Equipages; for the Elector went one Way, the Electoral Prince another, and Duke Ferdinand another, fo that there were near 400 Horfes running here and there every Day. When they return'd from the Chace, the Princes went and pafs'd the Evening with the Duchess, where they found a great Affembly of Ladies; the Elector also went thither fometimes, and played at Pharao, or fome other Game. Towards Suppertime he retir'd to his Apartment, where he fupp'd with the Ladies. The Princes went and fupp'd with the Electoral Prince, and the Duchefs fupp'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 otherwife. The Ladies went to the Electorefs's Apartment, or to the Orangery, according to the Place where the Drawing Room was appointed. When it was kept at the Electorefs's Apartment, the Ladies went thither in the Court Drefs, 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 fat down to Play, and eyery one chose what Game or Partner they lik'd beft. When the Play was over, the Company went into another Room, where there was a great Table well ferv'd, at which, after the Elector, the Princes and the Ladies had taken their Places, if there was Room, they admitted Gentlemen to fit down with them, either Foreigners, or even fuch as were in the Elector's Service. At this Table no Rank was obferv'd, and the very Princes fat down where they could get Places. D3 When When the Court was at Nymphenbourg, the Elector's Pleasure - house, the Diverfions were much the fame 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 Calafhes, each drawn by a Pair of Horfes, which carry'd Two Ladies, and was drove by fome Gentleman, while One or Two others ftood behind them. Those who prefer'd taking the Air by Water, might eafily 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 Princeffes of his Family, during which the Chamberlains waited, and at Night there was a Concert. The Ladies in their Court Drefs met in the Apartment of the Electorefs or the Duchefs, and accompany'd thofe Princeffes to the Opera, after which they return'd to the fame Apartment; where, till Supper - time, they play'd; upon thofe Days the Ladies din'd with the Elector: Sometimes too they carry'd Services for Three or Four Perfons, and laid them upon the Gaming Tables, which was very convenient for those who were not willing to feparate 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 fome Pleasure-house, This, which was the common Life at Court, was very often diverfify'd, by Parties for Hunting, Fishing, or other Pleafures. The Elector himself gave Direction for all the Feasts he made, and I believe it would have been difficult to have found any body that understood the Matter fo well; every Thing being conducted with fuch charming Delicacy and Regularity, that I own to you, Madame, I thought myself in fome enchanted land. What contributed to render the Court of Munich yet more fplendid, was, the Prefence of the Count de Charolois, a Prince of the Blood of France, who made fome Stay here at his Return from the War in Hungary +. That young Prince being fpurr'd on by Glory, thought he could not better fignalize his Valour, than by bearing Arms against the Infidels, with whom the Emperor had just declar'd War; but as he plainly forefaw, it would be difficult for him to obtain Leave from his Mother and the Regent to go out of the Kingdom, he refolv'd to get away without fpeaking a Word of it to any body but Two Perfons that he carry'd along with him. The Day that he put this Project in Execution, he fet out early in the Morning, on Pretence of going a Hunting. He travell'd Seven Poft Stages without Baiting, with the Horfes of the Duke his Brother, and he was got as far as the Auftrian Netherlands, when they thought at Chantilly he was but in the Foreft. He went to Liege, and from thence to Bon, but always with an Equipage that did not denote his Quality. From Bon he proceeded thro' Munich to Vienna; from whence without vifiting either the Emperor or Emprefs he repair'd to Belgrade, which was then + See Vol. I. p. 212 to 215, belieg'd befieg'd by Prince Eugene of Savoy. He diftinguifh'd himself greatly in this Campaign, and gave Demonftration that he was worthy of his Illuftrious Blood. After the Reduction of Belgrade, he went to Vienna, where he ftay'd fome time, and then travell'd to Italy, from whence he return'd to Munich. The Elector, who had been perfectly well receiv'd by the Duchefs, who was the young Count's Mother, took a Pleafure to fhew his Gratitude to the Prince her Son. He therefore lodg'd him at the Castle, and defray'd his and his Attendants Charges all the Time that he fay'd at Munich; he provided a Table for him in his Apartment for Twelve People; and when he din'd with the Elector, which he never did but with Ladies in Company; and when they were to go out a Hunting, his Gentlemen had a Table allow'd them, which was spread for Eight; but fome Difficulties in the Point of Rank prevented the Count from dining in public with the Elector and the Princes. His Electoral Highness gave him a certain Number of Officers, Pages and Footmen to wait on him, and Care was taken to chufe fuch only to attend him as talk'd French; but he foon acquainted himfelf with the German Language to fuch a Degree, that the Country People understood him better than they did me. Of this I had Experience one Day as I went a Hunting with him, when he bad me ask fomething of a Peafant, who I faw by his Looks did not know what I meant; but the Count accofted him with the fame Demand, and the Peafant understood him immediately, by reafon of the Bavarian Accent, in which that Prince exprefs'd himfeif happily: He return'd to Chantilly the ift of May 1720, Three Three Quarters of a League from Munich is the ftately Palace of NYMPHENBOURG, to which I have had the Honour to acquaint you the Court repair'd very often. 'Tis impoffible for a Place to be more charming; the Gardens especially are very beautiful: A grand Avenue. leads to Nymphenbourg, which runs from Munich to the Iron Gates of the Palace. In the Front of this Palace, next to the Court, there are Three Pavilions, which are connected by Two Apartments for Lodgings. The middlemoft Pavilion, which is larger than the other Two, is fquare, and contains a great Hall, finely adorn'd with Architecture, and an Apartment on each Side. The Two Side Pavilions are terminated by Two large Pavilions, that run further out, and form Two Wings. On the Side next to the Court there are Steps, by which there is an Afcent up to the Hall; and on the oppofite Side there are others, which lead down to the Garden. From the Steps on the Court Side is a Profpect of a large Canal, lin'd on each Side with a Row of Elms, which is feparated from the Court by a Grate. As to the Apartments, they are all of the utmoft Magnificence, but the only one that I fhall fpeak of now is the Elector's. The first Room at the Entrance is very fine, confidering its Extent, but not much adorn'd, being altogether bare white Walls, fo that only the Ceiling is painted. As one turns to the Right, we enter an Antichamber, which is a Thorowfare both to the Elector's Apartment, and to another on the Left Hand, then occupied by the Count de Charolois. This Antichamber is wainscotted through + See Vol. I. 268. out, |