CATHERINE OF SCHWARTZBURG. 



on its march through her territories. In return for which 

 ihe bound herfelf to allow the fpanifh troops that were 

 tranfported to Rudolftadt on the Saalbrucke, to fupply 

 themfelves with bread, beer and other provifions at a 

 reafonable price, in that place. At the fame time £he 

 took the precaution to have the bridge which ftood 

 clofe to the town, demolifhed in all haffce, and re- 

 conftrucled over the river at a conliderable diftance ; 

 that the too great proximity of the city might be no 

 temptation to her rapacious guefts. The inhabitants 

 too of all the places through which the army was to 

 pafs, were informed that they might fend the chief of 

 their valuables to the caftle of Rudolftadt. 



Mean time, the fpanifh general, attended by prince 

 Henry of Brunfwick and his fons, approached the 

 city, and invited themfelves, by a menenger whom 

 they difpatched before, to take their morning's repaft 

 with the countefs of Schwartzburg, So modert a re- 

 queft, made at the head of an army, was not to be re- 

 jected. The anfwer returned was that they Ihould be 

 kindly fupplied with what the houfe afforded ; that his 

 excellency might come, and be allured of a welcome 

 reception. However, fhe did not neglect, at the 

 fame time, to remind the fpanifh general of the fafe-? 

 guard, and to urge home to him the confeientious ob- 

 fervance of it. 



A friendly reception, and a well-furnifhed table 

 welcomed the arrival of the duke at the caftle. He 

 was obliged to conrefs, that the Thuringian ladies had 

 an excellent notion of cookery, and did honour to the 

 Jaws of hofpitality. But fcarcely had they taken their 

 feats, when a meffenger out of breath called the 



countefs 



