When one has pass’d the Bridge, the King’s Palace offers itself to view; a great and stately Fabric, which _Frederic_ I. began in the Year 1699, and a worthy Monument of that Prince’s Magnificence, who was of Opinion, that of all the Sums expended by Sovereigns, those which they lay out in Buildings are least liable to Censure. And indeed Magnificence is well bestowed, and even Profusion seems justifiable in Architecture, because grand Edifices are the principal Ornament of any State. The Palace has been the Workmanship of several Architects; the Name of the first was _Schluter_, but he not giving Satisfaction was dismiss’d, and went into the Service of the Czar _Peter Alexiowitz_. Whatever he did is extremely incumber’d with Ornaments which have not a due Proportion. His Successor was _Eosander_, a _Swede_, who is a Lieutenant-General in the Service of the King of _Poland_: He was oblig’d in some measure to pursue what _Schluter_ had begun; so that if he has not come off well every where, he has at least that for his Excuse. The third was _Bot_, a _Frenchman_, and now General Officer in _Poland_; who without dispute was a much better Artist than the others. Every thing that he has done is more simple, yet more grand, noble, and complete. These three Architects having gone upon different Plans, you will easily imagine that the Fronts are not perfectly regular; yet for all this, had the Palace been finish’d according to the Models approv’d of by the late King, it wou’d have been inferior to no Edifice for Grandeur and Magnificence, except the _Louvre_ of _Paris_. King _Frederic-William_ does not think fit to carry on this Building, but leaves that Honour to his Son, the Prince Royal. As to giving you all the Particulars of this vast Palace, you will be so good as to excuse me: Be satisfied if I only tell you, that it consists of four Stories: The Apartments are large, have fine Cielings, and are royally furnish’d. In no part of the World did I ever see such a prodigious quantity of Plate, Tables, Stands, Lustres, Chandeliers, Screens, Looking-Glass Frames, Couches, Arm-Chairs, all of Silver. The late King left Plate to the value of two Millions eight hundred thousand Crowns, not reckoning the Fashion. In that call’d the Knights Hall, there’s a Beaufet which takes up one intire side of the Room, where there are Cisterns and Basons Silver gilt, of an extraordinary Size.