ed before the bailiff, who, demanded whefrce they came and whither they were going. Onan-fwering that they were from Portugal, and fent by the king and his council, they were made very welcome. After they had allowed themfelves fome reft, they were provided with horfes for their own ufe and that of their attendants, and with guides to conduct them to London, for they were quite ignorant of the country and roads. On leaving Southampton, they continued their journey until they arrived in London, where they difmounted at the hôtel of Falcon, kept by Thomelin de Winchefter, and then fent back their horfes and guides to Southampton. Fortunately for them, the king and his court were at the time at Weftminfter, which rejoiced them much : being arrived at London about nine o'clock, they fat down to dinner; when that was over, having felected their* letters for the duke and duchefs of Lancafter, they waited on them. The duke and duchefs were defirous to fee them, as they were anxious for news from Portugal, They had ipdeed heard fome ru-mours from that quarter, but had not believed them, as they had not received any letters which tended to confirm the report. The grand master of St. James and Lawrence Fongaffe were conducted into their prefence, and the latter, on account of his facility in the French language, was the fpokefman. After his faluta-tions, he gave the duke the letters he had brought from Portugal, who, opening them, gave the duchefs that which was addreffed to her : havinf "V ' ' tad 367