makes application for, that I know he
cannot but give notice of it to the Queen."

Then he gives in his letters a full relation of the state of the Dutch
treaty, and all particulars of it, and the likelihood of its taking
effect; and gives intelligence of the French news; and sends copies of
Beningen's letters from Upsal to the States, and of the posture of
affairs in England, Scotland, and Ireland: and concludes,--

"Therefore, with my humble thanks for your Excellence's favour to me
of your weekly letters, and hearty wishes for your safe and
honourable return to your friends and relations here, I rest,

"Your Excellence's most humble and faithful servant,

"JO. THURLOE.
"_February 16, 1653._"

Whitelocke received many letters from his private friends, his
brothers-in-law, Mr. Hall, Mr. Cokaine, Mr. Eltonhead, Sir Charles
Woolsey, Colonel Sydenham, and one from Mr. Selden, which for the
extraordinary respect thereof, and the person's sake (of whom the Queen
made often inquiry), is fit to be remembered, and was thus:--

[SN: Letter from Selden.]

"_To his Excellence the Lord Whitelocke, Lord Ambassador to her Most
Excellent Majesty of Sweden._

"May it please your Excellence,

"There is nothing happens here that can be worthy of your knowledge
but you meet with it doubtless long before I could send it,--indeed,
I think, long before I know it,--so that I cannot present you with
any English news: my still keeping in from the open cold air makes
me a mere winter stranger in my own country. The best news I have
heard since I had the honour to see you, and that which brought me
with it an ample store of gladness, was the assurance of your
Excellence's safety, which a false rumour with great confidence had
utterly destroyed here. There is none living can with more hearty
affection wish all happiness to you, and good success in your great
employment there, and a safe and timely return, than doth most
really,

"Your Excellence's most obliged
"and most humble servant,
"J. SELDEN.
"_Whitefriars, February 10, 1653._"

The occasion of that passage in his letter of a false rumour was news
brought into England that Whitelocke was stabbed and murdered in Sweden;
and thus his d