The Memoirs of Charles-Lewis, Baron de Pollnitz Volume III Part 2

After some other Festivals of this nature, occasion'd by the public Joy, the Court separated, when the King set out for _Oranjebourg_[4], and the Queen to _Lutzelbourg_. The Prince Royal staid at _Berlin_ to finish his Exercises. Care had been taken to form a numerous Court for him, of all young Gentlemen of his own Age, of whom this young Prince had form'd two Companies, of which himself commanded the first, and the Duke of _Courland_ the second. I was of this second Company, and we went sometimes to perform our Military Exercises at _Lutzelbourg_ before the Queen, who lov'd to see the Prince her Son display the first Fruits of his Military Genius. We also acted some Comedies before her; for the Princess aim'd to inspire the Prince her Son with a delicate Taste, even in Pleasures.

'Twas at this time that a Storm arose at Court against the Count _de Wartemberg_ Great Chamberlain, and lately declar'd Prime Minister, which threaten'd his Ruin; but it spent itself upon those only who had rais'd it. The princ.i.p.al Authors of the Cabal were the Count _de Lottum_, M.

----, and the Grand Marshal, who had been for a long time the Great Chamberlain's sworn Enemy. The Count _de Wesen_, my Father-in-law, was pitch'd upon by these Gentlemen to raise the first Prejudices in the King's Mind against this Minister. I have had the Honor to acquaint you, _Madame_, that the Countess _de Wartemberg_ always wish'd well to M. _de Wesen_ of which the advantagious Match she had procur'd for him was a very convincing Proof. One would have thought therefore after such great Service, that he ought in Grat.i.tude to have devoted himself entirely to the Fortune of the Count her Husband. But my Father-in-law puff'd up by the Choice which the Count's Enemies had made of him, forgot his Duty and his Interest, and accepted a Commission for the undertaking of which he had in truth all the necessary Temerity, but not that Judgment nor that Favor, which was absolutely requisite for conducting so ticklish an Affair.

The King had a real Love for M. _de Wartemberg_, yet he sometimes made him feel his ill Humors. The Prince seem'd one day to be so angry with him, and spoke of him to my Father-in-law with so much Resentment, that the latter thought he had now a fair Opportunity to ruin the Count. He said to the King, that the whole Court was surpriz'd at his extraordinary Kindness to a Minister who every day abus'd his Name in the Oppression of the People, and in the Commission of a thousand Acts of Injustice against his faithful Servants; that his Rapines were excessive; and that his Wife's Extravagance was so great, that he could shew by the Accounts of the Comptrollers of the Kitchen, that the Great Chamberlain's Table cost more than his Majesty's. _I know very well_, added M. _de Wesen, that if the Prime Minister should hear of what I have now had the Honor to say to your Majesty, I am undone; but if I held my peace, I thought I should be wanting in my Duty; and what I have a.s.serted I am ready to prove._

The King heard what he said very attentively, and my Father-in-law was so vain as to think he had made Impression enough upon him to strike M. _de Wartemberg_ quite out of his Favor; but this shallow Statesman, my Father-in-law, did not consider that a Prince who complains of his Favorite is not always dispos'd to receive the ill Impressions that others are ready to give of him. Whether the King therefore thought after this manner, or whether he was shock'd at the Ingrat.i.tude of M. _de Wesen_, who ow'd his Fortune to M. _de Wartemberg_, he told the Minister the Conversation that had pa.s.s'd, but a.s.sur'd him that he did not give Credit to the Report; and that if he pleas'd he would take a Revenge on the Man that had made it.

The crafty Minister affected at that time an Air of Moderation, which cost him the less Pains because he was an excellent Comedian. He said to the King that he thought himself sufficiently reveng'd, by the little Heed his Majesty gave to the scandalous Tales which his Enemies gave out against him, and he desir'd his Majesty to pardon those who had offer'd to abuse his Goodness, for the sake of oppressing him. Thus did he for a while conceal the keenest Resentment under the Mask of the most forgiving Temper; being resolv'd in his Heart to ruin those who had employ'd M. _de Wesen_, tho' they were protected by the Queen, but especially to make their Tool feel all the Weight of his Vengeance.

A Journey which the King took to _Goltz_, one of his Hunting-Seats, near the Fortress of _Custrin_, gave him a good Opportunity for it. Being alone with the King in the same Coach, he put him so much out of conceit with M.

_de Wesen_, that when he arriv'd at _Goltz_, all that came to wait on him, as he alighted out of the Coach, perceiv'd he was in an ill Humor.

Contrary to his usual custom, he spoke to no body, only he order'd my Father-in-law to give his Attendance. When he had sat down, he scarce touch'd the Bread, but he found fault with it, and complained of it to M.

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

M. _de Wesen_ said to the King, That 'twas true the Bread was not as it us'd to be, because the Carriage of the Pantry broke down by the way, and the Baker came too late to Town to provide more. The King not well pleas'd with this Answer, said, he was weary of being ill serv'd, and that he expected every one shou'd do their Duty. At the same time he threw his Napkin on the Ground. M. _de Wesen_ fetch'd another, and offer'd it to the King, but he would not take it, and order'd him to be gone that Moment out of his Presence. Two Hours after, M. _de Wesen_ was arrested by an Exempt of the Life-Guards, who conducted him in his Coach under a Guard to _Custrin_, the Capital of the New Marquisate, situate upon the _Oder_.

There my Father-in-law was kept as a State-Criminal, and the Minister sent Orders to the Aulic Counsellor to go to my Mother's House, and clap a Seal upon her Husband's Effects. She was at that time in the Country, and my Brother happen'd to be at Church with our Governor, so that I was alone in the House when those Gentlemen came to execute their Order. After they had shew'd it to me, they ask'd me which was my Father-in-law's Apartment, that they might not be oblig'd to put the Seal upon every thing. I made no scruple to shew it to them, and as they withdrew they left me a Writing which was an Order to my Mother not to come to Court, nor to sollicite her Husband's Liberty. I sent immediately For my Governor, that he might go with this disagreeable News to my Mother, whose Surprize was as great as her Sorrow; for as she had an entire Love for her Husband, so she knew nothing of his Intrigues against the Minister, to whom she thought he was all along devoted. As the King's Order tied up her Hands, and hinder'd her from coming to Court, I was charg'd to do what I could there, to obtain my Father-in-law's Liberty.

One day as the Queen made an Entertainment at _Lutzelbourg_ for the King, I presented a Pet.i.tion to him, in my Mother's Name, intreating him to remove the Seal from her Effects, and the Guard from her House; and that his Majesty would be pleas'd to appoint Commissioners to try her Husband; to the end, that if guilty, he might be punish'd, or if innocent, that he might be set at liberty. My Youth, and the Tears which I shed at the Delivery of this Pet.i.tion, melted the King's Heart, who told me, That he would do what my Mother desir'd, for her sake only; that he sympathiz'd in her Affliction; but that her Husband had so justly provok'd him, that he could not avoid making him sensible of his Indignation: That withal, he was very glad to see me so good-natur'd, as to sollicite in favor of a Man who he knew had not dealt well either by my Brother or me, notwithstanding the Injunction he laid upon him, when he match'd him to my Mother. I made him answer, that I had no reason to complain of my Father-in-law; and that tho' I had, my Mother's extreme Concern of Mind for what had happen'd, wou'd be a sufficient Motive for me to sollicite his Liberty. _I commend you_ said the King, _for these Principles. Go and tell your Mother that she shall be made easy, and be a.s.sur'd that I will take care of you_.

Those were the very Expressions of the King, who, when I stoop'd to embrace his Knees, encourag'd me also by clapping his Hand upon my Shoulder. As soon as he was gone, the Queen sent for me into her Closet, to give her an Account of this Conversation. I found her resting on a Couch, attended by none but Madamoiselle _de Pollnitz_ my Cousin, who sat on the Ground at her Feet. When the Queen had enquir'd after my Mother's Health, she order'd me to a.s.sure her of her Esteem and Friendship; and when I had repeated to her what the King had said to me, she made Answer, That she was very glad the King was so well inclin'd to me. _Cultivate his good Disposition_, said she, _make it your Study to merit his Favor. As for me, I will do every thing in my power to preserve you in it; and you may always be sure of my Protection._

So gracious a Reception both from the King and Queen gave me great Hopes; and I return'd to _Berlin_, not doubting but the Promises he had made to me wou'd soon be perform'd; yet 'twas not without tedious Sollicitations from my Mother's Friends that she obtain'd her Husband's Liberty, after seven Months Confinement, besides paying a Fine for him of ten thousand Crowns. The Revenge which the Minister took upon those who had made my Father-in-law their Agent, was not so much talk'd of; for he contented himself with banishing them to their respective Estates or Governments, and disposing of their Offices among his most obsequious Creatures. One of these was the Count _de Witgenstein_, upon whom he confer'd the Office of the Grand Marshal. He was a Person of a good Family, but neither he nor his Ancestors had ever done any Service to the State; and all his Merit was an entire Devotion to the Prime Minister, to whom he was more a Slave than a Friend. As long as the Count _de Wartemberg_ continu'd in Favor, he kept his ground at Court; but the Fall of that Minister was attended with his. The Disgrace of my Father-in-law did not fail likewise to create a great deal of Trouble in my Family. My Mother follow'd him to his Estate in the Duchy of _Zell_, and I was sent with my Brother under the Conduct of a Governor to _Lunebourg_, there to finish my Studies.

All _Europe_ was at this time in motion, and had taken part in the Quarrel between the Houses of _Austria_ and _Bourbon_, on account of the Succession to the Monarchy of _Spain_. _Philip_ of _Anjou_ was already in possession of it, by virtue of _Charles_ II's last Will and Testament; and in pursuance of the Right he had to it by his Grandmother _Mary Theresa_ of _Austria_. The Emperor founded his Claim upon the Renunciation made by that Princess when she was married to _Lewis_ XIV. The greatest part of _Europe_, which the exorbitant Power of _France_ had begun to alarm, sided with the Emperor, who quitted his Rights in favor of the Archduke his Son. Besides the common Interest which it seem'd to be of all _Europe_ to hinder two such Monarchies as _France_ and _Spain_ from being govern'd by one Prince, several Potentates had their particular Reasons, for laying hold of this opportunity, to make war with _France_.

The Court of _England_ was alarm'd at the Proceeding of _Lewis_ XIV. who had just recogniz'd the Son of _James_ II. lately deceas'd at _St.

Germains_, for King of _England_, by the Name of _James_ III. in prejudice of King _William_, who had been recogniz'd by the Treaty of _Ryswic_.

The _Dutch_ govern'd themselves by the Views of King _William_, who was all along their Stadtholder: And they could not forget the War in 1672, the Wounds of which were still bleeding.

The King of _Prussia_, besides his Interest in common with the other Electors, to hinder _France_ from becoming too powerful, for fear lest hereafter the said Court should saddle them with whom it pleas'd for an Emperor, had Engagements subsisting with the Court of _Vienna_ and the King of _England_. And in consequence of those Engagements he furnish'd the Emperor with 6000 Men, and gave Orders for a Levy in his Dominions of 20,000 Men, which King _William_ had demanded of him, and which were during the whole War in the Pay of the United Provinces.

_France_ had no Allies but the Electors of _Bavaria_ and _Cologn_, who suffer'd themselves to be prevail'd on by the Promises of _France_; the chief of which was, That she would not make an end of the War till she had caus'd the Elector of _Bavaria_ to be declar'd King of _Swabia._

The Duke of _Savoy_ was proof against the Advantages offered him by _France_: And notwithstanding the Marriage of his two Daughters to the Duke of _Burgundy_ and the Duke of _Anjou_, King of _Spain_, he was the most zealous Ally against those two Crowns. He foresaw too very plainly, that as long as those two Powers were united, such was the Situation of his Dominions, that they wou'd hem him in between them; and therefore when the d.u.c.h.ess his Mother, who was a thorow _French_ Woman, ask'd him, What would become of his Daughters, if he dethron'd the King of _Spain_, and ruin'd _France_, he reply'd to her, _And if I do not, what will become of my Son?_

These, _Madame_, were in general the various Motions that affected _Europe_ when King _William_ of _England_ died: Nor did this Accident occasion any Alteration; for the Princess _Anne Stuart_, who succeeded him by the Name of Queen _Anne_, pursued the same Views as her Predecessor, and the War of the Allies against _France_ was carried on with the same Vigor.

By the Death of the King of _England_, who was the last Prince of the _Orange_ Branch, our King was Heir to all his personal Estate; yet his Right was contested by the Prince of _Na.s.sau-Friesland_, who, tho' not so nearly related as the King, had the Advantage of Kindred by the Male Line, and had a Will of King _William_ in his Favor, which int.i.tled him to his Succession. As the States-General of the United Provinces were the Executors of this Will, the King immediately communicated his Pretensions to them, as he did also to Queen _Anne_, by M. _de Spanheim_ his Amba.s.sador at _London_. He founded his Right upon a Will of _Frederic-Henry_ Prince of _Orange_, King _William_'s Grandfather, who had a Son and three Daughters, the eldest of whom married to the Elector of _Brandenburg_ the King's Father; the second to the Prince _de Simmeren_, a younger Prince of the present reigning _Palatine_ Family, who dying without Issue, left his Right of Succession to the Electorate, to the Branch of _Neuburg_; and the third was married to the Prince of _Anhalt-Dessau_.

The Will of _Frederic-Henry_ call'd the Male Descendants to his Succession; and on Failure of them the three Princesses his Daughters; by virtue of which, the King who descended from the eldest, claimed to be the lawful Heir, notwithstanding the Testament of King _William_, who could not dispose of an Estate which was intail'd. The King, for the better Manifestation of his Rights, set out for the _Hague_, accompanied by the Margrave _Albert_, his Brother, who left him at _Wesel_ in order to join the Army at _Keiserswaert_[5].

At _Wesel_[6] the King receiv'd Messieurs _de Lintelo_, _Slingenlandt_, and _Tour_, Deputies from the States-General, to whom he paid the same Honors as to Sovereigns, and receiv'd them standing, with only an Arm-Chair behind him. They gave him an Account of the last Will and Testament of King _William_, which they had caus'd to be open'd in the Presence of M. _Schmettau_ his Amba.s.sador, Mr. _Stanhope_ the Envoy Extraordinary of _England_, the Envoys of the Princesses of _Anhalt_ and _Na.s.sau-Friesland_, the Envoy of the Prince of _Na.s.sau-Siegen_, the Commissioners of the States appointed for that purpose, and the Counsellors of the Domains of the late King _William_. They added that they had found in this Will, that the Prince of _Na.s.sau_, hereditary Governor of _Friesland_, was call'd to the Succession as universal Heir, and they exhorted the King to own him as such. But notwithstanding all this, he enter'd his solemn Protest against the Will, and then set out for the _Hague_.

The King at his arrival alighted at the Palace of the Old Court, which was part of the Inheritance of the King of _England_, and of which he had already taken Possession, as well as of _Honslaerd.y.k.e_, another Palace of the late King of _England_. The _Dutch_ wou'd fain have secur'd the Succession to the Prince of _Na.s.sau-Friesland_, but they could not easily do this, without embroiling themselves with the King. Therefore they chose to temporize, and came to no Conclusion while the King staid in _Holland_, during which they endeavor'd to amuse him by procuring him all the Pleasures that their Country afforded; but the Grand Affair of the Succession to the King of _England_ engross'd all his Thoughts, and he went away very much dissatisfy'd with the Conduct of the States-General at this Juncture.

As soon as he return'd to _Berlin_, he sent for my Brother and me from _Lunenburg_, for fear lest my Mother, who was a _Lutheran_, should persuade us to embrace that Religion. Next year he establish'd an Academy, into which he gave Orders for our Entrance. The View of this Establishment was to educate the young n.o.bility of the Court, in a manner suitable to their Extraction. The King had the Nomination of those that were to be admitted into this Academy, and Care had been taken to furnish it with the best Masters in all the Arts and Sciences. The Expence of the Students there were very moderate, the King having taken upon him to pay the Extraordinaries. This ill.u.s.trious School, which was then call'd, _The Academy of Princes_, has lost very much of its former Splendor.

I found the Court of _Berlin_ in the same State as when I left it. The Count _de Wartemberg_ was still in the highest Favor; and the Count _de Barfous_, the only Man who had presum'd for some time to make head against the Minister, had at length been oblig'd to retire to his Estate; but what made his Banishment from Court the more tolerable to him, was a Pension which the King allow'd him of 20,000 Crowns. His Post of Velt-Marshal was given to M. _de Wartensleben_, Lieutenant-General of the Emperor's Troops, and General of those of the Duke of _Saxe Gotha_. This was also a Creature of the Prime Minister; yet he had Honor and Honesty enough to oppose him on Occasions, where he thought the Welfare of the State was concern'd. The Count _de Lottum_, who had been involv'd in the Disgrace of my Father-in-law, and whose Office of Grand Marshal had been conferr'd on the Count _de Witgenstein_, retain'd a certain Air of Favor in his Disgrace, as did also the Count _de Barfous_. The King had given him the Government of _Wesel_, to which he retir'd; and as he could not avoid doing justice to his Merit and Fidelity, he gave him the Command of the Troops design'd for the _Netherlands_. He was charg'd with the Blockade of _Rhinberg_, a Place in the Electorate of _Cologn_, which the _French_ then possess'd, under color of being that Elector's auxiliary Forces. The Town surrendring in a little time, he undertook the Blockade of _Guelders_, which made a part of the _Spanish Netherlands_, and was yielded to us by the Peace of _Utrecht_. The taking of these two important Places in the midst of Winter, and the Behaviour of the Count _de Lottum_, who notwithstanding the Severity of the Season, and the Treatment he had received from Court, took all the Care possible for the Preservation of the King's Troops, made him so much extoll'd at Court, as was mortifying to the Prime Minister.

_France_ endeavor'd to repair the Loss of these two Places by seizing the Princ.i.p.ality of _Orange_, which we were not near enough to defend, and he put the Prince of _Conti_ in immediate Possession of it, who had some claim to it through the _Chalons_ Family, of which he call'd himself Heir.

But he soon after yielded the said Princ.i.p.ality and his Pretensions, to _Lewis_ XIV. who likewise caus'd an Edict to be publish'd there, by which it was put to the choice of all the Inhabitants to turn Catholics, or to sell their Effects and retire out of the Kingdom within the s.p.a.ce of three Months. The Generality of those who were not willing to change their Religion, retir'd to our Court, and among others, the Members of the Parliament. The King reliev'd them as far as he could, and caus'd Collections to be made in all the Churches of his Dominions, the Money of which was distributed to those who had the most pressing Occasion for it.

Soon after the Loss of _Orange_, the Margrave _Albert_ married the Princess of _Courland_. That Prince in 1696, had succeeded the late Margrave _Charles_, his Father, in the Grand Mastership[7] of the Order of St. _John_. This Order is the same as that of _Maltha_, and is only separated from it since _Luther_. The Commanderies, subject to the Elector of _Brandenburg_, which became Protestant, put themselves under the Elector's Protection, and chose a Grand Master, or rather the Elector chose one for them. The Choice has always fallen upon a younger Prince of the Family, who is not engag'd by it to any Vow, more than the Knights, who are only obliged to prove their n.o.bility, to which the Sovereign very often objects.

The Princess of _Courland_ was the eldest of the three Daughters that the Duke of _Courland_ had by his first Lady. He married to his second Wife the King's Sister, and some time after he died. The d.u.c.h.ess his Widow, who had been oblig'd to abandon _Courland_, which the _Swedes_, the _Poles_ and the _Muscovites_ equally hara.s.s'd, came to _Konigsberg_, to be present at the Coronation of the King her Brother, who gave her that Protection she expected. Here it was, that the Year before she had married the Margrave of _Brandenburg Bareith_, the King's Cousin; and when she went with her Husband into his Dominions, she left the eldest of her Daughters-in-law with the Queen, in hopes of her marrying the Margrave _Albert_: And the Queen, who was fond of this Princess, ordered it so, that she obtain'd the King's Consent to the Marriage, which was celebrated some time after at _Lutzelbourg_.

Much about this time we had a new Ceremony in our Climates. This[8] was the Erection of a Statue which the King caus'd to be set up in honor of his Father _Frederic-William_ the Great. 'Tis perfectly like that of _Lewis_ XIV. in the Square of _Vendome_ at _Paris_. The Pedestal and Base are of white Marble. This Statue was set up _July_ 12, 1703; and the King in order to do the more Honor to the Elector his Father, caus'd the Ceremony to be perform'd with a magnificent Apparatus, in presence of the whole Court, and all the Benches of Justice.

The following Year 1704 was happy to the Allies, by their Victories at _Donawert_ and _Hochstet_. The Troops that the King had sent into _Franconia_ and _Bavaria_, to the Emperor and the City of _Nuremberg_[9], which call'd for Help against the _Bavarians_, contributed not a little to the obtaining of those Victories. The King received the News of it by an Express that was dispatch'd to him from the Prince of _Anhalt_, under whose Command those Succours acted. This Express was follow'd some Days after by a second, charg'd with a Letter from Prince _Eugene_ of _Savoy_, who therein gave a sublime Encomium on the Valor of the _Prussian_ Troops.

_I have been an Eye-witness, +said he in his Letter+, particularly with regard to the Infantry of the Right Wing, that all the Officers as well as the common Soldiers fought with the most intrepid Courage, and for several Hours check'd the Efforts of the Enemy, who at length not being able to resist their Bravery, and the continual Fire which they made, were put into such a Confusion, that they were oblig'd to fly with Precipitation, and to abandon the Field of Battle to us._ The Prince attributes this vigorous Action of the _Prussian_ Soldiers to the most exemplary Courage and Valor of the Prince of _Anhalt_ their Commander. _'Tis but Justice_, continu'd Prince Eugene, _to give the Prince of +Anhalt+ the Praise he has so well deserved. He hazarded his Person upon all Occasions, and not intimidated by the Danger to which he expos'd it, I always saw him at the Head of his Troops, leading them on to Battle, and encouraging them by his own Example; so that it may be said to his Honor, that he contributed the greatest Share to that Victory._ This was a Panegyric the more pleasing to the Subject of it, because it proceeded from the Mouth of a Prince, who was too great a Master of Courage to be mistaken.

After the Campaign was over, my Lord _Marlborough_ came to _Berlin_, where he receiv'd all the Marks of Esteem from the King, which he could possibly have desired. Every Point that he negociated for the Operations of the Campaign was granted him, and he went away from Court highly satisfied. As soon as he was gone the Prince Royal set out for _Hanover_, from whence he went to _Holland_; and he intended to pa.s.s over to _England_, but an Event which happen'd to the Grief of him and the whole Court, oblig'd him to return to _Berlin_.

This was the unexpected Death of the Queen, on the 1st of _February_ 1705, after a few days Illness. This Princess us'd for some time past to go to _Hanover_, to make a Visit to the Electoress her Mother, of whom, as I have already had the Honor to acquaint you, she was extremely fond. The Day that she was to set out for this Journey she found herself indispos'd, but did not discover it, for fear lest the King should not permit her to go. Her Illness continu'd during the whole Journey, and When she came to _Hanover_, what with the fatigue of receiving Visits from the Ladies of the Court, and her dancing at a Ball the same day, she grew much worse. She came from the Ball with a Soreness in her Throat, which prov'd so violent that the Physicians and Surgeons soon despair'd of curing her.

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

M. _de la Bergerie_ the Minister of the _French_ Church, who a.s.sisted her in her last Moments, was so surpriz'd at her courage and calmness, that he was more attentive to hear her than to exhort her. _I have_, said she, _for twenty Years seriously study'd my Religion, and have read the Books that treat of it with too much application to be in any doubt as to my Principles. You cannot mention any thing to me but what I have read, and what you can say to me will certainly add nothing to my Opinion._ Then turning towards my Cousin, who was on the other side of her Bed, _Alas!_ said she, _what a deal of needless Ceremony is now going to be us'd about this Body of mine_! At the same time almost, she stretch'd out her Hand to Duke _Ernest_ her Brother, and said to him, _Dear Brother, I am choak'd_; and that Moment she expir'd.

A Courier was immediately dispatch'd to the Prince Royal, who was at the _Hague_, and M. _de Bulau_ the Steward of the Queen's Houshold carried the News to the King, who was so surpriz'd at it, that he fainted away several times. When he came to himself he shew'd marks of the sincerest Affliction, and seem'd fully sensible what a loss he had sustain'd. Indeed this Princess truly deserv'd his Lamentation, as well as the Sorrow of the whole State; and I for my part with my whole Family lost a solid and sincere Protectress.

The King's Grief was such, that it had no Interval, but in his application to pay those Honours to the Queen, that were due to her Rank. He was willing to signalize it by the magnificence of a Funeral Pomp, and for this purpose he himself issued the necessary Orders. The Elector of _Hanover_ (afterwards King of _England_) omitted nothing on his part to shew his Sorrow for the loss of so dear a Sister. Her Body was laid for several days upon a sumptuous Bed of State; her Ladies and the Officers of her Houshold who had waited on her to _Hanover_ encompa.s.s'd it, and the Elector's Guards and Officers stay'd with the Queen's Corpse, and pay'd the same Attendance as if she had been living. When every thing was ready to carry the Corpse to _Berlin_, the Elector caus'd it to be convey'd by all his Guards even to the Frontiers of the Duchy of _Zell_, where it was receiv'd by M. _de Bulau_ the Grand Marshal of the Court, who conducted it to the Territories of _Brandenburg_; and there it was receiv'd by the Count _de Witgenstein_, who accompany'd it as far as _Berlin_, where I remember it arriv'd about ten o'clock at Night in a terrible Shower of Rain. The King accompany'd by the Prince Royal and the Margraves in long Mourning-Cloaks and by the Ladies of the Court in deep Mourning-Veils, receiv'd the Queen's Corpse at its being taken out of the Funeral-Chariot, and accompany'd it into the Old Chapel where a magnificent Cataphalque was erected for depositing it.

It represented a Temple of an Oval Form, whose Roof was supported by Pillars of the _Corinthian_ Order, between each of which were plac'd Statues that represented the Queen's Vertues. In the middle of the Cataphalque just in the Upright there was a Glory, in which there was the Queen's Cypher form'd by Stars. All the Statues, that were silver'd, added to the l.u.s.tres, Branches and Chandeliers, made a n.o.ble Contrast with the Black that cover'd the Walls and the Roof. There the Queen's Corpse was repos'd till every thing was ready for her Interment. I will not here enter into the detail of that Ceremony, which was one of the most magnificent. What I observ'd extraordinary in it was, that 'twas the King's pleasure that the Parliament of _Orange_, of which the greatest part were Refugees at Court, should appear there in their Scarlet Robes.

The Queen's Death occasion'd no alteration in Affairs; for she meddled with the Government very little, and left all the care of it to the King and his Ministers: But in matters of Pleasure she was not so unconcern'd; and she understood them so well, that she was soon miss'd. The Courtiers sustain'd a Lose that was irreparable; for this Princess, who knew every body, was perfectly acquainted with every one's Birth and Merit, and took a delight to distinguish them. Being lofty, but at the same time polite, she knew better than any body in the World what it was to keep a Court; and being virtuous without meanness, she could tell (which is no easy matter) how to prescribe just Bounds to that Air of Gallantry, which alone is capable of rendering a Court agreeable, and preserving Politeness in it.

The only Princess capable of supplying her place was the Margravine _Philippa_, who then held the first Rank at Court. She was the Daughter of the Prince of _Anhalt-Dessau_, and of the Princess of _Orange_. She was good-natur'd and merry, and fond of Pleasures, but understood the delicacy of them. She might sometimes have made us forget the loss of the Queen, if the austere and perhaps jealous Humor of her Husband the Margrave _Philip_ had not inclin'd that Prince to prefer his Residence at his House at _Schwedt_ to the Court.

Soon after the Queen, died the Emperor _Leopold_; which was an Event that affected us not so much as the other, but concern'd the rest of _Europe_ more. It was presently imagin'd that the Views to the Succession of _Spain_ would have suffer'd some alteration by this Prince's Death; for the Emperor _Joseph_ who succeeded his Father having no Son, the Archduke his Brother who disputed the Crown of _Spain_ with the Duke of _Anjou_ was his only Heir, and might one day or other by his Death become Master of the Empire, and of the Dominions of the House of _Austria_. Therefore they who dreaded to see the two Crowns united upon one Head, had as much and more reason to fear the Archduke's making himself Master of _Spain_; the Duke of _Anjou_ who was already in possession of that Crown, being at that time very remote from that of _France_, by reason of the great number of Princes that had a prior Right to his. Nevertheless the Powers of _Europe_ were not mov'd by these Reflections, and the War was continu'd on the side of the Allies with considerable Success.

The King of _Sweden_ might, if he had pleased, have stopp'd the progress of it, and immortaliz'd his Name by rendring himself the Arbiter of a Quarrel, which divided _Europe_; for the Prosperity of his Arms had render'd him the Terror of all the Powers in the North. He had in the Year 1704 depriv'd the Elector of _Saxony_ of the Crown of _Poland_, by causing King _Stanislaus Leszinski_ the Palatine of _Posen_, to be proclaim'd King of _Poland_; and he was already in the middle of _Saxony_ where he committed universal Ravage, and when he might have turn'd the Balance which way he pleas'd, the wrong Advice of his Favorite, corrupted by my Lord _Marlborough_, was the cause of the Misfortunes into which that Prince was afterwards precipitated.

Our Court has had a sufficient share in these different Events; but perhaps, _Madame_, 'tis so little known at your's as to deserve your Curiosity: but I will only tell you of what I think most important.

The _Swedes_ and _Poles_ had scarce laid down their Arms when the Differences between the King of _Denmark_ and the Duke of _Holstein_ gave them a fresh occasion to take them up again. In the Conferences that were begun at _Pinneberg_ in 1696, there were hopes that those Princes would soon be reconcil'd; but they only patch'd up a Peace which could not last long, because of the Umbrage the King of _Denmark_ took at the Duke of _Holstein_'s strict Alliance with _Sweden_; and they quarrel'd again about the limits of their Dominions. The _Danes_ were the Aggressors, and they demanded a reinforcement of four thousand Men of the King of _Poland_.

This Prince, who naturally took part with those that declar'd against _Sweden_, was pleas'd well enough with the _Danes_ Demand, and as there was an absolute necessity of pa.s.sing those Troops over the Lands of the King, (at that time Elector) he sent the Count _de Flemming_, now his Prime Minister, to our Court, in order to sollicite their pa.s.sage. Of a great many Arguments that were alledg'd against it, the most specious were, 'That the Mediators being still actually employ'd in procuring a just and equitable Accommodation, it was the duty of a Mediator to hinder the Rupture, rather than contribute to it by favoring this pa.s.sage: That the Court of _Prussia_ was Guarantee for the King of _Sweden_ and the Duke of _Holstein_, that neither of those two Princes should begin the War against the King of _Denmark_; and that consequently as War was not declar'd against that Prince, his _Danish_ Majesty had no need of Foreign a.s.sistance; and that finally by giving pa.s.sage to those Troops the Duke of _Holstein_ would have just reason to accuse the Mediation of Partiality.'

Nevertheless, after all these fine reasons, the four thousand Men had their Pa.s.sage, either from surprise or the connivance of the Court. The King of _Poland_ on his part, in order to make a considerable Diversion in favor of the King of _Denmark_, brought Troops from _Livonia_ and besieg'd _Riga_, which then belong'd to the _Swedes_. This Conduct of the King of _Poland_, was, Madame, as the fatal Signal and the _Primum Mobile_ of that tragical War, which tho' so glorious for the King of _Sweden_ in the beginning, ended in the ruin not only of his Kingdom, but also of _Poland_ and _Saxony_. And the greatest Gainer by it was the _Czar_.

The _Danes_ while they waited for the Succours they had demanded from _Poland_, besieg'd the Fortress of _Tonningen_ in the Duchy of _Sleswic_.

The King of _Sweden_ and the Duke of _Holstein_, before they oppos'd this Enterprize, preferr'd their Complaints to the Dyet of the Empire, and then prepar'd for driving the _Danes_ out of the Country. The Elector of _Hanover_ and the Duke of _Zell_ join'd those two Princes, and the latter marching to the Relief of _Tonningen_ had the Honor of obliging the Besiegers to abandon it, upon the report only of his Approach. This Prince therefore having nothing to do towards _Tonningen_, went with his Troops and rejoin'd the Elector of _Hanover_. They met the four thousand Men whom the King of _Poland_ was sending to the a.s.sistance of the _Danes_, but only took their Baggage and Arms, and then left them at liberty to return home.

The King of _Sweden_, on his part, push'd on the War against the _Poles_.

That great Prince whom extraordinary Undertakings never startled, having already ravag'd a part of _Poland_, design'd a bold stroke, which was no less than dethroning the lawful King of that Country, and setting up another in his room. He had cast his eyes upon _James_ of _Poland_, Son of King _John Sobieski_; but the King of _Poland_ parry'd this blow, by causing the Prince _James_ and his Brother Prince _Constantine_, to be carried away from an Estate of theirs near _Breslau_ to _Saxony_, where they were strictly guarded like Prisoners at the Castle of _Leipsic_. The Confinement of these Princes did indeed hinder either of them from being elected King; but the King of _Sweden_ still persisted in his design of dethroning the King of _Poland_, on purpose to be reveng'd of that Prince for being so rash as to be the first that declar'd War against him. He caused the Election to fall upon _Stanislaus Leczinski_ the Palatine of _Posen_. The Bishop of _Posen_ officiated as Cardinal Primate in this Ceremony, and proclaim'd the new King. The King of _Sweden_ wrote to all the Princes with whom he was at peace, to acquaint them of this new Election, and to exhort them to recognize it. The Letter he wrote to our King had no Influence over him; for he made answer, that he had recogniz'd one King of _Poland_ already, and that as long as he liv'd he would acknowledge no other. He wrote at the same time to the King of _Poland_, to demand the Liberty of the two Princes. The Emperor, to whom the eldest had the Honour of being Brother-in-law, seconded the King's Demand; but the Solicitations of both had no consequence, and the Princes were not releas'd till a long time after.

The following Year the King undertook to procure a Peace between the Kings of _Sweden_ and _Poland_; but as the view of such Reconciliation was to re-establish the Prince of _Saxony_ upon the Throne of _Poland_, the King of _Sweden_ would hearken to no Proposal of Peace, unless the dethron'd King would solemnly renounce the Crown. Mean time his _Swedish_ Majesty, in order to mollify his Refusal of the King's Mediation, sent an Amba.s.sador-Extraordinary to him to recognize him as King of _Prussia_.

This Amba.s.sador was the first that ever made a public Entry at _Berlin_, and 'twas one of the most splendid that cou'd be, tho' all the Equipages were in Mourning by reason of the Death of the Queen.

Thus did this crafty King, by amusing those he had a mind to keep fair with, always push at his own ends. He continu'd to ravage _Poland_, and drove the King from thence into his Electorate of _Saxony_. There the _Swedish_ Soldiers took up their Winter-Quarters, and committed such Outrages as one would not have expected from a Nation so fruitful in Heroes. The _Swedish_ Prince signaliz'd his Entrance into _Saxony_ by a glorious Action, which was procuring the Liberty of the two _Polish_ Princes, who had for two Years been detain'd Prisoners with very great Severity and as little Reason. He afterwards march'd through all _Saxony_ with the haughtiness of a Conqueror who comes to prescribe Laws to those whom he has reduc'd to his Obedience. As for King _Stanislaus_ whom he had caus'd to be crown'd King of _Poland_ at _Warsaw_, he led him about, with him as it were in Triumph. As this new King advanc'd towards the Territories of the Electorate of _Brandenburg_, to meet the Queen his Wife who was coming from _Stetin_, our Court caus'd all the Honours to be paid to him that were due to the Royal Dignity, without recognizing him all the while for King. This Complaisance of our Court won the King of _Sweden_'s Heart. Mean time the Neighbourhood of this great Monarch, who, where-ever he march'd, carried Fire and Sword with him, gave vast uneasiness, and the Joy was as great when he manifested a Design to turn his Arms against the _Muscovites_, which he was put upon to do by the _English_. They had for some time past suspected him to be supported under-hand by _France_, and they thought the best way to embroil him with that Crown was to engage him in a War with the _Czar_. The Person commission'd to negociate this Affair was my Lord _Marlborough_, who went to the King of _Sweden_, and soon put his Negociation in a hopeful way to succeed. He found about the King a Minister so sordid, that he was not proof against an Offer of three hundred thousand Crowns, to betray his Master into a War which could not but be fatal to him; whereas, if he had pleas'd, he might have acquir'd immortal Glory in the midst of _Saxony_, by rendring himself the Umpire of two of the most potent Families in _Europe_, then contending for the Crown of _Spain_. This Minister knowing his Master's ambitious Temper, propos'd no less to him than dethroning the _Czar_. The young Monarch full of Zeal and Courage did not imagine how impossible it was to dethrone a Prince who was retir'd behind Provinces quite deserted, and where the Snow lay so deep that 'twas difficult to distinguish whether they walk'd upon Land or Rivers. He march'd out of the Electorate of _Saxony_ at the Head of his Troops about the end of the Year 1707. Never had People juster Reasons for giving public Marks of their Joy, than the _Saxons_ had to see the _Swedish_ Monarch turn his Back to them. His Troops had committed excessive Outrages in the Electorate; all the flat Country of _Saxony_ was intirely ruin'd, and, except some great Towns such as _Leipsic_, where they generously enough spent part of the Money they had extorted from the poor _Saxon_ Peasant, there was not a Hamlet but was laid waste to such a degree, that there were no hopes of its being restor'd to its original Condition one while.