and made him a Knight of his Order. This Minister is endow'd with all the Talents that can be desir'd in a Man who has an Employment. He has an agreeable Aspect, engaging Manners, a just Discernment, a quick Apprehension, and a very even Temper. But his frequent Ailments disabling him from the Exercise of his Talents, he desir'd, and obtain'd leave to retire to his Estate in Savoy; and the late King, who had always a great and noble Soul, being desirous that he shou'd be a Witness of his Goodness and Royal Magnificence, secur'd the Enjoyment of his Pensions to him; which the present King has also been pleased to confirm.
Another of the Cabinet Ministers, who was also formerly Prime Minister to the late King of Poland, was the Count de Hoym, descended from one of the principal Families in Saxony, and Brother to the Gentleman that married Madame de Cosel. I knew him intimately before he was advanced to the Ministry, at Paris, and at Vienna, as well as here at Dresden. You must have seen him in Silesia, where he has a very fine Estate. There is not a Minister at this Court more civil, more learned, or a better Friend to learned Men. During his long Residence at Paris as Ambassador from the King of Poland, his House was open to all Men of Learning as it is now at Dresden; and he had the splendid Title given him of the Mecænas of Saxony[69].
They who are actually Privy Counsellors, or Ministers of State here, are eight in number. They are descended from some of the best Families in Saxony, and profess the Protestant Religion. The Detail of their Characters, their Experience, and their Merit, wou'd oblige me to transgress the Limits of this Work, were I only to treat of those who are bound by their Employments to attend the King's Person, and who compose his Majesty's Houshold. But for the Reputation of the Privy Council, 'tis proper just to observe that all its Members are Subjects who do Honour to the King's Choice; that they are vigilant for promoting
the Good of the Public, and that in their Deliberations they manifest their Zeal for the King, and their Affection to their Country.
The President of this Council, is Alexander de Miltitz de Scharffenberg, who is a Native of Saxony, the same that was the King's Governour; of whom so much has been already said, that I avoid to make any more particular mention of him here.
Two of the Privy Counsellors are Counsellors of the Conferences, which are held in presence of his Majesty, viz. Gotlob-Frederic Baron de Gersdorff, and Bernard Baron de Zech. The former comes from an ancient Family of Distinction, which
has given several great Men to this State. The latter has acquitted himself with Success in the several Negociations wherein he has been employ'd. They are both laborious, vigilant, upright Men, and of great Experience in Business.
The King's Great Officers are,
I. The Grand Marshal; which Office is now held by Waldemar, Baron de Lowendahl, who has under him