MINNA ENCKEN,
Countess of Lichtenau.
THE
CONFESSIONS
OF THE CELEBRATED
COUNTESS OF LICHTENAU,
Late Mrs. RIETZ,
NOW CONFINED IN THE FORTRESS OF GLOGAU AS A STATE-PRISONER.
DRAWN FROM ORIGINAL PAPERS,
TRANSLATED FROM THE GERMAN.
WITH AN
Engraved Portrait of the Countess,
AFTER AN
Original PAINTING in the Possession of the Countess MATUSKA.
London:
PRINTED BY J. W. MYERS,
FOR W. WEST, NO. 27, PATERNOSTER-ROW.
1799.
[Pg iii]
TO
Mr. L——S H——Y, at Bath.
Dear Sir,
I avail myself of the departure of an English gentleman, who intends toset out for your city in a few days, to transmit you the translation ofa pamphlet which has lately appeared in German, and which is read withgreat avidity. If the perusal of it should afford you any amusement, itwill amply repay the few moments that I devoted to friendship.
It consists chiefly of the confessions of a woman, whose beauty firstushered her into notice, and whose intrigues enabled her to maintainthe conquests which her personal charms had made, even when visiblyon the decline. Had she confined herself to the private circles ofher amours, we might have heard little more of her than other modern[Pg iv]Thaises, but her ambition extended to politics, and the fataleffect of her influence in that line has been felt, I am afraid,by more nations than one in the present unhappy contest with thedemagogues of France.
The original papers which were found in the possession of the Countesswhen she was arrested, and from which these confessions have beendrawn, were communicated to the Author of this pamphlet by a Memberof the Committee appointed to enquire into the transactions of thisintriguing woman. The language, however, was so gross and indelicate,that, out of respect to religion and morality, it was necessary toomit them. It was also thought proper to omit many political passages,and wait till a proper opportunity presented itself to bring them tolight. Then you will be surprised to find the part this