"CLARE."

I met Mr. Bankes at the time appointed, who brought me to my Lord
Lambert, and he received me with great civility and respect; we had much
discourse together about Sweden, and Germany, and Denmark, and the
business of my treaty; and we parted with all kindness, and he desired to
have my company often.

_July 11, 1654._

I received this letter from my Lady Pratt:--

"_For my ever-honoured friend the Lord Whitelocke, these humbly._

"My Lord,

"Hearing that it is absolutely in your power to dispose of the time
of the Assizes, and an unexpected accident being fallen out, which,
will make them extremely prejudicial to us if they begin so soon, my
humble suit to your Lordship is to defer them till, etc. This
favour, as it will be an extraordinary great one, so it will lay a
suitable obligation upon,

"My Lord, your most humble servant,
"MARGARET PRATT."

I could not gratify this lady's desire, being not yet sworn a
Commissioner of the Great Seal; but I returned her a civil answer and
excuse; and I have inserted the more letters, that you may see the style
and compliments of divers persons, and note their change upon the change
of times.

_July 12, 1654._

[SN: A more formal letter.]

I received this letter from the Lord Chief Baron Wylde:--

"_For the Right Honourable the Lord Ambassador Whitelocke, these, at
Chelsea._

"Right Honourable and my very good Lord,

"It is not my happiness to be in place or condition to wait upon
your Lordship, as I would, to present my humble service to you, and
the gratulations due for your safe and happy return, for your long
and hazardous, but I hope successful journey, wishing the honour and
happiness which belongs to your most known deservings may ever
attend you, with a reward from above for those inestimable favours
by which you have for ever obliged me to you and all that is mine;
who, after the long course I have run, through all the degrees of my
laborious calling, my services to my country and the Commonwealth,
my great losses and sufferings for the public, and the discharge of
my duty in all my several trusts and employments, have now the
hoped-for comfort of all removed from me, and a dark shadow cast
upon me, with all the sad consequences thereof to