The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1899-05-04

A LOVE-LETTER OF HENRY VIII
During his recent visit to Rome Sir
Benjamin Stone obtained permission to
photograph various ancient documents
preserved in the Vatican library relat-
ing to episodes in English history.
Some of these, which have not hitherto
been accessible to the general public,
save in an abbreviated form, are of al
most romantic interest, as, for instance,
a series Of MSS. dealing with ecclesias-
teal events of the reign of Henry
VIII, the most important of which Is
treatise signed by his Majesty, in re-
ply to the preachings of Martin Luth-
er, and in vindication of the seven
Sacramento, This treatise was sent by
special ambassadors for presentation to
Pope Leo x, the author having APP
pended in his own, handwriting a ia
nous greeting that Henry, King of
1 the English, sends this work and wit
ness Of faith and friendship to Leo X;
and on receipt of it, the Pope confer
red upon Henry VIII. the compliment
tary title of Defender of the Faith"
a dignity confirmed in 1924, by furth-
! er bull issued by Clement VII. The
document last mentioned is one of the
"Goulden Leagues" formerly preserved
in the Pyx Chapel, Westminster and Is
now one of the treasures of the Record
Office
A photograph which may attract
even greater notice, however, is one re-
producing the text of love-letter in
French, written, in the Kings own
hand, by Henry VIII. to Anne Boleyn,
n whit 1ott
and around which is inscribed III. no
other seeks Rex" The following Is a
translation:
THE approach of the time which I
have so long expected rejolces me SO
much that it seems almost ready come.
However, the entire accomplishment
cannot be till the two persons meet,
which meeting is more desired by me
than anything in the world; for what
joy can be greater upon earth than to
have the company of her who is my
dearest friend? Knowing likewise that
does the same on her part; the think
ing on which gives great pleasure. You
may judge what an effect the presence
of that person must have on me, whose
absence has made a greater wound in
my heart than either words or writing
can express, and which nothing can
cure but her return. | beg you, dear
mistress, to tell your father for me that
l desire him to hasten the appointment
by two days, that he may be in court
before the old term, or at furthest on
the day preflxed; for otherwise | shall
think he will not do the lovers turn las
he said he WOULD nor answer my ex-
IN of Gy1f
want of time; hoping shortly that by
word Of mouth l shall tell you the rest
of my sufferings from your absence.
Written by the hand of the secretary.
who wishes himself at present private
ly with you; and who is and always
will be,
Your loyal and most assured SER
want"
Fl. No other seeks Rex"
Other documents, of which Sir Ben
jamin Stone has secured excellent neg
atves, are a petition from Edward III
to Clement vi. asking Ter confirmation
of the statutes Of st. Georges chapel,
Windsor; an order from Urban V. to
the Archbishop Of Bordeaux to see
whether Alexander Daily, whom the
Black Prince has petitioned to be made
Bishop of Bangor. speaks Welsh we'll
enough to preach, and petition from
Edward III. to Innocent VI. that the
Dean, Canons, and Wears of the Royal
chapel which he has founded in the
Palace of Westminster may freely
have continually in the said chapel a
baptismal font for the baptism of the
children Of the Kings of England and
o ftheir servants dwelling within the |
precincts of the said Palace" There is
no doubt that fine font, now to be seen
in ST. Stephens crypt, which is devot-
ed to the christening of children born
within the precincts of the Palace of |
Westminster, is the successor of the |
font here referred to.--London Times,