of the famous Algernon. He sat in the Long Parliament for Yarmouth, in
the Isle of Wight, and afterwards became a member of the Upper House.
Concerning his embassage to Sweden this is again proposed to him in
September 1653, but, as we read in the minutes of the Council, "when he
was desired to proceed, finding himself out of health, he desired to be
excused, whereupon Council still wishing to send the embassy--the Queen
of Sweden being favourably inclined to the Commonwealth--pitched upon
Lord Whitelocke, who was willing to go."

To Lady Sunderland and Mr. Smith there are several amusing references
in these letters. Lady Sunderland was the daughter of the Earl of
Leicester, and sister of Algernon Sydney. She was born in 1620, and at
the age of nineteen married Henry Lord Spencer, who was killed in the
battle of Newbury in 1642. After her husband's death, she retired to
Brington in Northamptonshire, until, wearied with the heavy load of
housekeeping, she came to live with her father and mother at Penshurst.
In the Earl of Leicester's journal, under date Thursday, July 8th, 1652,
we find:--"My daughter Spencer was married to Sir Robert Smith at
Penshurst, my wife being present with my daughters Strangford, and Lacy
Pelham, Algernon and Robin Sydney, etc.; but I was in London." From this
we may imagine the Earl did not greatly approve the match. The
ubiquitous Evelyn was there, too, to see "ye marriage of my old fellow
collegian Mr. Robt. Smith;" and the place being full of company, he
probably enjoyed himself vastly. Lady Sunderland was the Sacharissa of
Waller the poet.


SIR,--I am so great a lover of my bed myself that I can easily apprehend
the trouble of rising at four o'clock these cold mornings. In earnest,
I'm troubled that you should be put to it, and have chid the carrier for