Some things being dropped by the duke in his narrative of the transactions in Spain, which were thought to reflect highly on the honour of his catholic majesty, by his am

inclined to adventures) that he was transported with the thought of it, and most impatiently solicitous to bring it to pass 1.?

Thus having, with much difficulty, gained the king's consent, his highness, with Buckingham, set out with very few attendants, unknown to the court, and through France travelled into Spain incognito. His arrival being notified to that court, he was treated with all imaginable civility and respect, and had part of the royal palace fitted up for him.

Whilst in Spain, he shewed his gallantry; for understanding that the Infanta was used to go some mornings to the Casa da Campo, a summer-house of the king's on the other side of the river, to gather Maydew, he rose early, and, accompanied with one gentleman, went thither, and was let into the house and into the garden; but the Infanta was in the orchard, and there being a high partition-wall between, and the door double-bolted, the prince got on the top of the wall, and sprung down a great height, and so made towards her; but she spying him first of all the rest, gave a shriek, and ran back. The old marquis, that was then her guardian, came towards the prince, and fell on his knees, conjuring his highness to retire, in regard he hazarded his head if he admitted any to her company; so the door was opened and he came out under. that wall over which he got in. This adventure, so

* Clarendon's History of the Rebellion; vol. I. p. 11. 8vo. Oxon. 1712. Howell's Letters, p. 119. 8vo. Lond. 1705.

bassadors, Buckingham's head was demanded by them; but he had the good fortune to be justified by the lords, and praised by the king, though as will appear in the note2,

much in the taste of the Spaniards, with 'his watching an hour together in a close coach in the open street to see her as she went abroad, the bravery of his journey, and his discreet comportment, made them much taken with him, and say, that never princess was courted with more gallantry. But the Infanta was not destined for Charles; for notwithstanding the favour with which he was treated by the catholic king, notwithstanding the preparations made for a marriage, the wishes of his father, and his own fond desire and affection, Buckingham (such is the power of a favourite!) found means to prevent it. For his pride and haughtiness were disagreeable to the Spaniards, proud as they themselves were: his carriage was scandalously indecent; he disgusted the conde d'Olivares, and, in re

. Note 4 towards the end.

b Howel's Letters, p. 20, 21.

In the Cabala there is a letter, ab ignoto to the king, highly reflecting on Buckingham; and, among other things, his majesty is requested to 'enquire of those that come out of Spain, whether the duke of Buckingham did not many things against the authority and reverence due to the most illustrious prince [Charles]? Whether he was not wont to be sitting whilst the prince stood, and was in presence, and also having his feet rest. ing upon another seat, after an indecent manner? Whether, when the prince was uncovered, whilst the queen and infanta looked out at the windows, he uncovered his head or no? Whether he were not wont to come into the prince's chamber with his clothes half on, so that the doors could not be opened to them that came to visit the prince from the king of Spain, the door-keepers refusing to go in for modesty's sake? Whether he did not call the prince by ridiculous names? Whether he did not dishonour and profane the king's palace with base and contemptible women? Whether he did not divers obscene things, and used not immodest gesticulations, and wanton tricks with players, in the presence of the prince?' &c. &c. Cabala, p. 276.

he was greatly offended with him, and meditated his ruin. However, the Spanish ambassadors were not disheartened; but found means (by a writing privately conveyed into his hands, as well as by their agents secretly admitted into his presence) strongly to insinuate into the king, that he was besieged by the duke's servants, and

turn, was disgusted by him; and things were come to such an height between him and the Spanish ministers, that they scrupled not to profess, they would rather put the Infanta into a well headlong, than into his hands. The knowledge of these things highly disgusted the English favourite, whó ceased not to inspire the prince with sentiments different from those which occasioned his journey. Under pretence of the season's being far advanced, the uncertainty of the arrival of the dispensation from the pope, and the impatience of the people of England at his long absence, he determined to depart; though not without leaving a proxy behind him to finish the marriage. This being mentioned by the prince to the king of Spain, he consented to his departure; adding withal, That he would take it for a favour if he would depute him to personate hima; and ten days after the dispensation should come from Rome, the business should be done, and afterwards he might send for his wife when he pleased.' Soon after, the king and his two brothers accompanied his highness about twenty miles, and wonderful

Cabala, p. 98. fol. Lond. 1663. Reliquiæ Wottonianæ, p. 218. 8vo. Lond. 1672. Rushworth's Historical Collections, vol. I. p. 263. fol. Lond. 1659. b Howel's Letters, p. 129.

was no more a free man; that he was to be confined to his country-house and pastimes, the prince having years and parts answerable to public government; that the duke had reconciled himself to all popular men, and sought to raise an opinion of his own greatness, and to make the king grow less; and that all looked towards the rising sun.

endearments and embraces' passed between them. Prince Charles immediately went on board a royal fleet which attended for him; and after having been in great danger in the road at St. Andero, safely arrived in England, where he was received with the utmost joy and transport. 'To tell your lordship what joy is here for the prince's return,' (says Sir James Palmer, in a letter to Robert earl of Leycester, dated Roiston, Oct. 13, 1623,) no one man's expressions can inform you, nor can the preachers in their sermons do enough (though all strive to outdo one another) in that kind. But though a proxy was left behind in the hands of Digby earl of Bristol, to amuse the Spanish court; yet orders were privately sent to him, upon no terms to make use of it, till further orders were received with relation to it. Soon after the prince's departure the dispensation from Rome arrived, and it was concluded the marriage would be accomplished. But the immediate restitution of the Palatinate was now demanded, though that was known to be impossible, (however by the Spaniards not held unjust) who professed the desponsorio's past, the Infanta on her knees should have been a suitor to the king to restore the Palati

a

Sidney's State-papers, vol. II. p. 357. fol. Lond. 1746.

Whereupon they advised the king, says Rushworth, to free himself from this captivity and imminent danger, and to cut off so ungrateful an affector of popularity and greatness; and so he should shew himself to be, as he was reputed, the oldest and wisest king in Europe. These, and many other things of a like nature, which were privately represented to his majesty by means of the

nate, making it thereby her act, and drawing the obligation wholly to her? This breach of the intended marriage with Spain was highly acceptable to the English nation, who viewed it with horror; and therefore Buckingham was greatly applauded by all ranks of people, for bringing back the prince in safety. The popular favour now enabled him to bring about what he had meditated before his return: for in spite of James his master, and contrary to what was well known to those concerned in the transactions to be truth, he averred before the parliament, that the Spaniards never intended to bestow the Infanta on Charles, or get the Palatinate restored to his brother-in-law. To this Charles himself also gave his testimony, before the same august assembly. Whereupon the parliament advised the breaking off the treaties; promised his majesty assistance; and troops were immediately raised to recover the Palatinate. A rupture likewise with Spain ensued, to the great grief of his majesty: who, says lord Clarendon, when he was informed of what the duke had so confidently avowed, for which he had

* Rushworth, vol. I. p. 144.

Id. vol. I. p. 112.