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into the room to offer their goods to sale: but I was
much surprized when after finding I was not engaged
to dinner he asked me to dine at Baron Medem's.
I could not say no because I but I wondered f
what authority he could have to ask invite me, and before
I could determine what I should say to him for the purpose
of getting the matter explained, he told me he would call
to take me in his carraige at the proper time, took up
his hat and took his leave. When he was gone I found
it was no other than Baron Frank who had made me
this visit, and whom I had already seen at court and to
whom I had given a letter of introduction from Inmerman
of Lieban. I comforted myself that my want of the language
would apologize for my not treating the Baron
with more respect, and prepared myself to accompany
him to dinner. Instead however of taking me to Baron
Medem's the father of the Dutchess he took me to another brother
the elder brother indeed of the two though neither the richest nor
the most respected. There was nobody but the Madame
who could or would speak french with me and I did not
much like her manner so that I was glad when 2 o'
Clock came and set off as is the custom here without
saying a word. I As soon as I got home Mr Bull called
on me and took me in his sledge to a little Palace
of the Duke's about 4 english miles from the Town called
Schwetoff or some such name. It was small but ornamented
in an elegant taste and the back front of both
wings which were very long were green houses in which
there were a number of fine orange trees also at one
end a small aviary. There is a gallery of pictures
some of which appeared to me to be very good. In the
stables were a great number of very fine horses, the
Duke had just sold 7 to a Polish nobleman for
170 Ducats a piece.
When I returned I supt with
Mr Bull at his lodgings and thus I spent a whole day
without being able either to write any thing and not
at all to my satisfaction except from a little information
which I got from Bull. I believe he is a mighty
good sort of man is very well acquainted with most of
the people here and disposed to shew me all manner of
civilities.
Thursday 16th.
Last night to my no small joy I received your letter of
the 9th of November. It had come here a week ago but Baron
Klopman had sent it back as far as Lieban to meet me.
He also sent another by the next post which I believe is from
you likewise from his account of the seal this I may receive
perhaps Saturday night. I received also at the same time and
by the same means 2 other letters one from Hetties containing
some information I had written for: the other from Sr Trevor
Curry at Dantzic containing 2 letters of recommendation
for Copenhagen. Baron Klopman aye even in his blue ribbon
---page break---
had called on me as soon as ever he had got the letters
to bring them me himself and not finding me at home would not
leave them.
I must now continue my narrative, for
it is Saturday that I am writing this and as I expect your other lette
tonight I will stay to answer them both together if possible befor
the post goes out tomorrow.
>At about ½ past 11 as bef
Klopman called for me and took me to court. The Duk
an Dss did not make their appearances till the table was
served but I was exceedingly well entertained by the conversation
of the company who were there but more
particularly with Baron Medem the Dss father and
C HKeiserlinck Kleist's Uncle. In due time
you shall be acquainted a little with both their
histories. At table I was better placed than the first day
between Klopman & Keiserlinc instead of the 2 ladies,
and immediately opposite the Duke instead of 3 or 4 from
him on his right hand. The table is very long and narrow
the D & Dss are seated in the middle on one side and I was
consequently in the middle on the other. by this means I
could profit of thehis highness's conversation much better
and the greater part of it was directed to me. This I
believe for the future is to be my place and it is also
I believe the more honerable as I am between the 2 first
of the Court: for Keiserlinc is I think high Chamberlain.
They laughed at me a good deal about my former se
between the ladies especially the D for it happened that on
day one of the Ladies's nose began to bleed so that she w
obliged to leave the table. The separation after dinn
was nearly the same as the former day and we g
home a little after 2. I had before told you that w
I came home to day my mind was much occupied with
the behaviour of Baron Medem to me, I must now
tell you something of it. First as to his person, he
is about the size of Lind, but not quite so fat his hair almost white
curling naturally but disposed by art according to the
fashion. a florid open countenance, and a deal of softness
in his air and c language and deportment: I should
suppose his age to be nearer 70 than 60.
He had on the first day I was at court paid very particular
attention to me and seemed much pleased by the expressions I made
use of in speaking of the Dutchess his daughter. The manner in which
I was affected by the music seemed to give him favorable impressions
of me also, to day before dinner he told me a little of his history
that he had been a firm friend of Duke Charles who reigned
during the present Duke's father's disgrace and who is still I
believe alive, that he spent a vast deal of money in his
support and — even so as to contract debts and that in
short he had opposed the present Duke with all his
might but that now he was perfectly reconciled with him
in this manner was he talking to me without the least
reserve whenever we were both of us disengaged from the Duk
at one time when I made use of some expression which happen
to please him I suppose, he took me round the neck and
kissed me. If you are not sufficiently apprized of how much
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Identifier: | JB/538/419/002 "JB/" can not be assigned to a declared number type with value 538.
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1779-12-18 |
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538 |
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419 |
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002 |
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Correspondence |
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Samuel Bentham |
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