74 THE HISTORY OF NEWMARKET. [Book II. 



favour and regard towards us he has been entertained by 

 your excellency ; and that your very noble stables were 

 thrown open to him, and that he was earnestly requested to 

 choose for us what horses he most approved of When he 

 refused to avail himself of this generosity, he says your 

 excellency's self selected the four most beautiful of them all 

 for us, which we have received with your letters by your 

 messenger, John Ratto, a man most circumspect and careful, 

 and very well versed not only in horsemanship, but also in 

 courteous behaviour, with which I have been marvellously 

 pleased ; and we have read, to our very great delight, what 

 you write touching your ardent affection towards ourself, and 

 we have heard most gladly what the same gentleman, your 

 messenger, has reported to us with so much discreetness in 

 your name. And so many kind offices of yours towards 

 ourself have at once presented themselves to us, that it is 

 not very easy to determine for what we should first return 

 thanks. But, foremost, we thank you most heartily for that 

 your supreme good will towards ourself, which we cannot 

 mistake ; and for your exceeding desire of deserving well at 

 our hands, as well as for those most beaiitifiil, high-bred, and 

 surpassing horses just sent to us. These we hold highly 

 welcome and acceptable, as well because they are most 

 excellent, as that they have been sent from the very best 

 feeling and intention. Moreover, most grateful to us has 

 proved that enlarged bounty which you have exercised 

 towards the aforesaid, our intimate friend. And although we 

 have long ago honoured you, in no small degree, for your 

 well-proved nobleness of mind, your skill in war, and virtues ; 

 now, however, when we discern your excellency to be so 

 singularly affected towards us, we receive and number your 

 excellency, with your most noble children, among our dearest 

 friends, and we hold all belonging to you in the very highest 

 esteem. And we intreat you that, in whatever matter (how- 

 ever great it may be) you suppose it to be possible for us to be 

 serviceable to your own dignity and interest, and that of any 

 of yours, you will signify it confidently to us, and we will do 

 our endeavour, that you may be convinced of our reciprocal 



