pany them in consequence of having been long a resident in Spain, was even sent for before they parted. As Cottington entered the apartment, the duke whispered in the prince's ear that the newcomer would show himself averse to the expedition; Charles retorted in the same low tone that he durst not.

The king commenced by informing Cottington that he believed him to be an honest man, and would, therefore, entrust him with a secret which he must disclose to no person living. "Cottington," he added, "here is Baby Charles and Stenny, who have a great mind to go by post into Spain, and fetch home the infanta, and will have but two more in their company, and have chosen you for one, what think you of the journey? Cottington afterward repeatedly mentioned that when this important question was put to him, he trembled so violently he could with difficulty give utterance to his words. But the king peremptorily demanding his reply, Cottington told him fairly and openly that he believed such a step would be a death-blow to the completion of the match. He was convinced, he said, that when the Spaniards had the prince once in their hands, they would immediately make new overtures, and greatly increase their demands; especially as regarded the advancement of the Romish faith in England. On hearing this candid opinion, James, in the agony of his grief, actually threw himself on his bed, and,

breaking out into the most pitiable lamentations, exclaimed passionately that he was undone, and that he should lose Baby Charles for ever.

The prince and Buckingham were both extremely disconcerted. The latter, turning to Cottington, told him, in an angry tone, that the king had merely asked his advice as to the best mode of travelling in Spain, of which he was competent to give some opinion, but that he had presumed to offer his advice on matters of state; adding, that he should repent the impertinence as long as he lived. "Nay, by G, Stenny," said the king, "you are very much to blame to use him so. He answered me directly to the question I asked him, and very honestly and wisely; and yet you know he said no more than I told you, before he was called in.” On this occasion, however, notwithstanding Cottington's opposition, the king kept his word, and the journey was definitely settled.

CHAPTER IX.

CHARLES I.

Charles and Buckingham, in Disguise, Set Out on the Journey to Spain - Arrival at Boulogne-Court Ball at Paris - The Prince in Danger of Being Arrested at Bayonne Arrival at Madrid - Reception of Charles by the King - Rejoicings at Madrid - Magnificent Conduct of Philip the Fourth - Reception of Charles by the Queen - Scene on the Prado, when Charles First Saw the Infanta - Restricted Intercourse between Charles and the Infanta - Charles's Romantic Affection for Her Magnificent Presents to the Spanish Ladies Letters from King James to His Son and Buckingham Their Prodigality - Hopes Entertained by the Spaniards, of the Prince's Conversion to the Spanish Faith - Letters from the Pope to Charles Aversion of the People of England to the Spanish Match The Spanish Treaty - James's Meanness in Allowing the Spanish King to Dictate to Him.

ON the 17th of February, 1623, the prince, retiring privately from court, proceeded to Buckingham's house, at Newhall, in Essex. From thence they set out on the following day (accompanied only by Sir Richard Graham, master of the horse to the duke), and arrived, though not without adventures, by way of Gravesend, at Dover. They had previously disguised themselves with false beards and adopted fictitious names,

the prince passing as Mr. John Smith, and the duke as Mr. Thomas Smith.

They had not journeyed many miles, when an incident occurred which nearly arrested their progress. In crossing the river at Gravesend, for want of silver, they had given the ferryman a gold piece. The man, equally astonished and grateful for such liberality, imagining that his benefactors were proceeding across the Channel for the purpose of fighting a duel, thought the kindest step he could take was to hint his suspicions to the authorities of the nearest town. Accordingly information was instantly despatched to the Mayor of Canterbury; and just as the prince and Buckingham were about to mount fresh horses, they were summoned to the presence of that important personage. The duke, finding concealment impracticable, divested himself of his beard, and privately informed the mayor who he really was. He was going, he said, in his capacity of lord high admiral, to acquaint himself secretly with the condition and discipline of the fleet. His identity was easily proved, and the adventurers were allowed to proceed. A boy, who rode post with their baggage, had also recognised their persons, but the silence of this individual was not very difficult to be purchased.

The next accident which happened to them was encountering the French ambassador (who was, of course, well acquainted with their persons) on

Their

the brow of the hill, beyond Rochester. horses, however, though merely hired at the last post, were fortunately able to leap the hedge by the roadside, and thus enabled them to escape observation. This circumstance was the more fortunate, inasmuch as the ambassador (as was then usual) was travelling in one of the king's coaches, and their recognition by some of the royal servants must consequently have been inevitable.

At Dover they were joined by Sir Francis Cottington and Endymion Porter, who had been despatched beforehand to provide a vessel for their conveyance across the Channel. Both of these persons, from their long residence in Spain, were well acquainted with the Spanish language and customs. The party, which was now increased to five, arrived safely at Boulogne, whence they rode post to Paris. On their way they fell in with two German gentlemen, who had recently seen the prince at Newmarket, and who fancied they remembered his person. The improbability, however, of their being right in their conjectures, and the apparent astonishment and cool denial of Sir Richard Graham, when they hinted to him their suspicion, had the effect of convincing them they were mistaken.

At Paris, where the travellers remained a whole day, the prince and Buckingham, in order still more effectually to disguise their features, provided