at
there might be peace between these two Princes and all the Princes of
Christendom. And with this answer the Envoys of the Great Duke returned
as wise as they came.

[SN: Denmark threatens Hamburg.]

Schuett also communicated unto Whitelocke an intelligence that the King of
Denmark had levied some forces which he designed against
Hamburg,--pretending injuries done to him by that city in relation to his
pretensions of dominion there, which probably might occasion a war
between Denmark and that free city, which had strength and riches and
people and wisdom to defend themselves; and Schuett advised Whitelocke
that if this should be so, that then he should take his voyage some other
way, and that it would be a great disturbance and danger to him to go by
Hamburg and those quarters, which would be infested with soldiers, and
that then it would be his best way to return by Gothenburg; but he did
persuade Whitelocke by all means to salute the Prince of Sweden by the
way of his return. Whitelocke said he thought it not probable that the
King of Denmark would at this time engage in a war against Hamburg, and
that his levying of soldiers might breed a jealousy in the Crown of
Sweden; that the certainty thereof could not be long undiscovered, and
accordingly he should govern his own resolutions; that it would be
difficult for him to stay in his journey to salute the Prince, but he
much desired and intended it before his departure.

_April 2, 1654._

Although the Lord's Day, yet the English and Scots who were in the town,
and not of Whitelocke's family, went abroad to take the air, and did not
resort, as they used to do, to Whitelocke's house to the exercises of
divine worship, which were duly performed in his private family; and
after those _sacra peracta_, Whitelocke retired himself to his private
studies and meditations upon the word of truth. This day likewise the
Queen went abroad to take the air, and passed through the town in her
coach, attended by many gentlemen and others in her train, to the ill
example of her people, and after the bad custom of this place.

_April 3, 1654._

[SN: Whitelocke takes the air with the Queen.]

The Queen sent to Whitelocke to invite him to accompany her to take the
air.

By the way Whitelocke visited Woolfeldt, who had much discourse with him
about the English fleet then at sea. From him Whitelocke went to Court,
and attended the Queen in her coach to take the air. They had not