not as a foreigner who came to
entreat employment, but as the heir of the house of Trenck, and its rich
Hungarian possessions, and as the former favourite of the Prussian
monarch.

I was also admitted to the society of the first literati, and wrote a
poem on the anniversary of the coronation of the Empress Elizabeth.
Hyndford took care she should see it, and, in conjunction with the
chancellor, presented me to the sovereign. My reception was most
gracious. She herself recommended me to the chancellor, and presented me
with a gold-hilted sword, worth a thousand roubles. This raised me
highly in the esteem of all the houses of the Bestuchef party.

Manners were at that time so rude in Russia, that every foreigner who
gave a dinner, or a ball, must send notice to the chancellor Bestuchef,
that he might return a list of the guests allowed to be invited. Faction
governed everything; and wherever Bestuchef was, no friend of Woranzow
durst appear. I was the intimate of the Austrian and English
ambassadors; consequently, was caressed and esteemed in all companies. I
soon became the favourite of the chancellor's lady, as I shall hereafter
notice; and nothing more was wanting to obtain all I could wish.

I was well acquainted with architectural design, had free access to the
house and cabinet of the chancellor, where I drew in company with Colonel
Oettinger, who was then the head architect of Russia, and made the
perspective view of the new palace, which the chancellor intended to
build at Moscow, by which I acquired universal honour. I had gained more
acquaintance in, and knowledge of, Russia in one month, than others,
wanting my means, have done in twelve.

As I was one day relating my progress to Lord Hyndford, he, like a
friend, grown grey in courts, kindly took the trouble to advise me. From
him I obtained a perfect knowledge of Russia; he was acquainted with all
the intrigues of European courts, their families, party cabals, the
foibles of the monarchs, the principles of their government, the plots of
the great Peter, and had also made the peace of Breslau. Thus, having
been the confidential friend of Frederic, he was intimately acquainted
with his heart, as well as the sources of his power. Hyndford was
penetrating, noble-minded, had the greatness of the Briton, without his
haughtiness; and the principles, by which he combined the past, the
present, and the future, were so clear, that I, his scholar, by adheri