1656-7.] OF THE MARQUIS OF WORCESTER. 217 



between us ; which, as I am a gentleman, a Christian, 

 and Eoman Catholic, I will even keep inviolable, and 

 that (if I should do any thing to the contrary), I may 

 appear a most dishonest and perjured person ; I have 

 signed these with my hand, and affixed on them my 

 seal at Sterns (?), the 18th day of November, 1656, 



&quot; WORCESTER.&quot; 



On the 28th of December, 1656, he wrote a short 

 letter to Mr. Secretary Thurloe. Politicians have gene 

 rally supposed that it had reference to some great state 

 secret, which he was bargaining to disclose ; while, 

 how contrary must have been his views is now trans 

 parent, from seeing what really was the one absorbing 

 subject of his daily meditation, arising out of his arduous 

 endeavours to obtain assistance, and to carry out the 

 working of his &quot; water-commanding engine.&quot; The 

 letter is in every sense remarkable and interesting, both 

 from the mistiness that has for so long a time clouded 

 its meaning, and from the circumstances under which 

 it was dictated. The Marquis writes : f 



&quot; 28th of December, 1656. 



&quot; EIGHT HONOURABLE, 



u I do confess, that the old saying is, that 

 proffered service is not valued, and in that respect I 

 wonder not to have my endeavours so little set by. In 

 a word, I am very well pleased to acquiesce, if his 

 Highness nor your Honour think me not worthy of one 

 quarter of an hour s audience ; yet I must needs say, 

 that if esteemed of, I am able to do his Highness more 

 service than any one subject of his three nations ; and 

 though, after a message by Mr. Noell, and a letter of 



Bod. Lib. Thurloc s Papers, Vol. xlv.&quot; &quot; Rawl. MS. A. 45.&quot; 



