three goodly pear pendent diamonds, whereof the biggest to be worn at a needle on the midst of her forehead, and one in every ear; and for my Baby's own wearing, ye have two good jewels of your own, your round broach of diamonds, and your triangle diamond with the great round pearl; and I send you for your wearing the three brethren, that ye know full well, but newly set, and the mirror of France, the fellow of the Portugal diamond, which I would wish you to wear alone in your hat, with a little black feather; ye have also good diamond buttons of your own, to be set to a doublet or jerkin. As for your first, it may serve for a present to a Don. As for thee, my sweet gossip, I send thee a fair table diamond, which I would once have given thee before, if thou would have taken it, for wearing in thy hat, or where thou pleases; and if my Baby will spare thee the two long diamonds in form of an anchor, with the pendent diamond, it were fit for an admiral to wear, and he hath enough better jewels for his mistress, though he is of thine own thy good old jewel, thy three pindars diamonds, the picture case I gave Kate, and the great diamond chain I gave her, who would have sent thee the least pin she had, if I had not stayed her. If my Baby will not spare the anchor from his mistress, he may well lend thee his round broach to wear, and yet he shall have jewels to wear in his hat for three great days.

And now for the form of my Baby's presenting of his jewels to his mistress, I leave that to himself, with Steenie's advice, and my Lord of Bristol's, only I would not have them presented all at once, but at the more

sundry times the better, and I would have the rarest and richest kept hindmost. I have also sent four other crosses, of meaner value, with a great pointed diamond in a ring, which will save charges in presents to Dons, according to their quality; but I will send with the fleet divers other jewels for presents, for saving charges, whereof we have too much need; for till my Baby's coming away, there will be no need of giving presents to any but to her.

Thus you see, how, as long as I want the sweet comfort of my boys' conversation, I am forced, yea, and delight to converse with them by long letters. God bless you both, my sweet boys, and send you, after a successful journey, a joyful happy return in the arms of your dear dad,

JAMES R.

From Newmarket on St. Patrick's Day, who, of old, was too well patronized in the country you are in. March 17th, 1623.

The Prince and Duke to James I.1

Dear dad and gossip,

That your majesty may be the more particularly informed of all, we will observe our former order to begin still where we left, which was, we think, at the king's private visit in the night.2 The next day your baby desired to

1 MS. Harl. 6987, Art. xvi.

2 Wilson thus relates this circumstance:-"About ten of the clock that night, the King of Spain came in a close coach to visit the prince, who having intimation of his coming, such secret hints among princes

kiss his hands privately in the palace, which was granted, and thus performed. First, the king would not suffer him to come to his chamber, but met him at the stair-foot; then entered into the coach, and walked into his park. The greatest matter that passed between them, at that time, was compliments, and particular questions of our journey; then, by force, he would needs carry him half way home, in which doing, they were both almost overthrown in brick-pits. Two days `after, we met with his majesty again in his park, with his two brothers; they spent their time in seeing his men kill partridges flying, and conies running with a gun. Yesterday, being Sunday, your baby went to a monastery called St. Jeronimo's, to dinner, which stands a little out of the town. After dinner came all the councillors in order, to welcome your baby; then came the king himself, with all his nobility, and made their entry with as great triumph as could be, where he forced your baby to ride on his right hand, which he observes always. This entry was made just as when the Kings of Castile come first to the crown: all prisoners set at liberty, and no office or matters of grace falls, but is put in your baby's hands to dispose.

We trouble your majesty more particularly with these

being suitable invitements, he met him in the way, and there they spent some time in those sweet yet formal caresses and embraces that are incident to the interviews of great princes, though their hearts and tongues do seldom accord. Gondemar in consort was not without his strain of compliment, for he told the prince upon a visit next day, that he had strange news to tell him; which was, that an Englishman was sworn a privy-councillor to the King of Spain, meaning himself, who he said was an Englishman in heart, and had lately received that honour."

things of ceremony, that you may be better able to guide yourself towards this nobleman, who is sent of purpose to advertise you of your son's safe arrival here, for sooner than he was received in the palace, they took no notice of his coming. We had almost forgotten to tell you, that the first thing they did at their arrival into the palace was the visiting of the queen, where grew a quarrel between your baby and lady, for want of a salutation; but your dog's opinion is, that this is an artificial forced quarrel, to beget hereafter the greater kindness.

For our main and chief business, we find them by outward shows as desirous of it as ourselves, yet are they hankering upon a conversion; for they say, there can be no friendship without union in religion, but put no question in bestowing their sister, and we put the other quite out of question, because neither our conscience nor time serves for it, and because we will not implicitly rely upon them. For fear of delays (which we account the worst denial), we intend to send, with all speed, Michael Andrew, to come to bring us certain word from Gage, how he finds our business prosper there, according to which we will guide ourselves. Yet ever resolving to guide ourselves by your directions, so craving your blessing we end.

Your majesty's humble son and servant,

CHARLES,

I beseech your majesty advise as little with your council in these businesses as you can. I hope in

1 This, as well as the date, is in the prince's own hand.

writing jointly as we do, we please you best, for I assure your majesty, it is not for saving pains. This king did intreat me to send your majesty a great recantho in his name (which is a compliment), for which, in my poor opinion, it will not be amiss for your majesty to write him a letter of thanks for all the favours he has done me since I came hither, with that of the Condé of Olivares.

CHARLES.

STEENIE.

Your majesty's humble slave and dog,

Madrid, the 17th of March, 1623.

Prince Charles to James I.1

Dear dad and gossip,

Since the writing of our other letter we have received news from Rome, which we send you here inclosed; you will find Gage hath a good hope of soon affecting the dispensation: we think our sending Michael Andrew thither will do no hurt. We are glad this paper gives us room to quarrel [with] you for not sending to us all this while, for though we hear often from you by reports, yet nothing can satisfy except we have it under your own hand; therefore we beseech you to do it as oft as you can. So craving your blessing, we end Your majesty's humble and obedient son and servant,

CHARLES.

STEENIE.

Your majesty's humble slave and dog,

Madrid, the 18th of March, 1623.

Harl. MS. No. 6011, p. 11