to call her, has petitioned the King (December 23, 1786) to be pleased to let her know what she is to expect, and to give her an estate on which she may retire. The Sovereign offered her a country-house, at the distance of some leagues from Potsdam. The lady sent a positive refusal, and the King, in return, will not hear of any mention made of an estate. It is difficult to say what shall be the product of this conflict betwixt cupidity and avarice.” “Madam Rietz, who, of all the mistresses of the Sovereign, has most effectually resisted the inconstancy of men, and the intrigues of the wardrobe, has modestly demanded the Margravate of Schwedt from the King, to serve as a place of retreat, and four gentlemen to travel with her son, as with the son of a monarch. This audacious request has not displeased the King, who had been offended by the demand made of an estate. He, no doubt, has discovered that he is highly respected, now that he receives propositions so honourable.” She visited Italy soon after her divorce, where she dissipated such immense sums that she was obliged to return to repair the continual drain. Dear variety was now her motto. Her attachment to the young Count, Louis Bouillé, is thought to have tended very much to induce the Court of Berlin to join in the invasion of France. Pains were taken, after his dismissal, to attach her to an Irish nobleman, Lord T----n. Whatever may have been the fatal consequence of her influence, she may serve as an example, that, however vice may flourish for a while, its reign is of short duration. “The demise of her protector put an end to all her consequence,” says one of her biographers, “her revenues, her flatterers, and her liberty, and in a moment, annihilated the Juno of anti-jacobinism.” She is now imprisoned in the castle of Glogau, execrated by the poor, whom she oppressed, and detested by the nobility, whom she endeavoured to rival in power and splendor, and unpitied by all. Her _château_ at Charlottenberg was lately sold to Mr. Eckhardt for an immense sum. Thus I have given you a short sketch of the life of this extraordinary woman. I hope to see you soon, and hear from your own lips what effect her confessions have made on you as a man, and more particularly as an Englishman. I am, with true regard, Your’s truly, RICHARD B--T--N. _Hamburgh, March 8, 1799._ MY CONFESSIONS.