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AUTOBIOGRAPHY.
OF THE
MOST INSTRUCTIVE AND AMUSING
LIVES
EVER PUBLISHED,
WRITTEN BY THE PARTIES THEMSELVES.
WITH BRIEF INTRODUCTIONS, AND COMPENDIOUS
SEQUELS CARRYING ON THE NARRATIVE TO THE
DEATH OF EACH WRITER.
VOLUME XX.
MARGRAVINE OF BAREITH.
LONDON:
PRINTED FOR HUNT AND CLARKE,
YORK STREET, CO VENT GARDEN,
'<
LONDON :
C. H. REY^NELL, PRINTER, BROAD STREET, GOLDEN SQUARE.
MEMOIRS
OF
FREDERICA SOPHIA WILHELMINA,
PRINCESS ROYAL OF PRUSSIA,
MARGRAVINE OF BAREITH
SISTER OF FREDERIC THE GREAT.
WRITTEN BY HERSELF.
TRANSLATED FROM THE ORIGINAL FRENCH.
IN TWO VOLUMES.
VOL I.
LONDON, 1828:
PRINTED FOR HUNT AND CLARKE,
YORK STREET, COVENT GARDEN.
INTRODUCTION.
THE production of Autobiographical Memoirs,
by members of reigning families, is so rare, that
those of the MARGRAVINE OF BAREITH would
demand a conspicuous place in a collection of
this nature, even if they possessed much less of
the singular and characteristic portraiture in
which they so profusely abound. Nothing can
convey with more accuracy and naivete the pecu-
liar manners of the German courts and princes ;
and what adds to the entertainment, the illus-
trious narrator seems totally unconscious of the
very curious scenes which she is describing, and
still less to anticipate the conclusion to which
they will necessarily lead. A book written pro-
fessedly with that view would not have proved
half so amusing as an account which affects to
deal with nothing extraordinary, and which de-
scribes the jealousy, intrigue, and persiflage of a
INTRODUCTION.
courtly circle, simply as matters of fact. The
singular character and domesticity of the father
of Frederic the Great, a sort of prototype of the
Baron of Thundertentronch, add greatly to the
originality of this production ; which, to the dili-
gent student of the varieties of human character,
as modified by temperament, education, and cir-
cumstance, advances a claim to special notice
that will not be disregarded.
ADVERTISEMENT
BY THE FRENCH EDITOR.
FOR several years past the public have been antici-
pating the appearance of the Memoirs of the Princess
WILHELMINA of PRUSSIA, Margravine of Bareith,
the beloved sister of Frederick the Great. Many
persons have read the original manuscript of these
Memoirs, which is in the hand-writing of the princess.
The margravine had bequeathed them to the privy
counsellor, M. de Supperville, her first physician, who
constantly refused to allow them to be published.
After his death they became the property of an inti-
mate friend of the editor, who immediately consented
to their publication.
These Memoirs commence with the year 1706, and
come down to the end of 1742. They have, no
doubt, been continued to a much later period, since
the margravine states her intention to record the
most memorable events of the reign of her brother ;
but this part of her manuscript has never yet been
discovered. The editor is, however, in search of it,
and intends publishing it as soon as he obtains the
manuscript, or an authentic copy.
MEMOIRS
OF THE
MARGRAVINE OF BAREITII
FREDERICK WILLIAM, king of Prussia, at that time
prince royal, was married in the year 1/06, to Sophia
Dorothea, princess of Hanover. Frederick the First,
king of Prussia, his father, had allowed him to select
one of the three following princesses ; viz. a princess
of Sweden, sister to Charles XII; a princess of Saxe-
Zeitz ; or a princess of Orange, niece to the prince of
Anhalt. The latter, to whom the prince royal had
always been uncommonly attached, had flattered him-
self with the hope that the prince's choice would fall
upon his niece ; but the heart of the prince royal
having been captivated by the charms of the princess
of Hanover, he declined the proposals of his royal fa-
ther, and by his intreaties and intrigues prevailed
with his majesty to consent to his union with the
Hanoverian princess.
It is proper that I should convey some idea of
the character of the principal persons of whom the
court of Berlin was composed, and particularly of that
of the prince royal.. This prince, whose education
had been entrusted to count Dona, possesses all the
qualities which constitute a great man ; his genius is
elevated, and capable of the greatest actions ; to an
uncommon facility of conception he adds much judg-
ment and application ; his disposition is naturally
MEMOIRS OF THE
good. From his early youth he always manifested a
decided predilection for the military ; it was his ruling
passion, and he has justified it hy the excellent order
into which he has put his army. His temper is lively
and hot ; it frequently betrayed him into excesses, of
which he has since bitterly repented. He mostly pre-
ferred justice to clemency. His excessive love of
money has made him pass for an avaricious man. It
is, however, only in his personal and family concerns
that he can be reproached with that vice ; for he
liberally lavished wealth upon his favourites, and those
who were zealously attached to his service.
The charitable foundations which he established,
and the churches he built, are proofs of his piety.
His devotion degenerated into bigotry ; he hated
pomp arid luxury. He was suspicious, jealous, and
frequently guilty of dissimulation. His governor had
sedulously inspired him with contempt for the female
sex. His opinion of women was so bad, that his pre-
judices caused many vexations to the princess, of
whom he was jealous to an excess.
The prince of Anhalt may be ranked among the
greatest generals of the age. With a consummate
experience in war he combines a particular genius for
public affairs. His brutal mien inspires fear, and his
physiognomy does not belie his disposition. His un-
bounded ambition incites him to commit any crime to
obtain his ends. He is a steady friend, but an irre-
concileable enemy, and vindictive to excess towards
those who riave had the misfortune of giving him
offence. He is addicted to cruelty and dissimulation.
His mind is cultivated, and his conversation entertain-
ing, when he chuses.
M. de Grumkow may pass for one of the ablest mi-
nisters that have appeared for a great length of time.
He is uncommonly polite, his conversation is both
easy and witty. Though possessed of a cultivated,
pliant, arid insinuating mind, he chiefly pleases by
that talent for satire, which is so prevalent in our
MARGRAVINE OF BAREITH. 5
times. He knows how to blend the serious with the
agreeable; but this brilliant exterior conceals a de-
praved, selfish, and perfidious heart. Nothing equals
the licentiousness of his conduct ; his character is a
compound of vices, which render him abhorrent to
the virtuous.
Such were the two favourites of the prince royal.
It may easily be supposed, that being intimately con-
nected, and proceeding hand in hand, they had no
difficulty in corrupting the heart of a young prince,
and overturning a whole state ; they beheld their pro-
ject of reigning frustrated by the marriage of the
prince royal. The prince of Anhalt could not forgive
the princess royal her having been preferred to his
niece ; he feared, lest she might obtain possession of
the heart of her consort. To prevent this, he at-
tempted to sow the seeds of discord between them ;
and availing himself of the prince's disposition to
jealousy, they endeavoured to render him jealous of
his spouse. This unfortunate princess was doomed to
endure the most cruel torments from the violence of
the prince royal; and notwithstanding the proofs
which she gave. him of her virtue, nothing but pa-
tience could cure him of the prejudices with which he
had been inspired against her.
The princess in the meantime gave the prince a son
in 1707 ; but the joy which this event occasioned was
soon converted into grief, by the death of the young
prince twelve months after his birth. The princess
found herself a second time in a state which revived
the hopes of the country. On the 3d of July 1 709,
the princess royal presented her royal husband with a
daughter, who was very unfavourably received, be-
cause the ardent wishes of all had been for a prince.
I was the child who met with that ungracious recep-
tion. 1 came into the world at a time when the mo-
narchs of Denmark and Poland happened to be both
at Potsdam, to sign a treaty of alliance against
Charles XII, king of Sweden, for the purpose of ap-
B 2
6 MEMOIRS OF THE
peasing the troubles of Poland. These two sove-
reigns, and the king my grandfather, were my spon-
sors, and present at my being christened ; which
ceremony was performed with great pomp and mag-
nificence. I was christened Frederica Sophia Wil-
helmina.
The king, my grandfather, soon grew uncommonly
fond of me. At eighteen months of age I was much
more forward than other children : I articulated pretty
distinctly; and at two years of age I walked by my-
self. The childish tricks which I played amused this
good prince, whom I sometimes diverted for whole
days.
The following year the princess had again a son,
who did not live ; but on the 24th of January 1/12,
the princess royal presented her consort with a third
prince, who was christened Frederic.* i\ly brother
and myself were both entrusted to the care of the
countess de Kamken, lady of the grand master of the
wardrobe to the king, and his great favourite. But
the princess royal having been shortly after on a visit
to the elector her father, at Hanover, inadame Kil-
manseck, known afterwards by the name of lady Ar-
lington, recommended to the princess a young person
who was with her as a companion, to preside over my
education. Her name was Letti. She was the daugh-
ter of an Italian monk, who had escaped from his
convent to settle in Holland, where he had abjured
his Catholic faith. He lived by his pen. He is the
author of a History of Brandenburg, which has been
very much criticised, and of the Lives of Charles V
and Philip II.
His daughter had earned a living by correcting the
proofs of newspapers. A true Italian in heart and
mind, she was as remarkable for vivacity, pliancy,
and depravity, as for selfishness, haughtiness, and
violence. Her morals were in unison with her origin.
* Afterwards known by the surname of " the Great."
MARGRAVINE OF BAREITH. 7
Her coquetry gained her a crowd of admirers, whom
she did not suffer to pine in long expectation. Her
manners were Dutch, that is to say, excessively rude;
but she knew how to conceal these faults under so
fine an exterior, that she delighted all who beheld
her. The princess royal, who was dazzled with her,
like others, determined to appoint her my governess,
with the prerogative that she should accompany me
everywhere, and be admitted at my table.
The prince royal had attended the princess to
Hanover. The electoral princess had been delivered
of a son in I/O/. As our ages agreed, our parents
resolved still more to strengthen the ties of their
friendship, by destining us for each other. My little
admirer began, even at that time, to send me pre-
sents ; and no post-day passed, without these prin-
cesses corresponding about the future union of their
children.
The king my grandfather had been un \vell for some
time. Hopes had been entertained that his health
would be re-established; but his weak constitution
could not long resist the attacks of a hectic complaint.
He died in the month of February 1/13. When he
was informed of his impending fate, he submitted
with firmness and resignation to the decrees of Pro-
vidence. As he felt the approaches of death, he took
an affectionate leave of the prince and princess royal,
and recommended to them the prosperity of the coun-
try, and the welfare of his subjects. He afterwards
sent for both my brother and me, and gave us his
blessing, at eight o'clock in the evening. His death
followed close upon this mournful ceremony. He ex-
pired on the 25th, universally regretted throughout
the kingdom.
On the very day of his death, king Frederick Wil-
liam, his son, inquired into the establishment of his
court, and completely reformed it, on condition that
no one should retire before the funeral of the late
king. I shall not describe the magnificence of his
8 MEMOIRS OF THE
solemn obsequies ; they were not celebrated till some
inonths after. The face of everything was altered at
Berlin. Those who wished to insure the favour of
the new king assumed the helmet and cuirass ; every
thing became military not a vestige remained of the
ancient court. M. de Grumkow was placed at the
head of affairs, and the prince of Anhalt had the di-
rection of the army. These two individuals possessed
themselves of the confidence of the young monarch,
and helped him to bear the burthen of government
The whole year passed in settling the administration,
and introducing order in the finances, which the im-
mense profusions of the late king had somewhat de-
ranged.
The death of queen Anne of Great Britain, which
happened the following year, proved a very interest-
ing event to the king and queen. The elector of
Hanover having become her heir, by the exclusion of
the Pretender, or rather of the son of James II, went
over to England to ascend the British throne ; the
electoral prince his son, accompanied him, and took
the title of prince of Wales. The latter left the
prince his son, who was nominated duke of Glou-
cester, at Hanover, being unwilling to expose him to
the risks of the sea at so tender an age. The queen
my mother, was about the same time delivered of a
princess, who was named Frederica Louisa.
Meanwhile my brother was of a very weak consti-
tution ; his silent disposition, and his want of viva-
city, caused well-grounded alarms for his life; his
frequent maladies began to revive the hopes of the
prince of Anhalt. In order to strengthen and in-
crease his credit, he persuaded the king to give me in
marriage to his nephew. That prince was first cousin
to the king. The elector Frederick William, their
grandfather, had been twice married. By the princess
of Orange, his first consort, he had Frederick the
First, and two princes, who died shortly after their
birth. His second consort, a princess of Holstein-
MARGRAVINE OF BAREITH. 9
Glucksburg, widow of the duke Charles Louis of
Luneburgh, brought him five princes and three prin-
cesses, viz. Charles, who was poisoned in Italy by
order of the king his brother; prince Casimir, who
was also poisoned by a princess of Holstein, whom he
had refused to marry ; and the princes Philip, Albert,
and Louis. The first of these three princes married a
princess of Anhalt, sister to him whose portrait I have
drawn ; by her he had two sons and one daughter.
After the death of the margrave Philip, his eldest son,
the margrave of Schwedt became first prince of the
blood, and presumptive heir of the crown, on failure
of the royal line. In that case all the allodial de-
mesnes and estates would have devolved to me. The
prince of Anhalt, supported by Grumkow, persuaded
the king that, while he had but one son, policy re-
quired of him to marry me to his cousin, the mar-
grave of Schwedt. They represented that my bro-
ther's delicate state of health would not allow much
reliance to be placed on his life ; that the queen began
to grow so corpulent, that it was to be feared she
would have no more children ; that the king ought to
provide before hand for the preservation of his domi-
nions, which would be dismembered if I contracted
any other union ; and, lastly, that if he had the mis-
fortune to lose my brother, his son-in-law and suc-
cessor would supply the place of his son.
For some time the king contented himself with
giving them vague answers, but they found an oppor-
tunity of seducing him into some debaucheries; when
heated with wine they obtained whatever they wished.
It was even resolved that the margrave of Schwedt
should from that time be at liberty to visit me, and
that all means should be attempted to 'produce a mu-
tual inclination between us. Miss Letti, gained over
by Anhalt's party, incessantly talked to rne of the
margrave of Schwedt, and sounded his praises ; adding
continually that he would become a great king, and
10 MEMOIRS OF THE
that it would be very fortunate for me if I should
marry him.
This prince, who was born in 1700, was very tall
for his years ; his face is handsome, but his counte-
nance is not prepossessing. Though he was but fif-
teen, his wicked disposition already betrayed itself;
he was brutal and cruel, his manners were rude, and
his propensities mean. I had a natural antipathy to
him, and I endeavoured to play him tricks and frighten
him, for he was a coward. Miss Letti would not per-
mit these jokes, and punished me severely for them.
The queen, who was ignorant of the object of the
prince's visits, allowed them with so much the more
facility, as I received those of the other princes of the
blood, and as they could not be of any consequence
at my tender age. In spite of all their efforts the
two favourites had hitherto been unable to sow any
dissensions between the king and queen ; but, although
the king was passionately fond of his royal spouse, yet
he could not help using her ill, and allowed her no
share whatever in public affairs. He apologised for
his conduct, by saying that " it was necessary to keep
women under proper subjection, else they would rule
their husbands."
However, it was not long before the queen was
acquainted with the plan of my marriage : it was en-
trusted to her by the king. It was a thunderstroke
to the queen. But I must first sketch her temper
and person. The queen never was handsome. Her
features are strongly marked, and none of them fine.
Her complexion is pale ; her hair a dark brown ; her
shape has been one of the handsomest in the ;'world ;
her noble and majestic gait inspires ah 1 who behold
her with respect ; a perfect acquaintance with the
world, and a brilliant understanding, seem to promise
more solidity than she is possessed of. Her heart is
benevolent, generous, and kind; she cherishes the
arts and sciences, without having ever devoted much
MARGRAVINE OF BA11EITH. 11
time to the study of them. No one is without faults :
the queen has her's. All the pride and haughtiness of
the house of Hanover are concentrated in her person.
Her ambition is unbounded; she is excessively jea-
lous, of a suspicious and vindictive temper, and never
forgives those by whom she fancies she has been
offended.
The alliance which she had projected with England
through the marriage of her children, was the most
ardent wish of her heart; and she flattered herself
she should gradually succeed in governing the king.
Her second object was, to secure a strong protection
against the persecutions of the prince of Anhalt; and,
lastly, to obtain the guardianship of my brother, in
case of the king's decease. The king was subject to
frequent diseases, and the queen had been told that he
could not live long.
It was nearly about this time that the king declared
war against the Swedes. The Prussian troops began
to march in the month of May into Pomerania, where
they joined those of Denmark and Saxony. The cam-
paign opened with the taking of the strong town of
Wisraar. The whole army, amounting to thirty-six
thousand men, afterwards marched to lay siege to
Stralsunrl. The queen my mother, though again
pregnant, followed the king in this expedition. I
shall not enter into a detail of the campaign; it ended
gloriously for the king my father, who took posses-
sion of a great part of Swedish Pomerania. During
the absence of the queen I was left entirely to the care
of Miss Letti; and maclame de Roukoule, who had
educated the king, was entrusted with my brother's
education. Miss Letti took infinite pains to cultivate
my understanding; she taught me the principal ele-
ments of history and geography; and endeavoured, at
the same time, to polish my manners. The great
number of persons by whom I was visited, contributed
to render me acquainted with the usages of society.
12 MEMOIRS OF THE
I was extremely lively, and every one took pleasure in
conversing with me.
The queen, on her return, was charmed with my
little figure ; the endearments which she lavished
upon me caused me so lively a joy, that all my blood
being thrown into agitation, I had a hemorrhage,
which nearly sent me to the other world. It was a
sort of miracle that I escaped from this disease, which
kept me several weeks confined to my bed. No sooner
was I restored to health, than the queen wished to
avail herself of my prodigious facility in learning.
She gave me several masters, among others the fa-
mous La Croze, who has been celebrated for his his-
torical knowledge, and his profound acquaintance with
the languages of the east, and with sacred and profane
antiquities. My whole day was taken up with teachers
who succeeded each other, and left me very little time
for my recreations.
The court of Berlin, although most of the men of
which it was composed were military, was neverthe-
less very numerous, on account of the influx of stran-
gers that resorted to it. The queen held a drawing-
room every evening during the absence of the king,
who was generally at Potsdam, a small town, at the
distance of four German miles from Berlin. There
he lived more as a private gentleman than as a king.
His table was served with frugality : it never exceeded
necessaries. His principal occupation was to drill a
regiment, which he had begun to form in the life-
time of Frederick the First, and which was composed
of colossal men, six feet in height. All the monarchs
of Europe eagerly sent recruits for it. This regiment
might justly be styled " the channel of royal favour,"
for to give or to procure tall men for the king, was
sufficient to obtain any thing of him. He used to go
a shooting or hunting after dinner, and in the even-
ing he frequented a smoking club, with his general
officers.
MARGRAVINE OF BAREITH. 13
There were at that time several Swedish officers at
Berlin, who had been taken prisoners at the siege of
Stralsund. One of these officers, of the name of
Cron, had acquired some notoriety for his knowledge
in judicial astrology. The queen had the curiosity to
send for him. He foretold her that she would be de-
livered of a princess. To my brother he said, that he
would become one of the greatest princes that ever
reigned : that he would make considerable acquisi-
tions, and die an emperor. My hand did not prove
so lucky as that of my brother ; the astrologer exa-
mined it a long time, and shaking his head, said,
" that my life would be a tissue of fatalities ; that I
should be asked in marriage by four crowned heads,
namely, the monarchs of Sweden, of England, of
Russia, and of Poland ; that, however, I should marry
none of those sovereigns." This prediction was ful-
filled, as we shall see hereafter.
I cannot forbear relating here an adventure, which
will acquaint the reader with the character of Grum-
kow, and though unconnected with the memoirs of
my life, it may, nevertheless, be thought entertaining.
The queen had among her maids of honour a madame
Wagnitz, who at that time was her favourite. The
mother of this young person was lady of the house-
hold to the margravine Albert, the king's aunt. Ma-
dame Wagnitz concealed, under the mask of devotion,
the most scandalous conduct. Her intriguing dispo-
sition led her to prostitute herself and her daughters
to the favourites of the king, and those who were
concerned in administration ; by these means she was
informed of the secrets of the state, which she imme-
diately sold to the count de Rottenbourg, the French
ambassador.
In order to attain her ends, madame Wagnitz pro-
cured the assistance of M. Kreutz, a favourite of the
king. This man was a son of a farmer. From the
situation of paymaster of a regiment, he had ascended
to the rank of director of finances, and. minister of
14 MEMOIRS OF THE
state. His mind was as low as his birth it was a
compound of all vices. Although his disposition was
so much like that of Grumkow, yet they were sworn
enemies, being reciprocally jealous of the king's fa-
vour. Kreutz had gained the good-will of the king,
by the pains which he had taken to increase the royal
treasure and to augment the king's revenues, at the
expense of his poor subjects. He was delighted with
madame Wagmtz's projects; they were conformable
to his views. By giving a mistress to the king, he