“In those little Courts there is no distinction of much value but what arises from the favour of the Prince, and Madame Platen saw with great indignation that all her charms were passed over unregarded; and she took a method to get over this misfortune which would never have entered into the head of a woman of sense, and yet which met with wonderful success.  She asked an audience of his Highness, who granted it without guessing what she meant by it; and she told him that as nobody could refuse her the first rank in that place, it was very mortifying to see his Highness not show her any mark of favour; and as no person could be more attached to his person than herself, she begged with tears in her fine eyes that he would alter his behaviour to her.  The Elector, very much astonished at this complaint, answered that he did not know any reason he had given her to believe he was wanting in respect for her, and that he thought her not only the greatest lady, but the greatest beauty of the court.  ‘If that be true, sire,’ replied she, sobbing, ’why do you pass all your time with Mademoiselle Schulenburg, while I hardly receive the honour of a visit from you?’ His Highness promised to mend his manners, and from that time was very assiduous in waiting upon her.  This ended in a fondness, which her husband disliked so much that he parted with her, and she had the glory of possessing the heart and person of her master, and to turn the whole stream of courtiers that used to attend Mademoiselle Schulenburg to her side.  However, he did not break with his first love, and often went to her apartment to cut paper, which was his chief employment there; which the Countess of Platen easily permitted him, having often occasion for his absence.  She was naturally gallant; and, after having thus satisfied her ambition, pursued her warmer inclinations.

“Young Craggs came about this time to Hanover, where his father sent him to take a view of that court in his tour of travelling.  He was in his first bloom of youth and vigour, and had so strong an appearance of that perfection, that it was called beauty by the generality of women:  though in my opinion there was a coarseness in his face and shape that had more the air of a porter than a gentleman; and, if fortune had not interposed her almighty power, he might by his birth have appeared in that figure; his father being nothing more considerable at his first appearance in the world than footman to Lady Mary Mordaunt, the gallant Duchess of Norfolk, who had always half a dozen intrigues to manage.  Some servant must always be trusted in affairs of that kind and James Craggs had the good fortune to be chose for that purpose.  She found him both faithful and discreet, and he was soon advanced to the dignity of valet-de-chambre.