_April 15, 1654._

[SN: Excursion with the French Resident.]

The Resident of France having desired Whitelocke that when he went abroad
to take the air he would give him leave to accompany him, Whitelocke sent
to him, this fair day inviting and leisure not hindering it. They went
together in Whitelocke's coach to a wood, about an English mile from
Upsal, full of pines, fir-trees, and juniper, and very fair and pleasant
walks in it. The beauty of the day and place had also invited thither at
this time the Ambassador of Denmark and the Holland Resident, who,
perceiving Whitelocke's coaches and company, crossed out of the way where
they were, and betook themselves to another walk; but Whitelocke kept on
in his, and with the French Resident had much general discourse, but
little of matters of state, because they could not trust one the other;
yet Whitelocke learnt from him the condition of several persons in
principal credit in the Court of France, and the way of their management
of affairs. This gentleman was very civil and courteous and good company,
desiring the conversation of Whitelocke, which he afforded him both going
abroad and in his house, to which the Resident did him the favour to be
no stranger.

Whitelocke told him he purposed to go by Nordköping, and by the way to
visit the Queen-mother and the Prince, and to have his ship meet him
there. The Resident said the ship could not easily come to Nordköping,
being no good harbour; but his best way would be to go from thence to
Calmar, and his ship to meet him there, the haven being open and the ship
may come near the town; and that Nordköping was the midway between
Stockholm and Calmar, and the ship might be as soon at Calmar as at
Nordköping; that the passage to Lübeck was much easier from Calmar than