As a new century dawned, Witte's future seemed bright. He was the most powerful of the tsar's ministers, blessed with the visible signs of bureaucratic grace: the second highest rank in the civil service, that of actulal privy councilor, the civilian equivalent of full general (no one held the highest civilian rank then or later); the position of state secretary to His Majesty, the civilian equivalent of general-adjutant; member of the highest orders of the empire. He was an international celebrity, and his doings were closely followed by the domestic and foreign press.
Does bureaucratic grace mean benefits? Does one need an article before member?
Comments
Yes, something like that.
No.