1638.] S/K -JACOB ASTLEY. 41 



The Lord Duke of Lennox ^'^^ went this morning 

 from London," and that " the French Ambassador is 

 here with much contentment." The doctors of the Uni- 

 versity of Cambridge were entertained at the palace, 

 in the month of February, at a cost of ^38 145. \\d. ; 

 the last entry of the sort we have met with in 

 the reign of Charles L A proclamation was issued 

 limiting the trade of making hats or caps to the 

 members of the corporation of beaver-makers of 

 London, and although it does not refer to the caps 

 worn by jockeys, it prohibited the importation of 

 foreign beavers and other hats, and the intermixing 

 of any hair or other stuff with beaver in making hats. 

 A great deal of business in connection with that 

 fatal ship-money was done and performed, alas ! too 

 effectually for the welfare of the Turf and its con- 

 comitants. 



A remarkable incident occurring at this time 

 illustrates the perversity of Charles L in relation to 

 this illegal tax : — The Council of War at Whitehall, 

 early this year, instructed General Sir Jacob Astley 

 (a predecessor of the Barons Hastings) to proceed 

 to the Scilly Islands and report to them on the state 

 fortifications, etc., there. His report was submitted 

 on the I St of March, to the effect that it was necessary 

 certain expenses should be incurred in repairing the 

 forts, in supplying stores, ammunition, etc. To this 

 the Council agreed. The necessary funds to meet 

 the cost were to be obtained from ship-money levies, 

 but the difficulties attending its collection producing 

 delay, Charles became impatient, and summoned the 



