him.  He graduated at Harvard University in 1642.  Thence he had come to England, and, from being a preacher in Okey’s regiment of dragoons in the New Model (1645), had passed gradually into other employments.  He had been Scoutmaster-General to the Army in Scotland (1653), but had been attached since 1655 to Thurloe’s office, and employed, as we have seen, in diplomatic missions.  His appointment to be Cromwell’s minister at the Hague was a great promotion.  His salary in the post was to be L1100 a year, worth nearly L4000 a year now. (Sibley’s Biographical Sketches of Graduates of Harvard University.  I. 28-53, with corrections at p. 583.)]

(CXVI.) TO THE PROVINCIAL STATES OF HOLLAND, Dec. 1657:—­While recommending DOWNING to the States General, his Highness cannot refrain from recommending him also specially to the States of Holland, self-governed as they are internally, and “so important a part of the United Provinces” besides.

(CXVII.) TO FERDINAND, GRAND DUKE OF TUSCANY, Dec. 1657:—­The Protector’s last letter to the Grand Duke (ante 372) had produced immediate effect.  The rascally Englishman Ellis, who, to the discredit of English and Christian good faith, had run off with the cargo of rice, sugar, and coffee, belonging to the Sultan of Turkey, had been arrested in Leghorn.  So the Grand Duke had informed Cromwell in a letter dated Nov. 10.  The present is a reply to that letter, and is very characteristic.  “We give you thanks for this good office; and now we make this farther request,—­that, as soon as the merchants have undertaken that satisfaction shall be made to the, Turks, the said Master be liberated from custody, and the ship and her lading be forthwith let off, lest perchance we should seem to have made more account of the Turks than of our own citizens.  Meanwhile we relish so agreeably your Highness’s singular, conspicuous, and most acceptable good-will towards us that we should not refuse the brand of ingratitude if we did not eagerly desire a speedy opportunity of gratifying you in return by the like promptitude, by means of which we might prove to you in very deed our readiness also in returning good offices.  Your Highness’s most affectionate OLIVER.”

To the same month as the last three of these Latin State-Letters belong two more of Milton’s Latin Familiar Epistles.  The persons to whom they are addressed are already known to us: 

  “To the very distinguished MR. HENRY DE BRASS.

“Having been hindered these days past by some occupations, illustrious Sir, I reply later than I meant.  For I meant to do so all the more speedily because I saw that your present letter, full of learning as it is, did not so much leave me room for suggesting anything to you (a thing which you ask of me, I believe, out of compliment to me, not for your own need) as for simple congratulation.  I congratulate myself especially on my good fortune