at Paris daily receiving their intelligence,-a favour which I do not often obtain, though I extremely desire it.

There is little at present to be added to my former intelligence but the rendition of Pomfract Castle, which was as my former advised you. Neither were mine apprehensions of the Scots frivolous, since they have taken off the head of Huntly for being a cavalier; banished and proscribed the Marquis of Montrose, Lanerick, Seaforth, Lauderdale, &c.; and taken away the hereditary shriefships from the nobility, and all donations for the laity. So that their invitation of the King was in all probability but a device to have betrayed him into the hands of sinners. The subjugation of those of the north of Scotland is not yet well understood. The stubborn men of Lancashire afford us matter of various discourse; but nothing so much as the unexpected surprisal and intowering of John Lilburne, proclaiming him traitor; which suffering of his, it is supposed, will but stimulate his faction, if not render them desperate.

That which I mentioned of the late sea-prize is altogether confirmed, and hath wrought very great apprehensions in this town, for remedy whereof I see yet no sudden appearance. As for Ireland, make use of this, if you can conveniently.

It is determined, by supreme council here, that Jones shall sooner set fire on the city than yield it; which resolution, doubtless, if the inhabitants understood it, would much alter the matter.

If you love me let me hear from you, and what from me you have of late received; for it is to satisfy your most humble,

APLANOS.

I would now have written to Veliora, who tells me she expects me, but being at a tavern with my brother and some others, I could not have time.

1 Throwing into the Tower.

London, April 2nd, 1649.

SIR, By this time mine of the 26th and 29th are come safe to hand. So much favour I promise myself from that late, yet welcome accommodation, which it is reported here hath now been made in France. I hope likewise (with some of my late ones) you have received your bills of exchange, together with what I proposed unto you about your manor at W., as it was the last resolution and debate at the departure of my uncle, since which I have received nothing from you, which I extremely wonder at, seeing to all other corresponding in France letters come weekly without any stop or interruption.

I am come this day from D. (whither I was gone two days for fresh air), and now think not to stir from this city till I have so exactly adjusted mine affairs, disposed of some valuable goods, and made myself fit for any motion, or long absence (if so necessity require). All which I presume may be seasonably finished by the conclusion of this ensuing term. After which (if my presence at Paris may import you, without farther engaging myself, in case of your absence from thence), I shall put myself in a posture to be suddenly with you: and, certainly, nothing could satisfy me more than to see you in some hopeful employment, whilst it any way lay in my power to be useful unto you, which I conceive I should no way better be, and safer, than if, having settled your family, you were pleased to add me to the number of your domestiques. Neither shall my absence from this distracted kingdom any way prejudice your intelligence from home, having already laid and prepared such friends here, as shall abundantly, yet not superfluously, supply all mine imperfections of that kind.

The news take as followeth :

Pomfret, with the circumstances delivered in my last, is rendered, and is forthwith to be demolished. It is thought the Lancashire business will disband, and come to nothing; whereupon also Clitheroe Castle is to be likewise dismantled. The affairs of Scotland, as my last spake them; though some, not your servant, think it is but in show. An order is drawing up to attaint my Lord of Ormond a

44

CORRESPONDENCE OF

1649.

traitor and rebel. Upon his new declaration, John Lilburne is in the tower, proclaimed traitor; for which his party are very angry, and some say, threaten great matters. Prince Rupert's thriving at sea, according to my last, is confirmed; and some report for certain, that the Constant Warwick frigate, with three or four more good ships, are since gone unto him. The design here for Ireland goes on but slowly, yet something will be suddenly done. The Lord Mayor, for not obeying the army's command, in personally proclaiming the act of having no more kingly government, is sent to the tower for a month, fined £2000, and disabled from bearing any office.

This is news of concernment and of great consequence. Maxfield is arrested for a debt of £60,000, formerly lent to the King, and now owing to merchants; for which a petition is given in, that some crown-lands may be sold to satisfy the debt. The K. going for Ireland is not liked by such as say they wish him well here, desiring that he would sit secure in some third place, rather than engage his person.

Superscribed-"A Monsieur, MONSIEUR KIBBLE, Marchant Anglois, demeurant avec Monsieur Laurance Greene, à la Ville de Venize aux Faubourgs St. Germains, à Paris."

London, 5th April, 1649.

SIR, This parcel of a week (since my last to you) hath afforded so little news, that there is almost nothing to write, but that still I receive no letters from Paris. I am confident that your old address is still good, and therefore desire you to continue it. Mine, of April the 2nd, informed you of the proceedings and censure of the Lord Mayor, in whose room there is since one Andrews chosen, a man not so refractory. Their divisions in Scotland, whereby D. Lesley is environed with some danger, still continue. All who declare for the King, and it is here feared that the Hamiltonians may strike in, if not suppressed, are persecuted to the death.

[The remainder of this sentence being unintelligible from the numerous ciphers, is omitted.]

The ambassadors of France and Spain are preparing to

be gone. It was last week bruited that 135 is under some cloud in Paris. Be assured he hath laboured all he could to foment matters there, as I could show you by a letter, printed not long since; and you would do a piece of service to inform the Council of France, that there are yet amongst them divers agents who are to endeavour another irruption, if possible; for nothing is so formidable here as a conjunction betwixt Spain and you.

My uncle is not yet returned, and it concerns me to know whether mine of March 26th came to hand.

I have herein enclosed you a cursory proof of the youth's writing, which truly he performs with a wonderful facility and strange sweetness of hand; nor can you be so fitted in every respect. He is young, humble, congruously literate, very apprehensive and ingenuous, and may be of great use to you (when you can spare him) in schooling your son. He is my brother-in-law's jewel, and from whom, but to you only, I am confident he would not have parted. His person is not very gracious, the small-pox having quite put out one of his eyes; but he is of good shape; and I know you do not expect a horse, which whoever buys for show, may lose his race. Truly, I am of opinion you will be very proud of him, and may make him your secretary with a great deal of reason; however, if you do not like him, I am now resolved never to part with him, so long as he is willing to be with me; and above all, he is admirably temperate.

The Anabaptists' desire of engrossing the whole kingdom into their hands, promising to provide for the army, set the poor on work, and repay public faith-for being of that prodigious nature, I forbear to speak further of.'

SIR,

London, 16th April, 1649.

The small intelligence come to us, since my last, would have quitted you this trouble, but to make recapitu lation of the enclosed, which you are desired to peruse and address.

1 Some of the "Socialist" schemes propounded at this time by the Anabaptists (or Fifth Monarchy men) and Levellers were almost iden tical with French and German theories of Socialisin in our own day.

It were still highly to be wished that those D.,' which I have so long pressed (from certain knowledge of the good effects they may produce) were by this time put in a way of publication; and, if I could convey you from what sober persons I am solicited, of much expedience to hinder a conjunction, assure a diffident party, and buoy up the spirits of the people, I make no question some speedy course would be taken about it.

It is here reported that the regiment now ready to embark for Chester, refuse to go. In the meantime, here come many complaints of P. R. and P. M.,2 how they treat the seamen and persons of higher quality in Ireland; which, if true, will prove exceedingly disadvantageous to the greatest of our hopes. For if that business of the fleet be not carefully managed, and some generally beloved person put into that trust, never look for good, as it now remains. So much I perceive by all discoveries. and the others of that strain (though there were no more in it than the universal disaffection to them), are of infinite scandal on this side; and I am confident do extremely wrong the Cause. And one would think (as it is commonly said) the K.3 had now no need; for the humour of two or three endanger the absolute losing of as many hundred thousands. All which, suggested not from me, you are to receive as the Vox Populi.

P. El. P. hath obtained much favour here amongst the Grandees, who take orders still to continue his stipend, for which it is believed he is to pay them some considerable service: it would be well looked into: you know what relations of his are at sea.

If the old Earl of Norwich marry my Lady Kingsmill, and get both his person and estate freed, you will believe something that I long since intimated. It is not yet known whether the condemned Welshmen shall be executed or banished. They find still very great difficulties in the seaaffairs, and I do not hear of any great fleet, besides those already at sea with Popham and five more, now ready to put out from Portsmouth. The Common Council require double

'Allusion is evidently made to the demands of the moderate Royalists, contained in the letter, ante, p. 29.

2 Prince Rupert and Prince Maurice.

Prince Elector Palatine.

3 The King.