Epistolæ Ho-elianæ familiar letters domestic and forren divided into sundry sections, partly historicall, politicall, philosophicall, vpon emergent occasions / by James Howell.

I. To my Father from London.

SIR,

I Am newly returnd from Spain, I came over in Con∣voy of the Prince his jewells, for which, one of the Ships Royall with the Catch were sent under the Command of Captain Love; We landed at Plimouth, whence I came by Post to Theobalds in less then two nights and a day, to bring his Majesty news of their safe arrivall: The Prince had newly got a fall off a Horse, and kept his Chamber; the jewells were valued at above a hundred thousand pounds; som of them a little before the Prince his depar∣ture had bin presented to the Infanta, but she waving to receive them, yet with a civill complement, they were left in the hands of one of the Secretaries of State for her use upon the wedding day, and it was no unworthy thing in the Spaniard to deliver them back, notwithstanding, that the Treaties both of Match, and Palatinat, had bin dissolv'd a pretty while before by Act of Parliament, that a war was threatned, and Ambassadors revok'd. Ther were jewells also amongst them to be presented to the King and Queen of Spain, to most of the Ladies of Honour, and the Grandees. Ther was a great Table Diamond for Olivares of eighteen Carrats Weight, but the richest of all was to the Infanta her self, which was a Chain of great Orient Perl, to the number of 276. weighing nine Ounces. The Spaniards notwithstanding they are the Masters of the Staple of jewells, stood astonish'd at the beuty of these, and confess'd them∣selves to be put down.

Touching the employment, upon which I went to Spain, I had my charges born all the while, and that was all; had it taken effect, I had made a good busines of it; but 'tis no wonder (nor can it be I hope any disrepute unto me) that I could not bring to pass, what three Ambassadors could not do before me.

I am now casting about for another Fortun, and som hopes I have of employment about the Duke of Buckingham, he sways more than ever; for wheras he was before a Favorit to the King, hee is now a Favorit to Parliament, People, and City, for breaking the match with Spain: Touching his own interest, he had reason to do it, for the Spaniards love him not: but whether the public interest of the State will suffer in it, or no, I dare not determine, for my part, I hold the Spanish Match to be better than their Powder, and their Wares better than their Wars; and I shall be ever of that mind, That no Countrey is able to do England less hurt, and more good than Spain, considering the large Trafic and Treasure that is to be got thereby.

I shall continue to give you account of my courses when oppor∣tunity serves, and to dispose of matters so, that I may attend you this Summer in the Countrey: So desiring still your Blessing and Prayers, I rest,

London, Decemb▪ 10▪ 1624.

Your dutifull Son, J. H.