four millions, but diverted as formerly.  Nevertheless such was the number of the constant courtiers increased by the apostate patriots, who were bought off, for that turn, some at six, others ten, one at fifteen thousand pounds in money, besides what offices, lands, and reversions, to others, that it is a mercy they gave not away the whole land, and liberty, of England.  The Earl of Clare made a very bold and rational harangue, the King being present, against the King’s sitting among the Lords, contrary to former precedents, during their debates; but he was not seconded.  The King had this April prorogued, upon the Houses cavilling, and their harsh conferences concerning some bills, the Parliament from this April till the 16th of April 1672.  Sir John Coventry’s Bill against Cutting Noses passed, and O’Brian and Sir Thomas Sands, not appearing at the Old Baily by the time limited, stand attainted and outlawed, without possibility of pardon.  The Duke of Buckingham is again one hundred and forty thousand pounds in debt, and, by this prorogation, his creditors have time to tear all his lands in pieces.  The House of Commons has run almost to the end of their line, and are grown extreme chargeable to the King, and odious to the people.  Lord St. John, Marquess of Westminster’s son, one of the House of Commons, Sir Robert Howard, Sir John Benet, Lord Arlington’s brother, Sir William Bucknoll, the brewer, all of the House, in fellowship with some others of the city, have farmed the old customs, with the new act of Imposition upon Wines, and the Wine Licenses, at six hundred thousand pounds a year, to begin this Michaelmas.  You may be sure they have covenants not to be losers.  They have signed and sealed ten thousand pounds a year more to the Duchess of Cleveland, who has likewise near ten thousand pounds a year out of the new farm of the country excise of Beer and Ale, five thousand pounds a year out of the Post Office, and, they say, the reversion of all the King’s leases, the reversion of places all in the Custom House, the green wax, and indeed, what not?  All promotions, spiritual and temporal, pass under her cognizance.  Buckingham runs out of all with the Lady Shrewsbury, by whom he believes he had a son, to whom the King stood godfather; it dyed, young Earl of Coventry, and was buryed in the sepulchre of his fathers.  The King of France made a warlike progresse this summer through his conquests of Flanders, but kept the peace there, and detains still the Dutchy of Lorain, and has stired up the German Princes against the free towns.  The Duke of Brunswick has taken the town of Brunswick; and now the Bishop of Cullen is attacking the city of Colen.  We truckle to France in all things, to the prejudice of our honour.  Barclay is still Lieutenant of Ireland; but he was forced to come over to pay ten thousand pounds rent to his Landlady Cleveland.  My Lord Angier, who bought of Sir George Carteret for eleven thousand pounds, the Vice-treasurership of Ireland, worth five thousand