HINTS of OCCURRENCES , &c.

33

which I had many difficulties to encounter, from the want of kitchen utenfils. Two bricks placed edgeways withflicks laid acrofs, was the only contrivance I had the means of fubflituting for a gridiron; every thing elfe was con-fiftent with this fpecimen. By way of confolation, they informed me I fuffered no peculiar inconvenience, forthat the town in general was no better fupplied with houfehold conveniences, or other accommodations, than ourhoftefs; I was therefore perhaps better off with her than I fhould have been elfewhere, as no perfon could havebeen more folicitous to ferve or oblige us.

It may feem flrange that I fhould continue for many days in a fituation fo very uncomfortable, when a fewhours might have conveyed me within reach of every convenience and accommodation the country afforded. Thetruth is, I had given my hobby-horfe the rein. The caflle of Marxburgh had caught my attention, and I could notleave Braubach without adding to my collection, the different views of an object which flruck me as peculiarlybeautiful and romantic. This caflle, which belonged formerly to the Prince Palatine, was a place of confiderableflrength; but being deflroyed as a fortrefs in 1689, when the Palatinate was laid wafle by Louis the fourteenth,has not fince been repaired. It afterwards devolved by treaty or exchange, with the Bailiwick of Braubach, to thePrince of Heffe-Darmfladt, who has converted it into a flate prifon.

Among its prefent inhabitants is a Jacobin Prior, who has fuffered the lofs of liberty for more than twentyyears, for prefuming to write againfl fuperflition. The Prince is tormented with a dread of fpirits, fince the deathof a favourite, which he occafioned in the chace ; and fleeps in an apartment lightened with wax candles, and fur-nifhed with guards.—He has committed the government to his eldefl fon. The caflle of Marxburgh is likewifethe place of confinement to which the Prince fends his miflreffes, if they have the misfortune to incur his jealoufyor difpleafure. In 1782, Madam Blanquette fell under his fufpicion, and was committed to this prifon.. She pre-vailed on the fervant who brought her provifions, to exchange dreffes with her, and efcaped. The Prince doomedthe fervant to the fate intended for his miflrefs, and confifcated her effeCts. The caflle is guarded by militia.

The peafants in this principality are Serfs, or flaves ; they mufl ferve four years before they are allowed to mar-ry : and if they defert, become the property of government. When the Prince takes the diverfion of hunting,the peafants, to the amount of four or five hundred, are obliged to form a circle, and to drive the Game to a def-tined fpot. If one of them kills a hare, and is difcovered, he is condemned to the hard lot of being chained to awheel-barrow, in which he conveys Hones, or dirt, for the remainder of his life, to and from the capital.

The Rock on which the caflle of Marxburgh is fituated, Hands clofe to Braubach; and is reprefented, with a

R part