obliged to the Queen-Mother of England. We passed away six weeks with
great delight in good company; my Lady Norton, that was governess to
the Lady Henrietta, Charles the First's youngest daughter, was very
kind. I had the honour of her company, both in my own lodging and in
the Palace Royal, where she attended her charge; likewise my Lady
Danby, and her daughter, my Lady Guilford, with many others of our
nation, both in the Court and out of it; amongst whom was Mr. Waller,
the poet, and his wife: they went with us to Calais, upon the 25th of
December, 1649. I, with my husband, kissed the Queen-Mother's hand,
who promised her favour, with much grace, to us both, and sent letters
to the King, then in Holland, by my husband. From her Majesty we
waited on the Princes, and afterwards took our leave of all that
Court.

When we came to Calais, we met the Earl of Strafford and Sir Kenelm
Digby, with some others of our countrymen. We were all feasted at the
Governor's of the castle, and much excellent discourse passed; but, as
was reason, most share was Sir Kenelm Digby's, who had enlarged
somewhat more in extraordinary stories than might be averred, and all
of them passed with great applause and wonder of the French then at
table; but the concluding one was, that barnacles, a bird in Jersey,
was first a shell-fish in appearance, and from that, sticking upon old
wood, became in time a bird. After some consideration, they
unanimously burst out into laughter, believing it altogether false;
and, to say the truth, it was the only thing true he had discoursed
with them: that was his infirmity, though otherwise a person of most
excellent parts, and a very fine-bred gentleman.

My husband thought it convenient to send me into England again, there
to try what sums I could raise, both for his subsistence abroad and