8], which, as I see it concerns your interests, I have thought I ought to answer on the very day it has reached me.

After thanking me for I know not what favours of mine,--which, as one who desires everything good for you, I would were really of any consideration at all,--you ask me to recommend you, through Lord Lawrence, to our Minister appointed for Holland [DOWNING, whose credential letters Milton had drawn up only a day or two before].

I really regret that this is not in my power, both because of my very few intimacies with the men of influence, almost shut up at home as I am, and as I prefer to be (_propter paucissimas familiaritates meas cum gratiosis, qui domi fere, idque libenter, me contineo_), and also because I believe the gentleman is now embarking and on his way, and has with him in his company the person he wishes to be his Secretary--the very office about him you seek.

But the post is this instant going, Farewell.
"Westminster: December 18, 1657." Too much is not to be made of certain phrases in this note.

Milton was declining, in as civil terms as possible, a request which might perhaps have been troublesome even if the Secretaryship to Mr.
Downing had been vacant; and, though it would have been enough, as far as Heimbach's present application was concerned, to tell him that Mr.Downing was already provided, the other reason may have been thrown in by way of discouragement of such applications in future.
We have had proof that Milton liked Heimbach; but we do not know what estimate he had formed of Heimbach's abilities.