Here we have a continual round of pleasures and entertainments. However short the meeting at Pilnitz might be, yet there was a variety of the most brilliant fêtes. Fireworks, illuminations, balls, an Italian opera buffa, in rapid succession, and I enjoyed it indeed. Leopold is gone to Prague to be crowned King of Bohemia; the King will stay one day longer. I have not been able to converse above twice with him; he was continually beset by the French emigrants, and the brother of the King of France. The campaign is resolved on, and we are allied with Austria. If the French do not chuse to let us have our way, our plan is to march strait to Paris, and to assist the Emperor to conquer Alsace and Lorrain. As an equivalent the King is to have Dantzic, Thorn, and a great part of Poland. All this, do you see, dear A——lang, has been but a stroke of the pen.
In eight days, at farthest, we are at Paris, and attend at the King’s grand opera. Verdun has not cost us a single man, and I am here these eight days. Voilà la maitresse declarée du Roi de P—e, say the French, as they survey me with a glance from top to toe. But let me reach Paris, dear A——lang, and you shall hear of me. Have you heard the news, that by my management the K—g has ordered lodgings for Dufour in the fortress of Magdeburg? That infamous rascal wrote from this place to his friends at Berlin. That vulgar gang would beset the K—g without intermission, and follow him even to France. Fine encomiums on the Prussian arms, indeed! It luckily happened, that the letter fell into my hands; I communicated it to the K—g at a favorable moment, and he sent him to Magdeburg. There he may continue his remarks on my journey to France as long as he shall think proper. I am glad to be rid, at last, of that cursed sneaking rascal.
We retreat as fast as we can; for our fine project of penetrating to Paris through Champagne has altogether miscarried. Dumourier has had an interview with the Prince and Count K—uth, after which our retreat was immediately resolved on. I travel through Limburg and Treves strait to Frankfort, and there wait for further news from you. I have again sent half a million of dollars, in Frederic-d’ors, to my agent in London, and expect a fresh cargo from Berlin. I am, upon the whole, well pleased with the English; they are a charming nation.
I am extremely concerned at what you tell me about the disturbances which have taken place at Breslau on account of the Privy Counseller Werner, for you know how much we stand indebted to him. The deputies from Breslau have been introduced to the K—g here at Franckfort. His M——y has very graciously received them, and personally attended at the report which they made of the whole transaction. He is extremely displeased with Werner, and mean while has suspended him from his office. Pray, dear A—lang, see what you can do in poor Werner’s behalf; he has an amazing number of enemies. As often as I take an opportunity to speak of him to the K—g, his answer always is, “Do not intercede for that fellow, he is a downright wretch.” I am told, that the accounts received from South Prussia will have great influence upon the speedy return of the K—g. Rietz has received letters from Werner and I——ger, besides two addresses to the K—g, which he will tender him this day; they may, perhaps, produce some good effect, for he is in a good humour.
Get my palace ready, for I shall set off for Berlin before the K—g. He goes to South Prussia, and returns to Berlin by the way of Silesia; L—sini and B—werder are his only attendants. There must have arrived very important dispatches from Petersburg, for the cabinet is busy without interruption. The K—g has this day signified, both to the army and the different foreign ministers who are present at head-quarters, that he means to leave the army on the Rhine, and to repair to South Prussia. The Prince of Nassau has already waited on me several times, and yesterday made me a present of a magnificent cloke, of the most exquisite Russian fur.
A series of letters follow, very little interesting; such as thoughts on the journey to Pisa, of the usual cast; a project for marrying the Countess of the Mark, her daughter; letters to du Bosk, Bauman, Wollner, Amelang, Schmidts, Rietz, Guldling, Granfort, &c.; forged cabinet-papers, cypher-writing, and chemical receipts; some Italian directions to use the aqua toffana, and other poisonous preparations; love-letters from several fools, among which there is even a déclaration d’amour of the Prince of W——k, from Pyrmont; intercepted letters, directed partly to the K—g and his ministers, partly to other Sovereigns and great men; a project of a loan for the K—g, to which, likewise, belong the shares in the administration of the tobacco, that unfortunately miscarried; twelve blanks, with the signature of the K—g and the cabinet-seal.
Pray, dear A——, enquire who has had the audacity to destroy my fine furniture at Charlottenburg, and to throw all my plate into the Spree, whilst I attended at the marriage of the hereditary Prince L——is. You may well be surprised to hear of my being at Court; but who could refuse the Countess of Lichtenau? I have a notion that the outrage has been committed by officers, who were countenanced by the h——y P——, for otherwise, how could the guard at the palace have permitted it, without giving the alarm? The K—g has promised me satisfaction, and the scoundrels shall run the gauntlet. May those female fools burst with spite! I don’t care; the K—g is mine for ever!