“I being this day commanded by the two within-named persons in your letter to consummate their nuptials, and in that to bear the part of a father, am so confident of my power, as (were it not my Lord Whitelocke’s request, whose interest with them exceeds a mock father) he might be assured of not failing of his commands; but that done which this morning I am going about, I am by them desired to jog on to Stanstead, so that I fear I shall by that means be disappointed of attending you upon Wednesday; and that, I assure you, will go to Nancy’s heart, she being yesterday resolved to have visited you this morning at Chelsea, had she not apprehended your early being in town; but wherever we are, our thankfulness to God for your safe return you shall not fail of, nor of the keeper tomorrow night.  So I rest,

“My Lord,
“Your affectionate brother to serve you,
“WILL.  WILLOUGHBY.
“July.”

I have inserted this and other letters, that you may observe the change of styles and compliments in the change of fortunes and conditions.

July 10, 1654.

I had been several times to visit my Lord Lambert since my coming home, he being a person in great favour with the army, and not without some close emulation from Cromwell; but his occasions were so great, that I could not meet with him.  I therefore desired the Earl of Clare, who was very intimate with Lambert, to contrive a conveniency for my meeting with my Lord Lambert, whereupon he sent me this letter, directed

    “For the Lord Whitelocke, at Chelsea.

“My Lord,

“Hearing your Lordship had been several times to see my Lord Lambert and missed, and I desiring that there should be no mistakes between you, I sent Mr. Bankes to signify so much to his cousin Lambert, who, being come this morning to town, says he will be very glad to see your Lordship about two this afternoon, and Mr. Bankes will wait on your Lordship to him, if you please to be in the Park, in the walk between the elms on this side the water.  So I rest

“Your Lordship’s humble servant,
“CLARE.”

I met Mr. Bankes at the time appointed, who brought me to my Lord Lambert, and he received me with great civility and respect; we had much discourse together about Sweden, and Germany, and Denmark, and the business of my treaty; and we parted with all kindness, and he desired to have my company often.

July 11, 1654.

I received this letter from my Lady Pratt:—­

    “For my ever-honoured friend the Lord Whitelocke, these humbly.

“My Lord,

“Hearing that it is absolutely in your power to dispose of the time of the Assizes, and an unexpected accident being fallen out, which, will make them extremely prejudicial to us if they begin so soon, my humble suit to your Lordship is to defer them till, etc.  This favour, as it will be an extraordinary great one, so it will lay a suitable obligation upon,

“My Lord, your most humble servant,
“MARGARET PRATT.”