6. That those Troops should remain there_The Memoirs of Charles-Lewis, Baron de Pollnitz, Volume III Being the Observations He Made in His Late Travels from Prussia thro' Germany, Italy, France, Flanders, Holland, England, &C. in Letters to His Friend. Discovering Not Only the Present State of the Chief Cities and Towns; but the Characters of the Principal Persons at the Several Courts.

Thus, Madame, after tedious delays the Court of _Vienna_ consented at last

to the Success of this great Event, which after all ow’d its cause to the

refusal of an Arm-chair, and its issue to the mistake of a Secretary.

Nevertheless it did not fail to cost the Elector six Millions, of which

the Jesuits of _Vienna_ had 200,000 Crowns to their share.

This agreeable News was scarce arriv’d at _Berlin_ when they heard of the

Death of the King of _Spain_, which happen’d the 1st of _November_, 1700.

His Death was notify’d to the Elector by M. _Desalleurs_, Envoy of

_France_ to our Court, as was also the Will whereby the Duke of _Anjou_

was call’d to the Succession of all the late King’s Dominions. The Elector

had entered into such Engagements with the Emperor, that he could not own

him; for which reason the King of _France_ recall’d M. _Desalleurs_, and

likewise refus’d to acknowledge the Elector for King, who in his turn

recall’d M. _Spanheim_, and sent him to _England_ with the Title of

Ambassador.

The Elector was so urgent to be crown’d, that he hasten’d to _Konigsberg_,

the capital City of _Prussia_, without staying for the fine Season of the

Year; having fix’d on the 17th of _December_ for his Departure thither

with the whole Court. My Mother would also have been one of the Company,

but she was too far gone with Child. She was now marry’d to her third

Husband, who was the Count _de Wesen_; and the Nuptials were perform’d at

_Konigsberg_ in 1698, when the Elector was there about the Election of the

King of _Poland_. This was a Match, in the making of which, neither Love

nor Interest had the least share: M. _de Wesen_, tho’ come of a very good

Family in the Duchy of _Zell_, was Heir but to a very small Estate, and

that he was obliged to divide with a great many Brothers; and my Mother

before he marry’d her had never so much as spoke to him, nor had she seen

him but while he was in the Office of Chief Steward. The Elector himself

made the Match at the solicitation of Madame _de Wartemberg_ who had a

very great kindness for M. _Wesen_ formerly, and perhaps had so still, and

by helping him to a rich Widow, she was willing to make him a recompence

for the Respect he had paid to her. There was no necessity of using

powerful Arguments with the Elector, to engage him to bring this Match

about. It was his Foible to make Matches, and were they good or bad,

provided he saw the Weddings, ’twas all alike to him. Consequently, as

soon as Madame _de Wartemberg_ had proposed this Marriage to him, he

promis’d to mention it himself to my Mother; nay, more than that, he came

to her House and made the Proposal. My Mother desir’d to be excus’d,

saying to his Highness, that she had been already married twice, that she

had two Sons by her first Husband, and that she did not care to hazard

their Interests and her own Peace by engaging herself in Matrimony a third

time. The Elector made her answer, that he would have it so, and that her

Children, so far from Losers, should be Gainers by it, because he would

take care of them. He added that he would allow her twenty-four Hours time

to consider of it, and then he left her, forbidding her to stir to the

Door, and promising to come and see her again next day, in order to have

her Answer. He then went into my Grandmother’s Chamber, and said so many

fine things to her, in favor of the Son-in-Law he had in his eye for her,

that she was for it by all means.

My Mother continued very wavering till next day, when the Elector return’d

as he had promis’d: And as ’tis not an easy matter to resist the Orders of

one’s Sovereign, my Mother, tho’ still against a new Engagement in her

heart, seemed however to consent to the Marriage, which in a few days

after was celebrated, and honour’d with the presence of the Elector, who

had the goodness to assure my Brother and me that it should not be the

worse for us. Mean time all my Relations exclaim’d against my Mother, and

when she return’d to _Berlin_ not a Soul of them went to see her. My

Grandmother by my Father’s side was loudest in her Complaint; for her

great Age and the Honour she had of attending the late Electoress, Mother

to the Elector, made her take the freedom to tell that Prince her mind.

She was in a passion with him even to a degree of Childishness, telling

him that it griev’d her to the heart that she was not strong enough to

twist the neck of the Man that he had given to her Daughter-in-Law for a

Husband. The Elector to pacify her, promis’d her that he would be such a

friend to M. _de Wesen_, that this Marriage instead of being a prejudice

should be an advantage to us. And as soon as he had left her, he declared

him Marshal of his Court.

This Office obliging my Father-in-law to follow the Prince in his Travels,

he left my Mother at _Berlin_, and carry’d me with him to _Konigsberg_, to

shew me the Ceremony of the Elector’s Coronation.

His Court was so numerous that upon the Road from _Berlin_ to

_Konigsberg_, which is reckon’d fourscore _German_ Miles, there were no

less than thirty thousand Hackney-Horses, besides those belonging to the

Stables of the King and Princes. The King, who was excessively fond of

Ceremony, omitted nothing that could be an addition to the splendor of his

Coronation. This Ceremony cost him immense Sums of Money, and convinc’d

Foreigners who came thither from a curiosity to see it, that our Court was

inferior to few others for Magnificence.

Tho’ one would think the preparations for such a solemn Festival must take

up a tedious deal of time, yet the King’s Impatience hurry’d them so fast

that every thing was ready by the eighteenth of _January_, about a

Fortnight after the Arrival of the Court. The Proclamation for erecting

_Prussia_ into a Kingdom was made two Days before the King’s Coronation,

with the sound of the Cannon, and all the Bells of the City, by four

Heralds at Arms in Mantles of blue Velvet with the Royal Arms thereon

embroider’d, and riding upon Horses richly accouter’d, the Housings being

of Silver-Brocade, sprinkled with Eagles and Coronets of Gold. They went

with a very numerous Train to the chief Quarters of the City, and there

made Proclamation in these terms:

_Whereas it has pleased the Divine Providence to erect this Sovereign

Duchy of +Prussia+ into a Kingdom, and to set up for our King the most

High and most Potent Prince +Frederic I.+ our gracious Sovereign; we have

thought fit to give notice thereof to the People of this Kingdom, that

they may say as we do, “Long live +Frederic+, our most Merciful and most

Gracious King! Long live +Sophia-Charlotte+, our most Gracious Queen.”_

The King to render the Ceremony of his Coronation still more august,

instituted the Day before[2] the Order of the _Black Eagle_, the Badges of

which are an Orange Ribband with a Cross hanging to it enamell’d with

Blue, in form of the Cross of _Malta_: In a Star of Silver which is

embroider’d upon the Coat, there is a black Eagle which gripes in one Claw

a Crown, and in the other a Scepter; and round the ’Scutcheon are these

words, _SUUM CUIQUE_, (i. e. to every one his own.) The principal

Statutes of this Order are, 1. That the Number of the Knights shall not

exceed thirty, exclusive of the Princes of the Royal Family, and Sovereign

Princes. 2. That the Knights shall prove their Nobility by sixteen

Descents. 3. That they shall promise to be just, chaste, and to protect

and support Widows and Orphans, according to their motto, _Suum cuique_.

Tho’ it was contrary to custom, to install the Knights before the

Coronation, the King was not so scrupulous as to conform to it, foreseeing

that the Ceremony of his Coronation receiv’d a new Lustre from this

Foundation. Nevertheless the Knights and Officers of the Order had then no

other Badges but the Ribband and Star embroider’d on their Clothes; and

’twas not till two Years after that the King gave to the new Knights, for

days of Ceremony, a Dress consisting of a Vest of Cloth of Gold, with

another over it of Sky-blue Velvet, reaching down to the Mid-leg, with a

Lining of Straw-color, and ty’d under the Cravat with yellow Ribbands, the

Tassels of which hang down to the Knees. Their Sash is of Straw-color’d

Velvet, embroider’d with Gold. Their Mantle is also of Straw-color’d

Velvet, lin’d with Gold-Mohair, and over it is a Collar of Gold enamell’d

with blue, forming these two Letters _F. R._ to signify _Fredericus Rex_:

This is call’d the Grand Collar of the Order. The Knights wear black

Velvet Caps on their Heads, with white Plumes of Feathers. The King’s

Habit differs not from that of the Knights; but the Habits of the Grand

Master of the Ceremonies, the Secretary, and the Treasurer, differ in that

they only wear over their common Clothes full Gowns of Straw-color’d

Velvet, with an Orange-color’d Lining, and upon them the Cross of the

Order, fasten’d only by an Orange-color’d Ribband that hangs to their

Neck.

The King at the first Promotion, or rather on the day that he instituted

the Order, created the full number of Knights, prescribed by the Statutes.

He also gave the Ribband of the Order to the Electoral Prince his Son, and

to his two Brothers the Margraves _Christian_ and _Albert_. The Margrave

_Philip_ staying behind at _Berlin_ to govern in the King’s Absence, the

Ribband was sent to him by a Gentleman of the Bed-chamber.

On the Coronation-day, about nine in the Morning the King was dressed by

the great Chamberlain, attended by all the Officers of the Bed-chamber.

His Coat was Scarlet embroider’d with Gold, and brilliant Diamonds were

his Buttons. Over that, he had a Royal Mantle of Crimson-Velvet, lin’d and

turn’d up with Ermin, which was fasten’d to his Breast by a Clasp of three

Diamonds. As soon as the King was dressed he went into a Hall in his

Apartment, where a Throne had been erected, on each side of which, there

lay on two Tables of Silver the Royal Ornaments that were to serve the

King and Queen. The King being seated on his Throne, ordered they should

be brought to him, and they were accordingly presented to him on the Knee.

Having the Crown in his Hand, he put it himself on his Head, and then

taking the Sceptre in his right Hand and the Royal Globe in his left, in

that posture he receiv’d the first Homages of the Prince Royal and of the

Margraves, who bent one Knee before him. After this the King arose and

went to the Queen’s Apartment, preceded by the Knights of the Order, the

two Margraves, the Prince Royal, and the Noblemen that carried the Regalia

design’d for the Queen.

Her Majesty was dress’d in a Purple Gown, and a Royal Mantle like the

King’s. She was dress’d in her own Nut-brown Hair without any Powder,

which in conjunction with the Lustre of the Diamonds gave her an Air still

more noble and majestic. As soon as she perceiv’d the King, who met her at

the entrance of his Chamber, she fell on her knees, in which situation the

King embrac’d her, and with his own Hands set the Crown upon her Head. She

took the Scepter and Globe from the hands of the Lords who carried them,

and the King raising her up she follow’d him into his Apartment, where she

also receiv’d the Homage of the Prince Royal and the Margraves, in the

same manner as they had perform’d them to the King.

Their Majesties went afterwards to Church with all the Pomp and

Magnificence, (I dare to say it) of the ancient Kings of _Asia_. The King

walk’d under a Canopy of Silver-Brocade embroider’d with Gold borne by ten

_Prussian_ Lords of the first Quality, and at some distance came the Queen

under another Canopy like to that of the King. The Grand Chamberlain held

up the Train of the King’s Mantle, and the Queen’s was born by the Duchess

of _Holstein_, and the Ladies _Stingland_ and _Bulau_, the one Lady of

Honour to the Queen, and the other having the first Reversion of that

Office. The Duke of _Holstein_ officiated as Great Master of her Houshold;

and the Princess of _Holstein_ walk’d at the head of the Court-Ladies.

Their Majesties were receiv’d by the two Bishops that were to perform the

Ceremony of the Coronation, who were dress’d in purple Velvet, after the

_English_ mode, and had for their Assistants six Ministers, three of them

_Calvinists_ and three _Lutherans_. They conducted the King and Queen to

their Thrones which had been erected on the two sides of the Altar, the

King’s on the Right, and the Queen’s on the Left. Tho’ there is no Altar

in the _Calvinist_ Churches, the King had one, and had actually made a

present of a magnificent Crucifix to be plac’d upon it, in order to shew

how much he wish’d the Union of the two Protestant Churches.

The Prince Royal seated himself a little behind the King towards the Right

on a Folding-chair, with his Governor the Count _de Dobna_ behind him: The

Margraves also sate in two Folding-chairs on both sides of the Queen. The

Duke and Duchess of _Holstein_, and the Ladies _Stingland_ and _Bulau_,

sate upon Stools immediately behind the Queen. The Princess of _Holstein_

was also placed upon a Stool, but a little farther off. On both sides of

the Altar two Galleries were erected, the one for the Duchess of

_Courland_ the King’s Sister, the young Duke her Son, and the three

Princesses her Daughters-in-Law, the other for the Ambassadors and Foreign

Ministers.

When the King was to receive the sacred Unction, he went and kneel’d at

the foot of the Altar, gave the Globe and Sceptre to the Lords who had

before carried them, took off his Crown with his own hands, which he

plac’d on a Cushion like to that on which he kneel’d, and then receiv’d

three Unctions, one on the Forehead, and the two others on his Wrists. The

Great Chamberlain dried up the Oil with Cotton and Linnen, which one of

the Ministers presented to him on a Plate of Gold. After this the King

took his Crown again which no other hand had touch’d, and plac’d it

himself on his head; and having also taken the Sceptre and Globe again, he

went and replac’d himself on his Throne. The same Ceremonies were

observ’d at the Anointing of the Queen, with this difference only, that

she all the while kept the Crown on her Head, and that Madame _Stingland_,

her Lady of Honour, dried up the Oil.

This done, the two Bishops with the six Ministers pay’d the first Homage

to both the King and Queen. The Bishop at Consecration said to the King,

_May Blessing and Prosperity attend_ FREDERIC KING OF PRUSSIA! _May the

Lord, the God of our King say the same! May he continue his Presence with

him as he has done hitherto, to the end that his Royal Throne may

aggrandize his Power from day to day._

The same Bishop said to the Queen, _May Blessing and Prosperity attend_

SOPHIA-CHARLOTTA QUEEN OF PRUSSIA! _May the Lord our God preserve her for

a Token of his Blessing to her People, and may she from this time forward

see Prosperity and Salvation spread ever her Royal Family, and over her

Children, in the Peace of_ Israel!

While the Music as it were repeated these same words, the Prince Royal and

the Margraves went and paid their Homage also to the King and Queen,

kneeling on the last Step of their Throne and kissing their Hands. The

Homage of the other Nobility only consisted in their making a profound

Obeysance without stirring out of their places.

The Bishop who had perform’d the Consecration, turning about to the

People, said with a loud Voice, _Fear God and honour your King and your

Queen, for their Power cometh from the Lord who hath created Heaven and

Earth. May the same Lord vouchsafe to be their Guide and Guardian! May he

cover them with his Shadow, that the Heat of the Sun and the Rays of the

Moon, may never hurt their Sight! May the Lord keep them from all Evil?

save their Souls, and go in and out before them with Blessing, till Time

Shall be no more._ After some other Prayers, the King renew’d the Edicts

against Duels, and swore to observe them upon the Holy Gospels. And

therewith ended this long Ceremony.

The King had all the reason in the World to be pleased with it, by reason

of the exactness with which every one perform’d his Function, which was a

thing hardly to have been expected in a Ceremony that was quite new to the

Performers; but they so well knew his delicacy in every matter of

Ceremony, and the Emulation they had to please him in this Taste was such,

that the most consummate Experience could not have acquitted itself

better.

The Queen herself was the only Person that got a reprimand, and that was

by her taking some Snuff. Her Throne being over-against the King’s, she

watch’d a long time for an opportunity, and when she thought his Majesty

did not observe her she stole out her Snuff-Box. The King happening to

turn his Eyes towards her the very same moment, she would fain have

conceal’d it, but his Majesty’s Countenance was so fix’d on her that she

was convinc’d he perceiv’d it; and indeed this Prince who was upon this

occasion not to be trifled with, immediately order’d one of his Gentlemen

who was behind him to go and ask the Queen in his Name, _Whether she

remember’d the Place where she was, and the Rank she held there_.

The King and Queen going out of the Church caus’d Gold and Silver Medals

to the value of ten thousand Crowns to be scatter’d among the People,

which had on one side their Effigies with these words, _FREDERICUS ET

SOPHIA-CHARLOTTA, REX ET REGINA_; and on the reverse a Crown with these

words, _PRIMA MEÆ GENTIS_.

The Ceremonies at the Royal Feast which follow’d, were not much short of

those at the Coronation. It was kept in the great Hall of the Palace, to

which the King and Queen repair’d almost with the same Train, and in the

same order as they had observ’d going to Church.

When they were seated at Table, their Majesties return’d their Sceptres

and Globes into the hands of the Lords who had the Honour of carrying them

before. These Lords then plac’d themselves at each side of the Table, and

remain’d there during the whole Feast. The Prince Royal, the two Margraves

and the Duchess of _Courland_ the King’s Sister, were the only Persons

that had the honour of dining with their Majesties. Of all the Ceremonies

that were observ’d there, the two following are what I have no where seen

but in _Germany_. As soon as the King and Queen had taken their Seats at

Table, the two Grand Marshals went out of the Hall into the Courtyard of

the Palace, and from thence rode on horseback to the great Stables

attended by Kettle-drums, Trumpets, and a great many Officers of the

King’s Kitchen. There they found a whole Ox roasting on a Spit and stuff’d

with all sorts of Wild-fowl, of which they cut off a piece and carry’d it

in a Gold Dish to their Majesties Table.

After this, the Great Cup-Bearer went with the like Train to the same

Stables, where there were two Fountains of Wine running from the Beaks of

two Eagles. Of this he fill’d a gold Goblet, and went and presented it to

the King. His Majesty having taken it and return’d it to him, he presented

it afterwards to the Queen, who return’d it to him in like manner; and

then he carry’d it to the great Beaufet, which was set up at the other end

of the Room over-against the King’s Table. As often as the King or Queen

drank, nine Cannon were fired; six when the Prince Royal drank, and three

whenever the Margraves and the Duchess of _Courland_ drank.

This Repast held a very long time, yet none of the Courtiers sate down to

Table till their Majesties were retir’d to their Apartments. About nine

o’clock at Night all the Bells in the City were rung, and the Noise of the

Cannon added to that of the Kettle-drums and Trumpets, serv’d as a signal

for the Bonfires that were lighted in all the Cross-streets. The Burghers

illuminated the Fronts of their Houses. Some of the most substantial had

also erected Triumphal Arches before their Houses, with Emblems and

Devices; others let Wine run for the Populace, and in short there was no

Burgher but strove to signalize their Joy some way or other.

Their Majesties being desirous to honour the public Rejoicings with their

presence, went into the Streets about ten o’clock in a magnificent Coach,

accompanied by all their Courtiers on horseback. When they came before the

Town-House they were harangu’d by the chief Burgo-Master, who presented

them with a Collation in Panniers of Silver, after which they pass’d by

the House of the Duke of _Holstein_ Governour of _Konigsberg_. The Front

of the House represented the Temple of Glory; the Duke’s Gentlemen

represented the Priests of the Temple, and threw Amber and Incense into

the Coals which were upon the Altar; the Duke’s Children, who were eight

in number, were dressed like Shepherds and Shepherdesses, and as the King

and Queen pass’d by, the eldest presented them with a Basket of Flowers,

and pronounc’d some Verses to them in the _German_ Language, expressing

the Vows which all the People made for the duration of their Prosperity.

Their Majesties, after stopping some time before this House, return’d to

the Palace.

Throughout all the King’s Dominions there were the like Demonstrations of

Joy, and the Coronation-day was celebrated every where like a Sunday. The

King and Queen spent the whole Carnival at _Konigsberg_, where they

receiv’d the Count _de Tobianski_ the Great Cup-bearer of _Poland_, who

came as Ambassador from the King his Master, to congratulate their

Majesties on their Coronation. It must be observed in the mean time, that

the Republic of _Poland_ never recogniz’d the King of _Prussia_’s Royalty,

tho’ two of its Kings, _viz._ the Elector of _Saxony_, and King

_Stanislaus_ four years after recogniz’d him by their Ambassadors.

The departure of the Court for _Berlin_ was fix’d for the eighth of

_March_. As the King had not yet made his entry at _Konigsberg_, the

Citizens entreated him to permit them to accompany him as far as the

limits of their Territory, which was granted them. Then several triumphal

Arches were erected, all the Streets were hung with Tapestry, and the King

set out from _Konigsberg_ attended by all the City Companies. His Majesty

rode on horseback, supported by two Equerries on foot. His Clothes were of

Crimson-Velvet lin’d with Ermin and embroider’d with Gold, and the Buttons

were of Diamonds. He had on his Hat a Loop and a Hat-band of Diamonds.

His Horse was most richly accouter’d: The Bit, Stirrups, and all the

Ornaments of the Bridle, were of massy Gold; the Housing of

Crimson-Velvet, all cover’d with Gold Embroidery and Diamonds. The Queen’s

Coach was also of extraordinary Magnificence. Her Majesty sate in it

accompanied only by the Duchess of _Courland_, who sate over-against her.

In short, they went out of _Konigsberg_ with all the Pomp and Apparatus

that us’d to attend Public Entrys. When their Majesties were got a quarter

of a League out of the Town, they alighted and went into their

Travelling-Coaches, and there they received the last Compliments which

were paid by the Echevins bare-headed and kneeling. Then the King and

Queen return’d into the City through another Gate, and staid in their

Palace till next day that they set out for _Berlin_.

The Court was oblig’d to go by the way of _Dantzic_, because of the sudden

Thaw of the _Weissel_, which render’d it impassable. The Magistrates of

_Dantzic_ immediately sent out Deputies to their Majesties, to intreat

them to permit their City to make a public Entry for them; but the King

thank’d them, and was not willing they should be at any expence.

Nevertheless at the Entrance of the Territory of _Dantzic_ two

Burgo-Masters, four Counsellors, and the Syndic of the Town, at the head

of the Youth on horseback, went and paid their Majesties a Compliment. He

that spoke was the chief Burgo-Master, who pray’d their Majesties to

suffer the City to defray their Expences, while they stay’d in their

Territory. The King and Queen alighted at a House erected on purpose for

their Reception, which was of Wood, and represented the Temple of Glory.

There their Majesties found a magnificent Collation and a very fine

Concert of Music. In other Rooms several Tables were set up for the

Gentlemen of his Retinue. The King and Queen having spent the Night there,

pass’d thro’ _Dantzic_ next day, and went over the _Weissel_, which at

that part of it was still frozen. Yet as there was cause to apprehend that

it was not froze hard enough to be pass’d with safety, the Magistrates, to

prevent any Accident, had cover’d the Ice with Straw, Beams and Planks;

and twenty-four young Men and as many Lasses, dressed like Sailors in

Jackets of Velvet and Sattin, assisted the King and Queen in their

passage; during which, the Girls presented them with Fish, Fruit,

Sweet-Meats and Flowers, and the young Sailors play’d to them on several

Instruments of Music. When their Majesties had passed the River, they

dismiss’d the Deputies of the City, and made them each a Present of a Gold

Chain and Medal, on which were their Effigies. On the seventeenth of

_March_ the King arriv’d at _Potzdam_[3], and the Queen at _Lutzelbourg_.

The King who had a Design to make a solemn Entry at _Berlin_, stay’d at

_Potzdam_ till the sixth of _May_, to give time for making the necessary

Preparations to receive him, and for the finishing one of the Fronts of

his Palace, which he wish’d might be compleated by that day.

Towards the latter end of _April_ the King set out from _Potzdam_ for

_Schonhausen_, where the Queen met him some days after, and there their

Majesties prepared to make their Entry into Berlin.

This Ceremony was perform’d with all the Pomp and Magnificence possible.

The City had caus’d seven Triumphal Arches to be erected; the Description

of one of those Arches may suffice to give an Idea of the Taste of our

Court for Entertainments of this kind. This Arch, which was at the Bars

entring the Suburb, seem’d to have been built by Gardeners. It was one

entire Green-house with Pillars and Pilasters, adorn’d with Flowers.

_Pomona_ and _Flora_ were seen to support the Pictures of the King and

Queen. The _Spring_, attended by the _Zephyrs_, presented them with Fruits

and Flowers, and a Row of Orange-Trees and Laurels in gilded Boxes lin’d

the Way from that Arch to St. _George_’s Gate, which has ever since that

Day been call’d the Royal Gate, because their Majesties enter’d thro’ it

into the Town.

Next day after their Entry the Deputies of the Provinces presented the

King with Free Gifts on his joyful Arrival, and the Margrave _Philip_

Grand Master of the Artillery, caus’d a Fire-work to be play’d off, which

represented the King’s Return to _Berlin_, by that of _Jason_, after the

Conquest of the Golden Fleece.

After some other Festivals of this nature, occasion’d by the public Joy,

the Court separated, when the King set out for _Oranjebourg_[4], and the

Queen to _Lutzelbourg_. The Prince Royal staid at _Berlin_ to finish his

Exercises. Care had been taken to form a numerous Court for him, of all

young Gentlemen of his own Age, of whom this young Prince had form’d two

Companies, of which himself commanded the first, and the Duke of

_Courland_ the second. I was of this second Company, and we went

sometimes to perform our Military Exercises at _Lutzelbourg_ before the

Queen, who lov’d to see the Prince her Son display the first Fruits of his

Military Genius. We also acted some Comedies before her; for the Princess

aim’d to inspire the Prince her Son with a delicate Taste, even in

Pleasures.

’Twas at this time that a Storm arose at Court against the Count _de

Wartemberg_ Great Chamberlain, and lately declar’d Prime Minister, which

threaten’d his Ruin; but it spent itself upon those only who had rais’d

it. The principal Authors of the Cabal were the Count _de Lottum_, M.

----, and the Grand Marshal, who had been for a long time the Great

Chamberlain’s sworn Enemy. The Count _de Wesen_, my Father-in-law, was

pitch’d upon by these Gentlemen to raise the first Prejudices in the

King’s Mind against this Minister. I have had the Honor to acquaint you,

_Madame_, that the Countess _de Wartemberg_ always wish’d well to M. _de

Wesen_ of which the advantagious Match she had procur’d for him was a very

convincing Proof. One would have thought therefore after such great

Service, that he ought in Gratitude to have devoted himself entirely to

the Fortune of the Count her Husband. But my Father-in-law puff’d up by

the Choice which the Count’s Enemies had made of him, forgot his Duty and

his Interest, and accepted a Commission for the undertaking of which he

had in truth all the necessary Temerity, but not that Judgment nor that

Favor, which was absolutely requisite for conducting so ticklish an

Affair.

The King had a real Love for M. _de Wartemberg_, yet he sometimes made him

feel his ill Humors. The Prince seem’d one day to be so angry with him,

and spoke of him to my Father-in-law with so much Resentment, that the

latter thought he had now a fair Opportunity to ruin the Count. He said to

the King, that the whole Court was surpriz’d at his extraordinary Kindness

to a Minister who every day abus’d his Name in the Oppression of the

People, and in the Commission of a thousand Acts of Injustice against his

faithful Servants; that his Rapines were excessive; and that his Wife’s

Extravagance was so great, that he could shew by the Accounts of the

Comptrollers of the Kitchen, that the Great Chamberlain’s Table cost more

than his Majesty’s. _I know very well_, added M. _de Wesen, that if the

Prime Minister should hear of what I have now had the Honor to say to your

Majesty, I am undone; but if I held my peace, I thought I should be

wanting in my Duty; and what I have asserted I am ready to prove._

The King heard what he said very attentively, and my Father-in-law was so

vain as to think he had made Impression enough upon him to strike M. _de

Wartemberg_ quite out of his Favor; but this shallow Statesman, my

Father-in-law, did not consider that a Prince who complains of his

Favorite is not always dispos’d to receive the ill Impressions that others

are ready to give of him. Whether the King therefore thought after this

manner, or whether he was shock’d at the Ingratitude of M. _de Wesen_, who

ow’d his Fortune to M. _de Wartemberg_, he told the Minister the

Conversation that had pass’d, but assur’d him that he did not give Credit

to the Report; and that if he pleas’d he would take a Revenge on the Man

that had made it.

The crafty Minister affected at that time an Air of Moderation, which cost

him the less Pains because he was an excellent Comedian. He said to the

King that he thought himself sufficiently reveng’d, by the little Heed his

Majesty gave to the scandalous Tales which his Enemies gave out against

him, and he desir’d his Majesty to pardon those who had offer’d to abuse

his Goodness, for the sake of oppressing him. Thus did he for a while

conceal the keenest Resentment under the Mask of the most forgiving

Temper; being resolv’d in his Heart to ruin those who had employ’d M. _de

Wesen_, tho’ they were protected by the Queen, but especially to make

their Tool feel all the Weight of his Vengeance.

A Journey which the King took to _Goltz_, one of his Hunting-Seats, near

the Fortress of _Custrin_, gave him a good Opportunity for it. Being alone

with the King in the same Coach, he put him so much out of conceit with M.

_de Wesen_, that when he arriv’d at _Goltz_, all that came to wait on him,

as he alighted out of the Coach, perceiv’d he was in an ill Humor.

Contrary to his usual custom, he spoke to no body, only he order’d my

Father-in-law to give his Attendance. When he had sat down, he scarce

touch’d the Bread, but he found fault with it, and complained of it to M.

_de Wesen_, as the Person who had the Direction of what came to his Table.

M. _de Wesen_ said to the King, That ’twas true the Bread was not as it

us’d to be, because the Carriage of the Pantry broke down by the way, and

the Baker came too late to Town to provide more. The King not well pleas’d

with this Answer, said, he was weary of being ill serv’d, and that he

expected every one shou’d do their Duty. At the same time he threw his

Napkin on the Ground. M. _de Wesen_ fetch’d another, and offer’d it to the

King, but he would not take it, and order’d him to be gone that Moment out

of his Presence. Two Hours after, M. _de Wesen_ was arrested by an Exempt

of the Life-Guards, who conducted him in his Coach under a Guard to

_Custrin_, the Capital of the New Marquisate, situate upon the _Oder_.

There my Father-in-law was kept as a State-Criminal, and the Minister sent

Orders to the Aulic Counsellor to go to my Mother’s House, and clap a Seal

upon her Husband’s Effects. She was at that time in the Country, and my

Brother happen’d to be at Church with our Governor, so that I was alone in

the House when those Gentlemen came to execute their Order. After they had

shew’d it to me, they ask’d me which was my Father-in-law’s Apartment,

that they might not be oblig’d to put the Seal upon every thing. I made no

scruple to shew it to them, and as they withdrew they left me a Writing

which was an Order to my Mother not to come to Court, nor to sollicite her

Husband’s Liberty. I sent immediately For my Governor, that he might go

with this disagreeable News to my Mother, whose Surprize was as great as

her Sorrow; for as she had an entire Love for her Husband, so she knew

nothing of his Intrigues against the Minister, to whom she thought he was

all along devoted. As the King’s Order tied up her Hands, and hinder’d her

from coming to Court, I was charg’d to do what I could there, to obtain my

Father-in-law’s Liberty.

One day as the Queen made an Entertainment at _Lutzelbourg_ for the King,

I presented a Petition to him, in my Mother’s Name, intreating him to

remove the Seal from her Effects, and the Guard from her House; and that

his Majesty would be pleas’d to appoint Commissioners to try her Husband;

to the end, that if guilty, he might be punish’d, or if innocent, that he

might be set at liberty. My Youth, and the Tears which I shed at the

Delivery of this Petition, melted the King’s Heart, who told me, That he

would do what my Mother desir’d, for her sake only; that he sympathiz’d in

her Affliction; but that her Husband had so justly provok’d him, that he

could not avoid making him sensible of his Indignation: That withal, he

was very glad to see me so good-natur’d, as to sollicite in favor of a Man

who he knew had not dealt well either by my Brother or me, notwithstanding

the Injunction he laid upon him, when he match’d him to my Mother. I made

him answer, that I had no reason to complain of my Father-in-law; and that

tho’ I had, my Mother’s extreme Concern of Mind for what had happen’d,

wou’d be a sufficient Motive for me to sollicite his Liberty. _I commend

you_ said the King, _for these Principles. Go and tell your Mother that

she shall be made easy, and be assur’d that I will take care of you_.

Those were the very Expressions of the King, who, when I stoop’d to

embrace his Knees, encourag’d me also by clapping his Hand upon my

Shoulder. As soon as he was gone, the Queen sent for me into her Closet,

to give her an Account of this Conversation. I found her resting on a

Couch, attended by none but Madamoiselle _de Pollnitz_ my Cousin, who sat

on the Ground at her Feet. When the Queen had enquir’d after my Mother’s

Health, she order’d me to assure her of her Esteem and Friendship; and

when I had repeated to her what the King had said to me, she made Answer,

That she was very glad the King was so well inclin’d to me. _Cultivate his

good Disposition_, said she, _make it your Study to merit his Favor. As

for me, I will do every thing in my power to preserve you in it; and you

may always be sure of my Protection._

So gracious a Reception both from the King and Queen gave me great Hopes;

and I return’d to _Berlin_, not doubting but the Promises he had made to

me wou’d soon be perform’d; yet ’twas not without tedious Sollicitations

from my Mother’s Friends that she obtain’d her Husband’s Liberty, after

seven Months Confinement, besides paying a Fine for him of ten thousand

Crowns. The Revenge which the Minister took upon those who had made my

Father-in-law their Agent, was not so much talk’d of; for he contented

himself with banishing them to their respective Estates or Governments,

and disposing of their Offices among his most obsequious Creatures. One of

these was the Count _de Witgenstein_, upon whom he confer’d the Office of

the Grand Marshal. He was a Person of a good Family, but neither he nor

his Ancestors had ever done any Service to the State; and all his Merit

was an entire Devotion to the Prime Minister, to whom he was more a Slave

than a Friend. As long as the Count _de Wartemberg_ continu’d in Favor, he

kept his ground at Court; but the Fall of that Minister was attended with

his. The Disgrace of my Father-in-law did not fail likewise to create a

great deal of Trouble in my Family. My Mother follow’d him to his Estate

in the Duchy of _Zell_, and I was sent with my Brother under the Conduct

of a Governor to _Lunebourg_, there to finish my Studies.

All _Europe_ was at this time in motion, and had taken part in the Quarrel

between the Houses of _Austria_ and _Bourbon_, on account of the

Succession to the Monarchy of _Spain_. _Philip_ of _Anjou_ was already in

possession of it, by virtue of _Charles_ II’s last Will and Testament;

and in pursuance of the Right he had to it by his Grandmother _Mary

Theresa_ of _Austria_. The Emperor founded his Claim upon the Renunciation

made by that Princess when she was married to _Lewis_ XIV. The greatest

part of _Europe_, which the exorbitant Power of _France_ had begun to

alarm, sided with the Emperor, who quitted his Rights in favor of the

Archduke his Son. Besides the common Interest which it seem’d to be of all

_Europe_ to hinder two such Monarchies as _France_ and _Spain_ from being

govern’d by one Prince, several Potentates had their particular Reasons,

for laying hold of this opportunity, to make war with _France_.

The Court of _England_ was alarm’d at the Proceeding of _Lewis_ XIV. who

had just recogniz’d the Son of _James_ II. lately deceas’d at _St.

Germains_, for King of _England_, by the Name of _James_ III. in prejudice

of King _William_, who had been recogniz’d by the Treaty of _Ryswic_.

The _Dutch_ govern’d themselves by the Views of King _William_, who was

all along their Stadtholder: And they could not forget the War in 1672,

the Wounds of which were still bleeding.

The King of _Prussia_, besides his Interest in common with the other

Electors, to hinder _France_ from becoming too powerful, for fear lest

hereafter the said Court should saddle them with whom it pleas’d for an

Emperor, had Engagements subsisting with the Court of _Vienna_ and the

King of _England_. And in consequence of those Engagements he furnish’d

the Emperor with 6000 Men, and gave Orders for a Levy in his Dominions of

20,000 Men, which King _William_ had demanded of him, and which were

during the whole War in the Pay of the United Provinces.

_France_ had no Allies but the Electors of _Bavaria_ and _Cologn_, who

suffer’d themselves to be prevail’d on by the Promises of _France_; the

chief of which was, That she would not make an end of the War till she had

caus’d the Elector of _Bavaria_ to be declar’d King of _Swabia._

The Duke of _Savoy_ was proof against the Advantages offered him by

_France_: And notwithstanding the Marriage of his two Daughters to the

Duke of _Burgundy_ and the Duke of _Anjou_, King of _Spain_, he was the

most zealous Ally against those two Crowns. He foresaw too very plainly,

that as long as those two Powers were united, such was the Situation of

his Dominions, that they wou’d hem him in between them; and therefore when

the Duchess his Mother, who was a thorow _French_ Woman, ask’d him, What

would become of his Daughters, if he dethron’d the King of _Spain_, and

ruin’d _France_, he reply’d to her, _And if I do not, what will become of

my Son?_

These, _Madame_, were in general the various Motions that affected

_Europe_ when King _William_ of _England_ died: Nor did this Accident

occasion any Alteration; for the Princess _Anne Stuart_, who succeeded him

by the Name of Queen _Anne_, pursued the same Views as her Predecessor,

and the War of the Allies against _France_ was carried on with the same

Vigor.

By the Death of the King of _England_, who was the last Prince of the

_Orange_ Branch, our King was Heir to all his personal Estate; yet his

Right was contested by the Prince of _Nassau-Friesland_, who, tho’ not so

nearly related as the King, had the Advantage of Kindred by the Male

Line, and had a Will of King _William_ in his Favor, which intitled him to

his Succession. As the States-General of the United Provinces were the

Executors of this Will, the King immediately communicated his Pretensions

to them, as he did also to Queen _Anne_, by M. _de Spanheim_ his

Ambassador at _London_. He founded his Right upon a Will of

_Frederic-Henry_ Prince of _Orange_, King _William_’s Grandfather, who had

a Son and three Daughters, the eldest of whom married to the Elector of

_Brandenburg_ the King’s Father; the second to the Prince _de Simmeren_, a

younger Prince of the present reigning _Palatine_ Family, who dying

without Issue, left his Right of Succession to the Electorate, to the

Branch of _Neuburg_; and the third was married to the Prince of

_Anhalt-Dessau_.

The Will of _Frederic-Henry_ call’d the Male Descendants to his

Succession; and on Failure of them the three Princesses his Daughters; by

virtue of which, the King who descended from the eldest, claimed to be the

lawful Heir, notwithstanding the Testament of King _William_, who could

not dispose of an Estate which was intail’d. The King, for the better

Manifestation of his Rights, set out for the _Hague_, accompanied by the

Margrave _Albert_, his Brother, who left him at _Wesel_ in order to join

the Army at _Keiserswaert_[5].

At _Wesel_[6] the King receiv’d Messieurs _de Lintelo_, _Slingenlandt_,

and _Tour_, Deputies from the States-General, to whom he paid the same

Honors as to Sovereigns, and receiv’d them standing, with only an

Arm-Chair behind him. They gave him an Account of the last Will and

Testament of King _William_, which they had caus’d to be open’d in the

Presence of M. _Schmettau_ his Ambassador, Mr. _Stanhope_ the Envoy

Extraordinary of _England_, the Envoys of the Princesses of _Anhalt_ and

_Nassau-Friesland_, the Envoy of the Prince of _Nassau-Siegen_, the

Commissioners of the States appointed for that purpose, and the

Counsellors of the Domains of the late King _William_. They added that

they had found in this Will, that the Prince of _Nassau_, hereditary

Governor of _Friesland_, was call’d to the Succession as universal Heir,

and they exhorted the King to own him as such. But notwithstanding all

this, he enter’d his solemn Protest against the Will, and then set out for

the _Hague_.

The King at his arrival alighted at the Palace of the Old Court, which was

part of the Inheritance of the King of _England_, and of which he had

already taken Possession, as well as of _Honslaerdyke_, another Palace of

the late King of _England_. The _Dutch_ wou’d fain have secur’d the

Succession to the Prince of _Nassau-Friesland_, but they could not easily

do this, without embroiling themselves with the King. Therefore they chose

to temporize, and came to no Conclusion while the King staid in _Holland_,

during which they endeavor’d to amuse him by procuring him all the

Pleasures that their Country afforded; but the Grand Affair of the

Succession to the King of _England_ engross’d all his Thoughts, and he

went away very much dissatisfy’d with the Conduct of the States-General at

this Juncture.

As soon as he return’d to _Berlin_, he sent for my Brother and me from

_Lunenburg_, for fear lest my Mother, who was a _Lutheran_, should

persuade us to embrace that Religion. Next year he establish’d an

Academy, into which he gave Orders for our Entrance. The View of this

Establishment was to educate the young Nobility of the Court, in a manner

suitable to their Extraction. The King had the Nomination of those that

were to be admitted into this Academy, and Care had been taken to furnish

it with the best Masters in all the Arts and Sciences. The Expence of the

Students there were very moderate, the King having taken upon him to pay

the Extraordinaries. This illustrious School, which was then call’d, _The

Academy of Princes_, has lost very much of its former Splendor.

I found the Court of _Berlin_ in the same State as when I left it. The

Count _de Wartemberg_ was still in the highest Favor; and the Count _de

Barfous_, the only Man who had presum’d for some time to make head against

the Minister, had at length been oblig’d to retire to his Estate; but what

made his Banishment from Court the more tolerable to him, was a Pension

which the King allow’d him of 20,000 Crowns. His Post of Velt-Marshal was

given to M. _de Wartensleben_, Lieutenant-General of the Emperor’s Troops,

and General of those of the Duke of _Saxe Gotha_. This was also a Creature

of the Prime Minister; yet he had Honor and Honesty enough to oppose him

on Occasions, where he thought the Welfare of the State was concern’d. The

Count _de Lottum_, who had been involv’d in the Disgrace of my

Father-in-law, and whose Office of Grand Marshal had been conferr’d on the

Count _de Witgenstein_, retain’d a certain Air of Favor in his Disgrace,

as did also the Count _de Barfous_. The King had given him the Government

of _Wesel_, to which he retir’d; and as he could not avoid doing justice

to his Merit and Fidelity, he gave him the Command of the Troops design’d

for the _Netherlands_. He was charg’d with the Blockade of _Rhinberg_, a

Place in the Electorate of _Cologn_, which the _French_ then possess’d,

under color of being that Elector’s auxiliary Forces. The Town surrendring

in a little time, he undertook the Blockade of _Guelders_, which made a

part of the _Spanish Netherlands_, and was yielded to us by the Peace of

_Utrecht_. The taking of these two important Places in the midst of

Winter, and the Behaviour of the Count _de Lottum_, who notwithstanding

the Severity of the Season, and the Treatment he had received from Court,

took all the Care possible for the Preservation of the King’s Troops, made

him so much extoll’d at Court, as was mortifying to the Prime Minister.

_France_ endeavor’d to repair the Loss of these two Places by seizing the

Principality of _Orange_, which we were not near enough to defend, and he

put the Prince of _Conti_ in immediate Possession of it, who had some

claim to it through the _Chalons_ Family, of which he call’d himself Heir.

But he soon after yielded the said Principality and his Pretensions, to

_Lewis_ XIV. who likewise caus’d an Edict to be publish’d there, by which

it was put to the choice of all the Inhabitants to turn Catholics, or to

sell their Effects and retire out of the Kingdom within the space of three

Months. The Generality of those who were not willing to change their

Religion, retir’d to our Court, and among others, the Members of the

Parliament. The King reliev’d them as far as he could, and caus’d

Collections to be made in all the Churches of his Dominions, the Money of

which was distributed to those who had the most pressing Occasion for it.

Soon after the Loss of _Orange_, the Margrave _Albert_ married the

Princess of _Courland_. That Prince in 1696, had succeeded the late

Margrave _Charles_, his Father, in the Grand Mastership[7] of the Order of

St. _John_. This Order is the same as that of _Maltha_, and is only

separated from it since _Luther_. The Commanderies, subject to the Elector

of _Brandenburg_, which became Protestant, put themselves under the

Elector’s Protection, and chose a Grand Master, or rather the Elector

chose one for them. The Choice has always fallen upon a younger Prince of

the Family, who is not engag’d by it to any Vow, more than the Knights,

who are only obliged to prove their Nobility, to which the Sovereign very

often objects.

The Princess of _Courland_ was the eldest of the three Daughters that the

Duke of _Courland_ had by his first Lady. He married to his second Wife

the King’s Sister, and some time after he died. The Duchess his Widow, who

had been oblig’d to abandon _Courland_, which the _Swedes_, the _Poles_

and the _Muscovites_ equally harass’d, came to _Konigsberg_, to be present

at the Coronation of the King her Brother, who gave her that Protection

she expected. Here it was, that the Year before she had married the

Margrave of _Brandenburg Bareith_, the King’s Cousin; and when she went

with her Husband into his Dominions, she left the eldest of her

Daughters-in-law with the Queen, in hopes of her marrying the Margrave

_Albert_: And the Queen, who was fond of this Princess, ordered it so,

that she obtain’d the King’s Consent to the Marriage, which was celebrated

some time after at _Lutzelbourg_.

Much about this time we had a new Ceremony in our Climates. This[8] was

the Erection of a Statue which the King caus’d to be set up in honor of

his Father _Frederic-William_ the Great. ’Tis perfectly like that of

_Lewis_ XIV. in the Square of _Vendôme_ at _Paris_. The Pedestal and Base

are of white Marble. This Statue was set up _July_ 12, 1703; and the King

in order to do the more Honor to the Elector his Father, caus’d the

Ceremony to be perform’d with a magnificent Apparatus, in presence of the

whole Court, and all the Benches of Justice.

The following Year 1704 was happy to the Allies, by their Victories at

_Donawert_ and _Hochstet_. The Troops that the King had sent into

_Franconia_ and _Bavaria_, to the Emperor and the City of _Nuremberg_[9],

which call’d for Help against the _Bavarians_, contributed not a little to

the obtaining of those Victories. The King received the News of it by an

Express that was dispatch’d to him from the Prince of _Anhalt_, under

whose Command those Succours acted. This Express was follow’d some Days

after by a second, charg’d with a Letter from Prince _Eugene_ of _Savoy_,

who therein gave a sublime Encomium on the Valor of the _Prussian_ Troops.

_I have been an Eye-witness, +said he in his Letter+, particularly with

regard to the Infantry of the Right Wing, that all the Officers as well as

the common Soldiers fought with the most intrepid Courage, and for several

Hours check’d the Efforts of the Enemy, who at length not being able to

resist their Bravery, and the continual Fire which they made, were put

into such a Confusion, that they were oblig’d to fly with Precipitation,

and to abandon the Field of Battle to us._ The Prince attributes this

vigorous Action of the _Prussian_ Soldiers to the most exemplary Courage

and Valor of the Prince of _Anhalt_ their Commander. _’Tis but Justice_,

continu’d Prince Eugene, _to give the Prince of +Anhalt+ the Praise he has

so well deserved. He hazarded his Person upon all Occasions, and not

intimidated by the Danger to which he expos’d it, I always saw him at the

Head of his Troops, leading them on to Battle, and encouraging them by his

own Example; so that it may be said to his Honor, that he contributed the

greatest Share to that Victory._ This was a Panegyric the more pleasing to

the Subject of it, because it proceeded from the Mouth of a Prince, who

was too great a Master of Courage to be mistaken.

After the Campaign was over, my Lord _Marlborough_ came to _Berlin_, where

he receiv’d all the Marks of Esteem from the King, which he could possibly

have desired. Every Point that he negociated for the Operations of the

Campaign was granted him, and he went away from Court highly satisfied. As

soon as he was gone the Prince Royal set out for _Hanover_, from whence he

went to _Holland_; and he intended to pass over to _England_, but an Event

which happen’d to the Grief of him and the whole Court, oblig’d him to

return to _Berlin_.

This was the unexpected Death of the Queen, on the 1st of _February_ 1705,

after a few days Illness. This Princess us’d for some time past to go to

_Hanover_, to make a Visit to the Electoress her Mother, of whom, as I

have already had the Honor to acquaint you, she was extremely fond. The

Day that she was to set out for this Journey she found herself

indispos’d, but did not discover it, for fear lest the King should not

permit her to go. Her Illness continu’d during the whole Journey, and When

she came to _Hanover_, what with the fatigue of receiving Visits from the

Ladies of the Court, and her dancing at a Ball the same day, she grew much

worse. She came from the Ball with a Soreness in her Throat, which prov’d

so violent that the Physicians and Surgeons soon despair’d of curing her.

The Queen, tho’ in the Flower of her Age, was not at all terrify’d when

she saw Death approaching her. She wrote a very tender Letter to the King,

in which she thanked him for the Love he had always manifested to her, and

recommended her Domestics to him. Her Brother the Duke _Ernest Augustus_

was so deeply concern’d to see her in such a condition, that she did what

she could to comfort him: _There is nothing so natural_, said she to him,

_as Death; ’tis unavoidable, and tho’ I am young enough to hope to live a

few Years longer, yet I am not loth to die_.

M. _de la Bergerie_ the Minister of the _French_ Church, who assisted her

in her last Moments, was so surpriz’d at her courage and calmness, that he

was more attentive to hear her than to exhort her. _I have_, said she,

_for twenty Years seriously study’d my Religion, and have read the Books

that treat of it with too much application to be in any doubt as to my

Principles. You cannot mention any thing to me but what I have read, and

what you can say to me will certainly add nothing to my Opinion._ Then

turning towards my Cousin, who was on the other side of her Bed, _Alas!_

said she, _what a deal of needless Ceremony is now going to be us’d about

this Body of mine_! At the same time almost, she stretch’d out her Hand

to Duke _Ernest_ her Brother, and said to him, _Dear Brother, I am

choak’d_; and that Moment she expir’d.

A Courier was immediately dispatch’d to the Prince Royal, who was at the

_Hague_, and M. _de Bulau_ the Steward of the Queen’s Houshold carried the

News to the King, who was so surpriz’d at it, that he fainted away several

times. When he came to himself he shew’d marks of the sincerest

Affliction, and seem’d fully sensible what a loss he had sustain’d. Indeed

this Princess truly deserv’d his Lamentation, as well as the Sorrow of the

whole State; and I for my part with my whole Family lost a solid and

sincere Protectress.

The King’s Grief was such, that it had no Interval, but in his application

to pay those Honours to the Queen, that were due to her Rank. He was

willing to signalize it by the magnificence of a Funeral Pomp, and for

this purpose he himself issued the necessary Orders. The Elector of

_Hanover_ (afterwards King of _England_) omitted nothing on his part to

shew his Sorrow for the loss of so dear a Sister. Her Body was laid for

several days upon a sumptuous Bed of State; her Ladies and the Officers of

her Houshold who had waited on her to _Hanover_ encompass’d it, and the

Elector’s Guards and Officers stay’d with the Queen’s Corpse, and pay’d

the same Attendance as if she had been living. When every thing was ready

to carry the Corpse to _Berlin_, the Elector caus’d it to be convey’d by

all his Guards even to the Frontiers of the Duchy of _Zell_, where it was

receiv’d by M. _de Bulau_ the Grand Marshal of the Court, who conducted it

to the Territories of _Brandenburg_; and there it was receiv’d by the

Count _de Witgenstein_, who accompany’d it as far as _Berlin_, where I

remember it arriv’d about ten o’clock at Night in a terrible Shower of

Rain. The King accompany’d by the Prince Royal and the Margraves in long

Mourning-Cloaks and by the Ladies of the Court in deep Mourning-Veils,

receiv’d the Queen’s Corpse at its being taken out of the Funeral-Chariot,

and accompany’d it into the Old Chapel where a magnificent Cataphalque was

erected for depositing it.

It represented a Temple of an Oval Form, whose Roof was supported by

Pillars of the _Corinthian_ Order, between each of which were plac’d

Statues that represented the Queen’s Vertues. In the middle of the

Cataphalque just in the Upright there was a Glory, in which there was the

Queen’s Cypher form’d by Stars. All the Statues, that were silver’d, added

to the Lustres, Branches and Chandeliers, made a noble Contrast with the

Black that cover’d the Walls and the Roof. There the Queen’s Corpse was

repos’d till every thing was ready for her Interment. I will not here

enter into the detail of that Ceremony, which was one of the most

magnificent. What I observ’d extraordinary in it was, that ’twas the

King’s pleasure that the Parliament of _Orange_, of which the greatest

part were Refugees at Court, should appear there in their Scarlet Robes.

The Queen’s Death occasion’d no alteration in Affairs; for she meddled

with the Government very little, and left all the care of it to the King

and his Ministers: But in matters of Pleasure she was not so unconcern’d;

and she understood them so well, that she was soon miss’d. The Courtiers

sustain’d a Lose that was irreparable; for this Princess, who knew every

body, was perfectly acquainted with every one’s Birth and Merit, and took

a delight to distinguish them. Being lofty, but at the same time polite,

she knew better than any body in the World what it was to keep a Court;

and being virtuous without meanness, she could tell (which is no easy

matter) how to prescribe just Bounds to that Air of Gallantry, which alone

is capable of rendering a Court agreeable, and preserving Politeness in

it.

The only Princess capable of supplying her place was the Margravine

_Philippa_, who then held the first Rank at Court. She was the Daughter of

the Prince of _Anhalt-Dessau_, and of the Princess of _Orange_. She was

good-natur’d and merry, and fond of Pleasures, but understood the delicacy

of them. She might sometimes have made us forget the loss of the Queen, if

the austere and perhaps jealous Humor of her Husband the Margrave _Philip_

had not inclin’d that Prince to prefer his Residence at his House at

_Schwedt_ to the Court.

Soon after the Queen, died the Emperor _Leopold_; which was an Event that

affected us not so much as the other, but concern’d the rest of _Europe_

more. It was presently imagin’d that the Views to the Succession of

_Spain_ would have suffer’d some alteration by this Prince’s Death; for

the Emperor _Joseph_ who succeeded his Father having no Son, the Archduke

his Brother who disputed the Crown of _Spain_ with the Duke of _Anjou_ was

his only Heir, and might one day or other by his Death become Master of

the Empire, and of the Dominions of the House of _Austria_. Therefore they

who dreaded to see the two Crowns united upon one Head, had as much and

more reason to fear the Archduke’s making himself Master of _Spain_; the

Duke of _Anjou_ who was already in possession of that Crown, being at

that time very remote from that of _France_, by reason of the great number

of Princes that had a prior Right to his. Nevertheless the Powers of

_Europe_ were not mov’d by these Reflections, and the War was continu’d on

the side of the Allies with considerable Success.

The King of _Sweden_ might, if he had pleased, have stopp’d the progress

of it, and immortaliz’d his Name by rendring himself the Arbiter of a

Quarrel, which divided _Europe_; for the Prosperity of his Arms had

render’d him the Terror of all the Powers in the North. He had in the Year

1704 depriv’d the Elector of _Saxony_ of the Crown of _Poland_, by causing

King _Stanislaus Leszinski_ the Palatine of _Posen_, to be proclaim’d King

of _Poland_; and he was already in the middle of _Saxony_ where he

committed universal Ravage, and when he might have turn’d the Balance

which way he pleas’d, the wrong Advice of his Favorite, corrupted by my

Lord _Marlborough_, was the cause of the Misfortunes into which that

Prince was afterwards precipitated.

Our Court has had a sufficient share in these different Events; but

perhaps, _Madame_, ’tis so little known at your’s as to deserve your

Curiosity: but I will only tell you of what I think most important.

The _Swedes_ and _Poles_ had scarce laid down their Arms when the

Differences between the King of _Denmark_ and the Duke of _Holstein_ gave

them a fresh occasion to take them up again. In the Conferences that were

begun at _Pinneberg_ in 1696, there were hopes that those Princes would

soon be reconcil’d; but they only patch’d up a Peace which could not last

long, because of the Umbrage the King of _Denmark_ took at the Duke of

_Holstein_’s strict Alliance with _Sweden_; and they quarrel’d again about

the limits of their Dominions. The _Danes_ were the Aggressors, and they

demanded a reinforcement of four thousand Men of the King of _Poland_.

This Prince, who naturally took part with those that declar’d against

_Sweden_, was pleas’d well enough with the _Danes_ Demand, and as there

was an absolute necessity of passing those Troops over the Lands of the

King, (at that time Elector) he sent the Count _de Flemming_, now his

Prime Minister, to our Court, in order to sollicite their passage. Of a

great many Arguments that were alledg’d against it, the most specious

were, ‘That the Mediators being still actually employ’d in procuring a

just and equitable Accommodation, it was the duty of a Mediator to hinder

the Rupture, rather than contribute to it by favoring this passage: That

the Court of _Prussia_ was Guarantee for the King of _Sweden_ and the Duke

of _Holstein_, that neither of those two Princes should begin the War

against the King of _Denmark_; and that consequently as War was not

declar’d against that Prince, his _Danish_ Majesty had no need of Foreign

Assistance; and that finally by giving passage to those Troops the Duke of

_Holstein_ would have just reason to accuse the Mediation of Partiality.’

Nevertheless, after all these fine reasons, the four thousand Men had

their Passage, either from surprise or the connivance of the Court. The

King of _Poland_ on his part, in order to make a considerable Diversion in

favor of the King of _Denmark_, brought Troops from _Livonia_ and besieg’d

_Riga_, which then belong’d to the _Swedes_. This Conduct of the King of

_Poland_, was, Madame, as the fatal Signal and the _Primum Mobile_ of that

tragical War, which tho’ so glorious for the King of _Sweden_ in the

beginning, ended in the ruin not only of his Kingdom, but also of _Poland_

and _Saxony_. And the greatest Gainer by it was the _Czar_.

The _Danes_ while they waited for the Succours they had demanded from

_Poland_, besieg’d the Fortress of _Tonningen_ in the Duchy of _Sleswic_.

The King of _Sweden_ and the Duke of _Holstein_, before they oppos’d this

Enterprize, preferr’d their Complaints to the Dyet of the Empire, and then

prepar’d for driving the _Danes_ out of the Country. The Elector of

_Hanover_ and the Duke of _Zell_ join’d those two Princes, and the latter

marching to the Relief of _Tonningen_ had the Honor of obliging the

Besiegers to abandon it, upon the report only of his Approach. This Prince

therefore having nothing to do towards _Tonningen_, went with his Troops

and rejoin’d the Elector of _Hanover_. They met the four thousand Men whom

the King of _Poland_ was sending to the Assistance of the _Danes_, but

only took their Baggage and Arms, and then left them at liberty to return

home.

The King of _Sweden_, on his part, push’d on the War against the _Poles_.

That great Prince whom extraordinary Undertakings never startled, having

already ravag’d a part of _Poland_, design’d a bold stroke, which was no

less than dethroning the lawful King of that Country, and setting up

another in his room. He had cast his eyes upon _James_ of _Poland_, Son of

King _John Sobieski_; but the King of _Poland_ parry’d this blow, by

causing the Prince _James_ and his Brother Prince _Constantine_, to be

carried away from an Estate of theirs near _Breslau_ to _Saxony_, where

they were strictly guarded like Prisoners at the Castle of _Leipsic_. The

Confinement of these Princes did indeed hinder either of them from being

elected King; but the King of _Sweden_ still persisted in his design of

dethroning the King of _Poland_, on purpose to be reveng’d of that Prince

for being so rash as to be the first that declar’d War against him. He

caused the Election to fall upon _Stanislaus Leczinski_ the Palatine of

_Posen_. The Bishop of _Posen_ officiated as Cardinal Primate in this

Ceremony, and proclaim’d the new King. The King of _Sweden_ wrote to all

the Princes with whom he was at peace, to acquaint them of this new

Election, and to exhort them to recognize it. The Letter he wrote to our

King had no Influence over him; for he made answer, that he had recogniz’d

one King of _Poland_ already, and that as long as he liv’d he would

acknowledge no other. He wrote at the same time to the King of _Poland_,

to demand the Liberty of the two Princes. The Emperor, to whom the eldest

had the Honour of being Brother-in-law, seconded the King’s Demand; but

the Solicitations of both had no consequence, and the Princes were not

releas’d till a long time after.

The following Year the King undertook to procure a Peace between the Kings

of _Sweden_ and _Poland_; but as the view of such Reconciliation was to

re-establish the Prince of _Saxony_ upon the Throne of _Poland_, the King

of _Sweden_ would hearken to no Proposal of Peace, unless the dethron’d

King would solemnly renounce the Crown. Mean time his _Swedish_ Majesty,

in order to mollify his Refusal of the King’s Mediation, sent an

Ambassador-Extraordinary to him to recognize him as King of _Prussia_.

This Ambassador was the first that ever made a public Entry at _Berlin_,

and ’twas one of the most splendid that cou’d be, tho’ all the Equipages

were in Mourning by reason of the Death of the Queen.

Thus did this crafty King, by amusing those he had a mind to keep fair

with, always push at his own ends. He continu’d to ravage _Poland_, and

drove the King from thence into his Electorate of _Saxony_. There the

_Swedish_ Soldiers took up their Winter-Quarters, and committed such

Outrages as one would not have expected from a Nation so fruitful in

Heroes. The _Swedish_ Prince signaliz’d his Entrance into _Saxony_ by a

glorious Action, which was procuring the Liberty of the two _Polish_

Princes, who had for two Years been detain’d Prisoners with very great

Severity and as little Reason. He afterwards march’d through all _Saxony_

with the haughtiness of a Conqueror who comes to prescribe Laws to those

whom he has reduc’d to his Obedience. As for King _Stanislaus_ whom he had

caus’d to be crown’d King of _Poland_ at _Warsaw_, he led him about, with

him as it were in Triumph. As this new King advanc’d towards the

Territories of the Electorate of _Brandenburg_, to meet the Queen his Wife

who was coming from _Stetin_, our Court caus’d all the Honours to be paid

to him that were due to the Royal Dignity, without recognizing him all the

while for King. This Complaisance of our Court won the King of _Sweden_’s

Heart. Mean time the Neighbourhood of this great Monarch, who, where-ever

he march’d, carried Fire and Sword with him, gave vast uneasiness, and the

Joy was as great when he manifested a Design to turn his Arms against the

_Muscovites_, which he was put upon to do by the _English_. They had for

some time past suspected him to be supported under-hand by _France_, and

they thought the best way to embroil him with that Crown was to engage him

in a War with the _Czar_. The Person commission’d to negociate this Affair

was my Lord _Marlborough_, who went to the King of _Sweden_, and soon put

his Negociation in a hopeful way to succeed. He found about the King a

Minister so sordid, that he was not proof against an Offer of three

hundred thousand Crowns, to betray his Master into a War which could not

but be fatal to him; whereas, if he had pleas’d, he might have acquir’d

immortal Glory in the midst of _Saxony_, by rendring himself the Umpire of

two of the most potent Families in _Europe_, then contending for the Crown

of _Spain_. This Minister knowing his Master’s ambitious Temper, propos’d

no less to him than dethroning the _Czar_. The young Monarch full of Zeal

and Courage did not imagine how impossible it was to dethrone a Prince who

was retir’d behind Provinces quite deserted, and where the Snow lay so

deep that ’twas difficult to distinguish whether they walk’d upon Land or

Rivers. He march’d out of the Electorate of _Saxony_ at the Head of his

Troops about the end of the Year 1707. Never had People juster Reasons for

giving public Marks of their Joy, than the _Saxons_ had to see the

_Swedish_ Monarch turn his Back to them. His Troops had committed

excessive Outrages in the Electorate; all the flat Country of _Saxony_ was

intirely ruin’d, and, except some great Towns such as _Leipsic_, where

they generously enough spent part of the Money they had extorted from the

poor _Saxon_ Peasant, there was not a Hamlet but was laid waste to such a

degree, that there were no hopes of its being restor’d to its original

Condition one while.

Yet if the Misfortunes of an Enemy can in any measure compensate the

Losses he has occasion’d, the _Saxons_ had all the reason in the World to

be pleas’d in the Sequel. The _Swedish_ Troops gave way every where to the

_Muscovites_, who flush’d with former Victories, beat them to nothing.

The greatest Loss the King of _Sweden_ sustain’d was near _Pultowa_. This

Prince, who was more ambitious than prudent, being got too far into

_Muscovy_, did not perceive his error till it was too late to retrieve it.

The _Czar_ had the Precaution, as he retir’d a little before into his own

Dominions, to burn above forty Leagues of Country thro’ which the King of

_Sweden_ was to pass to him; so that this Prince soon found himself in a

very sad situation, not being able to stay in a place where there was no

manner of Provision, and forc’d to engage with an Army well intrench’d and

far superior to his own. But there was no avoiding it, and a Battle was

fought the 8th of _July_ 1709, when the _Swedes_ were all either cut in

pieces or taken Prisoners by the _Muscovites_. The King who was oblig’d by

a Wound in his Heel to be carry’d in a Litter had like to have been

kill’d, for one Cannon-Ball kill’d one of his Horses, and a second

demolish’d his Litter. The whole Army was in pain for the King’s Life; but

the Officers who were near his Person snatch’d him out of danger, and

advis’d him to provide for his safety. This Prince was very loth to comply

with such a resolution, but finding himself oblig’d to yield to Force,

retir’d to _Bender_, a little Town at the entrance of _Moldavia_, which

belongs to the _Turkish_ Empire. The King of _Sweden_ was no sooner safe,

but the Remains of his Army with their Generals at their head submitted

to the Conqueror. This, Madame, was the Success of the Battle of

_Pultowa_; a Battle glorious to the _Muscovites_, but so fatal to the King

of _Sweden_ that he could never recover it: For after this Defeat this

young Hero was always expos’d to the most cruel Reverses of that very

Fortune, which in his early Years seem’d to delight in heaping Favors on

him.

Mean time the two Families in competition for the Crown of _Spain_ had not

yet sheath’d their Swords. The King of _Sweden_ was even yet in the

Electorate of _Saxony_ when the _French_ lost the famous Battle of

_Ramellies_, which procur’d the Allies the greatest part of the _Spanish

Netherlands_. The Troops in _Italy_ also distinguish’d themselves, and

particularly the _Prussians_, who had so great a share in the raising of

the Siege of _Turin_, that the Duke of _Savoy_ wrote a Letter to the King,

in which he extolled the Valor of the _Prussian_ Generals and Soldiers.

“Yesterday, _said he_, the Enemy’s Army was intirely put to the rout in

their own Lines before this place (_Turin_), in which your Majesty’s

Troops had the greatest share, and I can never enough commend their

Bravery, nor the notable Valour of the Prince of _Anhalt_, who led them

on, _&c._” This Letter was dated the 8th of _September_, 1706.

The Prince of _Anhalt_ too sent an Express with the same News to the King,

and gave a great Character of the Troops under his Command. “As your

Majesty’s Troops, _said he, in his Letter_, were the first that enter’d

the Enemy’s Trenches, so they have suffer’d very much, and especially the

Grenadiers. I may say that your Majesty’s Forces have behav’d so well,

that they are intitled to universal Praise and Admiration, _&c_.” Then he

enter’d into the Detail of the Losses sustain’d by the _French_, which

were indeed very considerable. ’Twas upon this occasion that the Marshal

_de Marsin_ was wounded and taken Prisoner, and besides forty-five Pieces

of heavy Cannon and one hundred and forty lesser that were taken from

them, they lost a great Convoy of two thousand Mules and one thousand

Horses, which was guarded by the Regiment of Dragoons of _Chatillon_.

The raising of this Siege, and the Reputation the _Prussian_ Troops

thereby acquired was very acceptable News to the King, and while the Court

was rejoicing for this, there arriv’d other Advices which gave them no

less pleasure; and that was the raising of the Siege of _Barcelona_. This

City had been besieg’d for some time by the Marshal _de Tesse_; but King

_Charles_ who defended it made so stout a Resistance and such destructive

Sallies upon the _French_ Army, that the latter was oblig’d to retire. The

King was inform’d of it by an Express from King _Charles_.

So many Successes one after another rais’d the hopes of the Allies

prodigiously. The Terror the _French_ Arms had for a long time impress’d

upon their Minds soon wore off, and nothing was heard every where but

shouts of Joy, to see so haughty a Nation at last humbled. Our Court was

more rejoic’d than any other at this great News, and every one envy’d the

Fortune of the _Prussian_ Soldiers, when they saw that the Duke of _Savoy_

and the Prince of _Anhalt_ themselves, gave them the highest Encomia.

At this happy Juncture was celebrated the Marriage of the Prince Royal,

which had been concluded at _Hanover_, a Journey the King made thither

with the Prince his Son. This young Prince had for a long time such a

veneration for the Princess the Elector’s Daughter, as ’twas possible for

the most accomplish’d Merit to inspire him with, and of all the Princesses

in the World she was like to be the most acceptable to her Subjects; she

represented to us the Idea of the late Queen, and as she was her Niece and

design’d to succeed to her Dominions, she seem’d also to have inherited

all the great Qualities that made the former ador’d at our Court. The

Electoral Prince of _Hanover_ married her at _Hanover_ by Proxy, in

presence of the Count _de Finck_ the King’s Ambassador. The Princess set

out from thence some days after with a Train becoming her present and her

future Dignity. The Elector her Father had given her the most magnificent

Suits of Apparel and Jewels that could be got for Money, and they were

purchas’d at _Paris_ by a Man sent on purpose. The Duchess of _Orleans_

was desirous to chuse and give Directions for the Clothes, and she

afterwards shewed them to _Lewis_ XIV. who thought them so rich that he

said it were to be wish’d for the sake of the Mercers of _Paris_, that

there were more Princesses that could afford to make such Purchases.

’Twas _Novemb. 27, 1706_, that this Princess made her public Entry at

_Berlin_. The King met her about half a League out of Town. As soon as her

Royal Highness perceiv’d the King’s Coach she alighted, as the King did

also from his and went to meet her. After having embraced the Princess he

presented the Prince Royal to her, together with his Brothers and the two

Princesses. Then the King took Coach again, where the Princess plac’d

herself on the King’s left hand; and the two Margraves sate over-against

them; the Prince-Royal and the King’s three Brothers being mounted on

Horseback. The Entry was one of the most magnificent that was ever seen.

All the Troops then at _Berlin_ were under Arms, as well as all the

City-Militia, and drawn up in a Line from the Out-parts of the Town quite

to the Palace. The next day after the Princess’s Arrival, there was a

sumptuous Feast, at which the Prince Royal and the Princess had

Arm-Chairs, but for that day only; for the next day their Royal Hignesses

sate in upright Chairs at the two ends of the Table.

Our Court was then as splendid as in the time of the late Queen. There was

a continual Round of Pleasures, and every day was remarkable for Feasts,

Balls, Comedies, _&c._ These Rejoicings had lasted a good while, when all

on a sudden we had a most terrible Alarm. The King fell dangerously ill,

and his Physicians began to despair of his Recovery. But God, who always

considers the Wants of his People, did us the favor to restore him to us

for a while longer. Upon his Recovery he receiv’d the Compliments of the

whole Court, and the Congratulations of the Princes his Allies, who

acknowledg’d as well as his Subjects how necessary his Preservation was to

the Common Cause.

Not long after the King’s Recovery, I saw the young Count _de Metternich_

arrive at _Berlin_, who came to bring the King Advice, That the _Swissers_

had at length recogniz’d his Majesty for Sovereign Prince of _Neufchâtel_,

preferably to the other Princes his Competitors. The Count _de

Metternich_, who was the King’s Ambassador in _Swisserland_, had the good

Fortune to carry this Point, notwithstanding the Menaces of _France_, who

asserted the Interests of several of her Subjects, at the Head of whom was

the Prince of _Conti_. Madame _de Nemours_, the Sovereign of _Neufchâtel_,

was no sooner dead, but each of the Claimants put in their Plea of Right

to this Sovereignty. As soon as the News of her Death was confirm’d, the

King sent Orders to M. _de Metternich_, his Ambassador-Extraordinary and

his Plenipotentiary in _Swisserland_, to repair to _Neufchâtel_ and take

care of his Interests. He went thither accordingly on the 30th of _June_,

and caus’d a Memorial to be distributed at his Arrival, containing the

King’s Right to the said Principality. The _French_ Competitors on their

part distributed another, to establish their own Rights, and invalidate

the Pretensions of the King. There happen’d to be Disputes between the

Prince of _Conti_ and the _Prussian_ Ambassador about Precedency. M. _de

Puisieux_ the Ambassador of _France_, as it was his Duty to do, maintain’d

the Interests of the Prince of _Conti_, and presented to the Council of

_Neufchâtel_ a Memorial so haughty and menacing, as if it had come from

victorious _France_ in the Time when she was flush’d with Conquests. He

said in this Memorial, “That the King his Master cannot look with

Indifference upon the Conduct at _Neufchâtel_, in presuming to be so

disrespectful to the Princes of his Family; that it wou’d be the wisest

way for the Gentlemen of the Council speedily to take Measures to prevent

this Pretension of the _Prussian_ Minister from being carried any further,

a Pretension, _said he_, which has no Foundation, but in Malice or

Ignorance; because even tho’ the new Title, which the Elector of

_Brandenburg_ has assum’d for some years, were universally recogniz’d, yet

this very Pretension of his Ambassador’s would be always chimerical.” Here

M. _de Puisieux_ gave them Warning, “That if they did not soon alter their

Conduct, the King of _France_ wou’d take Measures very opposite to the

pacific and kind Sentiments which he had entertain’d since the Affair of

_Neufchâtel_ was first in agitation.” Such, _Madame_, was the Strain in

which the _French_ Minister talk’d. This Memorial was follow’d by several

others, which went to the very bottom of the Affair; and M. _de Puisieux_,

in order to engage the Council of _Neufchâtel_ to favour the _French_

Claimants, still continued to talk in such a high Stile, as prejudiced

every body against the Side that he espous’d. You may judge of this

Ambassador’s manner of Negociation, by the last Memorial which he

presented towards the close of _October_ 1707. After having establish’d

the Right of the _French_ Competitors with continual Invectives, he

concluded thus; _If it happens contrary to my Expectation, that your

Answer is not conformable to what I demand,--I have fresh Orders from his

Majesty to assure you, that nothing will be capable to hinder the Effects

of his Indignation, or to screen you from that just Vengeance which he

proposes to take._ Then, as if he affected to speak in a softer Strain, he

said to them with an Air of Protection, “That he hop’d while he staid at

_Neufchâtel_, to find favourable Inclinations for the entire Performance

of what he wish’d for.” _’Tis the only thing you can do (+these are the

last Words of his Memorial+) to merit the Continuance of his Majesty’s

Good-will. I wish for my own part, that you wou’d furnish me with

Opportunities to help maintain you in it._ But all these Menaces of the

_French_ Ambassador came to nothing, and only procur’d him sharp Answers

from the Ambassadors of _Prussia_, _England_, and _Holland_; for things

went on in the same Course in the Council of _Neufchâtel_, and the whole

Affair was determined to the Satisfaction of the King, who was proclaim’d

Sovereign thereof on the 3d of _November_ 1707.

As soon as the King had been recogniz’d in that Sovereignty, the Count _de

Metternich_ sent his Son to his Majesty with the Sentence of the three

Estates, declaring the King lawful Heir of the said Principality, by

_Louisa_ of _Nassau_ his Mother, the eldest Daughter of Prince

_Frederic-Henry_, Son of _William_ of _Nassau_ call’d the _Belgic_, to

whom there had been a Transfer of the Rights of the House of _Chalons_, to

which the Sovereignty and Domaine of _Neufchâtel_ originally belong’d.

The News of the Acquisition of this Sovereignty cou’d not but be very

acceptable to the King, who gave the young Count a most favorable

Reception, made him noble Presents, and amongst others, gave him the Key

of Chamberlain.

Not many days after, _viz. Nov_. 23, 1707, the Court had a fresh Subject

of Joy, by the Princess Royal’s safe Delivery of a Prince, whom the King

immediately declared Prince of _Orange_, and made him at the same time a

Knight of the Grand Order. His Majesty after this dispatch’d Couriers to

his Ambassadors at the Courts of the Princes his Allies to acquaint them

of the Birth of his Grandson. M. _de Spanheim_ the Ambassador in _England_

received Orders to desire the Queen to be God-mother to the young

Prince;, and M. _de Schmettau_ Ambassador in _Holland_, and M. _de

Metternich_ Ambassador in _Swisserland_, were charged to invite the States

with whom they resided to be God-fathers. Besides these Powers, the King

and the Elector of _Hanover_ were God-fathers, and the Electoress of

_Hanover_ was God-mother. The Baptism was performed with great

Magnificence on the 3d of _December_ in the Church of the _Dome_. The Joy

at Court for the Birth of this Prince was of no long Duration; for in a

few Months after, he died: but the Sorrow for the Loss of him was

alleviated, by the Hopes that the Prince Royal had Youth and Health enough

to give us soon more Heirs. The Incident that was most alarming, was the

weakly Condition of the King, who recover’d but slowly from his Grand

Ailment; so that his Physicians advis’d him to make use of the Waters

of_Carlsbadt_ in _Bohemia_; and at the beginning of the fine Season, his

Majesty went thither accordingly.

The King’s Departure being resolv’d on, I begg’d his Majesty’s leave, to

make the Campaign in _Flanders_ in quality of a Voluntier. I set out from

_Berlin_ with the _Gens d’Arms_, in which my Brother was a Cornet, and we

join’d the Army near _Louvain_. The Count _de Lottum_ receiv’d me as a

Voluntier; and I had the Pleasure to be near him all the Campaign. Not

many days after I had reached the Army, the Electoral Prince of _Hanover_,

(now _George_ II. King of _England_) arrived in the Camp of my Lord

_Marlborough_, and did that General the Honor to serve with him as a

Voluntier. The young Prince distinguish’d himself very much in this

Campaign, and gave the _English_ sufficient Proof that he was worthy

hereafter of wearing their Crown. ’Twas in this Campaign that the famous

Battel of _Audenarde_ was fought, in which the _French_ were again obliged

to yield to the Efforts of the Allies. It must be said however, in their

favor, that they were forc’d to fight without Artillery; for they had but

four Pieces of Cannon, the rest of their Ordnance and Baggage not being

yet arriv’d. The Action was very hot on both sides; they fought for

several Hours with exceeding Obstinacy, and always with a considerable

Loss on the part of the Enemy; whose Infantry was not only put to the

rout, but a great many Squadrons of the _French_ King’s Houshold Troops;

which advanc’d to support the Foot; were cut in pieces; whereupon the

Confusion was so great, and the fire so furious in several places at once,

that ’twas almost impossible to distinguish the Allies from the Enemy;

therefore Orders were given to fire no more till next Morning, but to let

the Enemy escape, rather than run the risque of putting our own Army in

confusion.

The Night being come, the _French_ scarce made any more Resistance but

retir’d by the way that goes from _Audenarde_ to _Ghent_, thro’ the

Village of _Heusden_. This very Evening as I was standing with some

Officers of the Guards, at a small distance from the _Prussian_ Guards, I

perceiv’d a Trooper riding full speed towards us, who, when he arriv’d

said, _Gentlemen, the Duke_ de Vendosme _orders you to retire towards_

Ghent. I cannot express to you how much he was surpriz’d when we told him

for Answer, That he was a Prisoner. _Kill me_, said he, _upon the spot, I

don’t desire to out-live what has happened to me_. We comforted him as

well as we cou’d, and carried him to the Count _de Lottum_’s Quarters, to

whom he made himself known for M. _Duplanti_, Aid de Camp to the Duke _de

Vendosme_. What led him into the mistake was the Habit of the _Prussian_

Guards, which is not very different from that of the _French_.

The Battle of _Audenarde_ was the more glorious for the Allies, because it

was a Victory gain’d over the Duke of _Burgundy_ who commanded the Army of

_France_, and had with him the Duke of _Berry_ his Brother, and the

Chevalier _de St. George_; but they say this Battle was quite against the

Opinion of the Duke _de Vendosme_, whose Advice was not hearken’d to, and

the Cabals which the Duke of _Burgundy_ gave into, hinder’d the Designs of

that famous General from being follow’d, and were the Cause of the Loss of

the Battle.

Next day about ten o’clock at Night the Count _de Lottum_ was detach’d

from the Grand Army with forty Squadrons and thirty Battalions, and

without any Resistance took possession, of the Lines towards _Ypres_,

which were immediately demolish’d. The 19th of that Month was celebrated

by the Army as a Day of Thanksgiving for the Victory they had gain’d; upon

which all the Cannon were fir’d, and there was a triple Salvo of all the

small Arms.

On the 26th, my Lord _Marlborough_, who only waited for a Convoy of the

heavy Artillery to begin the Siege of _Lisle_, sent a Detachment to

_Brussels_, where there was a considerable Train, which came partly from

_Sas van Ghent_ and _Maestricht_. This March was cover’d by 22,000 Men of

Prince _Eugene_’s Army, which he himself commanded in Person. This great

Convoy arriving safe before _Lisle_, the Town was invested the 13th of

_August_. As it was one of the most considerable Sieges that had been

undertaken for a long time; and as ’twas natural to expect a vigorous

Resistance, on the part of the Marshal _de Boufflers_ who commanded in the

Place, there came Voluntiers from all Quarters to the Camp of the

Besiegers. Two great Princes, both able Generals, thought fit to be

present at this Siege, _viz._ the King of _Poland_ and the Landgrave of

_Hesse-Cassel_, who were at the opening of the Trenches, which was on the

22d at Night.

Some Days after, the Enemy approach’d so near to us, that it was believed

they had an Inclination to engage. Our Generals were therefore at the head

of the Army as soon as the Day broke. Prince _Eugene_ join’d my Lord

_Marlborough_ with twenty-six Battalions and seventy-six Squadrons of his

Army which form’d the Siege; and the Army being drawn up in three Lines,

of which the two foremost consisted of the Cavalry; they remain’d in this

Posture till about ten o’ clock in the Forenoon, when ’twas visible that

the Enemy had no mind to come to a Battle, and that they only meant to

disturb us; for which Reason the Generals caus’d Entrenchments to be cast

up, which were finish’d next Day, and the Detachment which Prince _Eugene_

brought, was sent back again, excepting some Squadrons that staid.

There was then so little Apprehension of an Attack, that most of the

Generals quitted the Grand Army to assist in the storming of the

Counterscarp, which happen’d on the 5th of _September_ at Night. Our Men

earned it, tho’ with very great Loss on our side, and made Lodgments on

it. When this Attack was over, we set out to return to the Grand Army;

but to our misfortune the Guide that had conducted us, was run away; and

as it was not then more than one or two o’clock in the Morning, we were in

a very great Perplexity, and fell exactly into the Road that led to the

Centre of the Enemy’s Camp. I was on horseback, perhaps a hundred Yards

from the Count _de Lottum_ who was in his Coach, when all on a sudden I

heard some body call out, _Who goes there?_ I confess to you, _Madame_

that I was somewhat surpriz’d, but I comforted my self with the Thought,

that it was perhaps a Centinel of some _Walloon_ Regiment of the _Spanish_

Troops, so that I answer’d, _Officers_. We were got in the midst of Hedges

and Trees, which hinder’d me of the Benefit of a little Moonlight, by

which I might perhaps have discover’d with whom we had to do; and

therefore I still went on: but I was no sooner out of the Thicket, than I

found my self near enough to a Body of Horse, to discern that ’twas

impossible it shou’d belong to us, because it was too near the Place, and

because it fronted us. I presently saw our Danger; I turn’d back as gently

as I cou’d possibly to the Count _de Lottum_, and told him what I had

observ’d. M. _de K----_ his first Adjutant call’d me a Simpleton. _Kraut_

the second Adjutant treated me in much the same Stile; and in short I had

like to have been dismissed for a Fool; only the Count _de Lottum_ thought

it was Wisdom to run no hazard, and therefore he order’d his Coachman to

turn about, and the Officer of the Ordnance was detach’d to see whether I

was mistaken. The Truth of the Fact being by him confirm’d, the Adjutants

were almost frighten’d out of their Wits, made a thousand Apologies, and

promis’d to make me any sort of amends, if we were but so fortunate as to

escape the Danger which threaten’d us. At last we were delivered out of

it, I don’t well know how; for had the Enemy advanc’d ever so little, we

were sure of being left dead on the Spot.

Thus, _Madame_, have I given you what pass’d most remarkable since the

Storm of the Counterscarp. On the 11th, some Motion was made on the part

of the Enemy, who even advanc’d almost up to our Trenches; but we were in

a Posture to receive them. Their Army lay all Night under Arms, and next

Morning at Daybreak drew up in Order of Battle, but contrary to our

Expectation nothing came of it; for the Princes of _France_, the Chevalier

_de St. George_, the Duke _de Vendosme_, and several General Officers

contented themselves with taking a View of our Camp; but as they advanc’d

somewhat too near to our Intrenchments, we were oblig’d to be a little

rude to such great Princes, and to let fly some Cannon-Ball among them,

whereupon they thought fit to retire.

My Lord Duke heard the same Day, that M. _de Chamillard_, Secretary at

War, was arriv’d from _Versailles_ in the Army of _France_, to be present

at a Council which was to be held there. It was therein resolv’d, That we

should not be attack’d, and that their only Business should be to cut off

our Convoys from _Brussels_. To execute this Project they posted

themselves behind the _Scheld_, from whence they indeed did very much

incommode us. We had no Passage left now but from _Ostend_, by which

General _Webb_ brought us a considerable Convoy. M. _de la Motte_, a

Lieutenant-General of the _French_ Army endeavor’d to hinder its Passage;

he had also the Advantage of the Ground. Nevertheless he was defeated near

_Wynendale_. To this Convoy may be ascrib’d the Conquest of _Lisle_,

which was at length oblig’d to surrender on the 28th of _October_, and the

Marshal _de Boufflers_ retir’d into the Citadel; yet as brave as the

Garison was that march’d into it with him, he could not hold it out long.

Thus the Allies gain’d some considerable Advantage or other every day.

Never did they make a more glorious Campaign; for besides the taking of

_Lisle_ and its Citadel, they had also the Glory in this same Campaign of

raising the Siege which the Elector of _Bavaria_ had laid to _Brussels_,

and of reducing _Ghent_ and _Bruges_.

I forgot to tell you, that during the Siege of _Lisle_, we had like to

have lost Prince _Eugene_. This Prince receiv’d a Packet one day by the

Post, and having broke it open, he saw a greasy Paper, which gave him a

mistrust; but he only threw it upon the Ground, and a Person that gathered

it up being taken ill, it induc’d them to make an Experiment upon a Dog,

which when they had rubb’d it about his Nose, died that Instant. Thus was

God pleas’d to preserve this Hero from the basest of Treasons.

I wish’d I could have been at the taking of _Lisle_, but was oblig’d to

quit the Army some time before, M. _Dankelman_ my Tutor having receiv’d

the King’s Orders to send me to _Berlin_, where his Majesty design’d to

give me a Place at Court; and as he had Thoughts of marrying again, he

propos’d to prefer me to an Employment under the new Queen.

The King’s Marriage was talk’d of at the Waters of _Carelsbadt_. I have

had the honor to acquaint you, _Madame_, that the Physicians not knowing

what Remedy to prescribe, for curing him of the Faintness, which was the

Relic of his great illness in 1707, had at all adventures order’d the

Waters of _Carelsbadt_, and the King was perfectly recover’d by them. The

Recovery of his Health reviv’d the Pleasures of the Court. The voluptuous

Courtier, who had not yet forgot what the Presence of an amiable Queen is

capable of doing, began to form Vows, that the King might make a Choice as

good as the first: nay, the matter was carried farther; it was mention’d

to his Majesty, who was told withal, that nothing was more necessary, than

to think immediately of a second Marriage; and that the Prince Royal

having no Children, there was Danger of his Majesty’s leaving no Issue. In

short, every body voted so heartily for a Marriage, that the King, who

also was desirous of it, declar’d he wou’d marry again. The only

difficulty was to know, who should be the Princess that was to be advanc’d

to the Throne; and then arose several Parties, who had each very different

Views.

The Great Chamberlain was for the Princess of _Nassau-Friesland_, a

Marriage with whom, he imagin’d, would put an end to all the Disputes

about King _William_’s Succession. The King approv’d of the Proposal, and

sent the Baron _de Schalifer_ to negociate the Treaty. You would not

believe perhaps, _Madame_, that the very Mother of this Princess caus’d it

to miscarry, from a Jealousy of her Daughter’s Grandeur. Her Pretext was,

that she had before vainly flatter’d herself with the Hopes of marrying

her Daughter to the Prince Royal; that she had been bubbled then; and that

it would be the same thing now. The Assurances that the Baron gave her to

the contrary, and the Advantages he shew’d her would accrue to her Family

from this Match, were all to no purpose; she remain’d inflexible; and

told him in plain Terms, that she could not bear to think of seeing her

Daughter so much above her. The Baron having made some other Attempts,

this jealous Mother prevail’d on her Daughter to refuse the greatest Offer

she could ever hope for. A great many of the Courtiers were not sorry to

see this Match broke off. They had been jealous for a long time of the

great Credit of the Prince of _Anhalt_, who being Uncle to the Princess in

question, ’twas natural to presume, that she would grow more powerful than

before, besides the being more united than ever to the Great Chamberlain,

to whom the Prince would be oblig’d for this Marriage.

Then the Princess of _Hesse_ was propos’d, and the Princess of _Culmbach_.

The former had the Negative put upon her the very Moment that she was

mention’d, and that by the King himself. The latter was known to the King,

who had seen her at _Hall_, as he return’d from _Carelsbadt_. His Majesty

thought very well of her, and had even seem’d inclinable to determine in

her favor, when, opposite Cabals were set at work, which quite frustrated

the Proposal.

The Duchess of _Zeitz_, the King’s Sister, who married a Duke of

_Meckelbourg_ to her first Husband, proposed the Princess of _Meckelbourg_

to the King. His Majesty, who had still perhaps the Princess of _Culmbach_

in his Thoughts, did not seem at first to relish this Proposal;

nevertheless upon the Instances made to him by the Duchess his Sister, he

promised her to see the Princess of _Meckelbourg_ before he determin’d in

favor of any other Person. This he did accordingly, some time after he

return’d to _Berlin_, when he went to _Schwerin_, the Capital City of

_Meckelbourg_, on pretence of endeavoring to accommodate the Differences

between the Duke and the Nobility. There it was that the King saw the

Princess; she pleas’d him, and besides he had heard so much in her Praise,

that at length he determin’d to have her; and as soon as he return’d to

_Oranienbourg_, he declared his Marriage.

This News did not create so much Joy at our Court as I imagin’d it wou’d;

and the Courtiers began to reflect seriously, upon what they had seem’d to

wish for with Impatience. They call’d to mind the Time of the late Queen.

Moreover, the Age and Health of the Prince and Princess Royal gave them

ground enough to hope, that the _Brandenburg_ Family would not want Heirs.

In fine, the Character of Mother-in-law, ever hated, gave Apprehension

that there wou’d soon be a Division in the Royal Family. For my own part,

I verily believe, _Madame_, that what most of all disgusted the Courtiers,

in the Choice which the King had now made, was, that the Queen was a

devout Lady, a Quality not very likely to make that Air of Gallantry

prevail at Court, which captivates the Heart of the Courtier.

The King had no sooner declar’d his Intention to marry again, but there

was a Multitude of Sollicitors to be of the Queen’s Houshold. One

_Bassompierre_ put himself upon the List, and he desir’d the King wou’d

make him the Queen’s Chamberlain. The King made him answer, that he would

put no Officers about the Queen, except such as should be agreeable to

her; but that he would favor him so far, as to put him in the number of

those that shou’d be propos’d to the Queen as soon as she arriv’d.

_Bassompierre_ thought that by making previous Application to the Queen,

he should not fail of being admitted, and therefore he set out Post to

meet her. He told her Majesty that the King had sent him to be her

Chamberlain. The Queen believ’d him, admitted him in that quality, and

also gave him a Letter to carry to the King, with which he return’d to

_Berlin_. He told the King, that the Queen had appointed him her

Chamberlain. His Majesty easily imagin’d that the Queen had been

surpriz’d; and being justly angry with _Bassompierre_, forbad him the

Court. This _Bassompierre_ had a Brother who came to _Berlin_ the same

time as he did: These two Gentlemen said they were of that honest Family

of _Bassompierre_, of which there are some still in _Lorrain_: And by that

Name they went, _Anno_ 1707, in the Army in _Flanders_. The eldest said he

had been a Colonel in _France_, and that his Brother was a Captain in the

same Regiment. They pretended that they left their Country, the eldest for

having fought a Duel, and the youngest for being his Second. The King had

receiv’d them kindly, and given them Pensions, with a Promise to prefer

them to the Army the first Opportunity that should offer. These two

Brothers were at Court in a very agreeable Situation, and wou’d, no doubt,

have long enjoy’d it, when the eldest attempted to be the Queen’s

Chamberlain; in which perhaps too he would have succeeded, if his

Eagerness for it had not made him take that Step, by which he incurr’d his

Majesty’s Indignation. He was very much astonish’d at the Order which was

signify’d to him, not to be seen any more at Court; and at length fearing

he shou’d be found out to be what he really was, he retir’d, and went with

his Brother to _Saxony_, where they were both admitted into the King of

_Poland_’s Horse-Guards; but they did not enjoy that Shelter long: for the

Electoress of _Hanover_ having heard of their Intrigue at _Berlin_, wrote

to a great Lady in _France_, and desir’d her to inform her who those

_Bassompierres_ were. The Lady, who knew nothing at all of ’em, naturally

mistrusted that they were Fortune-Hunters; but for better Information she

enquir’d of M. _d’Argenson_, Lieutenant of the Police, who upon the

Description given him of those Gentlemen, discover’d they were a couple of

Sparks, whose Duel of Honor wou’d have been rewarded with the Brand of the

_Flower de Lis_ and the Galleys, if they could have been apprehended in

_France_. Upon this Discovery Messieurs _de Bassompierre_ were banish’d

out of _Poland_, and what became of them afterwards I cannot tell.

Mean time all the necessary Preparations were making at _Berlin_ for the

Reception of the Queen, who was preparing on her part for her public

Entry. The Duke of _Meckelbourg_ married the Princess his Sister by Proxy

from the King. Next day the new Queen set out from _Schwerin_, in company

with the Duchess her Mother, the Duke her Brother, and the Duchess of

_Meckelbourg_ her Sister-in law. This Train went with her to the very

Frontier of _Meckelbourg_, which borders upon the Electorate of

_Brandenburg_, and there the Queen found M. _d’Erlach_, Marshal of the

Court, who receiv’d her in the King’s Name, and offer’d her his House.

This Princess, after having taken leave of her Family, took Coach and

arriv’d at _Oranienburg_ the 24th of _November_. The King went and met her

about half a League from that House. As soon as she perceiv’d his Majesty,

she alighted out of her Coach and fell on her Knees. The King took her up

and embrac’d her, and after presenting the whole Royal Family to her they

went to the Castle. The King conducted the Queen to her Apartment, where

she always eat alone, to the very Day of the Celebration of the Marriage.

The 27th she made her Entry at _Berlin_, where she was receiv’d with all

possible Magnificence, and next Day their Majesties were married in the

Church of the _Dome_. The 29th, the King and Queen receiv’d the

Compliments of all the Deputies, Courts of Justice and Foreign Ministers;

and on the same day there was a great Entertainment which their Majesties

honor’d with their Presence. I was not willing, _Madame_, to tire you with

a tedious Detail of all the Ceremonies: I have already had the Honor to

acquaint you, that the King spar’d for nothing that might contribute to

the Magnificence of the Feast, which lasted several days, and was more

sumptuous every day than other. What I thought remarkable, was a Battle of

wild Beasts, at which their Majesties were present on the 17th of

_December_, when the Queen kill’d a Bear from her Gallery, with a shot

from a Hand-Gun.

The Arrival of the new Queen created no great Change at Court, and except

the first Rank which she had of the Ladies every thing continued in the

same state. The Princess-Royal kept her Court at her own Lodgings twice a

Week, that is to say, on those Days when there was no Circle at the

Queen’s; for upon the Drawing-Room Days she went to her Majesty’s

Apartment, as did most of the Princesses, and they stay’d there to sup.

Her Majesty likewise granted the same Honor to several other Ladies, to

whom she gave an Invitation by a Gentleman when they were in the Circle.

’Twas at the time of the King’s Marriage that I lost my Father-in-law: I

was very much concern’d for his Death, especially on account of the

Trouble it gave my Mother, who could never get over it as long as she

liv’d. The very day that the News of it was brought to me, the King

declar’d me a Gentleman of his Bed-chamber. I have had the Honor to tell

you, _Madame_, that I was taken out of the Army in hopes of being plac’d

near the Queen, but when I came to Court I found all her Houshold settled,

and my Name not in the List. I spoke of this to the Grand Marshal, who bid

me not be vexed, for that he would shortly get me a Post about the King,

and that was the Office of Gentleman of the Bed-chamber, to which I was

nominated some time after, _i. e._ about the latter end of the Year 1708.

You know, _Madame_, and one can hardly forget the prodigious cold Weather

we had the Winter following. It began on the Feast of _Epiphany_, 1709,

and was universal all over _Europe_. The Corn and Vines suffer’d so much

by it that there was a scarcity which lasted long enough to starve a

number of poor People, who cou’d not get Bread, it was so excessive dear.

Never was there a more melancholy Year; and there was such a poor

melancholy Court all the while, that it seem’d as if the severe cold

Weather had chill’d our Spirits. But when the fine Weather return’d they

began to revive, and every one prepar’d to set out for the Army. The

Prince Royal went to make the Campaign in _Flanders_ as a Voluntier, and

M. _d’Arnheim_ departed to rejoin the Troops of which he had the Command

in _Piedmont_. This Campaign was very glorious to the Allies, but ’twas a

very bloody one. The famous Battle of _Malplaquet_ was one of those

Victories which procured us Laurels cover’d with Funeral Scutcheons, and

two more such Victories would have ruin’d the Infantry of the Allies. The

Prince Royal was Witness of the Bravery of our Troops, which distinguish’d

themselves in this Campaign, wherein they had been great Sufferers. The

Enemy on their part besides the Battle lost also _Mons_ and _Tournay_.

The Memoirs of Charles-Lewis, Baron de Pollnitz, Volume III Being the Observations He Made in His Late Travels from Prussia thro' Germany, Italy, France, Flanders, Holland, England, &C. in Letters to His Friend. Discovering Not Only the Present State of the Chief Cities and Towns; but the Characters of the Principal Persons at the Several Courts. · 第 9 / 49 题

6. That those Troops should remain there as long as the War continu’d.