EAST AND SOUTH-EAST 89 



mails between Dover and Calais within the present 

 century. The curious in such matters will be in- 

 terested in learning that this old craft is a topsail 

 cutter (long out of date), having a peculiar square 

 sail, set like a flying kite, which could only be used in 

 a light fair breeze. Having no lower yard to support 

 the sheet, it became a balloon under pressure of air, 

 so a strong breeze made it useless. Yet by its means, 

 with a fair wind. King George's mails were carried 

 across to France in three hours. What happened 

 when the winds were adverse, as they sometimes were, 

 I prefer not to say. 



However, a shrewd conjecture may be formed. 

 There has not been very much change, probably, in 

 the wind and weather occasionally experienced in the 

 English Channel since the days of King James I., 

 when it is recorded that the Spanish Ambassador was 

 held by ' cross winds in the Downs almost a seven- 

 night before they would blow him over.' 



It is certain that his Excellency lay in Deal three 

 days waiting for a wind to embark ; and his further 

 detention was the subject of rather malicious re- 

 joicing on the part of Sir John Finett, the King's 

 master of the ceremonies, who had only received on 

 parting an old gilt pot and a pair of gloves — in value 

 together about thirteen pounds — a gift which Sir 

 John declared was to the shame of both of them. 



Foreign envoys, apparently, in the eyes of Court 

 officials, were born to be fleeced and spoken of with 

 contempt unless the vails were handsome. 



