r his transportation; that, if he pleased, there should be
more provided for him. Whitelocke returned thanks, and that he hoped he
should not have occasion to put them to the trouble of more ships for his
transportation than that already ordered for him.

[SN: Whitelocke invited to the ceremony of abdication.]

The master of the ceremonies came to Whitelocke, by the Queen's command,
to know if he and his company pleased to see the meeting of the Ricksdag;
that he had provided a place for that purpose, where they might be
unknown and unseen, and yet see all the ceremony and hear all the
harangues; that if Whitelocke would see it, the master would call him at
eight o'clock in the morning and wait upon him to the place; but he said
that the Danish Ambassador had some thoughts of being there also, and if
he came first to the place he would take the uppermost seat. Whitelocke
then desired the master to call him early enough that he might be there
first, because he should hardly permit the Danish Ambassador to sit above
him. The master said he would be sure to call Whitelocke early enough,
but he believed that the Danish Ambassador would not be there because of
his ill health.

The master told Whitelocke that Monsieur Bloome had informed him that
some of Whitelocke's gentlemen took exceptions to the presents sent them
by the Queen. He protested, upon his soul and his honour, that he had no
hand in the disposing of these presents, but that all was done by the
officers of the Chamber of Accounts, and that the Queen did not meddle
with it; but when he showed her a catalogue of the officers of
Whitelocke's house, she marked them how she would have the presents
bestowed; that how the matter might be altered afterwards he was wholly
ignorant, and that he had order, under the hands of the officers, to make
the distribution as he had done; and he hoped none of the gentlemen would
be offended with him, who had done nothing but as he was ordered by those
over him. Whitelocke told him that, in so great a family as his was, it
would be difficult to please every one; that these presents were the
Queen's favours, which she might distribute as she pleased, and every one
ought to be contented therewith; that some of his company had discoursed
hereof more than belonged to them, but that he would take order in it
himself. They had also this further discourse:--

_Whitelocke._ Do you expect the arrival of the Prince here on Friday
next?

_