Diary of the times of Charles II/Volume 2/Mr. Hyde to Mr. Sidney, March 16
MR. HYDE TO MR. SIDNEY.
When my Lord Sunderland and Mr. Godolphin are both out of town, I hope you will not be angry to hear a word from me, which is only to tell you that every body else is gone; and that I only, who have the reputation of a lazy and an idle man, to love London exceedingly, and to hate to take pains, am left here.
I have no business to trouble you with, nor no news to entertain you with, but that Sir Gabriel Sylvius will go hence next Friday, and, I hope, will succeed in his errand, as I wish Sir Robert Southwell may do, that they both follow your steps, who have had the skill and the good fortune to do more honour to yourself and your master than any Englishman abroad these many years.
Every thing here continues in the best disposition that can be; and, if we can make good alliances abroad, every thing at home will do very well. The King intends to make a long stay at Newmarket, and all that while my Lord Sunderland will enjoy himself at Althorpe. The Duke, they say, will be here on Saturday or Monday, only to see the Duchess, and returns again.
The night before my Lord Sunderland went away, we were together with Monsieur Van Lewin, and pressed him very much that his masters should pass their resolution in the States-General concerning the French alliance. He excused it all he could, and said they were not in a condition to do things of éclat, and that the substantial part was done by their Ambassadors at Paris. We told them that there could be no danger to them by doing what we desired, since that which he called the substantial part, which had been done at Paris, was that which would anger the French King. And this form of passing their resolution could not provoke him more; but it would give a more general satisfaction to us here, and especially amongst the people, who otherwise would think that there wanted still something between the States and us to make us sure of one another. The Ambassador said that he would write to his masters to this purpose, being convinced, as he owned, that it would be useful to us here. You will find whether He hath or not, and what the effects will be. I did not think to have troubled you so long, and ought to ask you the more pardon for it, because I doubt I have said nothing to you but what you know already.
I am, with great truth and respect, yours,