and to rest himself after the Fatigues he had undergone in his important Negotiations.
As Count Fleming was honoured with the Orders of Denmark, Russia, and Poland, his Rival too thought he could not do without one Ribbon at least; and thinking the Order of Dannebrock the most proper for him, because it was white, he demanded and obtained it of Frederic IV. the King of Denmark. When he saw himself thus adorn'd, he procured himself to be sent to Vienna. What business he had there, I know not; but he was scarce ever from the Emperor, and in order to be nearer to his Person, he lodged just by the Palace of the Favorita. He often relieved the Cares of the Ministry by making some Entertainment or Ball. He had an admirable Genius for Dancing, so that every body thought him the Inventor of Country-Dances. The Emperor gave him the Title of a Count, with which he returned to his own Court.
When Glory has once fir'd a noble Soul, nothing can keep it within Bounds. The Count de Dehn had lost his first Wife, who left him the Heir of three great Estates; and he married again to an amiable Lady, who return'd him Love for Love. Tho' he was dear to his Master, yet he could not resolve to continue at Wolfembuttle, because he had a Taste for nothing but Treaties and Negotiations. He returned a second time, as Envoy Extraordinary to the States-General, but did not stay long at the Hague; for after having had his publick Audience, wherein he assured their High-Mightinesses of the sincere Affection of his Master for their Republic, and of his own personal Joy to find himself seated in an Arm-Chair in their Assembly, he went over to England to reside at the Court of his Britannic Majesty. He was admired for his Grandeur, as much in England as elsewhere; but the Air of that Country not agreeing with the Delicacy of his Constitution,
he return'd to Germany; and, after having made a tour to the chief Courts of the Empire, he is come back to Wolfembuttle, where he stays in expectation that some great Event or other will turn up, that he may be employ'd in some remarkable Embassy, whereby Europe, attentive to every thing that relates to him, may have fresh Proofs of his great Talents.
The Baron de Hagen is Commander in Chief of the Duke's Troops, which actually amount to above 4000 Men, and 'tis said, that his Highness's Revenues exceed two Millions of Crowns. His Subjects are not the worst used of any in Germany. 'Tis a good fruitful Country; the Peasants, who are sober and laborious, are as clownish and as stupid as those that herd with the Hogs in Westphalia; but they are robust, strong, and good Soldiers.
In Brunswic there is a Catholick Church which is small, but neat. The Duke Anthony-Ulric caus'd it to be built at the time he embraced the Catholick Religion; which he did, after full Conviction, not many Years before his Death.
Saltzdahl, a Pleasure-House belonging to the Duke, is a League from Brunswic, and from Wolfembuttle. It was built by Duke Anthony-Ulric, one of the most magnificent Princes of his Time, and one who had the most elegant Taste. This House is worthy of nice Observation. It has a great Gallery with a Collection of Pictures in it by the chief Painters, which is not to be met with elsewhere. In one great Cabinet there is very fine Porcellane; and in another, a vast number of Vessels and Urns painted by Raphael. In short, the Curious can't want here for Entertainment.
The Road from Brunswic to Wolfembuttle is as pleasant as most Roads. We cross a little Wood through which there are several Routes cut, and as
we come near the Town, several pretty Seats appear in view.
The Town of Wolfembuttle is not half so big as Brunswic, nor is it better built, the Houses being of Timber. The Fortifications seem to me to be in good Repair. The Castle, or Ducal Palace, is ancient, and makes no great Appearance, but 'tis commodious, and has good Lodging-Rooms. That which most deserves the Attention of a Traveller, is the Library, which is one of the best chosen in Europe, and contains very scarce Books and Manuscripts.