she willingly consented to resign the queenly state for the title of the King's Bister, a dower of three thousand pounds Λ year, and the precedence before every lady at court except Henry's future Queen and his daughters. Anne, who had neither friend nor adviser, by the King's command subscribed a letter to him, on the eleventh of July, in which she admitted the non-consummation of the marriage, expressed her acquiescence in the divorce, and signed herself " Your Majesty's most humble sister and servant." Henry, however, after experiencing the constancy of Katherine of Arragon, the only woman who had really loved him, was astonished at Anne giving him up without a single struggle, and for a time could not believe in her sincerity. He wrote to the commissioners that they must obtain from her a version of her former letter in her native tongue, and another letter to the same effect, and in the same .language to her brother. "This," continues the crafty King, "is of the greatest importance, for unless these letters are obtained, all will remain uncertain upon a woman's promise, that she will be no woman ; the accomplishment whereof on her behalf is as difficult in tbe refraining of a woman's will upon occasion as in changing her womanish nature, which is impossible." The commissioners, therefore, brought her five hundred marks, as an instalment of her pension, and induced her to write and sign the required letters, one of which, addressed to her brother, the Duke of Cleves, ran as follows :•— " BBOTHER, " Because I had rather ye know the truth by mine advertisement than for want thereof yc should be deceived by vain reports, I write these present letters unto you, by which ye shall understand that being advertised how the nobles and commons of this realm desired the King's Highness here to commit the examination of the matter of marriage between me and his Majesty to tho determination of the clergy; I did the more willingly consent thereunto, and since the determination made, have also allowed, approved, and agreed unto the same, wherein I have more respect as becometh me to truth and good pleasure than any worldly affection that might move me to the contrary. I account God pleased with what is done, and know myself to have suffered no wrong or injury, but being in body preserved in the integrity which I brought into this realm ; and I truly discharged from all bond of consent, I find the King's Highness, whom I cannot justly have as my husband, to be, nevertheless, as a most kind, loving, and friendly father and brother, and to use me as honourably and with as much humanity and liberality as you, I myself, or any of our kin or allies could wish and desire ; wherewith I am for mine own part so well content and satisfied, that I much desire my mother, you, and other mine allies, so to understand it, accept and take it, and so to use yourself towards this noble and virtuous prince as he may have cause to continue his friendship towards you, which, on his behalf, shall nothing be impaired or altered for this matter ; for so hath it pleased his Highness to signify unto me that like, as he will show me always a most fatherly and brotherly kindness, and has so provided for me, so will he remain with you and others according to such terms as have passed in the same knot of amity which between you hath been concluded, this matter, notwithstanding, in such wise as neither I, nor you, nor any of our friends, shall have just cause of mis-contentment. Thus much have I thought necessary to write unto you, lest for want of true knowledge, ye might otherwise take this matter than ye ought, and in other sort care for me than ye shall have cause. Only I require tuia of you, that ye shall so use yourself as for your untowardness in this matter I fare not the worse, whereunto I trust you will have regard." On the seventeenth of July, Norfolk and the other commissioners went to Kichmond, by the King's orders, and discharged all Anne's household who had sworn to serve her as Queen, and appointed others, who took an oath to