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Of the Court.
UNDER this Head I comprehend the King, Queen, Royal Family, Ministers of State, Knights of the Or∣der of the Elephant, and of Dannebrug, with other principal Officers belonging to the Court.
The present King of Denmark, Chri∣stian
the Fifth, is but of a moderate sta∣ture, rather lean than corpulent, yet well proportioned, and strongly built; his Complexion is Sanguin, he wears a black Perriwig; the Lines of the lower part of his Face are not unlike those of King Charles the Second; his Constitu∣tion has been very robust, capable to en∣dure, and loving to undergo all manner of fatigue; until that within these few years, having had some fits of the Gout, he thought it better to dispense with Exercises which might disturb his Ease; especially there being less need in time of Peace of his taking such pains as he easily could, and yet would do, were there occasion. He began the six and for∣tieth year of his Age the fifteenth of April 1692. His Habit is usually modest, but gentile; he seldom appears at Court times with either Hat or Gloves, though always (after the German fashion) with a good Sword girt close to his side.
As to his qualities, he is a Prince of singular affability and good nature; tem∣perate if you consider the humour of that Countrey; being neither luxurious in his Meat or Drink, and of late years very seldom making any Debauch. His Amours have not been many, and in
those he has continued very constant. He is Religious as a Prince ought to be, without doting on his Clergy, tho they seem to adore him; in his own temper a lover of Justice and Moderation; but often over-ruled by those about him, to whom he leaves the whole management of Affairs; because he neither loves, nor has a Genius for business. He speaks little, unless to his Ministers, and imme∣diate Servants; yet he gives all oppor∣tunity and encouragement to others to entertain him; as it were emboldening them by a gracious Smile, and advan∣cing towards them. He is Master of three Languages besides his own, the High and Low Dutch, and the French, using them with great ease upon occasi∣on. He was not bred up to any sort of Learning, yet takes a particular delight in Geography; and is never better plea∣sed than when an exact Chart of any Countrey, or Delineation of any For∣tress is brought to him: his Genius for the War inclining him to love Fortifica∣tion. He is of a clear undoubted Per∣sonal Courage, as has been often demon∣strated in the late Wars with Sweden: but eases himself of the greatest part of the Conduct, which he leaves to his Ge∣nerals,
not relying on his own Judgment either in occasions of Action or Negoti∣ations; though 'tis probable the great∣ness of his Courage in the one, and the sincerity of his Intentions in the other, would produce better effects, did he trust himself more, and others less. In fine, he is a very mild, and gracious Prince, beloved rather than reverenced by his People; who are sensible that the pre∣sent Form of Government, concurring with a King of a severe temper, would be altogether intolerable. His Motto under his Arms and Cypher is, Pietate & Justitia; and his Subjects do really believe the preservation of these to be his true Inclinations; and that all hard∣ships that fall upon them, have their rise from the Ministry. Therefore they complain of his permitting, rather than his acting, and attribute all the Evils they endure, to the easiness of his Tem∣per, and unhappiness of their present Constitution; which is not redressed by any Advantages derived from his Edu∣cation.
The Queen, Charlotta Amelia, is a Princess that deserves to be mentioned with all honour, even tho she were not of that high Quality. She is fair, and
well shap'd; her Complexion being a mixture of Flegmatick and Sanguin; and altho she be in the forty first year of her Age, continues still handsome; her Carriage is very engaging, affable, and free; her great Accomplishments secure to her the Hearts of her Subjects, notwithstanding her differing from them in Religion, and stop the mouths of the bigotted Lutherans, which would be apt enough to exclaim against her, did not a most unreproachable Life set her above Malice. They have made several Attempts to wound the Calvinist Reli∣gion through her sides; but she has hi∣therto frustrated them all, and preserved not only her self, but the little French Protestand Church (lately founded in Copenhagen by her Bounty, and subsisting through her Protection) from all the Assaults made against it by Persons in Power. And this she does the more ef∣fectually, through a prudent compliance with the King in matters indifferent, go∣ing frequently with him to the Lutheran Service and Sermons: thereby not only shewing the charitable and good Opini∣on she has of the Publick established Worship, but getting a greater freedom of going every Afternoon to hear the
French Ministers in her own Church. She is the common Refuge of distressed People, who never fail of their account in approaching her. Neither is Access to her difficult; she often prevents those that have need, and does good before she be sought unto. In short, she is Sister to the present Landgrave of Hesse Cassel; worthy of such a Brother, and the illu∣strious Stock from whence she proceeds.
The King of Denmark has five Chil∣dren; four Princes and one Princess. Prince Frederick the eldest, who is also called the Prince Royal, is about twenty years old; it were to be wished his E∣ducation had been more conformable to his quality; for his former Governor being somewhat pedantick, had infused a little stiffness and formality into the Pupil, which People that judge by out∣ward Appearances, are apt to miscon∣strue Pride; but doubtless his Travels have reformed that ill habit. Prince Christian, the second Son, is about eigh∣teen years of Age, of a more lively and affable temper than his elder Brother, as well as taller, and of a more robust Constitution; much addicted to Hunt∣ing, and riding the great Horse; he longs for nothing more than to see and
shew himself to the World. Prince Charles, the third Son, is about nine years old, and Prince William, the Fourth, a∣bout six. The former is a very forward hopeful Youth; the latter does not yet stir out of the Nursery, so that no Judg∣ment can be made of him.
The Princess—is about six∣teen, a very beautiful sweet tempered and well-educated Lady; she was con∣tracted to the present Elector of Saxony her own Cosin Germain; but the Match was afterwards broken off.
The King has besides these, two Natu∣ral Sons by Mrs. Mote, a Citizen's Daugh∣ter of Copenhagen, whom he had made Countess of Samsoe (an Island which he has given to her) the sends her more∣over, as it is confidently reported 1000 Rix Dollars every Saturday Night. The young Gentlemen, her Sons, are very handsome and hopeful. The eldest is in the Service of France, where he has a Regiment of Horse, and is called young Guldenlieu, to distinguish him from the Elder, who is Viceroy of Norway; the King gives him the Revenue of the Post-Office. This Appellation of Guldenlieu is appropriated to the Bastard Sons of the Kings; I know not whether it be∣gan
with the present Viceroy of Norway, or not; but it is likely to continue here∣after, and a young Guldenlieu will be∣come as necessary an Ornament to the Court, as an Heir of the Crown.
The second of the King's Sons, by the Countess of Samsoe, is designed for the Sea; and to that end has been sent several Voyages in a Man of War under the Direction of a trusty Person, in or∣der to fit him to be one day Admiral-General.
His high Excellency, Court Gulden∣lieu, Viceroy of Norway, and Natural Brother to the King, will be more pro∣perly mentioned here, as one of the Royal Family, than when we come to speak of the Ministers; for tho he be one of them, yet he cares not to embark himself deep in the Publick Affairs, having formerly, in some Occurrences, burnt his Fingers; he thinks it wisdom rather to enjoy his Divertisements, and the favour of the King, which he now firmly possesses. His Father, King Frede∣rick, loved him so well, that he once thought of making him King of Norway; which has been remembred to his pre∣judice, and obliges him to carry himself with great care, under a Government so
Arbitrary as this is. He is about fifty six years of Age, has been one of the hand∣somest, and continues one of the finest Gentlemen that Denmark has produced: having to his Natural Accomplishments, added all the advantages of Travel, and Knowledge of the World. He is a Man of Pleasure, and understands it in all its Refinements; his Palace, his Gardens, his Entertainment, manner of accost∣ing, &c. excelling by many degrees any thing that can be found elsewhere in that Kingdom. He was formerly Am∣bassador Extraordinary from King Fre∣derick his Father to King Charles the Se∣cond, who shewed such a particular esteem for him, that he made him the Partner of his Pleasures. And this is re∣turned by so deep a sense of that King's Kindness, that he scarce ever mentions his Name without great concern. He speaks a little English, and is very obli∣ging to any Person that belongs to this Countrey, in gratitude for the great Civilities he received here.
The King of Denmark's Court, as to Pomp and Magnificence, can hardly be called a Royal one; the Luxury and Extravagance of the more Southern Courts of Europe having not reached
thus far North, no more than their Riches. It is true indeed, since their good correspondence with France, their Man∣ners are somewhat refined above what they formerly were; they affect French Modes, French Servants, and French Of∣ficers in the Army; whereof they have one Lieutenant General, and one Ma∣jor General, who have quitted France for fighting Duels there. And this is either really true, or at least the pretence of such as seek Service in Foreign Coun∣tries on purpose to do the business of France, whose interest they always cul∣tivate industriously, tho they seem never so much in disgrace with their Prince.
In this Court no Ensigns of Majesty appear; let the occasion be never so so∣lemn, except such as are Military, all those which a standing Army can afford, such as Horse and Foot Guards, Tra∣bands, which answer our Beef-eaters, Kettle-Drums, and Trumpets, &c. are there is perfection, and used every day as much as in a Camp: but Badges of Peace, viz. Sword of State, Heralds, Maces, Chancellor's Purse, &c. are not known.
The King sits down to Dinner with his Queen, Children, Relations, prime
Ministers, and General Officers of the Army, till the round Table be filled, The Court Mareschal invites whom he thinks fit to eat with the King, speaking sometimes to one, sometimes to another, till all have had their turns in that ho∣nour. A Page in Livery says Grace be∣fore and after Meat, for no Chaplain ap∣pears either here, or in any other of the Protestant Courts abroad, but in the Pulpit. There is a plentiful Table; but the Meat dressed after their own manner. The King's particular Diet every day, is a Loin of roasted Veal, and his Drink Rhenish-Wine; whereof a silver Beaker∣full stands at every one's Plate, which generally serves for the whole Meal. The Attendants are one or two Gentle∣men, and the rest Livery Servants. No Ceremony of the Knee is used to the King. The Kettle Drums and Trum∣pets, which are ranged in a large place before the Palace, proclaim aloud the ve∣ry Minute when he sits down to Table. Sunday is his Fasting day, and by his Ex∣ample, is so to many of the Courtiers.
Court times, wherein those that have business, may most easily have Audience, are an hour before Dinner constantly, and sometimes before Supper. At such times
the King's Children, Domestick and Fo∣reign Ministers, Officers of the Army, and Houshold, appear in the Anti∣chamber and Bedchamber: these com∣pose the Court, and seldom amount to above the number of twenty or thirty. Few or no Gentlemen, that have not Employments, are seen at Court, or in Copenhagen, for Reasons formerly given.
The Officers of the Houshold are, The Marshal, who regulates the Affairs of the Family, and gives the King no∣tice when Dinner or Supper is ready. The Comptroller of the Kitchen, who places the Dishes of Meat upon the Ta∣ble, and is likewise Master of the Ord∣nance. The Master of the Horse, who looks after the King's Stables, and Studs of Mares, whereof the King has very many, and very good, especially those of one Breed particular to him, which are light Iron-Grey, with black Heads, Tails, and Mains. But one forms a nearer Idea of the Grandeur and Reve∣nue belonging to these several Offices, by imagining them like the same in the Fa∣milies of some of our English Noblemen, rather than of those belonging to White∣hall.
The Master of the Ceremonies is obli∣ged by his Employment to be a constant Attender at Court.
But the principal Favourite of the King is Monsieur Knute, a Mecklenburger, and only Gentleman of the Bedchamber. He has been bred up all along with the King, as his Confident and Companion in his Pleasures; is a civil well-natur'd Gentleman, speaks no Language but his own, and loves least of all the French; meddles rarely with publick business, yet when he undertakes any thing with the King, seldom fails of Success. There are several Grooms of the Bedchamber subordinate to him. And the Queen has many Gentlemen, Sons of Persons of the best Quality, which are Attendants upon her, and eight Maids of Honour.
The King's Ministers are, first, Mon∣sieur de Guldenlieu, who has the prece∣dence at the Council-Board, and in all other Commissions where he is employ∣ed with the rest; but business, as I inti∣mated before, being not his Talent, or at least not his Choice, it is rather out of respect to his quality, than otherwise, that he is reckoned among them.
Secondly, Count Raventlau, Great Master of the Game, which is the Em∣ployment
of greatest Profit in the King's Gift, after the Viceroyship of Norway: he is a Native of Holstein, and is lookt upon as Prime Minister; therefore all Foreign Ministers address themselves to him. He takes it not ill to be stiled so; tho he seems upon some occasions mo∣destly to decline it. He is very affable civil, and of easy access; a Man of Plea∣sure, and an admirer of the fair Sex, as well as Monsieur de Galdenlieu: his Parts and Learning are of a moderate size; tho of late, through a more dili∣gent application to business he be much improved; so that he seems to fill worthi∣ly enough the Post wherein his Master has placed him. He is about Three and forty years of Age, his Complexion fair, and his Constitution robust; his Inclina∣tions were but indifferent towards the French (as being convinced that the low Ebb of his Country's Prosperity, and his Master's Honour, were in a great measure owing to their Counsels and Practices) till within this year or two, that private Interest has reconciled him to that Court: the benefit of the French Traffick, during this War (wherein he is deeply concerned, as well by several Ships of his own, as by giving Pro∣tection
to others that manage that Trade) has made him think that it is his Master's Advantage, as well as his, to keep firm Friendship with France. On the other hand, the English obstruct∣ing that Traffick, by taking and con∣fiscating several Ships wherein he was concerned, seem to have quite lost his favour. Yet after all, 'tis believed, if he could procure the same, or equivalent Advantages for himself and his Master, his Inclinations would more willingly lead him to accept of them from Eng∣land than France; but the unhappy Cir∣cumstances of this present Conjuncture do render that matter scarce possible.
Thirdly, Baron Juel, younger Brother to the Admiral General, and a Dane by Birth, about sixty years old; he is very corpulent, and of a flegmatick Complexi∣on; more easy in his Fortunes than any about Court, which is in part owing to his remarkable parcimonious temper. The Danes look on him as one of the cunningest men among them, who un∣der the disguise of a seeming Simplici∣ty covers a great deal of Craft. His words are very few and smooth, and his behaviour Civil. It is thought that he sees with regret the Misery his Coun∣trey
is reduced to, as being one of the Stock of old Nobility, who have suf∣fered by the change of the Constitution: yet his Advice cannot be wanted, where there is such a scarcity of good Heads; and therefore he is employed in all diffi∣cult Affairs, which he manages with great dexterity and success.
Fourthly, Monsieur Ehrenschild, a German by birth, and formerly Secretary to Monsieur Terlon the French Ambassa∣dor at this Court, which makes him French in his Inclinations to this day. The King enobled him, and gave him the Name of Ehrenschild, instead of that of Beerman, by which he was formerly known. He is about 65 years old, of a weakly constitution, and therefore most commonly resides at Hamburg, under pretence that the Air is necessary for his Health; but in reality to manage the King's Affairs with that Town; where∣in is constantly maintained a Faction, which must have Life kept in it by the Residence of a Minister of Quality. Moreover, that City being conveniently seated for the Correspondence with all Germany, from whence a nearer inspe∣ction may be made into the proceedings of the neighbouring Princes, as well as
the management of the French Traffick during this War; it is thought necessa∣ry to keep an able Man there: this Mon∣sieur Ehrenschild has been bred a Scholar after the German way, and is well skill'd in negotiating; wherein he has been constantly employed since he first entered into business. He is esteemed a Cunning man, but has no great reputation of In∣tegrity; he affects to find out difficul∣ties, and is excellently skill'd in prolong∣ing a business. The Foreign Ministers call him by the Name of Fater difficul∣tatum, and say that he has a peculiar knack in finding nodum in scirpo. There∣fore they care not for Treating with him, because he values Argumentation, and seeks Sophisms rather than Truth, or the Decision of the Matter. You can never bring him to say such a thing is, thought it be as clear as the Sun; but cela peut estre: thereby leaving always a Hole open to creep out at. He hoards up all his Money, or puts it in the Banks of Hamburg and Amsterdam, having small prospect of a future happy esta∣blishment for his Family in Denmark. And this is the common Maxim of all the most intelligent Heads in that King∣dom, as appears by their making few or no Purchases.
Fifthly, Monsieur Plessen, a Gentle∣man of Mecklenburg, and formerly the Manager of Prince George's Revenue in Denmark. He is now the Ober-Rent Master, or Comptroller of the Finances, in the room of Monsieur Branat, lately removed from that Employment. The State of the Finances and Expences were very much embroiled, and the King some Millions of Crowns in Debt when he undertook the difficult Task of setting things right; which it is ge∣nerally thought he will accomplish as far as they are capable: and 'twas high time to set seriously about redressing Af∣fairs, for the King's Credit both at Ham∣burg, and every where else, was in a manner absolutely lost, through the ill Payment of all Assignments. He is about Six and forty years old, of a Me∣lancholy Complexion, and weakly Constitution; is esteemed to have a good Judgment, and to understand the World; tho his Distempers make him sometimes particular in his Humour. He speaks four or five Languages, and Eng∣lish among the rest. His Inclinations seem to be rather English than French; as well on the account of his Dependance on Prince George, as because he is con∣vinced
'tis more the Interest of his Ma∣ster to be well with England and Holland, than with France. He appears to be dis∣interessed, and is very easy in his For∣tunes, which consist most in ready Mo∣ney. In short, he is a Man of Business, and seems to be more dowright in his manner of dealing than many of the rest.
These Five compose the King's whole Privy Council. Four of them are con∣stantly at Court, and the fifth at Ham∣burg; by the weekly Advices of whom the others do for the most part regulate all their Deliberations.
The King in this Council determines all Affairs; deliberates of Peace or War, of Alliances, and other Treaties; of Taxes, Fortifications, Trade, &c. with∣out the intervention of any other Per∣son, unless it be the Secretaries of State; who are yet esteemed here rather as Mi∣nisterial Officers and Assistants, than principal Counsellors. There are four of these Secretaries that are not Secreta∣ries of State, in the sense that ours in England are, that is to say, Prime Mini∣sters; but carry the Pen, and have the management of the business relating to their several Provinces; the first is the Secretary for the Affairs of Denmark,
and is at present Monsieur
The second for the Affairs of Norway, is Monsieur Mote, Brother to the King's Mistress the Countess of Samsoe. The third for Foreign Affairs, is Monsieur Jessen; and the fourth, who is Secretary at War, is Monsieur Harboe. When any thing which concerns the Province of any of these is debated at Council, the Secretary it belongs to is to be present; but Monsieur Jessen never misses, because there is always business relating to Fo∣reign Affairs; and the usual times of the sitting of the Council being after the Posts come in, his Employment is to read all the Letters, and to make Re∣marks on them. This renders his Office more considerable than that of the other Secretaries, and makes him enter into the Secrets of the Cabinet, which pass for the most part through his sole ma∣nagement. He has also liberty to speak his Sentiments; and because he has been bred a Latin Scholar, that, as well as his Employment, entitles him to the penning of all Treaties with Foreign Ministers. Therefore he is constantly one of the Commissioners appointed to treat with them; and to whom they are to have recourse almost as necessarily
as to the Prime Minister, who suffers himself to be in a great measure guided by this Secretary. He is about forty, of a civil behaviour and humility, even to affectation; speaks four or five Langua∣ges very well, and very much; whereby he sometimes gives advantages to those that have business with him. He has but a moderate reputation for Sincerity, or Parts; yet so much used to the Road of Publick Affairs, that he cannot be wanted, because they have no fitter Man to put in his place. He is Son-in-Law to Monsieur Ehrenschild, by whom he is much governed, and of the same Inclinations as to France. This Affinity is a great support to his Fortune, as long as that old Gentleman lives; and his diligence in his Employment, (if there were nothing else) will secure to him his Post and his Princes Favour; provi∣ded always that he keep fair with the Prime Minister, (as at present he does) and act in concert with him.
The ordinary Diversions of the Court are Progresses, which are made once a year at least, to Sleswick, or Holstein, either to make a review of some Troops, or to see the Fortifications at Rendsburg; besides smaller Journies to Laland, and
elsewhere, up and down the Countrey. These are of no Expence to the Treasury, because the travelling Wagons and Hor∣ses are found by the Boors, who are also to pay their Personal Attendance, and be ready for all necessary Services. Du∣ring five or six Weeks every Summer, the Court removes to Jagersburg, a small Hunting-House, situated upon a little Lake within four English Miles of Co∣penhagen, and not far from the Sea: and for five or six Weeks more it resides at Fredericksburg, the chief Countrey Pa∣lace of the Kings of Denmark, about twenty English Miles from Copenhagen, began by Christian the Fourth, and finish∣ed by this King's Father, Frederick the Third: this is that House which the Danes boast so much of, and tell won∣ders of the quantity of Money it cost in building. It is seated in the midst of a Lake, the Foundations of it being laid in the Water, which probably occasioned the greatest part of the Expence; you pass into it over several Draw Bridges. This watry Situation is so moist and cold a Countrey, cannot be approved by the Critical in Seats, especially when the rising Grounds about this Lake (which are clothed with fine Woods)
afforded much better places both for health and prospect: but it is the hu∣mour of all this Kingdom, to build in the midst of Lakes; which I suppose was at first practised upon the score of Security. This Palace, notwithstanding the great cost they talk of, is far from being magnificent, or well contrived; for the Rooms are low, the Apartments ill disposed, the fine Chappel much too long in proportion to its breadth, and has a Gallery over it, which has one of the worst contrived Entrances that can be imagined. In fine, it falls far short of many of our Noblemens Countrey-Houses in England; yet is esteemed by the Danes as a None-such. There is in∣deed a fine Park about it, well filled with Red Deer; having large Ponds, high Trees in great quantity, a good Bathing-House, and other Countrey Embellish∣ments; so that it is by far to be preferred to all the rest of the King's Houses, which except these two last mentioned, are for the most part out of repair: that of the Fortress of Cronenburg near Fl∣signor, and of Coldingen in Jutland, with others, being scarce habitable even du∣ring one Fortnight in the Summer Quarter.
At Fredericksburg the Court spends most of its time in Stag-hunting, for there are few Fallow-Deer in Denmark; during which Sport the King allows great freedom to his Domesticks and Ministers, who commonly do all ac∣company him whereever he goes; inso∣much that he seems to lay aside all Ma∣jesty, and the Formalities of it for that Season; they eat and drink together, the latter sometimes to Excess, after a hard days hunting; when as soon as Dinner is done, they adjourn to the Wine-Cellar. About five or six in the Afternoon the Hunting-Assizes are so∣lemnly held in the great Court before the Palace, the Stag is drawn into the midst of it by the Huntsmen, who are all cloathed in Red, having their great Brass Hunting-horns about their Necks; and 'tis there broken up with great Ce∣remony, whilst the Hounds attend with much Noise and Impatience. One that is likeliest to give a good Gratuity to the Huntsmen, is invited to take Es∣say, and presented with the Deer's foot. Then Proclamation is made, if any can inform the King (who is both Supreme Judge and Executioner) of any Trans∣gression against the known Laws of
Hunting that day committed, let him stand forth and accuse; the accused is generally found guilty; and then two of the Gentlemen lead him to the Stag, and make him kneel down between the Horns, turning down his Head with his Buttocks up, and remove the Skirts of his Coat, which might intercept the blows; then comes his Majesty, and with a small long Wand gives the Offen∣der some Lashes on his Posteriors, whilst in the mean time the Huntsmen with their Brass Horns, and the Dogs with their loud Openings, proclaim the King's Justice, and the Criminal's Pu∣nishment. The whole Scene affording Diversion to the Queen, Ladies, and other Spectators, who are always as∣sisting, and stand in a Circle about the Place of Execution. This is as often repeated as there happen to be Delin∣quents; who as soon as the Chastise∣ment is over, rise up and make their Obeisance,
—proudly boasting Of their magnificent Rib-roasting.After all is done, the Hounds are per∣mitted to fall to, and eat the Deer.
At another season Swan-hunting is the Royal Pastime; the wild Swans haunt a certain small Island not far from Copenhagen, and breed there; about the time that the Young ones are near as big as the Old, before their Feathers are grown long enough to fly, the King with the Queen, Ladies, and others of the Court, go to the killing of them; the Foreign Ministers are usually invited to take part in this sport: every Person of Condition has a Pinnace allotted to him, and when they come near the haunt, they surround the place, and in∣close a great multitude of young Swans, which they destroy with Guns till they have killed some thousands. What is killed by the whole Company is brought to the Court, which challenges the Fea∣thers and Down of these Birds, the Flesh of them being good for nothing.
On Shrove-Tuesdays the King, Queen, Royal Family, Home and Foreign Mi∣nisters, and all the other Persons above∣mentioned, that usually compose the Court, cloath themselves in the habit of the North-Holland Boors, with great Trunk-hose, short Doublets, and large blue Thrum-Caps; the Ladies in blue Petticoats, and odd Head-dresses, &c.
Thus accoutred they get up in their Wagons, a Man before and a Woman be∣hind, which they drive themselves, and go to a Countrey Village called Amak, about three English miles from Town; there they dance to Bagpipes, and squeaking Fiddles, and have a Countrey Dinner, which they eat out of Earthen and Wooden Platters, with wooden Spoons, &c. and having passed the day in these Divertisements, where all are equal, and little regard had to Majesty, or other Quality: at Night they drive in like manner home again; and are en∣tertained at a Comedy and Magnificent Supper by the Viceroy Guldenlieu, spending the Remainder of the Night in Dancing in the same Habits, which they putnot off all that day.
Every Winter, as soon as the Snow is firm enough to bear, the Danes take great delight in going in Sleds. The King and Court first giving the Exam∣ple, and making several Tours about the Town in great Pomp, with Kettle-Drums and Trumpets; the Horses which draw the Sleds being richly a∣dorned with Trappings, and Harness full of small Bells, to give warning to such as stand in the way. After the
Court has been abroad, the Burgers and others trot about the Streets all night, wrapt up in their Fur Gowns, with each his Female in the Sled with him; and this they esteem a great and pleasant Pastime.
In travelling to Fredericksburg, Yu∣gersburg, and many other places from Copenhagen, there are two Highways; one the common Road, which is usu∣ally bad; the other the King's High∣way, very fair and even, peculiar to the Court, and such as it has a mind to fa∣vour in bestowing on them a Key to open the several Gates that are upon it.
In this Chapter of the Court, it will not be improper to take notice that there are in Denmark two Orders of Knighthood, viz. that of the Elephant, and that of Dannebrug; the former is very honourable, and the Companions of it are of the highest Quality, or ex∣traordinary Merit. Their Badge is an Elephant with a Castle on its back, set with Diamonds, and hung on a watered Sky-coloured Ribband, worn as the George is in England. The later is the honorary Reward of inferior Gentle∣men or Noblemen: their Badge is a white Ribband with red Edges, worn
over the contrary shoulder with a small Cross of Diamonds hung to it, and an Embroidery on the Breast of their Coats like a Star, in which is the Motto, Pi••∣tate & Justitia. They say that the Order of the Elephant was instituted about Two hundred and ten years ago by King Christian the First, at the Wedding of his Son.
They pretend that the Order of Dan∣nebrug is more Ancient, and recount many Fables of its Original, viz. That one King Dan saw a white Cross with red Edges, descend from Heaven, and thereupon instituted the Order, and gave it this compound Name, from Dan and Brug, which signifies Painting. The Knights of this Order are almost as common here, as Baronets with us, and therefore I omit their Names.
The following Ordonnance for Rank and Precedency was published in Danish and French, Anno 1680. But most of the Offices therein marked are now vacant.
Ilya à observer que quand plusiers charges
sont nommées ensemble. Et qu'elles ne sont pas distinguées de quelque numero à part. Ils prendront le rang entre eux selon qu'ils sont premiers en charge.
Les Ministres du Roy qui possedent quelques charges qui ne sont pas nommées dans cette Ordonnance retiendront même rang, qu'ils ont eu Jusques icy, & Ceux à qui le Roy a déja donné ou donnera le Rang deConseiller Privé jouiront du même Rang que s'ils l'Etoint effectivement.
Ceux qui possedent effectivement quel∣ques charges auront le Rang avant ceux qui en ont seulement le titre, & ne font point de fonction.
Ceux que le Roy dispense de ne plus exercer leur charges, retiendront pour∣tant le même Rang qu'ils avoient eu ex∣ercant leurs charges, & si quelqu'un prand une autre charge de moindre Rang que sa premiere n'étoit, il retiendra pourtant le Rang de la premiere.
Les Femmes se regleront ainsi qu'apres les Comtesses suivront les Gouvernantes, & Demoiselles de la Chambre, & de la Cour pendant qu'elles sont en service, a∣prez elles les Femmes de Conseillers Pri∣vez & qui tiennent Rang avec eux, en¦suite les Baronesses & autres Femmes selon la Condition de leurs maris tant de leur
vivant qu'aprez leur mort, pendant quelles demeurent veufves.
La Noblesse qui n'a point de charge, & les Capitaines de Cavalerie & d'Infan∣terie, & autres Persones Ecclesiastiques & Seculiers tiendront le pas entre eux comme ils ont fait auparavant.
Surquoy tous auront a se Régler sous∣peine de la perte de la faveur Royale. Et si quelqu'n contre toute Esperance se trouve de propre Authorité qui face quelque chose contre cette Ordonnance, payera tout aussi¦tost qu'il sera Convaincu d'un tel Crime l'amande de mille Reicsthalers. Et outre sera poursuive par le General fiscal du Roy, comme violateur des Ordres Royaux fait à Copenhag le 31 Decembre 1680.
Hudib.