—Cardinal Azzolini was appointed by Alexander VII. Intendant to Queen Christina on her receiving a pension of 12,000 scudi from that Pope. On the withdrawal of this grant by Innocent XI., her majesty wrote a furious letter to the Cardinal, which is one of the most curious pieces contained in a Collection of Letters, edited by M. Matter (Paris, chez Amiot). That a close intimacy existed between the Queen and the Cardinal appears from some allusions in contemporary letters (1685-1687). See M. Valéry's Correspondence de Mabillon et de Montfaucon avec l'Italie (Paris, 1846), vol. i. p. 99.: "La Reine de Suède, grande amie du Cardinal Azzolin" ... vol. ii. p. 83.:
"Il n'y a plus de différend qu'entre le marquis Del Monte et le Cardinal Azzolin [sic], à qui aura meilleure part dans les bonnes grâces de la Reine pendant sa vie, et dans son testament après sa mort."
The editor adds (vol. iii. p. 298.):
"Le Cardinal Azzolini fut le principal héritier de Christine."
C. P. PH***.
Babington's Conspiracy (Vol. iii., p. 390.).
—In Dr. Maitland's Index of English Books in the Lambeth Library will be found the following entry:
"* Babington (Anthony), His Letter to the Queen. No place, printer, or date." The asterisk denotes that it is not mentioned by Herbert in his edition of Ames.
This, I believe, will be a satisfactory answer to J. BT.'s Query.
H. P.