is at the lower end of the Table, which is served with very great Magnificence and Elegance. When there are too many Guests to sit at one Table, the two Brothers keep each a separate Table at his own Palace. At Night, the Company repairs to the German Opera, which being ended, they pass into Rooms joining to the Theatre where they play, and sup, and then dance. The Ball is open'd by the Gentleman who happened to draw the first Number in the Morning, and continues till Day-break.
The Ducal Family of Brunswic-Wolfembuttle consists now but of two Brothers; the eldest of whom, the Duke[37] Augustus-William, has had three Wives, but no Issue. He is married to a Princess of Holstein-Norbourg.
These two Princes are so far advanced in Years, that the Duke Ferdinand-Albert of Brunswic-Lunenbourg-Bevern, Son-in-law to the Duke of Blanckenbourg[38], is looked upon as their presumptive Heir. Europe produces few Princes of more distinguished Merit, who have equal Knowledge, more Learning, and Integrity, or more Valour and Experience in War. He has acquired a noble Reputation in Hungary; and he is not only a Brother-in-law to the Emperor, but one of his favourite Generals, and has a Regiment in his Service[39].
His Family consists of four Sons and three Daughters[40] by his Wife Antonietta-Amelia of Brunswic-Blanckenbourg. These are very hopeful young Princes. The eldest, whose Name is Charles[41], is of a lovely Make, and has Sense infinitely beyond his Years. The eldest Princess, Elizabeth-Christina[42], at twelve Years of Age may pass for one that is compleatly grown; her Air is noble and modest; her Features regular; in a word, she is form'd to make that Prince happy who is one day to be her Husband.
The Court of Wolfembuttle is numerous, and when assembled does not want for Magnificence.
The Ministers of most Power are the Baron Stein[43], and the Count de Debn[44]. The former
is descended of an illustrious Family in Swabia: He was in the Service of the Landgrave of Darmstadt, and his Envoy at the Dyet of Ratisbon, and several Courts, where he made himself considerable by his Eloquence, the Justness of his Sentiments, by the Ease with which he expresses them, and by his Politeness.
The Count de Dehn is a Native of Mecklemburg, where he was born of a good Family, and enter'd very young a Page to Duke Anthony-Ulric of Brunswic-Wolfembuttle. He had the Happiness to please that Prince, but much more his Successor, the Duke Augustus-William, who of his Page, made him his Favourite and Minister, heaped Wealth and Honours upon him, and match'd him to the Daughter of his Chancellor, who was one of the richest Heiresses in all Germany.
The young Minister finding himself rich and powerful, quickly thought the Court of Wolfembuttle too narrow a Stage for Action. He had chose the Count de Fleming, Prime Minister of the King of Poland, for a Model. He saw that this Minister, under pretence of important Negotiations, went to the chief Courts of the Empire to make a Parade of his Riches; and young Dehn long'd with Impatience to imitate him. He procur'd himself to be nominated the Duke's Envoy Extraordinary to Holland and France, where he vy'd in every respect with the Ambassadors of the chief Crowns. In fine, after having staid about eighteen Months at Paris, he went away very much lamented by the Merchants and Workmen with whom he had dealings. He came to Wolfembuttle to receive the Applauses of his Master,