N. B. What follows, is a more particular Account of the Electoral Family of Saxony, translated from the Baron's State of it; which is prefix'd to the second Edition of these Memoirs.
Augustus III. King of Poland Great Duke of Lithuania and Elector of Saxony, was born the seventh of October 1696. He is the only Son of Augustus II. the last King of Poland and of Eberhardina of Brandenbourg-Bareith. His Grandmother, Anne
Princess Royal of Denmark, Widow of John George the third Elector of Saxony, took care of him in his Infancy, and impress'd him with those Sentiments of Piety, Humanity, and Justice, which render him at this day the Darling of his People, and the Pattern of Kings.
At a proper Age, the King his Father took him out of the hands of the Women, and committed him to the Care of Monsieur de Miltitz, a Gentleman of a good Family; whom Learning, good Behaviour and solid Virtue render'd worthy of such an Employment.
The Prince, who always found Charms in Virtue, was sensible of the Merit of his Governor: He lov'd him, was inseparable from him, and receiv'd his Advice with a Docility, which, at his tender Age, was a presage he wou'd be possess'd of that Fund of Wisdom which now renders him worthy of his Throne.
While the young Prince was under the Conduct of the Women, God was pleas'd to touch the Heart of the late King his Father: That Monarch, who happen'd to be born a Lutheran, was converted to the Roman Catholick Religion, and not long after elected King of Poland; and his Majesty being convinc'd of the Purity of the Religion which he had embrac'd, was inclin'd to make a Convert also of the Prince his Son. Nevertheless, such was the Respect the King had for her Royal Highness his Mother, that he was loth that august Princess shou'd be an Eye-witness of the young Prince's renouncing a Religion which she had taught him, and to which she was strenuously attach'd: He resolv'd therefore to remove him, and sent him to Francfort to be present at the Coronation of the Emperor Charles VI. His Companion in this Journey, was M. de Miltitz; but as this Gentleman's Attachment to Luther's Doctrine made the King apprehensive that he wou'd thwart his Views, he
recall'd him, and appointed the Count de Costa, and the Baron de Hagen, to be his Son's Governors.
The Count who was a Polander and Palatine of Livonia, was not only of noble Birth, but a Gentleman of solid Piety, profound Learning, great Probity, and as much respected for his Principles as belov'd for his good Behaviour and Politeness.
The Baron de Hagen was of a Family of some Distinction in the Electorate of Triers: He was Ambassador from the King at the Emperor's Election, and at his Coronation at Francfort: His Behaviour was more grave than the Count de Costa's, but he was not inferior to the Count for Learning, Integrity, and good Sense.
Under the Conduct of these two Gentlemen, the Prince set out to visit a part of Germany and Italy, where he embrac'd the Roman Catholick Religion; his Profession of which, was however for a long time as private as it is now exemplary; for he did not declare his alteration of Religion 'till after the Death of her most Serene Highness his Grandmother, who died the first of July 1717. During this the Prince made the Tour of France, where, tho' he travell'd under the Name of the Count de Misnia, Lewis XIV. caus'd all the Honours to be paid to him which were due to the Son of a great King.