Excerpt from Bulstrode Whitelocke's diary entry, dated May 4/14 (Old Style), 1654

Source:

A journal of the Swedish ambassy, volume 2, pages 131 to 132, by Bulstrode Whitelocke, published in 1772

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The diary entry excerpt:

... Whitelocke went to the accustomed place, the great wood, to take the aier; and as he was walking in the broade way there, he perceived the coach of the dutch resident comming towards him; and perceiving the english ambassador to be walking there, the resident alighted out of his coach, and came on foot towards Whitelocke: whither he came after Whitelocke in a hansome designe or contrivance for their first salutation, or that it was by accident, Whitelocke did not examine, butt thought fitt to answear the civility of the resident, by walking back towards him to meet him.

They saluted each other, and their company, with great respect. The resident began the complement to Whitelocke in french, telling him, that he was very glad of the opportunity to have the happines to salute Whitelocke, which he would not neglect to doe, perceiving him in this place; and that he would take the first occasion to doe himselfe the honor to visit Whitelocke att his house.

Whitelocke answeared, that the resident should be very wellcome when he pleased to doe that honor to Whitelocke, as to bestow a visit on him; and that he was also very glad of the opportunity which had now presented itselfe, wherby he had the contentment of being acquainted with the resident.

They fell into generall discourses, and, among the rest, of the conclusion and ratification of the treaty between the two common-wealths, and of the advantage which therby would arise to both of them, and to the protestant party.

As they were walking togither the queen passed by them, being in that wood also to take the aier: when she came neer, she saluted them with great respect, and spake to them alowde, "Je suis ravie de vous voir ensemble, Je voi que la paix est faite"; "I am ravished to see you two togither, I see the peace is made." And so the queen went on her way, and Whitelocke tooke leave of the resident. ...

With modernised spelling:

... Whitelocke went to the accustomed place, the great wood, to take the air; and as he was walking in the broad way there, he perceived the coach of the Dutch resident coming towards him; and, perceiving the English ambassador to be walking there, the resident alighted out of his coach and came on foot towards Whitelocke. Whether he came after Whitelocke in a handsome design or contrivance for their first salutation, or that it was by accident, Whitelocke did not examine, but thought fit to answer the civility of the resident by walking back towards him to meet him.

They saluted each other and their company with great respect. The resident began the compliment to Whitelocke in French, telling him that he was very glad of the opportunity to have the happiness to salute Whitelocke, which he would not neglect to do, perceiving him in this place, and that he would take the first occasion to do himself the honour to visit Whitelocke at his house.

Whitelocke answered that the resident should be very welcome when he pleased to do that honour to Whitelocke as to bestow a visit on him, and that he was also very glad of the opportunity which had now presented itself, whereby he had the contentment of being acquainted with the resident.

They fell into general discourses, and, among the rest, of the conclusion and ratification of the treaty between the two Commonwealths, and of the advantage which thereby would arise to both of them and to the Protestant party.

As they were walking together the Queen passed by them, being in that wood also to take the air. When she came near, she saluted them with great respect and spake to them aloud: "Je suis ravie de vous voir ensemble, je vois que la paix est faite!" — "I am ravished to see you two together, I see the peace is made!"

And so the Queen went on her way, and Whitelocke took leave of the resident. ...

Above: Kristina.

Above: Coenraad van Beuningen, the Dutch resident.

Above: Bulstrode Whitelocke.