1024.] THE SPANISH MATCH BROKEN OFF. 



^53 



self awake by playing at cards." Sir William Grey, of 

 Northumberland, was created Baron Grey ^"" of Werke 

 Sir George Goring ^"^ obtained the surveyorship of the 

 soap-works, with a fee of ^60 a year ; the Bishop of 

 St. Asaph got a dispensation to hold certain livings 

 in coniniendavi ; and Sir William Pelham ^°^ directed 

 attention to the great destruction of wild fowl at 

 Crowley, which if prevented, Newmarket would 

 abound with those useful accessories of the chase. 

 Similar business was transacted at the palace up to 

 February 7th, when the court went to Theobalds, en 

 7'oute to Whitehall, where the king arrived on the 

 nth, to find that the course of true love did not run 

 smooth with " Baby Charles " and the " Infanta Maria,' 

 as the Spanish match, which promised so much feli- 

 city, happiness, and honour to all concerned, was 

 definitely broken off. Parliament was in session at 

 Westminster, where the Commons were claiming 

 rights and privileges unheard of; and, sooth to say, 

 had their claims allowed. Some of the high officers 

 of state were impeached for neglecting and abusing 

 their functions. Foreign affairs were terribly com- 

 plicated, and war seemed imminent on all parts of the 

 continent. Thus the spring, the summer, and the 

 autumn passed away, and not until the treaty con- 

 cluded with France was ratified in November, did 

 another opportunity occur for James to behold again 

 his beloved Newmarket. 



In the meantime steps were taken to improve the 

 game at Newmarket. On the 14th of March, John 

 Fyson,* gamekeeper of heron, duck, and mallard, at 



* Ancestor of the present Surgeon Fyson, of Newmarket. 



