This Duchy had been mortgag’d by _Spain_, as Security for considerable Sums which were owing by that Crown to the Elector, who in consequence put his Troops to quarter there for the Winter. The _Dutch_, to whom _Spain_ was a Debtor in like manner, would gladly also have had that Duchy made over to them, as Security for their Debt; which not being to be done without the evacuation of our Troops, the matter was propos’d to _Dankelman_, who, whether he was surpriz’d, or brib’d, gave his consent to it. This was imputed to him as a Crime of State the more heinous, because _Spain_ being at that time ready to conclude a Peace with _France_, in pursuance of the Treaty of _Ryswic_, was very indifferent as to complying with the Demands of the Elector. To this the Minister fell a Sacrifice, but by good luck for him he had remitted several Sums to Foreign Countries, so that his disgrace was the lighter; which moreover had this singularity in it, that neither of his three Brothers nor any of his Creatures had a share in it, but were all continued in their Employments; and all the alteration that happen’d, was, that the Count _de Barfous_, then a Veldt-Marshal, performed for some time the Functions of the Prime Minister. In the mean time another Idol of Fortune rose upon the ruin of _Dankelman_. This was _John Casimir de Kolbe_, a Gentleman originally of the Palatinate: His first appearance at Court was in the time of _Frederic-William_ the Great, in the retinue of the Princess-Palatine _de Simmeren_, Sister of the first Electoress, who having desir’d the Elector to give _Kolbe_ some Employment; he made him a Privy-Counsellor, but gave him liberty to attend the Princess as much as ever, who was so good to him that she was reproach’d with caring for no body else. He went with her into the Palatinate, where that Princess died soon after, and then _Kolbe_ return’d to Court, where he was a meer Stranger, without Relations, Acquaintance or Protection; and ’twas a long time before any the least notice was taken of him. But after the death of _Frederic-William_, he made his Court to _Frederic_ his Son who succeeded him, and to _Dankelman_ his Minister. Being always humble, and a Flatterer into the bargain, he quickly gain’d their Friendship by his Assiduity, and by his study’d Affectation not to meddle or make in any Affairs. _Dankelman_, as crafty a Man as he was, did not perceive the Snare, but contributed most of all to his Favor, thinking all the while that he was promoting a Creature from whom he had nothing to fear. But _Kolbe_ no sooner perceiv’d the Elector’s Coldness to his Minister than he resolv’d to make his Advantage of it. He did not alter his Measures immediately, but seeming to have as little Concern in Affairs as ever, his only Aim was to feed and propagate the ill Humors which the Elector was often in with his Favorite. This Prince was inconstant, suspicious and choleric; and when those three Passions were