The Memoirs Of Charles-Lewis, Baron De Pollnitz - free ebook by Karl Ludwig Pöllnitz

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The Memoirs Of Charles-Lewis, Baron De Pollnitz

Karl Ludwig Pöllnitz

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THE MEMOIRS OF CHARLES-LEWIS, Baron de Pollnitz.

THE MEMOIRS OF CHARLES-LEWIS, Baron de Pollnitz.

The good Reception these Memoirs, which I most humbly offer to your Lordship, have met with Abroad; and the Protection and Favour the Author has obtain'd at one of the Chief Protestant Courts of Europe ; encourage me, tho' with the profoundest Submission, to intreat your Lordship's favourable Acceptance of this Translation . 'Tis, my Lord, the only Homage I am capable of paying your Lordship, and the best Testimony I can give with what Zeal and Pleasure I join in the Congratulation of the Public

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PREFACE, By the Translator.

PREFACE, By the Translator.

The Author of these Memoirs , who is a Person of an honourable Family in Prussia , and confess'd by all that know him to be a Gentleman of extraordinary Talents, is one that may be truly said to have seen the World; he having not only travell'd twice thro' the principal Parts of Europe , but by his Acquaintance with People of the first Rank, and a diligent Inquiry and nice Inspection into Men and Things, attained to that Knowledge of Both, which is of such Service and Entertainment to Mankind in

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THE AUTHOR's PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION.

THE AUTHOR's PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION.

There are very few Books without a Preface ; and that there are so, is in a great measure owing to the Fancy of the Booksellers , who think them to be absolutely necessary, and too often judge of the merit of a Copy by the Flights of its Preface, and the insinuating Tone of the Author's Voice in reading it. I had the misfortune to fall into the hands of one of these Booksellers, so fond of Prefaces, whom nothing would serve but he must have one at the Head of my Memoirs . My telling him that I d

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ADVERTISEMENT by the Editor.

ADVERTISEMENT by the Editor.

N. B. "These Memoirs went off so quick, that before they had been out scarce six Months, the French Bookseller was oblig'd to prepare for this Second Edition ; to which, there are considerable Additions both in the Body of the Work and in the Notes, of curious and interesting Facts and Characters, and the principal Alterations that have happen'd at the several Courts, since the first Edition. "There is added in particular, a very circumstantial Account of the present Elector of Saxony 's Family,

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PREFACE, To the Second Edition.

PREFACE, To the Second Edition.

The Present State of the Court of Saxony , which is added to this Edition, has no need of a Preface to recommend it, the very Title shewing that 'tis what concerns every Saxon especially to be acquainted with. All Subjects have a desire to know something of their Sovereign; and private Men in every State have this Curiosity, with respect to their Ministers and Courtiers. These are the Characters which I have ventured to draw, tho' I own, that I don't think I have always hit the Life, for want of

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ADDENDA to Vol. I.

ADDENDA to Vol. I.

Pap. 15. M. Beausobre , Minister of the Gospel at Berlin , and Author of several learned Treatises, died in May 1738. P. 26. The Princess of Brandenburg-Schwedt , fourth Daughter of the King of Prussia , was deliver'd of a Daughter in April 1738. P. 27. The Count de Truchses-Walbourg , Major-General in the Service of the King of Prussia , died at Berlin in April 1738. P. 34. In July 1738, his Prussian Majesty, together with the Prince Royal and Prince William , made a Tour to Holland , and paid

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ADDENDA to Vol. II.

ADDENDA to Vol. II.

Pag. 14. Cardinal Bissi died in August 1737. P. 44. Cardinal Olivieri , Secretary of the Pope's Briefs, died at Rome in February 1738. P. 61. Prince James Sobieski died in December 1737. P. 136. On the 28th of June 1737, the Great Duke of Tuscany died in the 67th Year of his Age, and was succeeded by Francis Duke of Lorrain (who married the Emperor's Daughter) for whom possession was immediately taken of the Duchy by the German Forces. Ferdinand , Duke of Courland , who is mentioned in the same

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BOOKS lately published,

BOOKS lately published,

1. The Third and Fourth Volumes of the MEMOIRS of Charles-Lewis Baron de Pollnitz being the Observations he made in his late Travels from Prussia thro' Poland , Germany , Italy , France , Spain , Flanders , Holland , England , &amp;c. discovering not only the present State of the chief Cities and Towns, but the Characters of the principal Persons at the several Courts. 2. CYCLOPÆDIA; or, An Universal Dictionary of ARTS and SCIENCES: Containing, An Explication of the Terms, and an Account of

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LETTER I.

LETTER I.

From Breslaw to Berlin 'tis 40 German Miles of very even Country, well peopled and cultivated. There are I know not how many little Towns in the Road, not worth mentioning. The first Place of any Importance is Crossen . This City is the Capital of the Dutchy from whence it has its Name, which formerly made a Part of Silesia , but is now annex'd to the Electorate of Brandenburgh . There's a Bridge at Crossen , by which we pass the River Oder , defended by Fortifications. The Town is situate in a

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LETTER II.

LETTER II.

Nothing gives me greater pleasure, than the Approbation with which you are pleased to honour the Account I sent you of the Court of Prussia ; which I esteem as an infinite Reward for the little trouble it cost me. You must not imagine that I can ever be weary of writing to you; I can never do any thing more agreeable to myself, than to contribute to your Amusement; and shall think myself exceeding happy, if I can succeed. I set out from Berlin upon the 10th of June , and in less than four Hours

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LETTER III.

LETTER III.

This Letter is to acquaint you of some things that I remark'd in the Road from Hamburgh , and in this City itself; where I have now been these three Days. I set out from Hamburgh the 22d of June , and went by Water to Harbourg , having sent my Chaise thither the Day before. This Town is a Dependant on the Dutchy of Lunenbourg , and belongs to the Elector of Brunswic-Lunenbourg . It has nothing very remarkable but its Castle, which is a Pentagon, lin'd with a good Cover'd-Way. Madamoiselle d'Olbr

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LETTER IV.

LETTER IV.

I was six Hours travelling from Hanover to Brunswic , the Capital of the Dutchy of that Name, which is a very great City, with Houses for the most part of Timber. It was formerly a Free and Imperial City, and one of the Hanse -Towns; but falling under the Sovereignty of the Princes of the House of Brunswic , they reduced it to a level with the other Towns of their Dominions. It belongs to the Duke of Brunswic-Lunenbourg Wolfembuttle . The Duke Anthony-Ulric began to fortify it; and his Son Augus

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LETTER V.

LETTER V.

From Blanckenbourg we have till'd Lands, and fruitful Fields; with Woods of Oak interspers'd all the way, till we come to Magdebourg , the Capital of a Dutchy of that Name, formerly an Archbishoprick, but secularised at the Treaty of Westphalia , in favour of the House of Brandenbourg , to whom that Dutchy was yielded in exchange for their resigning Hither Pomerania to Sweden . This City has for these two Centuries past, suffer'd very much. It was besieg'd by the Emperor Charles V. who squeez'd

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LETTER VI.

LETTER VI.

Before I write you an account of what became of me when I left Dresden , I shall endeavour to give you the Intelligence you desire concerning the late Count de Flemming , Prime Minister and Velt-Marshal of Saxony . That Nobleman was of a good Extraction, being descended of a Family which pretends to derive its Origin from that of Flemming , which has been of considerable Rank for a long time in Scotland , Sweden , Germany , and Poland . My Lord Wigtoun is the Chief of that Family in Scotland . J

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LETTER VII.

LETTER VII.

I set out from Weimar at 5 o'clock in the Morning, and by eight was at Erfurt , where I walk'd about an Hour, and came at Noon to Gotha . 'Tis all a flat Country abounding with Corn. In time of Rain the Roads are so bad that sometimes it takes up a whole Day to come from Erfurt to Gotha . Erfurt is a City belonging to the Elector of Mentz , is the Capital of Thuringia , and may be rank'd among those of the second Class in Germany . Its Inhabitants are almost all Lutherans , yet the principal Chu

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LETTER VIII.

LETTER VIII.

When I came hither I had the very great Pleasure to find your Letters, and to hear that you enjoy perfect Health. Continue, I beseech you, to write to me; that being the only Means by which you can persuade me what I wish to be convinced of more than any thing in the World, that my Letters are acceptable to you. I have been in one of the most disagreeable Roads in all Germany ; and tho' the Country abounds with Provisions of all sorts, I had like to have been famished in the Public Houses. From

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LETTER IX.

LETTER IX.

I came in one day from Wurtzbourg to Anspach , which is twelve Miles, and pass'd thro' two or three little Towns not worth naming. Anspach is the Capital of the Margraviate so call'd, and the Residence of the Margrave of Brandenbourg , Chief of the second Branch of that Family settled in Franconia . 'Tis a small but pretty Town, and very well built. It has no Fortifications, and is only shut in by Walls surrounded with Walks which form a Bulwark. The Prince has a large Castle or Palace building

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LETTER X.

LETTER X.

When I took leave of the Court of Anspach , I was honour'd with a precious mark of the Margravine's Goodness, viz. a weighty Gold Medal; and now I am again upon my Journey. I was not many hours in travelling from Anspach to Nuremberg , thro' a Country extremely sandy, but very well cultivated, and interspers'd with considerable Villages which in our Country wou'd be reckon'd Towns. So much has already been said by others of the City of Nuremberg , that I have very little to add to it. I assure y

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LETTER XI.

LETTER XI.

I have now been a Month in this City, yet it seems but as a Day; for I find infinite Amusements here, and a thousand things that I like, only I want your Company. The City of Prague is ancient, and has been time out of mind, the Seat of the Kings of Bohemia . 'Tis without dispute one of the Biggest Towns in Europe . 'Tis encompass'd with Ramparts, and as well fortified as a Place of that Extent can be, and commanded by several Hills, which 'tis impossible to level. This City is divided by the Ri

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LETTER XII.

LETTER XII.

The Court of Vienna consists of so many Princes and Noblemen, that it cannot be deny'd to be the greatest and most magnificent Court in Europe . Nevertheless Ceremonies, and the Etiquette , a Name by which they call ancient Usages, give it an Air of Constraint that is to be seen no where else. There's a universal Out-cry against the latter, and even the Emperor sometimes seems to be disturb'd at it, yet 'tis observ'd as strictly as if it was an Article of Religion, and nothing cou'd set it aside

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LETTER XIII.

LETTER XIII.

There are some other Articles which I cannot but add to those I have already given you from Vienna . The Police of this City is administer'd by a Stadtholder. The Person that now fills that Post is the Count de Kehvenhuller ; who is also a Minister of State, and Knight of the Golden Fleece. His Functions are the same with those of the Lieutenant of the Police at Paris , and nothing makes the Difference but the Title; only it must be observ'd that the Stadtholder is always a Person of noble Extra

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LETTER XIV.

LETTER XIV.

As I came hither from Vienna , I stay'd two Days at Lintz , the Capital of Upper Austria . This City lies on the Danube , over which there is a wooden Bridge. 'Tis a little Town, but well built, and has fine Churches. Its Inhabitants are thriving, and they drive a great Trade in Linnen-Cloth. 'Tis the Residence of a great many Persons of Quality, and of the Regency of the Province, of which the Count de Thirheim is the Chief. This Nobleman lodges in the Imperial Palace, which stands upon an Emin

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LETTER XV.

LETTER XV.

There is nothing remarkable between Munich and Augsbourg except it be the fine Abbey of Furstenfeldt , which is in possession of the Bernardin Fryars. It was founded by Lewis the Severe Duke of Bavaria to attone for his Wickedness in putting Joan of Brabant his Wife unjustly to death. The History of Bavaria relates the Fact thus: Joan was a very beautiful Princess. Her Husband who was doatingly fond of her being obliged to take a Journey, put her under the Guard of one of his Aunts. While he was

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LETTER XVI.

LETTER XVI.

The Duke of Wirtemberg is a Prince of a middling Size, and before he grew so fat was very well shap'd. He is genteel, affable, and well-belov'd, and few Princes treat their Courtiers with more Familiarity. He has been one of the best Dancers of his Time. He also sits perfectly well on horseback, and performs all bodily Exercises with infinite Gracefulness, and incomparable Dexterity. He takes pleasure sometimes in driving his own Coaches, and I have seen him drive eight Horses without a Postilio

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LETTER XVII.

LETTER XVII.

I Deny that any Man can be happier than I am at this Juncture. You have wrote an excellent long Letter to me; you assure me that you are well, and that you have still an Affection for me; what more is there wanting to compleat my Joy? I am preparing to make you the best amends I can, and instead of a Letter to write you a Volume. I came in one Day from Ludwigsbourg to Carlsrouhe , which is the Residence of the Margrave of Baden-Dourlach . The Name Carlsrouhe signifies Charles 's Rest. The presen

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LETTER XVIII.

LETTER XVIII.

It took me up no more than four Hours to go from Carlsrouhe to Rastadt . As soon as I alighted there I notified my Arrival to the Grand Marshal, with a Request that he wou'd procure me the Honour of paying my Compliments to their Highnesses of Baden-Baden . I had for answer, that the Margrave was out a Hunting, and that therefore I cou'd not have an Audience before next day. I had patience to stay; and having by Good luck some Books at hand, I spent all that day in Reading, and the next day too,

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LETTER XIX.

LETTER XIX.

Being in the Neighbourhood of Saverne where the Cardinal de Rohan lives, I had a mind to go thither. I have had the Honour to be known to that Prelate a long time, and was overjoy'd at the opportunity of paying my respects to him. Armand Gaston Cardinal de Rohan was elected Bishop of Strasbourg the 10th of April 1704 [127] , and received the Cardinal's Cap from the Hands of Lewis XIV. the 18th of May , 1712. The Year following he succeeded the Cardinal de Janson as Great Almoner. The Emperor gra

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LETTER XX.

LETTER XX.

In going from Heidelberg to Manheim we leave the Necker on the right hand, but keep almost all the way by the side of that River. 'Tis three Leagues from one City to the other, over a fruitful Plain. Manheim lies between the Rhine and the Necker , in a marshy Country, which has always been reckon'd very unwholesome. About fourscore Years ago this City was but a Village. Frederic Elector Palatine , who was chose King of Bohemia , caus'd it to be fortify'd, and built a Castle or Citadel there, whi

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History of GERTRUDE a Marcoman Lady.

History of GERTRUDE a Marcoman Lady.

The History of Gertrude , of which I propose to give you, my Princess, a Relation, is properly the History of the Extinction of my Family; for the fatal Passion of my Brother King Malcolm for that Lady, is in all appearance the Reason that there are no more left in my Family than three Princesses [149] , and my self. There was such a Harmony in Sentiments betwixt my Brother and me, that it united us in the strictest Friendship. We had been brought up together in Belgium [150] , where the King my

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LETTER XXII.

LETTER XXII.

Since you received my last I have done and seen a great many Things. On the 23d of March I set out from Frankfort for Darmstadt , the Capital of the upper County of Catzenellenbogen , and the Residence of Ernest-Lewis Landgrave of Hesse-Darmstadt [154] . This Town is extremely small, and only enclosed with Pallisadoes. If the Prince's Palace had been finish'd according to its Model, it would have been one of the greatest and most magnificent in Europe , and there might have been Lodgings for the

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LETTER XXIII.

LETTER XXIII.

At my departure from Munich I went and din'd at Eversberg , a Village belonging to the Reverend Fathers the Jesuits, who have a House there which is a large one, and that's all 'tis good for. I went and lay at Wasserbourg a Town of Bavaria built upon a Rock, so encompass'd with the River Inn that 'tis a perfect Peninsula. Mountains and Rocks hang over this Town as if they wou'd crush it, and indeed the Place is not worth much Description. It was settled as a Dowry on the Electoress Theresa-Cunig

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LETTER XXIV.

LETTER XXIV.

I travelled hither all the way from Saltzbourg , with the same Horses, which is what I will never do again; for travelling by Post is always best; and though 'tis more expensive, yet on the other hand 'tis less fatiguing. Three Leagues from Saltzbourg stands the little Town of Halle , which belongs to the Elector of Bavaria , and is a Place considerable for its Salt-Pits. It lies in a small Valley crossed by three Rivers, form'd by Torrents from the Mountains, which bring down a vast quantity of

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LETTER XXV.

LETTER XXV.

I wrote to you from Inspruc the very Day before I set out from thence for this Place, to which I arriv'd without any Misfortune. About three quarters of a League from Inspruc we came among very tiresome and disagreeable Mountains, the highest of which is call'd the Brenner , a Name that the Country People gave it when they clear'd it of the Wood, and burnt it. This Mountain is much more rugged on the side of Trent than 'tis towards Inspruc ; 'tis for nine Months together cover'd with Snow, and I

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LETTER XXVI.

LETTER XXVI.

The Common-wealth keeps twelve Galleys in pay, and twenty Men of War. The Capitana Galley, call'd the Fusta , never goes out of the Great Canal, but is continually at Anchor before the Square of St. Mark . There's commonly four Galleys and as many Men of War in the Levant . Others lie at Anchor in the Canal of Zueca , which were lately drawn out of the Arsenal, because for want of Water the Ships receive Damage. The Power of the Republic consists chiefly in its Maritime Force. It maintains very

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LETTER XXVII.

LETTER XXVII.

As it appears by all the Letters from Rome that they are on the point of chusing a new Pope, I set out sooner from Venice than I should otherways have done, and came post to this City without stopping much by the Way. I pass'd thro' Padua , where I had the Honour to pay my Respects to the Prince Emanuel of Portugal , who is come to reside there for some time, and I was afterwards at the Comedy, which was indeed, a most wretched Performance, but the Assembly was gay and numerous: Among the rest t

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BOOKS of Voyages, and Travels, lately publish'd, printed for D. Browne, without Temple-Bar.

BOOKS of Voyages, and Travels, lately publish'd, printed for D. Browne, without Temple-Bar.

I. A Collection of Voyages and Travels ; some now first printed from original Manuscripts, others now first publish'd in English; with a general Preface, giving an Account of the Progress of Navigation from its first Beginning. Illustrated with a great number of useful Maps and Cuts curiously engraven. In 6 Volumes, Folio. Price 9 l. N. B. Those Gentlemen who have the first four Volumes of this Collection, which were commonly call'd Churchill 's Travels, may have the 5th and 6th Volumes to compl

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ERRATA.

ERRATA.

In the first Col. of Letter M, in the Index, Line 6 from the Bottom, for p. 113, read 114. Line 7, 9, and 11, for Prussia r. Poland . In the 3d. Column of the same Letter, read lines 34, 35, 36, thus: Moschinski, Anthony , Count and Countess, 117, 120, 142. Moses , a Piece of his Rock, 396....

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MEMOIRS OF THE Baron de Pollnitz. In SEVERAL LETTERS to Mr. L. C. D. S. LETTER XXVIII.

MEMOIRS OF THE Baron de Pollnitz. In SEVERAL LETTERS to Mr. L. C. D. S. LETTER XXVIII.

Thus am I at length arrived at the famous City of Rome , that City which has been so long the Mistress of the World, and is still the Metropolis of Europe : But don’t expect I should give you a perfect Description of it, because that would require a Man better skilled in Architecture than I am. I shall only mention such things as to me appeared to be the most beautiful, or those which I thought the Reverse, and which yet the Ostentation of the Italians cries up for the Wonders of the World. I sh

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LETTER XXIX.

LETTER XXIX.

In this Letter I shall run through the Palaces of Rome , as briefly as I traversed the Churches in my former. I shall take Care to mention no Houses to you, but such as deserve the Name of Palaces; for you must know, that the Buildings which we Ultramontains think much to call Hotels, are here styled Palaces. I think, that the Pope’s two Palaces called the Vatican and Monte-Cavallo deserve to be mentioned before all the others: The first, for its Extent and Magnificence; the second, because the

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LETTER XXX.

LETTER XXX.

Tho’ I am heartily weary of entertaining you with Palaces, yet I can’t forbear giving you some Account of the Palace of the Prince Borghese . There’s an admirable Court-yard, and the Buildings round it are of an elegant and agreeable Contrivance. They are two Rows of Arches, one above the other, supported by ninety-six Columns of Granate, which form Corridors or Galleries, so that one may walk all round under Shelter. The Summer Apartment, which is level with the Court, is fit to lodge a Monarch

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LETTER XXXI.

LETTER XXXI.

I was some Days ago at an Audience of the Holy Father. I might have had it sooner, but I thought fit to give Way to those that were more importunate for it; for Clement XII. has been continually teaz’d upon that Score from the very Day of his Exaltation. The Form of demanding Audiences is the same here as at other Courts, and I assure you, the Difficulty of obtaining them is every whit as great; so that in this Point, all Countries, and all Courts are alike. Having made my Application to Signior

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LETTER XXXII.

LETTER XXXII.

Tho’ the first Promotion of Cardinals by Clement XII. was made the Close of the last Year, yet I had so many other Matters to entertain you with, that I deferr’d giving you an Account of that Ceremony till now. This Promotion was made in Favour of three Nuncios , (who, by the way, never quit their Nunciatures, but for the sake of being made Cardinals) I mean the Nuncios in Germany , France , and Spain , and Signior Ruspoli , the Pope’s Kinsman. The latter might have had the Hat during the Pontif

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LETTER XXXIII.

LETTER XXXIII.

Give me Leave to tell you, that I think the Approbation with which you honour my Narratives, favours more of Compliment than Sincerity; for all the Merit they can challenge, is, that they are written with an unaffected Simplicity. I tell you Things just as I find them, or as they are reported to me; if I accuse wrongfully, ’tis owing to my Misinformation, or my Credulity; for I do my best, and set about it heartily, and you can’t define any thing more. You wish to know the Ceremonies of the Holy

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LETTER XXXIV.

LETTER XXXIV.

This being in all Appearance the last Letter I shall write to you from Rome , I shall now give you the best Answer I can to the Questions you put to me in your last. You desire, Sir , that I should give you a faithful Character of the Holy Father; but do you consider well what it is you require? Is it likely that such a private Man as I, who only see the Pope thro’ a Perspective in all his Glory and Grandeur, shou’d be able to paint him? No, Sir, the Successors of St. Peter are not like other Pr

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LETTER XXXV.

LETTER XXXV.

The Road from Rome to Loretto has been so fully describ’d, that I think I should pass it over in Silence; nor shall I say any thing more to you of the Santa Casa , which you know in what manner the Angels bore to the Place where it now stands. If you would be inform’d of the Treasure of this House, look into the Voyages of Misson , who has given a large Account of every Particular: Since he wrote, the Treasure is not very much increas’d, the Princes having almost done making their Offerings to i

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LETTER XXXVI.

LETTER XXXVI.

The Road hither from Genoa is very bad at this time of the Year. During the first two Post-Stages I cross’d one River no less than thirty-two times, and saw a great many fine Houses on the Banks of it; for tho’ the Neighbourhood of Genoa is very mountainous, ’tis very pleasant, all the Hills being covered with Chesnuts, and other Fruit-Trees. After I had travell’d about four Post-Stages, I enter’d on the Plain which brought me to Turin . This is certainly one of the finest Countries in the World

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LETTER XXXVII.

LETTER XXXVII.

Tho’ I had pass’d Mount Cenis twice before, and travers’d Savoy , yet I thought the Passage of the Alps as disagreeable as ever; and am heartily glad to find myself in this City, which is better than all Savoy put together. From Turin I went and lay at la Novalaise . I first pass’d by the Castle of Rivoli , which stands on an Eminence, and to which there’s an Avenue from Turin in a strait Line of three Leagues in Length. Then I travell’d thro’ Susa , which, by the way, is a very dirty Town, upon

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LETTER XXXVIII.

LETTER XXXVIII.

For the sake of good Wine I preferr’d the Djon Road to Paris , before the great Road from Lyons thro’ Tarare ; but I have been rightly serv’d for being so over-nice in my Palate, for I have been sadly impos’d on, and did not meet with one Glass of good Wine at any House of Entertainment in all the Road, which in other respects I found pleasant enough. I sent my Chaise to Chalons upon the Saone , and went thither by Water in the Boat that carries Passengers, who go in the Diligence (Stage Coach)

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LETTER XXXIX.

LETTER XXXIX.

Don’t imagine, that I am going to give you an exact Description of the City of Paris ; for that would be an Undertaking to as little Purpose, as it is beyond my Ability. Paris has been so fully describ’d, and is so much talk’d of, that most People know what Sort of Place it is, though they have never seen it. Several Authors are so divided about the Antiquity of Paris , that I can say nothing positive to you upon this Head. Cæsar , in his Commentaries, speaks very much in its Favour, and says, t

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LETTER XL.

LETTER XL.

I have been now just ten Days at Versailles , where I have had the Honour of greeting the King and Queen, and all the Royal Family. I perceiv’d the King since his Marriage is grown very fat, but he is still one of the finest Princes in Europe . It may be said of Lewis XV. that he is a Prince born without Vice, and free from that Haughtiness, which is commonly attach’d to Royalty: He is familiar with his Courtiers, reserv’d to Persons that are unknown to him, and particularly to Ambassadors, and

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LETTER XLI.

LETTER XLI.

In my last Letter I mention’d the Princes and Princesses of the Blood Royal to you; in this I am to give you an Account of those Persons at this Court, who are in the most exalted Stations. The Cardinal de Fleury , by his Dignity of Cardinal, and much more by his Character, as the Depositary of the Royal Authority, has the first Rank in the State next to the Princes of the Blood. This Prelate, tho’ far advanced in Years, is brisk and lively to Admiration. His Stature is somewhat above the middle

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LETTER XLII.

LETTER XLII.

Yesterday I loiter’d away a good deal of Time with a Couple of Englishmen , to whom, as they call it in Italy , I was a Cicero [72] . Nevertheless, you must not expect me to give you an Account of every thing I saw; and besides, so much has been already said of Versailles , that you shall hardly find one Book in twenty, almost, but what treats of the Beauties of this Royal Palace. After having shew’d my English Gentlemen the Castle, the Chapel, the Stables and the Park, I carried them to the Roy

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LETTER XLIII.

LETTER XLIII.

I was puzzled some time ago, to think what could make the French forget Father Girard and la Cadiere , and the pretended St. Paris ; for I apprehended, those two Articles would be the Subject of Conversation a great while longer; but I was mistaken: ’Tis all forgot; and there’s something now upon the Tapis, of quite another Kind. The Archbishop of Paris having thought fit to issue his Mandate for suppressing a certain printed Paper, intitled Nouvelles Ecclesiastiques , (a Sort of Ecclesiastical

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LETTER XLIV.

LETTER XLIV.

When I left Paris , I kept on the Pavement all the Way to Chantilly, which may pass for the finest Seat in the Kingdom, since the great Additions made to it by the Duke of Bourbon , who is the Lord of it. The Forest likewise, of Chantilly , is as fine as any thing that ever Art and Nature form’d. ’Tis a magnificent Palace, the Stables are stately, and the Park is adorned with the finest Pieces of Water in the World. Lewis XIV, who was always very desirous of being the Master of this House, wante

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LETTER XLV.

LETTER XLV.

From Brussels I went to Ghent , the Capital City of the County of Flanders , and a Bishoprick, suffragan to the Archbishop of Mechlin . The Scheld passes thro’ the City, which, with its Suburbs, is divided into several Islands by the Lys , and a great Number of Canals. ’Tis very large in Circumference, insomuch, that ’tis reported, the Emperor Charles V. us’d to say, That he could put Paris into his Gand [86] . This might be true enough then, but now Ghent might easily be contained in Paris , be

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LETTER XLVI.

LETTER XLVI.

The Road from Liege to Spa is very disagreeable, and, really, the Place itself is not worth the Trouble of going to it; I mean, for such as are not under a Necessity of using the Waters; for I am not willing to embroil myself with the English , who neglect the best Waters in the World, which they have at Bath and Tunbridge , to go to those of the Spa . Here are several Springs, which the Physicians of the Place adjust to all Distempers. That of Poubon , which is in the Middle of the Square of Sp

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LETTER XLVII.

LETTER XLVII.

As I came to Bonn , two Days before the Return of the Court, I had all that time to walk about. This City stands upon the Rhine , five Leagues from Cologne ; from whence one travels to it thro’ one of the finest Roads in the World, well-pav’d and planted with Trees, over a large fruitful Plain, encompassed with Hills laden with Vines and Woods. This is a City so very ancient, that Florus tells us ’twas founded by Drusus . The Learned say, ’tis the Ara Ubiorum of the Ancients, mention’d by Tacitu

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LETTER XLVIII.

LETTER XLVIII.

I have been up the Rhine from Bonn to Mentz , to avoid the disagreeable Passage over the Mountains of Wetteravia . I was not fatigu’d, but then I was pretty much chagrin’d. I landed at Lintz , a little Town in the Electorate of Cologne , on the right Side of the Rhine ; and there I drank the excellent Wine of Bleickert , which is made near the Village of Huningen , about a League from this Town. The Liegeois , who know how to brew Wine as well as Beer, buy up a great Quantity of it, which they b

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LETTER XLIX.

LETTER XLIX.

At my Return to Cologne , I went to see the Castle or Palace of Bensberg , belonging to the Elector Palatine , in the Country of Berg , three Leagues from the Rhine , which River I passed over a flying Bridge, between Cologne and Duitz . This House is worth seeing. ’Twas founded by Order of the Elector John-William , who was a Prince in every Thing magnificent, and sent for the most able Workmen from Italy to build it. All this great Structure is built of very hard Stone. The Ornaments, such as

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LETTER L.

LETTER L.

Instead of excusing myself for my late Silence, I confess to you, that had it not been for the obliging Reproaches you make me upon that Account, I should not have entertained you with any more of my Travels. Not that I thought Holland did not deserve your Attention as much as any other Country in the World, but because, as I found I had nothing new to send you, I thought it best not to surfeit you with the Repetition of what others before me have said much better. But as you seem to think these

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LETTER LI.

LETTER LI.

Since the Weather is set in for Frost, I keep my Station upon the Ice, to see the People slide upon Skates; a favourite Exercise of the Dutch , in which they acquit themselves with marvellous Dexterity. These Skates are a very little smooth Piece of Wood, like a Weaver’s Shuttle, except that the Part on which the Heel and the Sole of the Shoe rest most, is a little broader. The Remainder of it is slender and crooked at the End, that the Iron which is underneath may the better cleave the Snow, an

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LETTER LII.

LETTER LII.

Being detained in this Port by Winds that have for these six Days obstinately opposed my Passage to England , without any Prospect of their changing, I am at full Leisure to inform you of such Things as I have seen since the last Letter that I had the Honour to write to you from Amsterdam . I was carried from that City in the Boat in less than three Hours to Harlem , the second of those Towns that have a Right to send Deputies to the Assembly of the States of the Province. It was for a long Time

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LETTER LIII.

LETTER LIII.

’Tis not possible for me to be insensible how greatly I am obliged to you for that Uneasiness which you seem to be under, till you can hear of my Arrival in some safe Harbour of this Kingdom, tho’ ’tis no more than what I expected from such a Friend as you. I should have prevented your Anxiety upon this Score, if I had not thought it proper to take a little View of this Country, before I wrote one Word to you about it; and now I flatter myself that I am able to satisfy your Curiosity. I had one

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LETTER LIV.

LETTER LIV.

The last brought us to the Royal Family, and what relates to the Court. The latter is more numerous than brilliant, if it be certain that Pleasures form the Splendor of a Court. Of these their Majesties don’t seem to be fond, at least of those noisy Pleasures, that instead of unbending the Mind, which ought to be the Aim of all Pleasures, only serve to fatigue it. ’Tis very easy to obtain the Honour of being introduced to their Majesties, and the Royal Family, nothing more being necessary, than

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THE PREFACE, By the Translator.

THE PREFACE, By the Translator.

The Baron de Pollnitz's Account of his Travels , and of the Observations he made wherever he came, both of Persons and Things , has had such a Run in Foreign Parts, that the Bookseller at Amsterdam , who first printed it in three Volumes in 12 mo , soon after published a second Edition of it in four Volumes, and has now printed a third Edition in five Volumes. The three first Volumes, which are those that are translated in our first and second, he calls Letters ; and to the fourth and fifth he h

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MEMOIRS OF THE Baron de Pollnitz. Vol. III.

MEMOIRS OF THE Baron de Pollnitz. Vol. III.

The Family I am descended from was originally of Thuringia . My Grandfather, after having turn'd Protestant, came and settled in the Electorate of Brandenburg , where he was kindly receiv'd, and advanc'd to the chief Employments by the Elector Frederic-William , who made him Master of the Horse, Minister of State, Chamberlain, Major-General, Colonel of his Guards, and Commandant at Berlin . His Brother who came along with him had also a share of his Favor; for he was made Colonel of a Regiment o

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MEMOIRS

MEMOIRS

To Madame De ——. The Conduct of the Court of Spain , tho’ it really made the Court of Vienna uneasy, did not hinder the Emperor from carrying on the War against the Turks with Vigour: And Heaven so prosper’d the Imperial Arms, that in 1718 Prince Eugene gain’d the most signal Victory near Belgrade that the Christians could have hop’d for. Soon after that Battle the victorious Troops reduc’d Belgrade , and at length the Turks were forc’d to sue for a Peace: While every Thing seem’d to have a Tend

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APPENDIX.

APPENDIX.

My Lord, Ever since there was a Diversity of Religions in the World, the Conduct of Persons that have chang’d one for another has been liable to the Censure of those whose Communion they abandon, and given Rise to Variety of Reflections among People of that new Communion which they embrace; and a Reproach has been often cast upon Proselytes, that either Interest or Ignorance was the Cause of their Change: What the World will think of me for renouncing the Heresy of Calvin , and taking up with wh

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Books Printed for D. Browne, at the Black Swan without Temple-Bar.

Books Printed for D. Browne, at the Black Swan without Temple-Bar.

1. A Sure Method of Improving Estates, by Plantations of Oak, Elm, Ash, Beech, and other Timber-Trees, Coppice-Woods, &amp;c. Wherein is demonstrated, The Necessity and Advantages thereof; their Manner of raising, cultivating, felling, &amp;c. in all Kinds of Soils, whereby Estates may be greatly improv’d. By Batty Langley of Twickenham . Beautifully printed in 8 vo. Price 4 s. 2. The Vineyard . A Treatise, shewing 1. The Nature and Method of Planting, Manuring, Cultivating, and Dressing

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TRANSCRIBER’S AMENDMENTS

TRANSCRIBER’S AMENDMENTS

Transcriber’s Note: Blank pages have been deleted. On pages that remain, some unnecessary page numbers may have been deleted when they fall in the middle of lists. Some illustrations may have been moved. Footnotes have been moved to the preceding pages. When the author’s preference can be determined, we have rendered consistent on a per-word-pair basis the hyphenation or spacing of such pairs when repeated in the same grammatical context. The publisher’s inadvertent omissions of important punctu

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