In another thus:
The Peace of Germany 'tis true is decreed, but 'tis very doubtfull whether
it will continue, duely new matters breake forth with violence,
The Jesuits attempts are restlesse, the secret plots are agitated at this approaching
Jubile, where the chiefe heads of the Roman cause, yea the
Emperour himselfe will meet, they will seeke to ripen their Councells.
But he that sits in Heaven will laugh.
Strasburgh 20 30 December.
As to publique businesse, I shall tell you that the diet of Baden where
the Cantons doe usually meet upon all publique Occurences, is now
broke up; the French Ambassador promises great matters for the satisfaction
of the Cantons, intreating them to have patience for some few
dayes, disputes have been very hot, insomuch that the Ambassor durst
not so much as mention the renewing of the alliance expired by the last
Kings death. The Spanish Ambassador appeared at the said Diet, and
conceiving to have had a great advantage for the King his Master in
this generall disgust with France, did prepose that it was for the honour
and profit of the Cantons, to send order to all their Subjects in the
French Kings service to returne home, promising great matters in his
Masters and the whole house of Austriaes name: but had no publique
answer, it being suspended untill they shall see what France will doe.
The Peace in the Empire is very doubtfull, the Popish Princes and
States thereof are become very insolent, and conceive by their Treaties
and negotiations to have recovered that from the Swedes, and other
their Adherents, which they could not doe in so many yeares by the
Sword.
The Swedes have lost their former Zeale, and are cold in the managing
of the businesse of the Empire, their chiefe heads, and Commanders having
got that for which they sought, wealth, study nothing more than to
retire and enjoy their labours, as for the Common Soldiers, they are totally
discontented, as receiving no pay.
France is discredited, and the States of the Empire altogether disunited;
there was lately at Vienna an Ambassador of Charles the second as he terms
himself, where he had some faire words given him: the like contributions
he had from Bavaria, and Saxony. Those that are passionate that
way, say that they will maintaine 8000. men amongst them, but it is evident,
that they have other use for their men and money.
The Ambassador that I spoke of in my former, going for Venice, was
not yet arrived there, in which place they are much displeased, that those
of Portolongone have taken a rich English Ship, coming from Alexandria,