[177] All the numerous letters which I have seen of Charles the
Ninth, now in the possession of Mr. Murray, are carefully signed by
himself, and I have also observed _postscripts_ written with his own
hand: they are always countersigned by his secretary. I mention this
circumstance, because, in the _Dictionnaire Historique_, it is said
that Charles, who died young, was so given up to the amusements of
his age, that he would not even sign his despatches, and introduced
the custom of secretaries subscribing for the king. This voluminous
correspondence shows the falsity of this statement. History is too
often composed of popular tales of this stamp.
[178] These _love-letters_ of Alencon to our Elizabeth are noticed
by Camden, who observes, that the queen became wearied by receiving
so many; and to put an end to this trouble, she consented that the
young duke should come over, conditionally, that he should not be
offended if her suitor should return home suitless.