October the 14th, the King proclaimed the lowering the vellon money
[Footnote: Properly, copper currency, as distinguished from the plata,
or silver coinage. Hence the English and French Billon, signifying
base money.] to the half; and the pistole, that was this morning at
eighty-two reals, was proclaimed to go but for forty-eight, which was
above eight hundred pounds loss to my husband.
October the 21st, we went to see the Buen Retiro. The Duke de Medina
de las Torres, who has the keeping of this house of the King's from
his Majesty, sent two of his gentlemen to show us all that belongs
thereunto. The place is adorned with much water and fountains, trees
and fine gardens, with many hermitages up and down the place, and a
very good house for his Majesty; yet the pictures therein did far
exceed the rest, they being many, and all very curious, done by the
best hand in the world in their times.
On the 27th of October we went, with all our train, to see the
Escurial, the Duke de Medina de las Torres having procured a letter
here from the Pope's Nuncio to give me leave to see the convent there,
which cannot be seen by any woman without his leave: likewise the Duke
did send letters to the Prior, commanding him to assist in showing all
the principal parts of that princely fabric, and to lodge us in the
lodging of the Duke de Montaldo, the Mayor-domo to her Majesty.
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