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 204 THE CECILS

in such manner and such sort, as well nigh persuaded me of Mahomet's paradise. We had women, and indeed wine too, of such plenty as would have astonished each sober beholder. Our feasts were magnificent and the two Royal guests did most lovingly embrace each other at table, and I think the Dane hath strongly wrought on our good English nobles, for those, whom I never could get to taste good liquor, now follow the fashion and wallow in beastly delights. The ladies abandon their sobriety and are seen to roll about in intoxication."

On one occasion when a masque representing Solomon and the coming of the Queen of Sheba was performed after a great feast, none of the performers, from the Queen of Sheba downwards, could stand upright, " wine did so occupy their upper chambers," and the King of Denmark fell down, and had to be carried to bed. " I never did see such lack of good order, discretion or sobriety, as I have now done," adds Sir John.

James became so enamoured of Theobalds that he induced Salisbury, in 1607, to make it over to him, giving him in exchange the estate and palace of Hatfield. The preamble of the Act of Parlia- ment for the conveyance of Theobalds to com- missioners for the use of the King, states that :

" Whereas the Mansion-house of Theobalds, in the County of Hertford, being the inheritance of Robert Earl of Salisbury, as well for situation in a good open air, and for the large and goodly buildings, and delight of the gardens, walks and park, replenished with red fallow deer, as also for the nearness to the city of London northward, and to his Majesty's Forest of Waltham Chase and Park of Enfield, with the commodity of a navigable river falling

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