March 27, 1654.

[SN:  Festivities of Easter Monday.]

This being Easter Monday, some of Whitelocke’s people went to the castle to hear the Queen’s music in her chapel, which they reported to Whitelocke to be very curious; and that in the afternoon was appointed an ancient solemnity of running at the ring.  Some Italians of the Queen’s music dined with Whitelocke, and afterwards sang to him and presented him with a book of their songs, which, according to expectation, was not unrewarded.

Whitelocke went not abroad this festival-time to visit anybody, nor did any grandees come to visit him; he had an imagination that they might be forbidden to do it, the rather because Piementelle and Woolfeldt, who were accustomed to come often to him, had of late refrained to do it, and had not answered Whitelocke’s last visit in ten days.  The Queen had also excused her not admitting Whitelocke to have audiences, by saying she was busy or sick, when, at the same time, Piementelle and others were admitted to her presence, and for two or three hours together discoursed with her.  This was resented and spoken of by Whitelocke so as it might come to the Queen’s ear.

March 28, 1654.

[SN:  The Swedes desire to defer the treaty until the new reign.]

After the master of the ceremonies had dined with Whitelocke, and was in a good humour, he desired Whitelocke to withdraw from the rest of the strangers, and that he might speak privately with him; and going into the bedchamber, the master told him that he had heard from some that Whitelocke had expressed a discontent, and the master desired to know if any had given him offence, or if there were anything wherein the master might do him service.  Whitelocke said he apprehended some occasion of discontent in that he had attended here near four months, and had not yet obtained any answer to his proposals.  The master excused the delay in regard of the Queen’s purpose of quitting the Government.  Whitelocke said he believed that occasioned much trouble to her Majesty, and which gave him cause to doubt that his frequent visits of her Majesty might give her some inconvenience.  He replied that Whitelocke’s company was very agreeable to the Queen, though at present she was overcharged with business.

Whitelocke. I do acknowledge the favours I have received from her Majesty, and your civilities to me, for which I shall not be ungrateful.

Mast.  Cer. Would it not be of advantage to your business to attend for the conclusion of it until the coronation of our new King, to be assented to by him; by which means the alliance will be more firm than to have it done by the Queen so near her quitting of the Government?

Wh. I shall hardly stay so long a time as till the beginning of the reign of your new King, nor have I any letters of credence or commission but to the Queen; and I believe that all acts done by her before her resignation will be held good, and particularly this touching the friendship with England, which, I suppose, will be also very agreeable to his Kingly Highness, and be inviolably observed by him.