(,i\i-. III. lircil MYDDKLTON, M.I'. 107 



CHAPTER III. 



HUGH MYDDELTON, M.P. THE NEW EIVEK WORKS BEGUN. 



IN 1603 Hugh Myddelton was returned representative 

 of his native town to the first parliament summoned by 

 James I. In those days the office of representative was 

 not so much coveted as it is now, and boroughs remote 

 from the metropolis were occasionally under the necessity 

 of paying their members to induce them to serve. Thus 

 it was an advantage to the burgesses of Denbigh that 

 they had a man so able to represent them as Hugh Myd- 

 delton, resident in London, and who was moreover an 

 alderman and a benefactor of the town. His two 

 brothers Thomas Myddelton, citizen and grocer, and 

 Robert, citizen and skinner, of London were members 

 of the same parliament, and we find Hugh and Robert 

 frequently associated on committees of inquiry into 

 matters connected with trade and finance. Among the 

 Hrst committees to which we find the brothers appointed 

 was one on the subject of a bill for explanation of the 

 Statute of Sewers, and another for the bringing of a 

 fresh stream of running water from the river of Lea, or 

 Uxbridge, to the north parts of the city of London. 1 

 Tims the providing of a better supply of water to the 

 inhabitants of the metropolis came very early under his 

 notice, and doubtless had some influence in directing 

 his future action on the subject. 



At the same time the business in Bassishaw-street was 

 not neglected, for, shortly after the arrival of King James 

 in London, we find Myddelton supplying jewelry for 



Commons' Journals,' vol. i. 262. 31st January, 1C>05. 



