Excerpt from Bulstrode Whitelocke's diary entry of January 3/13 (Old Style), 1654

Source:

A journal of the Swedish ambassy, in the years M.DCC.LIII. and M.DCC.LIV., volume 1, page 293, by Bulstrode Whitelocke, 1772

https://www.google.com/books/edition/A_Journal_of_the_Swedish_Ambassy/gPFMAAAAMAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=A+journal+of+the+Swedish+embassy+Bulstrode+Whitelocke,+1772&printsec=frontcover

The diary entry excerpt:

... Whitelocke visited the lady Jane Ruthen, concerning whom the queen had spoken to him; and in that or any other buisnes, Whitelocke professed all readyness to doe her service; which visit she tooke as a great respect, and told the queen of it: and Whitelocke found, that, among other visits, those to ladyes are not unnecessary for an ambassador, especially in the court of a queen, whose eare they have more than her counsellors; and, in all states, their influence in the highest affayres is not to be despised.

Whitelocke received civilities and respect from divers of the queen's ladyes, with whom he had sometimes opportunity to discourse when he waited on the queen; and most of them had the french language: and therfore Whitelocke tooke occasion sometimes to visit them, and to discourse with them in drollery, yett of such matters as he was willing should come to the queen's eare, and he knew the ladyes would not fayle to relate to her majesty; and this he found they did, and not to the disadvantage of him or his buisnes, through the good opinion which his civility had gained with them. ...

With modernised spelling:

... Whitelocke visited the lady Jane Ruthven, concerning whom the Queen had spoken to him; and in that or any other business, Whitelocke professed all readiness to do her service, which visit she took as a great respect and told the Queen of it. And Whitelocke found that, among other visits, those to ladies are not unnecessary for an ambassador, especially in the court of a queen, whose ear they have more than her counsellors; and, in all states, their influence in the highest affairs is not to be despised.

Whitelocke received civilities and respect from diverse of the Queen's ladies, with whom he had sometimes opportunity to discourse when he waited on the Queen; and most of them had the French language, and therefore Whitelocke took occasion sometimes to visit them and to discourse with them in drollery, yet of such matters as he was willing should come to the Queen's ear and he knew the ladies would not fail to relate to Her Majesty. And this he found they did, and not to the disadvantage of him or his business, through the good opinion which his civility had gained with them. ...

Above: Kristina.

Above: Bulstrode Whitelocke.