The Baron d'Ilgen First Minister of State, was born of an obscure Family in Westphalia. After he had finished his Studies, he commenc'd Secretary to M. de Meinders, Minister of State to the Elector Frederic-William, and to King Frederic I. His Discretion and his Industry soon procur'd him the Favour of his Master, who put him Governour over his Nephew the Baron de Heidekam. M. d'Ilgen travell'd with the young Baron to Holland, England, and France, in which Tour they spent two Years. At his Return to Berlin, M. de Meinders enter'd him in Business, and the Elector Frederic-William dying not long after, he procur'd him the Office of Secretary to the new Elector. In this Employment he behav'd with such Circumspection that he is still continued in it, notwithstanding the many Changes that have happen'd in the Ministry. The Baron de Fuchs one of the most able Ministers that ever Germany produc'd, being charm'd with his Genius, gave him such a Recommendation to the late King, that he preferr'd him to a Seat in the Council, where Ilgen soon found out the way to make himself necessary. The
Count de Wartemberg, whose Abilities were not so great but he stood in need of a Second, being then at the Head of the Council, consulted in all matters with M. d'Ilgen, who, after the Count de Wartemberg retired, had the Province of Foreign Affairs committed to him solely, and has kept it ever since.
M. d'Ilgen has both Gaiety and Solidity in his Temper, a lively, fruitful Imagination, and most pleasing Aspect. He is extremely sober, and an excellent Œconomist, being as great an Enemy to Pleasure, as he is a Friend to Riches. He is humble sometimes, even to excess; revengeful, crafty; a Master of his Temper, his Countenance, his Tongue, and his Eyes, which he accommodates altogether to the Situation of his Affairs. As by his Parts he raised himself, so by his Parts he supports himself. He is the sole Repositary of his own Secrets, having no Confident nor Favourite to share them. He is so indefatigable, that he composes and writes all himself, keeping his Secretaries only to copy. In short, he works like a Day-labourer, and makes the Ministry, as it were, a Handicraft. He speaks well, but writes better; he affects double Entendres in his Answers, and artfully has recourse, when he needs it, to an ambiguous Expression. He has so little scruple, in point of Oaths, that he takes and breaks them with equal Indifference. He never made himself a Creature, but always removed and humbled those that ever gave him any Umbrage. That which heightens his Character, and proves his Genius, is, that he has supported himself a long time, without Kindred, Friends, or Creatures, and perhaps without being too much honoured by the Favour of his Master[16].
M. de Grumkau Minister of State, Lieutenant-General of the King's Forces, Colonel of a Regiment of Foot, and Knight of the Orders of St. Andrew of Muscovy, and of the White Eagle of Poland, is descended of an illustrious Family in Pomerania. His Father was Grand Marshal of the Elector Frederic-William, and died in that Post, at the beginning of the late King's Reign. M. de Grumkau being left a Minor, was sent very young to France, to learn his Exercises, where he acquitted himself with Diligence, and the Approbation of his Superiors. At his return to Berlin, Frederic I. appointed him Gentleman of his Bed-chamber, and gave him a Company of Foot. Soon after which, he married Madamoiselle de la Chevallerie, who was Maid of Honour to the Queen Sophia-Charlotte. It was not long before he was advanced; and during the last War he served as a Brigadier in the Army in the Netherlands. At the same time he had the Care of the King's Affairs with my Lord Duke of Marlborough, and Prince Eugene of Savoy. His manner of
Behaviour shew'd that he was fit to be employ'd in great Affairs: but the Count Wartemberg, the Favourite, and Prime Minister, being jealous of his Genius, kept him as much as he could out of any Share in Authority, and chose rather to prefer him by War, than to employ him in the Ministry. The Favourites (Messieurs de Camke) who succeeded Wartemberg, perceiving M. de Grumkau's superior Abilities, were not more favourable to him than the Count was. He was preferr'd to be a Major-General at one of the last Promotions that was made by the late King; and Frederic-William, on his Accession to the Throne, made him Lieutenant-General, and Minister of State.
M. de Grumkau is good-natur'd, civil, and affable. He has the Manners and Sentiments of a Man of Quality, as he really is; he is generous, liberal, loves Splendor and Pleasures, but is not so much addicted to them as to neglect the Affairs of the Ministry. He is laborious, has a clear and quick Apprehension; a pleasant, lively, and penetrating Fancy; and is no Enemy to Satyr, when it does not attack his Neighbour's Reputation. As he is of a beneficent Temper, he has Friends, and makes himself Creatures. Of all the Ministers, he speaks to the King with the greatest Freedom; and I believe one may safely venture to put him in the Rank of Favourites.
The Baron de Kniphausen[17], Minister of State, and Commander of the Order of St. John, is descended of an illustrious Family in East-Friesland. In the late King's time, his Father was President of the Chamber, which is properly, Superintendant of the Finances. No Minister has been employed in more Embassies. He was the King's Resident in Spain, with Charles III. the present Emperor; he
was the same in Denmark, Muscovy, and France; and every where supported the Dignity of his Master, and the Honour of his Character. So many Embassies had very much disconcerted his Affairs; and talking to me one day at Paris about his Lady, who was the Daughter of M. d'Ilgen, 'I know, said he, that her Rank is not equal to mine, and that I may be reproach'd for having married her; but I can return the same Answer which they report of the Count de Lude (Governor to Gaston of France, Lewis XIIIth's Brother) who, when he was ruin'd like me, married a Tradesman's Daughter; Could I do better, said he, when I was persecuted Day and Night by my Creditors, than to take Refuge in a Shop, rather than be carried to an Alms-House?'