by the Emperor with important Commissions to the Courts of _Prussia_,
_Brunswic_, and _Holstein_. At length he is come back again to this Court,
as Ambassador from his Imperial and Catholic Majesty; and officiates also
as Great Master of the Queen's Houshold. This Nobleman is of a middling
Stature, of a happy Physiognomy, is civil, beneficent, and loves Grandeur
and Pleasures, but does not abandon himself to them so far as to neglect
the Interests of his Master, whose Affairs he negociates with a noble
Candour which has render'd him as much esteem'd at the Courts where he has
resided, as he is beloved for his Affability and Politeness. His Wife is
the Countess of _Kinski_, whose Father was Great Chancellor of _Bohemia_,
under the Emperor _Leopold_, and whose Brother is now in that Office under
the most August _Charles_ VI.
_Hermann-Charles Keyserling_, Plenipotentiary Minister from the Empress of
the _Russians_, is of a Family of Note in _Courland_. He study'd at
_Koningsberg_ in _Prussia_. After he had visited the principal Courts of
_Germany_, and return'd to his own Country, he was made Gentleman of the
Bed-Chamber to the Dutchess of _Courland_, _Anne_ of _Muscovy_, the
present Empress, who employ'd him in several Commissions to the Courts of
_Prussia_ and _Poland_. Nevertheless he quitted her Service for one of the
judicial Offices in that Country.
When _Anne_ came to the Throne, the States of _Courland_ deputed M.
_Keyserling_ to that Princess, who offer'd him an Employment at her
Court, and appointed him Vice-President of the Chamber of Justice of the
_Russian_ Empire. Some time after, she made him President of the Academy
of Sciences at _Petersbourg_, and sent him to this Court, where he
discharges his Ministerial Office with universal Approbation. The Wife of
this Minister is the Daughter of the Starost _Forchs_, who, for opposing
the Pretensions of a certain Power which challeng'd more Respect, was
assassinated at _Mittaw_. Both he and his Lady are of the _Lutheran_
Communion.
_John-Hartwig-Ernest_, Baron of _Bernsdorff_, Gentleman of the Bed-Chamber
to the King of _Denmark_, and his Majesty's Envoy at this Court, is of a
Family which is possess'd of a fine Estate in _Mecklembourg_, and has
given an able Minister to the House of _Hanover_. The Envoy, of whom
mention is here made, does honour to his Character, and behaves with a
Prudence not inferior to Ministers of the greatest Experience.
* * * * *
By the Detail I have now given you, Sir, you must have observ'd that the
chief Employments of the Court are in the hands of Foreigners, and that
_Saxons_ have little to do in Affairs of State, for which they are oblig'd
indeed to the Count _de Flemming_. This vain, haughty, and imperious
Minister expected every one shou'd truckle to him. He found that
Foreigners were much more submissive than the _Saxons_, who are by nature
stately, and Enemies to Slavery in any shape. Count _Flemming_ being dead,
it's probable that the _Saxons_ will be more employ'd than they have been;
and indeed they have Capacities equal to any Nation in the World. They are
well made, robust, agile, laborious, good Soldiers, cunning Courtiers.
They have naturally more Spirit than the _French_ allow to the _Germans_;
they improve in the Sciences, and in bodily Exercises, and they have good
Writers among them upon all sorts of Subjects; witness the Works of M.
_Leibnitz_, the famous Philosopher, and of _Thomasius_, one of the most
able Civilians of his time. The _Saxons_ are addicted indeed to all
Pleasures in general, but to none so much as the Bottle and Gaming. They
love Pomp and Expence, and are naturally not very engaging, being
exceeding ceremonious, and affecting more than all the _Germans_ to ape
the _French_, with whom they sympathise very much, particularly in their
Fondness for new Fashions, their Forwardness to make new Acquaintance and
Friendships, and perhaps too in their Readiness to fall out with them upon
very trivial Occasion.
Since I have spoke so much of the Men, I must also give you some account
of the _Saxon_ Women. They are all of a fair Complexion, and there are
among them the finest Faces in the World. They are generally well shap'd
too, which is what they are chiefly taken notice of for: They are tall and
slender; they dance well, and have a surprising genteel Air, which they
take great care to improve by rich Dress. One Fault I find with them is,
that they are very affected, and that they have too much Action when they
talk. As to their Tempers, they are reckon'd to be good-natur'd; but then
they are subtile and crafty. They love Dress and Ornament more than all
Women that I ever saw. They are lively and gay, and passionately fond of
Dancing and Merriment. When they are told that they are handsome, they are
so far from being surpriz'd that they look upon it as a Compliment due to
them. When once they love, they love with Tenderness; and there are among
them such Examples of Constancy as would eclipse even a _Cleopatra_, or a
_Clelia_. These heroic Sentiments of Love they learn from Romances, which
they are vastly fond of: But this must be said to their Honour, that
Gallantry does not take up so much of their Time and Thoughts as to make
them neglect their Business; for they are laborious, dextrous, and amuse
themselves with all sorts of Work. They do every thing too with a good
Grace; and in a word it may be added to their Praise, that a _Saxon_ Woman
wants nothing more to make her amiable, but an Inclination to acquire that
Character.
Pleasures and Recreations commonly attend the Ladies so closely, that in
treating of the one I can't but remember the other; and the Inhabitants of
_Dresden_ are so much devoted to Pleasures, that I think I ought to put
them into a separate Article. When the King is at _Dresden_ there are
Pleasures in abundance, such as Plays, Masquerades, Balls, Feasts, Running
at the Ring, and Races on Sleds, Turnaments, Hunting-Matches; but when the
King is in _Poland_ there's a very great _Vacuum_. The Electoral Prince
and Princess are often at _Wermstorff_, alias _Hubertsbourg_; and even
when their Royal Highnesses are in Town, they are pretty retir'd: They see
Company while they are at Dinner, but for the rest of the day none come
near them besides the few that have the honour of their Confidence. The
rest are scatter'd up and down the Town to the great Disappointment of
Foreigners that happen then to be here; for there's no body keeps open
House, they being all select Societies to which 'tis very difficult to
gain admittance. If one is invited to dine with some Lord of the Court,
one has a good Dinner 'tis true, but after Dinner is over a Man knows not
how to bestow himself. One is sure of finding Company no where except at
the Houses of Madame _de Brebentau_ the Widow of the great Treasurer of
_Poland_, and of the Countess _de Lagnasco_; nor are their Houses always
open, for Madame _de Brebentau_ is often sick, and Madame _de Lagnasco_
often abroad, or engag'd in Parties with the Electoral Princess, and then
one knows not where to go; for there's no Play to be seen, and as for the
young People, they amuse themselves with the common Pleasures of that
Stage of Life; they drink, they game, and do something more.
When the King is at _Dresden_, the People partake in most of the Pleasures
of the Court, the generality of the Entertainments which the King gives
being public. Plays and Masquerades are free for any People of Fashion;
there's nothing to pay, and all divert themselves as they like best. The
Citizens Wives are more tractable here than in any Town in _Germany_: They
love to imitate the Ladies of Quality, and 'tis sometimes as good as a
Comedy to see what Airs they give themselves.
They are extremely fond of Dressing, which Luxurious Taste extends even to
Wives of the Mechanics, and of the Livery; so that were a Stranger to come
hither on a Sunday or a Holiday, when every body is dress'd, he wou'd be
tempted to think that _Plutus_ had scatter'd all his Wealth among these
People; and a very great Nobleman, who 'tis like was not acquainted with
the God _Plutus_, returning home once from _Dresden_, told his Wife that
he was come from a City to which the Devil had carry'd all the Money.
The Parsons here do indeed cry aloud against these Abuses, but the worst
on't is, that like the Clergy in many other Places, they preach what they
don't practise; and while they are declaiming against Luxury and new
Fashions, they suffer their Wives and Daughters to be the first to set off
their Charms with the gayest and the newest Patterns.
While I am speaking of the Pastors, I must be a little more particular.
These Gentlemen stand very high in the Opinion of the Laity, and are
ready to think themselves Bishops. Having such Notions as these in their
Heads, they anathematise all that are not _Lutherans_: The _Catholics_ and
the _Reform'd_, or, to speak as they do, the _Papists_ and _Calvinists_,
all Christians in short who are of a contrary Opinion to those charitable
Ecclesiastics are damn'd without Mercy. Yet by the Appearance of these
severe Judges, one would think they preach'd only Peace and Paradise; and
they have such a meek, humble, modest, and timorous Air, that you wou'd be
apt to take them for Saints.
A few days ago I had an Adventure with one of those Clergymen, which I
will acquaint you of, because I think it may give you an Idea of their
Character; for he that sees one of them, sees all.
I happen'd to be making a Visit to a _Lutheran_ Lady, who passes for a
very devout one: There was already a pretty deal of Company, and who
should come in to add to it but a Minister that was a Doctor, and by
consequence a Man of Importance; as such too he was receiv'd by the
Mistress of the House, who said to me as soon as she saw his Face, _You
will now see a holy Man_. The good Man, or Saint, as he wou'd be reckon'd,
enter'd the Room with his Eyes cast downward, making profound Reverences,
and prostrating himself in such a manner as if he had said _Domine non sum
dignus_. At last, after a great many Compliments, he sat down, was silent
for a few Moments, and then he spoke. His Words were all sacred, and his
Sentences such as if the wise Man himself had spoke with his Lips: _God be
prais'd_ was in every Phrase, and he was hearken'd to with as much
Attention as an Oracle. I listen'd to him first like the rest, but at
length I thought I might as well talk to a pretty young Lady that sat just
by me. The Doctor offended to see the little Regard I paid to what he
said, enquir'd of the Mistress of the House who I was. She told him my
Name, and withal that I was once a _Calvinist_, but that I was turn'd
_Papist_. What a Thunder-stroke was this to the Doctor! He threw himself
to the back of his Chair, lifted up his Eyes to Heaven, sigh'd, and cry'd
out, _Das Gott erbarme_, i. e. _God help us_. Then transported by a Fit of
Zeal, he turn'd about to me and ask'd me what had induc'd me to embrace a
Religion which he treated as Idolatry? I told him that I did not think he
need to give himself any Trouble about my Conversion, since according to
his System I was damn'd when a _Calvinist_ as well as when a _Catholic_.
_The Case is not quite the same_, said the Minister; but to turn _Papist_!
cry'd he, to _adore Baal! to become a Disciple of Antichrist! alas! it
were better to be a damn'd Calvinist!_ I own that I had much ado to help
laughing outright at the Minister's impertinent Zeal: yet I had the
Discretion to contain myself, for I had a mind to see to what length he
wou'd carry his sanctify'd Rant. He said indeed a great deal, and because
I made no Answer, he thought he had convinc'd me, if not touch'd me to the
quick. He was actually applauding himself for the good Work he had wrought
upon my Soul, when I told him that he ought not to conclude from my
Silence that he had convinc'd me; that it neither consisted with my
Character nor my Temper to dispute about Religion, that I left every Man
to his own Opinion, and that I knew which to adhere to. _What Blindness is
here!_ cry'd the Doctor again, _What a mad Papist are you? If you will not
be of our Communion_, return to the _Religion which you have abandon'd, in
which there are some Hopes at least that God will pardon you_.
The fanatical Doctor concluded his Exclamations by a Prayer, in which he
begg'd God to preserve every good _Lutheran_ Soul from the Errors of
Popery; and then he went away, leaving the Company more scandaliz'd than
edify'd by his Zeal.
Formerly the Preachers had the pleasure of venting their Choler in the
Pulpit, but the King by a wise Decree, which indeed ought to be followed
in all Countries, has confin'd them to the Preaching of the Gospel, and to
treat of Controversial Matters no farther than is merely necessary for the
People's Instruction. For the rest, the Parsons need not fear being soon
supplanted, for the _Saxons_ are hearty _Lutherans_; and if they tolerate
the Catholics, 'tis because they can't help it. They have excluded them
from Offices in the Courts of Judicature, and from the Privilege of
enjoying Lands; but they have not been able to keep them out of Places in
the Ministry, or at Court, nor from Employments in the Army, which are
three very engaging Articles to make Proselytes among the Gentry.
* * * * *
Thus, Sir, you have all that I can say to you relating to _Dresden_ and
_Saxony_. 'Tis now high time to put an end to my Legend. I kiss your hand,
and am, _&c._
[Illustration]
[Illustration]
LETTER VI.
_SIR_, _Weimar, Sept. 5, 1729._
Before I write you an account of what became of me when I left _Dresden_,
I shall endeavour to give you the Intelligence you desire concerning the
late Count _de Flemming_, Prime Minister and Velt-Marshal of _Saxony_.
That Nobleman was of a good Extraction, being descended of a Family which
pretends to derive its Origin from that of _Flemming_, which has been of
considerable Rank for a long time in _Scotland_, _Sweden_, _Germany_, and
_Poland_. My Lord _Wigtoun_ is the Chief of that Family in _Scotland_.
_James-Henry_ Count _de Flemming_, whose Pourtraiture and Character you
desire of me, was born the 8th of _March_ 1667. His Father was President
of the Regency of _Stargard_, the Capital of _Prussian Pomerania_, who had
three Sons, of whom this Count was the second. He had an Education
suitable to his Birth. He study'd first at _Francfort_ upon the _Oder_,
and afterwards at _Utrecht_ under the celebrated _Grevius_, where he
learnt _Latin_ to such a degree that he always spoke it with very great
Eloquence. After he had finish'd his Studies he enter'd into the Service
of _Brandenbourg_, where the Baron _de Span_, his Uncle by the Mother's
side, was Velt-Marshal. His first Preferment was to a Pair of Colours; but
in a little time he had a Company given him, which he commanded at the
Battle of _Orbassan_ in _Piedmont_. In 1694, he enter'd as a
Lieutenant-Colonel into the Service of _John-George_ IV. Elector of
_Saxony_; upon whose Death, and the Succession of _Frederic-Augustus_,
_Flemming_ obtain'd a Regiment, and accompany'd the new Elector into
_Hungary_, where he commanded the Emperor's Army against the Infidels
during the Campaigns of 1695, and 1696. There it was that _Flemming_
kill'd in a Duel the Baron _de Lovel_, who was Lieutenant-Colonel in the
Service of _Saxony_. In 1697, he was sent into _Poland_, where, by the
Interest of his Cousin-german, the Daughter of Velt-Marshal _Span_ of
_Berlin_, Wife of M. _Brebentau_ Palatine of _Marienbourg_, who died Great
Treasurer of _Poland_, and by the Credit of _Benedict Sapieha_ he had the
Happiness of getting his Master chose King of _Poland_. This Negotiation
obtain'd him the Post of Major-General, and laid the Foundation of his
Fortune. In 1700, he was made a Lieutenant-General, and in that Quality
laid siege to _Riga_, which the King of _Sweden_ oblig'd him to raise. In
1702, he marry'd _Sapieha_, a Daughter of one of the chief Noblemen of
_Lithuania_. He was wounded the same Year at the Battle of _Clischhoff_,
at which time the King of _Sweden_ being every where victorious, demanded
that the King of _Poland_ shou'd deliver up _Flemming_ to him. But upon
this he retir'd to _Brandenbourg_, till King _Stanislaus_ had made
_Charles_ XII. easy. _Flemming_ being return'd to _Saxony_, fought a Duel
with M. _de Schulembourg_, who giving him a Fall, insisted that he should
beg his Life; but _Flemming_ got out of this ugly Scrape by a scurvy Joke,
and _Schulembourg_ gave him his Life. The latter was a younger
Lieutenant-General than _Flemming_, but in every respect his Rival, and
wou'd have been a Marshal if his Fortune had been as good as his Valour.
At the Battle of _Frauenstad_ in 1705, where he was defeated by the
_Swedes_, _Schulembourg_ quitted the Service of _Saxony_ and went into
that _of Venice_. By this means _Flemming_, who had now no Rival left, was
made a Marshal, and happen'd to be at _Dresden_ when the King of _Sweden_
made that strange Visit to the King of _Poland_; at which time, if
_Augustus_ had been as ungenerous as _Flemming_, _Charles_ wou'd have been
detain'd. Many People accuse _Flemming_ of having persuaded the King his
Master to deliver up _Patkul_: This I can't pretend to affirm, but that
there was a mortal Antipathy betwixt him and the Minister of _Russia_ is
certain; for the latter having presented a Memorial to the King of
_Poland_, setting forth the wretched condition of the _Muscovite_ Troops
in the Pay of _Saxony_, concluded it with these _Latin_ Words,
DIXI, ET SALVAVI ANIMAM.
Which Memorial, when _Flemming_ had read, and found himself not very well
used in it, he took a Pen and underwrote these Words,
MALEDIXISTI, ET DAMNABERIS.
After the Disaster which _Charles_ XII. met with near _Pultowa_,
_Flemming_ contributed very much to the Re-establishment of King
_Augustus_ in _Poland_. He confirm'd the Alliance betwixt his Master and
the Czar, made Peace with the Confederates, and concluded another Alliance
with _Denmark_. The Czar and the King of _Denmark_ honour'd him with their
Orders of Knighthood, and he had that of _Poland_ before. He went
Ambassador to the unsuccessful Congress at _Brunswic_, and was afterwards
at _Hanover_ to attend _George_ I. King of _Great Britain_. When the King
of _Sweden_ return'd to _Pomerania_, _Flemming_ left no Stone unturn'd to
draw the King of _Prussia_ into his Master's Alliance. He had some Years
before procur'd him the Sequestration of the Town of _Stetin_, and 'twas
lucky enough for him that the Pride and Obstinacy of the King of _Sweden_
obliged the King of _Prussia_ to declare himself his Enemy. At that time
_Flemming_ was rather a Courier between _Dresden_, _Berlin_, and _Warsaw_,
than an Ambassador and Prime Minister, which Dignity he enjoy'd after the
Death of the Prince _de Furstemberg_ his Predecessor. When the Peace of
the North was settled, _Flemming_ went Ambassador to _Vienna_, where he
concluded the Marriage of the Electoral Prince of _Saxony_ with the
Archduchess, eldest Daughter to the Emperor _Joseph_, tho' the Contract
had been settled before by the Count de _Wackerbarth_, who it may be said
had the Pains to negotiate it, and _Flemming_ the Glory of finishing it.
At this time Count _Flemming_ had resign'd all the Salaries of his
Employments in _Saxony_, and only reserv'd to himself the private
Perquisites and the Franchise of the Post-Offices; and his Journeys, which
were very frequent, were all at the Expence of the King. It was about this
time that he caus'd his Marriage with _Sapieha_ to be dissolv'd, and
marry'd one _Radzevil_, by whom he had a Son, who was but a Year and a
half old when the Count died at _Vienna_, to which place he was return'd
with the Character of Ambassador. He left all his Estate to this Child,
without making any Intail on his Family; so that when this Son died, who
did not long survive him, his Estate went to Madame _de Flemming_, who by
marrying again carry'd the Bulk of it into another Family. They say that
his Inheritance was worth sixteen Millions of Crowns, exclusive of what he
had expended during the Splendor of his Fortune, which lasted thirty
Years, or thereabouts. Whether _Richelieu_ and _Mazarine_ got greater
Estates, I cannot say; but in _Germany_ there is not an Instance of one
sooner acquir'd, more resplendent, and better supported than his was. He
was Prime Minister, Velt-Marshal of _Saxony_, and Master of the Horse of
_Lithuania_; by which Offices he gain'd immense Sums. He made considerable
Purchases in _Silesia_ and _Poland_, but very little in _Saxony_. Whether
he left any thing to the King is not said; tho' he ought really to have
made him some Restitution, and he might naturally have given up with a
good Grace what he cou'd not but foresee wou'd be taken by force from his
Heir. As it was just that his Succession shou'd pass thro' the Purgatory
of a _Chambre Ardente_, the King establish'd one, which 'tis said has
adjudg'd eight Millions to his Majesty, and the same to his Widow; which
is a very fair Dividend.
Count _Flemming_ was taller than ordinary, but a handsome Man; he had very
regular Features, a lively Eye, a disdainful Sneer, a haughty Air, and he
was really proud, and beyond measure ambitious. He was generous to a
degree of Ostentation, and always aim'd to do something to be talk'd of.
He was vigilant, laborious, indefatigable, allow'd himself little Sleep;
and whenever he took a Debauch, a Nap of two Hours set him to rights
again. It was no more for him to go from a Debauch to Business, than from
Business to a Debauch; and he never fatigu'd himself, but dispatch'd the
greatest Affairs with so much Ease as if they were only a Diversion. He
lov'd to banter, but did not always make use of the Terms suitable to his
Character; and Persons who did not dare to answer him again, were commonly
the Butts of his Raillery. He was polite when he had a mind to it, but in
the general Course of his Behaviour he carry'd an Air fitter for a Captain
of Dragoons than for a Marshal and a Prime Minister. He never did a thing
for any body without some View; he scrupl'd neither Cunning nor even
Perjury, and provided he could gain his Ends, all ways were alike fair to
him. All his Life-time he took care to do his own Business first, and
then his Master's the King's; and I question whether I do him any
Injustice if I say that he was the King of _Prussia_'s Minister, much more
than the King of _Poland_'s.
This, Sir, is all that I have to say to you concerning Count _Flemming_. I
have told you very nakedly what I always thought of him, and I don't
believe that I have mistaken his Character. Be this as it will, my
Decision is of too little weight to do either Good or Harm; the Publick
will always judge of him according to their best Information. I proceed
now with the Narrative of my Travels.
* * * * *
After I had set out from _Dresden_ I went to _Altenbourg_ in hopes of
finding the Court of _Gotha_ there, which I had been told, intended to
spend the Remainder of the fine Season there; but it was set out the Night
before for _Gotha_, where I hope to see it to-morrow.
The City of ALTENBOURG is the Capital of a County of that Name, of which
the Duke of _Saxe-Gotha_ is the Sovereign. This Prince has a Palace there
which makes a handsome appearance, but I shall say nothing more of it
because I neglected to go and see it. The Peasants of the County of
_Altenbourg_ are the richest in _Germany_, and may almost vye with those
of _Holland_. I have been assur'd that some of them have given 20 or 30000
Crowns in Marriage with their Daughters; and like the _Dutch_ Peasants,
they take care to match them to none but the Sons of substantial Farmers.