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ber。 The poor princess evidently did not look to advantage； for his majesty told Colonel Legg he thought at first glance 〃they had brought him a bat instead of a woman。〃 On further acquaintance； however； she seemed to have afforded more pleasure to the king's sight； for the next day he expressed the satisfaction he felt concerning her； in a letter addressed to the lord chancellor； which is preserved in the library of the British Museum； and runs as follows：
〃PORTSMOUTH； 21st May （Eight in the Morning）。
〃I arrived here yesterday about two in the afternoon； and； as soon as I had shifted myself； I went into； my wife's chamber； whom I found in bed； by reason of a little cough and some inclination to a fever： but I believe she will find herself very well in the morning when she wakes。 I can now only give you an account of what I have seen abed； which； in short； is； her face is not so exact as to be called a beauty； though her eyes are excellent good； and not anything in her face that in the least degree can shock one： on the contrary； she hath as much agreeableness in her looks altogether as ever I saw； and if I have any skill in physiognomy； which I think I have； she must be as good a woman as ever was born。 Her conversation； as much as I can perceive； is very good； for she has wit enough； and a most agreeable voice。 You would wonder to see how well acquainted we are already。 In a word； I think myself very happy； for I am confident our two humours will agree very well together。 I have no more to say： my Lord Lieutenant will give you an account of the rest。〃
The king was attended by Lord Sandwich during this interview； and his lordship； in a letter addressed to the lord chancellor； informed him the meeting between his majesty and the infanta。 〃hath been with much contentment on both sides； and that we are like to be very happy in their conjunction。〃 Next morning the Countess of Suffolk； and other ladies appointed to wait upon the bride； dressed her according to the English fashion； in 〃a habit they thought would be most pleasing to the king；〃 in which she was married。 The ceremony was first performed according to the rites of the Catholic Church； by the Rev。 Lord Aubigny； brother to the Duke of Richmond； in the queen's bedchamber； that apartment being selected for the purpose； as affording a privacy necessary to be maintained； by reason of the prejudice then existing towards Catholicism。 There were present the Duke of York； Philip； afterwards Cardinal Howard； and five Portuguese； all of whom were bound over to keep the strictest secrecy concerning what they witnessed。 Later in the day； Dr。 Sheldon； Bishop of London； married their majesties according to the form prescribed by the Church of England。 The latter ceremony took place in the presence chamber。 A rail divided the apartment； at the upper part of which the king and queen； the bishops； the Spanish Ambassador； and Sir Richard Fanshaw stood； the lower portion being crowded by the court。 When Dr。 Sheldon had declared their majesties married； the Countess of Suffolk； according to a custom of the time； detached the ribbons from the bride's dress； and； cutting them in pieces； distributed them amongst those present。
Feasting； balls； and diversions of all kinds followed the celebration of the royal nuptials； and for a time the king was delighted with his bride。 Four days after the marriage he writes again to the lord chancellor in most cheerful tone：
〃My brother will tell you of all that passes here； which I hope will be to your satisfaction。 I am sure 'tis so much to mine that I cannot easily tell you how happy I think myself； and must be the worst man living （which I hope I am not） if I be not a good husband。 I am confident never two humours were better fitted together than ours are。 We cannot stir from hence till Tuesday； by reason that there is not carts to be had to…morrow to transport all our GUARDE INFANTAS； without which there is no stirring： so you are not to expect me till Thursday night at Hampton Court。〃
They did not reach the palace until the 29th of May； that being the king's birthday； and； moreover； the anniversary of his entrance into London； a date which the Queen's arrival now caused to be celebrated with triple magnificence and joy。 When the coach that conveyed their majesties drew near； the whole palace seemed astir with happy excitement。 Double lines of soldiers； both horse and foot； lined the way from the gates to the entrance。 In the great hall the lord chancellor； foreign ambassadors； judges； and councillors of state awaited to pay homage to their majesties； whilst in various apartments were the nobility and men of quality； with their ladies； ranged according to their rank； being all eager to kiss the new queen's hand。 Sure never was such show of gladness。 Bells rang people cheered； bonfires blazed。
In the evening news was brought that the Duchess of York was being rowed to Hampton from town； hearing which； the king； with a blithe heart； betook his way to meet her through the garden； now bright with spring flowers and fragrant with sweet scents； till he arrived at the gate by which the silver streak of the pleasant Thames flowed past。 And presently on this calm May eve the sound of oars splashing in the tide was heard； and anon a barge came in sight； hung with silken curtains and emblazoned with the arms of royalty。 From this the Duchess of York disembarked； aided by the king。 When she had offered her congratulations to him； he； taking her hand； led her to his bride； that such fair speeches might be repeated to her majesty。 And coming into the queen's presence the duchess would have gone upon her knees and kissed her majesty's hand； but Catherine raised her in her arms； and kissed her on the cheek。 Then amidst much joy the happy evening waned to night。
The royal palace of Hampton Court； in which Charles had decided on spending his honeymoon； had been raised by the magnificent Wolsey in the plenitude of his power as a place of recreation。 Since his downfall it had been used by royalty as a summer residence； it being in truth a stately pleasure house。 The great pile contained upwards of four hundred rooms。 The principal apartments had cedar or gilded and frescoed ceilings； and walls hung with rare tapestries and curtains heavy with gold。 Moreover； these rooms contained furniture of most skilful design and costly manufacture； and were adorned by the choice works of such masters of their art as Holbein； Bellini； Vansomer； Rubens； and Raphael； and withal enriched with Indian cabinets； such as never were seen in England before； which the queen had brought with her from Portugal。
The great hall had been the scene of many sumptuous banquets。 The chapel was rich in carved designs。 Her majesty's bedroom； with its curtains of crimson silk； its vast mirror and toilet of beaten and massive gold； was a splendid apartmentthe more so from its state bed； which Evelyn says was 〃an embroidery of silver on crimson velvet； and cost L8；000； being a present made by the States of Holland； when his majesty returned； and had formerly been given by them to our king's sister； ye Princess of Orange； and being bought of her againe； wa