lord-treasurer; and in such a manner as, though they were not at all known before to one another, yet they fell very foon into confidence.

The prince faid not a word to any of them of any thoughts of a wife while they stayed at Newmarket; and told me, No confiderations fhould move him in that affair till he had feen the lady. The day after he saw her here he moved it to the king and duke; and, though he did it with fo good a grace that it was very well received, yet, in four or five days treaty, it proved to be intangled in such difficulties, that the prince fent for me one night, and uttering his whole heart, told me, He was refolved to give it over, repenting him from the heart of his journey, and would be gone within two days, and truft God Almighty with what would follow; and fo went to bed the most melancholy that ever I faw him in my life. Yet, before eleven o'clock the next morning, the king fent me to him, to let him know, He was refolved on the match, and that it should be done immediately, and in the prince's own way.

Thus far what had paffed went no farther than the king, the duke, the prince, the lord-treasurer, and me; but that afternoon it was declared at the foreign committee, and next day at council; you will easily imagine with what general joy. I cannot but tell you, That no man feems to lay it to heart fo much as my lord Arlington, having had no part in

it; which he could not but take notice of to the prince; who told me, His compliment to him upon it was, That fome things, though they were good in themselves, yet were spoiled by the manner of doing them; but this was in itself so good, that the manner of doing it could not spoil it.—I am told, he lays it upon me, and will never forgive me; which I must bear as well as I can but yet, because you know how we have formerly lived, I will tell you, That it was not only impoffible my lord-treasurer and he fhould concur in one thing, but he had likewife loft all the prince's confidence and opinion, fince his last journey into Holland. Befides, for my own part, I found, these two years paft, he could not bear my being fo well neither with the prince or with the treasurer; but endeavoured, by Sir Gabriel Sylvius, to break the first, by steps which the prince acquainted me with; nor could he hold reproaching me with the laft whenever I went to him; though he himself had first advised me to apply myself to my dord-treasurer all I could, upon my laft embaffy into Holland; and though I had ever fince told them both, I would live well with them both, let them live as ill as they would one with another; and my lord- treasurer had been fo reasonable as to be contented with it.

Since the marriage, the king and the prince have fallen into the business abroad, and agreed upon the terms of a peace, which the king VOL. VIII.

E

will

will offer to France, and fuch as they both conclude will fecure Flanders. They both agree, that I must of neceffity go to Paris immediately upon this errand, and bring a pofitive answer from that court within a time prefixed. I never undertook any journey more unwillingly, knowing in what opinion I ftand already at that court; how deeply they refent the prince's match without their communication, or the leaft word to their ambassador here; and with how little reason I can hope to be the welcomer for this errand. But the king will abfolutely have it; and fo I have made all my fmall preparations, and think to be gone within twe days; which is all at prefent, but to ask your bleffing, and affure you of my being,

SIR,

Your, &c.

To the Prince of Orange.

London, December 8. 1677.

May it please your Highness,

I SHOULD, by laft poft, have rejoiced with your highness upon the news of your happy arrival, and upon the refolutions that have been taken here fince you went, in thofe affairs wherein your highness is fo deeply concerned; but that my lord-treasurer's letter to you upon

this fubject, was fo long and fo particular, that nothing could be added to it for your high`ness's information or fatisfaction: and therefore I refolved not to trouble you with the fame thing by that poft, and from so much a worfe hand. I fuppofe my lord-ambassador Hyde will have fhewed your highness his inftructions, and Mr. fecretary's letter upon that occafion; which agreeing fo fully with what my lord- treasurer writ, muft have left you in no doubt of those refolutions being taken here: and yet I thought your highnefs would not be difpleased to know from me, that I am of opinion they are fo; and, which is more, that the duke will go up to as great a height in them as any man, in cafe France gives them the occafion, by their anfwer to what Mr. Mountague goes away with to day; and that his highness will abfolutely conclude from thence, what their good intentions are or have been to the king.

Though I have this fecond time excufed myfelf from attending upon your highness, and thereby devolved his majesty's commands upon Mr. Hyde once more, yet, I hope, your highnefs will pardon me, fince I have only referved myfelf for the next occafion, which, I expect, will be of more moment, and within a very little time. For the prefent, I only defire your highness will pleafe to give your answer to what Mr. Hyde carries you, in fuch manner as may be fully to his majefty's fatisfaction and if you should fcruple the doing it to any E 2 other

will offer to France, and fuch as they both conclude will fecure Flanders. They both agree, that 1 muft of neceflity go to Paris immediately upon this errand, and bring a positive answer from that court within a time prefixed. I never undertook any journey more unwillingly, knowing in what opinion I ftand already at that court; how deeply they refent the prince's match without their communication, or the leaft word to their ambassador here; and with how little reason I can hope to be the welcomer for this errand. But the king will abfolutely have it; and fo I have made all my small preparations, and think to be gone within twe days; which is all at prefent, but to ask your bleffing, and affure you of my being,

SIR,

Your, &c.

To the Prince of Orange.

London, December 8. 1677.

May it please your Highness,

I SHOULD, by laft poft, have rejoiced with your highness upon the news of your happy arrival, and upon the refolutions that have been taken here fince you went, in those affairs wherein your highness is fo deeply concerned; but that my lord-treasurer's letter to you upon