Of all the great and wealthy Families, those of Lobkowitz, Kinski, Schlick, Collobradt, and Martinitz are the only ones that make a Figure at the Imperial Court. 'Tis true there are several other Noblemen at Vienna who have Lands in Bohemia, but then their Families are not originally descended from that Kingdom.
The Kinski's Family is actually the most splendid at Court. There are five Brothers of it in Employments. The eldest is the Great Chancellor of Bohemia[90]. The second who is call'd Count Stephen, is Great Marshal of Bohemia, a Minister of State, and the Emperor's Ambassador at the Court of France[91]. The third, Count Philip, is the Emperor's
Minister Plenipotentiary to Great Britain; and the two youngest are in the Army, where one of them is a Lieutenant-Colonel. Count Philip was sent Ambassador when but twenty nine Years old. He has demonstrated by his Conduct that Wisdom does not always stay for Age, and that he is the worthy Son of one of the greatest Ministers that[92] the Emperors Leopold and Joseph ever had. The City of Prague is a very great Loser by his Absence, for he liv'd there with Splendor, and his House was always open, particularly to Foreigners. For my own part I receiv'd such Civilities there as I shall never forget.
As I have told you that the Nobility of Bohemia are the richest in the Empire, I must also acquaint you that the Peasants there are miserable to the last degree; their Persons, and all they have, are at the Command of their Lord. The poor Wretches have often not a Bit of Bread to eat, in a Country which is one of the most plentiful in Europe for all sorts of Provisions. They dare not go from one Village to another to work, nor learn a Handicraft without their Lord's Consent. So much Subjection keeps the poor Creatures always trembling and humble, so that if you do but speak to 'em they are ready to lick the Dust off your Feet. The Severity with which these People are us'd is really terrible, but 'tis as true on the other hand, that gentle Usage has no Effect upon 'em; for they are excessively lazy and stubborn, and being moreover us'd to harsh Treatment from Generation to Generation, Blows scarce terrify them, tho' tis the only way to make 'em good for any thing.
The Bohemians have a great many Talents for Music, so that there's no Village, be it ever so small, but the Mass is sung in Concert, and they are very happy at winding the Hunters Horn.
'Tis certain that this Kingdom is one of the best Countries in the Emperor's possession, and next to Hungary, brings him in most Money.
Bohemia is a Country of States, whom the Emperor as King of it, summons every Year to the City of Prague. They consist of the Clergy, Nobility, Gentry, and Towns. The Assembly is open'd by a Commissioner of the Emperor's Nomination, who lays before them his Imperial Majesty's Demands. The States, such is their Submission and Zeal, grant the full Demand which is commonly a very great Sum; yet for all this, the Bohemians wou'd not complain of Taxes if the Emperor resided among them, but they are sorry to see their Country exhausted to enrich the Austrians to whom they have a natural Aversion, and the Austrians as heartily hate the Bohemians.
I own to you I shall be sorry to leave Prague. I take the Bohemians to be the best People upon Earth, and Prague to be one of those Towns of the Empire where a Gentleman may have most choice of Company. The Ladies here are very amiable. Gaming, which may be call'd the universal Pleasure, is carry'd as high here as they please in Houses of the Quality, where Assemblies of both Sexes are held every Night, with good Cheer, particularly Pheasants and Ortolans in plenty; and upon Fish-Days, there are Trouts, Salmon, and Cray-Fish; and that there may be nothing wanting, Bohemia likewise furnishes good Wine. At the Estate of the young Count Tschernin at Melneg, there is a red sort not inferior to Burgundy. Of all these good Things many partake together, and for my part I own I am taken more with this
Pleasure than any other, because we make it last as long as we will, and then 'tis suited to all Ages.