I have had the Honor to acquaint you, th_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.

_Saxony_ was at the _Persian_’s Audience. This Prince had been for some

time in _France_; and tho’ he was _incog._ by the Name or Title of the

Count of _Lusatia_, he had the Retinue of a King’s Son. The Count _de

Coste_, who died Bishop of _Warmia_, was his Governor, and the Baron _de

Hagen_ his Sub-Governor. He had also several Gentlemen with him, besides

Pages, and a number of Officers. His Equipage was magnificent, and his

Table as elegant as could be desir’d. He was presented to the King by

_Madame_, who gave him out to be a _German_ Gentleman of a good Family.

This Prince gave a sumptuous Ball at the Hotel _de Soissons_, in the

Apartment where _Dumont_ the Envoy of _Holstein_ liv’d. There was an

amazing Croud of Masqueraders, and among the rest your humble Servant, who

had good Diversion there with a Lady who trusted me with a Secret, by

mistake, for another Person. As she is a Lady of some Distinction, you’ll

excuse me from telling her Name. All that I shall do my self the Honor to

acquaint you of at present is, that she was a Duchess who was fond of

_R----_ to Distraction; but he had abandon’d her for Mademoiselle _de

S----_. The Duchess saw him enter the Ball-Room with _V----_, who was

formerly a Confident of their Amours, and an intimate Friend of _R----_.

The Duchess, as disguis’d as she was, was presently known by her faithless

Lover; so that when she went to lay hold of him, he slily stole away with

his Friend, and secreted himself in the Croud. Being afraid of Reproaches

from the Duchess, he thought fit also to change his Domino. _V----_

likewise exchang’d his for mine. _R----_ shew’d me the Place where he had

seen the Duchess, and desir’d me to pass by her, but not to speak to her,

in case that she offered to talk with me. I promis’d every thing he ask’d,

yet was resolv’d to have a Parley with her, if I found a proper

Opportunity, which soon presented. You must know, that I so much resembled

M. _de V----_ in Stature, that the Duchess readily took me for him, and

beckoning me aside, at the Instant that she was in high Wrath with

_R----_, for refusing to speak to her, she made a general Confession to me

of all her Intrigue. While she was going on thus, without Reserve, to

make a Variety of Confessions to me, of which I thought she might repent

when she knew that she had been speaking to the wrong Person; I

interrupted her by saying, _She was mistaken in her Man, and that I was

not_ V----. She reply’d hastily, _What need all these Grimaces? Hear me

out to the End of my Tale. This is not a Place to play the fool in. You

know_, continu’d she, _that I have granted the ungrateful Man but every

thing_. I broke in upon her again, and said to her, _By my Troth_, Madame,

_I did not know one word of the Matter till now_. She jeer’d me for

pretending to be ignorant of what she had been telling me, and continu’d

her Discourse to me with all the Plainness and True-heartedness that is

seldom found in Narratives of this nature. After she had run on a good

while, she said, _Alas!_ Sir, _What say you, Speak, now is your Time to

speak, and justify your Friend, if you can. I really think_, replied I,

_that +R----+ is a Scoundrel to set so little a Value upon the Kindness

you have for him; and instead of justifying him, when I see him, I shall

certainly rattle him for it. I shall tell him every Tittle that you have

now done me the Honor to divulge to me; and tho’ I am not +V----+, nor

very intimate with +R----+, I am persuaded that he will give Attention to

what I shall say to him. Ah, Sir!_ replied the Duchess, _Why do ye go to

alter the natural Tone of your Voice? How can you deny your self? What

have I done to be thus treated? Upon my Honor, Madam_ I said, _I don’t

impose on you; let your own Eyes be Witness_. At the same Moment I pull’d

off my Mask. The Lady was so astonish’d that I can’t express it. She cou’d

not speak; and I perceiv’d, by her Confusion for having made such an open

Confession to me, that she did not know, whether she had best say on, or

retire? I really pitied her, and did all I could to hearten her. I begg’d

her to be assur’d that I would keep every thing she had said to me

inviolably secret; and that I was as sensible as she could be, of the

Consequence of revealing Things of that nature. The good Lady began to

pluck up her Spirits; and after some farther Discourse she desir’d me to

hand her out, and to help her to find her Coach. It was impossible to

discover her Coach or mine either in the Croud; and therefore she chose to

take a Hack. I went with her to her House, where she desir’d me to go back

to the Ball, and tell the Ladies whom I had seen in her Company that she

was taken very ill. I obey’d her Orders punctually, and did not fail next

Day to pay her a Visit, and this Visit pav’d the way for others, which

gave me an Opportunity to contract a most intimate Acquaintance with her.

I had the Honor, in short, of being her most esteemed Friend, and found

her possess’d of a thousand good Qualities, which render’d her the best

Companion in the World.

The most comical part of this Adventure was, to find _R----_ quarrelling

bitterly with the Duchess for holding a long Parley with a Gentleman in

Masquerade at the Ball. He pretended to be jealous, and wrote a thundering

Letter to her next day, wherein he told her, that he would have nothing

more to do with her. On the other hand Madam _de R----_, with whom I went

to the Ball, and whom I was still passionately fond of, took advantage of

the Conference I had with the Duchess, and also pretended Jealousy, (for

to be serious, I knew afterwards that ’twas only a Copy of her

Countenance.) She expatiated a good deal upon her Uneasiness at the long

Conversation that pass’d betwixt us. I was silly enough to believe that

she was sincere in what she said, and more Fool still to be transported

with the Thought that I had made her jealous. I did all in my power,

however, to remove her Suspicions; in a word, I said every thing that a

Lover can say, who loves sincerely, and would convince that he does so.

She seem’d to be satisfy’d with my Protestations; but yet instead of

making a suitable Return to the Respect I had for her, she continu’d to

teaze me all the rest of the Winter. Her Behavior was so extremely

coquetish, that it gave me a deal of Vexation; and besides, I did not like

to see the Marquis _de V----_ so often at her House.

I had been pester’d with this Marquis for a long time. ’Twas he that took

away _S----_ from me; and no sooner was I got into the Favor of Madame _de

R----_, but he found a way to insinuate himself there too. I was so

provok’d to see him always at my Heels, that I quarrel’d with him one day

at _C----_, where we happen’d to meet at the House of the President _de

N----_. We were actually at Daggers-drawing, when M. _de C----_ came and

parted us. _V----_ assur’d me that he had no manner of Pretence to Madame

_de R----_, and actually promis’d me, that if I did not like his Visits to

her, he would not renew them. And he was as good as his Word, so that I

was perfectly reconcil’d to him; but I was not at all pleas’d with Madam

_de R----_. I saw plainly that I was betray’d. I had fresh Cause to

suspect her every day, and yet I hugged the Chains wherewith she had bound

me; in which I sufficiently confuted the vulgar Error of those who assert,

that People never love heartily but once. I ought, however, to reflect a

little upon this last Amour, which was extremely hurtful to me. Madam _de

R----_ was so extravagant that a Man could not be upon good Terms with

her, without being, at an excessive Expence. To support my self I borrow’d

Money every where, till e’er long I knew not where to find Lenders. On the

other hand my Creditors began to make me frequent Visits, till they were

tir’d with my continually putting them off from one time to another, and

then truly they resolv’d to proceed against me by Law; and at length took

out a Writ to attach my Person. I was very much stunn’d at the News, but

because I had put them in an ill Humor, I was willing to avoid the Effects

of it, by keeping my Chamber for some days, till M. _de N----_ had

procur’d me an Order to stay Prosecution. This Respite put me upon ways

and means to find Money, all my Desire being to satisfy my Creditors. I

was aware how difficult it was to get a sufficient Sum to pay them

remitted from home; for all my Estate was entail’d upon my Brother and

Mademoiselle _de Pollnitz_; and she never intended to give her Consent to

the mortgaging of any part of it. Yet having no other way to bring my self

out of Trouble, I got my Friends to intercede with her; which they did so

powerfully, that at length they really prevail’d on her to agree to the

borrowing of some Money upon the Estate, which was lent accordingly; and

by this Means I got happily out of this Scrape. The Difficulties I had

been plung’d in made me wiser, and I lessen’d my Expences, which I

perceiv’d, indeed, was not the way to preserve the Favor of Madam _de

R----_. But what should I do? To dip my self again over head and ears in

Debt, and to run the risque of having another scurvy Action enter’d

against me, was what I could not resolve on. At this same time I obtain’d

a Pension of 2000 Livres; but as to an Employment, none could I get of the

Secretary at War.

This put me so much out of Temper, that notwithstanding my Passion for

Madam _de R----_, and my being so much attach’d to _France_, I determin’d

to try once more for an Establishment elsewhere. For this purpose I wrote

to the Prince of _H----_, a General Officer in the Emperor’s Service, and

a Colonel of a Regiment of Foot, who return’d me a very obliging Answer,

how glad he should be to admit me into his Regiment; but that there was no

Company vacant in it, nor none like to be, unless I could strike a Bargain

with a certain old Captain who had a Design to retire, and would gladly

part with his Company for 2000 Crowns. To find such a round Sum as 2000

Crowns, in the Situation which I was in then, and to find the

Philosopher’s Stone, was as easy for me one as the other. I resolv’d,

however, to treat with the Captain.

I therefore set out for _Bruges_, where the Prince of _H----_ was in

Garison with his Regiment. I met with a Captain, but he was pretty stiff,

and would absolutely hear of no Terms but the Money down, or old Plate for

Security. The Prince, who really wish’d me well, and perfectly knew the

State of my Affairs, wrote to my Cousin to persuade her to consent to my

taking up some more Money upon the Estate. I also indited the most moving

Letter I could, to melt her; but ’twas all to no purpose: The Answers she

return’d were very sarcastical. She set me off to the Life, and she had

the Art to persuade the Prince who had wrote to her, that to give me Leave

to borrow more Money, was to put a Sword into the Hands of a Mad-man. For

my own part I was in a manner convinc’d that she had Reason on her side. I

therefore quitted all Thoughts of the Company which I propos’d to buy, and

set out for _Paris_.

I was not sorry to leave BRUGES[52], it being one of the saddest Places in

the _Netherlands_ for a Man to live in, who is not a Merchant; yet ’tis a

very considerable City. ’Tis said to be very ancient, and that it was

encompass’d with Walls in the Year 865. It was formerly dependant on the

Bishopric of _Tournay_; but since the Reign of _Philip_ II. it has been

erected into a Bishop’s See, which is now Suffragan to the Archbishopric

of _Mechlin_. Its Cathedral, which is dedicated to St. _Donat_, is a very

old and a very fine Structure. The other Churches are also of an elegant

Model, especially the _Jesuits_ Church and our _Lady_’s. In the latter

there’s the Tomb of _Charles_ the _Bold_ the last Duke of _Burgundy_ who

was kill’d before _Nancy_, from whence his Corpse was translated hither,

by order of _Mary_ of _Austria_, his Grandaughter, the Widow of a King of

_Hungary_ and Sister to the Emperor _Charles_ V. The Situation of _Bruges_

is very advantagious, it being but three Leagues from the Sea; and for the

Ease of its Trade there are several Canals cut in it, on which Vessels

pass to and fro as they do in _Holland_; with this Conveniency moreover,

that People dine there as elegantly as in the best Tavern. Tho’ all these

Canals have a Communication with the Sea, yet their Waters are not fast,

by reason of the Sluices and other Machines, which they make use of to

prevent it. ’Tis natural to suppose, that Fields in which so many Canals

are cut, must be fertile; yet the Trade of _Bruges_ is very much dwindled

since the flourishing of that of _Amsterdam_, which has engross’d it all

to it self.

I forgot to tell you, that ’twas at _Burges_ the Order of the Golden

Fleece was instituted by _Philip_ the _Good_, Duke of _Burgundy_ on the

very Day that he consummated his Marriage with _Isabel_ the Daughter of

_John_ King of _Portugal_. ’Twas to this City also that _Charles_ II. King

of _England_ came for Refuge, when his Subjects rebell’d against him; and

so well was he receiv’d here, that when he was in peaceable Possession of

his Throne he shew’d his Gratitude, by permitting the Citizens to send

fifty Vessels every year to the Coasts of _England_, to catch Herrings. So

much, _Madame_, for _Bruges_.

Just as I was setting out, I heard that the Prince of _H----_ was going

for NEWPORT[53], where there was a Battalion of his Regiment in Garison;

and thither I went with him. This, which is a very ancient Town, was

heretofore intirely destroy’d by the _English_, and afterwards rebuilt by

_Philip_ the _Bold_, Duke of _Burgundy_. The Rebels of _Ghent_ burnt it in

1383, because it continued faithful to its Sovereign. It held out a very

sharp Siege by the _French_, in which the Women display’d a very great

share of Valour. During the Revolt of the _Netherlands_ it submitted to

the Prince of _Parma_. In that same War, the _Dutch_ who were besieging

it, under Prince _Maurice_ of _Orange_, gain’d a great Victory over the

_Spaniards_, at the Gates of the Town; and yet they thought fit to raise

the Siege. They say, that with some Expence _Newport_ might be made one of

the best Harbors in the Ocean; and a Plan for this purpose was given to

the Marquis _de Priè_, Commandant in the _Netherlands_; but hitherto it

has not been approv’d of. Tho’ ’tis a Town not very much fortify’d, yet

’tis a strong Place considering the Advantage it has of laying all the

Country round it under Water. ’Tis quite encompass’d with Downs and

Marshes, the former of which abound with Rabbets. The Prince of _H----_

gave me the Pleasure of Hunting there, which is the only Diversion that

can be taken by Officers who are condemn’d to be in Garison in such a Hole

as _Newport_. We staid there two Days, after which the Prince and Princess

of _H----_ return’d to _Bruges_. For my own part I accompanied the Prince

of _Holstein_ to YPRES, of which he is Governor for the _Dutch_.

This is one of the best Cities in _Europe_, and is notable for having

suffer’d several Sieges. The Rebels made themselves Masters of it in the

Reign of _Philip_ II. when they plundered the Churches and Convents, and

drove out the Fryars. The Archduke _Leopold_ retook it from those

Furiosos, and it remained in Possession of _Spain_ till 1658, when ’twas

taken by the Marshal _de Turenne_; but by the _Pyrenean_ Treaty it

reverted to its lawful Sovereign. In 1678, _Lewis_ XIV. besieg’d it in

Person and took it; and by the Treaty of _Nimeguen_, which was concluded

the same year, ’twas yielded to him by _Spain_. The _French_ caus’d it to

be considerably fortify’d; after which they remain’d peaceable Possessors

of it till the Peace of _Utrecht_, when they yielded it to the Allies, in

exchange for _Lisle_ which had been taken from the _French_. _Ypres_ is

now a Barrier for the _Dutch_, who keep a good Garison in it.

Nevertheless, Justice is administer’d, and the Taxes raised here, in the

Name of the Emperor, as Sovereign of _Spanish Flanders_.

From _Ypres_ I went to _Lisle_, of which I have already had the Honor to

give you some Account; and from _Lisle_ in a very short time I proceeded

to PARIS. Who should I see there, but the famous Countess of _Wartemberg_?

The Chevalier _de B----_, who being at _Utrecht_ during the Congress, had

there sign’d a Contract to marry her, returning to _France_ as soon as the

Peace was concluded, the Countess follow’d him and came to _Versailles_,

where she had the Honor of waiting on the King. She wore the Pictures of

three Kings as a Bracelet on her Arm, which she shew’d to the King,

telling him at the same time, _That after she had seen three Monarchs at

her Feet, she was now come from the Heart of_ Germany _to throw her self

at the Feet of his Majesty_. The King, who was surpriz’d at the

Compliment, star’d at her, but said not a Word. Some days after this she

appear’d at the Play-house, stuck all over with Diamonds; and those so

large, that she was call’d, _The Lady of precious Stones_. All the young

Fellows combin’d to have a Pluck at her, and every younger Brother of a

Family thought those Diamonds would look as well upon him as they did upon

the Countess. When they had pilfer’d some from her, she was more cautious

how she paraded with ’em for the future. Yet notwithstanding all her Care,

the Chevalier _de B----_ dextrously stripp’d her of all she had in one

day. He had been for some time wishing that he could revoke the

Marriage-Contract which he had sign’d with the Countess; his Family also

press’d him to break off his Engagement with her; and in fine, not knowing

what Course to take to recover the Contract, which the Lady refus’d to

restore, he made use of this very singular Expedient. One day when he was

at _Versailles_, he set out Post from thence to find out the Countess of

_Wartemberg_, and told her that the King had just receiv’d an Express from

_Berlin_, by which the King of _Prussia_ desir’d him to put her under an

Arrest, and to seize her Diamonds, and other Effects, as having been stole

from the King his Father. _I just had the News_, said the Chevalier to

her, _from M._ de T----, _who knowing the Respect I have for you, was

willing to give me an Opportunity of doing you Service, by guarding you

from the Misfortune that threatens you_. The Countess being thunder-struck

at this News, said to the Chevalier in a Fright, _O my God! What shall we

do? Your only way_, said he, _is to give me Charge of all your Diamonds;

your Interests and mine are the same; I don’t believe you suspect me; I

will carry them all to my Father’s House, where they will be safe: And as

for your Person, you may be very easy; for M._ de T----_has assur’d me,

that ’tis your Effects they want, and not your Person_. Madame _de

Wartemberg_ believ’d every Tittle of what he said, and esteeming the

Chevalier as her Guardian Angel, she deliver’d up all her Diamonds to him,

with every thing besides of most Value. _B----_ having all this Booty,

took his Leave of her. The Countess thought she had play’d a very cunning

Part in thus securing her Effects; but ’twas not long before she was

sensible that she had play’d a foolish one. _B----_ was not to be seen

for four or five days. The Countess, startled at his absenting himself,

wrote Letter after Letter to him, but could not obtain so much as one

Answer. At last, on the fifth day, _B----_ made his Appearance, and gave

the good Lady some Encouragement. He told her that her Jewels were all

safe; and that she might have them whenever she pleas’d, upon this

trifling Condition only; namely, that she would restore him the Contract

he had sign’d to marry her. The Countess extremely surpriz’d at this

Compliment, made Answer to the Chevalier, That Princesses of the Empire

were not to be thus treated; that she was come to _Paris_ upon his

Engagement to marry her; and that she knew how to oblige him to it.

_B----_, who was resolv’d to break with her at any rate, told her, that

she was at her full Liberty to chuse either of these two Proposals that he

made to her, _viz._ To go to Law, and thereby to be certain of losing her

Effects; or else, to recover them, by restoring that Paper to him which he

demanded. He made her sensible, that by going to Law, he might naturally

hope to get the better of her, not only from the Justice of his Cause, but

from the Interest of his Relations; and that as to her Effects, since

there was no Witness that saw her deliver them into his Hands, he should

take a Course which she would think pretty hard, _viz._ Deny that he had

ever receiv’d them, and in the mean time sell one part of the Jewels to

enable him to find Law to keep the rest. The Countess perceiving that the

Chevalier was resolv’d to be as good as his Word, and that she had no

Chance to get any thing, determin’d to give up the Contract; and _B----_

thereupon brought back her Diamonds; which was such an honest Action on

his part, that it engag’d Madam _de Wartemberg_ to make him a Present of a

noble Ring, valu’d at 20,000 Livres. And thus ended her Correspondence

with _B----_.

The Countess, to make her self easy for the Loss of her Lover, resolv’d to

look out for others; but she was not happy in the Variety of her Choice.

_They were all_, said she, _insincere; and for the most part knavishly

inclin’d_. In short, she renounc’d all manner of Society with _Frenchmen_;

she thought them too volatile and nimble for her, and upon this Occasion

she extol’d the _Germans_ for the honestest Souls in the World; yet she

soon found the contrary, to her Cost: For having made an Acquaintance with

a clever handsome young _German_, they both promis’d each other Marriage,

as soon as they came to a Protestant Country, and a Contract was actually

sign’d between them for that purpose; but the Spark thought that after

they had sign’d and seal’d, the Nuptial Benediction was only an

insignificant Ceremony to admit them into a Partnership in their worldly

Goods; and that his Right ought to commence from the very day that the

Articles were agreed to. Upon this Principle he thought fit to march off

with all the precious Stones of his Spouse that was to be, and set out

with them from _Paris_, designing to elope to _Lorrain_. The Countess, who

was soon inform’d of his Departure, was mortally uneasy at the Treachery

of her Lover, tho’ the Danger she was in of losing her Diamonds stuck most

to her Heart. By good Luck she had Intelligence what Road her dear Thief

went, and sent a Messenger after him, who found him at _Meaux_, where he

was so unwise as to make a Halt for some days. He was brought back to

_Paris_, where the Countess, who denied that she had ever made the least

Proposal of Marriage to the Stripling, was preparing to swinge him; but

the Electoral Prince of _Saxony_, by whom he was protected, put a stop to

all further Prosecution, and caus’d the Jewels to be restor’d to Madam _de

Wartemberg_, who did not insist upon his Promise of Marriage; for being of

a Temper that did not permit her to be idle, she had already contracted a

clandestine Marriage with _F----_. These various Intrigues happening so

soon one after another, were so much talk’d of, that the Countess did not

think fit to stay any longer in _France_, but set out for _Holland_, where

she remains to this day[54].

Towards the Close of the Year, _viz._ on the 1st of _September_ 1715,

_France_ lost _Lewis_ XIV. He died a Death truly Christian, for which he

had been some time before preparing himself; so that when Notice was given

him, that he must make ready to go out of this World, he was not at all

surpriz’d. He took his last Farewel of his Family with a Courage worthy of

Admiration. He gave his Blessing to the young Dauphin, the Heir of his

Crown; which he accompanied with several important Advices and

Exhortations, especially not to go to War without a just Cause, and not to

be so fond of it as he had been. Then he ordered what Mourning the young

Monarch should wear, adding, that what he prescrib’d to him was the same

that he wore at the Death of the King his Father. This Monarch express’d a

vast Affection for the Princes of his Family, and strongly recommended his

Successor to the Duke of _Orleans_. They say that he stretch’d forth his

Hand to the Marshal _de Villeroy_, and said to him, _Adieu, my Friend, we

must part_. Madame _de Maintenon_ staid with the King all the Time of his

Illness, because he desir’d it, except one Day, when the King being so ill

that they thought he could not recover it, she return’d to _St. Cyr_; but

as soon as the Monarch came to himself, and found Madame _de Maintenon_

gone, he sent for her, and begg’d her not to forsake him. Accordingly she

continu’d with him till his Death, upon which she went back to _St. Cyr_,

where she liv’d mightily retir’d till 1719, when she died.

’Tis astonishing to think what a Change there was at Court upon the Death

of _Lewis_ XIV. The Courtiers stuck fast to him, to the very last Moment

of his Life, not at all minding the Princes; no, not even the Duke of

_Orleans_: but the very Moment that the King died, the Face of every thing

was alter’d; and all the Court was made to the Duke of _Orleans_, as the

sole Dispenser of Favors, who went, accompanied by all the Princes and

Courtiers, to the young Monarch, and paid him the due Homage.

_Lewis_ XIV. had appointed the Duke of _Orleans_ Regent of the Kingdom by

his last Will; but at the same time he nominated several Noblemen for

Associates in the Government, without whom he could conclude nothing. He

also depriv’d him of the Guardianship of the young King, and gave it to

the Duke _de Maine_; in a word, he bound his Hands in such a manner, that

this Prince had nothing but the Shadow of the Regency. The Duke, however,

artfully procur’d that Honor to be paid to him, which he claim’d as his

due. He conducted the young King to Parliament with a great Train. The

_French_ and _Swiss_ Guards being drawn up in a Line in the Streets, to

the very Gates of the Palais or Parliament-House, the _Gens d’Arms_,

Musketeers, Light-Horse and Life-Guards attended his Majesty to the

Palais, where he was receiv’d with the usual Ceremonies, and conducted to

the Court, which they call his _Bed_ of Justice. When every body had taken

their Seats, the Duke of _Orleans_ broke silence and said, _That tho’ the

Regency belonged to him by Birth-right, yet he was very glad he could

produce the Codicil of the late King to them in proof of it; which having

caus’d to be read, together with the Will, he shew’d the Inconveniencies

that might arise from the little Authority which was given to him; and

that his Rank and Birth had always intitled him to hope for more_. And

having said this, he demanded of the Parliament, _Whether they did not own

him for the Sovereign Administrator of the Kingdom_. He added, _That

whatever Authority should be given him, he should be glad to follow the

Advice of the Parliament; that he would share his Authority with the

Grandees of the Kingdom; and that if there should happen to be a Failure

of Justice in his Administration, it would then be a Pleasure to him to

bear their Remonstrances_. He clos’d all with saying, _That he should like

well enough to have his Hands restrained from doing wrong, but that he

wish’d they might be at entire Liberty to do good_. The Votes ran in his

Favor; the late King’s Will was annull’d, the Duke of _Orleans_ declared

Regent of the Kingdom, and Guardian of the King; and the Superintendancy

of his Majesty’s Education was given to the Duke of _Maine_. The Regent

return’d his Thanks to the Parliament; and at the same time told them,

_that he was for pursuing a Plan of Government that was found among the

Papers of the Duke of +Burgundy+, Father to the present King; according to

which Plan it appeared that the said Prince had a Design to establish

Councils for every Province, whether of the Finances, War, Admiralty, &c.

and to be governed entirely by what the Majority of the Voices therein

should determine_.

The Duke _du Maine_ had no reason to be satisfy’d with this Assembly; for

besides being depriv’d of the Guardianship of the King, he had much ado to

preserve the Prerogatives which the late King had annex’d to the Quality

of a legitimated Prince of the Blood. The Dukes and Peers declared

immediately against the Precedency that had been granted to those Princes,

and carried their Complaints to the Bed of Justice, where they demanded

that they might only be considered as a Part of their Body; and that they

might be allow’d no other Rank than what they deriv’d from their Peerages.

Hereafter we shall also find the Princes of the Blood declaring against

those Princes that had been legitimated.

This Demand of the Dukes did not take place at that time, no more than

another which they also made upon the same Day, _viz._ that the first

President, when he ask’d their Opinion in Parliament, should veil the

Bonnet to them, in the same manner as to the Princes of the Blood. The

Duke of _Orleans_ desir’d them to permit the Usages of Parliament to be

observ’d on that Day, and assured them that he would decide that Affair

very shortly. The President _de Novion_, afterwards the first President,

then spoke, and answered the Regent, that his Royal Highness had no Right

to make a Decision in an Affair which related directly to the Person of

the King, whom the Parliament had the Honor of representing in his

Majesty’s Absence; and that consequently nothing could be alter’d in the

Usage of Parliament, but by the King himself when he came of Age.

After the Court of Justice broke up, the King return’d to _Vincennes_,

where he resided after the Death of the late King, till the Palace of the

_Thuilleries_ was made fit for his Reception. The Regent and the Princes

accompanied the King, and they afterwards went back to _Paris_, each Man

to his own House. They say that the Duke of _Maine_ was no sooner return’d

home, but the Duchess his Wife, impatient to know what had pass’d in the

Bed of Justice, came that very instant to ask him what News he brought;

and when he told her, that the Regent was the sole Master of the King and

Kingdom, she reproach’d him bitterly.

As soon as the _Louvre_ was in a readiness the King set out thither from

_Vincennes_, where Lodgings were laid out for the Princes and Princesses

of the Blood. The Palace of _Luxemburg_ was given to the Duchess of

_Berry_, who made great Alterations in the Apartments. This Princess had a

mighty Ascendant over her Father the Duke of _Orleans_, and she made such

a use of it that there was not a day but she obtain’d new Favors. As she

was the first Princess in the Kingdom, there being at that time no Queen,

she desir’d to have a Captain of the Guards to attend her; a Privilege

which none had ever enjoy’d before but the Queens. The Duke of _Orleans_

could not deny her, and the Person invested with this Character was the

Marquis _de la Rochefoucault_. Madame no sooner heard of this

Augmentation of Officers in the Houshold of the Duchess her Daughter, but

she presently appointed M. _de Harling_ to be Captain of her Guards, who

was a _German_ Gentleman that had been her Page. The Duchess of _Berry_

wanted also to be stil’d _Madame_ as well as the Princess her Mother; yet

to prevent Confusion she signify’d, that when they made mention of her

they should not call her _Madame la Duchesse de Berry_, but _Madame,

Duchesse de Berry_. Moreover, she pretended to the Right of having

Kettle-Drums and Trumpets sounded before her when she went abroad in

Ceremony, tho’ this was never observ’d to any body but the Queen. In

short, this Princess enter’d once into _Paris_ with all this Attendance,

as she return’d from _la Muette_. When she pass’d before the Palace of the

_Thuilleries_, the Officers of the Guards were very much astonish’d to

hear the Trumpets, and represented that no body but the King and Queen

ought to march with such Pomp; upon which Madame _de Berry_ wav’d her

Privilege for the future, tho’ with regard only to _Paris_.

Some will imagine, perhaps, that this Princess, who was so fond of

Grandeur, must naturally be difficult of Access and of very stiff Behavior

to Persons that had the Honor of approaching her. Yet she was quite the

Reverse. I was acquainted with several Ladies that had the Honor of some

Familiarity with her; and they all assur’d me, that she was the

best-natur’d Princess in the World. She never stood upon Formalities in

point of Ceremonial with the Generality of the Ladies, but freely

permitted them to come and visit her in a Scarf. ’Tis true indeed that she

did not affect Dress herself, and consequently it would not have been

good Manners for the Princesses and Court-Ladies to appear in a formal

Dress, which she was scarce ever seen in her self. _Madame_, as I have

already had the Honor to tell you, was much more precise. She was always

in the Court-Dress, and never suffer’d any but Ladies that were advanc’d

in years, or such as were not in Health, to appear before her in any

other.

The Duke Regent, according to the Promise he had made to the Parliament,

when he held the Bed of Justice, establish’d several Councils. There was

one which was call’d _The Council of the Regency_, others for War, the

Finances, the Marine, and for Affairs Foreign. All the Ministers of the

late King were dismiss’d, except the Chancellor _Voisin_, who kept his

Post. M. _Desmaretz_ and M. _de Pontchartrain_, one the Minister of the

Finances, the other of Affairs Marine, were both destitute of Employment.

M. _Desmaretz_ was put to some trouble in a Chamber which the Regent

establish’d at the _Grand Augustins_, for calling to account those who had

had the Management of the public Money. ’Twas called the _Chamber of

Justice_; and the President _Portail_, who is now the first President, was

at the Head of it. Great Advantages were expected from this Establishment,

which would, they said, not only pay off the King’s Debts, but also bring

considerable Sums into his Coffers; nevertheless it all came to nothing.

There was a Fine laid indeed, and ’twas a general one; but as most of the

Financiers had married their Daughters to the Great Men of the Kingdom,

they came off for a Trifle; the Unfortunate paid for all: Some were

condemn’d to the Galleys, and others to perpetual Imprisonment, after

having been set in the Pillory, where the People had the Pleasure of

insulting them; and that was all they got by it. As for the King, he was

not a Penny the richer for it; and no body got more by it than the Ladies

who sollicited for the lowering of the Fines, and ran away with almost all

the Profit. The Public, in general, was very much perplex’d by it: Most

People, afraid of being fin’d, hid their Silver, which Metal so necessary,

became so scarce in but six Months time, that it look’d as if _Lewis_ XIV.

had carried it all out of the Kingdom with him to the other World. They

began to lament the Loss of that Prince, and the Love of the Public for

the Regent vanish’d very fast, ’Twas not long before, that every one

thought they had reason to curse the late King; and the _Frenchman_, who

is naturally fickle, imagin’d without knowing why or wherefore, that the

Death of _Lewis_ XIV. would be the beginning of a more happy Century. The

Prince who was at the Head of the Administration was loaded with

Blessings, tho’ he had not yet done any thing to win their Hearts; and in

a very short time this same Prince, who was so much ador’d, found himself

the Subject of the most stinging Satire. He soon took care to be inform’d

how the Public stood affected to him. I happen’d to be one day at

_Madame_’s, when this Prince declared aloud, _Six Months ago_, said he, _I

was perfectly ador’d in_ Paris, _tho’ I had done nothing to deserve it;

and I am now as much hated, but for what reason I should be glad to know_.

He knew perhaps, or at least he ought to have known it. The Scarcity of

Silver was the only Cause of it; and it appeared by the Regent’s Conduct,

that the King’s Coffers were so far from being full, that Payments were

made, not in Silver, but in Paper; a Money always fluctuating, and with

which the _French_ began to be tir’d. They had so often seen Bills, with

various Denominations; and the Fare of the last sort call’d _Mint-Bills_,

in particular, was so fresh in their Memory, that it was almost impossible

they should entertain a better Opinion of those that were created at the

beginning of the Regency, by the Name of _Government-Bills_: Yet these

were admitted notwithstanding the great Clamor against them; and by and by

we shall find that the _French_, who are always doom’d to be bubbled, gave

into a new Paper-Scheme, more specious perhaps to view, but more ruinous

in the Event, than those which had appear’d before it.

Another thing which put the People out of conceit with the Government, was

the Fluctuation of Measures at the Royal Palace, where nothing was fix’d;

and what was done one day, was cancell’d the next. The Regent, who was

really a good-natur’d and very affable Prince, seem’d to put himself into

the hands of too many People: No body that had a Favor to ask was turn’d

away; it often happen’d that the same Thing was promis’d to two Persons,

and a third obtain’d it. Pensions, Gratuities and Employments were

promis’d, but the Promise seldom kept: So far from it, that several

Pensions were suppress’d, and mine, which cost me so much Pains in the

Sollicitation, was of that number. I made some Bustle to be put upon the

List again; yet all that I could obtain was a Promise that my Pension

should be renew’d very soon: But the Performance is still to come.

All this striking off of Pensions, together with a considerable Reduction

of the Army, reduc’d a great many People to Beggary. I saw several

Knights of St. _Lewis_ at that very time, waiting with Impatience for the

Dusk of the Evening, that they might go out, and beg Alms in the public

Places. This extreme Misery was attended, as may be easily imagin’d, by

Robberies and Murders; so that all this while _Paris_ had a great

Resemblance to a Wood. My Apprehension that I should be a Sharer in the

common Desolation, engag’d me to pay my Court to _Madame_ with more

Assiduity than ever, and I earnestly intreated her to honor me with her

Recommendation to the Regent. The Princess return’d me for Answer, _That

she was resolv’d not to meddle or make; that however I had no reason to be

uneasy; that there was no Necessity for her speaking in my Behalf to the

Prince her Son, since he was naturally inclined to serve me; but that for

the present he was so over-burdened with Affairs and Sollicitations, that

I must have patience for a while longer_. I made her Answer, _That I was

very willing to wait as long as her Royal Highness pleas’d; but that I was

sadly afraid I was not in a Situation to stay long_. _Madame_ reply’d to

me, _There is a Remedy for all Things: Be you to-morrow at my Closet as

soon as I have din’d_. I was there punctually according to her Orders, and

found her all alone. As soon as she saw me she said, _I am a poor Widow

that can’t do great Matters for you, but I have a mind to oblige you_. She

then gave me the Key of her Bureau, and bid me open it, and take a Bag out

of one Corner of it, in which there was Gold to the Tune of three thousand

Livres. I receiv’d it with all the Gratitude possible; and this fresh

Token of her Royal Highness’s Goodness attach’d me to her more than ever.

The Dukes and Peers at this very time renew’d a Demand which they had

already made in the Parliament, touching the Obeisance they expected to be

made to them by the first President when he call’d for their Opinion: They

also claim’d several Prerogatives over the[55] Nobility, and wanted to

establish themselves as a Middle State between the Princes of the Blood

and those call’d Gentlemen. The Regent made them Answer, _That for his

part he had never acknowledg’d more than three Orders, the Clergy, the

Nobility, and the third Estate; and that ’twas their Business to choose

which Class they would be of, without aiming at a chimerical Establishment

which was intirely unprecedented_. The Dukes demanded moreover, to be

excus’d from drawing their Swords in any Quarrel with a private Gentleman;

but the Duke _de la Feuillade_ refus’d to sign this Petition, because he

said, _He would not be expos’d to an Affront from any Gentleman, and he

restrain’d from resenting it_.

The Parliament did not vouchsafe to answer the Memorial of the Dukes, and

only confirm’d what the President _de Novion_ had advanc’d, that it was

the King’s sole Right to determine Claims of that sort, and that therefore

they must wait till his Majesty was of Age. The Nobility did not treat the

Demand of the Dukes with the same Indifference as the Parliament, and met

to consider how they should behave; but there came an Order forbidding

them to continue their Assemblies. Yet for all this Prohibition they drew

up a Memorial between themselves, which was presented to the King. This

Conduct of theirs so disgusted the Court, that several of the Nobles who

were known to have the greatest Hand in the Memorial were taken up and

committed to the _Bastile_. The Dukes met at the same time at the House of

the Archbishop of _Rheims_, who was afterwards the Cardinal _de Mailly_.

In fine, the Result of all these Motions on both sides, was a Declaration

issued by his Majesty, requiring that every thing should remain in the

same State as in the late King’s Life-time, without prejudice to the

Rights of either Party. A zealous Parliamentarian, who, ’tis like, could

not brook that Pretensions so frivolous as that of the Dukes should remain

unanswer’d, publish’d a very long Tract to prove, that several of the

Dukes were not Gentlemen; and that the Generality of the Members of

Parliament were indisputably of better Extraction than those who were

grac’d with the Title of Dukes. I question if _Henry_ IV. who very often

did the Nobility the Honor to call himself a Gentleman, would have left

the Claim of the Dukes undetermin’d.

At this very time the Princes of the Blood presented a Petition to his

Majesty against the Legitimated Princes. The former were uneasy to see

the latter in possession of Rank equal to theirs, and pretending to an

equal Share with them in the Right of Succession to the Crown; and

therefore demanded that the Legitimated Princes, _viz._ the Duke _du

Maine_ and the Count _de Toulouse_, and their Descendants, should be

declar’d to have forfeited the Rank of Princes of the Blood; and that the

Act by which the late King declared those Princes capable of succeeding to

the Crown, should be struck out of the Registers of the Parliament.

The Legitimated Princes presented a Memorial to the King on their part,

whereby they represented to his Majesty, that the Demand of the Princes of

the Blood was contrary to his Authority; that the Sovereigns had always

the Liberty of granting such Honors as they thought fit, either to the

Court or the Parliament; and that moreover, the late King, when he

declar’d them Princes of the Blood, did it in the most authentic Manner,

the Declaration which gave them that Dignity, being register’d in

Parliament, in the Presence, and even with the Advice of the Princes of

the Blood, and of the Dukes and Peers.

Several Writings were publish’d at that time on both sides of the

Question, to prove the Justice of the Cause which each maintain’d. The

Amount of what the Legitimated Princes pleaded was, That Kings were the

absolute Dispensers of Favors; and that the Kings who were _Lewis_ XIVth’s

Predecessors, formerly granted those very Privileges, which they now aim’d

to deprive them of, without Opposition. They quoted for Example the

_Longueville_ Family, whose Descendants had always the Rank of Princes of

the Blood. They also instanc’d in several Bastards who had succeeded to

the Crown, in the first and second Race of the Kings of _France_; and

observ’d, that the Case would have been the same in the third Race, if the

same Fact had happen’d.

The Princes of the Blood gave an ample and solid Reply to the Memorial of

the Legitimated Princes. They advanc’d, that the King as great as his

Authority was, could not grant Prerogatives that were peculiar only to

Birth-right; that a Bastard was one without Father, without Mother,

without Kindred, _&c._ and by consequence incapable of holding any Rank

which Blood alone can give; that moreover, the Claim of the Legitimated

Princes would deprive the Nation of its Right of calling such Family to

the Crown as they thought fit, in case the Royal Family should happen to

be extinct.

This Memorial was confuted by another, and to the latter there was a

Reply. In fine, both sides grew so warm, that to put an end to the

Quarrel, the King was oblig’d to speak. He declared solemnly, _That the

Legitimated Princes should enjoy the Rank of Princes of the Blood during

their Lives, but that they could not succeed to the Crown_. This

Declaration was very well receiv’d, in appearance, by both Parties; but

perhaps too it was the Cause of some Events, which in the Consequence gave

the Regent no little Uneasiness, whereof I shall soon have occasion to

make mention.

During these Transactions in _France_, there were Commotions of much

greater Consequence in _England_, where a Revolution was expected in favor

of the Chevalier _de St. George_, who having spent some time at the Prince

_de Vaudemont_’s House at _Commercy_ in _Lorrain_, was just set out for

_Scotland_. He embark’d between _Ostend_ and _Dunkirk_, and had a happy

Passage. As soon as he arriv’d he found a considerable Party which

declar’d for him. Every thing seem’d at first to favor him: A great many

Persons came to own him for King, and he was serv’d in that Quality. But

his Happiness was of no long Duration, and he was oblig’d to retire with

Precipitancy from a Country where he was in danger of being ill us’d.

’Twas the Opinion of many People that this Undertaking would have

succeeded, if the Prince had not discover’d so much Zeal for the Catholic

Religion; for ’twas only desired of him to promise to preserve the

Privileges of _Scotland_ in Religious Matters, but he would not hear of

it. Moreover, he rose one day from Table without eating a Morsel, because

a Clergyman of the Church of _England_ had said the Grace; and upon this

Occasion he protested, that he would never eat a Bit of what a Heretic

pretended to give a Blessing to. This great Zeal for Religion, a Zeal

perhaps too flaming in Circumstances where he might, without any Crime,

have smother’d it, was the reason that all the Protestants in _Scotland_,

many of whom had already declared in his Favor, turn’d their backs on him.

I happen’d to be present when all this was told to the Duke of _Orleans_.

He made Answer, _If all this be true, ’tis no wonder that he has not

succeeded; and I look upon him as an undone Prince_. At the same time I

observ’d such an Air of Satisfaction in his and _Madame_’s Countenances,

as convinc’d me that they were not ill pleas’d to see the Elector of

_Hanover_ establish’d on the Throne of _England_.

The Chevalier _de St. George_ return’d to _France_, and having pass’d

thro’ the whole Kingdom _incog._ he went for Refuge to _Avignon_. The

_English_ did all they could with the Regent to engage him to arrest the

Chevalier, and demanded likewise that he would cashier all the _English_

and _Irish_ Officers in the Service of _France_, that were the Pretender’s

Adherents. The Regent satisfy’d them but in part, for he only cashier’d

the Officers. The Chevalier _de St. George_ was hotly pursu’d, and ’tis

even said that a certain Lord was a good while in chace of him, with a

Design to have killed him; but the Chevalier escap’d the Danger by the

Haste that he made to _Avignon_. When he quitted _Scotland_ he was oblig’d

to leave several Lords that had follow’d him in the Lurch, particularly

the Duke of _Lirie_, Son to the Marshal _de Berwic_, Natural Son of

_James_ II. who had so much Difficulty to get to _France_ again, that

’twas even reported for a long while that he had been taken Prisoner and

beheaded, as Lord _Derwentwater_ was at _London_.

The _French_ were sorry to see that Fortune always cross’d the Chevalier

_de St. George_, and could not help pitying the Queen his Mother, whose

Sorrows were by this Disaster increas’d; for she had, by the Miscarriage

of this Expedition, ruin’d several of her Friends, who had made their

utmost Efforts to support the Charges of it.

Tho’ the _Orleans_ Family was not very much afflicted at the Misfortune of

the Chevalier _de St. George_, yet it did not hinder _Madame_ from going

to _Chaillot_ to condole with the Queen upon her late Misfortunes. I was

at the Royal Palace when _Madame_ return’d from the Visit; and she did me

the Honor to tell me, _That she had been almost crying her Eyes out_. I

pretended to be ignorant of the Cause of her Tears, and took the Freedom

to ask her, _What was the matter? The poor Queen of +England+!_ said she,

_I pity her heartily. I have been weeping with her_. I could not help

letting _Madame_ know how much I was surpriz’d at this Grief of her’s,

because I imagin’d she was more in the Interest of the Family that

govern’d _England_, than of a Prince who was a Stranger to her; and one,

moreover, that was always out of Fortune’s Favor. _You are in the right_,

said Madame, _all the Relations of my late Aunt are dear to me, and I with

’em well. But this poor Queen takes it as much to heart as if it was but

to-day that she left the Crown. But what can she do? The only way for her

is to make her self easy. ’Tis not her Doom to be happy; and since one of

’em must be unfortunate, I had rather she was so than the King of

+England+. But_, added she, _this must not be told_. Madam _de D----_

coming in just after these Words, _Madame_ told her, _That she had been to

see the Queen of +England+, but that she thought she had been with the

Nymph +Arethusa+ all the while_. Madam _de D----_ made Answer to her,

_That it was not surprizing to see Tears shed by Persons so much afflicted

as the Queen was. What then_, said Madame, _are not thirty Tears

Misfortunes enough to inure her to them_? Thus did this Princess wipe away

the Tears which lately fell from her in such a Torrent.

The fine Season being come, _Madame_ went to _St. Cloud_, and took with

her Mademoiselle _de Chartres_ now the Abbess of _Chelles_, and

Mademoiselle _de Valois_ now Princess of _Modena_. _Madame_ spent all the

Summer at _St. Cloud_, so that I made several Trips thither. I told her

my Case, and desir’d that she would please to intercede for me with the

Duke her Son. She always promis’d me she would, but never did; and yet she

said to every body who talk’d of me to her, _That she wish’d me well_;

while, on the other hand, tho’ this Princess mortally hated _S----_ a

_Prussian_ Gentleman, she earnestly importun’d the Duke her Son to serve

him; and I was present one day when she sollicited for him. After the Duke

of _Orleans_ retir’d, she call’d me to her, and said, _You heard how I

espous’d the Interests of +S----+, yet I can assure you he does not

deserve it_. Then _Madame_ told me strange Stories to the disadvantage of

_S----_, upon which I took the Freedom to defend his Cause, and to assure

her Royal Highness that he had been misrepresented to her. _What!_ said

Madame, _will you offer to deny that he had his Hand cut off for

counterfeiting the Sign-Manual of the King of +Denmark+?_ As I knew the

Adventure of _S----_ at the _Danish_ Court, and that his was not a Crime

of such a nature; and as, moreover, I knew that the Loss of his Right Arm

was owing to a Fall that he had receiv’d, I represented to _Madame_, that

I should have thought the cutting off of his Hand Punishment enough in all

reason for the Crime of which she suspected _S----_; but that

nevertheless, his Arm was cut off near the Shoulder. _Alas_! said the

Princess, _that’s because it was cut a second time. But, Madame_, I

instantly reply’d, _How could your Royal Highness favor a Man that was

capable of such a Fraud? I have my Reasons for it_, said she. I did not

venture to indulge my Curiosity further. But in fine, this M. _de S----_

who was to the last degree abhorr’d, obtain’d what he desir’d; whereas,

for my part, as well as I was wish’d, I could not possibly obtain so much

as a positive Denial, which would at least have serv’d to undeceive me,

and to make me look out for Preferment from another Quarter.

While _Madame_ was at _St. Cloud_, the Duchess of _Berry_ resided at

_Meudon_, tho’ sometimes she came to _Paris_. I had the Honor of paying my

Compliments to this Princess very often. She was good-natur’d and

generous, and very free to ask Favors of the Regent her Father, who seldom

deny’d her; so that whoever had her Protection, was in a sure way to be

advanc’d. The Count _de R----_, a young Man of Quality, and who was just

enter’d as a Lieutenant in that Princess’s Guards, knew better than any

body how to gain his Mistress’s Favor. I knew him some time before this

Preferment of his, when he was a Lieutenant in the King’s Regiment, very

much out at heels, and by consequence not in a Condition to keep a certain

Sett of Company; at least, in the manner that he would have desir’d: But

by meer Chance he was quarter’d upon the Duchess of _Berry_, who wanted a

Man of a good Family to be Lieutenant of her Guards; for till then those

who officiated in that Post were only Persons of a common Extraction, for

which reason few there were that strove to get it. _R----_ thought very

prudently, that in his present Circumstances he was not oblig’d to mind

such Scruples; and he spoke to his Sister, who was a Lady of the

Bed-Chamber to the Duchess, of the Design he had to offer his Service. He

actually did so, and was admitted. He perform’d the Duty of it a good

while, and the Princess took no more Notice of him than she did of any of

her other Officers. What began to make him known was this. One day as the

Princess was going out she observ’d that _R----_ was not on horseback by

the side of her Coach, as his Duty demanded of him; and she complain’d of

it to the Duke _de la Rochefoucault_ the Captain of her Guards. This

Officer, who was fond of _R----_, and was, moreover, naturally inclin’d to

do him Service, said to the Princess that _R----_ was not well; but

setting his Indisposition aside, as he had the Honor to be a Gentleman, he

thought it hard to ride like a Stable-Boy by the side of her Coach, while

several Officers of the Houshold, who were not equal to him, rode in the

Coach that follow’d. The Duchess of _Berry_, who was a kind Mistress,

immediately gave Orders, that the Lieutenant of her Guards should ride in

the Waiting-Coach. _R----_ return’d her Thanks, and was more assiduous

than ever in his Attendance on her. Madame _de M----_ spoke afterwards so

much in Commendation of _R----_, that the Princess her self talk’d with

him several times, and was convinc’d that Madame _de M----_ had told her

the Truth, and that _R----_ deserv’d her Favor. He was quickly Master of a

splendid Fortune, gay Furniture, Clothes and Equipage; and she also

preferr’d him to several Regiments, which he always dispos’d of to his

advantage. To the Honor of _R----_ be it said, that his Prosperity did not

make him a jot the vainer; he was still as good-natur’d and civil as ever,

his old Friends always found him the same, and very often he did them

important Services. He had afterwards a Quarrel with the Regent, who

caus’d him to be banish’d from his Regiment; and during his Exile the

Duchess of _Berry_ died at _la Muette_, the 20th of _July, 1719_, aged

only 24.

Mean time the King who had been at _Paris_ ever since his Return from

_Vincennes_, was removed out of the hands of the Women into those of the

Men, and the Person appointed for his Governor was the Marshal _de

Villeroy_. The Choice of him was the more applauded, because he was one of

the old experienced Courtiers, and a Man whose Zeal and Attachment to the

King’s Person no body question’d. The Constitution of this young Prince

was so tender, that they could not be too careful of it. The Marshal, as

old as he was, fully answer’d what was expected of him: He gave

extraordinary Application to the discharge of his Duty, and was never out

of his Majesty’s sight. This Nobleman’s Post being the most honorable that

can be desir’d in _France_, there quickly arose envious Persons, who

strove, tho’ in vain, to depreciate him in the Esteem of the Public. They

confess’d that he was a very proper Person to teach the young Monarch to

walk and make his Salute like a King, to put his Hat on with a Grace, to

accost a Lady in the politest manner, and other things of that nature; but

that he was by no means fit to inspire him with Ideas suitable to his

Rank, and that he could never make him think like a King. But the

consequence shew’d what the Marshal was capable of, and the young Prince

quickly gave Proofs that he had learnt of the Marshal not only to walk,

but to think like a King. I remember one Passage, which is a very plain

Indication of his being fully persuaded that he was the sole Master in his

Kingdom, and that there was no Person above him. When _Madame_ came to the

_Thuilleries_, she made but a very short Visit at Court, because she went

to hear Mass; and she said to the King as she retired, _That she was

going to wait on a greater Lord than he_. The young Prince seem’d a little

surpriz’d at first, but after a Moment’s Reflexion he made her Answer,

_Undoubtedly_, Madame, _you are going to pray to God_. Another day the

_French_ Comedians having play’d the Tragedy of _Athalia_ before his

Majesty, ’tis said the Prince could not bear with any Patience to see

young _Joas_ seated on the Throne, for he had a Fancy that he was a second

King; nor would he so much as applaud the Lad who so perfectly well play’d

the Part of _Joas_. These Passages are a sufficient Demonstration, that he

had been inspir’d with Sentiments suitable to his Dignity; and that in

time, perhaps, he will not be inferior in any respect to his August

Great-Grandfather.

As to my own Affairs, I had the Mortification to find them still in the

same Situation. ’Tis certain that no Sollicitation was wanting on my part,

nor Promises on the part of the Regent; but after all, nothing was

concluded, and I was then not a whit forwarder than when I arriv’d in

_France_, tho’ I had not near so much Money. Mean time I was too earnest

for entring into the Service to be disheartened, and shutting my Eyes

against the Improbability of Success, I renew’d my Sollicitation. My

Residence at _Paris_ being extremely ruinous to me, my particular

Acquaintance could not conceive how I was able to support my self.

Mademoiselle _de Pollnitz_ soon heard that I had not yet obtain’d any

thing in _France_, and that nevertheless I was obstinately bent on staying

there: She could not bear the Thoughts of the Expence, which she was

sensible I was oblig’d to be at; and as my Estate was entail’d upon her,

she imagin’d that the Money I spent in _France_ was so much taken out of

her Pocket. She resolv’d therefore to make me quit _Paris_, knowing very

well that ’twas cheaper to live elsewhere. For this end she desir’d the

Princess _de G----_, who corresponded by Letters with _Madame_, to write

to her Royal Highness, and to intreat her to protect me no longer, because

I did not deserve her Favors. The Letter was accordingly written and sent

to _Madame_, who told me the whole Contents of it. ’Twas so well cook’d

up, that my Cousin might boast of having a good Secretary. But her Royal

Highness assur’d me, that this Letter should make no Impression upon her,

and that she would always be my Friend. I most humbly thank’d the

Princess, withdrew in a terrible Pet with my Cousin; and in the first

transport of my Passion I wrote her a Letter, in which I did not spare

her. As she was really a Woman of very good Sense, she answer’d me in the

same Style. I replied; she did the same; and thus we carried on a Literary

Correspondence, in which there were very pretty Sayings on both sides.

To compleat my Happiness I was afflicted with a Redundancy of Choler,

which was follow’d with the Jaundice, a Distemper that brought me to the

very Brink of the Grave. My Friends did not forsake me; and among others I

may say, that I had more than ordinary Obligation to the Abbé _d’Asfeldt_,

who desir’d me to reflect on my State; and as he knew that I was not a

Roman Catholic, and that the Prejudices in which I had been bred up, gave

me great Prejudice to the contrary Party, he conjur’d me to permit him to

discourse me about Religion, only one Hour in a Day; to which I consented

with pleasure. Every body knows with what an Energy he speaks, and with

what a winning Grace. He continued his Visits all the time of my Sickness,

which by degrees went quite off. I was so affected with what he said to

me, that I promised him I would receive Instruction when I was recover’d;

and as soon as I got abroad, I was as good as my Word. He brought me

acquainted with Father _Denis_, a barefooted _Carmelite_, who in some

Conferences with me finish’d what the Abbé _d’Asfeldt_ had begun; so that

in a little time after, I made public Profession of my Faith to Father

_Denis_[56], in presence of an infinite number of Persons of Quality. The

Marquis _d’Asfeldt_ and the Abbé his Brother were my Witnesses, and sign’d

my Confession of Faith along with me. When the Ceremony was ended, I was

accosted on all sides with Embraces from abundance of People, of whom

three parts in four were quite unknown to me; yet their Zeal for Religion

made them fond of expressing how glad they were to see me admitted into

the Bosom of the Church. I receiv’d the Communion the same Week, upon the

Festival of _All-Saints_: And at length I waited on the Cardinal _de

Noailles_, who made a very fine Speech to me, exhorting me to continue

stedfast in the Religion that I had embrac’d.

The News of my Conversion was soon spread in _Germany_, and _Luther_ and

_Calvin_ themselves could not have exclaim’d against it more than my good

Cousin did. The same Princess who had formerly recommended me so heartily

to _Madame_, wrote to her again to tell her, _That she ought not to be

surprised at my changing my Religion, and that ’twas nothing but a

Ceremony which I had perform’d two or three times before_. But tho’ she

gave it this Turn, it made little or no Impression upon _Madame_. And for

my own part I did not give much heed to what my Enemies said; and that I

might not be in the way of hearing it, I left off going to the Royal

Palace, where _Madame_ resided after she quitted _St. Cloud_.

I spent the Winter of 1717 very disagreeably, that is to say, I wanted

Money; and without that current Metal, a Man may live as well in the

remotest Desert as in _Paris_. I was quickly oblig’d to by down my

Equipage, and at last to sell some of my Clothes to satisfy my clamorous

Debtors: Yet for all this I could not stave off an Affront from one of

them, who to be sure was more hungry than the rest; for tho’ he had

promis’d to give me a Month longer, he caus’d me to be arrested in the

little Market of the Suburb of _St. Germain_, and all at once was I

hurried to the Abbey. This might have prov’d a very fatal Misfortune to

me, if I had not been assisted that very day by M. _de N----_ a Counsellor

of Parliament, to whom I sent word of it the very Moment I was in Hold;

upon which he came immediately, and offer’d his Bond for the Debt: But my

Creditor would hear of no Terms except the Money down, and refus’d to take

his Security. M. _de N----_ was so exasperated at this Denial, that he

wrote a Line to the First President desiring him to set me at liberty,

which I obtain’d accordingly upon the Spot, without Money, or so much as

giving the Creditor any manner of Security. M. _de N----_ too, in order to

oblige me to all Intents and Purposes, was so good as to get a Writ of

Protection for me, after which my Creditors could not touch me: And

indeed, considering the Situation I was then in, that was the greatest

piece of Service that could be done for me.

I was no sooner got out of this Scrape but I fell into another, not

altogether so vexatious indeed, yet very perplexing. In my Visits to the

President _de P----_’s Lady, I became acquainted at her House with a

Widow, who tho’ old, ugly, covetous and silly, and to crown all, terribly

fond of Law, was so rich, that all those amiable Qualities were

over-look’d by a number of pleasant Companions, who strove to make Love to

her, in hopes of contracting a Marriage which seem’d so likely to make

their Fortunes. The Widow could not tell how to fix her Choice; not that

she was averse to Matrimony, but the Conditions she requir’d were so

extraordinary, that the very mention of them made her Gallants take their

Leave of her. The President _de P----_’s Wife, who knew the Lady very

well, and my Circumstances even better, advis’d me to try my Luck; and for

my Encouragement she promis’d to serve me: and serve me she did so

effectually, that the Lady was not displeas’d with the Pains which she

perceiv’d I took to make my self acceptable to her. She offer’d me an

Apartment in her House; in short, she made me to understand that I need

not despair of any thing. I had some Reluctance to accept of that Offer,

altho’ it was so advantagious; and for this Reason chiefly, the Want of

Money, because I did not care to be at her House without being better

equip’d. By good Luck my Landlady, who was one of those intriguing Dames

with which _Paris_ swarms, help’d me out of this Difficulty. She

discover’d all in an Instant what was the matter, and in concert with an

_Italian_ Valet de Chambre, who had liv’d with me for some time, she

help’d me without any Difficulty to every thing that was necessary for my

Appearance with Splendor. I then hir’d more Servants, bought very fine

Liveries; in short, all my Equipage was in a few days more gay than ever.

’Tis true it was all upon Tick; but our old Lady, as covetous as she was,

would not let me suffer upon that score. In the mean time I had a very

difficult Game to play; for I was oblig’d to counterfeit being over head

and ears in Love with the most disagreeable Woman upon the Face of the

Earth; and at the very time too when I was still courting Madame _de

R----_, who without dispute was as handsome a Woman as any whatsoever. Nor

was this all; for the old Lady, to be like the fine Women forsooth,

affected to be jealous; and whenever I ventur’d to leave her, which was

but very seldom, she was sure to set on a Spy to watch me. We generally

went abroad together. By eight o’clock in the Morning we us’d to be at the

Palais importuning the Judges, or else provoking the Attorneys and

Sollicitors to scold like Madmen. When we had done there, the good Lady

return’d home and sat down to her Toilet, and I us’d to sit by her in an

Arm-chair till I was quite tir’d. At first indeed I had some Pleasure in

being so near a Spectator of the Art by which a very disagreeable Face may

be sometimes made tolerable. My old Lady’s was all artificial from the

Forehead to the Chin; and I question whether a Picture takes up more

Colours than she made use of to dawb her Features with? Her Apparel was

rich, but as much dy’d and daub’d as all the rest. A Correspondence so

tiresome as this was, gave me a horrid Disgust; but yet when I reflected

what a Pass I had reduc’d my self to by my Extravagance, I thought it was

not my Interest to break it off. I continu’d therefore to play the Part of

an amorous Suitor. And at last, fearing that I should sink under the

Fatigue, I began to talk strenuously of Marriage; but the good Lady still

said it was yet too soon, and that she was willing to have further Tryal

of me. She resolv’d at length to consent to it; but ’twas upon such

extraordinary Terms, that really I should have renounc’d any other Match

upon that score, if it had been twenty times more advantagious. I resolv’d

therefore to have no more to say to the silly Woman, and to retire. I

thought of making another Tour to _Berlin_ to settle my Affairs, and to

sell my Land if Mademoiselle _de Pollnitz_ would give her Consent; but I

put off my Departure for a little time in hopes of seeing the Czar of

_Muscovy_, who was shortly expected at _Paris_.

This Monarch, from no other Motive but Curiosity, came from one of the

Extremities of _Europe_ to see the Court of _France_. They would have had

him make a public Entry; but he desir’d to be receiv’d without Ceremony.

_Verton_ the King’s Chief Steward met him on the Frontier, and conducted

him to _Amiens_, where the Marquis _de Nesle_ complimented him in the Name

of the King, and then went with him half way to _Paris_. The Marshal _de

Tesse_, who was charged to accompany the Prince all the time he was to

stay in _France_, went also to meet him. The Czar arriv’d at the _Louvre_

by ten o’clock at Night, and was conducted to the Queen Mother’s

Apartment, which had been sumptuously furnish’d for his Reception. Some

Moments after his Arrival the Marshal _de Villeroy_ came from the King to

make his Excuses that he was not at the _Louvre_ to receive him, by reason

his Majesty’s tender Years and Constitution did not permit him to sit up

so late. They laid that the Czar was not satisfy’d with this Excuse, nor

with the Regent for not coming to meet him. ’Tis certain that he appeared

to be very much out of Temper all the Evening, would eat no Supper, and

took but one Glass of Beer: Nor would he stay at the _Louvre_, saying,

_That the Furniture of his Apartment was too rich; and that his

Attendants, who were not the most cleanly, might happen to spoil it_.

’Twas one o’clock in the Morning when the Czar was pleas’d to shift his

Lodging, and the Marshal _de Tesse_ would have been sadly put to it, had

he not caus’d the Palace of _Lesdiguieres_ to be furnish’d by way of

Precaution. The Czar thought this House also too richly furnish’d, and

notwithstanding all they could say he would not lie in a magnificent Bed

which was put up in the Apartment that was to be his, but caus’d a little

Bed to be set up for himself in the Wardrobe. Next day the Regent came and

paid him a Visit, when the Prince _de Kourakin_ the Czar’s Ambassador to

_Holland_ serv’d for their Interpreter. The Visit lasted near an Hour, and

there all the Ceremonial was settled that was to be observ’d to the

_Russian_ Monarch.

After this the King went to see him first, being accompanied from the

Palace of the _Thuilleries_, with the chief Lords and Officers of the

Crown. The Czar receiv’d his Majesty as he alighted from the Coach, and

took him in his Arms with a Transport of Fondness; at which the young

Monarch seem’d a little surpriz’d. He said to the Czar, _That he was very

glad to see him safe arrived at +Paris+; that he wish’d him Pleasure as

long as he staid in his Dominions; that he should have the same Respect

paid to him as to himself, and that he had given Orders for the

Court-Service always to give way to his_. Then the two Monarchs went hand

in hand into a Chamber where two Chairs of State were plac’d. The Czar

being the Stranger sate on the Right Hand. The Duke _du Maine_ and the

Marshal _de Villeroy_ stood behind the King’s Chair of State, and answer’d

the Questions which the Czar ask’d his Majesty. After a short Visit the

King rose first, and was accompanied to his Coach by the Czar, who at

taking Leave of his Majesty caught him up again in his Arms, and hoisting

him higher than his Head, said, _He wish’d that his Grandeur and Power

might surpass that of the late King_ Lewis XIV. He help’d the King into

his Coach, and did not return till it mov’d off.

Next day the Czar went to the _Thuilleries_ with the same Train as the

King has when he goes abroad, and rode in the King’s Coach attended by the

chief Lords of his Court, who sat over-against him, and at the

Coach-Doors. As soon as he enter’d the Court, the King went to the Gate of

the Castle, receiv’d him at his landing, and then conducted him to his

Apartment, always giving the Czar the Right Hand. I never saw more People

at the _Thuilleries_ than there were on that day, insomuch that the two

Monarchs had scarce room to pass. The Czar shew’d a prodigious Care of the

King, kept him up by one Hand, and wav’d the other to keep off such as

were apt to croud too near him. After a Visit no longer than that which

the King made to the Prince, his Majesty reconducted him to the Coach,

and the Czar return’d to his House with the same Train that had

accompanied him. When that Prince return’d to his Apartment, he told the

Marshal, _That he was very much surpriz’d at the infinite Croud of People

in the way_. To which the Marshal made Answer, _That the +French+ had so

great a Veneration for his Person, and so high an Idea of his illustrious

Qualities, that no wonder they were so eager to see a Prince, who they

knew beforehand was deserving of their Admiration_. The Czar seem’d very

well pleas’d with this Answer, yet he desir’d, _That for the future, when

he went abroad, the People might be oblig’d to keep out of his way_. He

paid a Visit next day to the Regent and to _Madame_. The latter talk’d to

him for two Hours in _High-Dutch_, and the Czar answer’d the Princess in

_Low-Dutch_. When he was withdrawn he said to M. _de S----_, _That

+Madame+ was extremely inquisitive; that she wanted to knew every thing;

and that she had ask’d him too many Questions; but that after all, he told

her no more than what he was willing she should know_.

The Czar was very curious to see every thing that was worth seeing in and

about _Paris_. He inform’d himself of every thing, and took care to write

every thing in his Pocket-book that he thought remarkable. He rose at

Day-break, and rambled about from one Place to another till Night. To

prevent all manner of Incumbrance he chose to make use of none but the

Marshal _de Tesse_’s Coaches, tho’ that Nobleman would have been well

enough contented without such Preference, because he kill’d several of his

Horses; and the poor Marshal himself must have sunk under the Fatigue of

the perpetual Motion that he was oblig’d to, if the Czar had staid much

longer; but this Monarch lost no time, and examin’d every thing with equal

Nicety and Dispatch, because he intended to be gone as soon as he had

satisfy’d his Curiosity.

The Court spar’d nothing to pay this Prince all due Honors. The Regent for

this purpose order’d a general Review of all the King’s Houshold Troops,

and of the _French_ and _Swiss_ Guards in the Walks of _Roule_ and in the

_Elysian Fields_. The Czar repair’d thither on horseback, and ’twas

expected he would have staid out the whole Review; but he only rode

briskly in the Front of the first Line, without casting his Eyes on the

Troops, and then clapping Spurs to his Horse, without paying any

Compliment to the Regent, he return’d full Gallop to _Paris_. From thence

he went directly to _St. Ouen_, where the Duke _de Tresmes_, First

Gentleman of the Bed-Chamber, and Governor of _Paris_, gave him an

Entertainment, with which he seem’d better pleas’d than with the Review.

He was loth to consent to the Admission of the Ladies into the Orangery

where the Table was spread, and only spoke to Madame _de Bethune_,

Daughter of the Duke _de Tresmes_, for which Distinction she was oblig’d

to M. _de Bethune_, who having been a good while in _Poland_, talk’d the

_Polish_ Language very well, which procur’d him the Honor of being able to

converse with his Czarish Majesty. The chief Noblemen, after the Example

of the Duke _de Tresmes_, made Entertainments for the _Russian_ Monarch.

The Duke Regent also prepar’d a Grand Feast for him at _St. Cloud_; but

just as the Czar was setting out from _Paris_, he was seiz’d with a

violent Fit of the Cholic, which hinder’d his going abroad; nor do I know

that he had a Sight of the Castle of _St. Cloud_ at all. He seem’d to be

more delighted with _Versailles_ than any other Place, insomuch that he

caus’d a Plan of it to be taken, and said, _He would have a Building

something like to it erected in his own Country_. With this View he

engag’d Workmen of all sorts, and promis’d them great Advantages to

encourage them to go to _Muscovy_. A great number suffer’d themselves to

be taken in, and the Regent consented to let them go out of the Kingdom;

but we are assur’d that the Promises made to them were not perform’d, and

the Generality thought themselves very happy when they were return’d to

_France_. This Prince was not liberal; and what Presents he made were only

valuable as they came from so great a Prince. I saw a poor Soldier of the

Invalids make him a Present of a Plan of that Hospital, which had cost him

ten Years Labor; but tho’ the Prince seem’d to think it a fine Piece, yet

the Soldier had a very small Reward. The King of _France_, however, made

him a noble Present, and thereby convinc’d him how different the Temper of

the _French_ was from that of the _Muscovites_. The Czar, in short,

return’d towards his Dominions very well satisfy’d with _France_, and went

first to _Holland_ where the _Czarina_ staid for him; and from thence he

proceeded by Land to _Petersbourg_.

The Czar’s Residence in _France_ had brought such a vast Number of

Foreigners to _Paris_, that the City being more populous than ever, new

Pleasures were thought of to divert them. A private Gentleman made a

Proposal to me, which if I could have succeeded in, would have been of

very great Service to me at that Juncture; for it was to put a

considerable Sum of Money in my Pocket, if I could obtain a Patent for

licensing Balls and Plays in the _Elysian Fields_, where the Projector

wou’d have erected Booths for that purpose. I spoke of this to the Regent,

who, according to his Custom, promis’d me the Grant at the first Word; but

M. _d’Argenson_, who was then only Lieutenant of the Police, made him soon

alter his Mind; for he represented to his Royal Highness, that such Balls

would infallibly be attended with great Disorders. The Objection was

specious, and like enough to be true; but after all, such a Licence would

not have increas’d the Disorder very much, especially at a Place where

’twas for a long time the Fashion to take the Air in the Night, so that

there were often more Coaches in the Course or Ring after Midnight, than

in the Day-time. Besides, a way might be found to avoid all the Disorders

that could possibly be foreseen. But M. _d’Argenson_ was a Man that

neither lov’d Novelties, nor Opportunities of obliging. I was the better

pleas’d with this Project, because if it had taken, I saw that I should be

in a Condition to stay some time longer at _Paris_, and to live in a

genteel manner. But at last, when I saw it defeated, I thought of nothing

but returning to _Berlin_. While I was putting every thing in order for my

Journey, I saw the Count _de Rothenbourg_ at _Paris_, who was come from

_Berlin_, and to return thither shortly with a Commission on some Affairs

of _France_. This Gentleman, who encourag’d me in my Design to go thither,

assur’d me that it would be the easiest matter in the World for me to sell

my Lands; that the King had just erected Fiefs; and that he gave every Man

leave to dispose of his Estate; nay more, he offer’d to carry me along

with him, and to advance me what Money I wanted. I thought all these to

be very advantagious Proposals; but they were Words without Deeds. ’Tis

true he lent me Money, that is to say, Government-Bills; but taking an

advantage of the Necessity he found me in, oblig’d me to conclude one of

the most fatal Bargains I ever made in my Life. I discounted my Bills,

that is to say, I lost considerably by them, and with the residue of the

Money I set out from _Paris_ to _Strasbourg_, where M. _de Rothenbourg_

had appointed to meet me: But for his part he went by the way of

_Burgundy_, where he had an Estate; so that I staid for him near a Month,

which surely I should not have done if I had been in Cash. When he came he

told me, _That ’twas impossible for him to carry me with him to +Berlin+,

because he had no room in his Coach_. ’Tis true that it was full, but

there were some People in it, whom it would have better become to have got

up behind. I was by this means under an indispensable Necessity to stay at

_Strasbourg_, till I had a sufficient Remittance from _Berlin_, to enable

me to continue my Journey, without being beholden to any body.

I did not repent my Stay at STRASBOURG; for tho’ I had been at it before,

yet I never was there long enough to make any Observation upon the

Remarkables of the Place. _Strasbourg_[57] is one of the best Cities in

_Europe_. ’Tis the Capital of _Alsace_, and was conquer’d by _Lewis_ XIV.

in 1682, without any Expence but of Menaces and Money. That Monarch

fortify’d it considerably, and caus’d a Citadel and Arsenal to be built

there, which are Monuments worthy of a Great King. The Cathedral Church

has not its equal for its Bulk and Grandeur. The Doors are of Brass, and

very well wrought. There’s a Pyramidal Spire 574 Foot high, which is a

very noble Piece of Work. The Great Clock is also worth seeing. I was

surpriz’d to see the great number of Wheels and Machines that give Motion

to all the Constellations, and turn the Needles, which upon Dials of

several sorts mark the Hours of the Day and Night, with the Course of the

Moon and the other Planets. In the Vestry of this Church, which is very

rich, are most sumptuous Altar-Ornaments and Copes. The Episcopal Palace

which joins to the Church is indeed a very commodious, but not a

magnificent Building, tho’ it stands upon a considerable Spot of Ground,

whereon a fine Structure might be erected; but there’s no Appearance that

such a thing will be undertaken yet a while, because the Cardinal _de

Rohan_ now Bishop of _Strasbourg_, who would be the properest Person for

it in the whole World, resides but little at _Strasbourg_, and justly

prefers _Saverne_ to it, where he has a most stately Palace.

_Strasbourg_ was formerly an Imperial City, the Magistrates whereof were

_Lutherans_, but now the Catholics are the Masters, and have excluded the

_Lutherans_ from all manner of Employment. The King of _France_ keeps a

strong Garison in it, and the Commandant here for the King is the Marshal

_de Bourg_. This Nobleman lives more retir’d than is usual for People that

are in Power. The Officers go to him very often in the Morning, when the

Marshal makes them sit down in a Circle, where I have seen such a Silence

observ’d, that if Foreigners were Witnesses of it, they would not twit the

_French_ with having too much _Clack_. This Levee us’d to hold about half

an Hour, after which every one went to dinner where he pleas’d, the

Marshal only keeping a Table for Grand Festivals, or when any Person of

Distinction arriv’d from the Court of _France_, which is very rare, except

when the Cardinal _de Rohan_ is at _Strasbourg_. When his Eminency is

there, a great deal of Company follows him, and he lives with an Air of

Grandeur suitable to his Birth and Dignity. Add to this, that there is not

any Nobleman, perhaps, that is of a more courteous and polite Deportment.

When this Prelate is not at _Strasbourg_ the Place is very melancholy,

especially for such as don’t run into the common Debaucheries of Youth;

for the latter indeed always find wherewith to amuse themselves: and

indeed I have observ’d with my own Eyes that the young Fellows of

_Strasbourg_ are very debauch’d, and the Ladies very gentle.

After I had staid a while at _Strasbourg_, I receiv’d News at last from

_Berlin_, together with Money to proceed in my Journey. I made haste thro’

the Cities of _Heidelberg_[58], _Darmstad_ and _Francfort_, and stopt at

HANAU, where I had the Honor of paying my Compliments to the Count of that

Name, who commonly resides there. He married a Princess of

_Brandenbourg-Anspach_, Sister to the Princess of _Wales_, by whom he has

had but one Daughter, married to the Hereditary Prince of

_Hesse-Darmstad_, so that the Family of _Hanau_ is like to be extinct in

the Person of this Count. A part of his Territories, _viz_. those which

are Fiefs of the Empire, will revert to the Landgrave of _Hesse-Cassel_,

according to Conventions which this Prince has made with the King of

_Poland_, who was Heir to a good Part of the County of _Hanau_ as Elector

of _Saxony_; but the latter sold all his Pretensions to the Landgrave.

The City of _Hanau_[59] stands near the _Maine_, and is distinguish’d into

the Old and New Towns. The new Town owes its Foundation to the _Walloon_

Protestants, who came to settle in this County during the Religious Wars

in the _Netherlands_. The Streets of this Quarter, which is the finest of

the two, are broad, and as strait as a Line, and the Architecture of the

Houses on both sides is almost the same. A very exact Police is observ’d

in it, as well for the Neatness of the Streets, as for the Security of the

Inhabitants. This Count’s Predecessors establish’d several Manufactures at

_Hanau_; and here is a considerable Trade in Snuff and Woollen Stuffs. The

_French_ Refugees have contributed not a little to render this City much

more considerable than it was before.

The Castle or Palace of the Count is in the Old Town; and he has another

House at the Gates of the Town call’d _Philip’s-Ruhe_[60], the Apartments

of which are very fine and nobly furnish’d, and the Gardens are of a grand

Taste, and a very advantagious Situation.

From _Hanau_ I went to FULDE, an Abbat’s Town of the Empire, in which

stands the famous Abbey of _Fulde_ of the Order of St. _Benedict_. The

Fryars are all Gentlemen by sixteen Descents. The Abbat is elected by his

Fryars, and has the Title of _Primat of the Abbats, Prince of the Empire,

and Hereditary Chancellor of the Empress_. The Person who is now vested

with that Dignity is of the Family of _Butler_. He maintains a great Court

and several Regiments; so that he lives absolutely like a Temporal Prince.

I should have lik’d his Reception of me very well, if he had not made me

drink so hard, that if I had staid there longer, my next Journey might

probably have been a vast way beyond _Berlin_. ’Tis my Opinion, Things

duly consider’d, that there’s no need of any extraordinary Vocation to be

a Fryar at _Fulde_; for those Gentlemen enjoy every thing that a Man would

wish for in a genteel Life. The House they dwell in is more like the

Palace of a great King than a Convent; and the Abbey-Church, and another

lately built without the Town, may be reckon’d among the noblest Buildings

in _Germany_.

From _Fulde_ I went to EISENACH[61], thro’ the most detestable Roads that

I ever travell’d. _Eisenach_ stands upon the River _Nese_, at the feet of

horrible Mountains. ’Tis the Seat of the Duke of _Saxe-Eisenach_ of the

_Weimar_-Branch, who being absent at that time, I had not the Honor to see

him.

I proceeded from _Eisenach_ to GOTHA[62], the Residence of the Duke of

_Saxe-Gotha_, who is the most powerful Prince of _Saxony_, next to the

Elector. He is descended from the unfortunate _John-Frederic_ Elector of

_Saxony_, who was put under the Ban of the Empire, and depriv’d of his

Electorate by _Charles_ V. The Town is well built, and the Duke’s Palace,

which is separate from it, is surrounded with Ramparts.

From _Gotha_ I went to ERFURT[63], a City which formerly was dependent on

the Family of _Saxony_, who by a solemn Treaty yielded it to the Elector

of _Mentz_ in 1665; and it now belongs to the present Elector of that

Name. The Inhabitants have made several Attempts to shake off their

Dependency upon that Elector, who on his part has not been wanting in

Measures to make them easy; and has made considerable Fortifications to

the Castle, in which he maintains a good Garison. The Town is large, and

contains fine Churches, of which the Cathedral is remarkable for its Bulk:

This Church had formerly a most magnificent Steeple; but some years ago

the Spire was entirely consumed by Lightning.

From _Erfurt_ I went to LEIPSIC[64] one of the most considerable Cities in

the Electorate of _Saxony_, and of special Note for its University and its

Fairs. The former, which was founded in 1408, by _Frederic_ the _Warrior_,

has always supported it self with Reputation, notwithstanding the

Neighbourhood of the University of _Hall_. The Situation of _Leipsic_ is

charming, and which way soever one enters it, there are beautiful Houses

and Gardens kept in excellent Order. The _Boses_ and _Appel_, Merchants of

_Leipsic_ have Gardens at the Gates of the Town, in which they have laid

out surprizing Sums of Money: _Appel_ especially has a Garden which a

Prince need not be asham’d of. Besides these Gardens here are Walks, which

are not the less agreeable for being natural. Here is a remarkable Wood,

which is called in the Language of the Country _Rosendahl_, _i. e._

the _Vale of Roses_. It consists of fourteen Walks, with a great Meadow in

the Middle. Each Walk has a noble Point of View, and they are all

agreeably diversify’d. The Inside of _Leipsic_ is perfectly answerable to

the Out-parts: The Streets are very even, and the Houses large and well

built. The only fault I found with them is, that they are too much charg’d

with Sculpture, and not duly proportion’d: They are all very lofty, and

for the Generality five or six Stories high. The Rents of them are very

dear, and at the time of the Fairs there’s such a Resort of Merchants

hither from all parts, that ’tis very difficult to get a Lodging. When I

came thither ’twas _Michaelmas_ Fair; at which time the King of _Poland_

was there. This Prince when he comes to _Leipsic_ does not lodge in the

Castle, tho’ it has very commodious Apartments, but resides in the House

of _Appel_, the Merchant whom I just now mention’d, who is Proprietor of

one of the finest Gardens thereabouts. That King gives the Preference to

his House, because ’tis near the Place where the Fair is kept. So much,

_Madame_, for what is chiefly remarkable at _Leipsic_.

I made no long stay there, because I was impatient to return to BERLIN. At

my first Arrival there I liv’d very retir’d. I foresaw the little

Satisfaction I had to expect at that Court, which made me resolve not to

be seen there. Nevertheless I could not conceal my self long; for the

Favors with which the Margravine-Dowager had always honor’d me, obliged me

to pay my Respects to that Princess, who receiv’d me very kindly, and soon

after spoke of me to his Majesty in so favorable a Manner, that he was

desirous to see me; and he sent M. _de Grumkau_ to bid me wait on him at

_Charlottenbourg_, and to send in my Name to him by _Ast_, one of his

Valets de Chambre. I could have been very glad to have been excused from

paying Obedience to that Order; but it was too punctual, his Majesty

having actually appointed the Hour that I was to appear before him. On the

Day fix’d I therefore went to _Charlottenbourg_, and sent for _Ast_, who

came and conducted me to a Gallery, where he bade me wait a little time;

but I had not been there a Quarter of an Hour when the King enter’d it,

attended by _la Fourcade_, Major-General and Commandant of _Berlin_. His

Majesty came up directly to me, and ask’d me, with a good deal of

Vivacity, _From whence I came, and what was the Cause of my Return to_

Berlin? I made answer, _That I was come last from_ France, _and that my

domestic Concerns had brought me back to_ Berlin. His Majesty, who

proceeded to enquire into my Affairs, seem’d well enough pleas’d with the

Answers I had the Honor of making to him, and turning towards _la

Fourcade_, said to him, _That he should never have known me, if he had not

been appriz’d who I was beforehand_: And then he said to me, _That he

should hereafter look on me no other than as a_ Frenchman. I made answer,

_That I should think my self very unfortunate if his Majesty should look

on me in that Light; and that let me be at ever such a Distance from his

Person and his Dominions, I should always be ambitious of calling my self

his Subject; and that I should constantly preserve the same Sentiments of

Respect and Loyalty to my King and Country, in which I had been educated_.

The King then ask’d me, _Whether I had any Intention to sell my Estate?_

I confess’d to him, _That I had no other Remedy left to enable me to

satisfy my Creditors_; and I actually entreated him to interpose his

Authority to procure the Consent of Mademoiselle _de Pollnitz_ to the Sale

of it. The King said to me, _That he would give his Orders to M. +de

C----+, to engage her to hearken to Reason_; and then he very graciously

dismiss’d me.

I went back to _Berlin_, and did not fail to return Thanks to the

Margravine for the good Offices she had done me with the King. The Queen

returning some few days after this from _Charlottenbourg_ to _Berlin_, I

had the Honor to pay my Respects to her, and was kindly receiv’d. It was

quickly blaz’d after what Manner I had been receiv’d by their Majesties,

which was Reason enough to engage the Courtiers to shew me that

Complaisance, which otherwise I durst not have expected. I took little

notice, however, of those Gentlemens Compliments, but prepar’d my self for

finishing the Grand Affair for which I was come. I caus’d advantagious

Offers to be made to Mademoiselle _de Pollnitz_, to gain her Consent. The

King order’d a Letter to be wrote and sent to her at _Hanover_, to

determine her in my Favor; assuring her at the same time, _That he thought

my Proposals very reasonable; and that her Acceptance of them would do him

a Pleasure_. I also went my self to _Hanover_, to try if I could persuade

her: But neither the Visits I made to her upon the Affair, nor those so

powerful Recommendations of it, had any Effect; and she continu’d

obstinate in her Refusal.

At my Return from _Hanover_, the King sent me an Order to wait on him. I

was introduc’d by one of his Favorites into the Closet where his Majesty

us’d to smoak. The King was then playing at a Game with Tables call’d

_Tick-tack_, the Prince of _Anhalt_ Velt-Marshal, and several other

Generals and Officers being present. The King rose up as soon as the Game

was ended, came to me and talk’d with me for a while very graciously. And

then sitting down, he order’d all that were in Company to take their

Seats. Every one took his Place without observing any Rank. The King

smoaked, as did most of the Gentlemen in the Closet; but by good Luck no

body offer’d me a Pipe, which I was very glad of, because I could never

smoak in all my Life. The King talk’d to me a great deal about my Affairs;

and in particular about the Sale of my Estate. ’Twas not long before I

perceiv’d that my Cousin had brought the King over to her Interest; for as

soon as my Land came to be the Topic of Conversation, he told me in very

plain Terms, _That it would be very wrong for me to part with it, even

tho’ my Cousin were to give her Consent to it; that instead of paying my

Debts with the Purchase-Money, I would be apt to squander it in my

Pleasures; that ’twas high time to think of some Employment to enable me

to pay my Debts, without selling my Estate_. He added, _That if,

nevertheless, I persisted in my Resolution to sell it, he would write

again to Mademoiselle_ de Pollnitz _to perswade her to consent to it; and

that this was the utmost that he could do for me, as Affairs stood; since

it would be an Injustice to compel her to give a Consent to any thing that

she imagin’d would be to her prejudice_. After a little farther Discourse

with me about my domestic Affairs, his Majesty talk’d to me of the Report

current at _Berlin_, _That I had chang’d my Religion_; and ask’d me,

_Whether ’twas really true, that I was turn’d_ Papist. I told him, _That I

was of the Religion of my Ancestors_. Here I will acknowledge to my shame,

that I had not Courage enough to make public Declaration that I was a

Catholic. Besides, I hoped in so pressing a Dilemma to get off by a double

Entendre; which is a Rule adopted by the Doctors themselves. The double

Entendre consisted in that, when I said I was of the Religion of my

Ancestors, I meant that which was formerly profess’d by my Grandfather and

Great-Grandfather; and indeed all my Ancestors were Catholics. My

Grandfather himself was a Catholic once, tho’ he embrac’d the new

Religion, to swim with the Stream. The King, who concluded from what I

said, that I was still a Protestant, did not press me farther upon that

Head;, but the Prince of _Anhalt_ was not so easily satisfy’d; for he gave

the King to understand that he believ’d the Reports of my having chang’d

my Religion, were but too true, and he actually said to his Majesty _That

the only way to be sure of the Truth of what I had affirm’d, would be to

give me the Sacramental Test in the Church of the_ Dome. The King was also

of that Opinion, nevertheless it did not take effect. At our leaving the

King, the Prince of _Anhalt_, who, ’tis like, wanted to get a real

Confession from me, that I had chang’d my Religion, charg’d it home upon

my Conscience, and blam’d me very much for not having own’d that I was a

Catholic. But as I could not be certain what was the Drift of those

Remonstrances, I was so far from declaring my Mind to that Nobleman, that

I still continu’d in the Negative.

The Audience which I had of the King gain’d me his Good-will; and he one

day spoke so honorably of me in presence of the Courtiers, that my Friends

advis’d me to strike in with this Ray of Favor, and petition him for some

Employment. I followed their Advice, and wrote accordingly to the King,

who was then at _Potzdam_.

Two Days after I sent my Letter, I receiv’d an Answer, sign’d with his

Majesty’s own Hand, which was drawn up in these Terms;

_I received your Letter of the 9th of_ January, (1718) _and for Answer I

assure you, that I grant you the first Pension of Gentleman of the

Bed-Chamber that shall happen to be vacant_.

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 13 / 49 题

I have had the Honor to acquaint you, that the Electoral Prince of