At our going we had many volleys of shot, afterwards many cannons, and
as we went, the guns of all the ships in the harbour. When we were
come over the bar, all the forts by St. Mary's Port saluted us; and
when we came to the shore-side, we found many thousand soldiers in
arms, in very great order, with their commanders, and a bridge made on
purpose for us, with great curiosity, so far into the river, that the
end of the bridge touched the side of the barge. At the end of the
bridge stood the Duke of Medina Celi and his son, the Duke of Alcala.
During the time of our landing, we had infinite volleys of shot,
presented with drums beating and trumpets sounding, and all the
demonstration of hearty welcome imaginable.
The two dukes embraced my husband with great kindness, welcoming him
to the place, and the Duke of Medina Celi led me to my coach, an
honour that he had never done any but once, when he waited on your
Queen to help her on the like occasion. The Duke d'Alcala led my
eldest daughter, and the younger led my second, and the Governor of
Cadiz, Don Antonio de Pimentel, led the third. Mrs. Kestian carried
Betty in her arms.
Thus I entered the Duchess of Alcala's coach, which conveyed me to my
lodging, the ceremony of the King's colours being performed as at
Cadiz. We passed through the streets, in which were an infinite number
of people, to a house provided for us, the best of all the place,
which was caused to be glazed by the Duke on purpose for us.
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