laden with Salt and other provisions bound to the Newfound
land, one 180 tons, the other 150.
From Brussels, the 19. April stilo novo.
We have had here for this fortnight such terrible North
and Northwest winds, which brought so much snow, cold
weather and frost, as if it had been in the middle of winter;
and this day it froze so hard, that every body did admire to
see the like at this time of the year, which will prove very
prejudicial to the fruits of the earth. The Marquis of Lede
is now making haste to dispatch his Ambassie into England,
he intendeth to be going from hence at the latter end of this
moneth: He is a person of great worth, and very well beloved
in these parts. The King of Scots is said here to be
gone for Colen, but upon no certainty: He is little regarded
and no ways beloved in these parts.
Prince Thomas of Savoy is to command the French army
in Italy, and the Duke of York and the Marquis of St. Andre
Monbrun art to his Lieutenant-Generals. The French have
believed Quesnoy, coming with an Army of 6 or 7000 men,
and 6 pieces of ordnance; the Spanish forces durst not
oppose them, being far weaker, and fewer in number. This
will be a very great prejudice to Henault, Brabant, Namur,
and Cambrefis in particular, and to all these parts in general,
to suffer the French to enjoy the said place of Quesnoy, which
will be a continual scourge and inroad into the Countries.
They talk here very much of General Coningsmark and the
Swedish Army, which he is to conduct and to command in
these parts for the service of Spain, but few will give credit
to it: besides, they suppose here, that if those Forces do
come, they will do more harm then good.
The Queen doth still take delight in Comedies and Balls:
she hath lately caus'd six rare Players upon the Viol, to come
from Paris, to entertain them in her Court, and to have
the new Lessons land Dances of France. This Princess is full
of spirit, full of courage, merry and active, as much as is
possible.
From Paris, April 17. stilo novo.
On the 13. instant the King went to the Palace to sit in