ion and liking for the Ambassador, precisely on account of
his unusual spirit and stubbornness, he marked the conclusion of
the Treaty by special compliments and favours. "The Swedish
Ambassador," says Whitlocke under date July 25, "having taken his
leave of the Protector, received great civilities and respects from
him, and afterwards dined with him at Hampton Court, and hunted
with him. The Protector bestowed the dignity of knighthood upon one
of his [the Ambassador's] gentlemen, Sir Gustavus Duval, the
mareschal." The present Latin letter by Milton, accordingly, was
the letter of honourable dismissal which the Swede was to take back
to his master. Perhaps the Swede knew that even this was written by
the Protector's blind Latinist.--"Oliver, Protector of the
Commonwealth of England, Scotland, Ireland, &c., to the most
Serene Prince, Charles Gustavus, King of the Swedes, Goths, and
Vandals, &c." is the heading of the letter; which proceeds
thus:--"Most Serene King,--As we have justly a very high regard for
the friendship of so great a Prince as your Majesty, one so famous
for his achievements, so necessarily should that most illustrious
Lord, CHRISTIERN BUNDT, your Ambassador Extraordinary, by whose
endeavours a Treaty of the closest alliance has just been ratified
between us, have been to as, were it but on this pre-eminent
account, an object of favour and good report. We have accordingly
judged it fit that he should be sent back to you after his most
praiseworthy performance of this Embassy: but not without the
highest acknowledgment at the same time of his other excellent
merits, to the end that one who has been heretofore in esteem and
honour with you may now feel that he is indebted to this our
commendation for yet more abundant fruits of his assiduity and
prudence. As for the transactions that yet remain, we have resolved
shortly to send to your Majesty a special Embassy for those; and
meanwhile may God preserve your Majesty safe, to be a pillar in His
Church's defence and in the affairs of Sweden!--From our Palace of
Westminster,--July 1656. Your Majesty's most affectionate, OLIVER,
Protector &c."--Count Bundt, we may add, remained in England a
month more after all, receiving farther attentions and
entertainments; and not till Aug. 23 did he finally depart, taking
with him not only Milton's Letter, but also a present from the
Protector of