The Memoirs of Charles-Lewis, Baron de Pollnitz, Volume I / Being the Observations He Made in His Late Travels from Prussia thro' Germany, Italy, France, Flanders, Holland, England, &C. in Letters to His Friend. Discovering Not Only the Present State of the Chief Cities and Towns; but the Characters of the Principal Persons at the Several Courts.

by Freiherr von Karl Ludwig Pöllnitz

The Elector has a very large Houshold, and a number of great Officers. I'll mention some of them to you.

The Count Maximilian de Torring-Seefeldt is Steward of the Elector's Houshold, a Minister of State, and Knight of the Golden Fleece. This Nobleman who is advanc'd in Years, is good-natur'd and civil, speaks little, is naturally grave, not fond of Pomp, and lives retir'd in the middle of a Court, but when he makes any Entertainment does it with Grandeur. He never once abandon'd the Elector Maximilian-Emanuel his former Master, but follow'd him in his Fortunes both good and bad.

The Count Sigismond de Thirheim is Great Chamberlain, a Minister of State, and Grand Croix of the Order of St. George. He is very tall, and tho' his Air is not the most affable, he is courteous and civil. He lives very nobly, and does the Honours of the Court very handsomely; consequently he is generally beloved and esteem'd. He was Governor of the Elector, who, contrary to most Princes that are not apt to retain an Esteem for those who once had the Care of their Education, gives great Proofs of his Regard for the Count de Thirheim.

The Count Maximilian de Fugger is Grand Marshal[114]. As he does not live at Munich, I have nothing particular to tell you of him.

The Count Maximilian de Preysing Master of the Horse, President of the Chamber of Finances, a Minister of State, and Grand Croix of the Order of St. George, is a very polite Nobleman, but serious and grave to the last degree. 'Tis difficult for any Man to be more attach'd to his Religion, to have more Candor, and to be more upright than this Minister. His Probity has brought Envy upon him, but it has procur'd him the Elector's intire Confidence, of which however the Count makes no farther Advantage than is requisite for his Master's Business. He is accus'd of being close-fisted, and of dissuading the Elector from giving Gratuities; but 'tis agreed that he is very charitable to the Poor. 'Tis a hard matter for a Minister who has the Direction of the Finances to please every body, and he is commonly the Butt of public Censure.

The Count de Rechberg Great Huntsman[115], Minister of State, President of the Council of War, Lieutenant-General, and Grand Croix of the Order of St. George, is Commander in Chief of the Elector's

Forces: He accompany'd the late Elector to France where he acquir'd the Reputation of an experienc'd skilful General.

Ignatius-Joseph Count de Torring is a Minister of State, Grand Master of the Artillery, and a Grand Croix of St. George. He followed the late Elector into France, and after that Prince was restor'd he went as Minister Plenipotentiary to the Imperial Court, where he negotiated the Marriage of the present Elector with the Archduchess, youngest Daughter to the late Emperor Joseph.

I cou'd tell you of many other Persons of Distinction at the Court of Bavaria, only I fear that being too particular wou'd tire your Patience. The Ministers who bear the greatest Sway are the Counts Maximilian de Preysing and de Torring, and M. d'Unertel. The first is Director of the Finances; the second has the Province of Foreign Affairs; and the third takes care of Affairs Domestic and Military. These three Ministers are the Arbiters of Bavaria, and to them the Tribunals of the several Provinces must apply.