< 'JIAP. IV. 



THE NEW IMVKIt COMPLETED. 



125 



of the sentiments of the rest of the workmen. 1 At the 

 conclusion of the recitation the flood-gates were thrown 

 <>]>r n, ;m<l the stream of pure water rushed into the 

 cistern amidst loud huzzas, the firing of mortars, the 

 pealing of bells, and the triumphant welcome of drums 

 and trumpets. 



The King signified his gratification at the completion 

 of the undertaking by conferring on Hugh Myddelton 

 the honour of knighthood ; but he reserved for him 

 further favours and dignities, in recognition of his valu- 

 able public services, as we shall hereafter point out. It 

 is curious to relate that James I. was afterwards nearly 

 d n >wned in the New River which he had enabled Sir Hugh 

 Myddelton to complete. He had gone out one winter's 

 day after dinner to ride in the park at Theobalds accom- 

 panied by his son Prince Charles ; when, about three 

 miles from the palace, his horse stumbled and fell, and 

 the King was thrown into the River. It was slightly 

 frozen over at the time, and the King's body disappeared 

 under the ice, nothing but his boots remaining visible. 

 Sir Richard Young rushed in to his rescue, and dragged 

 lii] n out, when " there came much water out of his mouth 

 and body." 2 He was able to ride back to Theobalds, 

 where he got to bed and was soon well again. The King, 



corder, Sir Henry Montague, after- 

 wards Lord Keeper and Earl of Man- 

 el ask' r, and by his side the Lord 

 Mayor elect, the projector's brother, 

 ]\Iaister Thomas Myddelton. Vari- 

 ous figures gesticulating their admira- 

 tion occupy the foreground, whilst the 

 foot of the print is garnished with 

 liitlr " chambers,'' or miniature mor- 

 tars, spontaneously exploding. There 

 is a copy of the original print in the 

 British Museum. 



1 The following extract may be 

 given, as showing the character of the 

 workmen employed in the under- 

 taking: 



First, here's the Overseer, this try'd man, 



An antient souMii-r ami an artizan ; 



The Clearke ; next him the Mathematian ; 



The Maister of the Timber-worke takes 



place 



Next after these ; the Measui-er in like case ; 

 Bricklayer, and Enginer ; and after those 

 The Borer, and the Pavier ; then it showes 

 The Labourers next; Keeper of Amwell Head ; 

 The Walkers last ; so all their names are 



read. 



Yet these but parcels of six hundred more, 

 That, at one time, have been imploy'd 



before ; 



Yet these in sight and all the rest will say 

 That all the weeke they had their Royall 



pay ! 



2 The accident, which occurred on 

 the 9th of January, 1621-2, is related 

 by Nichols in his ' Progresses of 

 James I.,' and by other contemiiorary 



writers. 



