So gracious a Reception both from the King and Queen gave me great Hopes; and I return’d to _Berlin_, not doubting but the Promises he had made to me wou’d soon be perform’d; yet ’twas not without tedious Sollicitations from my Mother’s Friends that she obtain’d her Husband’s Liberty, after seven Months Confinement, besides paying a Fine for him of ten thousand Crowns. The Revenge which the Minister took upon those who had made my Father-in-law their Agent, was not so much talk’d of; for he contented himself with banishing them to their respective Estates or Governments, and disposing of their Offices among his most obsequious Creatures. One of these was the Count _de Witgenstein_, upon whom he confer’d the Office of the Grand Marshal. He was a Person of a good Family, but neither he nor his Ancestors had ever done any Service to the State; and all his Merit was an entire Devotion to the Prime Minister, to whom he was more a Slave than a Friend. As long as the Count _de Wartemberg_ continu’d in Favor, he kept his ground at Court; but the Fall of that Minister was attended with his. The Disgrace of my Father-in-law did not fail likewise to create a great deal of Trouble in my Family. My Mother follow’d him to his Estate in the Duchy of _Zell_, and I was sent with my Brother under the Conduct of a Governor to _Lunebourg_, there to finish my Studies. All _Europe_ was at this time in motion, and had taken part in the Quarrel between the Houses of _Austria_ and _Bourbon_, on account of the Succession to the Monarchy of _Spain_. _Philip_ of _Anjou_ was already in possession of it, by virtue of _Charles_ II’s last Will and Testament; and in pursuance of the Right he had to it by his Grandmother _Mary Theresa_ of _Austria_. The Emperor founded his Claim upon the Renunciation made by that Princess when she was married to _Lewis_ XIV. The greatest part of _Europe_, which the exorbitant Power of _France_ had begun to alarm, sided with the Emperor, who quitted his Rights in favor of the Archduke his Son. Besides the common Interest which it seem’d to be of all _Europe_ to hinder two such Monarchies as _France_ and _Spain_ from being govern’d by one Prince, several Potentates had their particular Reasons, for laying hold of this opportunity, to make war with _France_. The Court of _England_ was alarm’d at the Proceeding of _Lewis_ XIV. who had just recogniz’d the Son of _James_ II. lately deceas’d at _St. Germains_, for King of _England_, by the Name of _James_ III. in prejudice of King _William_, who had been recogniz’d by the Treaty of _Ryswic_. The _Dutch_ govern’d themselves by the Views of King _William_, who was all along their Stadtholder: And they could not forget the War in 1672, the Wounds of which were still bleeding.