that Quality he commanded the Emperor's Army, in the War which _France_
declared against his Imperial Majesty in 1733. He acquired great
Reputation at the Head of a very weak Army, by hindering the _French_ from
doing any thing more than taking Fort _Kehl_ in the first Campaign, when
the Emperor was surpriz'd and unprovided. At the Opening of the Campaign
in 1734, this Prince oppos'd the Designs of the Marshal _Berwick_, by
Lines which he cast up at _Muhlberg_, and which were of good service to
Prince _Eugene_ in facilitating his Retreat towards _Heilbron_, when he
came to take upon him the Command of the Imperial Army. That great General
own'd he never saw any thing look better, or that was stronger and better
disposed than those Lines, which the Duke of _Bevern_ had guarded till
then, with an Army of not 25000 Men. His most Serene Highness was in 1734,
declared by the Dyet of the Empire, Velt-Marshal-General of the Armies of
the Empire.
[40] He had fourteen Children, _viz._ seven Sons and seven Daughters, the
last of whom was born in 1732.
[41] He married _Philippina-Charlotte_, the King of _Prussia_'s third
Daughter, in 1733.
[42] This Princess was married to the Prince Royal of _Prussia_, in 1733.
[43] The Baron having quitted the Service of _Wolfembuttle_, is actually a
Minister of State at _Hanover_.
[44] The Count _de Dehn_, after being disgrac'd, went to _Denmark_, of
which he already wore the Order of _Dannebrock_, and obtained the Title of
one of the King's Counsellors of State. From that time he stay'd at his
Estate in the Country of _Wolfembuttle_, till the Year 1734, that the King
of _Denmark_ appointed him to go to _Petersburg_, to fill up the Post of
his Envoy Extraordinary vacant by the Death of M. _Westphal_.
[45] Since the Duke succeeded his Father, M. _de Munchausen_ is become
first Minister of State, and manages all the Branches of that Office with
that Care and Justice which procure him universal Love and Esteem.
[46] He is at present Marshal of the Court; M. _de Miltitz_ is Great
Cup-Bearer, and M. _de Rossing_ Great Huntsman.
[47] The reason is, perhaps, because out of _their Attachment to old
Customs_, they had the Curiosity to go a little higher back than their
Fathers.
[48] The Duke of _Blanckenbourg_ being become Duke of _Wolfembuttle_, by
the Death of his Brother, has scarce made any Alteration in his Court. The
Persons who were heretofore his Creatures and Favourites continue in the
same Employments. The Dutchess Dowager remains at _Brunswic_, in the fine
House which the late Duke caus'd to be built; and of which the said Prince
made a Present to her, with all its rich Furniture. This Princess is
immensely rich, and lives with very great Dignity. Her Steward is M. _de
Wederkopf_, who was formerly Privy Counsellor to the King of _Denmark_,
and his Envoy Extraordinary at the Court of _France_.
[49] The Treasury of St. _Dennis_, near _Paris_, boasts also of this
Lanthorn; so that _Judas_ must have had at least two Lanthorns.
[50] He died in 1731, as is before observed.
[51] Her Name is _Augusta-Louisa_, she was born the 11th of _January_
1698, and is the Daughter of _Christian-Ulric_, Duke of _Wirtemberg-Oels_
and _Bernstadt_, by his 3d Wife, _Sophia Wilhelmina_, of _East-Friesland_.
[52] This is _Augustus-Lewis_, who in 1728, succeeded his Brother
_Leopold_. His second Wife _Emilia_ of _Promnitz_, dying in 1732, he
marry'd his Sister _Ann-Frederica_ of _Promnitz_; which Match, at that
time, made a very great Noise. The Curious are referr'd to a Paper call'd
_le Glaneur_, or the Gleaner, published in 1733, for what was said upon
it. This Prince has had Children, by his three Wives; and two Sons in
particular by his second.
[53] 'Tis the 24th part of a Dollar, or about 2_d._-1/2 _Sterling_.
[54] He had been in the King's Service ever since he was only Prince of
_Saxony_, and always took care to keep in Favour; he being, of all the
Favourites, the Person that had the greatest Share of the Prince's
Confidence: Nevertheless, he ow'd his Advancement, and his illustrious
Post of Minister of the Cabinet, to the Interest of the Countess _de
Cosel_, who caus'd the Chancellor _Beichling_, who had always been the
Favourite Minister, to be turn'd out.
[55] This part of the Prophecy did not take place, for the King of
_Poland_ died in his Bed at _Warsaw_ the 1st of _Feb._ 1733, O. S. This
Monarch set out in the Month of _January_, from _Dresden_, to hold the
Dyet of _Poland_, which was open'd at _Warsaw_, and every thing seem'd
like to pass to the Satisfaction of the King and Kingdom, when these fine
Hopes were demolished by the Death of this Prince, who in his last
Sickness, preserved the Character of the Hero, betraying neither Fear nor
Folly; all his Wish being that he might live to embrace his Son.
The King found himself in a declining State, several Years. During the
last Dyet at _Grodno_, a Mortification seiz'd his Foot; for which reason,
M. _de Petit_, a Surgeon of _Paris_, whom the King sent for on purpose,
cut off two Toes, and set his Majesty upon his Legs again, but told him
withall, he must observe such a Regimen as he prescribed to him, or else
it would break out again. But the King finding himself better, neglected
_Petit_'s Advice, and died of the Mortification, as the Surgeon had
foretold.
[56] _Eberhardina_ of _Brandenbourg-Bareith_ Queen of _Poland_, and
Electoress of _Saxony_: she died at her Seat at _Pretch_ near
_Wittenberg_, some Years before the King.
[57] This Prince succeeding his Father in the Electorate, and afterwards
in the Throne of _Poland_, rais'd M. _Solckofski_ to the Dignity of a
Count, and appointed him his Master of the Horse, and one of his Cabinet
Ministers.
[58] The Electoral Prince (now Elector of _Saxony_ and King of _Poland_)
has eight Children, _viz._ three Princes and five Princesses; so that the
Electoral Branch is not like to be extinct very soon.
[59] The Velt-Marshal the Count de _Wackerbarth_ being dead, the Elector
nam'd this Prince Generalissimo of the Troops of the Electorate in 1734.
[60] This Prince has for some time past resided at _Konigsgratz_.
[61] Who died, _August_ 13, 1734, a Minister of the Cabinet, Velt-Marshal
and Governour of _Dresden_.
[62] She died at _Dresden_ soon after this was written.
[63] Count _Moschinski_, the Husband of this Lady, was Great Treasurer of
the Court in _Poland_, and is Great Faulconer in _Saxony_.
[64] Madame _de Cosel_ may thank no body but herself for her Disgrace; for
when she was in Royal Keeping, she had the assurance to threaten the King
more than once that if ever he abandon'd her she wou'd pistol him. The
King, who knew her to be a Woman that always kept her word, thought it his
best way to be beforehand with her, tho' it was not till some time after
that he caus'd her to be arrested. Madame _de Cosel_, who was retir'd to
_Berlin_, did not dissemble her Chagrin; and 'tis said she declar'd in
publick that the King should pay dear for being so false to her: Threats
which his Majesty wou'd perhaps have despis'd, if Madame _de Cosel_ had
not refused to give him back a Promise which he had made to her of
marrying her in case the Queen shou'd die. Mean time the King desir'd of
the King of _Prussia_ to give orders for arresting her, which was done
accordingly; and Madame _de Cosel_ was carried under a Guard to _Saxony_,
where she remain'd a Prisoner till the death of the King. But we have been
told by the publick News-Papers that she obtain'd her Liberty in 1734.
[65] This Marriage was actually consummated at _Dresden_. But since the
King's death, the Prince of _Holstein_ has abandon'd his Wife, whom he
only married with a view of obtaining some considerable Employment from
the King. The present Elector has eas'd her of most of that Wealth which
the late King had heap'd on her.
[66] He died in _August_, 1734; and was succeeded in his Employments by
the Prince of _Saxe-Weissenfels_, and the Count of _Friesland_.
[67] The Count _de Wackerbarth Salmour_ distinguish'd himself, in the year
1733, when the new Elector sent him Commissary Plenipotentiary to
_Poland_; where he manag'd the Interests of his Master so well, that he
was chose King.
[68] He was created a Count of the Empire (not by the King of _Poland_,
but) by the Emperor. As he is a Lover of the Belles Lettres, in the late
War he wrote and publish'd several solid Pieces, which were well penn'd.
[69] He was disgrac'd in 1731, upon which he retir'd to his Estate. The
Catastrophe of this Gentleman is so tragical an Incident, that it will be
proper to give a short but true History of it, as it is related in the
following Circular Letter, wrote by the King of _Poland_'s Order, to his
Ministers abroad, for the Information of all the Foreign Courts. The
Letter was dated at _Warsaw_, the 12th of _May_, O. S. 1736, as follows.
SIR,
'The tragical Death of the Count _de Hoym_ having been variously reported
both in printed Papers and written Letters, and with Circumstances not
strictly true; the King has order'd me to give you an exact Information of
this Affair.
'You will remember what the late King, of glorious Memory, signified to
his Ministers abroad, concerning the Reasons and Circumstances that
preceded, accompanied, and followed the Disgrace of the Count _de Hoym_.
'This Count having been a second time arrested for other Crimes, after the
Death of the late King, was committed in 1733, to _Sonnenstein_, from
whence the present King was so merciful as to release him some Weeks
after; contenting himself to bind him again by Oaths stronger than the
former; whereby the Count obliged himself to continue quiet at his Estate,
without concerning himself with any but his own private Affairs.
'Yet towards the close of the Year 1734, and at the time when the King was
in _Poland_, the Count, notwithstanding his Engagements, took the
Opportunity of his Majesty's Absence, to set on foot other Intrigues, in
defiance of his Oaths and his Promises; whereof the King being timely
inform'd, order'd him to be arrested and committed Prisoner to
_Konigstein_; which was the reason of his attempting his Life by a Pistol,
whereof I acquainted you by my Circular Letter of the 15th of _January_,
1735.
'An Information was afterwards preparing for the Trial of him and his
Accomplices; but not many days after the first Examination, the said Count
being stung by the Remorse of his Conscience, and vexed to see all his
Pranks laid open, chose to shorten the Course of Justice by putting an end
to his own Life, notwithstanding the undeniable Proofs he had before
experienc'd of his Majesty's Clemency. For this purpose he first pretended
to be sick, and having order'd his Domestics not to disturb him, he hang'd
himself the 21st of _April_ last, at Night, with a Handkerchief ty'd to a
Hook that supported his Looking-glass. The Letter he wrote to his
Domestics with a Pencil, and which was found upon the Floor, is an
indisputable Mark of the deliberate Purpose and cold Blood with which he
executed this Design. Moreover, in searching his Pockets a Razor was found
on him, with a Penknife, Scissars, and the like Instruments.
The Family of the Deceas'd having petition'd the King not to proceed
against the Corpse with the Severity of the Law, his Majesty has been so
good as to order the Body of the Self-murderer to be privately interr'd,
just without the Church-Yard of the Garrison at the Fort of _Konigstein_.'
_I am_, &c.
The Night before the Count dispatch'd himself, he left a Note upon his
Table for his two Servants, as follows:
'Be prudent, make no Noise or Alarm, untie me immediately, put me to Bed,
and then shut the Door after you, by bolting it when you are out, which
you may do by the help of this Pack-thread; and by this means no body will
know you have been in my Chamber. The World will doubtless believe I died
of an Apoplexy; if you perform my Orders discreetly and faithfully, my
Family will pay you 1000 Ducats, on sight of this Note.'
[70] In _October_ 1736, he return'd to _Dresden_.
[71] The Duke of _Mersebourg_ died in 1731, and was succeeded by his
Uncle, the Duke _de Sprinberg_.
[72] This Prince died in 1732.
[73] The chief Trade of this Town is in _Woad_, of which they have three
sorts. The first they sow about _Christmas_, the next in the _Spring_,
_Summer_, and _Harvest_, of which they have three Crops, and the third
grows wild. This Herb is such a sovereign Balsamic, that it cures Wounds
almost with a touch, if taken in time. It resembles Plantain, but has a
longer Leaf. The Roots fatten and improve barren Ground exceedingly, and
being brought over to _England_, with _Clover_, _Cinque-Foil_, &c. grows
with good Success in _Northamptonshire_, and other Places. In the Duke's
Palace there is a Chamber of valuable Rarities, and a noble Library, of
which the late Duke caus'd a Catalogue to be publish'd of the MSS. that
the Learned might know where to have recourse to them. The Person he
imployed to form it, was Dr. _Cyprianus_ Ecclesiastical Counsellor and
Assessor in the Consistory of _Gotha_. They are for the most part the MSS.
of Ecclesiastical Authors, Ancient and Modern, especially the latter.
There is a great Number of Papers and Letters in the _Latin_ and _German_
Languages, concerning _Luther_'s Reformation, and several MSS. of the
vulgar Translation of the Bible. There is a correcter Copy than that at
_Leipsic_, of the Works of _Lactantius_; another of St. _Austin_'s
Treatise of the _City of God_, which belonged to _Willigise_ Archbishop of
_Mentz_, about the year 1000; another of the ancient Capitularies of the
Kings of _France_, with the Salic Laws, and the Laws of the _Lombards_,
_Almains_, &c. There are thirty one MS. Volumes containing the Abridgments
of the Lives of the Emperors of the _West_, and of the _East_, their
Pictures and Medals, and those of their Families, the whole collected in
1550, by _James de Strada_ of _Mantua_. The Medals are very well design'd,
and _Occo_ the famous Antiquary affirms in a Letter quoted by M. _Patin_,
that every Figure on them cost a Crown the engraving. There is a
particular MS. which contains a Collection of Tracts by certain _Greek_
Chymists concerning the desirable _Art of making Gold_. For the rest the
Curious are referred to the Catalogue it self.
[74] This Prince, who was _Frederic_ II. died in 1732, _March_ 12.
[75] He had ten Sons and six Daughters by her. The Hereditary Prince who
succeeds him is _Frederic_ III. born _April_ 4, 1699. He has a Brother
named _William_ born _March_ 12, 1701, and some time an Officer in the
_Dutch_ Service.
[76] She was born _August_ 10, 1710.
[77] Since these Letters were written the Face of the Court of _Gotha_ is
very much altered. The Duke therein mentioned is dead. The Hereditary
Prince _Frederic_ has succeeded him, and his Mother the Duchess Dowager
retired to _Altenbourg_, with the Princesses her Daughters, who are
_Frederica_ born _July_ 6, 1715, O. S. and _Augusta_ born _Nov._ 18, 1719,
and married _April_ 27, 1736, to his Royal Highness _Frederic_ Prince of
_Wales_. The Duke's Brothers, who are _William_, _John-Augustus_,
_Christian-William_, _Lewis-Ernest_, _Maurice_ and _John-Adolphus_, are
gone into the Service of the Emperor, the King of _Poland_, and the Prince
of _Hesse-Cassel_. As to the Government, the Duke treads in the very Steps
of his late Father. M. _Backover_ is his Chancellor, and the First Man in
his Council. M. _de Hering_, formerly in the service of the Duke of
_Saxe-Weimar_, is Vice-Chancellor. The Count _de Ronaw_ is now Envoy at
the Dyet of _Ratisbon_, M. _de Damnitz_, heretofore in the Service of the
Prince _de Rudelstad_, is Grand Marshal; and seems to have a Share in the
new Duke's Confidence. This Gentleman is also a Major-General, and the
Camp seems to be a fitter Element for him than the Court.--The Office of
Master of the Horse is not yet fill'd up. M. _de Wurm_, a Person of
Quality and Merit, was in possession of that Office in the late Duke's
time, but he lately resigned it of his own accord. M. _de Stotterheim_, is
to be appointed Great Cup-Bearer, who is as yet, I think, in the Service
of some Foreign Prince.
[78] _John William_ Duke of _Saxe-Eysenach_, died at sixty-one Years of
Age, soon after having married to his fourth Wife _Mary Christina
Felicite_ Countess of _Linange_, the Widow of _Christian_ Margrave of
_Baden-Dourlach_.
[79] _Ann Sophia Charlotte_ of _Prussia_ Daughter of the late Margrave
_Albert_, and Wife to _William Henry_ the present Duke of _Saxe-Eysenach_.
[80] His Successor was _Frederic Charles_ Count _de Schonborn_ Bishop of
_Bamberg_ and Vice-Chancellor of the Empire, who was before his
Competitor. In 1734, he resigned the Post of Vice-Chancellor, and retired
to his Bishoprick.
[81] _Christina-Charlotta de Wurtenberg_, Margravine Dowager of
_Brandenbourg-Anspach_, who was Regent for her Son, died at _Anspach_
1730, soon after she had resign'd the Regency to this young Margrave, and
match'd him to _Frederica-Louisa_, second Daughter of the King of
_Prussia_.
[82] This was _Benjamin Neukirch_. He put _Telemachus_ into Verse, and was
the Author of a great many other Works, which shew that the _German_
Language is capable of conveying as fine Sentiments as those which are
more us'd by Authors. He died lately at _Anspach_.
[83] This Princess was the Dowager of the Duke of _Courland_, when she
marry'd the Margrave _Christian_ who was very old. After his Death she
marry'd the Duke of _Saxe-Meinungen_ whom she has surviv'd. She resides at
_Coburg_ in _Franconia_. She never had but one Son, and that was he who
marry'd the present _Czarina_, but died soon after his Marriage.
[84] The Hereditary Prince who is the eldest, marry'd the Princess Royal
of _Prussia_ in 1731.
[85] The eldest of the Princesses, _Sophia-Christiana-Louisa_, was marry'd
in 1731 to the Prince _Alexander de la Tour_ and _Taxis_. She lately
embrac'd the _Romish_ Religion.
[86] The Margrave and the Prince are now return'd to _Bareith_, where they
live with all the Splendor of Sovereignty.
[87] She is the present Queen.
[88] He had the Misfortune to be killed as he was hunting in _Bohemia_, by
the Emperor himself in 1732.
[89] She is now Margravine of _Baden-Baden_.
[90] His fickle State of Health oblig'd him to quit this Employment, in
which he was succeeded by the Count _de Collobradt_, who in 1734 was made
Vice-Chancellor.
[91] He is return'd to _Vienna_ since 1732.
[92] This Minister was Great Chancellor of _Bohemia_ and a Knight of the
_Golden Fleece_. Count _Joseph_ was nominated Ambassador to _Great
Britain_ in 1736, in the room of his Brother _Philip_.
[93] This Word in _French_ signifies a _Scab_.
[94] The Electoresses of _Bavaria_ and _Saxony_.
[95] I conform to the Opinion of almost all the Historians, who do not
place _Frederic_ the Fair in the List of the Emperors.
[96] The Empress Regent and the Empress Dowager.
[97] The King of _Great Britain_.
[98] The Queen of _Prussia_.
[99] The present Duke Regent of _Brunswic-Lunenbourg-Wolfembuttle_.
[100] _Feb._ 1, 1736, she was marry'd to the Duke of _Lorrain_.
[101] There are but seven Archduchesses since 1730; the Emperor's third
Daughter being dead.
[102] This great General who was born the 8th of _October_ 1663, O. S.
died on the 10th of _April_ 1736, O. S. so suddenly, that when his
Gentleman went that Morning, as usual, into his Chamber to awake him, he
was found dead in his Bed. He had been the day before very gay with
Company whom he entertain'd at Dinner, and made not the least Complaint of
any Ailment, tho' he had for some time before been so indispos'd that he
did not venture abroad. 'Tis supposed that he was choak'd by an immoderate
Defluxion of Rheum with which he was now and then troubled. His sudden
Death cast the City and Court of _Vienna_ into such a Consternation as did
prodigious Honour to his immortal Memory. On the 15th, after having lain
three days in State, he was interr'd in the Tomb of his Nephew _Emanuel_
Prince of _Savoy_ (which the Princess of _Savoy_ Countess of _Soissons_
caus'd to be erected in the Metropolitan Church of St. _Stephen_) with all
the Military Honours, and all the Magnificence due to his illustrious
Birth, and to these important Services which he perform'd to the August
House of _Austria_ during the Reigns of three successive Emperors. A Will
was found among his Papers, whereby he declar'd the late Prince _Eugene_
of _Savoy_ his Nephew who died the year before at _Manheim_ his universal
Heir. But after that time a Codicil was made, tho' never sign'd by Prince
_Eugene_, declaring for his Heir his Niece _Louisa de Seissons_ of
_Carignan_ (who was born _December_ 16, 1686.) then at a _Nunnery_ in
_France_. The Prince left behind him a numerous and curious library of
Books, many of which he bought when at _London_ of _Christopher Bateman_
in _Pater-noster Row_, besides a fine Cabinet of Medals and other
Curiosities. The Emperor has bought his Library of his Niece for 20000
Florins.
Since the Prince's Death the Count _de Konigseg_, Vice-President of the
Council of War, has the chief Direction of Military Affairs at this Court,
and signs all Dispatches and Commissions which that Prince sign'd as first
President of the said Council, for thirty-three years. His Regiment of
Dragoons is given to Prince _Charles_ of _Lorrain_, but the Honours he
held as General in Chief of the Emperor's Forces, and his Imperial
Majesty's Vicar-General in _Italy_, are like to continue vacant by reason
of the Peace.
[103] He is now Bishop of _Breslaw_, a Dignity which gives him a
distinguish'd Rank in this Duchy.
[104] The Count _de Metsch_, Vice-President of the Aulic Council of the
Empire, succeeded him in the Office of the Vice-Chancellor; and the Count
_Aloysius-Thomas Raimond_ of _Harrach Rohram_, heretofore Viceroy of
_Naples_, hereditary Master of the Horse of Upper and Lower _Austria_,
Marshal of the States of the Country, Knight of the Golden Fleece, is
appointed Counsellor of the Conferences in the room of the Count _de
Schonborn_.
[105] The Count _de Konigseck-Erps_. He actually went to _Spain_, with a
design to relieve his Uncle; but as the Face of Affairs is alter'd at this
Court, they are both return'd. The Count _de Konigseck-Erps_ is at
_Brussels_ Counsellor of State of _Brabant_.
[106] The Count _de Konigseck_ is return'd home from his Embassy to
_Spain_. He actually officiates as Vice-President of the Aulic Council of
War, and as Privy-Counsellor of the Conferences. He is Lieutenant-General
of the Emperor's Armies, Colonel of a Regiment of Foot; and is lately
created a Knight of the Golden Fleece. The Count _de Mercy_ being kill'd
at the Battle of _Parma_, the 29th of _June_, 1734, the Emperor sent the
Count _de Konigseck_ to _Italy_, and gave him the Command of his Army,
which was in a very shatter'd Condition, and which the Count _de
Konigseck_ set to rights again, in such a manner as to command Respect
even from his Enemies.
[107] His Name and Title is _Joseph de Silva y Meneses_, Marquess _de
Villasor_, Count _de Monte-Santo_.
[108] They are barely _Opinions_, and do not pass into Decrees till they
are approved by the Emperor.
[109] When he return'd to _Vienna_, after the _French_ and _Savoyards_ had
taken _Milan_ in 1733, several Articles of Complaint were exhibited
against him; but he made so full a Defence against the Impeachment, that
the Emperor has the same Confidence in him as before.
[110] He was Uncle to the Cardinal _Collonitz_ ABp. of _Vienna_.
[111] In the Beginning of the Year 1730, this Apartment was burnt down by
a Fire which broke out in the Night-time; so that the Elector and
Electress had like to have been burnt in their Beds, and scarce any of the
fine Furniture was sav'd.
[112] The Order consists at present of a Grand Master who is the Elector,
and two Grand Priors, who are the Electoral Prince and Duke _Ferdinand_,
six Grand Crosses, nine Commanders, and several Knights.
[113] The second is dead.
[114] The present Grand Marshal is the Count _Gaudentz de Rechberg_, a
Grand Croix of the Order of St. _George_.
[115] The Baron _de Freysing_ is at present Great Huntsman.