of State receives its Orders immediately from the King; and they are counter-signed either by the Count de Bothmar, or by M. de Hattorf, the two German Ministers that attend his Majesty's Person.
The Count de Bothmar[32] is an old Gentleman, who for a long time resided in quality of the Elector's Envoy at the Court of England, where, by his prudent Management for his Master, he cherished the most incontestable Right that a Prince can possibly have to a Crown; I mean, the Voice of the People.
M. de Hattorf is not only the Minister's Son, but has been his Co-adjutor, for they had both the War-Office in their Province; for which reason they were called Louvois and Barbesieux, a Comparison which does no Dishonour either to the one or to the other: for if the two Hattorfs have not made such a Blaze in the World, 'tis because they had not a Lewis XIV. for their Master, for they were not inferior to the French Ministers in Capacity, and Application to Business, and had not their Pride and Arrogance.
M. de Munchausen is one of those Ministers of State who bears the most Sway. He is of a Temper beneficent, mild, civil, very candid, sober, and religious. He lives with Dignity, and his House is as open to Foreigners as any in the City.
The Marshal Baron de Bulau, is Commander in chief of the Forces[33]. He has no manner of Dependance
on the Council of State, and receives his Orders immediately from the King, by M. de Hattorf the Secretary at War. The Promotion which the King makes of Officers is by the Recommendation of M. de Bulau; and such as would enter into the Service must make their Application to him. He serv'd with Distinction in the Netherlands, under my Lord Duke of Marlborough. He has actually under his Command 18000 Men, which is the Complement of the King of Great Britain's Forces, as Elector. His Majesty indeed, keeps in pay 12000 Hessians,[34] and 4000 Men of the Troops of Wolfenbuttle. 'Tis true, those Forces are paid by England, but to me it seems they are only to defend the King's Dominions in Germany.
Tho' the Sovereign is absent, yet here are not wanting Amusements; there being many good Families, and a number of amiable Persons.
The lovely Countess of Delitz, Niece to the Dutchess of Kendal, cou'd not fail of Adorers, even in the most barbarous Countries; for the Charms of her Mind are not inferior to the Beauty, Sweetness, and Gracefulness of her Person.
No Lady can have a better Temper or Behaviour than the Baroness de Bulau, Daughter-in-law to the Marshal, and Daughter to the late Countess of Platen: her Husband is a worthy Gentleman, and keeps a very good House.
The Count de Platen, hereditary Post-Master-General, is one of the richest Subjects in the Electorate, and one that spends the most Money. A Foreigner will always have cause to speak well of M. de Rheden, Captain of the Castle, and M. de Wagenheim, the great Cup-Bearer. Messieurs d'Ilten