[See MEMOIRS, p. 178.]
Madrid, Wednesday, 19th of October, 1664, English style.
Upon the 10th instant, stilo novo, invited by the delicacy of the
weather, and not knowing whether I should have another opportunity for
it during my residence in this Court, together with my family, man,
woman, and child, I took a small journey by stealth, of three days
going and coming, to Aranjuez.
As soon as it was known that I was gone, the Duke of Medina de las
Torres sent a post after me, with a letter to myself, of courtly
chiding, that I had given the Spanish civility the slip in that
manner, with another to the officers of the palace, to perform their
part towards me, which was not wanting in any needful degree, although
the Propio [Footnote: The Duke's courier.] tracing me all the way,
could not reach me till I got home again.
For the same reasons, we began another journey, upon Monday last, to
the Escurial. [Footnote: Lady Fanshawe, p. 180, says they went to the
Escurial on the 27th of October. Her Ladyship calculated by the NEW,
and Sir Richard by the OLD style.] This was not, nor could be kept
secret; therefore the Duke, prompting his Catholic Majesty, sent his
orders before, by virtue whereof I was lodged in the quarter there of
the Duke of Montaldo, Mayor-domo Mayor to the Queen, and of like
special order, by the Prior of that most famous monastery, showed,
with all demonstrations of courtesy, the much that is there to be
seen, besides an extraordinary present of provisions, of all which Don
Juan Combos, whose company I was favoured with in this excursion, is
able, if he pleases, to give you a better account than I.
Before I was returned half-way to this Court, we met some French, who
told us the French Ambassador was following them to the Escurial.
Advanced as far as a very small village, about a league from Madrid,
the highway lying by a single house, at the outskirts thereof, at the
door of the same, were two that wear his livery, of whom one of my
people, asking whether the French Ambassador was coming towards the
Escurial? they replied 'No;' but that his Excellency was in that
village, and thence immediately to return to Madrid. That is all I yet
know pertaining to that matter; unless this be, that it hath rained
plentifully from morning to night, being, as the year hath fallen out,
very extraordinary, the first day here of winter. Thus much may be
built upon as a certainty, that neither the palace here upon Monday
morning when I went, nor the Escurial this morning when I left it, had
the least notice or inkling of any intention of the French Ambassador
to go thither at this time.
A report there hath been for some days whispered, that the said
Ambassador is revoken. To notify which the more, it is possible he
might design this visit to the Escurial, which is commonly left to the
last by all public persons from abroad.--Ibid. p. 267.