A Journal of the Swedish Embassy in the Years 1653 and 1654, Vol II.
John Locke · en
_Wh._ It will be material to compare the dates of these two grants: if
that to the English was first, then the other to the Swedes was of no
validity; and the like of the contrary. If you will favour me with a copy
of the grant made to the Swedes, I will compare it with that made to the
English, and return it to you.
_Gr. Eric._ You shall command it.
Mr. Woolfeldt, being visited by Whitelocke, told him that the Queen was
extremely pleased with his treatment of her. Whitelocke excused the
meanness of it for her Majesty. Woolfeldt replied, that both the Queen
and all the company esteemed it as the handsomest and noblest that they
ever saw; and the Queen, after that, would drink no other wine but
Whitelocke's, and kindly accepted the neats' tongues, potted venison, and
other cates which, upon her commendation of them, Whitelocke sent unto
her Majesty. Woolfeldt showed a paper of consequence written by himself
in Spanish, and he read it in French to Whitelocke, being perfect in
those and other languages. He said, that whatsoever he wrote he did it in
a foreign language, to continue the exercise of them. The paper showed
how the English might be freed from paying tolls at the Sound. Whitelocke
entreated a copy of this paper in French, which Woolfeldt promised.
A great quantity of snow fell and covered the houses and fields, and was
hard frozen: a matter at this time strange to the English, but ordinary
here.
_May 4, 1654._
Mr. Boteler, a Scotsman, confidently reported great news to the
disparagement of the affairs of England, that the Highlanders of Scotland
had given a great defeat to the English and killed five hundred of them,
which news was soon confuted by Whitelocke.
[SN: A literary dinner party.]
The Senator Vanderlin, and his brother the master of the ceremonies; Dr.
Loccenius, a civilian, Keeper of the Library in this University; another
gentleman, Professor of Eloquence here; Mr. Ravius, Professor of the
Eastern tongues; and a French gentleman, captain of one of the companies
of Guards, doing Whitelocke the honour to dine with him, had very learned
discourse, particularly of languages and of the affinity between the
Swedish, English, Danish, and High Dutch tongues, whereof they gave many
instances, and Whitelocke was able to add to them. The professors
discoursed only in Latin, as most proper for them; the others in French;
and they hold it a discourtesy if a man be not answered in the same
language which he speaks. They also extolled the Prince and the
Protector; and the Senator said that there was not any person who came so
near to the eminency and grandeur of the Protector as the Prince of
Sweden did.
[SN: The Dutch Resident salutes Whitelocke on the peace.]