There was a Fine laid indeed, and "twas a general one; but as most of the Financiers had married their Daughters to the Great Men of the Kingdom, they came off for a Trifle; the Unfortunate paid for all: Some were condemn"d to the Galleys, and others to perpetual Imprisonment, after having been set in the Pillory, where the People had the Pleasure of insulting them; and that was all they got by it. As for the King, he was not a Penny the richer for it; and no body got more by it than the Ladies who sollicited for the lowering of the Fines, and ran away with almost all the Profit. The Public, in general, was very much perplex"d by it: Most People, afraid of being fin"d, hid their Silver, which Metal so necessary, became so scarce in but six Months time, that it look"d as if _Lewis_ XIV.
had carried it all out of the Kingdom with him to the other World. They began to lament the Loss of that Prince, and the Love of the Public for the Regent vanish"d very fast, "Twas not long before, that every one thought they had reason to curse the late King; and the _Frenchman_, who is naturally fickle, imagin"d without knowing why or wherefore, that the Death of _Lewis_ XIV. would be the beginning of a more happy Century. The Prince who was at the Head of the Administration was loaded with Blessings, tho" he had not yet done any thing to win their Hearts; and in a very short time this same Prince, who was so much ador"d, found himself the Subject of the most stinging Satire. He soon took care to be inform"d how the Public stood affected to him. I happen"d to be one day at _Madame_"s, when this Prince declared aloud, _Six Months ago_, said he, _I was perfectly ador"d in_ Paris, _tho" I had done nothing to deserve it; and I am now as much hated, but for what reason I should be glad to know_.
He knew perhaps, or at least he ought to have known it. The Scarcity of Silver was the only Cause of it; and it appeared by the Regent"s Conduct, that the King"s Coffers were so far from being full, that Payments were made, not in Silver, but in Paper; a Money always fluctuating, and with which the _French_ began to be tir"d. They had so often seen Bills, with various Denominations; and the Fare of the last sort call"d _Mint-Bills_, in particular, was so fresh in their Memory, that it was almost impossible they should entertain a better Opinion of those that were created at the beginning of the Regency, by the Name of _Government-Bills_: Yet these were admitted notwithstanding the great Clamor against them; and by and by we shall find that the _French_, who are always doom"d to be bubbled, gave into a new Paper-Scheme, more specious perhaps to view, but more ruinous in the Event, than those which had appear"d before it.
Another thing which put the People out of conceit with the Government, was the Fluctuation of Measures at the Royal Palace, where nothing was fix"d; and what was done one day, was cancell"d the next. The Regent, who was really a good-natur"d and very affable Prince, seem"d to put himself into the hands of too many People: No body that had a Favor to ask was turn"d away; it often happen"d that the same Thing was promis"d to two Persons, and a third obtain"d it. Pensions, Gratuities and Employments were promis"d, but the Promise seldom kept: So far from it, that several Pensions were suppress"d, and mine, which cost me so much Pains in the Sollicitation, was of that number. I made some Bustle to be put upon the List again; yet all that I could obtain was a Promise that my Pension should be renew"d very soon: But the Performance is still to come.
All this striking off of Pensions, together with a considerable Reduction of the Army, reduc"d a great many People to Beggary. I saw several Knights of St. _Lewis_ at that very time, waiting with Impatience for the Dusk of the Evening, that they might go out, and beg Alms in the public Places. This extreme Misery was attended, as may be easily imagin"d, by Robberies and Murders; so that all this while _Paris_ had a great Resemblance to a Wood. My Apprehension that I should be a Sharer in the common Desolation, engag"d me to pay my Court to _Madame_ with more a.s.siduity than ever, and I earnestly intreated her to honor me with her Recommendation to the Regent. The Princess return"d me for Answer, _That she was resolv"d not to meddle or make; that however I had no reason to be uneasy; that there was no Necessity for her speaking in my Behalf to the Prince her Son, since he was naturally inclined to serve me; but that for the present he was so over-burdened with Affairs and Sollicitations, that I must have patience for a while longer_. I made her Answer, _That I was very willing to wait as long as her Royal Highness pleas"d; but that I was sadly afraid I was not in a Situation to stay long_. _Madame_ reply"d to me, _There is a Remedy for all Things: Be you to-morrow at my Closet as soon as I have din"d_. I was there punctually according to her Orders, and found her all alone. As soon as she saw me she said, _I am a poor Widow that can"t do great Matters for you, but I have a mind to oblige you_. She then gave me the Key of her Bureau, and bid me open it, and take a Bag out of one Corner of it, in which there was Gold to the Tune of three thousand Livres. I receiv"d it with all the Grat.i.tude possible; and this fresh Token of her Royal Highness"s Goodness attach"d me to her more than ever.
The Dukes and Peers at this very time renew"d a Demand which they had already made in the Parliament, touching the Obeisance they expected to be made to them by the first President when he call"d for their Opinion: They also claim"d several Prerogatives over the[55] n.o.bility, and wanted to establish themselves as a Middle State between the Princes of the Blood and those call"d Gentlemen. The Regent made them Answer, _That for his part he had never acknowledg"d more than three Orders, the Clergy, the n.o.bility, and the third Estate; and that "twas their Business to choose which Cla.s.s they would be of, without aiming at a chimerical Establishment which was intirely unprecedented_. The Dukes demanded moreover, to be excus"d from drawing their Swords in any Quarrel with a private Gentleman; but the Duke _de la Feuillade_ refus"d to sign this Pet.i.tion, because he said, _He would not be expos"d to an Affront from any Gentleman, and he restrain"d from resenting it_.
The Parliament did not vouchsafe to answer the Memorial of the Dukes, and only confirm"d what the President _de Novion_ had advanc"d, that it was the King"s sole Right to determine Claims of that sort, and that therefore they must wait till his Majesty was of Age. The n.o.bility did not treat the Demand of the Dukes with the same Indifference as the Parliament, and met to consider how they should behave; but there came an Order forbidding them to continue their a.s.semblies. Yet for all this Prohibition they drew up a Memorial between themselves, which was presented to the King. This Conduct of theirs so disgusted the Court, that several of the n.o.bles who were known to have the greatest Hand in the Memorial were taken up and committed to the _Bastile_. The Dukes met at the same time at the House of the Archbishop of _Rheims_, who was afterwards the Cardinal _de Mailly_.
In fine, the Result of all these Motions on both sides, was a Declaration issued by his Majesty, requiring that every thing should remain in the same State as in the late King"s Life-time, without prejudice to the Rights of either Party. A zealous Parliamentarian, who, "tis like, could not brook that Pretensions so frivolous as that of the Dukes should remain unanswer"d, publish"d a very long Tract to prove, that several of the Dukes were not Gentlemen; and that the Generality of the Members of Parliament were indisputably of better Extraction than those who were grac"d with the t.i.tle of Dukes. I question if _Henry_ IV. who very often did the n.o.bility the Honor to call himself a Gentleman, would have left the Claim of the Dukes undetermin"d.
At this very time the Princes of the Blood presented a Pet.i.tion to his Majesty against the Legitimated Princes. The former were uneasy to see the latter in possession of Rank equal to theirs, and pretending to an equal Share with them in the Right of Succession to the Crown; and therefore demanded that the Legitimated Princes, _viz._ the Duke _du Maine_ and the Count _de Toulouse_, and their Descendants, should be declar"d to have forfeited the Rank of Princes of the Blood; and that the Act by which the late King declared those Princes capable of succeeding to the Crown, should be struck out of the Registers of the Parliament.
The Legitimated Princes presented a Memorial to the King on their part, whereby they represented to his Majesty, that the Demand of the Princes of the Blood was contrary to his Authority; that the Sovereigns had always the Liberty of granting such Honors as they thought fit, either to the Court or the Parliament; and that moreover, the late King, when he declar"d them Princes of the Blood, did it in the most authentic Manner, the Declaration which gave them that Dignity, being register"d in Parliament, in the Presence, and even with the Advice of the Princes of the Blood, and of the Dukes and Peers.
Several Writings were publish"d at that time on both sides of the Question, to prove the Justice of the Cause which each maintain"d. The Amount of what the Legitimated Princes pleaded was, That Kings were the absolute Dispensers of Favors; and that the Kings who were _Lewis_ XIVth"s Predecessors, formerly granted those very Privileges, which they now aim"d to deprive them of, without Opposition. They quoted for Example the _Longueville_ Family, whose Descendants had always the Rank of Princes of the Blood. They also instanc"d in several b.a.s.t.a.r.ds who had succeeded to the Crown, in the first and second Race of the Kings of _France_; and observ"d, that the Case would have been the same in the third Race, if the same Fact had happen"d.
The Princes of the Blood gave an ample and solid Reply to the Memorial of the Legitimated Princes. They advanc"d, that the King as great as his Authority was, could not grant Prerogatives that were peculiar only to Birth-right; that a b.a.s.t.a.r.d was one without Father, without Mother, without Kindred, _&c._ and by consequence incapable of holding any Rank which Blood alone can give; that moreover, the Claim of the Legitimated Princes would deprive the Nation of its Right of calling such Family to the Crown as they thought fit, in case the Royal Family should happen to be extinct.
This Memorial was confuted by another, and to the latter there was a Reply. In fine, both sides grew so warm, that to put an end to the Quarrel, the King was oblig"d to speak. He declared solemnly, _That the Legitimated Princes should enjoy the Rank of Princes of the Blood during their Lives, but that they could not succeed to the Crown_. This Declaration was very well receiv"d, in appearance, by both Parties; but perhaps too it was the Cause of some Events, which in the Consequence gave the Regent no little Uneasiness, whereof I shall soon have occasion to make mention.
During these Transactions in _France_, there were Commotions of much greater Consequence in _England_, where a Revolution was expected in favor of the Chevalier _de St. George_, who having spent some time at the Prince _de Vaudemont_"s House at _Commercy_ in _Lorrain_, was just set out for _Scotland_. He embark"d between _Ostend_ and _Dunkirk_, and had a happy Pa.s.sage. As soon as he arriv"d he found a considerable Party which declar"d for him. Every thing seem"d at first to favor him: A great many Persons came to own him for King, and he was serv"d in that Quality. But his Happiness was of no long Duration, and he was oblig"d to retire with Precipitancy from a Country where he was in danger of being ill us"d.
"Twas the Opinion of many People that this Undertaking would have succeeded, if the Prince had not discover"d so much Zeal for the Catholic Religion; for "twas only desired of him to promise to preserve the Privileges of _Scotland_ in Religious Matters, but he would not hear of it. Moreover, he rose one day from Table without eating a Morsel, because a Clergyman of the Church of _England_ had said the Grace; and upon this Occasion he protested, that he would never eat a Bit of what a Heretic pretended to give a Blessing to. This great Zeal for Religion, a Zeal perhaps too flaming in Circ.u.mstances where he might, without any Crime, have smother"d it, was the reason that all the Protestants in _Scotland_, many of whom had already declared in his Favor, turn"d their backs on him.
I happen"d to be present when all this was told to the Duke of _Orleans_.
He made Answer, _If all this be true, "tis no wonder that he has not succeeded; and I look upon him as an undone Prince_. At the same time I observ"d such an Air of Satisfaction in his and _Madame_"s Countenances, as convinc"d me that they were not ill pleas"d to see the Elector of _Hanover_ establish"d on the Throne of _England_.
The Chevalier _de St. George_ return"d to _France_, and having pa.s.s"d thro" the whole Kingdom _incog._ he went for Refuge to _Avignon_. The _English_ did all they could with the Regent to engage him to arrest the Chevalier, and demanded likewise that he would cashier all the _English_ and _Irish_ Officers in the Service of _France_, that were the Pretender"s Adherents. The Regent satisfy"d them but in part, for he only cashier"d the Officers. The Chevalier _de St. George_ was hotly pursu"d, and "tis even said that a certain Lord was a good while in chace of him, with a Design to have killed him; but the Chevalier escap"d the Danger by the Haste that he made to _Avignon_. When he quitted _Scotland_ he was oblig"d to leave several Lords that had follow"d him in the Lurch, particularly the Duke of _Lirie_, Son to the Marshal _de Berwic_, Natural Son of _James_ II. who had so much Difficulty to get to _France_ again, that "twas even reported for a long while that he had been taken Prisoner and beheaded, as Lord _Derwent.w.a.ter_ was at _London_.
The _French_ were sorry to see that Fortune always cross"d the Chevalier _de St. George_, and could not help pitying the Queen his Mother, whose Sorrows were by this Disaster increas"d; for she had, by the Miscarriage of this Expedition, ruin"d several of her Friends, who had made their utmost Efforts to support the Charges of it.
Tho" the _Orleans_ Family was not very much afflicted at the Misfortune of the Chevalier _de St. George_, yet it did not hinder _Madame_ from going to _Chaillot_ to condole with the Queen upon her late Misfortunes. I was at the Royal Palace when _Madame_ return"d from the Visit; and she did me the Honor to tell me, _That she had been almost crying her Eyes out_. I pretended to be ignorant of the Cause of her Tears, and took the Freedom to ask her, _What was the matter? The poor Queen of +England+!_ said she, _I pity her heartily. I have been weeping with her_. I could not help letting _Madame_ know how much I was surpriz"d at this Grief of her"s, because I imagin"d she was more in the Interest of the Family that govern"d _England_, than of a Prince who was a Stranger to her; and one, moreover, that was always out of Fortune"s Favor. _You are in the right_, said Madame, _all the Relations of my late Aunt are dear to me, and I with "em well. But this poor Queen takes it as much to heart as if it was but to-day that she left the Crown. But what can she do? The only way for her is to make her self easy. "Tis not her Doom to be happy; and since one of "em must be unfortunate, I had rather she was so than the King of +England+. But_, added she, _this must not be told_. Madam _de D----_ coming in just after these Words, _Madame_ told her, _That she had been to see the Queen of +England+, but that she thought she had been with the Nymph +Arethusa+ all the while_. Madam _de D----_ made Answer to her, _That it was not surprizing to see Tears shed by Persons so much afflicted as the Queen was. What then_, said Madame, _are not thirty Tears Misfortunes enough to inure her to them_? Thus did this Princess wipe away the Tears which lately fell from her in such a Torrent.
The fine Season being come, _Madame_ went to _St. Cloud_, and took with her Mademoiselle _de Chartres_ now the Abbess of _Ch.e.l.les_, and Mademoiselle _de Valois_ now Princess of _Modena_. _Madame_ spent all the Summer at _St. Cloud_, so that I made several Trips thither. I told her my Case, and desir"d that she would please to intercede for me with the Duke her Son. She always promis"d me she would, but never did; and yet she said to every body who talk"d of me to her, _That she wish"d me well_; while, on the other hand, tho" this Princess mortally hated _S----_ a _Prussian_ Gentleman, she earnestly importun"d the Duke her Son to serve him; and I was present one day when she sollicited for him. After the Duke of _Orleans_ retir"d, she call"d me to her, and said, _You heard how I espous"d the Interests of +S----+, yet I can a.s.sure you he does not deserve it_. Then _Madame_ told me strange Stories to the disadvantage of _S----_, upon which I took the Freedom to defend his Cause, and to a.s.sure her Royal Highness that he had been misrepresented to her. _What!_ said Madame, _will you offer to deny that he had his Hand cut off for counterfeiting the Sign-Manual of the King of +Denmark+?_ As I knew the Adventure of _S----_ at the _Danish_ Court, and that his was not a Crime of such a nature; and as, moreover, I knew that the Loss of his Right Arm was owing to a Fall that he had receiv"d, I represented to _Madame_, that I should have thought the cutting off of his Hand Punishment enough in all reason for the Crime of which she suspected _S----_; but that nevertheless, his Arm was cut off near the Shoulder. _Alas_! said the Princess, _that"s because it was cut a second time. But, Madame_, I instantly reply"d, _How could your Royal Highness favor a Man that was capable of such a Fraud? I have my Reasons for it_, said she. I did not venture to indulge my Curiosity further. But in fine, this M. _de S----_ who was to the last degree abhorr"d, obtain"d what he desir"d; whereas, for my part, as well as I was wish"d, I could not possibly obtain so much as a positive Denial, which would at least have serv"d to undeceive me, and to make me look out for Preferment from another Quarter.
While _Madame_ was at _St. Cloud_, the d.u.c.h.ess of _Berry_ resided at _Meudon_, tho" sometimes she came to _Paris_. I had the Honor of paying my Compliments to this Princess very often. She was good-natur"d and generous, and very free to ask Favors of the Regent her Father, who seldom deny"d her; so that whoever had her Protection, was in a sure way to be advanc"d. The Count _de R----_, a young Man of Quality, and who was just enter"d as a Lieutenant in that Princess"s Guards, knew better than any body how to gain his Mistress"s Favor. I knew him some time before this Preferment of his, when he was a Lieutenant in the King"s Regiment, very much out at heels, and by consequence not in a Condition to keep a certain Sett of Company; at least, in the manner that he would have desir"d: But by meer Chance he was quarter"d upon the d.u.c.h.ess of _Berry_, who wanted a Man of a good Family to be Lieutenant of her Guards; for till then those who officiated in that Post were only Persons of a common Extraction, for which reason few there were that strove to get it. _R----_ thought very prudently, that in his present Circ.u.mstances he was not oblig"d to mind such Scruples; and he spoke to his Sister, who was a Lady of the Bed-Chamber to the d.u.c.h.ess, of the Design he had to offer his Service. He actually did so, and was admitted. He perform"d the Duty of it a good while, and the Princess took no more Notice of him than she did of any of her other Officers. What began to make him known was this. One day as the Princess was going out she observ"d that _R----_ was not on horseback by the side of her Coach, as his Duty demanded of him; and she complain"d of it to the Duke _de la Rochefoucault_ the Captain of her Guards. This Officer, who was fond of _R----_, and was, moreover, naturally inclin"d to do him Service, said to the Princess that _R----_ was not well; but setting his Indisposition aside, as he had the Honor to be a Gentleman, he thought it hard to ride like a Stable-Boy by the side of her Coach, while several Officers of the Houshold, who were not equal to him, rode in the Coach that follow"d. The d.u.c.h.ess of _Berry_, who was a kind Mistress, immediately gave Orders, that the Lieutenant of her Guards should ride in the Waiting-Coach. _R----_ return"d her Thanks, and was more a.s.siduous than ever in his Attendance on her. Madame _de M----_ spoke afterwards so much in Commendation of _R----_, that the Princess her self talk"d with him several times, and was convinc"d that Madame _de M----_ had told her the Truth, and that _R----_ deserv"d her Favor. He was quickly Master of a splendid Fortune, gay Furniture, Clothes and Equipage; and she also preferr"d him to several Regiments, which he always dispos"d of to his advantage. To the Honor of _R----_ be it said, that his Prosperity did not make him a jot the vainer; he was still as good-natur"d and civil as ever, his old Friends always found him the same, and very often he did them important Services. He had afterwards a Quarrel with the Regent, who caus"d him to be banish"d from his Regiment; and during his Exile the d.u.c.h.ess of _Berry_ died at _la Muette_, the 20th of _July, 1719_, aged only 24.
Mean time the King who had been at _Paris_ ever since his Return from _Vincennes_, was removed out of the hands of the Women into those of the Men, and the Person appointed for his Governor was the Marshal _de Villeroy_. The Choice of him was the more applauded, because he was one of the old experienced Courtiers, and a Man whose Zeal and Attachment to the King"s Person no body question"d. The Const.i.tution of this young Prince was so tender, that they could not be too careful of it. The Marshal, as old as he was, fully answer"d what was expected of him: He gave extraordinary Application to the discharge of his Duty, and was never out of his Majesty"s sight. This n.o.bleman"s Post being the most honorable that can be desir"d in _France_, there quickly arose envious Persons, who strove, tho" in vain, to depreciate him in the Esteem of the Public. They confess"d that he was a very proper Person to teach the young Monarch to walk and make his Salute like a King, to put his Hat on with a Grace, to accost a Lady in the politest manner, and other things of that nature; but that he was by no means fit to inspire him with Ideas suitable to his Rank, and that he could never make him think like a King. But the consequence shew"d what the Marshal was capable of, and the young Prince quickly gave Proofs that he had learnt of the Marshal not only to walk, but to think like a King. I remember one Pa.s.sage, which is a very plain Indication of his being fully persuaded that he was the sole Master in his Kingdom, and that there was no Person above him. When _Madame_ came to the _Thuilleries_, she made but a very short Visit at Court, because she went to hear Ma.s.s; and she said to the King as she retired, _That she was going to wait on a greater Lord than he_. The young Prince seem"d a little surpriz"d at first, but after a Moment"s Reflexion he made her Answer, _Undoubtedly_, Madame, _you are going to pray to G.o.d_. Another day the _French_ Comedians having play"d the Tragedy of _Athalia_ before his Majesty, "tis said the Prince could not bear with any Patience to see young _Joas_ seated on the Throne, for he had a Fancy that he was a second King; nor would he so much as applaud the Lad who so perfectly well play"d the Part of _Joas_. These Pa.s.sages are a sufficient Demonstration, that he had been inspir"d with Sentiments suitable to his Dignity; and that in time, perhaps, he will not be inferior in any respect to his August Great-Grandfather.
As to my own Affairs, I had the Mortification to find them still in the same Situation. "Tis certain that no Sollicitation was wanting on my part, nor Promises on the part of the Regent; but after all, nothing was concluded, and I was then not a whit forwarder than when I arriv"d in _France_, tho" I had not near so much Money. Mean time I was too earnest for entring into the Service to be disheartened, and shutting my Eyes against the Improbability of Success, I renew"d my Sollicitation. My Residence at _Paris_ being extremely ruinous to me, my particular Acquaintance could not conceive how I was able to support my self.
Mademoiselle _de Pollnitz_ soon heard that I had not yet obtain"d any thing in _France_, and that nevertheless I was obstinately bent on staying there: She could not bear the Thoughts of the Expence, which she was sensible I was oblig"d to be at; and as my Estate was entail"d upon her, she imagin"d that the Money I spent in _France_ was so much taken out of her Pocket. She resolv"d therefore to make me quit _Paris_, knowing very well that "twas cheaper to live elsewhere. For this end she desir"d the Princess _de G----_, who corresponded by Letters with _Madame_, to write to her Royal Highness, and to intreat her to protect me no longer, because I did not deserve her Favors. The Letter was accordingly written and sent to _Madame_, who told me the whole Contents of it. "Twas so well cook"d up, that my Cousin might boast of having a good Secretary. But her Royal Highness a.s.sur"d me, that this Letter should make no Impression upon her, and that she would always be my Friend. I most humbly thank"d the Princess, withdrew in a terrible Pet with my Cousin; and in the first transport of my Pa.s.sion I wrote her a Letter, in which I did not spare her. As she was really a Woman of very good Sense, she answer"d me in the same Style. I replied; she did the same; and thus we carried on a Literary Correspondence, in which there were very pretty Sayings on both sides.
To compleat my Happiness I was afflicted with a Redundancy of Choler, which was follow"d with the Jaundice, a Distemper that brought me to the very Brink of the Grave. My Friends did not forsake me; and among others I may say, that I had more than ordinary Obligation to the Abbe _d"Asfeldt_, who desir"d me to reflect on my State; and as he knew that I was not a Roman Catholic, and that the Prejudices in which I had been bred up, gave me great Prejudice to the contrary Party, he conjur"d me to permit him to discourse me about Religion, only one Hour in a Day; to which I consented with pleasure. Every body knows with what an Energy he speaks, and with what a winning Grace. He continued his Visits all the time of my Sickness, which by degrees went quite off. I was so affected with what he said to me, that I promised him I would receive Instruction when I was recover"d; and as soon as I got abroad, I was as good as my Word. He brought me acquainted with Father _Denis_, a barefooted _Carmelite_, who in some Conferences with me finish"d what the Abbe _d"Asfeldt_ had begun; so that in a little time after, I made public Profession of my Faith to Father _Denis_[56], in presence of an infinite number of Persons of Quality. The Marquis _d"Asfeldt_ and the Abbe his Brother were my Witnesses, and sign"d my Confession of Faith along with me. When the Ceremony was ended, I was accosted on all sides with Embraces from abundance of People, of whom three parts in four were quite unknown to me; yet their Zeal for Religion made them fond of expressing how glad they were to see me admitted into the Bosom of the Church. I receiv"d the Communion the same Week, upon the Festival of _All-Saints_: And at length I waited on the Cardinal _de Noailles_, who made a very fine Speech to me, exhorting me to continue stedfast in the Religion that I had embrac"d.
The News of my Conversion was soon spread in _Germany_, and _Luther_ and _Calvin_ themselves could not have exclaim"d against it more than my good Cousin did. The same Princess who had formerly recommended me so heartily to _Madame_, wrote to her again to tell her, _That she ought not to be surprised at my changing my Religion, and that "twas nothing but a Ceremony which I had perform"d two or three times before_. But tho" she gave it this Turn, it made little or no Impression upon _Madame_. And for my own part I did not give much heed to what my Enemies said; and that I might not be in the way of hearing it, I left off going to the Royal Palace, where _Madame_ resided after she quitted _St. Cloud_.
I spent the Winter of 1717 very disagreeably, that is to say, I wanted Money; and without that current Metal, a Man may live as well in the remotest Desert as in _Paris_. I was quickly oblig"d to by down my Equipage, and at last to sell some of my Clothes to satisfy my clamorous Debtors: Yet for all this I could not stave off an Affront from one of them, who to be sure was more hungry than the rest; for tho" he had promis"d to give me a Month longer, he caus"d me to be arrested in the little Market of the Suburb of _St. Germain_, and all at once was I hurried to the Abbey. This might have prov"d a very fatal Misfortune to me, if I had not been a.s.sisted that very day by M. _de N----_ a Counsellor of Parliament, to whom I sent word of it the very Moment I was in Hold; upon which he came immediately, and offer"d his Bond for the Debt: But my Creditor would hear of no Terms except the Money down, and refus"d to take his Security. M. _de N----_ was so exasperated at this Denial, that he wrote a Line to the First President desiring him to set me at liberty, which I obtain"d accordingly upon the Spot, without Money, or so much as giving the Creditor any manner of Security. M. _de N----_ too, in order to oblige me to all Intents and Purposes, was so good as to get a Writ of Protection for me, after which my Creditors could not touch me: And indeed, considering the Situation I was then in, that was the greatest piece of Service that could be done for me.
I was no sooner got out of this Sc.r.a.pe but I fell into another, not altogether so vexatious indeed, yet very perplexing. In my Visits to the President _de P----_"s Lady, I became acquainted at her House with a Widow, who tho" old, ugly, covetous and silly, and to crown all, terribly fond of Law, was so rich, that all those amiable Qualities were over-look"d by a number of pleasant Companions, who strove to make Love to her, in hopes of contracting a Marriage which seem"d so likely to make their Fortunes. The Widow could not tell how to fix her Choice; not that she was averse to Matrimony, but the Conditions she requir"d were so extraordinary, that the very mention of them made her Gallants take their Leave of her. The President _de P----_"s Wife, who knew the Lady very well, and my Circ.u.mstances even better, advis"d me to try my Luck; and for my Encouragement she promis"d to serve me: and serve me she did so effectually, that the Lady was not displeas"d with the Pains which she perceiv"d I took to make my self acceptable to her. She offer"d me an Apartment in her House; in short, she made me to understand that I need not despair of any thing. I had some Reluctance to accept of that Offer, altho" it was so advantagious; and for this Reason chiefly, the Want of Money, because I did not care to be at her House without being better equip"d. By good Luck my Landlady, who was one of those intriguing Dames with which _Paris_ swarms, help"d me out of this Difficulty. She discover"d all in an Instant what was the matter, and in concert with an _Italian_ Valet de Chambre, who had liv"d with me for some time, she help"d me without any Difficulty to every thing that was necessary for my Appearance with Splendor. I then hir"d more Servants, bought very fine Liveries; in short, all my Equipage was in a few days more gay than ever.
"Tis true it was all upon Tick; but our old Lady, as covetous as she was, would not let me suffer upon that score. In the mean time I had a very difficult Game to play; for I was oblig"d to counterfeit being over head and ears in Love with the most disagreeable Woman upon the Face of the Earth; and at the very time too when I was still courting Madame _de R----_, who without dispute was as handsome a Woman as any whatsoever. Nor was this all; for the old Lady, to be like the fine Women forsooth, affected to be jealous; and whenever I ventur"d to leave her, which was but very seldom, she was sure to set on a Spy to watch me. We generally went abroad together. By eight o"clock in the Morning we us"d to be at the Palais importuning the Judges, or else provoking the Attorneys and Sollicitors to scold like Madmen. When we had done there, the good Lady return"d home and sat down to her Toilet, and I us"d to sit by her in an Arm-chair till I was quite tir"d. At first indeed I had some Pleasure in being so near a Spectator of the Art by which a very disagreeable Face may be sometimes made tolerable. My old Lady"s was all artificial from the Forehead to the Chin; and I question whether a Picture takes up more Colours than she made use of to dawb her Features with? Her Apparel was rich, but as much dy"d and daub"d as all the rest. A Correspondence so tiresome as this was, gave me a horrid Disgust; but yet when I reflected what a Pa.s.s I had reduc"d my self to by my Extravagance, I thought it was not my Interest to break it off. I continu"d therefore to play the Part of an amorous Suitor. And at last, fearing that I should sink under the Fatigue, I began to talk strenuously of Marriage; but the good Lady still said it was yet too soon, and that she was willing to have further Tryal of me. She resolv"d at length to consent to it; but "twas upon such extraordinary Terms, that really I should have renounc"d any other Match upon that score, if it had been twenty times more advantagious. I resolv"d therefore to have no more to say to the silly Woman, and to retire. I thought of making another Tour to _Berlin_ to settle my Affairs, and to sell my Land if Mademoiselle _de Pollnitz_ would give her Consent; but I put off my Departure for a little time in hopes of seeing the Czar of _Muscovy_, who was shortly expected at _Paris_.
This Monarch, from no other Motive but Curiosity, came from one of the Extremities of _Europe_ to see the Court of _France_. They would have had him make a public Entry; but he desir"d to be receiv"d without Ceremony.
_Verton_ the King"s Chief Steward met him on the Frontier, and conducted him to _Amiens_, where the Marquis _de Nesle_ complimented him in the Name of the King, and then went with him half way to _Paris_. The Marshal _de Tesse_, who was charged to accompany the Prince all the time he was to stay in _France_, went also to meet him. The Czar arriv"d at the _Louvre_ by ten o"clock at Night, and was conducted to the Queen Mother"s Apartment, which had been sumptuously furnish"d for his Reception. Some Moments after his Arrival the Marshal _de Villeroy_ came from the King to make his Excuses that he was not at the _Louvre_ to receive him, by reason his Majesty"s tender Years and Const.i.tution did not permit him to sit up so late. They laid that the Czar was not satisfy"d with this Excuse, nor with the Regent for not coming to meet him. "Tis certain that he appeared to be very much out of Temper all the Evening, would eat no Supper, and took but one Gla.s.s of Beer: Nor would he stay at the _Louvre_, saying, _That the Furniture of his Apartment was too rich; and that his Attendants, who were not the most cleanly, might happen to spoil it_.
"Twas one o"clock in the Morning when the Czar was pleas"d to shift his Lodging, and the Marshal _de Tesse_ would have been sadly put to it, had he not caus"d the Palace of _Lesdiguieres_ to be furnish"d by way of Precaution. The Czar thought this House also too richly furnish"d, and notwithstanding all they could say he would not lie in a magnificent Bed which was put up in the Apartment that was to be his, but caus"d a little Bed to be set up for himself in the Wardrobe. Next day the Regent came and paid him a Visit, when the Prince _de Kourakin_ the Czar"s Amba.s.sador to _Holland_ serv"d for their Interpreter. The Visit lasted near an Hour, and there all the Ceremonial was settled that was to be observ"d to the _Russian_ Monarch.
After this the King went to see him first, being accompanied from the Palace of the _Thuilleries_, with the chief Lords and Officers of the Crown. The Czar receiv"d his Majesty as he alighted from the Coach, and took him in his Arms with a Transport of Fondness; at which the young Monarch seem"d a little surpriz"d. He said to the Czar, _That he was very glad to see him safe arrived at +Paris+; that he wish"d him Pleasure as long as he staid in his Dominions; that he should have the same Respect paid to him as to himself, and that he had given Orders for the Court-Service always to give way to his_. Then the two Monarchs went hand in hand into a Chamber where two Chairs of State were plac"d. The Czar being the Stranger sate on the Right Hand. The Duke _du Maine_ and the Marshal _de Villeroy_ stood behind the King"s Chair of State, and answer"d the Questions which the Czar ask"d his Majesty. After a short Visit the King rose first, and was accompanied to his Coach by the Czar, who at taking Leave of his Majesty caught him up again in his Arms, and hoisting him higher than his Head, said, _He wish"d that his Grandeur and Power might surpa.s.s that of the late King_ Lewis XIV. He help"d the King into his Coach, and did not return till it mov"d off.
Next day the Czar went to the _Thuilleries_ with the same Train as the King has when he goes abroad, and rode in the King"s Coach attended by the chief Lords of his Court, who sat over-against him, and at the Coach-Doors. As soon as he enter"d the Court, the King went to the Gate of the Castle, receiv"d him at his landing, and then conducted him to his Apartment, always giving the Czar the Right Hand. I never saw more People at the _Thuilleries_ than there were on that day, insomuch that the two Monarchs had scarce room to pa.s.s. The Czar shew"d a prodigious Care of the King, kept him up by one Hand, and wav"d the other to keep off such as were apt to croud too near him. After a Visit no longer than that which the King made to the Prince, his Majesty reconducted him to the Coach, and the Czar return"d to his House with the same Train that had accompanied him. When that Prince return"d to his Apartment, he told the Marshal, _That he was very much surpriz"d at the infinite Croud of People in the way_. To which the Marshal made Answer, _That the +French+ had so great a Veneration for his Person, and so high an Idea of his ill.u.s.trious Qualities, that no wonder they were so eager to see a Prince, who they knew beforehand was deserving of their Admiration_. The Czar seem"d very well pleas"d with this Answer, yet he desir"d, _That for the future, when he went abroad, the People might be oblig"d to keep out of his way_. He paid a Visit next day to the Regent and to _Madame_. The latter talk"d to him for two Hours in _High-Dutch_, and the Czar answer"d the Princess in _Low-Dutch_. When he was withdrawn he said to M. _de S----_, _That +Madame+ was extremely inquisitive; that she wanted to knew every thing; and that she had ask"d him too many Questions; but that after all, he told her no more than what he was willing she should know_.
The Czar was very curious to see every thing that was worth seeing in and about _Paris_. He inform"d himself of every thing, and took care to write every thing in his Pocket-book that he thought remarkable. He rose at Day-break, and rambled about from one Place to another till Night. To prevent all manner of Inc.u.mbrance he chose to make use of none but the Marshal _de Tesse_"s Coaches, tho" that n.o.bleman would have been well enough contented without such Preference, because he kill"d several of his Horses; and the poor Marshal himself must have sunk under the Fatigue of the perpetual Motion that he was oblig"d to, if the Czar had staid much longer; but this Monarch lost no time, and examin"d every thing with equal Nicety and Dispatch, because he intended to be gone as soon as he had satisfy"d his Curiosity.
The Court spar"d nothing to pay this Prince all due Honors. The Regent for this purpose order"d a general Review of all the King"s Houshold Troops, and of the _French_ and _Swiss_ Guards in the Walks of _Roule_ and in the _Elysian Fields_. The Czar repair"d thither on horseback, and "twas expected he would have staid out the whole Review; but he only rode briskly in the Front of the first Line, without casting his Eyes on the Troops, and then clapping Spurs to his Horse, without paying any Compliment to the Regent, he return"d full Gallop to _Paris_. From thence he went directly to _St. Ouen_, where the Duke _de Tresmes_, First Gentleman of the Bed-Chamber, and Governor of _Paris_, gave him an Entertainment, with which he seem"d better pleas"d than with the Review.
He was loth to consent to the Admission of the Ladies into the Orangery where the Table was spread, and only spoke to Madame _de Bethune_, Daughter of the Duke _de Tresmes_, for which Distinction she was oblig"d to M. _de Bethune_, who having been a good while in _Poland_, talk"d the _Polish_ Language very well, which procur"d him the Honor of being able to converse with his Czarish Majesty. The chief n.o.blemen, after the Example of the Duke _de Tresmes_, made Entertainments for the _Russian_ Monarch.
The Duke Regent also prepar"d a Grand Feast for him at _St. Cloud_; but just as the Czar was setting out from _Paris_, he was seiz"d with a violent Fit of the Cholic, which hinder"d his going abroad; nor do I know that he had a Sight of the Castle of _St. Cloud_ at all. He seem"d to be more delighted with _Versailles_ than any other Place, insomuch that he caus"d a Plan of it to be taken, and said, _He would have a Building something like to it erected in his own Country_. With this View he engag"d Workmen of all sorts, and promis"d them great Advantages to encourage them to go to _Muscovy_. A great number suffer"d themselves to be taken in, and the Regent consented to let them go out of the Kingdom; but we are a.s.sur"d that the Promises made to them were not perform"d, and the Generality thought themselves very happy when they were return"d to _France_. This Prince was not liberal; and what Presents he made were only valuable as they came from so great a Prince. I saw a poor Soldier of the Invalids make him a Present of a Plan of that Hospital, which had cost him ten Years Labor; but tho" the Prince seem"d to think it a fine Piece, yet the Soldier had a very small Reward. The King of _France_, however, made him a n.o.ble Present, and thereby convinc"d him how different the Temper of the _French_ was from that of the _Muscovites_. The Czar, in short, return"d towards his Dominions very well satisfy"d with _France_, and went first to _Holland_ where the _Czarina_ staid for him; and from thence he proceeded by Land to _Petersbourg_.
The Czar"s Residence in _France_ had brought such a vast Number of Foreigners to _Paris_, that the City being more populous than ever, new Pleasures were thought of to divert them. A private Gentleman made a Proposal to me, which if I could have succeeded in, would have been of very great Service to me at that Juncture; for it was to put a considerable Sum of Money in my Pocket, if I could obtain a Patent for licensing b.a.l.l.s and Plays in the _Elysian Fields_, where the Projector wou"d have erected Booths for that purpose. I spoke of this to the Regent, who, according to his Custom, promis"d me the Grant at the first Word; but M. _d"Argenson_, who was then only Lieutenant of the Police, made him soon alter his Mind; for he represented to his Royal Highness, that such b.a.l.l.s would infallibly be attended with great Disorders. The Objection was specious, and like enough to be true; but after all, such a Licence would not have increas"d the Disorder very much, especially at a Place where "twas for a long time the Fashion to take the Air in the Night, so that there were often more Coaches in the Course or Ring after Midnight, than in the Day-time. Besides, a way might be found to avoid all the Disorders that could possibly be foreseen. But M. _d"Argenson_ was a Man that neither lov"d Novelties, nor Opportunities of obliging. I was the better pleas"d with this Project, because if it had taken, I saw that I should be in a Condition to stay some time longer at _Paris_, and to live in a genteel manner. But at last, when I saw it defeated, I thought of nothing but returning to _Berlin_. While I was putting every thing in order for my Journey, I saw the Count _de Rothenbourg_ at _Paris_, who was come from _Berlin_, and to return thither shortly with a Commission on some Affairs of _France_. This Gentleman, who encourag"d me in my Design to go thither, a.s.sur"d me that it would be the easiest matter in the World for me to sell my Lands; that the King had just erected Fiefs; and that he gave every Man leave to dispose of his Estate; nay more, he offer"d to carry me along with him, and to advance me what Money I wanted. I thought all these to be very advantagious Proposals; but they were Words without Deeds. "Tis true he lent me Money, that is to say, Government-Bills; but taking an advantage of the Necessity he found me in, oblig"d me to conclude one of the most fatal Bargains I ever made in my Life. I discounted my Bills, that is to say, I lost considerably by them, and with the residue of the Money I set out from _Paris_ to _Strasbourg_, where M. _de Rothenbourg_ had appointed to meet me: But for his part he went by the way of _Burgundy_, where he had an Estate; so that I staid for him near a Month, which surely I should not have done if I had been in Cash. When he came he told me, _That "twas impossible for him to carry me with him to +Berlin+, because he had no room in his Coach_. "Tis true that it was full, but there were some People in it, whom it would have better become to have got up behind. I was by this means under an indispensable Necessity to stay at _Strasbourg_, till I had a sufficient Remittance from _Berlin_, to enable me to continue my Journey, without being beholden to any body.
I did not repent my Stay at STRASBOURG; for tho" I had been at it before, yet I never was there long enough to make any Observation upon the Remarkables of the Place. _Strasbourg_[57] is one of the best Cities in _Europe_. "Tis the Capital of _Alsace_, and was conquer"d by _Lewis_ XIV.
in 1682, without any Expence but of Menaces and Money. That Monarch fortify"d it considerably, and caus"d a Citadel and a.r.s.enal to be built there, which are Monuments worthy of a Great King. The Cathedral Church has not its equal for its Bulk and Grandeur. The Doors are of Bra.s.s, and very well wrought. There"s a Pyramidal Spire 574 Foot high, which is a very n.o.ble Piece of Work. The Great Clock is also worth seeing. I was surpriz"d to see the great number of Wheels and Machines that give Motion to all the Constellations, and turn the Needles, which upon Dials of several sorts mark the Hours of the Day and Night, with the Course of the Moon and the other Planets. In the Vestry of this Church, which is very rich, are most sumptuous Altar-Ornaments and Copes. The Episcopal Palace which joins to the Church is indeed a very commodious, but not a magnificent Building, tho" it stands upon a considerable Spot of Ground, whereon a fine Structure might be erected; but there"s no Appearance that such a thing will be undertaken yet a while, because the Cardinal _de Rohan_ now Bishop of _Strasbourg_, who would be the properest Person for it in the whole World, resides but little at _Strasbourg_, and justly prefers _Saverne_ to it, where he has a most stately Palace.
_Strasbourg_ was formerly an Imperial City, the Magistrates whereof were _Lutherans_, but now the Catholics are the Masters, and have excluded the _Lutherans_ from all manner of Employment. The King of _France_ keeps a strong Garison in it, and the Commandant here for the King is the Marshal _de Bourg_. This n.o.bleman lives more retir"d than is usual for People that are in Power. The Officers go to him very often in the Morning, when the Marshal makes them sit down in a Circle, where I have seen such a Silence observ"d, that if Foreigners were Witnesses of it, they would not twit the _French_ with having too much _Clack_. This Levee us"d to hold about half an Hour, after which every one went to dinner where he pleas"d, the Marshal only keeping a Table for Grand Festivals, or when any Person of Distinction arriv"d from the Court of _France_, which is very rare, except when the Cardinal _de Rohan_ is at _Strasbourg_. When his Eminency is there, a great deal of Company follows him, and he lives with an Air of Grandeur suitable to his Birth and Dignity. Add to this, that there is not any n.o.bleman, perhaps, that is of a more courteous and polite Deportment.
When this Prelate is not at _Strasbourg_ the Place is very melancholy, especially for such as don"t run into the common Debaucheries of Youth; for the latter indeed always find wherewith to amuse themselves: and indeed I have observ"d with my own Eyes that the young Fellows of _Strasbourg_ are very debauch"d, and the Ladies very gentle.
After I had staid a while at _Strasbourg_, I receiv"d News at last from _Berlin_, together with Money to proceed in my Journey. I made haste thro"
the Cities of _Heidelberg_[58], _Darmstad_ and _Francfort_, and stopt at HANAU, where I had the Honor of paying my Compliments to the Count of that Name, who commonly resides there. He married a Princess of _Brandenbourg-Ans.p.a.ch_, Sister to the Princess of _Wales_, by whom he has had but one Daughter, married to the Hereditary Prince of _Hesse-Darmstad_, so that the Family of _Hanau_ is like to be extinct in the Person of this Count. A part of his Territories, _viz_. those which are Fiefs of the Empire, will revert to the Landgrave of _Hesse-Ca.s.sel_, according to Conventions which this Prince has made with the King of _Poland_, who was Heir to a good Part of the County of _Hanau_ as Elector of _Saxony_; but the latter sold all his Pretensions to the Landgrave.
The City of _Hanau_[59] stands near the _Maine_, and is distinguish"d into the Old and New Towns. The new Town owes its Foundation to the _Walloon_ Protestants, who came to settle in this County during the Religious Wars in the _Netherlands_. The Streets of this Quarter, which is the finest of the two, are broad, and as strait as a Line, and the Architecture of the Houses on both sides is almost the same. A very exact Police is observ"d in it, as well for the Neatness of the Streets, as for the Security of the Inhabitants. This Count"s Predecessors establish"d several Manufactures at _Hanau_; and here is a considerable Trade in Snuff and Woollen Stuffs. The _French_ Refugees have contributed not a little to render this City much more considerable than it was before.
The Castle or Palace of the Count is in the Old Town; and he has another House at the Gates of the Town call"d _Philip"s-Ruhe_[60], the Apartments of which are very fine and n.o.bly furnish"d, and the Gardens are of a grand Taste, and a very advantagious Situation.
From _Hanau_ I went to FULDE, an Abbat"s Town of the Empire, in which stands the famous Abbey of _Fulde_ of the Order of St. _Benedict_. The Fryars are all Gentlemen by sixteen Descents. The Abbat is elected by his Fryars, and has the t.i.tle of _Primat of the Abbats, Prince of the Empire, and Hereditary Chancellor of the Empress_. The Person who is now vested with that Dignity is of the Family of _Butler_. He maintains a great Court and several Regiments; so that he lives absolutely like a Temporal Prince.
I should have lik"d his Reception of me very well, if he had not made me drink so hard, that if I had staid there longer, my next Journey might probably have been a vast way beyond _Berlin_. "Tis my Opinion, Things duly consider"d, that there"s no need of any extraordinary Vocation to be a Fryar at _Fulde_; for those Gentlemen enjoy every thing that a Man would wish for in a genteel Life. The House they dwell in is more like the Palace of a great King than a Convent; and the Abbey-Church, and another lately built without the Town, may be reckon"d among the n.o.blest Buildings in _Germany_.
From _Fulde_ I went to EISENACH[61], thro" the most detestable Roads that I ever travell"d. _Eisenach_ stands upon the River _Nese_, at the feet of horrible Mountains. "Tis the Seat of the Duke of _Saxe-Eisenach_ of the _Weimar_-Branch, who being absent at that time, I had not the Honor to see him.
I proceeded from _Eisenach_ to GOTHA[62], the Residence of the Duke of _Saxe-Gotha_, who is the most powerful Prince of _Saxony_, next to the Elector. He is descended from the unfortunate _John-Frederic_ Elector of _Saxony_, who was put under the Ban of the Empire, and depriv"d of his Electorate by _Charles_ V. The Town is well built, and the Duke"s Palace, which is separate from it, is surrounded with Ramparts.
From _Gotha_ I went to ERFURT[63], a City which formerly was dependent on the Family of _Saxony_, who by a solemn Treaty yielded it to the Elector of _Mentz_ in 1665; and it now belongs to the present Elector of that Name. The Inhabitants have made several Attempts to shake off their Dependency upon that Elector, who on his part has not been wanting in Measures to make them easy; and has made considerable Fortifications to the Castle, in which he maintains a good Garison. The Town is large, and contains fine Churches, of which the Cathedral is remarkable for its Bulk: This Church had formerly a most magnificent Steeple; but some years ago the Spire was entirely consumed by Lightning.
From _Erfurt_ I went to LEIPSIC[64] one of the most considerable Cities in the Electorate of _Saxony_, and of special Note for its University and its Fairs. The former, which was founded in 1408, by _Frederic_ the _Warrior_, has always supported it self with Reputation, notwithstanding the Neighbourhood of the University of _Hall_. The Situation of _Leipsic_ is charming, and which way soever one enters it, there are beautiful Houses and Gardens kept in excellent Order. The _Boses_ and _Appel_, Merchants of _Leipsic_ have Gardens at the Gates of the Town, in which they have laid out surprizing Sums of Money: _Appel_ especially has a Garden which a Prince need not be asham"d of. Besides these Gardens here are Walks, which are not the less agreeable for being natural. Here is a remarkable Wood, which is called in the Language of the Country _Rosendahl_, _i. e._ the _Vale of Roses_. It consists of fourteen Walks, with a great Meadow in the Middle. Each Walk has a n.o.ble Point of View, and they are all agreeably diversify"d. The Inside of _Leipsic_ is perfectly answerable to the Out-parts: The Streets are very even, and the Houses large and well built. The only fault I found with them is, that they are too much charg"d with Sculpture, and not duly proportion"d: They are all very lofty, and for the Generality five or six Stories high. The Rents of them are very dear, and at the time of the Fairs there"s such a Resort of Merchants. .h.i.ther from all parts, that "tis very difficult to get a Lodging. When I came thither "twas _Michaelmas_ Fair; at which time the King of _Poland_ was there. This Prince when he comes to _Leipsic_ does not lodge in the Castle, tho" it has very commodious Apartments, but resides in the House of _Appel_, the Merchant whom I just now mention"d, who is Proprietor of one of the finest Gardens thereabouts. That King gives the Preference to his House, because "tis near the Place where the Fair is kept. So much, _Madame_, for what is chiefly remarkable at _Leipsic_.
I made no long stay there, because I was impatient to return to BERLIN. At my first Arrival there I liv"d very retir"d. I foresaw the little Satisfaction I had to expect at that Court, which made me resolve not to be seen there. Nevertheless I could not conceal my self long; for the Favors with which the Margravine-Dowager had always honor"d me, obliged me to pay my Respects to that Princess, who receiv"d me very kindly, and soon after spoke of me to his Majesty in so favorable a Manner, that he was desirous to see me; and he sent M. _de Grumkau_ to bid me wait on him at _Charlottenbourg_, and to send in my Name to him by _Ast_, one of his Valets de Chambre. I could have been very glad to have been excused from paying Obedience to that Order; but it was too punctual, his Majesty having actually appointed the Hour that I was to appear before him. On the Day fix"d I therefore went to _Charlottenbourg_, and sent for _Ast_, who came and conducted me to a Gallery, where he bade me wait a little time; but I had not been there a Quarter of an Hour when the King enter"d it, attended by _la Fourcade_, Major-General and Commandant of _Berlin_. His Majesty came up directly to me, and ask"d me, with a good deal of Vivacity, _From whence I came, and what was the Cause of my Return to_ Berlin? I made answer, _That I was come last from_ France, _and that my domestic Concerns had brought me back to_ Berlin. His Majesty, who proceeded to enquire into my Affairs, seem"d well enough pleas"d with the Answers I had the Honor of making to him, and turning towards _la Fourcade_, said to him, _That he should never have known me, if he had not been appriz"d who I was beforehand_: And then he said to me, _That he should hereafter look on me no other than as a_ Frenchman. I made answer, _That I should think my self very unfortunate if his Majesty should look on me in that Light; and that let me be at ever such a Distance from his Person and his Dominions, I should always be ambitious of calling my self his Subject; and that I should constantly preserve the same Sentiments of Respect and Loyalty to my King and Country, in which I had been educated_.
The King then ask"d me, _Whether I had any Intention to sell my Estate?_ I confess"d to him, _That I had no other Remedy left to enable me to satisfy my Creditors_; and I actually entreated him to interpose his Authority to procure the Consent of Mademoiselle _de Pollnitz_ to the Sale of it. The King said to me, _That he would give his Orders to M. +de C----+, to engage her to hearken to Reason_; and then he very graciously dismiss"d me.
I went back to _Berlin_, and did not fail to return Thanks to the Margravine for the good Offices she had done me with the King. The Queen returning some few days after this from _Charlottenbourg_ to _Berlin_, I had the Honor to pay my Respects to her, and was kindly receiv"d. It was quickly blaz"d after what Manner I had been receiv"d by their Majesties, which was Reason enough to engage the Courtiers to shew me that Complaisance, which otherwise I durst not have expected. I took little notice, however, of those Gentlemens Compliments, but prepar"d my self for finishing the Grand Affair for which I was come. I caus"d advantagious Offers to be made to Mademoiselle _de Pollnitz_, to gain her Consent. The King order"d a Letter to be wrote and sent to her at _Hanover_, to determine her in my Favor; a.s.suring her at the same time, _That he thought my Proposals very reasonable; and that her Acceptance of them would do him a Pleasure_. I also went my self to _Hanover_, to try if I could persuade her: But neither the Visits I made to her upon the Affair, nor those so powerful Recommendations of it, had any Effect; and she continu"d obstinate in her Refusal.
At my Return from _Hanover_, the King sent me an Order to wait on him. I was introduc"d by one of his Favorites into the Closet where his Majesty us"d to smoak. The King was then playing at a Game with Tables call"d _Tick-tack_, the Prince of _Anhalt_ Velt-Marshal, and several other Generals and Officers being present. The King rose up as soon as the Game was ended, came to me and talk"d with me for a while very graciously. And then sitting down, he order"d all that were in Company to take their Seats. Every one took his Place without observing any Rank. The King smoaked, as did most of the Gentlemen in the Closet; but by good Luck no body offer"d me a Pipe, which I was very glad of, because I could never smoak in all my Life. The King talk"d to me a great deal about my Affairs; and in particular about the Sale of my Estate. "Twas not long before I perceiv"d that my Cousin had brought the King over to her Interest; for as soon as my Land came to be the Topic of Conversation, he told me in very plain Terms, _That it would be very wrong for me to part with it, even tho" my Cousin were to give her Consent to it; that instead of paying my Debts with the Purchase-Money, I would be apt to squander it in my Pleasures; that "twas high time to think of some Employment to enable me to pay my Debts, without selling my Estate_. He added, _That if, nevertheless, I persisted in my Resolution to sell it, he would write again to Mademoiselle_ de Pollnitz _to perswade her to consent to it; and that this was the utmost that he could do for me, as Affairs stood; since it would be an Injustice to compel her to give a Consent to any thing that she imagin"d would be to her prejudice_. After a little farther Discourse with me about my domestic Affairs, his Majesty talk"d to me of the Report current at _Berlin_, _That I had chang"d my Religion_; and ask"d me, _Whether "twas really true, that I was turn"d_ Papist. I told him, _That I was of the Religion of my Ancestors_. Here I will acknowledge to my shame, that I had not Courage enough to make public Declaration that I was a Catholic. Besides, I hoped in so pressing a Dilemma to get off by a double Entendre; which is a Rule adopted by the Doctors themselves. The double Entendre consisted in that, when I said I was of the Religion of my Ancestors, I meant that which was formerly profess"d by my Grandfather and Great-Grandfather; and indeed all my Ancestors were Catholics. My Grandfather himself was a Catholic once, tho" he embrac"d the new Religion, to swim with the Stream. The King, who concluded from what I said, that I was still a Protestant, did not press me farther upon that Head;, but the Prince of _Anhalt_ was not so easily satisfy"d; for he gave the King to understand that he believ"d the Reports of my having chang"d my Religion, were but too true, and he actually said to his Majesty _That the only way to be sure of the Truth of what I had affirm"d, would be to give me the Sacramental Test in the Church of the_ Dome. The King was also of that Opinion, nevertheless it did not take effect. At our leaving the King, the Prince of _Anhalt_, who, "tis like, wanted to get a real Confession from me, that I had chang"d my Religion, charg"d it home upon my Conscience, and blam"d me very much for not having own"d that I was a Catholic. But as I could not be certain what was the Drift of those Remonstrances, I was so far from declaring my Mind to that n.o.bleman, that I still continu"d in the Negative.