coming within the very Harbors, at such a distance as they
may ride out of Gunthot. An Amsterdammer laden with
wheat and Rie, was driven in there by distres of weather,
which hath been a good Releef to the Island, it being somwhat
out of provisions: For, the Dutch men of narr had
snap't a Barque of Weymouth that was coming thence to
them with Corn; and another vessel laden from this Port
wit Corn, having her Cable cut in two by a hideous storm,
was ashore the Island, and there split in pieces.
From Paris, January. 25, stilo novo,
The Prince of Conde's Party, filled the Town, last week,
with a Rumor of a great victory by him obtained against
the King Army, and the like Report they raised at the beginning
of this week, giving out that the Prince had regained
Castle-Porcian, and that the Cardinall and Marshall
Turein offering to releeve the Place, he had forced them
to a diforderly Retreat, with a great loss of their men; and
that the Prince being master of the Field, and nona able to
oppose him, he marched directly for Paris it self. This
Report flew so high that the Royallists themselves at Court
began to be of the same beleefe, till by severall expresses
that came to his Majesties, hands, on Tuesday last, it appeared
to be a Fiction.
Cardinall Mazarin is not arrived here as yet, but every
day expected. To smo[unr]o[unr]h his way, he hath by letter Complemented
his brother Cardinall that lies in prison, pretending
amazement at his being so immured within a Castle,
professing hearty sorrow, and promising at his Return, to
use all his Interest with the King, to set him at liberty. Thus
Great ones, Crocodile-like, can weep over those that they
design for ruine; for, the world universally concludes Mazarin
the prime mover of his Imprisonment. Some kind of
relaxation the King hath lately given him, through the Intercession
of Friends, and that is only to enjoy the benefit of
a Chaplain, & of the free Air now and then on the Top of the
Castle; which is a Favor that was at first denied him, and
being now obteined must be esteemed no small one, since