Office, one of the most lucrative at Court, is _Charles de Leubnitz_. It
gives him the Superintendance over all the Officers of the Venery, in
which Number are included the Rangers, the Verdurers, the Gentlemen and
Pages, and above a hundred Huntsmen or other Persons depending on them.
The Great Huntsman is a Protestant, as well as his Lady, who is of the
Family of _Schaurot_.
V. The GREAT MASTER of the KITCHENS is _Adolphus_ Baron _de Seyffertitz_,
of a Family which has been for a long time distinguish'd in this
Electorate. His first Step at Court was in the Employment of Gentleman of
the Bed-Chamber. _Augustus_ II. at the request of the late Czar _Peter the
Great_, plac'd him Governor to the Czarowitz when that young Prince came
into _Germany_. He continued in this Post till after the Marriage of the
Czarowitz to the Princess of _Brunswic-Wolfembuttle-Blanckenbourg_. After
his return to _Saxony_ he accompanied the late King to _Berlin_, when his
Majesty together with _Frederic_ IV. King of _Denmark_, went thither to
make a visit to _Frederic_ I. King of _Prussia_. In 1711, M. _de
Seyffertitz_ was appointed Marshal of the Embassy which _Augustus_ II.
sent to _Francfort_, for the Election of an Emperor. His Imperial Majesty
_Charles_ VI. at the Ceremony of his Coronation, made him a Knight of the
Empire, and at length the late King made him one of his Chamberlains, and
then Great Master of the Kitchens, which Office he manages with Dignity
and Politeness. He married a Lady of the Family of _Haxthausen_, Widow of
the Count _de Beichling_ the Great Faulconer. They are both of the
_Lutheran_ Communion.
In the absence of the Grand Marshal, the Great Master of the Kitchens
officiates, and at the grand Ceremonies wears like him a Staff tipp'd with
Silver gilt. Under his Province are the Comptrollers of the Kitchen and of
the Houshold, the Clerks of the Kitchen, the Purveyors, the Cooks and
Turn-spits, the Pastry-Cooks, the Pursers, Fishmongers, _&c._
VI. The GREAT CUP-BEARER is _John-Adolphus de Haugwitz_, a Gentleman of
good Extraction. His Father was Grand Marshal to the late King. He is a
handsome Man, has a noble Mien, performs all sorts of Exercises with a
Grace and with Dexterity, and does the Honours of the Court in a becoming
manner. He is of the Protestant Religion, and married to a Lady of the
Family of _Beist_. His Employment sets him above all the Officers of the
King's Buttery, Cellar, and Pantry. In the absence of the Grand Marshal
and the Master of the Kitchens, he officiates for them, and at great
Ceremonies he carries like them a Staff of Silver gilt.
VII. The GREAT FAULCONER is an Office held by _Anthony_ Count _de
Moschinski_, a _Polish_ Nobleman, and a _Roman_ Catholic. He was formerly
Page to the King, and attended his Majesty in his Tours to _France_ and
_Italy_, where he acquir'd great Politeness, and a very engaging
Deportment. At his return to _Dresden_, he was made one of the Gentlemen
of the Bed-Chamber to the King, who was then the Prince Royal. Afterwards
the late King appointed him one of his Chamberlains; and when the Count
_de Fitztuhm_ unhappily lost his life at _Warsaw_, his Majesty who had
given his Office of Great Chamberlain to the Count _de Friesland_,
bestow'd that of _Great Faulconer_, which was held by that Nobleman, upon
the Count _de Moschinski_, who was grac'd almost at the same time with the
Order of the _White Eagle_, and the Post of Treasurer to the Court of
_Poland_. His Majesty also granted him in Marriage one of his natural
Children, the Daughter of the Countess _de Cosel_. Never was a Person more
deserving of Honours than the Great Faulconer, who is truly magnificent,
and makes such an Appearance, that he does an Honour to his Character. By
his Behaviour he engages the Friendship and Regard of all that have to do
with him. He has under his command the Officers of the Faulconry or Mews
where the Hawks are kept, the Faulconers, and in general all those Persons
that have any relation to the Faulconry.
VIII. The GREAT MASTER of the WARDROBE is _Alexander-Joseph_ Count _de
Sulkowski_. He has under his Jurisdiction the _Catholic_ Clergy, the
_Physicians_ of the _Body_, the _Footmen_, the _Secretaries_, _Writers_
and _Clerks_ of the _Chamber_, the _Inspectors_ of the _Chamber_ of
_Curiosities_, the _Ushers_ of the _Chamber_ and of the _King's Closet_,
his _Peruke-makers_, _Surgeons_ and _Taylors_, the _Negroes_, _Dwarfs_,
and _Pages_ of the _Back-Stairs_, the _Architects_, _Engineers_ and
_Designers_.
IX. The POST-MASTER-GENERAL is _Maurice-Charles_ Count _de Linar_, who is
also one of the Chamberlains, and a Knight of the Order of St. _John_. He
is descended from a Family which has been of Eminence for a long time in
this Electorate. His good Mien is answerable to his Birth, and by his
Politeness, his Manners, and his Expences, he does an honour to the Prince
that employs him. The King, after his Coronation, sent him to _Muscovy_ to
notify the Accomplishment of that Ceremony to the Empress of the
_Russians_, and he still continues at that Princess's Court, to take care
of his Master's Interests, which he does in a way that cannot but turn to
his own Advantage, and the Honour of the King.[70] This Gentleman was also
employ'd by the late King at the Court of _Prussia_, and at the _British_
Court when at _Hanover_, and always discharg'd his Commissions with such
Success as was crown'd with his Majesty's Approbation.
X. The MARSHAL of the COURT is _John-George d'Einsiedel_, who is also a
Privy-Counsellor, and a Gentleman of a good Family, his Ancestors having
possessed the chief Offices of the State. He has visited the principal
Courts of _Europe_, where he contracted that polite Turn which is seen in
his Behaviour. He is a handsome Man, has a noble Air, and his Demeanour is
answerable. He knows a great deal, and performs all the academical
Exercises very well. He married the Daughter of the General Count _de
Flemming_ Governor of _Leipsic_, who was a rich Heiress, and to be valued
for the Qualities of her Mind. The Marshal of the Court and his Lady are
both of the _Lutheran_ Communion. His Office joins him in Commission with
the Grand Marshal, the Great Master of the Kitchens, and the Great
Cup-Bearer; and like those Officers he carries the short Staff of Silver
gilt at the grand Ceremonies. 'Tis commonly he that makes the
Court-Entertainments.
_Curt d'Einsiedel_ Marshal of the Court, and one of the Chamberlains, is
remarked for his genteel Mien and Extraction. His good Qualities and
Deportment render him worthy of all Employments. He is of the establish'd
Religion of _Saxony_, and lately married Madamoiselle _de Schoneberg de
Maxen_, whose Personal Charms are an Ornament to the Court.
_Ernest-Ferdinand d'Ermandsdorff_, Marshal of the King's Houshold, and one
of the Chamberlains, has procur'd himself Esteem by his Merit as well as
his good Birth and Breeding. Besides his Knowledge of various kinds which
qualifies him for Business, he is Master of several Languages,
particularly the _French_. He married a Lady of the Family of _Hesler_,
and they are both of the _Lutheran_ Religion.
XI. The CHAMBERLAINS. Of these there are too many to be all mention'd
here, so that I shall only take notice of the twelve Pensioners who are in
waiting about their Majesties, and without regarding the Seniority of
their Admittance. They commonly attend the King and Queen, each a whole
Week in their turn, and have the Rank of Major-Generals. The finest
Prerogative of their Employment; is the Honour of eating with their
Majesties when they are in Waiting, and of being the Depositaries of the
Petitions which are presented to the King in his Passage.
1. _Henry Rodolph de Schonfeld_, Lord of _Lowenitz_, is the King's first
Chamberlain. He has a fine Presence and Behaviour, and a sweet and amiable
Temper. He keeps a handsome Table and Equipage, suitable to his Fortune.
He attended the King, by his Majesty's Order, to _Cracow_, and lastly to
_Oliva_.
2. _Helmuth de Plesk_ is of a Family in the Dutchy of _Holstein_, of some
Note for their great Estate there, and for the Rank they bear at the Court
of _Denmark_, where several Lords of _Plesk_ are in the Ministry. The
Gentleman here mention'd is actually the King's Envoy Extraordinary to the
Court of _Denmark_.
3. _Augustus-Henry Gottlob_, Count _de Callenberg_, is of this Electorate,
where his Family has for a long time enjoy'd a considerable Rank, and a
fine Estate. He has been the King's Envoy Extraordinary to the Courts of
_France_, _Brussels_, _Cologn_, _Triers_, and the Elector _Palatine_, to
notify the Death of the late King, and the Accession of their present
Majesties to the Electorate. He married the Countess of _Bose_, lives
nobly, and adorns the Court by his Politeness. He is of the Protestant
Communion.
4. _John-George de Carlowitz_ is of the same Religion. He is a _Saxon_,
and married to Madamoiselle _de Neitsch_. He has a peculiar Talent of
gaining the Love of all Mankind; which he owes to his Travels, and his
natural Genius.
5. _Frederic-Augustus de Brandstein_, after having finish'd his Studies at
_Wittenberg_, travell'd to good purpose to the principal Countries of
_Europe_. At his return the late King declar'd him a Gentleman of his
Bed-Chamber, and some time after one of his Chamberlains. He is well
descended, and what is convenient for a Courtier, he adheres to the
Religion which is uppermost in the State.
6. _Detler-Henry d'Einsiedel_, Brother to the Marshal of the Court,
honours his Name by his personal Qualities. He is a handsome tall
Gentleman, has a grand Presence, and few Gentlemen surpass him in Good
Manners, Address, and polite Literature. He study'd at _Wittenberg_, and
afterwards made a Visit to the principal Courts of _Europe_: The last he
made was to that of _Sweden_, whither he was sent by the King to notify
the Death of his late Majesty, and the Accession of his present Majesty to
the Electorate.
7. _Sigismond d'Arnim_, is not only one of the King's Chamberlains, but
Colonel of a Regiment of Horse. He is of an ancient Family which has Lands
in _Lusatia_. His Employments are owing both to his Birth and personal
Merit. He is of the Religion of the Country.
8. _Maximilian_, Count _d'Herzan_, is of _Bohemia_. The late Countess his
Mother was the Queen's first Lady of Honour, and attended her Majesty
hither from _Vienna_. He is able to cut a Figure at Court, but is absent
above half of his time; and is a _Roman_ Catholic.
9. _Charles-Christian de Minckwitz_, is a Gentleman of a fine Mien. As he
has been a great Traveller, he has acquir'd a great share of Knowledge and
Politeness. He was born a _Saxon_, but has embrac'd the _Roman_ Catholic
Faith; tho' he has defeated himself by it of the Reversion of a
considerable Inheritance.
10. _Henry-Augustus de Breitenbauch_, is a Gentleman of fine Sense and
Manners suitable to his Extraction. Such is his good Taste and Skill in
Music, that he has been singled out for the Direction of the King's
Pleasures. He is of the Communion of the Country, and marry'd to a Lady of
the Family of _Schonberg_.
11. _Nicholas-Schwizinski_ is a Native of _Poland_; he has valuable
Qualities, and a great Attachment to the _Roman_ Catholic Religion.
12. _N. N. de Sehgutt-Stanislawski_ is of a Family which was formerly
possess'd of a great Estate in _Silesia_, with the Title of the Counts _de
Sehgutt_, till the Conquest of the Country by the _Teutonic_ Knights, when
his Ancestors remov'd to _Prussia_; and spreading afterwards in _Poland_,
they assum'd the Name of _Stanislawski_, as what was more agreeable to the
_Poles_. This Chamberlain is a Person of strict Honour and Integrity,
without any manner of Guile. He spent his Youth at the Academy of _Berlin_
which was erected by King _Frederic_ I. and afterwards enter'd as
Gentleman of the Bed-Chamber to _Augustus_ II. who not many Years after
made him a Chamberlain of _Poland_, and put him upon the Establishment of
_Saxony_; and when the present King came to the Government, he continued
him in his Employment. His Majesty also made choice of him to attend him
to _Cracow_, and lastly to _Oliva_.
XII. Of the STEWARD of the QUEEN'S HOUSHOLD. Since the Queen's Arrival at
_Dresden_, there have been four Stewards of her Majesty's Houshold. The
Count _de Diedrichstein_ was the first that had this Place, which he
resign'd for the Grand Priory of _Bohemia_. His Successor was the Count
_de Konigsegg_ who actually commands the Emperor's Army in _Lombardy_.
This General being recall'd to _Vienna_, was replac'd by the Count _de
Wratislau_, and he by the Count _de Waldstein_ who lately quitted that
Post to go and take possession of the Office of _Landshauptmann_, or
Intendant of _Silesia_, which was conferr'd on him by the Emperor. The
Count _de Wratislaw_, who has the care of his Imperial Majesty's Affairs
at this Court, officiates there again as Steward. This is the Officer who
leads the Queen, and gives Orders to all her Officers and Domestics, and
who must be apply'd to by those that solicite for an Audience of her
Majesty.
XIII. The _Queen's first Lady of Honour_, is _Theresa_ Baroness of
_Stein_, and Countess Dowager of _Collowrat_; who honours her Station by
her Virtues, and by the Dignity with which she fills it. The late Count
_de Collowrat_ her Husband was Great Chamberlain of _Bohemia_, and one of
the chief Noblemen of that Kingdom. This Lady, his Relict, is a _Roman_
Catholic, and is such in an exemplary manner. Those Ladies who want to
kiss the Queen's Hand, or to pay their Duty to her, must apply to this
Lady, who introduces and presents them. She has the Precedence before all
other Ladies, and only yields it to the Princesses of the Blood.
XIV. Of the _Governess of the Ladies of Honour, and of the Ladies of
Honour themselves_. In the absence of the first Lady of Honour, the
Governess of the Ladies officiates. The Baroness Dowager of _Rohr_
worthily fills this Station, and has under her six Ladies, two of whom,
_viz._ the Countesses of _Waldstein_ and _Kokersowitz_, are Ladies of the
Bed-Chamber, a Title which procures them Admittance to the Queen's Closet.
All the Ladies of Honour must always appear in the Court-Dress. Their
manner of Living is such that it obliges Calumny itself to respect them.
XV. Of the _Lords and Ladies that are attach'd to the Court by their
Offices, or by the Favours of the King_.
Tho' the _Polish_ Lords cannot be put upon the Establishment of the Court
of _Saxony_, that there may be nothing in common between the two States,
yet it may be thought inexcusable not to mention in this place
_John-Alexander Lipski_, Bishop of _Cracow_, Duke of _Servia_, and Great
Chancellor of _Poland_; not only because this Prelate, who is descended
from one of the best Families in the Kingdom, was appointed Bishop of
_Cracow_ by the late King, but because he has given signal Proofs of his
Gratitude and Attachment to the august Family of his Benefactor. The
Virtues of this Gentleman intitle him to Respect: He is pious without
Hypocrisy, generous without Ostentation, magnificent without Pageantry,
officious meerly for the Pleasure of obliging, a Courtier without
Servility, a Man strictly attach'd to his King and his Country, learned
without being positive, a great Orator, a good Bishop, and a wise
Minister, always ready to embrace a good Proposal, and firm to support it,
laborious, vigilant, acting only out of Principle, and by consequence
susceptible of Friendship, and scorning Revenge. The late King, out of his
Esteem for the Qualities of this Prelate, made him Bishop of _Cracow_,
Great Chancellor of _Poland_, and honour'd him with his Order of the White
Eagle. By this means he so rivetted him to his Interest, and to that of
the Prince his Son, that after his Majesty's Decease, his most Reverend
Highness directed Affairs in such a manner that the Republic chose his Son
for their King. _Augustus_ II. being proclaim'd accordingly, the Prince
and Bishop was appointed Head of the Embassy which the States of the
Kingdom sent to the new Monarch at _Tarnowitz_, to carry him the Diploma
of his Election. He spoke upon this occasion with a noble Eloquence,
rendering to their Majesties all due Respects, and yet maintaining the
Dignity of the most Serene Republic. Having discharg'd this Commission,
he went before the King to _Cracow_, made his Entry there, and took
possession of the Bishoprick. Some days after this, he consecrated and
crown'd their Majesties in his Metropolis. When the King return'd to
_Saxony_, the Prelate followed him, and attended him to _Oliva_; and 'twas
he that receiv'd the Allegiance and Homage of the _Dantzickers_ to his
Majesty. He is since come hither to rejoin the Court, is belov'd,
reverenc'd, and every one does Justice to his Virtues.
_Charles-Lewis_, Prince of _Holstein-Beck_, Colonel in the Service of the
King, and Knight of the Order of the White Eagle, is the second Son of the
late _Lewis-Frederic_ Veldt-Marshal of _Prussia_, Governour of
_Koningsberg_, and Knight of the Order of the Elephant. This Prince
married _Anne_ Countess of _Orselska_, the legitimated Daughter of the
late King.
_George-Ignatius_, Prince _de Lubomirski_, Sword-Bearer of the Crown,
Lieutenant-General of the King's Forces, Colonel of the Life-Guards, and
Knight of the Order of the White Eagle, is descended from a Family of very
great Distinction in _Poland_. After he return'd from his Travels, being
attach'd to the Court of _Augustus_ II. he married the Daughter of the
Count _de Fitztuhm_, who was Great Chamberlain; a Lady of such Beauty,
such personal Charms, and such fine Sense, that she engages the Veneration
of all that know her. Prince _Lubomirski_ is a jolly handsome Man, very
polite, thinks and acts agreeable to his Birth, has a good share of
Literature, and is perfect Master of Music. He lives in a handsome manner
very suitable to his Rank.
The _Princess_ of _Teschen_ is a _Polish_ Lady, and ally'd to the greatest
Families in the Kingdom. Her Uncle was the famous Cardinal _Radjowski_,
Archbishop of _Gnesna_, and Primate of the Kingdom. She was formerly
marry'd to Prince _Lubomirski_, Great Chamberlain of the Crown; but the
Marriage was dissolved, so that she quitted the Name of _Lubomirski_ for
that of _Teschen_, which she still bears, tho' she afterwards marry'd
Prince _Lewis_ of _Wirtemberg_. This Princess supports her Rank with
Dignity, has a grand Air, is respected for a noble distinguish'd and
engaging Behaviour, and lives in so handsome a manner, that she is one of
the most shining Ornaments of this Court.
_Josepha_ Countess _de Lagnasco_ is the Daughter of the Count _de
Wallenstein_, who was Great Chamberlain to the Emperor _Joseph_, and one
of the most worthy Noblemen of the Imperial Court, by _Eleonora_ Countess
of _Losenstein_; a Lady whose Memory is with Justice rever'd by all
_Vienna_. The Countess _de Lagnasco_ was the Widow of Count _Thaun_, when
she marry'd the late Count _de Lagnasco_, Minister of the Cabinet to
_Augustus_ II. General of the _Saxon_ Cavalry, Captain of the
Horse-Guards, and Knight of the Order of the White Eagle. Since that
Nobleman's Decease, which was in _April_ 1732, his Widow has always liv'd
at _Dresden_; where she enjoys the Esteem of their Majesties, and the
Veneration of the Courtiers. This Countess is Mistress of several
Languages to Perfection, thoroughly understands Music, and sings with
Grace and Method. Her noble generous way of living, and her graceful and
distinguish'd Behaviour cannot be express'd, nor indeed equall'd to any
thing but the Goodness of her Temper. The late Count _de Lagnasco_ is of a
good Stature, and his Behaviour polite and civil. I think you know that he
was of a Family in _Piedmont_ of some Distinction. How, or when he first
enter'd into the Service of the King of _Poland_, I cannot tell you; but I
know that he presently insinuated himself into his Master's Favour, by
his very great Assiduity, agreeable Temper, and by a vast Complaisance to
enter into his Pleasures. He establish'd himself so firmly in the King's
Favour that the Count _de Flemming_ look'd upon him as the only Rival he
had to fear, and therefore he never much lik'd him. The Count _de
Lagnasco_ was employ'd in several Embassies; and when he had finish'd that
at _Rome_, which was his last, there was a Talk that he was to go
Ambassador to _Vienna_, and that the young Count _de Wackerbart_ was to go
to _Rome_. I must further acquaint you that M. _de Lagnasco_ was happy in
all respects, even in Marriage, not only with his first, but his second
Wife, who, when he married her, was a young, rich, brisk Widow. His first
Wife was the Daughter of the Count _de Noyelles_, Lieutenant-General in
_Holland_, a Lady of great Virtue, esteemed by all the People at the
_Hague_, and possess'd of a considerable Estate, of which, dying young,
and without Issue, she made her Husband sole Heir.
_Francis_, Count _de Montmorency_, is a Name too well known to speak of
his Extraction. He was a Colonel in _France_ when he went into the Service
of _Augustus_ II. who receiv'd him with that Demonstration of Esteem which
that King was so ready to grant to Persons of Merit. His Majesty first
appointed him Major-General of his Forces, and some time after he declar'd
him a Lieutenant-General, and Captain of his Horse-Guards. At that time
the Count married Madame _Potschin_, Widow of the Great General of
_Lithuania_; a Lady whose Birth, Qualities, and Fortune, recommended her
for a very considerable Match. The Countess _de Montmorency_, in the time
of her former Husband, went to _Paris_ for the Recovery of her Health, and
receiv'd extraordinary Honours at the _French_ Court, where she was
admir'd for her Politeness, the Delicacy of her Sentiments, and the Ease
with which she express'd them in the Language of _France_; from whence
they conceiv'd an advantagious Idea of the Court of _Augustus_ II. not
imagining how 'twas possible for the Manners of a Foreign Lady so much to
resemble their own. She is also as much rever'd at _Dresden_ as at
_Paris_; and all that know her, agree she is highly to be valued for her
Sentiments.
_Antoinetta_ of _Lichtenstein_, Countess of _Wallenstein_, is Wife to
_Leopold_ Count _de Wallenstein_, heretofore Great Master of the Queen's
Houshold; a Lady both belov'd and honour'd at this place, for her Virtues
and civil Deportment; and as she is preparing to follow her Husband into
_Silesia_, she will carry with her the Esteem of their Majesties, and
leave the Court sorry for her Absence.
XVI. _Of the Foreign Ministers who reside at this Court._
_Francis-Charles_ Count _de Wratislaw_, one of the Emperor's Privy
Council, and Knight of the Orders of _Russia_ and _Poland_, resides at
this Court in quality of Ambassador from his Imperial and Catholic
Majesty. He is descended from one of the greatest Families in the Kingdom
of _Bohemia_, and a Family which has given wise Ministers to the august
House of _Austria_. This Gentleman has been for a long time in the
Management of the most important Affairs: He was Ambassador for the
Kingdom of _Bohemia_ to the Dyet of the Empire at _Ratisbon_; From thence
he went in the same Character to _Poland_, where he was present at the
Dyet of _Grodno_. The Emperor afterwards nam'd him Great Master of the
Houshold to the Princess Royal and Electoral, now Queen of _Poland_. The
Count having worthily acquitted himself of that Office, was for several
Years Ambassador at _Russia_, where he concluded that happy Alliance
subsisting between the two Empires, and acquired the Esteem of the
Empress, who honor'd him with her Order of St. _Andrew_; _Augustus_ II.
having before given him that of the White Eagle.