5d 
whence he wrote to Cecil a letter which Miss Strickland, with an 
inattention to detail, and therefore with an inaccuracy I am afraid 
rather characteristic of her, says was written from Spain. The 
difference is worthy of note, because the favourable opinion of the 
Low Countries was of more importance to Englishmen than that 
of Spain. Chaloner’s epistolary style is graphic and plain. The 
atmosphere of Courts, his diplomatic experiences, and his scholastic 
acquirements, certainly did not deprive his letters of vigour of 
expression or picturesqueness of detail. ‘I assure you, Sir, thies 
folks ar brod mothued when I spake of oon to muche in Favour 
as they esteem I thincke ye gesse whom they named, if ye do not 
I will upon my next letters write furder. To tell you what I 
conceyve, as I count the slawnder most false, so a yong Princesse 
canne not be to ware what countenance or familiar Deminstration 
she maketh more to oon than another. I judge no oon mannes 
service in the Realme woorth the Entertagnment with such a Tayle 
of Obloquie or Occasion of Speeche to such men as of evill will 
are ready to find faults. The delayne of rype tyme for maryage, 
besides the losse of this Realme (for without posterite of her High- 
ness what hope is lefte unto us) Mynistreth matter to theyre lewde 
Towngs to descant upon and breedith Contempt. I would I had 
but oon Houres talkes with you. Thinke, if I trusted not your 
good nature I would not write thus muche, which nevertheless I 
humbly praye you to reserve as written to yourself. Consider how 
ye deale now on the emperor’s matter, much dependeth on it. 
Here they hang in expectation as menne desirous it should go 
forward, but yet they have small hope. In myne opinion (be it 
said to you only) the Affinite is great and honorable. The Amitie 
necessary to stoppe and coole many Enterprises. Ye neede not 
feare his greitness should overrule you. He is not a Philippe, 
but better for us than a Philippe. Lett the tyme work for Scotland 
as God wille, for sure the Frenche, I believe, shall never long 
enjoye them. And when we be stronger and more ready, we may 
procede with that that yet is unripe. The tyme itself will worke 
when our grete neighbours fall owtnext. In the meane tyme settle 
the things begoon, and lett us arme and fortifie our Frontiers with 
