12 
TRAVELS 
fortrefs of Warberg. Daring his confinement at this place, as 
he had not been convicted of any crime, though fufpe&ed, he 
was in the full enjoyment of all his wealth and income : and, 
whether from malignity, rage, or madnefs, he one day formed 
a refolution to execute a ftratagem for raifing a fatnine in the 
little town of Warberg. He gave orders early in the morning 
for buying up all the provifions in the market-place, and bringing 
them forthwith to him. It was a matter of fatisfa&ion and 
pleafure to him, to think that all the inhabitants of the town 
would be pinched with hunger, while he himfelf pofTeffed the ut- 
moft abundance; and that in this manner, the befiegers being 
reduced to famine by the befieged, the ufual operations of war¬ 
fare w r ould be completely reverfed. This aCt of extravagance w 7 as 
not more afflicting to the citizens of Warberg, than it was 
acceptable to the officers and foldiers of the garrifon, and the pri- 
foners confined befides himfelf in the caftle. This anecdote, 
which is in perfect conformity wdth the character of Peckling, 
who united with excellent talents a confiderable fhare of excen- 
tricity, though told by every body at Warberg, I have not feen in 
any public prints, or books of travels. General Peckling had a 
great reputation for eloquence and political acquirements, and 
above all, for an intimate acquaintance with the laws of his 
country. By means of his legal knowledge, he always efcaped 
with fafety from the various law-fuits in which he w r as involved. 
He was wont to amufe himfelf with teazing and making game of 
his judges, wdio were oft^n confounded by his fubtleties and legal 
fophiflry. 
