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284 HISTORY OF LAOE. 1606 James had already given a licence to the Earl of Suffolk 24 for the import of gold and silver lace. In 1621, alarmed by the general complaints throughout the kingdom, 25 a proposition was made “ for the erection of an Office of Pomp, to promote home manufactures,” and to repress pride by levying taxes on all articles of luxury. 26 What became of the Pomp Office, we cannot pretend to say: the following year we are somewhat taken aback by a petition 27 from two Dutchmen, of Dort, showing “ that the manufacture of gold and silver thread, purle, etc., in England,” was “ a great waste of bullion,” the said Dutchmen being, we may infer, of opinion that it was more to their own advantage to import such articles themselves. After a lapse of three years, the petition is granted. 28 In the midst of all this granting and rescinding of monopolies, we hear in the month of April 1623 how the decay of the bone-lace trade at Great Marlow caused great poverty. 29 Though the laces of Flanders and Italy were much patronised by the court and high nobility, Queen Anne of Denmark appears to have given some protection to the fabrics of the country. Poor Queen Anne! When, on the news of Elizabeth’s death, James hurried off to England, a correspondence took place between the king and the English privy council regarding the queen’s outfit, James considering, and wisely—for the Scotch court was always out of elbows—that his wife’s wardrobe was totally unfit to be produced in London. To remedy the deficiency, the council forwarded to the queen, by the hands of her newly named ladies, a quantity of Elizabeth’s old gowns and ruffs, wherewith to make a creditable appearance on her arrival in England. Elizabeth had died at the age of seventy, wizened, decayed, and yellow—Anne, proclamation, 1639, dated from his rnanour of York.”—Verney Papers. 24 B. M. Bib. Lands. 172, No. 59. 25 1605. Sept. 27. Patent to Ric. Dike and others, to make Yenice gold and silver thread for 21 years. “ State Papers, Dorn.” Jas. I. vol. ix. 48. 1604. Dec. 30. Lease of the customs on gold and silver thread. Ibid. vol. x. 1605. Feb. 2. The same. Ibid. vol. xii. 1611. May 21. Patent to Ric. Dike renewed. Ibid. vol. lxiii. 9. In the same year (June 30), we find a re-grant to the Earl of Suffolk of the moiety of all seizures of Venice gold and silver, formerly granted in the fifth year of the king. Ibid. vol. lxiv. 66. In 1622, a lease on the customs on gold and silver thread lace is given to Sir Edward Villiers. Ibid. vol. cxxxii. 34. 20 Ibid. vol. cxxi. 64. 27 Ibid. vol. cxxxii. 34. 28 In 1624, King James renews his prohibition against the manufacture of “ gold purles,” as tending to the con sumption of the coin and bullion of the kingdom. “ Fcedcra,” vol. xvii. p. 605. 29 Petition, April 8, 1623. “State Papers,” vol. cxlii. 44. See Chap. XXX.