eed since the death of Richelieu in
1642. This letter of Cromwell's to the Cardinal is even more
interesting than that to the King, and may be given in full:--"Most
Eminent Lord,--While I am thanking by letter your most Serene King,
who has sent such a splendid embassy to return respects and
congratulations and to communicate to me his joy over the recent
most noble victory, I should be ungrateful if I did not at the same
time pay by letter the thanks due also to your Eminence, who, to
testify your good-will towards me, and your regard for my honour in
all possible ways, have sent with the embassy your most worthy and
highly accomplished young nephew, and even write that, if you had
any one nearer akin to you or dearer, you would have sent that
person in preference,--adding a reason which, coming from the
judgment of so great a man, I consider no mean tribute of praise
and distinction: to wit, your desire that those nearest to you in
blood should imitate your Eminence in honouring and respecting me.
Well, they will perhaps, at least, in your love for me, have had no
stinted example of politeness, candour, and friendliness: of worth
and prudence at their highest there are other far more brilliant
examples in you, by which they may learn how to administer kingdoms
and the greatest affairs with glory. With which that your Eminence
may long and prosperously conduct affairs, for the common good of
the French kingdom, yea of the whole Christian Republic, a
distinction properly yours, I promise that my wishes shall not be
wanting." (3.) To LOUIS XIV.[1] A more formal letter than the
last, acknowledging the French King's own intimation that Dunkirk
had been taken, and given into the possession of Lockhart. "That
Dunkirk had surrendered to your Majesty, and that it had been by
your orders immediately put in our possession, we had already heard
by report; but with what a willing and glad mind your Majesty did
it, to testify your good-will towards me in this matter, I have
been especially informed by your royal letter, and have had
abundantly confirmed by the gentleman in whom, from the tenor of
that letter, I have all confidence,--the master in ordinary of your
Palace. In addition to this testimony, though it needs no farther
weight with me, our Ambassador with you [Lockhart], in discharge of
his duty, writes to the same effect, and there is nothing that he