Series 1 > Journal of the Hon. John Erskine of Carnock, 1683-1687

198
JOURNAL OF THE HON.
[JULY
countenance. The Emperor’s embassador, the Duke of Hol¬
stein, and several others, sat at table with him. The courtiers
were in good order and the court throng.
13fA.—I was with my Lord Leven in his own chamber.
\^th.—I went a while into a high Dutch sermon, where
several persons about Court were hearers. I met with Stairs,
President, in the church.
Vith.—I was with Mr. Dundas. I was now making it my
work to understand high Dutch, and to exercise arms. This
day Mr. Dundas and Mr. Gray went for Rotterdam. I went
about much of Wesel upon the walls; its not so large as
Utrecht, but I think there are more inhabitants in it.
YUh.—This day the Duke of Brandenburgh went from this
to Cleves, a regiment of foot having gone before him. He
with his Dutchess travelled in a little calash. The Duke had
a princely carriage, and was much respected by all his ministers
and people about him.
18^.—I stayed within all day.
19^.—This day all of us, viz. Mr. Baillie, Mr. Hume, Mr.
Lockhart, Mr. Cuningham, Mr. Bruce, my cousin and I, with
John Boyd, whom we brought with us, took boat at Wesel,
and came down the Rhine to Rees, a little town standing upon
the river; here we stayed a while. From this we came by
water to Emmerick, where we stayed all night. This is bigger
than Rees, but less than Wesel.
9,0th.—This morning we went into a popish church, where
they were at mass. There was but about six persons, with two
young boys who served the priest. He was still mumbling off
a book to himself; when he spoke out it was but a few words
in Latin. He frequently crossed the cup that was before him,
sometimes holding it above his head that those behind him
might see it. He frequently kissed the cloath that was before
him, I know not what was under it, and kneeled about ten
times in half an hour. There were two lighted candles before
him. Then we went into the Jesuits’ College, and by one of
their number was taken through their lodging and gardens.
They had a considerable library, and other things in good
order. They were very civil in shewing us every thing. We
crossed the Rhine here, and went on foot to Cleves, which is