,
The good Reception these Memoirs, which I most humbly offer to your
Lordship, have met with Abroad; and the Protection and Favour the _Author_
has obtain'd at one of the Chief Protestant Courts of EUROPE; encourage
me, tho' with the profoundest Submission, to intreat your Lordship's
favourable Acceptance of this _Translation_.
'Tis, my Lord, the only Homage I am capable of paying your Lordship, and
the best Testimony I can give with what Zeal and Pleasure I join in the
Congratulation of the Public for that illustrious Regard paid to your
Lordship's Merit, and Their Wishes, by his SACRED MAJESTY, this Day in
Council.
That your Lordship may very long enjoy a sufficient Portion of Health,
equal to the Abilities of your Great Mind, for supporting you under that
vast Weight of Service which you have now taken upon you for your King and
Country, is the hearty Prayer of all good ENGLISHMEN; and particularly of
Him, My Lord, who has the Honour to subscribe
YOUR LORDSHIP'S
_Most Devoted,
Most Obedient, and
Most Humble Servant._
[Illustration]
PREFACE,
By the TRANSLATOR.
The Author of these _Memoirs_, who is a Person of an honourable Family in
_Prussia_, and confess'd by all that know him to be a Gentleman of
extraordinary Talents, is one that may be truly said to have seen the
World; he having not only travell'd twice thro' the principal Parts of
_Europe_, but by his Acquaintance with People of the first Rank, and a
diligent Inquiry and nice Inspection into Men and Things, attained to that
Knowledge of Both, which is of such Service and Entertainment to Mankind
in the general, and so particularly necessary for All who attend to what
is doing in high Life.
He has succeeded very happily in the right Narrative Stile; and the
_French_ Language, in which he wrote the following Letters, seems to be as
natural to him as if it was his Mother-Tongue. But the Thing which has
most contributed to the Demand for these Memoirs, is the Multitude of
Characters that the Baron has interspers'd, not only of the Deceas'd, but
even of Persons that are still living, and distinguish'd by the exalted
Spheres in which they move.
That every one of those Characters is equally just, or that every
Circumstance relating to them is told with the utmost Exactness, is not to
be imagin'd: For supposing the Author to have been ever so circumspect and
impartial, how was it possible for him to take the true Likeness of every
one, in such a Variety of Personages of both Sexes, and to be perfectly
sure of every Particular that he mentions; since he could not be
Eye-Witness of every thing, and must be oblig'd for many to Information
from other Persons, of whom, 'tis no wonder if some were prejudic'd? But
to do the Baron Justice, it must be allow'd, that he no where fails in
that Respect and Decorum to Princes which are their due; and that he has
not discover'd a predominant Passion for Satire: because where he has
painted in the strongest Colours, and represented his Subjects in the most
disadvantageous Light, they were such whose Follies or whose Vices were
too flagrant and notorious to be either conceal'd or disguis'd: And,
considering the Groupe of Courtiers whom he has crouded into his Canvass,
the Reader will rather be surpris'd to meet with so few Imperfections in
his Characters, and so many excellent Qualities. By this means, his
Memoirs have, upon the whole, done Honour to his Understanding, without
offending his Conscience, or hurting his Fortune; he being, at this very
time, upon a handsome Establishment at the Court of _Prussia_.
It cannot possibly escape the Observation of the Reader, that the Baron,
when he wrote these Letters to his noble Friend, was a profess'd Member of
the Church of _Rome_; but that nevertheless, he was not such a Bigot to
its Constitution, nor such a Believer in the Legends of its Writers, or
the pretended Miracles of its Saints, as to incur the Character of a blind
and furious Zealot; it appearing on the contrary, from several
Declarations of his Mind in the following Pages, that he did not want
Charity either in his Nature or Principles for those from whom he differ'd
in religious Sentiments. Such a Catholic Spirit, assisted by his good
Sense, made it, no doubt, much easier for him, after reflecting upon the
Fopperies and Impostures which he had seen in that Church during his
Travels, to abjure the _Romish_ and to embrace the _Protestant_ Religion,
which he did accordingly with great Devotion last Summer, at _Berlin_;
after which, his _Prussian_ Majesty was pleas'd to distinguish him with
peculiar Marks of his Favour and Esteem, by declaring him one of the
Gentlemen of his Bed-Chamber, and Chief Cup-Bearer of his Court; and he
has very lately given him a considerable Prebend.
To the new Edition of his Memoirs, from which the following Sheets are
translated, there's not only a great number of material Additions in the
Body of the Work, as is observ'd by the Editor of it, _Amsterdam_, but
several new Notes: In this Translation, these Notes are likewise
considerably augmented, for the sake of continuing the Thread of the
History to the present Time, by the Notice taken of certain remarkable
Alterations, or other curious Particulars that have happen'd to the
Persons or the Places mentioned, since 1734, when the said Edition was
publish'd.
One great Defect for which the foreign Editor has been very much blam'd,
was the want of a Table to these Memoirs; which, if not absolutely
necessary in a Work of this kind, wherein so many Persons and Facts are
mentioned, cannot be necessary for any Book whatsoever that comes from the
Press. To supply this Defect, the Translator has added an Alphabetical
Index to each of the two Volumes; which Indexes are the more copious, that
the Reader might know where to turn in an Instant for some Account of the
Characters, Conduct, or Familys of those public Personages, whose Names so
often occur in the News-Papers.
[Illustration]
[Illustration]
THE
AUTHOR's PREFACE
TO THE
FIRST EDITION.
_There are very few Books without a +Preface+; and that there are
so, is in a great measure owing to the Fancy of the +Booksellers+,
who think them to be absolutely necessary, and too often judge of
the merit of a Copy by the Flights of its Preface, and the
insinuating Tone of the +Author's+ Voice in reading it. I had the
misfortune to fall into the hands of one of these Booksellers, so
fond of Prefaces, whom nothing would serve but he must have one at
the Head of my +Memoirs+. My telling him that I did not know what to
put into a Preface, signify'd no more than if I had been talking to
a Post; for he threaten'd to get a Preface compos'd by an Author who
wrote for Wages. This startled me, and I trembled for the fate of my
Book, not doubting that a Preface written by a Man of Letters, who
made it his profession to compose such marvellous Pieces, would
altogether eclipse the few Excellencies in this Work of mine. What,
said I to myself, the Sale of my Book then must depend only on the
Goodness of the Preface, which, when the Readers compare with the
Book it self, they will say, O! what a wonderful Man is the Author
of the +Preface+! What a pitiful Writer, the Compiler of the
+Memoirs+! No, said I again to my self, I am resolv'd that the
Preface and the Book shall run the same risk; and since Chance has
enter'd me an Author, I'll play out the whole part of one._
_I am told, that the Design of a Preface is to give the Publick an
account, in the first place, of the Reasons that have engag'd the Author
to compose his Work; that then he is to inform the Publick, that 'tis in
meer Complaisance to his Friends, and because there are mangled Copies of
his Manuscript abroad, that he has been determined to put it to the Press;
and finally, that he is to conclude with a sort of Petition, wherein he is
to beg the Reader's Indulgence for his Productions. This, I have been
assured, is the Plan of a Preface; let us now see how well I can execute
it._
_As to the first Article, +viz.+ what Motives I had to write, I sincerely
own that when I set Pen to Paper, I meant nothing more than to amuse
myself. I was the farthest in the World from thinking that I should one
day be overtaken with the Temptation of setting up for an Author. I wrote
Letters to a Friend of mine, purely to divert him with an Account of such
things as came in my way; the Minutes of which Letters I preserved till I
had insensibly formed a Volume of 'em; and having nothing else to do, I
augmented and digested them in the manner that I now give them to the
Publick. The truth is, that my Friends have not used the least Importunity
with me to commit my Manuscript to the Press, nor was it possible for any
spurious Copies of it to get abroad, because no body ever saw it till I
put it into the hands of the Bookseller._
_But I shall be ask'd, what possess'd me to commence Author, and how came
I to be so idle as to put my Name at the Head of a sorry book? I must
answer again, that it was downright Indolence. As to my Name, it would
have been very difficult to have concealed it from Persons to whom I have
the greatest Obligations. I should have been suspected to have been the
Author of these Memoirs at certain Courts, for which I have a Respect both
by Inclination and Duty; and perhaps, if I had left this Copy to the
wide World, as some do those Foundlings which they are asham'd to own,
such Passages might have been foisted into it, as would have been father'd
upon me, in spite of all Protestations of my Innocence._
_As to the Book itself, I am apt to think there is nothing in it that any
Person whatsoever ought to take offence at. When I speak of Sovereign
Princes, 'tis with the Reverence due to the +Lord's Anointed+; and I also
endeavour to honour them in their Ministers, being taught by my Religion
that I ought to honour God in his Saints. I have done my utmost to paint
the true Characters of People in Place, and can safely say, that my
Authorities are not meer hear-says or scraps out of News-Papers; for,
thank to God, my Birth and Fortune have put me in a capacity to see, hear,
and judge for myself._
_It will be thought perhaps, that when I speak of Nations in general, I
judge too rashly. It may be so; this being an Article especially in which
all Men do not think alike. The +French+ have a quite different Idea of
the +Germans+ from what the +English+ have, and the +English+ do not pass
the same Verdict on the +French+ as the +Swedes+ do. 'Tis the same in
private Life. Every one makes his own Condition the Standard of his
Judgment. The Man of Quality, the Citizen, the Soldier, the Merchant, have
all different Ideas. The Traveller judges of the Nation where he is, by
the Company he keeps. A +Frenchman+ who in +Germany+ converses with none
but those of the second Class, will say that the +Germans+ are honest
People, but clownish; whereas another, who keeps company with Persons of
Quality, or those in Offices, will agree, that the +Germans+ are more
polite than they have been painted by certain +French+ Writers, who have
been transplanted to +Germany+ either by their Distresses, or by meer
Chance. So, a +German+, who, when he is at +Paris+, sees no better Company
than the Marchionesses of the Suburb of +St. Germain+, imagines
that all the Women both at Court and in the City are like them. In fine, a
Foreigner who takes up his Residence in the City of +London+, will
entertain a different Idea of the +English+ from what another shall do who
lodges at +St. James+'s end of the town. They are, as one may say, so many
different Nations in one and the same State, which stand in little
relation to one another; and sometimes attribute Virtues and Vices to each
other without due Consideration. A Foreigner therefore can form a solid
Judgment of none but those with whom he is conversant; and if he has the
good luck to pitch his Tent well, he entertains an advantageous Opinion of
the Nation in general. Let Foreigners, when they return home, after having
kept such various sorts of Company, sit down to draw the Characters of the
Nations they have seen, I do but think what a strange difference would
appear in their Descriptions! The Judgment therefore which I make of
People, is founded upon the Company I kept, and upon what I heard from
such Inhabitants of the Country as appear'd to me to be altogether
unprejudiced, and were pleased to honour me with their Information. I do
not say but, after all, I may have been mistaken; for I do not pretend to
have painted things in any other light than as they appear'd to me. If,
nevertheless, any particular Person thinks himself particularly intended
when I speak of the Inhabitants of any Province or Town in general, I beg
him to remember, that I confess in my Memoirs there are worthy People in
all parts of the World, and 'tis not my fault if his Conscience does not
permit him to rank himself in that number._
_No doubt I shall be reproach'd for relating too many Trifles, and passing
too lightly over things of greater Importance. To speak freely again, I
will make no difficulty to own, that, if when I began these Memoirs, I had
ever thought of printing them, the desire of promoting their Sale might
perhaps have put upon inserting a great many Nothings which I omitted, as
not thinking it worth while to charge my Memory with 'em. The far greatest
part of what the World reads is Trifles, and a History will make its
fortune not by the instructive Facts that are in it, but by the Romantic
Turn the Author gives it. Besides, I am not so vain as to write with a
design of Instructing; for what could I relate in my Travels which others
have not done before me in better Terms? To talk of Learned Men, to make a
Catalogue of Books and MSS. that are to be met with in Libraries, to
ransack the Cabinet of the Curious, to publish Inscriptions, to treat of
antique Medals, to affirm that I have seen an +Otho+ of Brass, which is
known to be but of Silver, what a Posse of Men of Learning would rise up
against me! Whereas, now I fear nothing; the Learned don't read Trifles,
or if they do, they scorn to criticise them. I shall to them remain
unknown, or at least, my Meanness will be my Protection against their
Indignation._
_I would fain be as secure against the Criticism of those, who reading for
the sake of their amusement, require an exact, elegant Stile in trifles,
that is, adorn'd with the Flowers and Garlands of Rhetorick. But how shall
I gain their Indulgence? If I own to them that I could do no better, they
will say to me, and justly enough, +Alas! then what made you write?+ To
which I shall answer, as I said before, that it was meerly for want of
something else to do. If they will but forgive me this time, I assure them
that I not only will never relapse into the same error, but that I shall
not be sorry if they disdain to take Notice of my Book: And if the reading
of these Memoirs inclines them to sleep, I shall think my self very well
rewarded for having contributed to their Repose._
_After all, I am more particularly obliged to ask pardon of the +French+
than any other Nation: 'Tis in their Language I have presumed to write,
and they are my proper Judges. Such is their Politeness and their
Readiness to assist Foreigners, that I doubt not of Mercy. And in
return, I promise them, that if a +Frenchman+ ever vouchsafes to write in
the +German+ Language, I will forgive him any Errors that he may commit._
ADVERTISEMENT by the EDITOR.
N. B. "These Memoirs went off so quick, that before they had been out
scarce six Months, the _French_ Bookseller was oblig'd to prepare for this
_Second Edition_; to which, there are considerable Additions both in the
Body of the Work and in the Notes, of curious and interesting Facts and
Characters, and the principal Alterations that have happen'd at the
several Courts, since the first Edition.
"There is added in particular, a very circumstantial Account of the
present Elector of _Saxony_'s Family, his Ministers, and Officers; and in
short, of the Chief Persons of both Sexes belonging to his Court and
Houshold. This is prefix'd in the Original, at the Head of the Memoirs;
but the Translator thought it more regular as well as more consistent with
the Method observ'd every where else by the Author, to place it at the End
of his Description of the City of _Dresden_. The Baron has dedicated that
Account to the present Elector (_Augustus_, King of _Poland_) and
introduc'd it with the following Preface."
[Illustration]
[Illustration]
PREFACE,
TO THE SECOND EDITION.
_The_ PRESENT STATE OF THE COURT OF SAXONY_, which is added to this
Edition, has no need of a Preface to recommend it, the very Title shewing
that 'tis what concerns every +Saxon+ especially to be acquainted with._
_All Subjects have a desire to know something of their Sovereign; and
private Men in every State have this Curiosity, with respect to their
Ministers and Courtiers. These are the Characters which I have ventured to
draw, tho' I own, that I don't think I have always hit the Life, for want
of that Penetration and Delicacy of Imagination which Nature, to me a
Step-Mother, has deny'd me; and also because it would have been necessary
for me to have stay'd longer than I did at +Dresden+. Three Months
Residence at so great a Court, are hardly sufficient to make a Man
acquainted with it, were his Fund of Knowledge even as deep as mine is
shallow. Then what a Presumption would it be for me to think I have
attained to it!_
_I must not dissemble, that this Book with all its Imperfections, has cost
me more trouble in composing than one much larger would have done upon a
Subject that had been more familiar to me. There was a necessity for me to
make Inquiry into many Particulars, and to get some of my Information from
a private hand. I own my Obligation to the Civility of M. +Konig+, the
Counsellor of the Court, for the Intelligence I wanted relating
to some of the Court-Nobility. If I had been so happy as to have found out
but one or two Persons more as active for me as he was, my Work would have
been more correct and more extensive. Such as it is, I intreat the Reader
to accept it, and to forgive any Errors in it, in consideration that I am
the first who has ventured to treat of such a Subject. I own, there is a
certain degree of Rashness in the Undertaking, but the noble Motive that
has induc'd me to it, seems to plead for my excuse._
_All +Saxony+ knows in general, that 'tis govern'd by a Sovereign,
gracious, and vigilant to render it happy. It were needless to set the
King's Virtues and Actions before their Eyes, which the People already
admire, and pray for him. But as this Great Prince does not want those who
envy his Glory, they are the Persons whom I have chose to make asham'd of
themselves; and have endeavoured, if possible, to reclaim others whom a
fatal blindness keeps at a distance from his Majesty's Person[1]._
_All that ever had the honour of approaching +Augustus III.+ will agree
with me that he adorns that Throne, upon which a respectful Nation has
plac'd him; and that whatever I have said of this Monarch is short of what
might be mention'd. How is it possible to give the true Portraiture of a
King born without Vice, by Principle virtuous, and religiously good? To
admire him in silence is the only way to please him, which I know too
well, not to conform to it; and therefore I have not presum'd to expatiate
so far in his Praise as the Sublimity of the Subject demands._
_The same Aversion of the Queen to Praise, has confin'd me within the same
bounds. How many Virtues have not I been forc'd to smother? What Thoughts_
_have not I sacrific'd, lest I should offend the noble Modesty of that
August Princess, who with a Simplicity attending her Grandeur, makes her
Glory to consist in being humble in the midst of Honours?_
_I believe no body will dispute the Truth of what I have advanc'd relating
to the_ PRINCE ROYAL_ and _ELECTORAL_, the_ PRINCES HIS BROTHERS_, and the
_PRINCESSES HIS SISTERS_. The hopes I have raised of what may be expected
from_ THEIR ROYAL HIGHNESSES_, will surely be confirm'd by Time, and by
all those who have access to them._
_The Actions of the Duke +John-Adolphus+ of +Saxe-Weissenfels+ are so well
establish'd that I have not thought fit to anticipate History, by which
they are to be consecrated: And for the same reason, I have but just
touch'd upon the amiable Qualities of his Mind, which are rever'd both by
the Court and the Army._
_As to the Princess of +Saxe-Weissenfels+, I frankly own, that as I had
not the honour of paying my Court to her, what I have said of her Virtues
has no other Authority than the Voice of the Publick, which can never
speak enough in her Praise._
_I have been more copious in treating of the Ministers; and what I have
said of them is so true, that they who know them not may thereby form a
just Idea of what they are._
_I have taken as much notice of the principal Lords and the most
distinguish'd Ladies of the Court, as the little time I had for this Work,
and the Limits to which I was confin'd, would permit. I flatter myself
they will forgive the Freedom with which I use them; and hope I have
preserv'd a Decency in my Language which will secure me from Reproach._
[Illustration]
[Illustration]
ADDENDA to Vol. I.
Pap. 15. M. _Beausobre_, Minister of the Gospel at _Berlin_, and Author of
several learned Treatises, died in _May_ 1738.
P. 26. The Princess of _Brandenburg-Schwedt_, fourth Daughter of the King
of _Prussia_, was deliver'd of a Daughter in _April_ 1738.
P. 27. The Count _de Truchses-Walbourg_, Major-General in the Service of
the King of _Prussia_, died at _Berlin_ in _April_ 1738.
P. 34. In _July_ 1738, his _Prussian_ Majesty, together with the Prince
Royal and Prince _William_, made a Tour to _Holland_, and paid a Visit to
his most Serene Highness the Prince of _Orange_.
P. 66. His Excellency Baron _Hattorf_, Secretary of State for the Affairs
of _Hanover_, died in _August_ 1737.
P. 70. _Christina-Louisa_, Princess of _Oetingen_, died in 1736.
P. 72. _Philippina-Charlotte_, Duchess of _Brunswic-Wolfembuttle_, and
third Daughter to the King of _Prussia_, after having had two Sons by Duke
_Charles_ her Husband, _viz._ the first born in 1735, and the other, who
is called _George-Francis_, in 1736, was deliver'd also of a Daughter in
_September_ 1737, who in the Month following was baptiz'd by the Names of
_Christina-Sophia-Maria_.
P. 105. M. _de Miltitz_, who was Tutor to the present King _Augustus_ when
he was Electoral Prince of _Saxony_, died in _March_ 1738.
P. 113. The Princess Royal of _Poland_ was married in _July_ 1738, to Don
_Carlos_ King of _Naples_ and _Sicily_.
P. 130. The Count _de Sulkowski_ in _January_ 1738 fell under some
Disgrace, so that his Majesty order'd his Papers to be seal'd up, and
excused him from farther Attendance on him, but was willing he should keep
the Title and Rank of Minister of the Cabinet, and General of the Foot,
with 6000 Crowns Pension.
P. 140. _Adolphus de Bruhl_ was in _January_ 1738 appointed Grand-Master
of the Horse, at the _Saxon_ Court, in the room of the Count _de
Sulkowski_.
P. 142. The Count _de Moschinski_ died in _September_ 1737.
P. 147. The Count _de Diedrichstein_ died at _Prague_ in _September_ 1737.
He was Baron of _Hollenbourg_, _Finckenstein_, _Dahlberg_ and
_Landskroon_, Hereditary Great Huntsman of _Styria_, Hereditary Cup-Bearer
of _Carinthia_, Knight of the Order of St. _John_ of _Jerusalem_, Grand
Prior in _Bohemia_, _Moravia_, _Silesia_, _Carinthia_, _Styria_, _Tirol_,
_Austria_ and _Poland_, Bailiff of the aforesaid Order, and Commander of
the Commanderies of _Little Oels_, _Furstenfeld_ and _Mosling_, a
Privy-Counsellor of the Emperor, and Governour-General of the Kingdom of
_Bohemia_.
P. 168. The last Duke of _Saxe-Mersebourg_ mention'd in the Note of that
Page, died in _May_ 1738.
P. 182. In _April_ 1738, the Emperor appointed the Prince of _Saxe-Gotha_
Lieutenant Velt-Marshal of his Armies; and in _September_ following
he solicited the Diet of _Ratisbon_ for the Post of second
Velt-Marshal-General of the Empire, in the Disposal of the Protestant
States, vacant by the Death of the Baron _de Wutgenau_.
P. 182. _Augusta_ Princess of _Wales_ was deliver'd of a Princess on the
31st of _July_ 1737, who was baptized after her own Name; and on the 24th
of _May_ 1738, she was deliver'd of a Prince who was baptiz'd
_George-William Frederic_.
P. 208. The Margravine of _Brandenbourg-Culmbach_, Mother to the Queen of
_Denmark_, died at _Copenhagen_ in _August_ 1737, in the 70th Year of her
Age, very much lamented.
P. 220. Count _Philip Kinski_ was made Chancellor of _Bohemia_, in _May_
1738, in the room of the late Count _de Collowrat_.
P. 233. The Archduchess, Wife to the Duke of _Lorrain_, had a Daughter,
born _January_ 25, 1737, and another born in _September_ 1738.
P. 264. The eldest Son of the Duke _Ferdinand_ of _Bavaria_, died in
_April_ 1738.
P. 266. The Count _Maximilian de Fugger_ died at _Vienna_, in _January_
1738.
P. 266. The Count _de Thirheim_ died in _January_ 1738, at _Lintz_, the
Capital of _Upper Austria_.
P. 285. _Charles-Alexander_ Duke of _Wirtemberg-Stutgard_, died on the 1st
of _March_ 1737, and was succeeded by his eldest Son _Eugene-Lewis_ the
present Duke, who was born the 30th of _January_ 1728.
P. 298. The Margrave of _Baden-Dourlach_ died the first of _May_ 1738, at
_Carelsruhe_, who having no Issue living, is succeeded by _Frederic_ of
_Witgenstein_, who is marry'd to the Princess _Augusta-Amelia-Albertina_
of _Nassau-Siegen_. The Deceased was 58 Years and near 11 Months of Age,
being born the 17th of _June_ 1679. He was a General in the Emperor's
Army, and Great Master of the Artillery in the Circle _of Suabia_. By his
Wife, a Daughter of the Duke of _Wirtemberg-Stutgard_, he had four
Children, who are all dead. When he laid the Plan and Foundation of the
City and Castle of _Carelsruhe_, he gave equal Liberty of Conscience to
the Lutherans, Calvinists, and Roman Catholics.
P. 321. The Cardinal _de Schonborn_ died in _August_ 1737.
P. 335. The Baron _de Beveren_, Grand Marshal at the Elector Palatine's
Court, died there in _January_ 1738.
P. 357. In _January_ 1738, the Prince of _Hesse-Hombourg_ was married to
the Velt-Marshal _Trubetskay_'s Daughter.
P. 362. After the Death of the Count of _Hanau_ without Issue, the
Succession was awarded to the Prince of _Darmstad_ as next Heir, on
condition of his paying 200000_l._ by way of Compensation to the House of
_Cassel_.
[Illustration]
ADDENDA to Vol. II.
Pag. 14. Cardinal _Bissi_ died in _August_ 1737.
P. 44. Cardinal _Olivieri_, Secretary of the Pope's Briefs, died at _Rome_
in _February_ 1738.
P. 61. Prince _James Sobieski_ died in _December_ 1737.
P. 136. On the 28th of _June_ 1737, the Great Duke of _Tuscany_ died in
the 67th Year of his Age, and was succeeded by _Francis_ Duke of _Lorrain_
(who married the Emperor's Daughter) for whom possession was immediately
taken of the Duchy by the _German_ Forces.
_Ferdinand_, Duke of _Courland_, who is mentioned in the same Page, died
in 1737; and the Nobility assembling at _Mittau_ elected Count _Biron_, a
Native, to succeed him.
P. 150. The Affairs of _Corsica_ are very much alter'd since the first
Edition of these Volumes. Baron _Theodore_ having left the Island, and
promis'd to return soon with Succours, went to _Amsterdam_, where he was
confin'd for Debt; but being soon discharg'd by the Interest of some
foreign Power, he proceeded to _Paris_, and thence to _Marseilles_, in
order, as he gave out, to put himself again at the Head of the
_Corsicans_: But during this the _French_ having undertaken to be
Mediators betwixt the _Corsicans_ and _Genoese_, have, with the
Approbation of both, sent a General thither with some Troops, and the
_Corsicans_ have agreed to send over a dozen of their chief Men to the
Court of _France_ as Hostages for their good Behaviour; but since this,
_Theodore_ has set his Foot again upon that Island.
P. 257. The Duke of _Liria_, Son and Successor to the late Marshal Duke of
_Berwic_, died at _Naples_ in _May_ 1738.
P. 260. The Marshal _d'Estrees_ died the 5th of _December_ 1737.
P. 309. The Marshal _de Wrangel_, Governour of _Brussels_, died in
_August_ 1737, in the 87th Year of his Age.
P. 332. The Succession to the Duchies of _Juliers_ and _Berg_, is an
Affair which has been very much canvass'd for several Months past, between
the Elector Palatine and the Courts of _Prussia_ and _Saxony_. The
maritime Powers of _Great Britain_ and _Holland_ have proposed an
Accommodation, with regard to the Succession, into which the Elector
Palatine is willing to enter; but the Courts of _France_, _Prussia_ and
_Saxony_ don't concur with it; and _France_ has guarantee'd the actual
Possession of those Duchies to the Prince of _Sultzbach_.
P. 447. On the 20th of _November_ 1737, _Wilhelmina-Carolina_ Queen of
_Great Britain_ died of a Mortification in her Bowels; and on the 17th of
_December_ following she was privately interr'd in _Westminster-Abbey_.
[Illustration]
BOOKS _lately published_,
1. The Third and Fourth Volumes of the MEMOIRS of CHARLES-LEWIS BARON DE
POLLNITZ being the Observations he made in his late Travels from _Prussia_
thro' _Poland_, _Germany_, _Italy_, _France_, _Spain_, _Flanders_,
_Holland_, _England_, &c. discovering not only the present State of the
chief Cities and Towns, but the Characters of the principal Persons at the
several Courts.
2. CYCLOPÆDIA; or, An Universal Dictionary of ARTS and SCIENCES:
Containing, An Explication of the Terms, and an Account of the Things
signified thereby in the several Arts, both Liberal and Mechanical, and
the several Sciences, Human and Divine: The Figures, Kinds, Properties,
Productions, Preparations and Uses of Things, Natural and Artificial: The
Rise, Progress, and State of Things, Ecclesiastical, Civil, Military and
Commercial; with the several Systems, Sects, Opinions, &c. among
Philosophers, Divines, Mathematicians, Physicians, Antiquaries, Critics,
&c. The Whole intended as a Course of Antient and Modern Learning,
extracted from the best Authors, Dictionaries, Journals, Memoirs,
Transactions, Ephemerides, &c. in several languages. By E. CHAMBERS,
_F.R.S._ The Second Edition, corrected and amended, with some ADDITIONS.
In Two Volumes, Folio.
3. BAYLE's GREAT HISTORICAL and CRITICAL DICTIONARY, the second Edition,
carefully collated with the several Editions of the Original; in which
many Passages are restored, and the Whole greatly augmented; particularly
with a Translation of the Quotations from eminent Writers in various
Languages: To which is prefixed, the Life of the Author, revised,
corrected and enlarged, by Mr. Des Maizeaux, Fellow of the Royal Society;
compleat in 5 Volumes, Folio.
4. A Tour thro' the whole Island of Great Britain, divided into Circuits
or Journies, giving a particular and entertaining Account of whatever is
Curious, and worth Observation, viz. 1. A Description of the principal
Cities and Towns, their Situation, Government and Commerce. 2. The
Customs, Manners, Exercises, Diversions, and Employment of the People. 3.
The Produce and Improvement of the Lands, the Trade and Manufactury. 4.
The Sea-Ports and Fortifications, the Course of Rivers, and the Inland
Navigation. 5. The public Edifices, Seats and Palaces of the Nobility, and
Gentry. Interspersed with useful Observations. Particularly fitted for the
Perusal of such as desire to travel over the Island. The second Edition,
with very great Additions, Improvements and Corrections, which bring it
down to the beginning of the Year 1738, in three neat Pocket Volumes.
_Price, Nine Shillings._
All printed for D. BROWNE, without _Temple-Bar_.
[Illustration]
MEMOIRS
OF THE
Baron de POLLNITZ.
In SEVERAL LETTERS to Mr. _L. C. D. S._
LETTER I.
_SIR_, _Berlin, June 6, 1729._
From _Breslaw_ to _Berlin_ 'tis 40 _German_ Miles of very even Country,
well peopled and cultivated. There are I know not how many little Towns in
the Road, not worth mentioning.
The first Place of any Importance is CROSSEN. This City is the Capital of
the Dutchy from whence it has its Name, which formerly made a Part of
_Silesia_, but is now annex'd to the Electorate of _Brandenburgh_. There's
a Bridge at _Crossen_, by which we pass the River _Oder_, defended by
Fortifications. The Town is situate in a pleasant fruitful Country. The
Houses, which are all of Brick, are uniform, and the Streets as strait as
a Line. The chief of them terminate in a great Square in the middle of
the Town, where there is a Statue of the King of _Prussia_. The River
_Oder_ is of great advantage to the Commerce of _Crossen_, which carries
on a considerable Trade in Linnen-Cloth and Earthen Ware.
Going out of _Crossen_, we pass this River by a Bridge, as we do a second
time over to FRANCFORT, a considerable City of the Marquisate of
_Brandenbourg_, famous for its Fairs, and its University. This City has
stood the Shock of various Revolutions. It was put under the Ban of the
Empire by the Emperor _Charles_ IV. for having disobey'd his Orders; and
the Inhabitants to make him easy were forc'd to pay him down 12000 Marks
of Silver, which at that time was an immense Sum. In 1631 the _Swedes_
besieg'd and took it by Storm, when they put all the Inhabitants to the
Sword in reprisal for the Massacre of 2000 _Swedes_, whom the Emperor's
General Count _Tilly_ had inhumanly put to death in the City of
_Brandenbourg_. By the Peace of _Munster_, or _Westphalia_, which
establish'd the Tranquility of the Empire, _Francfort_ was restor'd to the
Elector of _Brandenbourg_ its lawful Sovereign.
Here is a University founded by _Joachim_ I. (Margrave of _Brandenbourg_)
in 1506, which is very much frequented by the _Silesians_, and by the
_Hungarian_ Protestants.
There are two Fairs a Year at _Francfort_, which render it a trading City,
and its Commerce consists in Linnen-Cloth, and Fells.
'Tis ten Miles from _Francfort_ to _Berlin_, and a flat sandy Country. The
Road leads thro' _Munchenbourg_, a little Town chiefly inhabited by the
Descendants of _French_ Men, who left their Country upon the Revocation of
the Edict of _Nantes_.
The nearer one comes to the Capital of _Brandenbourg_, the more sandy is
the Soil, yet the Country produces plenty of Corn and Fruits.
BERLIN is the common Residence of the King of _Prussia_, and one of the
largest, best built, and best govern'd Cities in all _Germany_. The
Streets are spacious, strait, neat and well pav'd. The Situation is
advantageous; for tho' it lies in a very sandy Soil, yet it is encompass'd
with agreeable Gardens producing Fruits and excellent Pulse, and its
Commerce is much improv'd by the River _Spree_; which passes thro' the
City, and has a Communication with the _Havel_, the _Oder_, and the
_Elbe_.
The _French_, who for the sake of Religion became Refugees, have
contributed in an extraordinary manner to the Establishment and
Aggrandisement of _Berlin_, by the establishing of all sorts of
Manufactures, and the introducing of Arts into it; and it may be said of
them, that they have omitted nothing to testify their Gratitude to the
Elector _Frederic-William_ and his Posterity, for the generous Reception
which he gave them in his Dominions.
_Berlin_ is divided into five Wards exclusive of the Suburbs, which are
very extensive. I will run thro' these Wards in the Order of their
Situation: But before I do this, I propose to shew you what is most
remarkable in the Suburbs; where the Houses are generally of Timber, but
so well plaister'd that they seem to be of Stone; and the Streets are
broad, lightsome and strait.
In the Suburb of _Spandau_ the Queen has a delightful House and Gardens.
The House is called _Monbijou_; a very proper Name for it, because 'tis
really a Jewel. 'Tis a Pavilion, the Apartments of which are laid out with
Art, and furnish'd with great Judgment and Elegance. The Gardens are
charming, and lie finely open to the River. This House was built by the
Countess _de Wartemberg_, Wife to the Prime Minister of King _Frederic_ I.
As her Husband's Power and Favour were at that time so great, that he did
whatever he pleas'd, all the King's Workmen and Architects us'd the
utmost Diligence to serve her well. But she did not enjoy this fine House
long; for it was scarce compleated when the King removed the Count from
all his Employments, and banish'd him to _Francfort_ on the _Maine_.
However, he settled a Pension upon him and his Lady of 24000 Crowns, and
the Countess by way of Acknowledgement gave the King this House, which of
all the immense Treasure that she had amass'd, was the only Piece that she
cou'd not carry with her. The King gave this House to the Princess Royal
now Queen, who has added great Embellishments to it, and brought it to its
present State of Perfection.
In the Suburbs of _Stralau_ is the House and Gardens of _Belvedere_,
belonging to the King. _Rollé_ Superintendant of the Finances to the
Elector _Frederic-William_, caus'd this Garden to be made, in which he
laid out considerable Sums; and as this Minister was at other very great
Expences, it so impair'd his Fortune, that he was oblig'd to throw up all
and retir'd to _Holland_; and being very much in debt to the Elector, his
Garden was forfeited to that Prince, who made a Present of it to M. _de
Fuchs_, one of his Ministers. King _Frederic_ I. purchas'd it of the
latter, and after having embellished it, made a Present of it to the Queen
his third Wife; but that Princess's ill state of Health obliging her to
retire to _Mecklenbourg_ her Native Country, _Belvedere_ became neglected.
Near this Royal House is the magnificent Gardens of _Craut_, who from a
Boy behind the Counter rais'd himself by his Industry to the Post of
Pay-master General of the Army, and at length to that of Minister of
State. He was to have been call'd to account in his last stage of Life,
but he cunningly diverted that Storm by feigning himself Lunatic; and
dying, he left an immense Estate, part of which fell to the King by way
of Restitution, and the rest to his Nephew, who makes a grand Figure at
_Paris_.
I enter'd _Berlin_ thro' that call'd the Gate _Royale_, which has had that
Name ever since the Day that _Frederic_ I. made his Entry there, after his
Coronation at _Koningsberg_ in _Prussia_. This Gate is defended by a
Half-Moon, and two Bastions fac'd with Brick, and fronts that call'd the
Street _Royale_; one of the longest and most frequented in all the City.
There are very fine Houses in it, particularly that of M. _de Catsch_, a
Minister of State, that of _Grumkau_, and the Post-House, which last
Building was begun by order of the late King, for his Favourite the Count
_de Wartemberg_, who was hereditary Post-Master.
Thro' the Street _Royale_ there run fine, spacious and beautiful Streets.
The first is call'd _la Rue du Cloitre_, in which we see the Royal
Manufactory. _Frederic_ I. who bought it of the Heirs of the Marshal _de
Flemming_, established an Academy of Nobles there; so that, on the Payment
of three hundred Crowns, they had Lodging, Provision, and Instruction in
every thing that it's natural a Man of Quality shou'd know. This
Establishment existed a few Years, but sunk at last meerly thro' the
Neglect of Persons whose Business 'twas to take care of it. The present
King has chang'd this Fabrick into a Work-house, and allowed Lodgings in
it for several Woollen Manufacturers.
Adjoining to the Royal Manufactory, there are public Warehouses, which
were established and built by the late King; and being destroyed by Fire,
the present King caus'd them to be rebuilt. Opposite to the Warehouses
stands the House of M. _de Creutz_, Minister of State; which has fine
Apartments, and is very neatly furnish'd. Higher in the same Street
there's the House of M. _Duvaine_, a _French_ Man by Birth, and
Lieutenant-General of his _Prussian_ Majesty's Forces: And contiguous to
his House, which makes a fine Appearance, is the _Calvinists_ new Church,
a Structure rais'd after the Model of _Grunberg_, an Architect who had
before acquir'd a Reputation, which did not suffer by his Contrivance of
this great Fabrick: The Front of it is magnificent, but the inside plain,
as are all the Churches of the _Calvinists_, which you know don't
admit of Images. The subterranean Places or Catacombs, for interring
those that worship here, are worth seeing. Several Persons have been
interr'd there of great Note, particularly _Casimir de Colbe_, Count
_de Wartemberg_, Prime Minister, Great Chamberlain, Master of the Horse,
Post-Master-General, Protector of all the Academies in the Dominions of
the King of _Prussia_, and Knight of the Order of the Black Eagle. Being
banish'd in 1711, to _Francfort_ upon the _Maine_, where he died the Year
following, he ordered that his Corpse shou'd be carry'd to _Berlin_; and
his Will was accordingly fulfill'd. He was so dear to King _Frederic_ I.
that he was very loth to part with him; but was, as it were, compell'd to
it by a Cabal, who oppos'd his Ministerial Authority; tho' he was provok'd
at the Insolence of _Wartemberg_'s Wife, and at his mean Submission to
her. The King made an Offer to him afterwards, by the Count _Christophle
de Dohna_, (who was then his Ambassador at _Francfort_, for the Election
of the Emperor,) to come and resume his Employments, on condition that he
wou'd not bring his Wife with him; but _Wartemberg_ refus'd, saying, he
was engag'd in honour not to forsake her. Perhaps he was very glad of this
Excuse for not returning, because he had once experienc'd the Vicissitude
of Fortune, and knew well that he had been too powerful a Man not to be
hated. King _Frederic_ I. who was desirous to see his Funeral pass by,
cou'd not refrain Tears; which undoubtedly was the greatest Character that
he cou'd give of his Minister.
Next to the Count _de Wartemberg_'s Tomb, is that of _Henrietta de
Pollnitz_, Wife to _Francis_ Count _de Duhamel_, the _Venetians_
Generalissimo. Her Husband dying in the _Morea_, this Lady return'd to
_Venice_, proposing to go and end her Days at _Berlin_, where she was
born; but while she was performing her Quarantain she died, after desiring
her Body to be carry'd to _Berlin_; which was accordingly done by two of
her Nephews, and one of her Nieces, whom she made her Heirs. There is also
the Tomb of the Count _de Denhoff_, Lieutenant-General of the King's
Armies, Knight of his Order of the Black Eagle, Minister of State,
Governour of _Memel_, and Ambassador at the Treaty of _Utrecht_, where he
acquired a high Reputation among the foreign Ministers. The Marshal _de
Villars_, who had known him at _Vienna_, when he the Marshal resided there
in the quality of Minister, to take care of the Affairs of _France_, said
to me one day, speaking of the Count _de Denhoff_, that the King of
_Prussia_ cou'd not do enough to reward the Count's great Merit. _If he
wou'd have been rul'd by me_, added he, _he wou'd have been in the Service
of the King my Master_.
The second Street that crosses the Street _Royale_, is the _Jews_ Street,
which runs into the Square _Molcke-Marck_; where the Hotel _de Schwerin_
makes a fine Appearance. Within a few Houses lower down, there's a
Manufactory of Gold and Silver Lace, which one _Schindler_ has established
with good success: This House belong'd to the Wife of M. _de Wensen_,
Marshal of the Court to King _Frederic_ I. but she resign'd it as part of
Payment of a Fine, to which her Husband had been condemn'd by the Count
_de Wartemberg_, then prime Minister; who confin'd M. _Wensen_ in
_Custrin_ Castle, because he had presum'd to represent to the King that
the Table of the prime Minister, which was served by his Majesty's Cooks
and Butlers, was more expensive than his Majesty's own Table. _Wensen_
however, upon the Payment of this Fine, obtain'd his Liberty, and was
banish'd to his Lands in the Dutchy of _Zell_.
In the middle of _Molcke-Marck_ is the Statue of _Frederic_ I. Father to
the present King, with a Crown on his Head, and a royal Mantle on his
Shoulders. The Statue was cast by order of _Frederic_ I. himself, who
intended to have it plac'd in the Court of the Arsenal; but dying before
it cou'd be brought about, the King his Son caus'd it to be set up where
it now stands, which is indeed a much better Place for it.
The _Spandau_ Street, which is the third that crosses the Street _Royale_,
contains the Town-House, and other fine Buildings: The Street _St. Esprit_
is altogether as beautiful, as is the Kay, which fronts the Castle or
Palace of the King. Upon this Kay we see the House of the Baron _de
Vernesobre_, whose Ancestors being _French_ Protestant Merchants, settled
at _Koningsberg_ in _Prussia_. He was in _France_ at the time of the
_Mississippy_ Plague, which, tho' so fatal to others, prov'd so fortunate
to him, that he gain'd several Millions of Livres, with which he came and
set up at _Berlin_, where he has taken to building, having purchas'd the
Estate of _Hohensihn_ from Monsieur _de Borstel_, one of the best
Gentlemen of the Country, procur'd himself the Title of Counsellor of
State, and cuts a Figure now among Persons of Quality.
The Churches of St. _Mary_, St. _Nicholas_, and that belonging to the
Garrison, are as magnificent as any of the Protestant Churches. St.
_Mary_'s has a beautiful Spire. When _Frederic_ I. made his royal Entry
here, at his return from his Coronation, a Man ascended to the Globe of
this Spire, and saluted the new King by flourishing a pair of Colours.
The Church of the Garrison was founded by the late King, but was very much
damag'd some Years ago by the blowing up of a Magazine of Gun-Powder in
the Neighbourhood, just as they were removing it to a safer Place. King
_Frederic William_ has caus'd it to be rebuilt with more Magnificence than
before. The Organs are very fine, and the Galleries very well contriv'd.