Part 5
Towards Supper-time the Emperor goes to see the Empress; when the Company gives over Play, and the Empress rises, and admits those Ladies that are not to stay at Supper to kiss her Hand; after which their Majesties seat themselves at Table, which is serv'd much after the same manner as at Dinner: Their Majesties always sup in the Empress's Apartment, where Two Wax Candles are plac'd upon the Table, which are chang'd Three or Four Times by one of the Maids of Honour: When she takes off a Candle, to give it to the Treasurer to snuff it, she makes a profound Curt'sy, and makes another when she replaces it on the Table. On the _Gala_ or Festival Days, there is Music during the Repast. After the Bason has been presented to their Majesties to wash their Hands in, the Governess or Mother of the Maids presents the Napkin to the Emperor; and a Maid of Honour, who is at the same time Lady of the Golden Key, presents it to the Empress. When the Archduchesses sup with their Majesties, the same Bason is presented to them that the Emperor has wash'd in, and a Maid of Honour presents them with the Napkin; and when the Emperor is risen from the Table, the Two first Archduchesses give the Emperor his Hat, and the Empress her Fan and Gloves; but, in the Absence of the Archduchesses, this is done by a Lady of Honour and a Maid of Honour, who must also be a Lady of the Golden Key: After this, the Ladies who waited at Supper kiss the Empress's Hand, as her Majesty goes out of the Room, into the Chamber of Looking-Glasses. As soon as their Majesties are in this Chamber every body retires, to go to the Assembly, which, when I was at _Vienna_, was held at the House of _Madame de Rabutin_, whither came all the _Beau Monde_. Prince _Eugene_ of _Savoy_ was there too every Night, where he play'd constantly at Picquet with the Countess _de Badiani_ and some other Ladies. About 11 o'Clock the Company retir'd to the Places where they had appointed to sup, tho' Supper is a Meal they seldom indulge themselves with, all the grand Entertainments being made at Dinners, and those extremely late.
The Empresses Dowagers are serv'd at Table with the same Ceremonies as the Empress Regent, and they commonly eat alone, with only the Archduchesses their Daughters. The Empress Mother always ate in private, but on _Sundays_ and Days of Festival or _Gala_, the Empress Dowager din'd in public.
I had the Honour to acquaint you before, when I was mentioning the Empresses Dowagers, that they never quit their Mourning; but this must be only understood of their Persons, for their Officers and other Domestics are clad in Colours: Yet, as to their Maids of Honour, let the Day of _Gala_ be never so grand, the Bodies of their Gowns must be a black Ground, embroider'd with Gold and Silver, but their Petticoats may be of what Colour they please. Those Princesses are never at any Play or Ball: As for the Archduchesses, it being the Custom at _Vienna_ for Sisters to dress alike, they must be dress'd all in their Hair upon the Days of Ceremony and _Gala_, as well as their Maids of Honour: They generally wear the Court Dresses; but on the Days of grand Ceremony they wear Robes, much like Children's Vests, and very wide Petticoats with great Trains.
Upon the Days of _Gala_ there are commonly Operas and Comedies: Their Imperial Majesties sit in the Pit, the Emperor in the chief Place, and the Empress on his Left, and the Archduchesses are in the same Row. All those of the Imperial Family have Arm-Chairs of the same Size and Height, with a Stand behind, upon which is a Wax Candle. Their Operas are magnificent, as to the Decorations and Habits, and good Judges have assur'd me, that their Music is excellent; but for my own Part I think them as sad as most of the _Italian_ Operas, because neither of 'em are accompany'd with Dances, or any agreeable Entertainment.
I think, _Madame_, that I have related within a Trifle every Thing that is remarkable at _Vienna_, whether at Court or in the City: I shall now give you a short Account of the Persons who compos'd that august Court at the Time that I stay'd there.
_Charles_ VI. was then upon the Imperial Throne, who is the second Son of the Emperor _Leopold_: After the Death of _Charles_ II. King of _Spain_, he was own'd King of that Monarchy by all the Princes of the Grand Alliance, and he then took the Name of _Charles_ III. He went to his Kingdom, and shew'd the _Spanish_ Nation, that he was worthy of being their Sovereign. The Death of the Emperor _Joseph_, his Eldest Brother, oblig'd him to return to _Germany_, and when he was at _Genoa_ he heard, that he was chose Emperor. I have already had the Honour to give you an Account of his Coronation. The Reign of this Monarch has been signaliz'd by happy Events; the famous Peace concluded with _France_, restor'd that Tranquillity to the Empire which it had been for a long time depriv'd of, and that which was concluded some Years after with the _Turks_, secur'd the Happiness of _Hungary_, and all the hereditary Dominions.
The Name of the Empress is _Elizabeth Christina_ of _Wolfembuttle Blanckenberg_: She is a Princess, who, besides all the Qualities of the Mind, has the most advantagious Aspect: She is the finest Personage at her Court, and 'tis easy to see by her majestic Carriage, that she was form'd by Nature to wear one of the chief Crowns in the World: She is very magnificent in her Apparel, and especially in Diamonds, of which she has to the Value of several Millions, and the Number is daily increasing by considerable Presents she receives from the Emperor. This Prince does Justice to the Merit of his august Spouse, who on her Part makes it her whole Care to give him Proofs of her Affection; 'tis impossible to find a more perfect Unity than that which is between their Imperial Majesties: There are Three Princesses by this Marriage; I had the Honour to see only the Two Eldest, for the Third was born some Years after my Journey to _Vienna_.
She that is first in Rank, next to the Empress and the Archduchesses her Daughters, was the Empress, Dowager of the Emperor _Leopold_, _Eleonora Magdalena Theresa_ of _Newbourg_: She was the Mirrour of the whole Court for Piety; for she spent most of her Time in Prayers at the Altars, or else in bestowing Charities, which were always very great. The Greatness of her Birth seem'd to make her uneasy, and she was vex'd to see the Honours which her Rank and Merit had entail'd upon her; she dy'd in a very advanc'd Age: She had several Princes and Princesses by the Emperor _Leopold_, as 1. _Joseph-Jacob_, who dy'd Emperor at _Vienna_, the 17th of _April_ 1711. 2. _Charles_, the present Emperor, and Three Archduchesses; the one marry'd to the King of _Portugal_; another, Governess of the _Netherlands_; and the Third, who resides at the Court of _Vienna_.
The Empress Dowager of the Emperor _Joseph_ resides also at the Court of _Vienna_, and her Name is _Wilhelmina-Amelia_: She is the Daughter of the late Duke of _Hanover_, Uncle to the King of _England_. After the Death of her Father, who left no Male Issue, this Princess went and stay'd some time in _France_, and her Sister having marry'd the Prince of _Modena_, she accompany'd her into that Country, where she stay'd till her Marriage, which was concluded at _Modena_ with the Emperor _Joseph_, then King of the _Romans_; for whom the Duke her Brother-in-Law marry'd her as Proxy: She went afterwards to _Vienna_, where she was the Admiration of the whole Court, not only for the Lustre of her Person, but for the other Qualities with which Nature has endow'd her: She took Care to cultivate her Mind with much Reading, and especially by the Study of the Languages, to which she gave great Application with Success, and she understands _French_ and _Italian_ as well as her native Language. This Princess had several Children by the Emperor her Husband, of whom there are but Two Princesses living; the one call'd _Maria-Josepha_, marry'd to the Electoral Prince of _Saxony_, now King of _Poland_; and the other call'd _Maria-Amelia_, marry'd to the Electoral Prince, now the Elector, of _Bavaria_.
These, _Madame_, were the Persons of whom the Imperial Family then consisted: I had the Honour in a few Days after my Arrival to kiss the Hands of all this august Family, and was afterwards introduc'd to the Ministers; so that in a very little time I was known by the whole Court, and was so happy, as to acquire some Friends of Distinction, who gave me Marks of their good Will, without putting me to the Trouble of dancing Attendance, and desir'd Prince _Eugene_ to give me an Employment: I had the Honour to wait on that Prince with particular Letters of Recommendation, that I brought from the Elector Palatine. The Prince, who receiv'd me very kindly, told me, that he could not insure me a Place, because the Colonels dispos'd of all the Employments in their Regiments; but that he would oblige me to the utmost of his Power; and indeed some time after, he was so good as to speak for me to the Count _Max----_ of _S----_, who gave me a Company in his Regiment, which was then in _Sicily_. I was mightily charm'd with this Present, and imagin'd that Fortune was at length weary of having so long thwarted me: Yet when I began to think coolly of the Matter, I had some Reflections which made me relapse into my former Melancholy: I was not in Cash, and I saw that I could not avoid being at a considerable Expence. Besides, I had contracted some dribbling Debts, which I wanted to clear before I left _Vienna_: My Equipage was so much out of Repair, that it would cost some Money to remount it; and finally, there was a Necessity for my going to _Sicily_; all which Things were not to be done with a trifling Expence: Upon this Occasion I receiv'd fresh Proofs of the Affection of my Friends, who all interested themselves for me effectually: _Madamoseille de K----_, Maid of Honour to the Empress Dowager, procur'd me a Gratuity from her Imperial Majesty; and the Countess of _W----_, at whose House I was every Day, advanc'd me a Thousand Ducats, saying, That I should pay her when I was able, or rather, when I was preferr'd to be a Lieutenant-General. She accompany'd her Generosity too with some Advice, that was truly wise and christian, and seem'd to come rather from the Lips of a Mother than a Friend. This Lady was heartily glad that I had chang'd my Religion, and was the more willing to assist me in making an End of my Affairs, for Fear that I should be overcome by the Temptation of turning Protestant again, for the Sake of getting Employment in my own Country.
You see, _Madame_, by what I have just had the Honour to mention to you, that I was now in a Condition to quit _Vienna_ with Credit, and indeed my Stay there was no longer than to be a Spectator of Two great Solemnities, of which I am next to give you a Description: The first was the Entry of a _Turkish_ Ambassador, and the second the Marriage of the Archduchess _Maria-Josepha_ with the Electoral Prince of _Saxony_; upon both which Occasions the Imperial Court made the fullest Display of its Magnificence.
As to the Entry of the Ambassador, I may venture to say, it was only magnificent on the Part of the Imperial Court, for in Truth the Mahometan's whole Train and Equipage were very inconsiderable. This Ambassador's Name was _Ibrahim Basha_; he had 600 Men in his Retinue, but they were all very shabbily rigg'd. Till the Day of his Entry he stay'd in a Camp, which he had caus'd to be form'd Two Leagues from _Vienna_; I went thither with some Friends to see him: He receiv'd us with very great Civility, and made us a Present of Coffee and Sweetmeats. During this Collation I took a minute View of the Inside of his Tent, which was really stately, and the largest that I ever saw: On the Ground there was a noble Carpet spread, and over that a Sort of Foot-cloth of Crimson Sattin, embroider'd with Gold, on which sate the Ambassador, with rich Cushions about him of the same: On this same Foot-cloth, at the Ambassador's Right Hand sate the Secretary of the Embassy: Round the Ambassador there was about a Score of Turks tolerably well dress'd, and among them Three or Four clever likely young Fellows; in particular I observ'd a Moor there, that was the handsomest Man I ever saw: His Dress was richer than the Garb of the other Turks, and, as I was told, he was the Ambassador's special Favourite. After we had talk'd awhile with him, and were taking our Leave of him, he was so civil as to offer to shew us his Camp, which we with Pleasure accepted, and set out accordingly with a Person that the Ambassador gave us for our Guide.
This Camp took up more Space of Ground than would have serv'd for 2000 Men. The Tents were a great way from one another, and plac'd without any Order. Their Horses, Oxen and Camels were all stow'd _higledy pigledy_. But the Ambassador's particular Equipage was in a Sort of Park, inclos'd by Toils like those that are us'd in Hunting: Every thing was to the last Degree slovenly, the inferior Domestics especially were the most disagreeable Gentry I ever saw; they had not Cloaths to their Backs, but what were in Rags and Tatters; and the chief Domestics were but little better rigg'd; several of them however were mighty civil to us, and desirous to regale us in their Tents.
Some Days after this our Visit, the Ambassador made his Entry with great Ceremony; the Marshal of the Court went and met him Half a League out of _Vienna_, at the Head of the Magistrates of the City, those made free by the Court, all the Trading Companies and Gentlemen, all well mounted and richly dress'd: The Ambassador was dragg'd along by a Pair of wretched Horses in one of his own Coaches, which was a little low Chariot, made almost like the cover'd Waggons of _Holland_, except that instead of Wax Cloth and Leather, it was cover'd with a red Cloth. When the Ambassador and the Marshal of the Court came near to one another, they both alighted, and after mutual Compliments mounted their Horses: There were carry'd before the Ambassador Three Horse-Tails and the Standard of _Mahomet_, which is a great Pair of Colours of green Taffeta, all sprinkled with Crescents of Gold: He who carry'd it was on Horseback, and that the End of the Colours might not trail upon the Ground, a Man that was on Foot held up the Corners of it. The Ambassador was preceded by all his Equipage, in which there was Half a Dozen of Waggons, cover'd with ragged Tilts, and drawn each by Four scrubbed Horses, that were led by Carters, whose Cloaths were in a very bad Pickle. After this Equipage came the Ambassador's Officers, and then twelve Horses, of which the Sultan made a Present to the Emperor. Behind the Ambassador there march'd a Company of _Spahis_, that carry'd Pikes, with small Standards at the End of various Colours. These were follow'd by a Company of _Janizaries_, who, tho' but meanly clad, made a very warlike Appearance, their Arms and Legs being both naked: The March was closed by a Regiment of _Hussars_.
This Train pass'd before the Palace call'd _la Favorita_, in View of the Emperor and Empress, and then went thro' the City, passing the Bridge over the _Danube_, into the Suburb of _Leopoldstat_, where a House was prepar'd for him, according to antient Custom, which is, that no _Turkish_ Ambassador must ever lodge in the City of _Vienna_.
The Ambassador seem'd to be very scrupulous in his Observation of the Ceremonial: He was loth to consent, that the _Janizaries_ should carry their Muskets on their Shoulders, when they pass'd before the Emperor at his Palace _la Favorita_; and pleaded in Excuse, that the _Janizaries_ did not march so even in Presence of the Sultan. He stood also upon his Punctilio in some other Trifles, to which however he was oblig'd to submit, or he was threaten'd that he should not make his Entry. The Ambassador on his Part to shew his Resentment, caus'd only Two Horse-Tails to be carry'd erect, and the Third downwards; but seeing that no body car'd for his being out of Humour, he soon came to himself again, and then was treated with Civility. He seem'd to be very fond of good Order, and caus'd some of his Domestics, who had committed certain Enormities, to be severely punish'd.
While the Ambassador stay'd at _Leopoldstat_, _Vienna_ swarm'd with _Turks_, most of whom having never been out of their own Country, star'd with so much Surprise at every thing they saw, that it afforded daily Diversion to the Public. One Day I observ'd a _Turk_ entring _St. Stephen_'s Church at the Time when there was no Service, nor so much as a Soul in the Church. I was so curious as to follow him at a Distance, and to observe all his Motions, which made me very merry: The Place at which he discover'd the greatest Astonishment was the Choir, the Form of the Clergy's Stalls there, the Construction of the High Altar; in a Word, every thing was to him a perfect Novelty: But the Thing which seem'd to puzzle him most of all was, a noble Lamp burning in the midst of the Choir: He turn'd round and round it again, and view'd it on every Side for a long while, but seem'd as much confounded as at first, wondring to be sure how they did to kindle it. Mean time, after a little Pause, he observ'd a String underneath it, which he took into his Head to pull, and finding that all came towards him, he brought the Lamp down to the Ground. I observ'd that he was mightily pleas'd that he had found out the Meaning of the Difficulty which had so much perplex'd him; and when the Fire was so near him, he pull'd a long Pipe out of his Pocket with so much Gravity, that I could not help smiling; and after he had lighted it at the Lamp, he hoisted it to the Place it was in before, and then went out.
Not many Days after the Entry of the _Turkish_ Ambassador was the Ceremony of the Marriage of the Archduchess _Maria-Josepha_ to the Electoral Prince of _Saxony_. The Marriage had been projected a long time, and 'tis even said, that the Emperor _Joseph_ had promis'd the King of _Poland_ in Writing to give his Eldest Daughter to the Electoral Prince, on Condition that he would turn to the Catholic Religion. Meantime, while this Match hung in Suspence, the Electoral Prince of _Bavaria_ enter'd the List, which very much embarras'd the Court of _Vienna_, who did not know for which Match to determine. The Person employ'd in this Negotiation by the _Saxon_ Court was the Count _de Wackerbarth_. Soon after him the Electoral Prince in Person came to the Court of _Vienna_, and when he was oblig'd to return, he left the Count _de Lagnasco_ there to take Care of his Interest; who at length obtain'd the Emperor's Consent, and the Count _de F----_ came with the Character of Ambassador to demand the Princess of the Emperor, which was done with very great Solemnity. As I was curious to know the Ceremonies usual upon such Occasions, I went to the Count _de F----_, on the Day that he was to go on the Emperor for his Audience. Who should I see arrive but the Count _D'Oropesa_, a Grandee of _Spain_, Knight of the Golden Fleece, and one of the Emperor's Chamberlains, in a Coach drawn by Six Horses, follow'd by a second Coach and Six, with the Emperor's Arms and Liveries: His Imperial Majesty's Footmen and the Count's Lackeys walk'd on each Side of the first Coach. The Count _de F----_ receiv'd the Count _D'Oropesa_ as he alighted out of his Coach, and conducted him into a Room, where Two Chairs of State were plac'd under a Canopy of Crimson Velvet, inrich'd with Embroidery and Gold Fringe; and over the Chairs was plac'd the Picture of the King of _Poland_. The Two Counts seated themselves in the Chairs of State, the Ambassador giving the Right Hand to the Count. They were both cover'd, talk'd for about a Quarter of an Hour, and then went out. The Ambassador stepp'd first into the Emperor's Coach, and then the Count _D'Oropesa_, the former riding forwards, and the latter backwards over-against him. Four of the principal _Saxon_ Gentlemen in the Ambassador's Retinue went into the second Coach. Then the March began, when one of the Coaches of the Court led the Way, follow'd by one of the Ambassador's Officers, at the Head of Twenty-four of his Excellency's Lackeys; the Coach wherein the Two Counts rode follow'd next; the Emperor's Footmen and the Count _D'Oropesa_'s Lackeys walking on each Side: Then came Eight of the Ambassador's Pages, Four of whom were in the _German_, and Four in the _Polish_ Dress; their Coats were of blue Velvet lac'd with Gold: Four Pages of the Back-stairs clad in blue Cloth lac'd with Gold follow'd the other Pages, and Three of the Ambassador's Coaches with Six Horses each clos'd the March: In this Order did the Train arrive at the Palace; the Ambassador's first Coach enter'd alone into the Inner Court, the Two others stay'd in the Outer Court. The Ambassador found the Emperor under a Canopy, and in the Name of the King his Master demanded the Archduchess of him in Marriage for the Electoral Prince: The Emperor made him Answer, that he was very willing, on condition that the Empress, Mother to the Archduchess, and the Archduchess herself gave their Consent. After this Audience the Ambassador was conducted to the Empress Regent, and to the Empress Mother, of whom he made the same Demand, almost in the same Terms. The Princesses answer'd, That if the Emperor was willing, and the Empress _Amelia_ and the Archduchess consented to it, they should see the Marriage concluded with Pleasure: Then the Ambassador was conducted to an Audience of the Empress _Amelia_, of whom he made the same Demand, telling her too of the Answer he had receiv'd from the Emperor and the Empresses. This Empress made Answer, That the Emperor's Will was always Her's, that the Electoral Prince was a Match that she lik'd, and that she hop'd the Archduchess her Daughter would not be against it; and that she would go that Instant, and let her know what he came about: At the same time she turn'd to the Countess of _Caraffa_, her Lady of Honour, and bad her send for the Archduchess: This Princess, being in an adjacent Room, came that Moment, dress'd most richly: And the Empress told her what the Ambassador had just declar'd to her on the Part of the King of _Poland_, relating to her Marriage with his Son the Electoral Prince: She added, that the Emperor, the Empresses and Herself had agreed to the Match; that nevertheless she was left absolutely to her own Disposal, and that the Emperor did not mean to constrain her: The Archduchess made Answer, That she had no Objection to the Marriage, and that she obey'd their Imperial Majesties Orders with Respect. After this Declaration the Ambassador advanc'd, and addressing himself to the Archduchess, presented her with the Electoral Prince's Picture adorn'd with Diamonds, which this Princess accepted, and without looking on it gave it to the Empress her Mother: The Empress, after having diligently view'd it, went to fasten it to the Body of the Archduchess's Gown, but the Ambassador desir'd her Imperial Majesty to grant him that Honour; and after this Ceremony he return'd to his Palace as he came.
The Emperor, the Empress Regent and the Empress Mother went to the Apartment of the Empress Dowager, where, after mutual Compliments of Congratulation, their Majesties din'd together. In the Evening the Emperor and the Empresses went to pay a Visit to the Archduchess, that was to be marry'd, where the whole Court was present, and there was great Play, after which their Imperial Majesties and the Archduchess went and supp'd with the Empress _Amelia_.