this country.

General Grave Wirtenberg visited Whitelocke. He is a Finlander by birth,
of an ancient family, who had applied himself wholly to the military
profession, wherein he became so eminent, and had done so great service
for this Crown, that he was had in great esteem, especially with the
soldiery. He was a Ricks-Senator, and one of the College of War, and at
present had the charge of General of the Ordnance, which is of higher
account here than in England, being next in command to the Generalissimo,
and over the soldiery which belong not to the train, and is often
employed as a general. This gentleman seemed worthy of his honour; he was
of a low stature, somewhat corpulent, of a good mien, and plain
behaviour, more in the military than courtly way. His discourse declared
his reason and judgement to be very good, and his mention of anything
relating to himself was full of modesty. He took great notice of the
English navy and soldiery, and of the people's inclinations and violent
desires of liberty. He spake only Swedish and High Dutch, which caused
Whitelocke to make use of an interpreter, his kinsman Andrew Potley.

[SN: The masque.]

In the evening, according to the invitation from the Queen, Whitelocke
went to Court to the masque, where he did not find the Danish
Ambassador. But some of the Court took notice of the discourse which had
been between the master of the ceremonies and Whitelocke touching
precedence, and they all approved Whitelocke's resolution, and told him
that the Queen highly commended him for it, and said that he was a stout
and faithful servant to the Protector and to his nation, and that she
should love him the better for it; nor was the contest the less pleasing
because with the Dane in Sweden.

From eight o'clock at night till two the next morning they were at the
masque, which was in the usual room fitted for the solemnity, in which
the Queen herself was an actor. The floor where they danced was covered
with tapestry and hung about with red velvet, but most adorned by the
presence of a great number of ladies richly dressed and beautified both
by nature and habit, attending on their mistress; and there were also
many senators, officers, courtiers, and nobility,--a very great presence
of spectators. The music was excellent, especially the violins, which
were many, and rare musicians and fittest for that purpose. The Queen
herself danced very well at two entries: in the first she repres