. 49 
must have given him some more substantial help, to take the 
position which he very speedily attained than even the best 
education that the time could afford; which latter, however, 
enabled him to rank with the most learned men, aye, and women 
too, of his time. He was early launched on the great ocean of 
the world, for he went as Secretary to Sir Henry Knyvett, one of 
the two ambassadors sent by Henry VIII.—Gardiner, Bishop of 
Winchester, being the other,—to the Diet at Ratisbon, in the year 
1540. His good ‘fortune, and, perhaps, his intelligence, enabled 
him to get hold of the threads of an intrigue that was being carried 
on by Gardiner with the Pope’s Legate, Contarini. The latter 
being suddenly called away handed certain letters, with which 
he was entrusted by the Pope, to an Italian merchant, called 
Ludovico, with instructions that a speedy reply was required. 
Ludovico meeting with one Wolf, steward to Sir Henry Knyvett, 
prayed him that he would tell the English Ambassador what the 
Legate desired. Wolf said there were two Ambassadors, and it 
speedily appeared that he who was styled ‘‘ Reverendissimus” was 
the one wanted. Wolf communicated with Chaloner and the two 
had a long interview with Ludovico; the result being that Henry was 
advised of the whole proceedings, which at that time he did not 
think fit to notice. Poor Ludovico was cast into prison. 
Change we now the scene to the following year, 1541, and we 
find that the young diplomatist and his master Knyvett had 
enlisted themselves, like Knight-errants, in an expedition against 
the Paynim. The occasion and the preparations have been well 
described by Froude, and I abridge his narrative :—‘ The Turks 
had been making alarming progress in Europe; they had defeated 
Ferdinand, and there was some suspicion of an alliance germinating 
between them and Francis. With a view to both events, Charles 
resolved upon an expedition against Algiers, and mustering one 
hundred and fifty vessels, with as many transports, he embarked 
an army of twenty thousand infantry and two thousand cavalry. 
A landing was effected at some distance from the town. The 
troops were on shore, the provisions were still in the transports, 
when during the night a violent hurricane arose, and when morning 
ae 
