l6oo] A BOOK OF STRANGE MIRACLES
things that are in the septentrional regions worthy of admira-
tion
i\ih April A MISHAP AT HAMPTON
To-da7 one Richard Chips was indicted for that whilst he
was steering a barge drawn by three horses at Hampton, he had
wilfully handled his barge to overset a boat in which Mr.
Richard Nightingale, his wife and her servant were being rowed,
and they cast into the water
3o*A Apr^l GENERAL NEWS
It is said that Mr Secretary affects the peace because he likes
not the profession of war which keeps the Queen poor, and also
because he will keep up his father's reputation who, long before
his death, sang no other song than peace Divers of the Council
are doubtful lest the common people grow weary of impositions
and fall into disorder, because the best sort murmur underhand
that a good peace might be got, if the Queen were well advised.
Some say that many journeys have been made in vain and that
they would be glad to have peace or open war, besides this
noise of the Flemings' prosperity in the Indies has set our nation
so in a flame as rather than be barred from going to sea for
spoil (to which the youth of this country is given) they would
care not what subsidies they gave or promised If peace may
be had upon good conditions, all will be glad of it, if not the
Queen will make this benefit of it that her people will see that
she is not obstinate and will now provide for the contrary,
which pretext shall save the Council at the next Parliament
which will be about Michaelmas
znd May THE FRENCH KING'S MISTRESS
From Paris it is reported that the French King hath been
much troubled to retrieve a promise that he made m writing
under his hand unto Mademoiselle D'Entragues, his mistress,
to marry her if she proved with child within six months after
he enjoyed her For a while she was very resolute to keep it for
justification of her honour, that she yielded not to "him upon
any base consideration , likewise for a time she refused him her
company, pretending that she was so enjoined by her confessor.
But since both honour and conscience have yielded to profit,
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