Vessel it seems could not avoid her destiny For the next Morning early we found our selves in sight of the whole Fleet of the Enemy who had no sooner descry'd us but they sent Seven or Eight Ships in pursuit of our Vessel and four more of which there escaped but one the rest all fell into their Hands The Greenwich a Man of War of Sixty Guns took us and the Captain order'd us immediately to be carried on board of his Ship They were so civil as not to strip us but they took all the Money we had and what else belong'd to us After the Captain had perus'd my Commission and found what Post I serv'd in he order'd me to Dine with him at his Table which gave me so much encouragement as to desire him to let me have my Quilt he answer'd me the Quilt was as yet in the Ship in which we had been taken and that all what was in his power to do for me at the present was to send me on board of it again to take the Conveniency of it there I return'd him thanks and he did me the favour to give leave to three more of our Officers to go along with me when we were come into the Ship we found that they had taken all the French Seamen out of her and had put English in their places This Vessel being very heavy loaden could not keep up with the Fleet but was in the Morning at break of Day about a Mile distant from the rest One Captain Newburgh who Commanded a stout Dutch Man of War happen'd to be nearest to her and not knowing her to be a Prize was in hopes of making her his with this intention he came up with us early in the Morning and having sent a Sloop on board they examin'd the Seamen from whence the Vessel came and whither bound the Seamen call'd a Sergeant who was to guard the Ship to give an account of the matter which he did accordingly but because he had no Orders in Writing and they would not take his Word Captain Newburgh made himself Master of the Ship He sent however soon after to the Captain of the Greenwich to know whether she were his Prize and being given to understand that she was so he immediately took his Seamen out of her again In three Hours after the Earl of Torrington Admiral of the English Fleet unto whom they had shewn my Commission did send for me and several others of the French Officers that had been taken with me on board his Ship where we were extreamly civilly receiv'd and invited to Dine with the Admiral This Lord had been in great esteem with the King of England and had had a considerable Place in his Court but the King being resolv'd afterwards not to entertain any but Catholicks in his Court he sent for him and told him that he must either quit his Place or change his Religion The Admiral chusing the first retir'd into Holland where he was very Instrumental in laying the Foundation of that great Revolution which since happen'd in England Whilst we sat at Table our Discourse run upon several different Subjects but among the rest upon the Misfortune which had so lately befal'n the King of England Upon which Mr. Greenville who was Captain of a Man of War was so bold as to say That if King James had turn'd my Lord Torrington out the Doors he had been even with him since for he had turn'd him out of three Kingdoms Before Dinner was over Advice was brought to my Lord Torrington that they had just then taken one of the French King's Friggots call'd the Wanton carrying 36 Guns She was Commanded by one Picard a Gentleman of Fortune who had defended himself with incredible Bravery from three a Clock in the Morning till one in the Afternoon against Eight of the Enemies Ships There was not one there but what applauded his Courage and the English who otherwise are the most jealous People in the World and were Eye-witnesses of our Action could not forbear to give him all the Praises due to his Merits My Lord Berkley then Rear-Admiral of the English Din'd with us at the same time He had been in France some Years before and I became acquainted with him at Poictiers where we happen'd to Lodge in the same Inn as did likewise Mr. Greenville Understanding that they Intended in a few Days to go to Paris I desir'd them that in their way they would call at my House in the Country which they did and stay'd with me a whole Week during which time I entertain'd them as well as my Circumstances would permit They no sooner saw me but knew me again and after they had paid me all the imaginable Civilities Mr. Greenville was pleas'd to tell me let come of it what would he must have me on board with him which being as soon granted as ask'd we went not long after together on board his Ship where I had not been many Hours but he began to entertain me concerning the Affairs of the Kingdom of England and to use many Perswasions to bring me over to his side He knew that I had serv'd for a considerable time among the Enemies of France which doubtless gave him the more Encouragement to believe that it would be no difficult matter to perswade me to accept of his Proposals I answer'd him that when I consider'd those extraordinary marks of his Friendship he had honour'd me with both when he was in France some Years ago and now again within these few Hours I had all the reason in the World to perswade my self that he was my real Friend but that considering what Advice he was pleas'd to give me at this time I could not but be afraid I had flatter'd my self too soon That if he would take my word I could assure him that I was not likely to be what he would have me and that he did me wrong if he entertain'd any other thought of me He answer'd me that if he had not been my Friend he should scarce have made me such an Offer that France was not in a condition to withstand so many Enemies as had declar'd War against it and that it was but Prudence for me to engage my self on the strongest side I told him again that he did not consider very well what he said as to this Point that France was more powerful than all those Enemies that were Engag'd in a League against it but this being not the matter in dispute betwixt us I would take it for granted to be so I was a Subject of the French King I had my Estate Wife and Children in that Kingdom all which were such strong ties as indispensably oblig'd me to spend my last drop of Blood in his Service He answer'd me as to what concern'd my Estate the Prince of Orange unto whom he gave the Title of King of England had Generosity enough to give me double Recompence for the loss of it and for
him order'd me to get every thing ready to go along with him into England where he was to buy some Horses for the Cardinal Monsieur de Bordeaux having recommended him to his Eminency as one the best skill'd in Horses of any Man living which indeed was no more than the Truth there being scarce any body who excell'd him in this point To be short our Journey proved very unfortunate We came to Calais just after the Packet-boat was sailed for England so that we were under a necessity to lay hold of the next conveniency of a Vessel bound for London Thus by the Intrigues of a mischievous Tongue I saw my self disappointed of the hopes of making my Fortune near the King But as one ill fortune seldom comes alone we were not long after in most eminent danger of having been Shipwrack'd For the Wind blowing very hard from the South-West we were drove e'en upon the Sands in sight of Pettem on the Dutch Coast Having refreshed our selves a little on shoar we returned on board and being got clear by the help of the Tide we were soon after by a most violent Tempest forced upon the Coast of Norway The Tempest was so terrible that for four or five Days together we were not able to distinguish Day from Night till the fury of the Storm being somewhat abated the Seamen descry'd at a great distance the City of Bergen the Capital of the Kingdom of Norway The Ship having suffered considerable Damage in the late Tempest it was resolved to take the Harbour which being done the Ship was fain to be laid up in order to be Refitted The great Frost which happen'd in a few days after and which render'd that Port unpassable made us take up our Quarters there for the whole Winter and we lodged at the House of a French Merchant living in that City As he had good Correspondence in France we took this opportunity to let our Friends there know what was befallen us and he being inform'd by some of his Correspendents of my Fathers Quality was very desirous to marry me to his only Daughter This Merchant passing for a vast Rich Man in this Country my Father who hop'd to have found a means to make my Fortune did give ear to his Proposition and the Daughter shew'd much more inclination to me than to any of that Country but I had not the same favourable Sentiments for her Person her whole disposition appearing to me as savage as the Country she Inhabited it being impossible to give you a true Idea of the unpoliteness of the Inhabitants of that Country for most of them run away at the very sight of a Stranger and to me they appear'd at a distance more like Bears than Men. My Father did all he could to move this squeamishness of mine telling me that a Man of Fortune must pass by abundance of those Matters to meliorate his Condition but to little purpose Nevertheless I should questionless have found it a hard task to have got rid of my intended Spouse if her Father had proved as rich as we at first Imagined But when my Father began to sound the bottom and what Portion he intended to give his Daughter we found that there was not much ready Cash his Riches consisting chiefly in his Book Debts and some Lands in Norway In the mean while my Father was gone so far as to be almost past retreating the only pretext he had left to gain time was that he was unwilling to conclude the Matter without the advice of his Relations Thus the business protracting and the Spring coming on we got on board again in order to pursue our Voyage Thus I saw my self delivered from a Country where I was afraid I should have ended my Days among the Bears for to speak Truth I could see nothing else there but these Beasts and Sorcerers The last are so common in that Country as with us the shooe-makers or any other Artificers They sell Wind to the Masters of Ships just as they are ready to set sail and that not in private as forbidden Commodities us'd to be dispos'd of in other places but in Publick no otherwise than as if they sold you one of the Products of their Country Our Master of the Ship purchas'd some as well as the rest which indeed could not but surprize me to a high degree to see those People so void of all fear of offending God Almighty as to put their Confidence in and to sacrifice to the Devil Being at last safely arrived at Gravesend we got ashoar making the best of our way to London upon some Hackney-Horses which our Host there had provided for us The first thing we did was to visit Monsieur De Bordeaux who received us very kindly and would needs have us stay with him in his House For being a great Gallant he used to pay frequent Visits to the Ladies so that for five or six Months together I did little else but spend my time in visiting with him I had a most peculiar Genius for the English Tongue which in a Years time I knew as well as if I had been a Native of that Kingdom Mounsieur de Bordeaux had at that time a Mistriss a Knight's Lady whose Husband having conceiv'd some Jealousie at their Conversation had left her and as it was given out was gone to Rome to visit all the Cities of Italy to satisfie his Curiosity which had been always bent to Travelling But about three Months after my arrival as Monsieur de Bordeaux and I were coming one day from visiting this Lady a Musquetoon was discharg'd at our Coach the Bullets of which passed from before where the Coachman's Seat is through the Coach where the Footmen are commonly plac'd without doing any harm but to wound the Coachman Monsieur de Bordeaux and I having not receiv'd the least Hurt and the Footmen also having escap'd the danger because they had to their good Fortune just a Moment before left the Coach and were walking by There was no body that could give the least account of the Author of this intended Murther some suspected the same to proceed from a certain Person who bore the Character of an Envoy of the Prince of Conde in London others gave out that this Lady's Husband being return'd out of Italy intended to bestow this upon us as a Recompence for the Pains we had taken to dignifie him with Horns the last indeed seem'd to be the most probable In the mean while I did nothing but lose time without the least prospect of Advancement in this Country when a sudden Accident happen'd which prov'd to my advantage For one Crible who was come out of France with Monsieur de Bordeaux in the Quality of Secretary stabb'd his Butler with a Knife and was forc'd to fly the Country to avoid punishment Monsieur de Bordeaux after he had for some time resided in England in the Quality of an Envoy Extraordinary from France was of
had not the least suspicion of before so that considering with my self that in point of prudence I ought not to engage with four Pick-pockets at once I very civilly answer'd them That I was sorry I should be busie all that day long but that at night after Supper I would be ready to do what they thought convenient They were so weak as to believe me to be in earnest and so left me But the first thing I did was to pay a Visit to the Marquiss de Ville who was then Governour of Brussels and my Acquaintance I gave him an exact relation in what manner I had been likely to have been dealt withal by these Fellows desiring his assistance He told me I must have them taken up and if I pleas'd he would send me some of his Guards It was then agreed betwixt us that eight of them should one after another at several Intervals come to enquire for me at the Inn whom I should take care to hide behind the Hangings and in some Closets that were in a certain Anti-Chamber next to my Lodging Room where they might over hear us and at a Signal given be ready to seize them This being done accordingly when Supper-time drew near I told the Hostess that my Wife being somewhat indispos'd to night we intended to Sup in our Bed-Chamber and the four Sharpers were no sooner advertis'd of it but they came up boldly to me and began to tell me in very gross Terms that they saw I took this for a pretext not to perform my promise and other such like Expressions Those of the Guards who heard every word they said sallied thereupon forth out of their Ambush seiz'd them all four and so carried them to Prison Next day they made their applications to me In hopes that they might be discharg'd with asking my Pardon but the Marquess de Ville would have them punish'd which indeed he did for they were forc'd to pay a good Fine and return all what they had got out of several Persons to the right Owners Thus being rid of my Company I pursu'd my Journey to Paris As I pass'd through Peronne the Farmers of the Customs or rather their Emissaries stop'd my Coach pretending that I had some prohibited Commodities there I declar'd to them I had none but they answer'd me positively they knew the contrary and since I was not in an Humour to make a sincere Confession they would take care to find them out themselves So they would have made me alight till they could search all over the Coach which I refus'd to do telling them they might go along with me to the Inn where they should search as long as they pleas'd But these Brutes not being satisfi'd with this I began to be a little rough with them which made the Receiver or Surveyor come forth out of his Office and having understood what was the occasion of our Difference he order'd them to follow me to the Inn and to do their Duty there After we were come to the Inn they search'd us all over one after another not excepting the Child it self which they made the Maid unswath below in the Yard I was not able to brook so much rudeness without giving them some harsh words and I order'd my Wife's Chambermaid who always tended that Child my Wife being according to the Custom of the German Ladies Nurse herself to carry them up Stairs and to open before their Faces a Basket with Linnen and other things belonging to the Child this being the only thing they had not seen as yet Two of the Custom-house Officers went accordingly up Stairs after her where when the Maid had open'd the Basket one of them more eager than the other in the performance of his Office put his Hand into the Basket and as ill chance would have it happen'd to light upon a shitten Clout which made him draw back his Hand as fast as he could but so bedaub'd and tainted with so odoriferous a Smell that his Companion could not forbear to burst out into laughter The other being vex'd to the Soul to see himself thus ridicul'd clapt his Hand into his Companion 's Face which put him into such a Fury that he drew his Sword and run him through the Body so that he fell instantly dead upon the Floor The Chamber-maid seeing what pass'd betwixt them was so frightn'd at it that she threw the Child on the Bed and before she could get out of the Room fell into a Swoon which gave opportunity to him who had committed the Murther to escape undiscover'd Whilst this happen'd above Stairs I was in the Stable to see that my Horses were well order'd after their Journey my Wife being conducted by one of the Servants belonging to the Inn into a Parlour below Two other Custom-House Officers had in the mean while been taken up with searching all Corners of my Coach where they would needs find out some Points and Hair because they had some days before receiv'd certain Information from Brussels that a good quantity of these Goods had been hid betwixt the roof of a Coach drawn by Six Gray Horses in order to be secretly convey'd into France My Coach and colour of the Horses agreeing in all respects with what had been told them they were fully perswaded that this must be the Coach which made them be so eager in their Search At the same time my Spouse began to enquire what was become of the little Child whether it was carried up Stairs and whether they had lighted a Fire for it and the Servant of the House having told her she believ'd it was above in a Chamber but that no Fire was made for it as yet she bid her take a Faggot and shew her the Room where the Child was I leave it to every body to judge how great must be their surprize when they saw the Custom-House Officer lying upon the Floor and wallowing in his own Blood and the Chamber-Maid in a Swoon My Spouse who thought no otherwise than that she was dead call'd to me out of the Window whilst the Servant cry'd out Murther being so much frightned that she scarce knew what she did or said The Master of the House being alarm'd at these Outcries order'd the Gates of the Inn to be shut up till such time he could send for the Civil Officers For my part I was put into the greatest consternation that could be fearing not without reason that I might fall under the suspicion of having Murther'd the Fellow because I had us'd some hard expressions before It was not long before the Civil Officers at the Head of whom was the Surveyour of the Custom-House appear'd in the Inn who laid hold of me and would have carried me to Prison if the Judge would have consented to it He examin'd both me and the Hostler who declar'd that ever since I came into the Inn I had been in the Stables near my Horses and that I had not been
her self to stand in need of some Repose to disperse the Vapours arising from the Strong-Liquors she had taken The Chamber-Maid was beholding for this good Chear not so much to the good inclinations of her new Landlady as to her own Beauty for it seems her Profession was to debauch young Wenches and to dispose of them to such as would pay her a good round Summ. Accordingly this young Woman was no sooner laid in Bed but away she went to a certain Abbot who was a good Customer of hers whom out of a motive of Charity I will forbear to name at this time whom she told that she had a rare Purchase for him a delicate handsom young Woman who would fit his Appetite She told him without question by what chance she was fallen into her Hands and that he ought to make use of his good Fortune which did not present at all times But whatever her Perswasions may have been they were so prevailing upon the Monsieur L'Abbè that he was at the House as soon as herself They found a handsome Dinner prepar'd for them and the whole Company din'd together who all drank briskly to the German the better to dispose her to take the Bait they intended to give her The Abbot was indeed very careful on his side not to give the least suspicion of his design nevertheless the Chamber-Maid whether she mistrusted her Landlady or that she was asham'd to drink so much again could not be prevail'd upon to drink to any excess After Dinner was over the Woman of the House the Dutch Woman and the Abbot went out of the Room But it was not long before the last return'd alone and made his Addresses to the fair German whom at last he attempted to Ravish It is a very hard matter for me to tell you the whole truth of what pass'd there for tho' the Chamber Maid herself upon examination stood it out to the last that he had not debauch'd her there were others who affirm'd the contrary and the Dutch Woman declar'd in her Depositions that she had not only lain with the Abbot but with two others afterwards the Landlady having dispos'd of her Maidenhead three several times In the mean while we were in a peck of troubles about the long stay of our Maid all the answer we could get from the Cook-Maid who was to have been her Guide being that she did not find her in St. James's Church in the Butcher's Street where she had made her a sign to stay for her return Thus we continu'd for six days together without hearing one word of her which made us give her over for lost To confess the truth I for my part could not think her to be altogether so innocent as she would make herself because the next following Saturday after she was lost the Hostler of our Inn happen'd to pass by the House where she was lying in the Window she call'd out pretty loud to him in our German Tone Munsour Munsour which made him look up that way from whence he had perceiv'd the Voice to come but could see nothing but her Forehead because her Landlady perceiving her to call to somebody catch'd her about the Middle and snatch'd her away from the Window Nevertheless this prov'd the real occasion of her discovery for the Hostler was no sooner come back to the Inn but he told my Coachman what he had heard and seen and that he believ'd it was the voice of my Spouse's Chamber-Maid The Coachman having related to me what he had heard from the Hostler I enquir'd of him the name of the Street and what Sign it was at which I was no sooner inform'd of but I sent abroad a certain Person to spie out what sort of People they were that liv'd at the House he had told me being willing to have a more certain foundation to go upon than the Hostler's word before I would make any noise of the matter It is to be observ'd that this Woman did not keep a publick Bawdy-House as innumerable others do at Paris but she carried on her Trade with a great deal of cunning and secrecy and her Reputation was so well establish'd among her Neighbourhood that there was not one who would give her an ill word all that we were able to learn being no more than this That there Lodg'd a young Dutch Woman at her House That indeed some few Men were seen sometimes to go thither but that they went for her Husband's Relations for she had one who carried himself so handsomly in all outward appearance among his Neighbours that both he and she liv'd in very good Reputation But as ill Fortune would have it a Cobler kept his Stall just over against the House who indeed gave them a very good Character as well as the rest but withal told our Spie that there was a certain foreign Woman in the House whose Shooes he had mended within two days before and being ask'd what kind of Woman she was he gave such an exact description of her that when I heard of it I did not any further question but that it was the same Person we wanted I had before consulted with Mr. de Gouteux one of the Bankers upon whom I had a Bill of Exchange concerning what was best to be done in the matter and it was he who had recommended me the Person who serv'd us as a Spy to discover them I gave him therefore an account of what reason we had to suspect this House and he agreeing with me in the same opinion he went the next morning with me to a Commissary who was of his Acquaintance to go along with me to search the House We came thither about nine a Clock and going up streightways the first pair of Stairs we knock'd at the Door but in lieu of opening the Doors they told us through the Key-hole that the Mistriss of the House was gone abroad and had double lock'd the Doors Because we would enter the House without causing any suspicion the Commissary had order'd his Clerk to carry his Gown which he did not put on till we were upon the Stairs so that we got up without being perceiv'd by any body The Woman of the House returning in the mean while and finding every thing quiet about the House which else seldom happens upon such like occasions did not in the least mistrust the matter and so streight up Stairs she came to the very Chamber-door but so soon as she cast her Eyes upon us she chang'd colour without being able to speak one word The Commissary looking upon it as a certain mark of guilt ask'd her without any further words for the Key At the same time the German and Dutch Woman hearing the noise without spoke to one another so as to be overheard by us nevertheless being still in some uncertainty whether this was the Voice of her I look'd for or not I call'd her by her Name and ask'd her in the German Tongue
whether it was she or not She answer'd me immediately ja Her which is as much as Yes Master so that the thing being now beyond all question the Commissary gave the signal to his Clerk to fetch his Emissaries who lay conceal'd in a neighbouring Alley The Woman at first refus'd to deliver the Key under pretence that she had forgot it in the place from whence she came last offering at the same time to go and fetch it But seeing the Emissaries appear and that the Commissary order'd his Clerk to go and fetch a Lock-smith to pick the Lock she threw her self at his Feet and deliver'd the Key After we were enter'd the Room the Commissary examin'd the Chamber-maid the Dutch Woman a young Wench of about fifteen Years of Age and the Woman of the House each of them separately having before order'd his Followers to take care they should not speak to one another I supply'd the place of an Interpreter to my Wife's Chamber-Maid from whom and what was depos'd by the rest I learn'd the whole matter as I have related it just now They were all carried to Prison except my Wife's Chamber-Maid and the Commissary would likewise have seiz'd upon the Furniture of the House which indeed was none of the worst if the Landlord under pretence of some Rent due to him had not prevented it so a Guard was set in the House as it is usual upon such like occasions After our Chamber-Maid was got with us in the Inn again and had given us an exact account of the whole matter Mr. Gouteux whose advise I took in every thing before was of opinion to lay an Action against the Abbot whom he knew to be very Rich and that he would rather part with some Money than expose himself in a Law Suit of this nature His advice being look'd upon as very feiseable we resolv'd to follow it and thus I enter'd my Action against him in the Chamber-Maid's Name He was so alarm'd at it that he immediately engag'd one Mr. Van Gangel another Banker of Paris to speak with Mr. Gouteux to interceed with me not to proceed any further against him Mr. Van Gangel offer'd likewise a small Present in hopes the Chamber-Maid would take it in lieu of Satisfaction but I would not let her accept his Offer After several Interviews I was at last prevail'd upon to accept of a hundred Lewis dor's for her use whereas if we had stood it out to the last I believe we might have had a much greater Summ. Before this last Adventure happen'd to us I went to pay a Visit to Madam Sanguin whom I have mention'd before to know from her whether my Father were as yet living and what was become of my Sister I went thither in my Coach and I may say it without Vanity that there are not two finer Coach Horses in all Paris than those two I had at that time in the Coach Her Porter had liv'd with the old Mr. de Bordeaux and had seen me there a thousand times nevertheless when my Footman told him my Name he did not in the least think it was I being prepossess'd with the opinion that I was no more among the living I call'd to him my self to come nearer to the Coach which when he had done and heard me speak he was in the greatest surprise in the World to find it was my self having forgot my Physiognomy by reason of my long absence tho' the Wound which I had receiv'd in the Face at the Battle of Dunkirk made me very remarkable But Madam Sanguin herself was more surpriz'd than her Porter and told my Footman who spoke to her that it could not be because I had been dead many Years ago and when I approach'd her I found her as much amaz'd as if my Ghost had appear'd to her She ask'd me three or four times whether it were possible that it was I and whether it was I indeed After I had given her reiterated assurances that it was I indeed she then told me that it was not my long absence alone but something more real which had occasion'd her surprize to see me alive She then told me how my Sister having taken a resolution to Marry did not only give it out that about two Years after my departure out of France I had been beheaded at Metz for Coining but that also to confirm the truth of it she had produc'd a Certificate sign'd by four Soldiers who pretending to have belong'd to the same Company had testifi'd the whole truth of the matter which she had caus'd to be Register'd in due form I having formerly had so many proofs of the malicious inclinations of my Sister was not much surpriz'd at what Madam Sanguin told me and I desir'd her at the same time to give me a further account of what was become of her since She answer'd me that soon after she had got such an ascendant over my Father who was very old that she perswaded him to sell his Estate which he had actually done to one Mr. Barriar who paid him 28000 Livers for it that she had put the greatest part of it out upon Bonds under her Name and the rest she had brought up with her to Paris in hopes to catch some body or other that she had plaid the part of a Lady of Quality there so long till all her ready Money being spent she had been forc'd to dispose of all her Bonds except one of 14000 Livers due to her from the Baron d'Aunais a Gentleman of Normandy near Alenson that she had endeavour'd to dispose of that likewise but could not meet with a Purchaser because the Baron's Affairs were look'd upon to be but in an ill posture That the Baron dy'd soon after and leaving more Debts than Effects to pay them she had lost her 14000 Livers that my Father who had liv'd of late near Alenson had spent what was remaining by degrees and had left so little now as to be reduc'd to a degree of Poverty These were very unwelcome Tydings to me and to add to my Affliction I was also inform'd that my Brother by the Mother's side had consum'd his Estate of about 300 pounds per Annum which made me alter my resolution of setling my self in that Country Madam Sanguin having given me a relation of the present condition of my Family she was very desirous to understand from my own Mouth what Fortune had attended me since my departure out of France I told her among other things in what manner I had made my Fortune in Germany at which she appear'd extreamly well satisfy'd and pay'd a Visit to my Spouse the next day I took then a resolution to make the Province of Languedock the Seat of my Fortune after I had taken a turn to Bordeaux whither I was oblig'd to go first to look after a Debt due to me from a Person unto whom I had lent a Summ of Money whilst I was in the Brandenburgh Service I