Chapter I

Anxiety felt in England about the Spanish Treaty--Charles I.
the first Male Heir for whom a Treaty of Marriage had been
set on foot since Henry VIII.--Qualities of the
Infanta--Called the Rare Infanta--Charles’s Personal
Excellence and Elegance--Alliance received with Interest
as Concerning the Palatinate--Question of the
Dispensation--The Obstacles--Difficulty in fitting out a
Fleet to bring the Prince back--James’s
Apprehensions--Letter from Lord Kensington--Preparations
at Southampton for the Reception of the Prince and
Infanta--Attempts made in Spain to Convert Charles--His
Firmness, and that of the Duke--Buckingham’s Impatience to
return to England--Letters of Endymion Porter from
Spain--The Romantic Adventure of Prince Charles in a
Garden--His Short Interview with the Infanta accompanied
by Endymion Porter--Hopes of the Treaty being
fulfilled--The Betrothal fixed for St. James’s Day, but
not accomplished--The Fool Archy’s Speech--Buckingham’s
Pecuniary Difficulties--His
Boldness--Unpopularity--Insanity of his Brother, Lord
Purbeck--Amiable Conduct of the Duchess of
Buckingham--Grand Entertainment given at Madrid--The Fuego
de Cannas--Quarrels between Buckingham and
Olivares--Bristol’s Despatches Unfavourable to the
Prince--Preparations for the Prince’s Departure--The
Infanta’s Marriage Deferred--Original Letter from
Bristol--Leave-Taking at the Escurial--The Prince reaches
Segovia--Valladolid--St. Andero--Perils in Returning from
the Fleet to the Shore--Voyage Home--Touches at the Scilly
Isles--Arrives at Portsmouth--At York House--At
Royston--Public Rejoicings--Charles termed "England’s Joy" 1