The Suburbs of Dresden are very extensive, but have no Building of consequence, except the Palace in the King's great Garden, built by his Majesty's Mother, and that call'd the Turkish Palace, because it is furnished entirely after the Turkish manner. The King gave an Entertainment at this Palace to the Princess his Daughter-in-law, on account of
her Arrival at Dresden, which was so particular that I think it deserves a Digression.
Upon the Feast-Day, the whole Court appeared at the Turkish Palace, in the Habits of Turks. The King came in the Dress of a Sultan, but without any Attendance. His Majesty was soon after follow'd by the Princess his Daughter-in-law, with her Ladies. Her Royal Highness, for whom the Entertainment was made, found a Body of Janizaries drawn up in the Court-Yard of the Palace. The King receiv'd her at the Entrance of his Apartment, and conducted her into a Hall spread with fine Tapestry, and laid with Cushions richly embroider'd.
The King and Princess being seated, were served by twenty-four Negroes in sumptuous Dresses, with Sherbet, Coffee, and Sweet-Meats, in great Vessels of massy Silver; nor were scented Waters, and perfumed Handkerchiefs forgot. After this Collation, they drew near the Windows to see the Pillau (which is the Rice of Turky) and the King's Bounty-Money distributed to the Janizaries. This was follow'd by a Comedy, with an Entertainment of Turkish Dances. Then came the Supper, the Guests sitting cross-legg'd upon the Cushions, and the Courses being served up after the fashion of Turky, by the Negroes and young Turks. While they were at Table, the Company was diverted by the various Leaps and Postures of certain Tumblers and Rope-Dancers. Supper being over, they went into the Garden, which was illuminated with several Thousands of Crystal Lamps. There was Tilting, and shooting at the Mark, and whenever the Mark was hit, a Sky-Rocket was sent up, which for the time seem'd to sprinkle Thousands of Stars among those in the Firmament. After this, the Company retir'd into the Palace, where the King and the Princess open'd the Ball, and there was dancing till five o'clock in
the Morning, when the Ball was concluded with a sumptuous Breakfast that was serv'd at the several Tables, after the manner of our own Country; which, with the leave of the Mussulmen, is as good as theirs.
The finest Royal Houses, are Pilnitz and Moritzbourg. The King, who is certainly of all Sovereigns the most magnificent, keeps Men continually at work, in embellishing those Places. The Works are carried on by the Direction of Mons. Bot, whom I think to be not inferior to Bernini, and I doubt not, such is my high Idea of him, that as he is supported by the Generosity of a Great King, he will accomplish such Works as are worthy of himself, and of his Master too.
I have now done with the Description of the Palaces and Royal Houses, in which, I own I have been defective, and would gladly have been excus'd from giving it; but you would have it, and I cou'd not help gratifying you. I pass now to something more important; and shall entertain you with the present State of the Royal Family, and the Characters of the most distinguish'd Persons at Court.
Frederic-Augustus II. King of Poland, and Elector of Saxony, is the Chief of this August Family. This Monarch, whom no Man surpasses in Strength and Dexterity, and whom few Princes equal in Generosity, is the second Son of John George III. Elector of Saxony. He succeeded his Brother John George IV. in the Electorate, and was chose King of Poland after the Death of the Great Sobieski, notwithstanding the Intrigues of the Emissaries of France who declared for the Prince of Conti.
When Frederic-Augustus ascended the Throne, he brought all the Virtues to it fitting for a Great King. The Agreeableness of his Person, his Majestic Air, his Heroic Strength, his Good-Nature, his Politeness, and his well-known Valour, were
the least of his Qualities. Never was any Prince more magnificent, nor did any one either give more, or with a better Grace. As a General and a Statesman, he was never too much lifted up by Prosperity, nor shock'd by Adversity; so that he was observed, when in the depth of his Misfortunes, to act and treat even with his Enemies, with that Air of Complaisance and Satisfaction, which Men inur'd to great Affairs know how to assume, in the midst of the cruellest Mortifications. This Prince, in his Youth, travelled to the chief Countries of Europe, and where-ever he came, was admir'd for his Strength, his Air, and Dexterity. Amongst other Adventures, a very odd one befel him in his Travels, at Venice. There happen'd to be in that City a famous Astrologer, who had the Reputation of being well read in the Book of Fate. The King, who was only Prince at that time, had a mind that he should calculate his Nativity, and for that purpose went to the Astrologer's House, accompanied by two Gentlemen. They were all three dress'd in plain Apparel, and the Prince, to disguise himself still the more, had conceal'd his brown Hair under a fair Peruke. He enter'd the last Man, into the Astrologer's House, and seem'd to be rather as an Attendant, than a Companion of the others. But to him the Astrologer first address'd himself, calling him by the Titles of My Lord and Highness. The Prince told him that his Rank in the World was much too mean for such high Compliments; but the Astrologer made answer, he knew very well whom he spoke to, and that it was in vain for him to think of concealing himself from such a Man as he. The Prince and his small Retinue were then conducted by him into a Closet, where he shewed him a Looking-Glass. Cast your Eye on that Mirror, said he to the Prince, and there you will see the principal Events of your Life. The Prince without