The Memoirs of Charles-Lewis, Baron de Pollnitz Volume III Part 3

Yet if the Misfortunes of an Enemy can in any measure compensate the Losses he has occasion'd, the _Saxons_ had all the reason in the World to be pleas'd in the Sequel. The _Swedish_ Troops gave way every where to the _Muscovites_, who flush'd with former Victories, beat them to nothing.

The greatest Loss the King of _Sweden_ sustain'd was near _Pultowa_. This Prince, who was more ambitious than prudent, being got too far into _Muscovy_, did not perceive his error till it was too late to retrieve it.

The _Czar_ had the Precaution, as he retir'd a little before into his own Dominions, to burn above forty Leagues of Country thro' which the King of _Sweden_ was to pa.s.s to him; so that this Prince soon found himself in a very sad situation, not being able to stay in a place where there was no manner of Provision, and forc'd to engage with an Army well intrench'd and far superior to his own. But there was no avoiding it, and a Battle was fought the 8th of _July_ 1709, when the _Swedes_ were all either cut in pieces or taken Prisoners by the _Muscovites_. The King who was oblig'd by a Wound in his Heel to be carry'd in a Litter had like to have been kill'd, for one Cannon-Ball kill'd one of his Horses, and a second demolish'd his Litter. The whole Army was in pain for the King's Life; but the Officers who were near his Person s.n.a.t.c.h'd him out of danger, and advis'd him to provide for his safety. This Prince was very loth to comply with such a resolution, but finding himself oblig'd to yield to Force, retir'd to _Bender_, a little Town at the entrance of _Moldavia_, which belongs to the _Turkish_ Empire. The King of _Sweden_ was no sooner safe, but the Remains of his Army with their Generals at their head submitted to the Conqueror. This, Madame, was the Success of the Battle of _Pultowa_; a Battle glorious to the _Muscovites_, but so fatal to the King of _Sweden_ that he could never recover it: For after this Defeat this young Hero was always expos'd to the most cruel Reverses of that very Fortune, which in his early Years seem'd to delight in heaping Favors on him.

Mean time the two Families in compet.i.tion for the Crown of _Spain_ had not yet sheath'd their Swords. The King of _Sweden_ was even yet in the Electorate of _Saxony_ when the _French_ lost the famous Battle of _Ramellies_, which procur'd the Allies the greatest part of the _Spanish Netherlands_. The Troops in _Italy_ also distinguish'd themselves, and particularly the _Prussians_, who had so great a share in the raising of the Siege of _Turin_, that the Duke of _Savoy_ wrote a Letter to the King, in which he extolled the Valor of the _Prussian_ Generals and Soldiers.

"Yesterday, _said he_, the Enemy's Army was intirely put to the rout in their own Lines before this place (_Turin_), in which your Majesty's Troops had the greatest share, and I can never enough commend their Bravery, nor the notable Valour of the Prince of _Anhalt_, who led them on, _&c._" This Letter was dated the 8th of _September_, 1706.

The Prince of _Anhalt_ too sent an Express with the same News to the King, and gave a great Character of the Troops under his Command. "As your Majesty's Troops, _said he, in his Letter_, were the first that enter'd the Enemy's Trenches, so they have suffer'd very much, and especially the Grenadiers. I may say that your Majesty's Forces have behav'd so well, that they are int.i.tled to universal Praise and Admiration, _&c_." Then he enter'd into the Detail of the Losses sustain'd by the _French_, which were indeed very considerable. 'Twas upon this occasion that the Marshal _de Marsin_ was wounded and taken Prisoner, and besides forty-five Pieces of heavy Cannon and one hundred and forty lesser that were taken from them, they lost a great Convoy of two thousand Mules and one thousand Horses, which was guarded by the Regiment of Dragoons of _Chatillon_.

The raising of this Siege, and the Reputation the _Prussian_ Troops thereby acquired was very acceptable News to the King, and while the Court was rejoicing for this, there arriv'd other Advices which gave them no less pleasure; and that was the raising of the Siege of _Barcelona_. This City had been besieg'd for some time by the Marshal _de Tesse_; but King _Charles_ who defended it made so stout a Resistance and such destructive Sallies upon the _French_ Army, that the latter was oblig'd to retire. The King was inform'd of it by an Express from King _Charles_.

So many Successes one after another rais'd the hopes of the Allies prodigiously. The Terror the _French_ Arms had for a long time impress'd upon their Minds soon wore off, and nothing was heard every where but shouts of Joy, to see so haughty a Nation at last humbled. Our Court was more rejoic'd than any other at this great News, and every one envy'd the Fortune of the _Prussian_ Soldiers, when they saw that the Duke of _Savoy_ and the Prince of _Anhalt_ themselves, gave them the highest Encomia.

At this happy Juncture was celebrated the Marriage of the Prince Royal, which had been concluded at _Hanover_, a Journey the King made thither with the Prince his Son. This young Prince had for a long time such a veneration for the Princess the Elector's Daughter, as 'twas possible for the most accomplish'd Merit to inspire him with, and of all the Princesses in the World she was like to be the most acceptable to her Subjects; she represented to us the Idea of the late Queen, and as she was her Niece and design'd to succeed to her Dominions, she seem'd also to have inherited all the great Qualities that made the former ador'd at our Court. The Electoral Prince of _Hanover_ married her at _Hanover_ by Proxy, in presence of the Count _de Finck_ the King's Amba.s.sador. The Princess set out from thence some days after with a Train becoming her present and her future Dignity. The Elector her Father had given her the most magnificent Suits of Apparel and Jewels that could be got for Money, and they were purchas'd at _Paris_ by a Man sent on purpose. The d.u.c.h.ess of _Orleans_ was desirous to chuse and give Directions for the Clothes, and she afterwards shewed them to _Lewis_ XIV. who thought them so rich that he said it were to be wish'd for the sake of the Mercers of _Paris_, that there were more Princesses that could afford to make such Purchases.

'Twas _Novemb. 27, 1706_, that this Princess made her public Entry at _Berlin_. The King met her about half a League out of Town. As soon as her Royal Highness perceiv'd the King's Coach she alighted, as the King did also from his and went to meet her. After having embraced the Princess he presented the Prince Royal to her, together with his Brothers and the two Princesses. Then the King took Coach again, where the Princess plac'd herself on the King's left hand; and the two Margraves sate over-against them; the Prince-Royal and the King's three Brothers being mounted on Horseback. The Entry was one of the most magnificent that was ever seen.

All the Troops then at _Berlin_ were under Arms, as well as all the City-Militia, and drawn up in a Line from the Out-parts of the Town quite to the Palace. The next day after the Princess's Arrival, there was a sumptuous Feast, at which the Prince Royal and the Princess had Arm-Chairs, but for that day only; for the next day their Royal Hignesses sate in upright Chairs at the two ends of the Table.

Our Court was then as splendid as in the time of the late Queen. There was a continual Round of Pleasures, and every day was remarkable for Feasts, b.a.l.l.s, Comedies, _&c._ These Rejoicings had lasted a good while, when all on a sudden we had a most terrible Alarm. The King fell dangerously ill, and his Physicians began to despair of his Recovery. But G.o.d, who always considers the Wants of his People, did us the favor to restore him to us for a while longer. Upon his Recovery he receiv'd the Compliments of the whole Court, and the Congratulations of the Princes his Allies, who acknowledg'd as well as his Subjects how necessary his Preservation was to the Common Cause.

Not long after the King's Recovery, I saw the young Count _de Metternich_ arrive at _Berlin_, who came to bring the King Advice, That the _Swissers_ had at length recogniz'd his Majesty for Sovereign Prince of _Neufchatel_, preferably to the other Princes his Compet.i.tors. The Count _de Metternich_, who was the King's Amba.s.sador in _Swisserland_, had the good Fortune to carry this Point, notwithstanding the Menaces of _France_, who a.s.serted the Interests of several of her Subjects, at the Head of whom was the Prince of _Conti_. Madame _de Nemours_, the Sovereign of _Neufchatel_, was no sooner dead, but each of the Claimants put in their Plea of Right to this Sovereignty. As soon as the News of her Death was confirm'd, the King sent Orders to M. _de Metternich_, his Amba.s.sador-Extraordinary and his Plenipotentiary in _Swisserland_, to repair to _Neufchatel_ and take care of his Interests. He went thither accordingly on the 30th of _June_, and caus'd a Memorial to be distributed at his Arrival, containing the King's Right to the said Princ.i.p.ality. The _French_ Compet.i.tors 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_ Amba.s.sador about Precedency. M. _de Puisieux_ the Amba.s.sador of _France_, as it was his Duty to do, maintain'd the Interests of the Prince of _Conti_, and presented to the Council of _Neufchatel_ a Memorial so haughty and menacing, as if it had come from victorious _France_ in the Time when she was flush'd with Conquests. He said in this Memorial, "That the King his Master cannot look with Indifference upon the Conduct at _Neufchatel_, in presuming to be so disrespectful to the Princes of his Family; that it wou'd be the wisest way for the Gentlemen of the Council speedily to take Measures to prevent this Pretension of the _Prussian_ Minister from being carried any further, a Pretension, _said he_, which has no Foundation, but in Malice or Ignorance; because even tho' the new t.i.tle, which the Elector of _Brandenburg_ has a.s.sum'd for some years, were universally recogniz'd, yet this very Pretension of his Amba.s.sador's would be always chimerical." Here M. _de Puisieux_ gave them Warning, "That if they did not soon alter their Conduct, the King of _France_ wou'd take Measures very opposite to the pacific and kind Sentiments which he had entertain'd since the Affair of _Neufchatel_ was first in agitation." Such, _Madame_, was the Strain in which the _French_ Minister talk'd. This Memorial was follow'd by several others, which went to the very bottom of the Affair; and M. _de Puisieux_, in order to engage the Council of _Neufchatel_ to favour the _French_ Claimants, still continued to talk in such a high Stile, as prejudiced every body against the Side that he espous'd. You may judge of this Amba.s.sador's manner of Negociation, by the last Memorial which he presented towards the close of _October_ 1707. After having establish'd the Right of the _French_ Compet.i.tors with continual Invectives, he concluded thus; _If it happens contrary to my Expectation, that your Answer is not conformable to what I demand,--I have fresh Orders from his Majesty to a.s.sure you, that nothing will be capable to hinder the Effects of his Indignation, or to screen you from that just Vengeance which he proposes to take._ Then, as if he affected to speak in a softer Strain, he said to them with an Air of Protection, "That he hop'd while he staid at _Neufchatel_, to find favourable Inclinations for the entire Performance of what he wish'd for." _'Tis the only thing you can do (+these are the last Words of his Memorial+) to merit the Continuance of his Majesty's Good-will. I wish for my own part, that you wou'd furnish me with Opportunities to help maintain you in it._ But all these Menaces of the _French_ Amba.s.sador came to nothing, and only procur'd him sharp Answers from the Amba.s.sadors of _Prussia_, _England_, and _Holland_; for things went on in the same Course in the Council of _Neufchatel_, and the whole Affair was determined to the Satisfaction of the King, who was proclaim'd Sovereign thereof on the 3d of _November_ 1707.

As soon as the King had been recogniz'd in that Sovereignty, the Count _de Metternich_ sent his Son to his Majesty with the Sentence of the three Estates, declaring the King lawful Heir of the said Princ.i.p.ality, by _Louisa_ of _Na.s.sau_ his Mother, the eldest Daughter of Prince _Frederic-Henry_, Son of _William_ of _Na.s.sau_ call'd the _Belgic_, to whom there had been a Transfer of the Rights of the House of _Chalons_, to which the Sovereignty and Domaine of _Neufchatel_ originally belong'd.

The News of the Acquisition of this Sovereignty cou'd not but be very acceptable to the King, who gave the young Count a most favorable Reception, made him n.o.ble Presents, and amongst others, gave him the Key of Chamberlain.

Not many days after, _viz. Nov_. 23, 1707, the Court had a fresh Subject of Joy, by the Princess Royal's safe Delivery of a Prince, whom the King immediately declared Prince of _Orange_, and made him at the same time a Knight of the Grand Order. His Majesty after this dispatch'd Couriers to his Amba.s.sadors at the Courts of the Princes his Allies to acquaint them of the Birth of his Grandson. M. _de Spanheim_ the Amba.s.sador in _England_ received Orders to desire the Queen to be G.o.d-mother to the young Prince;, and M. _de Schmettau_ Amba.s.sador in _Holland_, and M. _de Metternich_ Amba.s.sador in _Swisserland_, were charged to invite the States with whom they resided to be G.o.d-fathers. Besides these Powers, the King and the Elector of _Hanover_ were G.o.d-fathers, and the Electoress of _Hanover_ was G.o.d-mother. The Baptism was performed with great Magnificence on the 3d of _December_ in the Church of the _Dome_. The Joy at Court for the Birth of this Prince was of no long Duration; for in a few Months after, he died: but the Sorrow for the Loss of him was alleviated, by the Hopes that the Prince Royal had Youth and Health enough to give us soon more Heirs. The Incident that was most alarming, was the weakly Condition of the King, who recover'd but slowly from his Grand Ailment; so that his Physicians advis'd him to make use of the Waters of_Carlsbadt_ in _Bohemia_; and at the beginning of the fine Season, his Majesty went thither accordingly.

The King's Departure being resolv'd on, I begg'd his Majesty's leave, to make the Campaign in _Flanders_ in quality of a Voluntier. I set out from _Berlin_ with the _Gens d'Arms_, in which my Brother was a Cornet, and we join'd the Army near _Louvain_. The Count _de Lottum_ receiv'd me as a Voluntier; and I had the Pleasure to be near him all the Campaign. Not many days after I had reached the Army, the Electoral Prince of _Hanover_, (now _George_ II. King of _England_) arrived in the Camp of my Lord _Marlborough_, and did that General the Honor to serve with him as a Voluntier. The young Prince distinguish'd himself very much in this Campaign, and gave the _English_ sufficient Proof that he was worthy hereafter of wearing their Crown. 'Twas in this Campaign that the famous Battel of _Audenarde_ was fought, in which the _French_ were again obliged to yield to the Efforts of the Allies. It must be said however, in their favor, that they were forc'd to fight without Artillery; for they had but four Pieces of Cannon, the rest of their Ordnance and Baggage not being yet arriv'd. The Action was very hot on both sides; they fought for several Hours with exceeding Obstinacy, and always with a considerable Loss on the part of the Enemy; whose Infantry was not only put to the rout, but a great many Squadrons of the _French_ King's Houshold Troops; which advanc'd to support the Foot; were cut in pieces; whereupon the Confusion was so great, and the fire so furious in several places at once, that 'twas almost impossible to distinguish the Allies from the Enemy; therefore Orders were given to fire no more till next Morning, but to let the Enemy escape, rather than run the risque of putting our own Army in confusion.

The Night being come, the _French_ scarce made any more Resistance but retir'd by the way that goes from _Audenarde_ to _Ghent_, thro' the Village of _Heusden_. This very Evening as I was standing with some Officers of the Guards, at a small distance from the _Prussian_ Guards, I perceiv'd a Trooper riding full speed towards us, who, when he arriv'd said, _Gentlemen, the Duke_ de Vendosme _orders you to retire towards_ Ghent. I cannot express to you how much he was surpriz'd when we told him for Answer, That he was a Prisoner. _Kill me_, said he, _upon the spot, I don't desire to out-live what has happened to me_. We comforted him as well as we cou'd, and carried him to the Count _de Lottum_'s Quarters, to whom he made himself known for M. _Duplanti_, Aid de Camp to the Duke _de Vendosme_. What led him into the mistake was the Habit of the _Prussian_ Guards, which is not very different from that of the _French_.

The Battle of _Audenarde_ was the more glorious for the Allies, because it was a Victory gain'd over the Duke of _Burgundy_ who commanded the Army of _France_, and had with him the Duke of _Berry_ his Brother, and the Chevalier _de St. George_; but they say this Battle was quite against the Opinion of the Duke _de Vendosme_, whose Advice was not hearken'd to, and the Cabals which the Duke of _Burgundy_ gave into, hinder'd the Designs of that famous General from being follow'd, and were the Cause of the Loss of the Battle.

Next day about ten o'clock at Night the Count _de Lottum_ was detach'd from the Grand Army with forty Squadrons and thirty Battalions, and without any Resistance took possession, of the Lines towards _Ypres_, which were immediately demolish'd. The 19th of that Month was celebrated by the Army as a Day of Thanksgiving for the Victory they had gain'd; upon which all the Cannon were fir'd, and there was a triple Salvo of all the small Arms.

On the 26th, my Lord _Marlborough_, who only waited for a Convoy of the heavy Artillery to begin the Siege of _Lisle_, sent a Detachment to _Brussels_, where there was a considerable Train, which came partly from _Sas van Ghent_ and _Maestricht_. This March was cover'd by 22,000 Men of Prince _Eugene_'s Army, which he himself commanded in Person. This great Convoy arriving safe before _Lisle_, the Town was invested the 13th of _August_. As it was one of the most considerable Sieges that had been undertaken for a long time; and as 'twas natural to expect a vigorous Resistance, on the part of the Marshal _de Boufflers_ who commanded in the Place, there came Voluntiers from all Quarters to the Camp of the Besiegers. Two great Princes, both able Generals, thought fit to be present at this Siege, _viz._ the King of _Poland_ and the Landgrave of _Hesse-Ca.s.sel_, who were at the opening of the Trenches, which was on the 22d at Night.

Some Days after, the Enemy approach'd so near to us, that it was believed they had an Inclination to engage. Our Generals were therefore at the head of the Army as soon as the Day broke. Prince _Eugene_ join'd my Lord _Marlborough_ with twenty-six Battalions and seventy-six Squadrons of his Army which form'd the Siege; and the Army being drawn up in three Lines, of which the two foremost consisted of the Cavalry; they remain'd in this Posture till about ten o' clock in the Forenoon, when 'twas visible that the Enemy had no mind to come to a Battle, and that they only meant to disturb us; for which Reason the Generals caus'd Entrenchments to be cast up, which were finish'd next Day, and the Detachment which Prince _Eugene_ brought, was sent back again, excepting some Squadrons that staid.

There was then so little Apprehension of an Attack, that most of the Generals quitted the Grand Army to a.s.sist in the storming of the Counterscarp, which happen'd on the 5th of _September_ at Night. Our Men earned it, tho' with very great Loss on our side, and made Lodgments on it. When this Attack was over, we set out to return to the Grand Army; but to our misfortune the Guide that had conducted us, was run away; and as it was not then more than one or two o'clock in the Morning, we were in a very great Perplexity, and fell exactly into the Road that led to the Centre of the Enemy's Camp. I was on horseback, perhaps a hundred Yards from the Count _de Lottum_ who was in his Coach, when all on a sudden I heard some body call out, _Who goes there?_ I confess to you, _Madame_ that I was somewhat surpriz'd, but I comforted my self with the Thought, that it was perhaps a Centinel of some _Walloon_ Regiment of the _Spanish_ Troops, so that I answer'd, _Officers_. We were got in the midst of Hedges and Trees, which hinder'd me of the Benefit of a little Moonlight, by which I might perhaps have discover'd with whom we had to do; and therefore I still went on: but I was no sooner out of the Thicket, than I found my self near enough to a Body of Horse, to discern that 'twas impossible it shou'd belong to us, because it was too near the Place, and because it fronted us. I presently saw our Danger; I turn'd back as gently as I cou'd possibly to the Count _de Lottum_, and told him what I had observ'd. M. _de K----_ his first Adjutant call'd me a Simpleton. _Kraut_ the second Adjutant treated me in much the same Stile; and in short I had like to have been dismissed for a Fool; only the Count _de Lottum_ thought it was Wisdom to run no hazard, and therefore he order'd his Coachman to turn about, and the Officer of the Ordnance was detach'd to see whether I was mistaken. The Truth of the Fact being by him confirm'd, the Adjutants were almost frighten'd out of their Wits, made a thousand Apologies, and promis'd to make me any sort of amends, if we were but so fortunate as to escape the Danger which threaten'd us. At last we were delivered out of it, I don't well know how; for had the Enemy advanc'd ever so little, we were sure of being left dead on the Spot.

Thus, _Madame_, have I given you what pa.s.s'd most remarkable since the Storm of the Counterscarp. On the 11th, some Motion was made on the part of the Enemy, who even advanc'd almost up to our Trenches; but we were in a Posture to receive them. Their Army lay all Night under Arms, and next Morning at Daybreak drew up in Order of Battle, but contrary to our Expectation nothing came of it; for the Princes of _France_, the Chevalier _de St. George_, the Duke _de Vendosme_, and several General Officers contented themselves with taking a View of our Camp; but as they advanc'd somewhat too near to our Intrenchments, we were oblig'd to be a little rude to such great Princes, and to let fly some Cannon-Ball among them, whereupon they thought fit to retire.

My Lord Duke heard the same Day, that M. _de Chamillard_, Secretary at War, was arriv'd from _Versailles_ in the Army of _France_, to be present at a Council which was to be held there. It was therein resolv'd, That we should not be attack'd, and that their only Business should be to cut off our Convoys from _Brussels_. To execute this Project they posted themselves behind the _Scheld_, from whence they indeed did very much incommode us. We had no Pa.s.sage left now but from _Ostend_, by which General _Webb_ brought us a considerable Convoy. M. _de la Motte_, a Lieutenant-General of the _French_ Army endeavor'd to hinder its Pa.s.sage; he had also the Advantage of the Ground. Nevertheless he was defeated near _Wynendale_. To this Convoy may be ascrib'd the Conquest of _Lisle_, which was at length oblig'd to surrender on the 28th of _October_, and the Marshal _de Boufflers_ retir'd into the Citadel; yet as brave as the Garison was that march'd into it with him, he could not hold it out long.

Thus the Allies gain'd some considerable Advantage or other every day.

Never did they make a more glorious Campaign; for besides the taking of _Lisle_ and its Citadel, they had also the Glory in this same Campaign of raising the Siege which the Elector of _Bavaria_ had laid to _Brussels_, and of reducing _Ghent_ and _Bruges_.

I forgot to tell you, that during the Siege of _Lisle_, we had like to have lost Prince _Eugene_. This Prince receiv'd a Packet one day by the Post, and having broke it open, he saw a greasy Paper, which gave him a mistrust; but he only threw it upon the Ground, and a Person that gathered it up being taken ill, it induc'd them to make an Experiment upon a Dog, which when they had rubb'd it about his Nose, died that Instant. Thus was G.o.d pleas'd to preserve this Hero from the basest of Treasons.

I wish'd I could have been at the taking of _Lisle_, but was oblig'd to quit the Army some time before, M. _Dankelman_ my Tutor having receiv'd the King's Orders to send me to _Berlin_, where his Majesty design'd to give me a Place at Court; and as he had Thoughts of marrying again, he propos'd to prefer me to an Employment under the new Queen.

The King's Marriage was talk'd of at the Waters of _Carelsbadt_. I have had the honor to acquaint you, _Madame_, that the Physicians not knowing what Remedy to prescribe, for curing him of the Faintness, which was the Relic of his great illness in 1707, had at all adventures order'd the Waters of _Carelsbadt_, and the King was perfectly recover'd by them. The Recovery of his Health reviv'd the Pleasures of the Court. The voluptuous Courtier, who had not yet forgot what the Presence of an amiable Queen is capable of doing, began to form Vows, that the King might make a Choice as good as the first: nay, the matter was carried farther; it was mention'd to his Majesty, who was told withal, that nothing was more necessary, than to think immediately of a second Marriage; and that the Prince Royal having no Children, there was Danger of his Majesty's leaving no Issue. In short, every body voted so heartily for a Marriage, that the King, who also was desirous of it, declar'd he wou'd marry again. The only difficulty was to know, who should be the Princess that was to be advanc'd to the Throne; and then arose several Parties, who had each very different Views.

The Great Chamberlain was for the Princess of _Na.s.sau-Friesland_, a Marriage with whom, he imagin'd, would put an end to all the Disputes about King _William_'s Succession. The King approv'd of the Proposal, and sent the Baron _de Schalifer_ to negociate the Treaty. You would not believe perhaps, _Madame_, that the very Mother of this Princess caus'd it to miscarry, from a Jealousy of her Daughter's Grandeur. Her Pretext was, that she had before vainly flatter'd herself with the Hopes of marrying her Daughter to the Prince Royal; that she had been bubbled then; and that it would be the same thing now. The a.s.surances that the Baron gave her to the contrary, and the Advantages he shew'd her would accrue to her Family from this Match, were all to no purpose; she remain'd inflexible; and told him in plain Terms, that she could not bear to think of seeing her Daughter so much above her. The Baron having made some other Attempts, this jealous Mother prevail'd on her Daughter to refuse the greatest Offer she could ever hope for. A great many of the Courtiers were not sorry to see this Match broke off. They had been jealous for a long time of the great Credit of the Prince of _Anhalt_, who being Uncle to the Princess in question, 'twas natural to presume, that she would grow more powerful than before, besides the being more united than ever to the Great Chamberlain, to whom the Prince would be oblig'd for this Marriage.

Then the Princess of _Hesse_ was propos'd, and the Princess of _Culmbach_.

The former had the Negative put upon her the very Moment that she was mention'd, and that by the King himself. The latter was known to the King, who had seen her at _Hall_, as he return'd from _Carelsbadt_. His Majesty thought very well of her, and had even seem'd inclinable to determine in her favor, when, opposite Cabals were set at work, which quite frustrated the Proposal.

The d.u.c.h.ess of _Zeitz_, the King's Sister, who married a Duke of _Meckelbourg_ to her first Husband, proposed the Princess of _Meckelbourg_ to the King. His Majesty, who had still perhaps the Princess of _Culmbach_ in his Thoughts, did not seem at first to relish this Proposal; nevertheless upon the Instances made to him by the d.u.c.h.ess his Sister, he promised her to see the Princess of _Meckelbourg_ before he determin'd in favor of any other Person. This he did accordingly, some time after he return'd to _Berlin_, when he went to _Schwerin_, the Capital City of _Meckelbourg_, on pretence of endeavoring to accommodate the Differences between the Duke and the n.o.bility. There it was that the King saw the Princess; she pleas'd him, and besides he had heard so much in her Praise, that at length he determin'd to have her; and as soon as he return'd to _Oranienbourg_, he declared his Marriage.

This News did not create so much Joy at our Court as I imagin'd it wou'd; and the Courtiers began to reflect seriously, upon what they had seem'd to wish for with Impatience. They call'd to mind the Time of the late Queen.

Moreover, the Age and Health of the Prince and Princess Royal gave them ground enough to hope, that the _Brandenburg_ Family would not want Heirs.

In fine, the Character of Mother-in-law, ever hated, gave Apprehension that there wou'd soon be a Division in the Royal Family. For my own part, I verily believe, _Madame_, that what most of all disgusted the Courtiers, in the Choice which the King had now made, was, that the Queen was a devout Lady, a Quality not very likely to make that Air of Gallantry prevail at Court, which captivates the Heart of the Courtier.

The King had no sooner declar'd his Intention to marry again, but there was a Mult.i.tude of Sollicitors to be of the Queen's Houshold. One _Ba.s.sompierre_ put himself upon the List, and he desir'd the King wou'd make him the Queen's Chamberlain. The King made him answer, that he would put no Officers about the Queen, except such as should be agreeable to her; but that he would favor him so far, as to put him in the number of those that shou'd be propos'd to the Queen as soon as she arriv'd.

_Ba.s.sompierre_ thought that by making previous Application to the Queen, he should not fail of being admitted, and therefore he set out Post to meet her. He told her Majesty that the King had sent him to be her Chamberlain. The Queen believ'd him, admitted him in that quality, and also gave him a Letter to carry to the King, with which he return'd to _Berlin_. He told the King, that the Queen had appointed him her Chamberlain. His Majesty easily imagin'd that the Queen had been surpriz'd; and being justly angry with _Ba.s.sompierre_, forbad him the Court. This _Ba.s.sompierre_ had a Brother who came to _Berlin_ the same time as he did: These two Gentlemen said they were of that honest Family of _Ba.s.sompierre_, of which there are some still in _Lorrain_: And by that Name they went, _Anno_ 1707, in the Army in _Flanders_. The eldest said he had been a Colonel in _France_, and that his Brother was a Captain in the same Regiment. They pretended that they left their Country, the eldest for having fought a Duel, and the youngest for being his Second. The King had receiv'd them kindly, and given them Pensions, with a Promise to prefer them to the Army the first Opportunity that should offer. These two Brothers were at Court in a very agreeable Situation, and wou'd, no doubt, have long enjoy'd it, when the eldest attempted to be the Queen's Chamberlain; in which perhaps too he would have succeeded, if his Eagerness for it had not made him take that Step, by which he incurr'd his Majesty's Indignation. He was very much astonish'd at the Order which was signify'd to him, not to be seen any more at Court; and at length fearing he shou'd be found out to be what he really was, he retir'd, and went with his Brother to _Saxony_, where they were both admitted into the King of _Poland_'s Horse-Guards; but they did not enjoy that Shelter long: for the Electoress of _Hanover_ having heard of their Intrigue at _Berlin_, wrote to a great Lady in _France_, and desir'd her to inform her who those _Ba.s.sompierres_ were. The Lady, who knew nothing at all of 'em, naturally mistrusted that they were Fortune-Hunters; but for better Information she enquir'd of M. _d'Argenson_, Lieutenant of the Police, who upon the Description given him of those Gentlemen, discover'd they were a couple of Sparks, whose Duel of Honor wou'd have been rewarded with the Brand of the _Flower de Lis_ and the Galleys, if they could have been apprehended in _France_. Upon this Discovery Messieurs _de Ba.s.sompierre_ were banish'd out of _Poland_, and what became of them afterwards I cannot tell.

Mean time all the necessary Preparations were making at _Berlin_ for the Reception of the Queen, who was preparing on her part for her public Entry. The Duke of _Meckelbourg_ married the Princess his Sister by Proxy from the King. Next day the new Queen set out from _Schwerin_, in company with the d.u.c.h.ess her Mother, the Duke her Brother, and the d.u.c.h.ess of _Meckelbourg_ her Sister-in law. This Train went with her to the very Frontier of _Meckelbourg_, which borders upon the Electorate of _Brandenburg_, and there the Queen found M. _d'Erlach_, Marshal of the Court, who receiv'd her in the King's Name, and offer'd her his House.

This Princess, after having taken leave of her Family, took Coach and arriv'd at _Oranienburg_ the 24th of _November_. The King went and met her about half a League from that House. As soon as she perceiv'd his Majesty, she alighted out of her Coach and fell on her Knees. The King took her up and embrac'd her, and after presenting the whole Royal Family to her they went to the Castle. The King conducted the Queen to her Apartment, where she always eat alone, to the very Day of the Celebration of the Marriage.

The 27th she made her Entry at _Berlin_, where she was receiv'd with all possible Magnificence, and next Day their Majesties were married in the Church of the _Dome_. The 29th, the King and Queen receiv'd the Compliments of all the Deputies, Courts of Justice and Foreign Ministers; and on the same day there was a great Entertainment which their Majesties honor'd with their Presence. I was not willing, _Madame_, to tire you with a tedious Detail of all the Ceremonies: I have already had the Honor to acquaint you, that the King spar'd for nothing that might contribute to the Magnificence of the Feast, which lasted several days, and was more sumptuous every day than other. What I thought remarkable, was a Battle of wild Beasts, at which their Majesties were present on the 17th of _December_, when the Queen kill'd a Bear from her Gallery, with a shot from a Hand-Gun.

The Arrival of the new Queen created no great Change at Court, and except the first Rank which she had of the Ladies every thing continued in the same state. The Princess-Royal kept her Court at her own Lodgings twice a Week, that is to say, on those Days when there was no Circle at the Queen's; for upon the Drawing-Room Days she went to her Majesty's Apartment, as did most of the Princesses, and they stay'd there to sup.

Her Majesty likewise granted the same Honor to several other Ladies, to whom she gave an Invitation by a Gentleman when they were in the Circle.

'Twas at the time of the King's Marriage that I lost my Father-in-law: I was very much concern'd for his Death, especially on account of the Trouble it gave my Mother, who could never get over it as long as she liv'd. The very day that the News of it was brought to me, the King declar'd me a Gentleman of his Bed-chamber. I have had the Honor to tell you, _Madame_, that I was taken out of the Army in hopes of being plac'd near the Queen, but when I came to Court I found all her Houshold settled, and my Name not in the List. I spoke of this to the Grand Marshal, who bid me not be vexed, for that he would shortly get me a Post about the King, and that was the Office of Gentleman of the Bed-chamber, to which I was nominated some time after, _i. e._ about the latter end of the Year 1708.

You know, _Madame_, and one can hardly forget the prodigious cold Weather we had the Winter following. It began on the Feast of _Epiphany_, 1709, and was universal all over _Europe_. The Corn and Vines suffer'd so much by it that there was a scarcity which lasted long enough to starve a number of poor People, who cou'd not get Bread, it was so excessive dear.

Never was there a more melancholy Year; and there was such a poor melancholy Court all the while, that it seem'd as if the severe cold Weather had chill'd our Spirits. But when the fine Weather return'd they began to revive, and every one prepar'd to set out for the Army. The Prince Royal went to make the Campaign in _Flanders_ as a Voluntier, and M. _d'Arnheim_ departed to rejoin the Troops of which he had the Command in _Piedmont_. This Campaign was very glorious to the Allies, but 'twas a very b.l.o.o.d.y one. The famous Battle of _Malplaquet_ was one of those Victories which procured us Laurels cover'd with Funeral Scutcheons, and two more such Victories would have ruin'd the Infantry of the Allies. The Prince Royal was Witness of the Bravery of our Troops, which distinguish'd themselves in this Campaign, wherein they had been great Sufferers. The Enemy on their part besides the Battle lost also _Mons_ and _Tournay_.

I could have wish'd to have made this Campaign, but when I ask'd the King's Leave to go, his Majesty refus'd me, saying, that he design'd me for some other Business than that of Arms. This Answer pleas'd me to the Life, and as I was young and by consequence apt enough to be vain, I was so simple as to believe my self for a while in the highest Favor. But I was soon convinc'd of my mistake. What serv'd to open my Eyes was this.

The Post of Gentleman of the Bed-chamber, with which the King had honor'd me, made it my duty to attend the King's Coach on horseback as often as his Majesty went abroad; but being one day so much out of order that 'twas impossible for me to ride a Horse, as ill luck would have it, the King happen'd to go that very day from[10]_Charlottenbourg_ to _Berlin_, and perceiv'd that I was not upon Duty. This incens'd him so much against me, that when I attended to receive his Hat and Cane upon his Return, he said the harshest things that cou'd be to me, the least of which was, that if I ever fail'd in my Duty again, he would deprive me of the Honor of serving him. Guess, _Madame_, how much I was mortify'd at such a Reprimand given in presence of eight or ten Persons that were in the King's Chamber.

Indeed I had much ado to brook it, and at first dash I really had a Thought of resigning my Post. I spoke of it to the Count _de Witgenstein_, who pacify'd me a little by giving me to understand, that if I did not abate of my Fire I had nothing to do but to renounce all Advancement in the Service of my King, a Service always preferable to any Fortunes that can be made at the Court of any Foreign Prince. He promis'd to set me right in the King's Opinion, and he kept his Word; for two or three Days afterwards as the King return'd to _Charlottenbourg_, when I happen'd to be all alone in his Chamber with the Chamberlain in waiting, his Majesty did me the Honor to ask me, _If I was still in a Pet?_ I return'd no other Answer but a profound Obeisance. The King said to me a second time, _I ask you if you are out of humor because I chid you t'other day?_ I made Answer with all the Respect possible, _That indeed I was vex'd to my heart that I had given his Majesty any Cause to be out of Temper with me; that no body was more ambitious than I was of serving him faithfully; and that tho' I had the Misfortune lately to be wanting in my Duty, it was owing to a very sad Indisposition. But_, said the King, _you should have let me know it then, and I should not have reprimanded you. After all, I did so only to try you, for in the main I was not so angry as I seem'd to be._ _Jackel_ the King's Jester, who was present at this Conversation, took up the Discourse and said to the King, _But, good Sir, the Indisposition he talks of, is of his own making; for the true Cause is, he has no Saddle-Horses, and the reason of this, is because he has not wherewithal to feed them._ _Why then_, said the King, _I will give him wherewithal: The Great Chamberlain_, said he to me, _shall dispatch you a Warrant for that purpose; go to him._ I then advanc'd to kiss the King's Robe, but he drew back, and as I was stooping he laid his Hand upon my Head, and said to me, _You are young, be good, and I will take care of you._ In a few days after, I had my Warrant dispatch'd to send for Forage to _Michlenhoff_, where the like was distributed to other Courtiers who had obtain'd the same Favor.

At the same time the Duke of _Meckelbourg_ the Queen's Brother came to _Berlin_, where he had a magnificent Reception, yet he was not very well pleas'd with his Journey; for this Prince expected, as he was a Sovereign, to have Precedency of the Margraves the King's Brothers, which was deny'd him. He eat in private with the King, but the Margraves were not present, and he stay'd at Court but three or four days, during which he was lodg'd at the Palace and serv'd by the King's Officers.

As for our new Queen she became so devout in a little time after her Marriage, that every body was surpriz'd, and the Courtiers very much disgusted. Nothing was talk'd of in her presence but Religion, and in the Morning her Anti-chamber was frequented by Ministers, by Dr. _Francke_ whom she had sent for on purpose from _Hall_, and by _Borst_ her Confessor. It look'd as if one was in the Anti-chamber of some Governess of a Convent, rather than in the Palace of a great Queen. Under pretence of Prayers for Deliverance from the Plague which infected some of our Provinces, there was nothing to be heard in her Apartments but Litanies.

The King did not like all this Cant; for tho' he had a great deal of Religion, he did not love Bigotry. He made the Queen sensible that her manner of living was not suitable to one that sate upon a Throne, and got her content to the Removal of those Persons from about her who had exhorted her to embrace the Party of the Pietists. _Francke_ was sent back to _Hall_ to the great College which the Queen had newly founded for Orphans, and whereof that Doctor had the Direction. Then there was only _Borst_ her Majesty's Confessor left at Court, and he was advis'd not to give himself so much Trouble about the Queen's Salvation. This Princess was so zealous for her Religion, that she did not believe those who profess'd a contrary one could be saved. I remember that one day as she was talking about Religion to the King, she told him that she was very much grieved to find him a _Calvinist_, and by that means out of the Road to Salvation. The King who seem'd in an amaze at the Compliment, said to her, _What, do you think then that I shall be d.a.m.n'd? And what will you say then when you speak of me after Death_? For you could not say _der SEELIGE Konig_, (an Expression us'd in the _German_ Tongue, speaking of a Person deceas'd, and which signifies, the _King is sav'd_.) The Queen was a little puzzled how to reply, but after a few Moments Reflection she said, I will say, _der liebe vers...o...b..ne Konig_, which signifies the _Dear King deceas'd_. This Answer made the King uneasy, who return'd soon after to his Apartment. I was that day in Waiting, and by consequence in his Majesty's Apartment with some of the Court-n.o.bility, when the King told us with a deal of Concern upon his Mind of the Conversation he had with the Queen, which affected him the more, because at that time he thought very seriously of the Union of the _Protestant_ Churches.

Mean time the Pestilence, which had discover'd it self in some of our Provinces, frighten'd us very much. The King upon this occasion acted like a true Father of his People, by sending Money and Provisions to those that were afflicted with it, and by causing a Day of solemn Fasting and Prayers to be celebrated in all the Churches of his Dominions to beg of G.o.d that he wou'd please to avert this Scourge from our Country. Moreover he caused Lazarets or Pest-Houses to be erected at the Gates of all the Towns where those who came from any suspected Place were to perform Quarantain. As the whole time was now spent in Sermons and Prayers for removing the Pestilence, the detail of which would not be very pleasing, I think it will not be amiss here to tell you how the Service was perform'd before the King and Queen. I will begin by giving you some Account of[11]_Berlin_, and of his Majesty's[12]Palace.

The City of _Berlin_[13] wou'd not have been what it is at this day, had it not been for the _French_ Protestants. They had been kindly receiv'd by the Elector _Frederic-William_: And the King, every whit as generous as his Father, prolong'd and even augmented the Franchises granted to the _French_, and in order to convince those Exiles that he was dispos'd to be a Father to them, he had a mind that they should be no longer distinguish'd from his natural-born Subjects; but caus'd Churches to be built for them of which he maintain'd the Ministers, gave them a very fine College for the Education of their Children, and also chose a Company of Musketeers out of them in which none but _French_ were admitted.

These Refugees were so sensible of the King's Goodness to them, that they had an Emulation to shew their Grat.i.tude to him by making Trade to flourish. They were equally zealous for the embellishing and aggrandizing of the City, and caus'd a great many Houses to be built there which were both neat and commodious. They added to the City all that Quarter call'd the _New Town_, which is certainly the most beautiful part of _Berlin_. Of the Streets which run in a strait Line, the princ.i.p.al is adorn'd with six Rows of Lime-Trees that form as many Walks, the middlemost of which is lin'd with a Bal.u.s.trade to keep off Coaches and Carriages. These Walks terminate in a Wood, thro' which there's an Avenue of a League, which leads to _Charlottenbourg_, a Royal Palace.

At the Entrance of the _New Town_ there's the a.r.s.enal[14], a Structure which may pa.s.s for one of the finest in _Europe_: 'Tis a Quadrangle with a large Square in the middle. The four outward Fronts are almost exactly alike. The princ.i.p.al is divided into three Buildings, of which that in the middle projects a little forwards. The Grand Floor consists of Arches charged with Rustics, which support Pilasters of the _Ionic_ Order. The part which projects from the middle is adorn'd with four Columns, and has a large Pediment at the end of it. The grand or princ.i.p.al Gate is in the middle. On the two sides there are four great fine Statues representing the Cardinal Virtues on Pedestals. These seem to look towards the King's Picture, which is represented in a great Medal of Bra.s.s gilt in the coping of the Gate. Over this Picture, there's his Majesty's Cypher in the middle of a Cartridge crown'd, supported by Fame and Victory. The Cartridge is fill'd up with an Entablature upon which there's a _Latin_ Inscription in Letters of Gold, to the Honor of the King. Finally, over this Entablature there's a great Pediment in Ba.s.so-Relievo perfectly beautiful, representing a _Mars_ which seems to rest upon a Trophy, and to look upon a couple of Slaves chain'd at his Feet. The whole is compleated by a Bal.u.s.trade which rests upon the Pedestals that support the Trophies. This stately Edifice is encompa.s.s'd with Spurs of Iron in the form of Cannon, upon which there's the King's Cypher gilt; and these Spurs serve for a Support to the Iron Chains which are hung in Festoons from one to the other.

The Inside of this Structure is as magnificent as the Outside. Two Rows of Pillars support the lowermost Arch-Roof and form three Walks, of which the middlemost is the narrowest, but the only one that serves for the Pa.s.sage; those on the sides being full of n.o.ble Bra.s.s-Guns. The King had a Design to have a Cannon of a hundred Pounder plac'd at each Corner; but there is only one finish'd which is call'd _Asia_, a terrible Machine fitter to adorn an a.r.s.enal than for any other use. The Ascent to it is by a Step, because they were oblig'd to build the Carriage in proportion to the piece that it bears. This Cannon is adorn'd all over with Eagles and Crowns; and the King's-Arms are represented on it under a Royal Pavilion, as are also those of the Margrave _Philip_ the King's Brother, as Grand Master of the Artillery. This is all that is remarkable on the side of the _New Town_.