Thus, Sir, you have all that I can say to you relating to Dresden and Saxony. 'Tis now high time to put an end to my Legend. I kiss your hand, and am, &c.
LETTER VI.
SIR,Weimar, Sept. 5, 1729.
Before I write you an account of what became of me when I left Dresden, I shall endeavour to give you the Intelligence you desire concerning the late Count de Flemming, Prime Minister and Velt-Marshal of Saxony. That Nobleman was of a good Extraction, being descended of a Family which pretends to derive its Origin from that of Flemming, which has been of considerable Rank for a long time in Scotland, Sweden, Germany, and Poland. My Lord Wigtoun is the Chief of that Family in Scotland.
James-Henry Count de Flemming, whose Pourtraiture and Character you desire of me, was born the 8th of March 1667. His Father was President of the Regency of Stargard, the Capital of Prussian Pomerania, who had three Sons, of whom this Count was the second. He had an Education suitable to his Birth. He study'd first at Francfort upon the Oder, and afterwards at Utrecht under the celebrated Grevius, where he learnt Latin to such a degree that he always spoke it with very great Eloquence. After he had finish'd his Studies he enter'd into the Service of Brandenbourg, where the Baron de Span, his Uncle by the Mother's side, was Velt-Marshal. His first Preferment was to a Pair of Colours; but in a little time he had a Company given him, which he commanded at the Battle of Orbassan in Piedmont. In 1694, he enter'd as a