Scrinia sacra; secrets of empire, in letters of illustrious persons. A supplement of the Cabala. In which business of the same quality and grandeur is contained: with many famous passages of the late reigns of K. Henry 8. Q. Elizabeth, K. James, and K. Charls.

Ab Ignoto, Of the Affairs of Spain, France and Italy, 5 Jan. 1629.

SIR,

THough it be now full three months since I received any line from you, yet I dare not, nor will I for that respect discontinue my writing to you; and because no private businesse occurreth, I will be bold to advise a line or two concerning the publick affairs of Italy: Cassal is still made good against the Spanyard, not by the Duke of Mantua, for he poor Prince was long since bankrupt, but by the succours of France and this Seignory, the former contributing monthly 40000 Dollers, the latter 20000, not only to maintaine the Cassaleschi, but also to enable the Duke to stand fast against all other

the Spanyards attempts; mean while we hear say boldly, that a league offensive and defensive against the Spanyards in Italy is conclu∣ded betweene the French and the Venetians; and that the French King hath already sent out two Armies, one under the Duke of Guise by sea, who they say is landed at Nizza; the other under the Marquess de Coeure, who is marching hitherward through the Valtoline; and though I doubt something these proceedings of the French, yet I am sure the Seignior doth daily give out new Commissions for the levying of Souldiers in that number, that now every one demands what strange enterprize this State hath in hand, and all jump in this, that it is a∣gainst the Spanyard. The Pope is still adverse to the Spanyard, and inclines strongly to the good of Italy, animating this State to meete the French with a declaration, and the French to conclude a peace on any honorable terms with us, that they may the more safely fol∣low their present designs, which is to suppresse the Spanyards in Italy. his Catholick Majesty hath lost a great deale of credit in these parts, by the losse of his Silver Fleete; and that he is in extreme want of mony, is collected here from the present state of some of his publick Mini∣sters. Ognat his ordinary Embassadour at Rome, being lately recal∣led, in stead of going home into Spaine, hath retyred himselfe privately to Monte Pincio, being in such premunire that he is not able to ac∣commodate himselfe with necessaries for his journy. And Mounte∣rei who is to succeed him is arrived as far Sienna, but being foundred in his purse, is able to get no farther, meane while, living there in an Inne. Moreover the Merchants in Rome, are advised by their cor∣respondents in Spaine, to be wary in letting either of them have monies; this is from a good hand in Rome. Sir Kenelm Digby hath lately been at Delos, where he hath laden great store of Marble, he is said to be in very good plight and Condition. I trouble you no more.

Venice 5. January 1629. Stilo novo.

Your faithful servant, C. H.