the Velt-Marshal _Augustus Christopher_ Count _de Wackerbarth_ who
succeeded Marshal _de Flemming_ in the chief command of the Troops in
_Saxony_, and was not only Marshal, but a Minister of State, Grand Master
of the Artillery, Governour of _Dresden_, and Knight of the Order of the
_White Eagle_. The Father was born of a good Family in _Mecklembourg_; but
from his very youth he attach'd himself to the Elector of _Saxony_; and by
his own Merit, and the Friendship of his Predecessor Count _Flemming_, he
was raised to the chief Posts in the Army and the Court. In 1709 he had
the Command of the _Saxon_ Troops before _Tournay_, as he had in 1715
before _Strahlsund_, when 'twas besieg'd by the Kings of _Denmark_ and
_Prussia_, and defended by _Charles_ XII. King of _Sweden_. M. _de
Wackerbarth_ was made Count of the Empire by the King his Master, while
that Prince was Vicar of the Empire, after the death of the Emperor
_Joseph_. After being grac'd with this Dignity, the Count _de
Wackerbarth_ was employ'd in sundry important Negotiations, especially at
_Vienna_; where he married a _Piedmontese_ Lady, the Dowager of _Charles_
Margrave of _Brandenbourg_, Brother to _Frederic_ I. King of _Prussia_,
who when he was but very young at the University of _Turin_; married her
by the Left-hand, as you know is the Fashion among our Princes when they
marry below themselves. However the Lady went by the Name of Madame _de
Brandenbourg_ to the very day that the Count _de Wackerbarth_ married her,
being so proud of the Title that she was resolv'd never to part with it
'till she was married again: Notwithstanding the advantageous Offers made
to her from the King of _Prussia_ to engage her to renounce it, her
refusal of which was the more generous because it was at a time too when
she was in narrow Circumstances; yet her constant Answer was, that nothing
in the Universe should tempt her to debase herself; and that she had
rather be poor, and pass for the Wife of the Margrave of _Brandenbourg_,
than be rich, and pass for his Mistress. Before she became Madame _de
Brandenbourg_ she was the Widow of a certain Count _de Salmour_, by whom
she had a Son whom she engaged the Count _de Wackerbarth_, when she
married him, to adopt for his own. I confess I never saw this Lady; for at
the time of my former Voyage hither she was at _Vienna_; and now she is
dead. They talk of her still as one of the acutest Women of her time. But
to return to the Marshal; he is very civil, lives with great Splendor, and
his House is open to all Foreigners. He is mighty intimate with the Count
_de Flemming_, Prime Minister and Favourite of the King; so that they
fully contradicted the Proverb, _That Fire and Water can't agree_; for
Count _Flemming_ was lively almost to the Degree of a Fury, whereas the
Count _de Wackerbarth_, on the contrary, abounds with Phlegm[66]. We go
back now to his adopted Son _Joseph_ above-mention'd, a _Piedmontese_, at
present one of the Ministers of the Cabinet[67].
He is also Knight of the Order of the _White Eagle_, and Governour of his
Royal Highness the Prince Royal and Electoral. He bears the Name and Arms
of _Wackerbarth_, by reason of his being adopted as above by the
Velt-Marshal his Father-in-law; upon whose death, he succeeded to his
Estate. He took to arms betimes; but having receiv'd a Wound in the Foot,
which he feels to this day, he was oblig'd to quit a Profession in which
he distinguish'd himself, and apply'd afterwards to Affairs of State. The
late King sent him to the Courts of _Bavaria_ and _Vienna_, where he
supported the Prerogatives of his Character with Dignity, and gain'd the
extraordinary Esteem of their Imperial Majesties and the Ministers.
_Augustus_ II. recall'd him from _Vienna_, and sent him to _Rome_, to the
new Pope _Clement_ XII. The _Romans_, those Masters in the Art of
Politics, were soon convinced that this Minister knew more than they could
teach him: They admired the Prudence and Resolution with which he behav'd
when the _Sbirri_ presum'd to invade the Franchise of his Quarter; and all
own'd that the most experienced Minister could not have better supported
the Honour of his Master. At his Return from _Rome_, the late King, to the
Satisfaction of all Men, appointed him Governour to Prince _Frederic_, the
present Prince Royal and Electoral; the Count having all the necessary
Qualifications to fill that Post with Honour: For besides a good Share of
Religion, he is a Gentleman of known Candour, great Experience in
Business, and abundance of Good-nature, Politeness, and Modesty: And he is
not only deeply learn'd, but always studious how to answer the great Trust
repos'd in him by their Majesties; and as the Method he takes to instruct
the Prince has won him his Royal Highness's Esteem and Friendship, so it
cannot fail of procuring him one day the Praise and Gratitude of those who
are concern'd for the Glory of the Royal Family.
When _Augustus_ III. came to the Government he sent the Count, with M. _de
Baudissin_, in Quality of his Plenipotentiaries, to the Republic of
_Poland_; in which Post he answer'd the Expectation which the King had of
his Capacity. His Wisdom got the better of all Opposition; and he had the
advantage of triumphing over the Intrigues and Cabals of the Primate.
After the King had been proclaim'd the Count swore, in his Majesty's Name,
in the Church at _Warsaw_, to the Observation of the _Pacta Conventa_
drawn up by the Members of the Republic; and then accompanied the Grand
Deputation of the _Polish_ Nobility at _Tarnowitz_. 'Twas he that made
answer, in the Name of their Majesties, to the Harangues of the Bishop of
_Cracow_ declaring the Republic's Acknowledgement of his Title, and their
Obedience. And the Answer he return'd was in the two Languages in which
the Prelate address'd him: He spoke in _Latin_ for the King, and in
_French_ for the Queen.
The Count being return'd to _Dresden_ since their Majesties Coronation, is
wholly taken up in the Education of the Prince Royal; and his care of him
has been crown'd with such Success, that we may prophesy his Royal
Highness will one day draw down that Blessing of God upon himself, which
is upon the Head of the Just.
5. _Wolff-Henry de Baudissin_, General of the Horse, Colonel of a Regiment
of Carabiniers, and Knight of the Order of the _White Eagle_, and that of
_Dannebroc_, has all the Qualities requisite for a well-born Gentleman,
_viz._ an agreeable Aspect, a good Stature, a noble Air, easy and engaging
Behaviour, approv'd Valour, a Generosity free of all Ostentation; and
finally what is superior to all these Qualities, he has a Fund of Probity
and Candour which nothing can corrupt. He is a Native of _Holstein_, and
spent his early Years in the Service of _Sweden_, and afterwards in that
of the Duke his Sovereign, who gave him a Regiment, with which he serv'd
all the last War in the _Netherlands_, in the Post of Major-General.
_Augustus_ II. calling him to his Service, made him Lieutenant-General of
his Forces, and then General of the Cavalry. When _Augustus_ III. came to
the Government he summon'd him to his Cabinet-Council, and sent him as his
Plenipotentiary to _Poland_, where he had a hand in every Transaction for
the Advantage and Honour of the King. He afterwards commanded the Army
which his Majesty was obliged to carry into his Kingdom for the Defence of
his oppressed Subjects; and there he fell so dangerously ill that he was
obliged to return to _Germany_, to make use of the Waters of _Pyrmont_; by
which he found benefit; and he is now at _Dresden_, where his Seniority
gives him the Command in chief of the Forces.
6. _Alexander-Joseph_ Count _de Sulkowski_, Starost of _Sokolnick_, Chief
Huntsman of _Lithuania_, Master of the Horse, Great Master of the
Wardrobe, Major-General of the King's Forces, Colonel of the Crown-Guards
and of a Regiment of Foot, and Knight of the Order of the _White Eagle_,
is a _Polander_. Being taken into Service very young as Page to the King,
then Prince Royal and Electoral, he accompanied him in his Travels, and
there acquir'd a good Fund of Knowledge. His great Sobriety, his
Assiduity, his Application to the discharge of his Duties, his Sense, and
his sincere Attachment to Religion, won his Master's Heart, of which he
keeps possession even to this day; with a Distinction that does him the
more Honour, because he derives it from the King's thorough conviction of
his Merit.
The Count is of a good Stature, has a noble and modest Air, and a Candour
in his Conversation and his Action, which is very engaging. He is civil,
and makes no other Use of his Favour but to do as much Good as he can,
without prejudicing the Interests of the King whom he serves with
Gratitude, Affection, and Zeal. He is a generous Minister, and his House
is open to all Persons of Distinction.
After he had serv'd as a Page, he was by the late King made a Gentleman of
the Bed-Chamber; and not long after that, his present Majesty, who was
then still Prince Royal, declar'd him Director of his Hunting Equipage,
and trusted him with the Management of his Domestic Affairs. The late King
also appointed him one of his Chamberlains.
At the famous Camp at _Zeithaim_, the Count commanded an Independent
Company. He discover'd so great Application, and such a happy Genius for
the Art of War, that the late King, whose Penetration nothing cou'd
escape, took it for a good Omen, and gave him a Regiment of Foot. Thus did
the Count make his way towards the splendid Fortune which he now enjoys.
M. _de Bruhl_ resigning his Post of Great Master of the Wardrobe, soon
after the King's Accession to the Government, his Majesty gave that Post
to his Favourite. He afterwards call'd him to his Cabinet-Council; and at
his Coronation, he made him Knight of the Order of the White Eagle. After
the Court's Return from _Cracow_, the Count went to the Army before
_Dantzic_; where he gave demonstration of his being as good a Soldier as
he is an able Statesman. It being not compatible with his Ministry to be
long absent, and _Dantzic_ being on the point of capitulating, he went to
give the King an account of the Success of its Siege, and the Prosperity
of his Arms. He accompanied his Majesty to the Abbey of _Oliva_, and by
his Prudence contributed very much to put such _Polish_ Lords in mind of
their Obedience, who had thought of being exempted from it. And his only
View being more and more to deserve that Favour with which the King
honours him, and being desirous of having it in his power to serve him, as
well in his Armies, as in his Cabinet, he went last of all to the Imperial
Army, in order to qualify himself for a Command under Prince _Eugene_ of
_Savoy_.
To complete the good Fortune of this Count, he married a Lady, who,
besides her Birth and personal Charms, has a Character which gains her the
Applause and Veneration of all that know her. She is hereditary Baroness
of _Stein_; and when he marry'd her, she was Lady of Honour to the Queen.
They are both Members of the _Roman_ Catholic Church.
7. _Henry de Bruhl_, Knight of the Orders of _Poland_ and _Prussia_, a
Member of the Privy-Council, President of the Chamber of Finances,
Director General of the Excise, and Vice-President of the Taxes, is the
Son of _John de Bruhl_, who was of the Privy-Council to _Augustus_ II. and
Grand Marshal and Director of the Privy-Council to the Duke Regent of
_Saxe-Weissenfels_. He is by Birth a _Saxon_, and has a Brother who is
Knight of the Teutonick Order. He made great progress at _Leipsic_ in the
_Belles Lettres_, and in the Exercises suitable to a Person of his
Extraction. His Recreations there, were Music, and Conversation with
Persons of his own Taste. He sometimes made Verses, which were esteem'd
for the bright Thoughts in them, and the Harmony of the Versification.
When he quitted _Leipsic_, he was enter'd Page to the late King: In this
Post he behaved with so much Sobriety and Assiduity, that his Majesty soon
distinguish'd him from the Croud, admitted him to Familiarity with him;
and finding he had a sound Judgment, a quick Apprehension, a Penetration
beyond what might be expected from one of his Age, and that he was a
Person of Discretion, and inviolable Secrecy, join'd with a noble Freedom,
and such a happy way of expressing himself as to render the most difficult
Subjects easy and pleasant; he readily judg'd that such a one was fit to
be employ'd in great Affairs. He had a mind to instruct him; and having
nominated him one of the Gentlemen of his Bed-Chamber, he had him under
his Eye. M. _de Bruhl_ improv'd so well from the Lessons of this great
Master, so thoroughly study'd his Humour, and so exactly suited himself to
his Genius, that he made himself necessary. His Application, his Love to
Business, and the Ease with which he dispatch'd it, won him the intire
Confidence of _Augustus_ II. who declar'd him Great Master of the
Wardrobe, and a Privy Counsellor; and to him he moreover committed the
Direction and Regulation of Affairs, Foreign and Domestic. Never had the
King shewn more Affection or Esteem for any of his Favourites; yet this
Nobleman took ne'er the more State upon him for it, but living always
humble, polite, and ready to do Services, he made himself Friends, and
secur'd himself by that means against all the Hatred and Envy with which
Courtiers are very ready to treat those who are in Power.
When the King of _Prussia_ went to the Camp at _Zeithaim_, he conferr'd
his Order of the Black Eagle upon M. _de Bruhl_: The late King also
honour'd him with that of the White Eagle; but this was at a time when
this Minister had no Relish for Honours, and wou'd have been glad to have
renounc'd them for ever, if he cou'd thereby have prolong'd the Days of a
Master so worthy of Immortality.
It was in those last Moments, when the Professions of Friendship cannot be
so much as suspected, that _Augustus_ II. gave his Favourite his Order, as
a certain Token that he retain'd a value for him even to Death. This great
King having finish'd his glorious Career, M. _de Bruhl_, without suffering
himself to be too much cast down, knowing that an Ocean of Tears was too
little to shed for the Loss he had sustain'd, thought of nothing more than
paying the due Devoirs to the deceas'd Sovereign, and to the Prince, his
Son and Successor. Having therefore caus'd the Corpse of the former to be
embalm'd, and put a Seal upon all the Effects which belong'd to him,
besides securing the Jewels and Papers of Consequence; he came to
_Dresden_ to join the Elector, now King of _Poland_, who received him with
such Marks of Kindness, as were enough to have put the deceas'd Monarch
out of the Minister's Thoughts, if his Gratitude had not dictated to him,
that such a King and such a Master ought never to be forgot.
The King confirm'd him in all the Employments and Honours which he had
held by the Favour of _Augustus_ II. and moreover appointed him one of the
Ministers of his Cabinet. Some time after this, his Majesty declar'd him
President of the Chamber of Finances; consequently, this great, this true
King, by distinguishing Merit, did farther Honour to the Memory of his
august Father, since he did what that magnanimous Prince wou'd have
undoubtedly done for his Favourite.
At this time the Minister resign'd to the King his Office of Great Master
of the Wardrobe, which his various Occupations did not permit him to
manage with that Care he thought was necessary. After the Return of the
Court from _Cracow_, whither this Gentleman had accompany'd the King, he
marry'd the Countess _de Collowrat_, one of the Queen's Ladies of Honour,
whose high Birth was supported with such personal Qualities as can never
be enough commended. The Bride being a _Roman_ Catholic, the Ceremony of
the Marriage was performed at _Moritzbourg_, in presence of their
Majesties, by the Bishop of _Cracow_. Never was a Couple better match'd;
the Lady's Person being a Collection of Charms, and M. _de Bruhl_ a Man of
as noble Presence as one wou'd wish to see; which he generally sets off
with a rich Dress of a good Fancy. No body at Court surpasses him in a
generous way of living; for he keeps a noble Table, and at his House
Persons of Distinction have their Assemblies. This Minister has something
so attracting in his Looks and Behaviour that he easily wins the Hearts of
People who are the most indifferent to him. He is so polite, affable, and
engaging, that he listens attentively to those who lay their Wants before
him, returns them courteous and distinct Answers; and whenever he is
constrain'd to give a Denial, he does it in such a manner as plainly
demonstrates his Concern that 'tis not in his power to oblige. And 'tis
owing to this Good-nature of his, and to the Kindness with which he treats
his Inferiors, that he can boast of possessing the Love and Veneration of
the Public.
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.