personally engaged in escorting the ambassador to the Guildhall and had nothing to do with the banquet. The deputation thereupon withdrew, being all the more discomforted by the excess of courtesy shown to them by the ambassador, who himself insisted on escorting them to the door (_je leur dis que je voulois passer plus avant, et payer un assez mauvais traitement par une civilité extraordinaire_). (M651) On the 11th November the lord mayor went in state to pay a visit to the ambassador and to beg his forgiveness. Not being able to speak French himself, he took with him an interpreter, who explained to the ambassador on his behalf that unless he (the ambassador) would set the example of forgiveness eternal shame would rest upon the citizens and they would incur the displeasure of the king and nation. Thereupon the ambassador showed himself satisfied and attended the lord mayor to his carriage with marked courtesy.(1271) (M652) In view of a war with the Dutch, which seemed inevitable, owing to their interference with English trade, Charles began taking steps to replenish his exhausted exchequer. In June and again in October (1664) he borrowed from the city sums of £100,000.(1272) In November the Commons voted him a sum of two millions and a half, a larger supply than any that had ever yet been granted to a king of England, and the thanks of both Houses were tendered to the city for its assistance.(1273) On the 22nd February, 1665, war was formally declared. Two heralds, in their coats of arms, with four mace-bearers, nine trumpeters and two troops of horse, assembled at Westminster, where the trumpet sounded and the declaration was read amid shouts of joy. "Thence they went to Temple Bar, where the lord mayor and aldermen, in scarlet gowns on horse-back, conducted them to Temple Gate over against Chancery Lane, where it was read with more acclamation than before, the Horseguards drawing their swords and clattering them; then again in Cheapside and before the Royal Exchange with great demonstration of joy and sounding of trumpets, after which many nobles of the court came into the city to dine with the lord mayor."(1274) A day for a public fast was appointed to invoke the Almighty’s blessing upon the ignominious war about to commence, and all commercial intercourse with the States was interdicted.(1275) (M653) At this juncture an unfortunate accident occurred which deprived the fleet of one of its most valuable ships—the ship known as "The London," in which Sir John Lawson was about to put to sea—and caused the death of nearly 300 seamen. "The London" was being brought round from Chatham to the Hope, where she was to take on board her commander, when for some unaccountable reason she blew up and became a total wreck, all her ordnance, numbering 80 brass pieces, going to the bottom. The news of the disaster caused much excitement in the city.(1276) (M654)