You know, Madame, that the Electoral Dignity pass’d to this Family after the Disgrace of Frederic Elector Palatine, King of Bohemia, who having been put under the Ban of the Empire, was turn’d out of the Upper Palatinate, which was given to the Bavarian Family, as a Reward for the Attachment they had shewn to the House of Austria, and for the Expences they were at in the War. At the Treaty of Westphalia this Grant was confirm’d to the Bavarian Family, and the Son of the unfortunate Frederic recover’d his Dignity of Elector, with this Difference, that whereas before he was the first Elector, he was now become the last. The Dukes of Bavaria remain’d in Possession of the Upper Palatinate, and of the Dignity of first Elector. There’s none of ’em all that came up to the Elector Maximilian Emanuel, and never was the Court of Munich so splendid and numerous, as in his Time: The Ceremonial observ’d there is very much the same with that of the Imperial Court.
As to the Amusements of the Court of Bavaria, they pass’d their Time much after this manner: The Elector, who was an early Riser, went to Mass about 10 o’Clock, and afterwards held a Council, if it happen’d to be Council-Day, or otherwise his Electoral Highness play’d at Passage till Dinner-time. Then he return’d to his own Apartment, where he din’d privately, and during that Time, no body was admitted, except the Princes, the Officers in Waiting, and the Chamberlains. The Princes also din’d by themselves, tho’ they often admitted Gentlemen to eat with them. The Electoress, the Princess and the Duchess had also their separate Tables serv’d by the Elector’s Officers, which occasion’d an amazing Expence, as did also the Hunting
Equipages; for the Elector went one Way, the Electoral Prince another, and Duke Ferdinand another, so that there were near 400 Horses running here and there every Day. When they return’d from the Chace, the Princes went and pass’d the Evening with the Duchess, where they found a great Assembly of Ladies; the Elector also went thither sometimes, and play’d at Pharao, or some other Game. Towards Supper-time he retired to his Apartment, where he supp’d with the Ladies. The Princes went and supp’d with the Electoral Prince, and the Duchess supp’d at her own House with the Gentlemen and Ladies.
On the Drawing-Room Days (which were Three Times a Week) Things were order’d otherwise. The Ladies went to the Electoress’s Apartment, or to the Orangery, according to the Place where the Drawing-Room was appointed. When it was kept at the Electoress’s Apartment, the Ladies went thither in the Court Dress, whereas at the Orangery they might appear in a Mantua. The Elector and the Princes were also there: His Electoral Highness convers’d awhile with the Ladies; after which they sat down to Play, and every one chose what Game or Partner they lik’d best. When the Play was over, the Company went into another Room, where there was a great Table well serv’d, at which, after the Elector, the Princes and the Ladies had taken their Places, if there was Room, they admitted Gentlemen to sit down with them, either Foreigners, or even such as were in the Elector’s Service. At this Table no Rank was observ’d, and the very Princes sat down where they could get Places.
When the Court was at Nymphenbourg, the Elector’s Pleasure-house, the Diversions were much the same as at the Orangery, except that they took the Air more; and that the Ladies might enjoy this Pleasure to greater Perfection, there was always a Number of Calashes, each drawn by a Pair of Horses, which carry’d Two Ladies, and was drove by some Gentleman, while One or Two others stood behind them. Those who prefer’d taking the Air by Water, might easily be accommodated, there being for that Purpose upon the Canal Gondolas and Gondoliers after the Venetian manner, which were always ready for Hire.
On Sundays, Holidays and Days of Rejoicing, the Elector din’d in public, with the Princes and Princesses of his Family, during which the Chamberlains waited, and at Night there was a Concert. The Ladies in their Court Dress met in the Apartment of the Electoress or the Duchess, and accompany’d those Princesses to the Opera, after which they return’d to the same Apartment; where, till Supper-time, they play’d; upon those Days the Ladies din’d with the Elector: Sometimes too, they carry’d Services for Three or Four Persons, and laid them upon the Gaming Tables, which was very convenient for those who were not willing to separate Company: After Supper there was commonly a Ball.
During the Summer, the Elector never fail’d to repair every Thursday Evening to the Orangery, to hold a Drawing-Room, after which he went and lay at Nymphenbourg, from whence he return’d upon Saturdays, to hold Councils on Sundays in the Morning; and in the Afternoon he went to some Pleasure-house.