Throughout all the King's Dominions there were the like Demonstrations of Joy, and the Coronation-day was celebrated every where like a Sunday. The King and Queen spent the whole Carnival at Konigsberg, where they receiv'd the Count de Tobianski the Great Cup-bearer of Poland, who came as Ambassador from the King his Master, to congratulate their Majesties on their Coronation. It must be observed in the mean time, that the Republic of Poland never recogniz'd the King of Prussia's Royalty, tho' two of its Kings, viz. the Elector of Saxony, and King Stanislaus four years after recogniz'd him by their Ambassadors.
The departure of the Court for Berlin was fix'd for the eighth of March. As the King had not yet made his entry at Konigsberg, the Citizens entreated him to permit them to accompany him as far as the limits of their Territory, which was granted them. Then several triumphal Arches were erected, all the Streets were hung with Tapestry, and the King set out from Konigsberg attended by all the City Companies. His Majesty rode on horseback, supported by two Equerries on foot. His Clothes were of Crimson-Velvet lin'd with Ermin and embroider'd with Gold, and the Buttons were of Diamonds. He had on his Hat a Loop and a Hat-band
of Diamonds. His Horse was most richly accouter'd: The Bit, Stirrups, and all the Ornaments of the Bridle, were of massy Gold; the Housing of Crimson-Velvet, all cover'd with Gold Embroidery and Diamonds. The Queen's Coach was also of extraordinary Magnificence. Her Majesty sate in it accompanied only by the Duchess of Courland, who sate over-against her.
In short, they went out of Konigsberg with all the Pomp and Apparatus that us'd to attend Public Entrys. When their Majesties were got a quarter of a League out of the Town, they alighted and went into their Travelling-Coaches, and there they received the last Compliments which were paid by the Echevins bare-headed and kneeling. Then the King and Queen return'd into the City through another Gate, and staid in their Palace till next day that they set out for Berlin.
The Court was oblig'd to go by the way of Dantzic, because of the sudden Thaw of the Weissel, which render'd it impassable. The Magistrates of Dantzic immediately sent out Deputies to their Majesties, to intreat them to permit their City to make a public Entry for them; but the King thank'd them, and was not willing they should be at any expence. Nevertheless at the Entrance of the Territory of Dantzic two Burgo-Masters, four Counsellors, and the Syndic of the Town, at the head of the Youth on horseback, went and paid their Majesties a Compliment. He that spoke was the chief Burgo-Master, who pray'd their Majesties to suffer the City to defray their Expences, while they stay'd in their Territory. The King and Queen alighted at a House erected on purpose for their Reception, which
was of Wood, and represented the Temple of Glory. There their Majesties found a magnificent Collation and a very fine Concert of Music. In other Rooms several Tables were set up for the Gentlemen of his Retinue. The King and Queen having spent the Night there, pass'd thro' Dantzic next day, and went over the Weissel, which at that part of it was still frozen. Yet as there was cause to apprehend that it was not froze hard enough to be pass'd with safety, the Magistrates, to prevent any Accident, had cover'd the Ice with Straw, Beams and Planks; and twenty-four young Men and as many Lasses, dressed like Sailors in Jackets of Velvet and Sattin, assisted the King and Queen in their passage; during which, the Girls presented them with Fish, Fruit, Sweet-Meats and Flowers, and the young Sailors play'd to them on several Instruments of Music. When their Majesties had passed the River, they dismiss'd the Deputies of the City, and made them each a Present of a Gold Chain and Medal, on which were their Effigies. On the seventeenth of March the King arriv'd at Potzdam[3], and the Queen at Lutzelbourg. The King who had a Design to make a solemn Entry at Berlin, stay'd at Potzdam till the sixth of May, to give time for making the necessary Preparations to receive him, and for the finishing one of the Fronts of his Palace, which he wish'd might be compleated by that day.
Towards the latter end of April the King set out from Potzdam for Schonhausen, where the Queen met him some days after, and there their Majesties prepared to make their Entry into Berlin.
This Ceremony was perform'd with all the Pomp and Magnificence possible. The City had caus'd seven Triumphal Arches to be erected; the Description of one of those Arches may suffice to give an Idea of the Taste of our Court for Entertainments of this kind. This Arch, which was at the Bars entring the Suburb, seem'd to have been built by Gardeners. It was one entire Green-house with Pillars and Pilasters, adorn'd with Flowers. Pomona and Flora were seen to support the Pictures of the King and Queen. The Spring, attended by the Zephyrs, presented them with Fruits and Flowers, and a Row of Orange-Trees and Laurels in gilded Boxes lin'd the Way from that Arch to St. George's Gate, which has ever since that Day been call'd the Royal Gate, because their Majesties enter'd thro' it into the Town.
Next day after their Entry the Deputies of the Provinces presented the King with Free Gifts on his joyful Arrival, and the Margrave Philip Grand Master of the Artillery, caus'd a Fire-work to be play'd off, which represented the King's Return to Berlin, by that of Jason, after the Conquest of the Golden Fleece.