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disliked by many as savouring of Popery and implying a mystery, 
and so it was discontinued by James I. 
The proceedings were simple. The patients having been 
passed by the surgeons, were admitted to the royal presence, 
when their swellings were stroked by the royal hands, whilst a 
minister standing by ejaculated short prayers. A ribbon having 
attached to it a small gold coin value 6s. 8d. was then put round 
the neck, and this was expected to be worn until the invalid was 
“full whole.” The cure was not expected to be immediate ; 
time was to be allowed, but as with us its effect was not acknow- 
ledged. A register was ordered to be kept in every parish of 
those who were thus “healed,” but this was very carelessly 
obeyed. 
Besides the public healings there were also private ones, 
probably for the “quality.” In 1631, Lord Poulet had a child 
so much afflicted that she was not expected to survive, and as a 
last resource she was sent to London to be touched by the Royal 
hand. Lord Dorchester, Secretary of State, took the child, and 
on her return home her father’s delight may be best told by 
himself in a letter now inthe State Papers. From Hinton, 30th 
April, he wrote :— 
“Ye returne of my sicke childe with so much amendment hath 
much revived a sicke Father, who with age, gout, and then an ague: 
and since taking of physicke am brought very weake, ye debilitye 
I feele rather gaininge uppon me than I uppon it. I am much joyed 
that his Majesty was pleased to touch my poor child with his blessed 
hands, whereby, God’s blessing accompanying that means, he hath 
given me a child which I had so little hope to keep, that I gave 
directions for her bones, doubting she would never be able to return, 
but she is come safely home and mends every day in her health, and 
ye sight of her gives me as often occasion to remember his Maties 
gratious goodnesse towards her and me, and in all humilitye and 
thankfulnesse to acknowledge it. Thanks from my wife and myself to 
you and your noble lady for ye honour you did us to be troubled with 
such a guest.” 
