r word with him.

Her absence, and the leisure which they had thereby, gave opportunity to
some of her musicians (Italians and Germans) to pass a compliment on
Whitelocke, to come to his house, and with great ceremony to entertain
him with their vocal and instrumental music, which was excellent good;
and they played many lessons of English composition, which the gentlemen
who were musical of Whitelocke's family brought forth unto them.

_April 18, 1654._

[SN: The Swedish army.]

Whitelocke returned a visit to the Grave Leonhough, whose lodgings were
but mean, such as the town would afford, but his treatment was with great
civility. Amongst other discourse he inquired touching the discipline of
war and ordering the soldiery in England, who, he said, must be well
paid, or else they could not be kept in good order. Whitelocke
acknowledged that to be very true, and said that in England special care
was taken for the constant and due pay of the armies much beyond other
countries, by which means they were kept in the best and strictest
discipline of any armies in the world; that violence or plunder, contrary
to the articles of war, was severely punished.

The Grave acquainted Whitelocke that he was to go out of town the next
day to a general muster, about four leagues from hence, within the
province where he had the government; which occasioned Whitelocke to
inquire of him, and to be informed that this was the standing militia of
the country, and that the manner of it was thus:--

The whole militia of Sweden in the country, besides the standing forces
of their armies in service, doth consist of 50,000 horse and foot,
whereof 12,000 horse and 38,000 foot in the several provinces are
constantly in a readiness to be drawn forth in fourteen days' time. In
Sweden are about 5000 horse and 20,000 foot, and in Finland and the other
provinces about 8000 horse and 20,000 foot: in all, above 50,000. That
the Crown is not at any charge for the pay of these militia forces,
unless they are drawn forth into actual service, and then they are paid
as their other army forces are, which is not very much or constant; but
when they are in an enemy's country they live upon the country, and take
contribution, if not plunder; and somewhat is allowed them by the Crown,
as so much in money (which is a very small proportion) and such a weekly
quantity of bread, butter, and cheese for every foot-soldier, and a like
proportion for the horsemen;