Freiherr von Karl Ludwig Pöllnitz

“ The Queen, tho' in the Flower of her Age, was not at all terrify'd when she saw Death approaching her. She wrote a very tender Letter to the King, in which she thanked him for the Love he had always manifested to her, and recommended her Domestics to him. Her Brother the Duke Ernest Augustus was so deeply concern'd to see her in such a condition, that she did what she could to comfort him: There is nothing so natural, said she to him, as Death; 'tis unavoidable, and tho' I am young enough to hope to live a few Years longer, yet I am not loth to die. ”

“ Hambourg is also very considerable on account of the Wealth of its Inhabitants, who are almost all Merchants, and much of the Temper of the Dutch Merchants, very greedy of Gain and thrifty. Their greatest Delight is so have Gardens at the City-Gates, pretty much in the Taste of those of Holland. The Wives of the great Merchants are as much confin'd at Hambourg, as the Women of Quality are at Venice, but I observ'd they were only pent up from Foreigners. A Man may pass his time very well in this City, where there are several Persons of Quality to see, who make their Visitors perfectly welcome. ”

“ The Houses at the Hague are very fine, yet they are all without the Rules of Architecture, without Ornament, and in a manner without Regularity, excepting the Palaces of the Old Court and of Prince Maurice, and the House of M. Obdam. There's not a House in short that has the air of a great Man's House; the inner Rooms are commonly very mean, and not very commodious; they have no Notion of Anti-Chambers; the Domestics pass their Time in the Kitchens or the Entries; and, except at the Houses of Ambassadors, what we call a Swiss or Porter, is no where to be seen. ”

“ The Furniture is surprizingly rich; nor is any thing to be seen, look which way you will, but Gold, Silver, Marble, Brass, Painting, Glass, China, &c. in a word, every thing that can be wish'd for, that is rich and elegant. At the end of this Suite of Apartments there is a long Gallery, the Cieling of which, like that of Versailles, represents the principal Actions of the King, and the sides are adorn'd with Pictures done by the most famous Hands, the Frames of which are of Brass gilt. ”

“ I had not been long at the Court of France when this illustrious Couple died within a few days of one another. The first who paid that Tribute to Nature was the Dauphiness. This Princess fell sick at Versailles, soon after which the Purples discover'd themselves; and at length her Distemper appearing desperate, she was admonish'd to prepare for Death: but this was Advice she could not find in her heart to comply with, it being a hard matter to renounce a voluptuous Life; especially when supported with the Hopes of being e'er long possess'd of one of the first Crowns in the World. ”

“ To this Convoy may be ascrib'd the Conquest of Lisle, which was at length oblig'd to surrender on the 28th of October, and the Marshal de Boufflers retir'd into the Citadel; yet as brave as the Garison was that march'd into it with him, he could not hold it out long. Thus the Allies gain'd some considerable Advantage or other every day. Never did they make a more glorious Campaign; for besides the taking of Lisle and its Citadel, they had also the Glory in this same Campaign of raising the Siege which the Elector of Bavaria had laid to Brussels, and of reducing Ghent and Bruges. ”

“ I 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 ”

“ After I had made Money of every thing I set out in the Night from Berlin, leaving word at home that I was bound to Hanover; but as soon as I was got out of Town I steer'd my Course for Leipsic, where I staid a few days, and then went to Mentz, where I had a Cousin in the Elector's Service, who entertain'd me as a good Kinsman would do, and introduc'd me to his Master, who gave me a most gracious Reception. I have already had the Honor to tell you of the Prerogatives of the Elector of Mentz at the Coronation of an Emperor. It only remains for me to speak to you of his Person. ”

“ The Emperor founded his Claim upon the Renunciation made by that Princess when she was married to Lewis XIV. The greatest part of Europe, which the exorbitant Power of France had begun to alarm, sided with the Emperor, who quitted his Rights in favor of the Archduke his Son. Besides the common Interest which it seem'd to be of all Europe to hinder two such Monarchies as France and Spain from being govern'd by one Prince, several Potentates had their particular Reasons, for laying hold of this opportunity, to make war with France. ”

“ 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. ”

“ 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. ”

“ 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. ”

“ When the Court return'd from their Airing there was a Comedy or else a Drawing-Room at the Duchess of Berry's, where they play'd at Lansquenet.
At those times too when there was no Hunting there were Assemblies at M. le Grand's, and several others of Quality. I observ'd that most of the Nobility were more inclinable to be complaisant at Fontainbleau, than at Versailles: If a Man was ever so little known for a Person of Quality, they freely furnish'd him with the King's Horses for Hunting, which is scarce ever practis'd but in France and Lorrain. ”

“ Mean time the two Families in competition for the Crown of Spain had not yet sheath'd their Swords. The King of Sweden was even yet in the Electorate of Saxony when the French lost the famous Battle of Ramellies, which procur'd the Allies the greatest part of the Spanish Netherlands. The Troops in Italy also distinguish'd themselves, and particularly the Prussians, who had so great a share in the raising of the Siege of Turin, that the Duke of Savoy wrote a Letter to the King, in which he extolled the Valor of the Prussian Generals and Soldiers. ”

“ He went to her Apartments every Night at half an Hour past eight, and play'd at Chess there till the King's Supper-time; but this Prince only sate down at the Game, and as he went in and out he always kiss'd her Hand.
The Court of France, tho' very splendid by reason of the number of Princes and Princesses of which it consists, was nevertheless not so gay as I expected. The Life at Versailles was the most uniform in the World: The King's Hours were settled, and he that had seen but one Day there had seen a Year. The King rose at nine or ten o'clock. ”

“ The voluptuous Courtier, who had not yet forgot what the Presence of an amiable Queen is capable of doing, began to form Vows, that the King might make a Choice as good as the first: nay, the matter was carried farther; it was mention'd to his Majesty, who was told withal, that nothing was more necessary, than to think immediately of a second Marriage; and that the Prince Royal having no Children, there was Danger of his Majesty's leaving no Issue. In short, every body voted so heartily for a Marriage, that the King, who also was desirous of it, declar'd he wou'd marry again. ”

“ There are very fine Walks in this City, and especially a Grove which is deem'd a charming Place by the Citizens of Amsterdam, who come hither in the Summer to make their Parties of Pleasure.
After having seen what was most remarkable at Harlem, I return'd by the way of Leyden to the Hague, where I had not been many days, before the King arriv'd, having pass'd the same day before Rotterdam, where he had been saluted with a triple Discharge of the Cannon, as he was also at Delfshaven, where he found his Yatcht, follow'd by several others that had been sent to him from the Hague. ”

“ This City sustain'd a Siege by the Spaniards in 1574, when the Dutch shook off their Tyrants Yoke. During this the City was reduc'd to the last Extremity, the Siege having continu'd from Easter to the 3d of October, when the Spaniards were oblig'd to retire. Tho' Leyden is a very pretty City, yet I take it to be one of the dullest Places in all Holland to live in; for go where one will, we meet with such sickly Countenances as makes one melancholy to see them: not but that the Town's-People are as healthy here as elsewhere ”

“ For my part I was gone from Berlin with a design to travel, because of some very harsh words which112 the King said to me one day when I had fail'd to pay my Attendance as a Gentleman of the Bed-Chamber. The Assiduity with which I made my Court to the Margrave Philip subjected me to a very sharp Reprimand from the King. What gave occasion to it was this, I endeavour'd to be with the Margrave as often as possible, tho' indeed I was not there so often as I wish'd; for I don't think there was a Prince in the World to whom a Man could make his Court with so much Pleasure and Freedom. ”

“ The Duchess of Maine is a Princess of real Merit, and a great Wit. She degenerates in no respect from the illustrious Blood of Condé. She192 liv'd with more Splendor than any Princess of France. She commonly resided at Seaux, a magnificent Castle not far from Paris, and one of the finest that I have seen, not only for its commodious Apartments which are also richly furnish'd, but for the extent of the Park in which there's such an agreeable Variety of Groves, and of Marble and Brazen Statues, as presents the curious Spectator always with something new. ”

“ 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. ”

“ Frederic-William, when he died, left five Princes, viz. the Elector, whom he had by Louisa-Henrietta of Nassau Princess of Orange; and the Margraves Charles, Philip, Albert, and Christian, by Dorothy Princess of Holstein, Dowager of the Duke of Zell. These Princes, at an Age more proper for Pleasure than Business, studied how to be most agreeable. Being frank and generous they adorn'd the Court, even more by their personal Qualities than by their Magnificence ”

“ I believe, that excepting Amsterdam, there is not a Town in Europe where there are so many Sects; but few of 'em are allow'd a Church. The Neighbourhood of this Town to Hambourg, and its Situation moreover upon the Elbe, does great Prejudice to that City. 'Tis now several years since Altena was burnt by the Swedes, under the Command of the Count de Steinbock; when they scarce allow'd Time to the Inhabitants to make their Escape; so that they had the Grief to be Eye-Witnesses of the burning of their Houses and Goods, and several Old Men, and a number of Infants perish'd in the Flames. ”

“ The French Competitors on their part distributed another, to establish their own Rights, and invalidate the Pretensions of the King. There happen'd to be Disputes between the Prince of Conti and the Prussian Ambassador about Precedency. M. de Puisieux the Ambassador of France, as it was his Duty to do, maintain'd the Interests of the Prince of Conti, and presented to the Council of Neufchâtel a Memorial so haughty and menacing, as if it had come from victorious France in the Time when she was flush'd with Conquests. ”

“ The common People of Brussels are more polite than in any other City of the Netherlands; for most of the Nobility of the Country come hither commonly to pass the Winter; and there are few Families of Note that have not a House here.171
The Royal Palace is very large, and the Apartments beautiful, tho' very old. This Palace stands high above the City, being situate upon a Hill, from whence there is a noble Prospect, which is diversify'd by the Gardens, and the Park that joins to the Palace, wherein there are several very pleasant Walks, adorn'd with fine Grottos and Fountains. ”

“ The Elector John-William had preferred Dusseldorff to all other Places, from an early liking that he took to that Town, of which he was Master, even in the Life-time of the Elector his Father; who when he married his Son to the Emperor Leopold's Sister, yielded to him the Duchies of Juliers and Berg, of which Dusseldorff is the Capital City, and wou'd have been one of the finest in Germany, if the Emperor had liv'd long enough to put the great Projects which he had form'd in execution. ”

“ The late Elector of Cologne liv'd at Valenciennes when I was there, the Casualties of the War having oblig'd him to quit his own Dominions. I was introduc'd to that Prince by the Prince de Tingri, when his Electoral Highness gave me a favorable Reception, and told me that he knew my Father; but I plainly perceiv'd by what he said, that this Prince would have been as glad to be in his City of Bonn, as in a Town of France.
I stay'd at Valenciennes three Days, after which I set out for Cambray [39] . This City is the Capital of the Cambresis, and one of the strongest Places in Europe. ”

“ They are passionately fond of Music, and still more of Plays. And at Warsaw they have as much of both as they desire; for the King, who is a Prince as gallant as he is magnificent, takes care that every thing be done at Court, in a manner worthy of a great Prince. He maintains a Set of French Comedians there; and moreover, frequently gives Balls and Concerts. These Diversions are generally attended with noble Feasts that the King makes for the Ladies of his Court; at which times, that Prince is always admir'd for his good Mien, and for that Gracefulness which sets off all his Actions. ”

“ 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. ”