cted Whitelocke to see the castle, which is
also covered with copper; and that having lain there long, some Dutchmen
are reported to have offered to give L10,000 for the copper, and to cover
the castle again with new copper; the reason whereof they hold to be,
because the copper which hath lain there so long with the sun upon it, is
so refined thereby, and would yield so much gold, that it will yield
what the Dutchmen bid for it and more, besides the charge of new covering
it with copper as before.

This castle is the principal house in this principal city, belonging to
the crown of Sweden; it is a large castle, more for conveniency of a
Court than for stateliness of structure. It is almost four-square, one
way longer than the other, all of brick, plastered over to make it seem
as if it were of freestone, whereof there is not much in these parts fit
for building; the entry into the castle is upon the north quarter; the
south and east side is of fair building, four stories high, the windows
not large. On the west of the quadrangle is the chapel, about a hundred
and thirty feet in length, with the breadth proportionable; it is divided
into three arches, upon two ranges of pillars of marble of this country,
of divers colours, most in red streaks, handsome and polished. On the
windows and walls are several pictures and images, after the manner of
the Lutheran churches. The rooms in the castle are many, some of them
large enough for the state of a Court, and most of those are two stories
high, after the use of this country. The situation of the castle is
pleasant and noble, by the side of the great water, upon which part of it
is built, and the other part upon the island where it stands; and though
of itself it be not of great strength, yet the situation, prospect of the
waters, ships, vessels, islands, and buildings, on the one side, and of
the country to the mountains on the other side, give it the repute of a
princely palace.

In the castle Whitelocke was carried up to a room, a magazine, where were
a very great number of muskets, pikes, swords, and other foot arms,
excellent good, made in this country, of their own iron and steel, and
kept exceeding clean, bright, and well fixed, and were said to be
sufficient to arm ten thousand men completely. On the other side of the
court they brought him to another room, where was a magazine of
horse-arms, cuirassiers, with pistols, bright, well kept, and of an
excellent make; ther