would never, directly or indirectly, permit any one to speak to the Infanta against the same." They probably had tampered with Charles concerning his religion. A letter of Gregory XV. to him, is preserved in Wilson's life. Olivares said to Buckingham, you gave me some assurance and hope of the Prince's turning Catholic. The Duke roundly answered that it was false. The Spanish minister confounded at the bluntness of our English duke, broke from him in a violent rage, and lamented that state matters would not suffer him to do himself justice. This insult was never forgiven; and some time afterwards he attempted to revenge himself on Buckingham, by endeavouring to persuade James that he was at the head of a conspiracy against him.

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We hasten to conclude these anecdotes not to be found in the pages of Hume and Smollett. Wilson says that both kingdoms rejoiced.Preparations were made in England to entertain the Infanta; a new church was built at St. James's, the foundation-stone of which was laid by the Spanish ambassador, for the public exercise of her religion; her portrait was multiplied in every corner of the town; such as hoped to flourish under her eye, suddenly began to be powerful. In Spain (as Wilson quaintly expresses himself) the substance was as much courted as the shadow here. Indeed the Infanta, Howel

tells us, was applying hard to the English language, and was already called the Princess of England. To conclude,-Charles complained of the repeated delays; and he, and the Spanish court, parted with a thousand civilities. The Infanta however observed, that had the Prince loved her, he would not have quitted her."

How shall we dispel those clouds of mystery with which politics have covered this strange transaction? It appears that James had in view the restoration of the Palatinate to his daughter, who fell a victim to her ambition, and whom he could not assist; that the court of Rome had speculations of the most dangerous tendency to the Protestant Religion; that the marriage was broken off by that hatred which existed between Olivares and Buckingham; and that, if there was any sincerity existing between the parties concerned, it rested with the Prince and the Infanta, who were both youthful and romantic, and were but two beautiful ivory balls in the hands of great players.

DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM.

THE Duke of Buckingham, in his impudent, wild, and familiar manner, appears to have been equally a favourite with James I. and Charles I. He behaved with singular indiscretion both at the courts of France and Spain. Various anec

dotes might be collected from the memoir writers of those countries, to convince us that our court was always little respected by its ill choice of this ambassador. His character is hit off by one master-stroke from the pencil of Hume; "He had," says this penetrating observer of men, English familiarity and French levity;" so that he was in full possession of two of the most offensive qualities an ambassador can possess.

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Sir Henry Wotton has written an interesting life of our Duke. At school his character fully discovered itself, even at that early period of life. He would not apply to any serious studies, but excelled in those lighter qualifications adapted to please in the world. He was a graceful horseman, musician, and dancer. His mother withdrew him from school at the early age of thirteen, and he soon became a domestic favourite. Her fondness permitted him to indulge in every caprice, and to cultivate those agreeable talents which were natural to him. His person was beautiful, and his manners insinuating. word, he was adapted to become a courtier. The fortunate opportunity soon presented itself; for James saw him, and invited him to court, and showered on him, with a prodigal hand, the cornucopia of royal patronage.

In a

Houssaie, in his political memoirs, has detailed an anecdote of this duke, only known to the.

English reader, in the general observation of the historian. When he was sent to France, to conduct the Princess Henrietta to the arms of Charles I, he had the insolence to converse with the Queen of France, not as an ambassador, but as a lover! The Marchioness of Senecey, her lady of honour, enraged at seeing this conversation continue, seated herself in the arm-chair of the Queen, who that day was confined to her bed; she did this to hinder the insolent Duke from approaching the Queen, and probably taking other liberties. As she observed that he still persisted in the lover, "Sir, (she said, in a severe tone of voice,) you must learn to be silent; it is not thus we address the Queen of France."

This audacity of the Duke is further confirmed by Nani, in his sixth book of the History of Venice; an historian who is not apt to take things lightly. For when Buckingham was desirous of once more being ambassador at that court, in 1626, it was signified by the French ambassador, that for reasons well known to himself, his person would not be agreeable to his most Christian Majesty. In a romantic threat, the Duke exclaimed, he would go and see the Queen in spite of the French court: and to this petty affair is to be ascribed the war between the two nations!

The Marshal de Bassompiere, in the journal of his life, affords another instance of his

"English familiarity." He says, "The King of England gave me a long audience, and a very disputatious one. He put himself in a passion, while I, without losing my respect, expressed myself freely. The Duke of Buckingham, when he observed the King and myself very warm, leapt suddenly betwixt his Majesty and me, exclaiming, I am come to set all to rights betwixt you, which I think is high time."

Cardinal Richelieu hated Buckingham as sincerely as did the Spaniard Olivares. This enmity is said to be owing to the Cardinal writing to the Duke without leaving any space open after the title of Monsieur; the Duke, to shew his equality, returned his answer in the same "paper-sparing" manner. From such petty circumstances many wars have taken their source.

This ridiculous circumstance between Richelieu and Buckingham,, reminds me of a similar one, which happened to two Spanish Lords:-One signed at the end of his letter, EL Marques (THE Marquis) as if the title had been peculiar to himself for its excellence. His national vanity received a dreadful reproof from his correspondent, who, jealous of his equality, signed OTRO Marques (ANOTHER Marquis.)

An anecdote given by Sir Henry Wotton offers a characteristic trait of Charles and his favourite: