Of his book on horsemanship, Newcastle wrote to Secretary Nicholas from Antwerp, on 15 February, 1656: “I am so tormented about my book of horsemanship as you cannot believe, with a hundred several trades I think, and the printing will cost above £1,300, which I could never have done but for my good friends, Sir H. Cartwright and Mr. Loving; and I hope they shall lose nothing by it, and I am sure they hope the like”. Only the impecunious can afford to embark upon literary extravagances of this sort.
Lady Newcastle’s return had one very inconvenient effect. It had been generally known at Antwerp that her expedition to England had been for the purpose of raising money to pay her husband’s debts, and it was naturally, though most erroneously, assumed that she had returned with that money. In consequence, there was a general rush of Newcastle’s creditors to his house, crowding and clamouring for a settlement of their little accounts. Wonderful to relate, when Newcastle “had informed them of the truth of the business, and desired their patience somewhat longer,” they were “willing to forbear”. This, says the pious Duchess, “was a work of Divine Providence”. Undoubtedly it was; but did not Newcastle tempt Providence very hard, when he lived in what she admits to have been “so much Splendor and Grandure” on borrowed money, with only a very problematical prospect of ever being able to repay it?
It would seem, from the following letter, written by Buckingham, that Newcastle had asked him to beg on his account from Charles II; that Charles had promised some money, and had been persuaded to break his promise by Newcastle’s enemies. Buckingham also advises Newcastle to make the best terms he can with the Government of the Commonwealth about his property.[136]
[136] Portland MSS. at Welbeck Abbey, Hist. MSS. Com., 13th Rep., App., part II. vol. II. 137.
“G. Duke of Buckingham to the Marquis of Newcastle.
“(1650) December 5. St. Johnstone’s (Perth). Your Lordship’s kindnesse to mee has beene ever soe great, and you have beene pleased to lay soe many obligations upon mee that, I showld bee a very unworthy person if I did not take all occasions of acknoledging them to your Lordship....
“I am very sorry that I have not beene able to serve your Lordship at this present as I desired, but the gentleman that delivers this to you will lett you know how earnestly I have solicited his Majesty in your lordship’s business.
“I had once gott a promise from the King to doe it, but the death of the Prince of Orange, and—as I beleeve—letters from some that are not your friends, have perswaded the King to change his resolution. Hee sayes that when hee receives a just accownt of the somme my Lord Culpepper bringes with him, hee will lett your Lordship have as much as his occasions will give him leave to spare. But what that will bee, or how long before it bee received, is soe uncertayne that withowt doubt your Lordship ought not to rely upon it.
“The best cowncell that I am able to give you, considering your owne condition, and the present state of owr affayres, is to make your peace if it bee possible, in Ingland, for certaynly your Lordship’s suffering for the King has beene great enoughf to excuse you if you looke a little after your selfe now, when neither hee is able to assist you, nor you in a possibility of doing him service.”
Some time later the Royalist affairs were going very badly.[137]