Letters during Newcastle's Exile 205 



the arrantest knave and Rogue in the World, I vow to God the ridiculous- 

 nesse of it makes me laugh heartily, like the Gentleman that had his ship 

 taken from him by our wise, just, and grave privy Councellors. Againe 

 to passe the time away withall, my Lord Bishop of Derry, my Lady Oneale 

 and my selfe gravely sat in Councel, as wise and provident Parents to pro- 

 vide the best we could for our children, agreed upon a Match between 

 my son Harry and her daughter, and gravely articled, bought eighteen 

 pennyworth of Ribond for the wooing, the old Lady a lean Chicken in a 

 Pipkin for the Dinner, with three preserved Cherries, and 5 drops of Syrup 

 by them for the banquet. One wiser than the rest asked how it should be 

 performed, which our wisdomes never thought of before, so when my estate 

 was examined, besides the Parliaments selling of it, That my debts were 

 so great with what was intailed upon my Son Charles as I could estate 

 nothing. The old Lady was very angry at that, but I had more reason 

 than modesty, I examined her, having examined old Ladies in my time, 

 and found she had as little. So the times have broke that grave intention, 

 yet the joynture and portion being alike one might think it might go on. 

 And so Harry is a lusty Batchelor begging homeward for England, but the 

 young lady truly is very deserving and vertuous. [I am] one of the cast 

 Privy Councellors his Majesty left here behind : Every letter and book 

 of News we gravely deliver our opinions thereof, but first wipe our mouths 

 formally with our handkerchers, spit with a grace, and hem aloud, and 

 then say little to the purpose : If our doubtful braines cannot resolve, then 

 we shake our heads and shrugge our shoulders with prudence, saying time 

 will produce more, but the Scots He say no more. The sweet Duke of Yorks 

 Court is no more then was in Noah's Ark, 18 person with some beasts, and 

 these 18 persons are in 15 factions at least, to practice against you come to 

 White-hall, Ratcliffe like an Hermits staffe, and Doctor Killegrew, Dr. 

 Statesman great projects that comes to nothing, nor can come to anything, 

 they have hurryed the sweet Duke up and down, as I dare swear his High- 

 nesse is weary of them, but could not but laugh at Matchivell Deveeke, that 

 gravely broke his braine with thinking that there was something in it, some 

 whatchecalle, which is his by-word. God blesse your Grace, and tell me 

 when I shall waite of you at White-hall : my Lord I am entirely 



Your Lordship's most faithful 

 obliged Servant 

 W. Newcastle. 

 Antwerpe the 8 of Feb. 1650 

 Pray burn this letter. 



{Several Proceedings in Parliament, 18 — 25, Sept., 1651.) 



Noble Sir, — I desire you will be pleased to put his Majesty in mind 

 that he will be graciously pleased to renew those offices and places unto 

 me, that the King his father of blessed memory gave me, that others may 

 not possess them, his Majesty not knowing of it ; and those I have had 

 and desire to have are the following : 



1. Lord Lieutenant of the County of Nottingham. 



2. Lord Lieutenant of the Forest of Sherwood, which that worthy per- 



son the Earl of Clare hath had from the Parliament ever since my 

 misfortune. 



