She discoursed much of England, and asked many questions about the Thames and other rivers of England, and of their havens and armies; whereof Whitelocke gave her a full account.  She asked him in how many days one might go from Plymouth to St. Sebastian, and many other things on that subject.  They also discoursed of religion and the worship and service of God; wherein Whitelocke spake plainly and freely to her Majesty, and told her that those who made a mock at religion, and were Atheists in their opinion, were not only most miserable in their own condition, but brought others likewise into misery; and all of them would find that God would not be mocked, nor such conversation be excused, but would be brought into a sad account in the end; and that there was no foundation in any such people, or in their opinions, but what was sandy and would fail, and all building thereupon would totter and fall down and become rubbish; that the only solid comfort and true wisdom lay in the sincere worship and service of God, which was not only agreeable to the doctrine of truth, but to reason itself.  To this, and much of the like discourse, the Queen was very attentive, and seemed pleased with it.

March 16, 1653.

[SN:  Despatches from England.]

Whitelocke received his letters from England, and in those from Thurloe he writes thus:—­

“The particular account your Excellence gives of your negotiation is very acceptable here, as is also your dexterous management thereof.  The paper you were pleased to send to me shall be represented to the Council; and your Excellence may be assured that a due care will be taken of that business, as well for justice’ sake as that your present business be not hindered by things of this kind.  The bales of the Queen’s goods shall also be taken care of, and any omissions which have been therein rectified; and I do assure your Excellence that the Queen’s Commissary here hath such speedy and effectual despatches in everything he makes application for, that I know he cannot but give notice of it to the Queen.”

Then he gives in his letters a full relation of the state of the Dutch treaty, and all particulars of it, and the likelihood of its taking effect; and gives intelligence of the French news; and sends copies of Beningen’s letters from Upsal to the States, and of the posture of affairs in England, Scotland, and Ireland:  and concludes,—­

“Therefore, with my humble thanks for your Excellence’s favour to me
of your weekly letters, and hearty wishes for your safe and
honourable return to your friends and relations here, I rest,

“Your Excellence’s most humble and faithful servant,

         &nb
sp;                                          “JO.  THURLOE.
    “February 16, 1653.”

Whitelocke received many letters from his private friends, his brothers-in-law, Mr. Hall, Mr. Cokaine, Mr. Eltonhead, Sir Charles Woolsey, Colonel Sydenham, and one from Mr. Selden, which for the extraordinary respect thereof, and the person’s sake (of whom the Queen made often inquiry), is fit to be remembered, and was thus:—­