ust have been
written after Lord Mayor's day, i.e. after Nov. 9, 1656.

(XCVI.) TO FREDERICK III., KING OF DENMARK, _Dec. 1856:_--This
is another of Cromwell's fervid Protestant letters, very much in
the strain of those four months before to the States-General of the
United Provinces and Charles Gustavus of Sweden, and indeed, with
identical expressions. First he acknowledges letters from his
Danish Majesty, of date Feb. 16, received through the worthy Simon
de Pitkum, his Majesty's agent. They have been so gratifying, and
the matter of them is so important, that his Highness has been
looking about for a suitable person to be sent as confidential
minister to Copenhagen. Such a person he hopes to send soon:
meanwhile a letter may convey some thoughts about the state of
Europe that are much occupying his Highness. The dissensions among
Protestant States are causing him profound grief. Especially he is
grieved by the jealousies and misunderstandings that separate two
such important Protestant States as Denmark and Sweden. Can they
not be removed? Sweden and the United Provinces, with both of which
his Highness had taken the liberty of remonstrating to the same
effect, have been coming to a happy accommodation: why should
Denmark keep aloof? Let his Danish Majesty lay this to heart. Let
him think of the persecutions of Protestants in Piedmont, in
Austria, and in Switzerland; and let him imagine the eternal
machinations of the Spaniard behind all. These surely are
inducements sufficient to a reconciliation with Sweden, if it can
be brought about. The Protector's good offices towards that end
shall not be wanting if required. He has the highest esteem for the
King of Denmark, and would cultivate yet closer alliance with
him.--Relating to this letter is a minute of Council of the date
Tuesday, Dec. 2: "The draft of a letter from his Highness to the
King of Denmark was this day read, and after read by parts; and the
several clauses thereof, being put to the question, were, with some
amendments, agreed; and, the whole being so passed, it was offered
to his Highness as the advice of the Council that his Highness will
please to send the same." The letter, therefore, was deemed
important. Was the draft read in English or in Latin? On the first
supposition it may still have come from Milton, though it had to go
back to him.

(XCVII.) To WILLIAM, LANDGRAVE