And now behold me at sea, on my voyage to Riga. I had eaten heartily
before I went on board; a storm came on; I worked half the night, to aid
the crew, but at length became sea-sick, and went to lie down. Scarcely
had I closed my eyes before the master came with the joyful tidings, as
he thought, that we were running for the port of Pillau. Far from
pleasing, this, to me, was dreadful intelligence. I ran on deck, saw the
harbour right before me, and a pilot coming off. The sea must now be
either kept in a storm, or I fall into the hands of the Prussians; for I
was known to the whole garrison of Pillau.
I desired the captain to tack about and keep the sea, but he would not
listen to me. Perceiving this, I flew to my cabin, snatched my pistols,
returned, seized the helm, and threatened the captain with instant death
if he did not obey. My Russians began to murmur; they were averse to
encountering the dangers of the storm, but luckily they were still more
averse to meet my anger, overawed, as they were, by my pistols, and my
two servants, who stood by me faithfully.
Half an hour after, the storm began to subside, and we fortunately
arrived the next day in the harbour of Riga. The captain, however, could
not be appeased, but accused me before the old and honourable Marshal
Lacy, then governor of Riga. I was obliged to appear, and reply to the
charge by relating the truth. The governor answered, my obstinacy might
have occasioned the death of a hundred and sixty persons; I, smiling,
retorted, "I have brought them all safe to port, please your Excellency;
and, for my part, my fate would have been much more merciful by falling
into the hands of my God than into the hands of my enemies. My danger
was so great that I forgot the danger of others; besides, sir, I knew my
comrades were soldiers, and feared death as little as I do." My answer
pleased the fine grey-headed general, and he gave me a recommendation to
the chancellor Bestuchef at Moscow.
General Lieuwen had marched from Moravia, for Russia, with the army, and
was then at Riga. I went to pay him my respects; he kindly received me,
and took me to one of his seats, named Annaburg, four miles from Riga.
Here I remained some days, and he gave me every recommendation to Moscow,
where the court then was. It was intended I should endeavour to obtain a
company in the regiment of cuirassiers, the captains of which then ranked
as majors, and he advised me to throw up my commission in the Siberian
regiment of Tobolski dragoons. Peace be to the names and the memory of
this worthy man! May God reward this benevolence! From Riga I departed,
in company with M. Oettinger, lieutenant-colonel of engineers, and
Lieutenant Weismann, for Moscow. This is the same Weismann who rendered
so many important services to Russia, during the last war with the Turks.
On my arrival, after delivering in my letters of recommendation, I was
particularly well received by Count Bestuchef. Oettinger, whose
friendship I had gained, was exceedingly intimate with the chancellor,
and my interest was thereby promoted.
I had not been long at Moscow before I met Count Hamilton, my former
friend during my abode at Vienna. He was a captain of cavalry, in the
regiment of General Bernes, who had been sent as imperial ambassador to
Russia.
Bernes had been ambassador at Berlin in 1743, where he had consequently
known me during the height of my favour at the court of Frederic.
Hamilton presented me to him, and I had the good fortune so far to gain
his friendship, that, after a few visits, he endeavoured to detach me
from the Russian service, offering me the strongest recommendations to
Vienna, and a company in his own regiment. My cousin's misfortunes,
however, had left too deep an impression on my mind to follow his advice.
The Indies would then have been preferred by me to Austria.
Bernes invited me to dine with him in company with his bosom friend, Lord
Hyndford, the English ambassador. How great was the pleasure I that day
received! This eminent statesman had known me at Berlin, and was present
when Frederic had honoured me with saying, _C'est un matador de ma
jeunesse_. He was well read in men, conceived a good opinion of my
abilities, and became a friend and father to me. He seated me by his
side at table, and asked me, "Why came you here, Trenck?" "In search of
bread and honour, my lord," answered I, "having unmeritedly lost them
both in my own country." He further inquired the state of my finances; I
told him my whole store might be some thirty ducats.
"Take my counsel," said he; "you have the necessary qualifications to
succeed in Russia, but the people here despise poverty, judge from the
exterior only, and do not include services or talents in the estimate;
you must have the appearance of being wealthy. I and Bernes will
introduce you into the best families, and will supply you with the
necessary means of support. Splendid liveries, led horses, diamond
rings, deep play, a bold front, undaunted freedom with statesmen, and
gallantry among the ladies, are the means by which foreigners must make
their way in this country. Avail yourself of them, and leave the rest to
us." This lesson lasted some time. Bernes entered in the interim, and
they determined mutually to contribute towards my promotion.
Few of the young men who seek their fortune in foreign countries meet
incidents so favourable. Fortune for a moment seemed willing to
recompense my past sufferings, and again to raise me to the height from
which I had fallen. These ambassadors, here again by accident met, had
before been witnesses of my prosperity when at Berlin. The talents I
possessed, and the favour I then enjoyed, attracted the notice of all
foreign ministers. They were bosom friends, equally well read in the
human heart, and equally benevolent and noble-minded; their
recommendation at court was decisive; the nations they represented were
in alliance with Russia, and the confidence Bestuchef placed in them was
unbounded.
I was now introduced into all companies, not as a foreigner who came to
entreat employment, but as the heir of the house of Trenck, and its rich
Hungarian possessions, and as the former favourite of the Prussian
monarch.
I was also admitted to the society of the first literati, and wrote a
poem on the anniversary of the coronation of the Empress Elizabeth.
Hyndford took care she should see it, and, in conjunction with the
chancellor, presented me to the sovereign. My reception was most
gracious. She herself recommended me to the chancellor, and presented me
with a gold-hilted sword, worth a thousand roubles. This raised me
highly in the esteem of all the houses of the Bestuchef party.
Manners were at that time so rude in Russia, that every foreigner who
gave a dinner, or a ball, must send notice to the chancellor Bestuchef,
that he might return a list of the guests allowed to be invited. Faction
governed everything; and wherever Bestuchef was, no friend of Woranzow
durst appear. I was the intimate of the Austrian and English
ambassadors; consequently, was caressed and esteemed in all companies. I
soon became the favourite of the chancellor's lady, as I shall hereafter
notice; and nothing more was wanting to obtain all I could wish.
I was well acquainted with architectural design, had free access to the
house and cabinet of the chancellor, where I drew in company with Colonel
Oettinger, who was then the head architect of Russia, and made the
perspective view of the new palace, which the chancellor intended to
build at Moscow, by which I acquired universal honour. I had gained more
acquaintance in, and knowledge of, Russia in one month, than others,
wanting my means, have done in twelve.
As I was one day relating my progress to Lord Hyndford, he, like a
friend, grown grey in courts, kindly took the trouble to advise me. From
him I obtained a perfect knowledge of Russia; he was acquainted with all
the intrigues of European courts, their families, party cabals, the
foibles of the monarchs, the principles of their government, the plots of
the great Peter, and had also made the peace of Breslau. Thus, having
been the confidential friend of Frederic, he was intimately acquainted
with his heart, as well as the sources of his power. Hyndford was
penetrating, noble-minded, had the greatness of the Briton, without his
haughtiness; and the principles, by which he combined the past, the
present, and the future, were so clear, that I, his scholar, by adhering
to them, have been enabled to foretell all the most remarkable
revolutions that have happened, during the space of six-and-thirty years,
in Europe. By these I knew, when any minister was disgraced, who should
be his successor. I daily passed some hours improving by his kind
conversation; and to him I am indebted for most of that knowledge of the
world I happen to possess.
He took various opportunities of cautioning me against the effects of an
ardent, sanguine temper; and my hatred of arbitrary power warned me to
beware of the determined persecution of Frederic, of his irreconcilable
anger, his intrigues and influence in the various courts of Europe, which
he would certainly exert to prevent my promotion, lest I should impede
his own projects, and lamented my future sufferings, which he plainly
foresaw. "Despots," said he, "always are suspicious, and abhor those who
have a consciousness of their own worth, of the rights of mankind, and
hold the lash in detestation. The enlightened are by them called the
restless spirits, turbulent and dangerous; and virtue there, where virtue
is unnecessary for the humbling and trampling upon the suffering subject,
is accounted a crime, of all others the most to be dreaded."
Hyndford taught me to know, and highly to value freedom: to despise
tyrants, to endure the worst of miseries, to emulate true greatness of
mind, to despise danger, and to honour only those whose elevation of soul
had taught them equally to oppose bigotry and despotism.
Bernes was a philosopher; but with the penetration of an Italian, more
cautious than Hyndford, yet equally honest and worthy. His friendship
for me was unbounded, and the time passed in their company was esteemed
by me most precious. The liberality of my sentiments, thirst after
knowledge and scientific acquirements gained their favour; our topics of
conversation were inexhaustible, and I acquired more real information at
Moscow than at Berlin, under the tuition of La Metri, Maupertuis, and
Voltaire.