M. de Kniphausen has a wonderful natural Genius, and would have every Talent requisite for a Minister, if he was not quite so averse to Labour; but being as lazy as his Father-in-Law is laborious, Affairs suffer in his hands by delay. Not but that he knows how to dispatch them, if he will, for nobody is more lively nor more vigilant than he, when he sets his heart upon a thing; but he is naturally indolent, being fond of his Ease and good Cheer.
The Baron de Gohren, who is Director of the Chamber of Finances, and of the Post-Office, is a Man of a good Family in the Marquisate of Brandenburg. He has not been many years in the Ministry, but has the Reputation of an upright Man, and one not to be corrupted. He is very reserved, and a Person of few Words, which gives him an Air that those who are not conversant with him mistake for Haughtiness.
M. de Creutz has a happy Physiognomy, being a mixture of hard Features with mild ones, that carry an Air of Probity and Frankness, which of all external Appearances is undoubtedly the most
advantageous. He is polite, and magnificent; has an extraordinary Vivacity, an admirable Facility of expressing himself, and an easy, affable, and genteel Behaviour. He never promises but when he means to perform, and his Word may be safely depended on. I always found him very sincere, and I cannot help saying, I love him. Frederic-William called him to his Councils, he having been his Secretary when he was Prince Royal. His Assiduity and Punctuality in performing the Duties of his Office, had procured him the King's Affection to such a degree that his Majesty continues to honour him with his Good-will, and gives heed to his Representations[18].
M. de Creutz is one of the richest Subjects in the Country, having had a very great Estate by his Wife: She has also brought him a Daughter, an only Child, who is said to have a great deal of Wit; and being a rich Heiress into the bargain, she will not fail of Suitors.
M. de Vierec is a Man of Quality, and a Native of Mecklemburg; his Father was Counsellor of State to the late King, and his Envoy Extraordinary in Denmark. The Son, of whom I am now writing, quitted the Service of Duke Anthony-Ulric of Brunswic-Wolfembuttle, to be a Gentleman of the late King's Bed-chamber. When he came to Court, he had no Relations there, but he was so happy as to raise himself Friends; for his modest Air, and his polite and submissive Deportment, gain'd him the Good-will of the Favourites; and as he lov'd Play, he soon made himself acquainted with the
Court-Ladies, who always gave him their good Word.
In 1711, when the Count de Dohna went as the King's Ambassador to Francfort, for the Election of an Emperor, he desir'd of the King that M. de Vierec, who was reckon'd the most sober young Man at Court, might be Marshal of the Embassy, which was perform'd at the King's Expence. M. de Vierec acquitted himself so well in that Employment, that he had the same Post at the Congress of Utrecht. He had afterwards, for a while, the Care of the King's Affairs at the Court of France, when the Duke of Orleans was Regent; and at his Return from thence, he was employed in the Regency of Cleves; from whence he was called home to better Preferment, by means of Gerstorf, whose Daughter he had married. For this General's only Son being killed in Sicily, his Majesty, in order to comfort the Father, whom he lov'd, and who he saw took it very much to heart, declared M. de Vierec his Son-in-Law, Minister of State. M. de Gerstorf's Daughter dying afterwards, M. de Vierec thereby came possessed of a very great Estate, and married again to the Daughter of the Count de Finck, who was formerly the Prince Royal's Governor.
M. de Vierec is perfectly polite, and altogether as modest now as he was before he was a Minister; but he is close and reserv'd, mysterious more than needs must, and jealous. His Circumspection, which extends to the minutest things, gave him the Air of a Minister, before he had a thought, perhaps, of ever being one. What with his Kindred, his Estate, and his Preferment, he is become powerful at Court.
These, Sir, are the Persons of the greatest Consequence at the Court of Prussia, with whom I had a particular Acquaintance. I am not so vain as to think I have painted them in their true Colours;