has endowed with all manner of Virtues, to be the worthy Wife of a King,
is MARIA JOSEPHA, who was born the 8th of _December_ 1699, and is the
eldest Daughter of _Joseph_ Emperor of the _Romans_, and of
_Wilhelmina-Amelia_ of _Brunswic-Lunenbourg-Hanover_. Her Marriage to the
King, then the Prince Royal, was celebrated at _Vienna_, the 20th of
_August_ 1719, betwixt 8 and 9 a Clock at Night, in the Chapel of the
Palace of the _Favorita_, by the Pope's Nuncio, who next day perform'd the
solemn Mass. In a few days after, this Princess set out with her Husband
for _Saxony_. It has already been observed with what Pomp she was received
by the King her Father-in-law; and the Veneration paid her by the
Subjects, was equal to the Magnificence of her Reception by the King. The
Returns that the Princess made on her part, manifested a Goodness which
nothing cou'd resist; so that she had the Homage and the Hearts both of
the Courtiers and the common People. Being the Daughter of a Princess,
whom the World respects even more for her Virtues than for the Splendour
of that extraordinary Grandeur with which she is inviron'd, her Royal
Highness's sole Concern was to walk in the Steps of that august Mother,
the Pattern of Princesses, and the Honour of Religion. She conceiv'd a
Respect for the King her Father-in-law, and the Queen her Mother-in-law,
from which she never departed; and now that she is a Sovereign, she has no
other Cares than to render a Nation happy which is worthy of being so for
its Affection and Fidelity to its Electors. She is inviolably attach'd to
her Duties, full of Tenderness and Respect for her Husband, and always
wisely employ'd in what may procure him solid Comfort. She continually
gives him Examples of Piety and Charity; she is beneficent to all that
make their Necessities known to her, and seems to think every unfortunate
Subject merits her Protection. The Care she takes of her Children is not
only the Care of a tender Mother, but of a Queen, who, in love to the
State, is desirous to form their Minds, so as to render them worthy of
being its Sovereigns, and to procure them the advantage of being more
respected, if possible, for their Virtues than their Birth.
The Queen, who went with the King to _Cracow_, and there receiv'd the
Crown, return'd after her Coronation to _Saxony_, where she is belov'd and
reverenc'd by People of all Ranks. This august Princess seems to have an
Air of Gravity, as have all the Princes of the most serene House of
_Austria_; but as she is serious, so she is discreet, modest, and
good-natur'd. She was educated, as are all the Archdutchesses, in the
knowledge of Things useful for those who are born to govern States; she
speaks several Languages very readily, and particularly the _Latin_, in
such a manner as both charms and surprizes the _Poles_. She is Mistress of
History and Geography, and has a solid Taste of Musick, Painting, and all
the Sciences in general: Yet never did Queen take less Pride in her
Talents; for, by kindly condescending to accommodate her self to the
Capacities of those with whom she converses, she conceals all her
Superiority. Her high Rank serves only to render her affable; she is the
Mother of the People, and particularly of the Poor. And to sum up the
Character of this great Princess, it may be said in short, that she is a
virtuous Wife, a faithful Companion, a tender Mother, and a compassionate
Sovereign.
His Royal Highness the PRINCE ROYAL and ELECTORAL was born at _Dresden_,
the 5th of _September_ 1722, and baptized in the _Roman_ Catholick Church,
by the Name of _Frederic-Christian_: He is handsome, and has a Countenance
full of Good-nature, and indeed his Goodness charms all that pay their
court to him. His Knowledge and Learning are beyond one of his tender
Years; he talks several Languages justly, and with ease; and his strong
Inclination to follow the wise Counsels of his Governor, the Count
_Gabaleon-Wackerbarth-Salmour_, is a sure Presage that when he comes to
the Age of Maturity, he will walk in the glorious Steps of the King his
Father.
As to their Royal Highnesses the other Princes, the eldest of them, Prince
AUGUSTUS-ALBERT-CHRISTIAN-XAVIER was born the 25th of _August_ 1730. He is
handsome, full of Life and Spirit, and already discovers a great
Inclination to every thing military. He is infinitely better pleased to
see the Officers of his Regiment about him than the Women his Attendants.
The Noise of Drums and Trumpets is the most agreeable Music to him, and
according to all appearance, 'tis what he will always prefer to the Flute.
When he went with their Majesties to _Cracow_, and heard talk of the
Ravages committed by the Palatine of _Kiow_, he said, he had a mind to go
and fight him, and cut off his Head. In fine, all the Actions of this
young Prince give hopes that he will add one to the Number of Heroes
descended from the august Blood of _Saxony_.
CHARLES-CHRISTIAN-JOSEPH came into the World _July_ 13, 1733, so that his
Royal Highness is too young as yet for any Character in History; and I
shall proceed next to their Royal Highnesses the Princesses.
Her Royal Highness MARY-AMELIA, their Majesties eldest Daughter, was born
at _Dresden_, the 24th of _September_ 1724. She is fair, very well shap'd,
and has the Air of her Mother. Her Features are regular, and 'tis heartily
to be wish'd that the Small-Pox may spare them. The Care the Queen takes
of her Education is so well bestow'd on her, that she is much better
form'd than Princesses of her Age generally are.
MARY-ANNE-SOPHIA was born the 24th of _August_ 1728. She is brown, and
likely to be much admir'd for her Beauty. There is something in her
Physiognomy so subtle and witty, that she has already secur'd the
Suffrages of the Courtiers.
The Princess MARY-JOSEPHA was born the 4th of _November_ 1731. Heaven has
been pleas'd to grant her a share of Beauty with all the Princes and
Princesses her Brothers and Sisters.
I should make some mention of all the PRINCES and PRINCESSES of the BLOOD,
_viz._ all the most serene Dukes, Princes and Princesses of the Family of
_Saxony_, particularly those who are deriv'd from the _Albertine_ Branch,
as descending with the King from the Elector _John-George_ I. who form'd
the four Branches, _viz._ the Electoral Branch, and those of
_Weissenfels_, _Mersbourg_, and _Zeits_. But as this is only an Epitome of
_Augustus_ III's Court, I shall only take notice of those Princes who
reside there; _viz._ JOHN-ADOLPHUS Duke of SAXE-WEISSENFELS, and the
Princess CHRISTINA of SAXE-WEISSENFELS.
The Duke, who was born _September_ 4, 1685, is of a good Stature. His Air,
Behaviour, and way of thinking, denote his Birth; and never was Prince
more worthy of being so. He is beneficent, generous; and all the Qualities
which attract Love and Esteem are united in his Person. After having spent
his early Days in the Service of _Hesse-Cassel_, he enter'd into that of
the late King; and in the several Campaigns which he made in _Germany_,
_Italy_, _Flanders_, and _Poland_, he always signaliz'd his Valour; and
particularly not long ago, when he supported the Reputation of the King's
Arms before _Dantzic_ in a conspicuous manner. His Goodness, his Modesty,
and his Care to distinguish true Merit, gain him the Love and Veneration
both of the Officers and Soldiers. This Prince is actually a
Lieutenant-General in the Emperor's Army, General of the _Saxon_ Horse and
Foot, Colonel of the Life-Guards, and of a Regiment of Foot, and Knight of
the Order of the _White Eagle_. He is the Widower of _Caroline_ Princess
of _Saxe-Eysenach_, and professes the _Lutheran_ Religion.
The Princess CHRISTINA of SAXE-WEISSENFELS, who was born the 27th of
_July_ 1690, adheres to the _Roman_ Catholic Doctrine, Prince _Albert_ her
Father being a Convert to that Communion. She is of a good Stature, has a
grand Majestic Air, and her Behaviour is graceful and polite. Her most
serene Highness receives all that draw near to her with Respect and
Kindness, and demonstrates her high Birth only by discharging the
Obligations of it. She is so firmly attach'd to the Queen by the Bands of
Love and Virtue that she is caress'd and distinguish'd by her; and all the
Court honours and respects her more out of Inclination than Duty.
You will not perhaps be sorry to know the Names, _&c._ of the late King's
legitimated Natural Issue, who are rank'd immediately after the Princes of
the Blood. They are four Sons and three Daughters, of whom I shall now
give you an Account, and who were their Mothers.
1. Count _Maurice_ of _Saxony_ is the eldest of the late King's Natural
Children, by _Aurora_ Countess of _Koningsmark_, the most worthy of her
Sex in _Europe_ to be the Mistress of a great King; and of all the King's
Favourite Ladies, she kept longest in his Favour, so that after her
Retirement she acquitted her self so well that she continued in the
possession of his Majesty's Esteem and Regard. She is still living,
and after having been a Prioress of the Imperial _Lutheran_
Abbey _Quedlinbourg_ she rose to be the Abbess. The Count is a
Lieutenant-General, and Colonel of a Regiment of Foot in _France_.
2. The next is the Count _Rotofski_ or _Rutowski_, Lieutenant-General, and
Colonel of the Crown-Guards, who owes his Birth to the King's tender
Passion for _Fatima_ a _Turkish_ Lady who was taken Prisoner very young,
and fell to the share of M. _Schoning_, a Lieutenant-General in the
Service of the Elector of _Brandenbourg_, who carried her to _Berlin_, and
had her baptiz'd without altering her Name, tho' she afterwards went by
that of Madame _de Spiegel_. Madamoiselle _de Flemming_, known by the Name
of _Brebentau_, having married the Palatine of that Name, took a fancy to
her, obtain'd her of M. _de Schoning_, and carried her with her into
_Poland_, where from a Slave she became the King's Mistress, tho' Madame
_Brebentau_ did not perceive it till _Fatima_'s Waist betray'd her. She
had as much Wit as Beauty, and every body said she deserv'd her Fortune.
Nevertheless, she did not enjoy it long; for Madame _de Lubomirski_, who
was Wife to the Great Chamberlain of the Crown, stole away the King's
Heart from her. The Count _Rutowski_ is a Major-General of the King's
Forces, Colonel of the Life-Guards, and of a Regiment of Foot, and Knight
of the Order of the _White Eagle_. This Nobleman very much resembles the
late King his Father, having his Strength, Dexterity, Valour and
Politeness. He had his Education in _France_, and from thence went into
the _Service_ of _Victor Amadeus_ the late King of _Sardinia_. Then he
enter'd for a little while into the Service of the King of _Prussia_, and
at length fix'd himself in that of _Saxony_, when he signaliz'd his Valour
at the Siege of _Dantzic_, and afterwards made the Campaign as a Voluntier
in the Imperial Army on the _Rhine_. As for his Religion, he professes the
_Roman_ Catholic.
3. The third of the late King's Natural Sons is _George_ Prince _de
Teschen_, otherwise call'd the _Chevalier de Saxony_, whom he had by
Madame _de Lubomirski_ above-mentioned, who was Niece to the famous
Cardinal _Radjouski_ Archbishop of _Gnesna_, and Primate of _Poland_.
After this Lady had indulg'd the King's Passion she got a Divorce from
Prince _Lubomirski_, and took the Title of the Princess _de Teschen_,
which was granted to her by the Emperor. This Son of her's was brought up
in the _Roman_ Catholic Religion. He is a Colonel in the King's Service,
and Knight of the Order of the _White Eagle_. He is a well-set Man, has a
noble Air, and supports his Title by a great share of Valour and good
Sense. He is perfect Master of military Architecture, and has great
Talents for War, which he cultivates to such a degree that his very
Amusements are the Study of what a great Captain ought to know. This
Desire of his to be qualify'd some day or other for the Command of an Army
engag'd him, at his return from the Siege of _Dantzic_, to repair to the
Army of Prince _Eugene_ of _Savoy_ to improve himself in the Art of War
under that Great Master.
4. The fourth and youngest of the Natural Sons of the late King of
_Poland_ is the Count _de Cosel_, Knight of the Order of the _White
Eagle_, whose Mother was the Countess _de Cosel_; which Lady is also
Mother to the Countesses of _Friesland_[62] and _Moschinski_[63]. The
Count is a tall handsome Youth, modest and reserv'd, and more prudent than
might be expected from his Years. This Nobleman, who does not disparage
his Birth, is now making the Campaign upon the _Rhine_ in the Imperial
Army. He is of the _Lutheran_ Communion.
Madame _de Cosel_ is of the Family of _Bruchstorf_, and a Native of
_Holstein_. She was Maid of Honour to the Dutchess of _Wolfembuttle_, when
the Count _de Hoym_ Minister of State to the King of _Poland_ married her:
The Count soon after the Marriage carried her to _Dresden_, where the King
fell in love with her, and no sooner made it known to her but gain'd her
compliance. M. _de Hoym_ enrag'd at this, demanded a Divorce from her,
which his Wife readily came into; so that the Consistory of _Dresden_
declared their Marriage null and void. M. _de Hoym_ married again, and
Madame took the Title of the Countess _de Cosel_; but this Lady at once
lost the King's Favour and her Liberty into the bargain, and is kept close
Prisoner in a Castle, where she has nothing to do but to indulge her
melancholy Reflections upon the Revolutions of her Fortune[64].
The NATURAL DAUGHTERS of the late King are, 1. The Countess of _Bilinski_,
(Sister of the Count _Rutowski_) who was born in _Poland_ as well as her
Brother, and educated in the _Roman_ Catholic Religion. _Augustus_ II.
gave her in Marriage to the Count _Bilinski_. The Countess's frequent
Ailments obliged her to go to _Paris_ for her Health; so that not being of
this Court, 'twill not be expected I should give her Character.
2. The Countess of _Orselska_, who was born at _Warsaw_, of one _Renard_ a
_French_ Woman, and bred up in the _Roman_ Catholic Faith: She is of a
good Stature, and very charming. Of all the late King's legitimated
Children his Majesty seem'd to be fondest of this. She was at first very
much neglected, and it did not appear that the King ever intended to own
her. But Count _Rotofski_ seeing her at _Warsaw_ in a Plight too mean for
her Birth took the freedom to mention her to the King her Father, and told
him that she merited some Kindness from him. The King thereupon desir'd to
see her, and she came into his Presence in the _Amazonian_ Habit, which
was her favourite Dress. The King thought she resembled him very much, and
not being able to resist the tender Impressions of Nature he embrac'd her,
and call'd her his Daughter. At the same time he order'd the whole Court
to acknowledge her in that Quality, gave her a magnificent Palace, with
Diamonds without number, and settled great Pensions on her. 'Tis certain,
in short, that never was Daughter more like her Father; she had the same
Features, Temper and Genius. It was impossible for her to be handsomer
with a more grand Air. She is fond of Magnificence, Expence, and
Pleasures. One of her Diversions is to dress in Mens Apparel. It was in
this Habit that I saw her the first time, when she was on horseback, in a
purple Habit embroider'd with Silver, and wore the blue Ribband of
_Poland_. Being all alone, I could not learn who she was, but really took
her to be some young Foreign Nobleman whom I had not yet seen. I never
beheld any body sit better than she did on horseback, or have a more
amiable Air; insomuch, that many Ladies would have been glad of a Lover so
handsome. The same evening I saw her at the Ball, where she was still
dress'd like a Man, only her Habit was more rich than it was in the
morning, and her dishevell'd Locks of Hair hung down in fine Curls about
her Shoulders; so that _Cupid_ himself was not more tempting when he
appear'd before _Psyche_. Her good Mien, and the graceful Air with which I
saw her dance a Minuet, made me inquire who this pretty Youth was? Count
_Rotofski_, who overheard me, made answer, _The young Man whom you admire
wou'd do you no great harm if you were a Woman, but may possibly hurt you
as the Case stands; but come along with me_, continued he, taking me by
the Hand, _I will make him known to you, then leave you to come off with
him as well as you can_. I guess'd by these Words that the Person he was
going to usher me to was the Countess _Orselska_; and I was confirmed in
my Suspicion when I heard Count _Rotofski_ say to her, _Sister, here is a
Gentleman who has all due Respects for you, and who, I'll engage will be
ready to serve you in whatever you shall require of him_. Madamoiselle
_Orselska_ smiling at this Discourse, I saluted her with all the Respect
which I ow'd to her Rank, and she receiv'd me in the most obliging manner
possible. I saw her next day in Womens Apparel, and thought her still more
amiable. I visit her every day, and now whenever I go to her I generally
find with her _Charles Lewis_, a younger Prince of the Family of
_Holstein-Beck_, who 'tis said is the happy Man for whom she is design'd
in Marriage[65].
3. The Countess _Moschinski_, Daughter of the Countess of _Cosel_, was
born at _Dresden_, and match'd by the late King to the Count _de
Moschinski_, a _Polish_ Nobleman. Her sober and courteous Deportment, and
the Goodness of her Temper, have procured her both Love and Reverence.
Having now treated of the Princes of the Royal Family, I proceed to give
you an account of the chief Noblemen of the Court; and in the first place,
of the MINISTERS of the CABINET.--These are, 1. _Waldemar_ Baron _de
Lowendahl_ Grand Marshal, Knight of the _Saxon_ Order of the _White
Eagle_, and of the _Danish_ Order of the _Elephant_, who by his Post of
Grand Marshal holds the first Rank at the Court of _Saxony_, because the
Elector is Arch Grand Marshal of the Empire. He is a _Dane_ by birth, and
is descended from a Count of _Guldenlowe_, a natural Son of the
Blood-Royal of _Denmark_. He spent his youthful Days in the Service of the
_States-General_, and was made a Captain in the Blue Guards; which he
afterwards quitted, and went into the Service of the Emperor _Leopold_,
and distinguish'd himself in quality of a Lieutenant-Colonel in 1683, at
the raising of the Siege of _Vienna_; after which he return'd to
_Denmark_, where he serv'd with Honour. But leaving that Court upon some
Disgust, he came into _Saxony_, where _Augustus_ II. declared him
President of the Chamber, which Office he held when the King of _Denmark_
recall'd him home. It was with the Approbation of his Master the King of
_Poland_ that he return'd to _Copenhagen_, where his _Danish_ Majesty gave
him the Command of his Army in _Norway_ against the _Swedes_; which
Commission he discharged with so much Honour, that he was dignify'd with
the Order of the _Elephant_, as he had already been by that of
_Dannebroc_. He might, had he pleased, have enjoy'd the greatest Offices
in _Denmark_; but he had promised _Augustus_ II. not to forsake him, so
that he refus'd all the Advantages which _Frederic_ IV. offer'd him, and
return'd into _Saxony_. After the death of the Count _de Phlug_, the late
King appointed him Grand Marshal, which Office he still executes with
Honour. Tho' he is now advanced in years he has a sound Constitution, and
the Air, Behaviour, and Way of Thinking of a Man of his Quality. Being
affable and polite, he does the Honours of the Court in a Gentleman-like
manner, for which the Courtiers reverence him, and the King professes an
esteem for him. His Majesty is the sixth King whom this Minister has
serv'd. He has married to his second Wife a Lady of the Family of
_Rantzau_, in the Country of _Holstein_, who bears a valuable Character,
and is as polite as can be desired, speaking _French_ as well as if she
was born at _Versailles_. The Grand Marshal has two Sons by his first
Marriage with a Lady of _Revenclau_: his youngest, _viz._ _Woldemar_ Baron
_de Lowendahl_ is Major-General of the King's Armies, Inspector General of
the _Saxon_ Infantry, and Colonel of a Regiment of Foot. He was fourteen
years old when the Grand Marshal sent him to _Denmark_; where he made a
Campaign at Sea under Admiral _Tordenschild_. At his return to _Dresden_
he carried a Musket, and afterwards pass'd through all the subaltern
Degrees. When he was but a Lieutenant he accompany'd General _Seckendorf_
to _Vienna_, where the Marshal Count _Guido de Staremberg_ gave him a
Company in his Regiment, and he distinguish'd himself in a particular
manner at the Sieges of _Temiswaer_ and _Belgrade_, and in _Sicily_. Since
that, he enter'd into the Service of _Augustus_ II. who gave him a
Regiment. Afterwards he made two Campaigns as a Voluntier with the
Imperialists in _Corsica_; and upon all occasions manifested that Valour,
Skill, and Prudence, as he did lately in the Defence of _Cracow_; where,
with a weak and sickly Garrison, he not only made a vigorous stand against
the Attacks of the Primate's _Polish_ Adherents, but also obliged them to
retire. This General is so fond of signalizing his Bravery, that he was
scarce return'd from _Poland_, but he went to make the Campaign as a
Voluntier, with the Imperial Army on the _Rhine_. He lives magnificently,
keeps a good Table, and is very civil to Foreigners.
2. _Anthony_ Count de _Lutzelbourg_, who is by birth a _Lorrainer_,
and an exemplary Professor of the _Roman_ Catholic Religion, is
Lieutenant-General of the Forces, Knight of the Order of the White Eagle,
and General of the Horse. He is pretty tall, and has a chearful
Countenance, with a noble easy Behaviour, which shews the Man of Quality.
His Merit procured him the Honour of being the King's Governour after the
Decease of the Count _de Costa_, which Post he held 'till his Majesty came
of age, when he was appointed Steward of his Houshold, and was as much
esteem'd by their Royal Highnesses as he is valued by the Courtiers, and
belov'd by the Domestics of the Prince who are under his command: but his
frequent Ailments oblig'd him to quit that Office: Nevertheless he was
last year at _Vienna_, where he receiv'd for the King his Master the
Investiture of the Feudatory States of the Empire, and concluded the
Treaty of Alliance still subsisting between the two Courts.
3. _Henry-Frederic_ Count of _Friesland_, is Great Chamberlain, General of
the Infantry, Lieutenant-General of the King's Forces, and Knight of the
Order of the _White Eagle_. He is descended from a Family which has for a
long time been of illustrious Rank in _Saxony_. He spent part of his Youth
in the Service of _Peter_ the Great, Czar of _Muscovy_, and signaliz'd his
Valour very much at the Battle of _Pultowa_; where _Charles_ XII. King of
_Sweden_ in a few Hours lost all the fruit of nine years Toil, and of an
infinite number of Victories. Soon after this great Battle he shew'd his
Wisdom to be equal to his Bravery at the Battle of _Pruth_; which though
it did not turn out so much to the Czar's Honour, was altogether as
fortunate to him, since it extricated that Prince out of the worst scrape
that perhaps ever King was reduced to. He enter'd afterwards into the
Service of the late King; who being sensible of his Merit, raised him to
the greatest Dignities of his Court, and married him to one of the
Daughters that he had by the Countess of _Cosel_. The Great Chamberlain,
who has the Looks and Behaviour of a Man of Quality, thinks and acts too
like a Nobleman. Few Persons surpass him in Politeness and Learning: He is
perfect Master of several Languages, and of every thing that forms the
Minister and the General. He loves Literature and the Arts, and was always
their Supporter. He lives handsomely, and has such a Presence as commands
the Veneration of all that have to do with him.