116 



HUGH MYDDELTON, M.P. 



PART II. 



the pastime of hunting ; and on passing the labourers 

 occupied in cutting the New River, he would naturally 

 make inquiries as to their progress. The undertaking 

 was of a character so unusual, and so much of it passed 

 directly through the King's domains, that he could not 

 but be curious about it. Myddelton, having had dealings 

 with His Majesty as a jeweller, seized the opportunity 

 of making known his need of immediate help, otherwise 

 the project must fall through. Several interviews took 

 place between them at Theobalds and on the ground ; 

 and the result was, that James determined to support 

 the engineer with his effective help as King, and also 

 with the help of the State purse, to enable the work 

 to be carried out. 1 



An agreement was accordingly entered into between 

 the King and Myddelton, the original of which is de- 

 posited in the Rolls-office, and is a highly interesting 

 document. It is contained on seven skins, and is very 

 lengthy ; but the following abstract will sufficiently show 

 the nature of the arrangement between the parties. 

 The Grant, as it is described, is under the Great Seal, 

 and dated the 2nd of May, 1612. It is based upon 

 certain articles of agreement, made between King 

 James I. and Hugh Myddelton, " citizen and goldsmith 

 of London," on the 5th of November preceding. After 

 reciting that Hugh Myddelton had " begun his new cutt 

 or river," and that it promised to be of great convenience 

 and profit to the several districts through which it 

 passed, and more particularly to the city of London, and 

 His Majesty being desirous of seeing perfected so ad- 

 vantageous an undertaking, stipulates, in the first place, 

 to discharge a moiety of all necessary expenses for 



1 Salmon, in his * History of Hert- 

 fordshire,' attributes great merit to the 

 King in the following passage, where 

 he says : " King James residing at 

 Theobalds, through whose park the 

 New lliver runs, was heartily con- 



cerned for the success of the endeavour, 

 and promoted it with so great zeal, as 

 perhaps he may be reckoned chief in 

 the work." Folio Ed. London, 1728. 

 P. 20. 



