A Ducat for a Roast Cat

In 1757 the Prussians besieging Prague barbarously fired chiefly upon the churches; more than eight hundred balls and shells are said to have fallen here, some of which can still be seen in the wall. Fifty times the roof caught fire, but each time it was saved as though by a miracle. Charles of Lorraine was then lodging in the monastery, which caused the one remaining friar here a great deal of trouble. There was dreadful hunger in Prague at that time — one officer related that he would have paid a ducat for a roast cat.