ring to which I was fastened, the light was admitted through a semi-
circular aperture, one foot high, and two in diameter. This
aperture ascended to the centre of the wall, which was six feet
thick, and at this central part was a close iron grating, from
which, outward, the aperture descended, and its two extremities were
again secured by strong iron bars. My dungeon was built in the
ditch of the fortification, and the aperture by which the light
entered was so covered by the wall of the rampart that, instead of
finding immediate passage, the light only gained admission by
reflection. This, considering the smallness of the aperture, and
the impediments of grating and iron bars, must needs make the
obscurity great; yet my eyes, in time, became so accustomed to this
glimmering that I could see a mouse run. In winter, however, when
the sun did not shine into the ditch, it was eternal night with me.
Between the bars and the grating was a glass window, most curiously
formed, with a small central casement, which might be opened to
admit the air. My night-table was daily removed, and beside me
stood a jug of water. The name of TRENCK was built in the wall, in
red brick, and under my feet was a tombstone with the name of TRENCK
also cut on it, and carved with a death's head. The doors to my
dungeon were double, of oak, two inches thick; without these was an
open space or front cell, in which was a window, and this space was
likewise shut in by double doors. The ditch, in which this dreadful
den was built, was enclosed on both sides by palisades, twelve feet
high, the key of the door of which was entrusted to the officer of
the guard, it being the King's intention to prevent all possibility
of speech or communication with the sentinels. The only motion I
had the power to make was that of jumping upward, or swinging my
arms to procure myself warmth. When more accustomed to these
fetters, I became capable of moving from side to side, about four