which I have said I will not absolutely refuse; but I will be three months older too before I answer whether I will undertake it or no; and, by the grace of God, intend to pass this summer at Sheen till towards the end of August, if I live. Before that time I hope to see you here, and talk over the rest together. If your eyes are ill, this is a long letter. Pray, when you write, say one word of the Prince and Princess's health, just what you find them both; for you know I am much concerned in
his favourite topic of an intended journey to Florence, the ministers proposed that, if he had a mind to a hot country, he should go into Spain as the King's Ambassador, he demurred at the pecuniary losses which experience gave him reason to expect, and wondered what an ambassador could have to do in Spain. He found that it was again intended to cajole the Parliament as to foreign affairs, by making new alliances against France, with Spain, Denmark, and the other former confederates; and Temple's name was to give an appearance of sincerity to this specious procedure."
"Temple had seen too much to expect this good effect upon Parliament; but he undertook, if the King would make his alliance with the Spanish Ambassador in London, he would go over and cultivate in Spain. He was accordingly nominated Ambassador Extraordinary at Madrid; he received his equipage, and was prepared for his departure in September, 1680, when the King desired him to remain for the meeting of Parliament."—Courtenay's Life of Temple, ii. 61.
