SCOTLAND. CCXi 



15th of the month, before the completion of the arrange 

 ments, was transferred to his son, who was created Earl of 

 Bridgewater by the first patent to which the new Lord 

 Keeper affixed the seal, (a) 



On the 14th of March the King quitted England, to Scotland, 

 visit his native country ; and Sir Francis had scarcely 

 been a week raised to the office of Lord Keeper, when he 

 was placed at the head of the council, and entrusted with 

 the management of all public affairs. 



The King was accompanied by Buckingham, who, in his 

 double capacity of Prime Minister and Master of the 

 Revels, assisted with equal readiness at the discussions 

 which were to direct the nation, and the pastimes con 

 trived to amuse the King. Graceful in all exercises and 

 a fine dancer, Buckingham brought that diversion into 

 great request, while his associates willingly lent themselves 

 to the devices which his better taste disdained ; for James 

 is said to have loved such representations and disguises as 

 were witty and sudden, the more ridiculous the more 

 pleasant, (b) 



which many times in sickness appeareth most, to admit me to a great deal 

 of speech with him this afternoon, which, during these three days, he hath 

 scarcely done to any.&quot; 



(a) See Life of Egerton, Biog. Brit. See Camden s Annals. 



(6) &quot; Our King dedicated this summer to the northern climate ; it is now 

 fourteen years revolution, since the beams of majesty appeared in Scotland. 

 He begins his journey with the spring, warming the country as he went, 

 with the glories of the court : taking such recreations by the way, as might 

 best beguile the days, and cut them shorter, but lengthen the nights (con 

 trary to the seasons). For what with hawking, hunting, and horse-racing, 

 the days quickly ran away; and the nights with feasting, masking, and 

 dancing, were the more extended. And the King had fit instruments for 

 these sports about his person, as Sir George Goring, Sir Edward Zouch, 

 Sir John Finnit, and others, that could fit and obtemperate the King s 

 humour; for he loved such representations and disguises in their maska- 

 radoes as were witty and sudden, the more ridiculous the more pleasant. 



