Page:Diary of the times of Charles II Vol. I.djvu/249

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Paris, September 8th.

At my return hither, on Tuesday last, in the train of the Queen of Spain, I found your letter of the 30th of last month, which, bringing much more of kindness than news in it, was much the welcomer, the continuation of your friendship being as pleasant to me as my return of it is certain to you; for as my inclination has never been stronger to any man in my whole life, nor any opinion better of any man, so, now that the reverend addition of many years' acquaintance and intimacy comes to be added to the rest, it sets you in a higher rank in my breast than most men upon earth; but, trêve aux complimens.

I suppose you will expect a long and exact account of all the fine things I have seen at Fontainbleau, which I should not have grudged the pains of describing, were there not now in the press by the King's order so perfect a relation, that I had better refer you to that which will be ready by the next post, than forestall your curiosity by so imperfect a narrative as I should make. However, upon the whole matter, I will tell you that there was nothing more magnificent than the. French,