In I. 2,
where the Duke's brothers are devising schemes for enriching themselves
at the state's expense, occurs the following passage:--
"_Al_. I have a commission drawne for making glasse.
Now if the Duke come, as I thinke he will,
Twill be an excellent meanes to lavish wood;
And then the cold will kill them, had they bread.
_Hat_. The yron Mills are excellent for that.
I have a pattent drawne to that effect;
If they goe up, downe goes the goodly trees;
Ile make them search the earth to find new fire."
The mention of the "yron Mills" appears to refer to the patent granted
to Clement Daubigny for cutting iron into rods. On 13th March,[159]
1612-13, the Commissioners of Suits forwarded to the Lord Mayor a
petition from Daubigny for the renewal of letters patent. They enclosed
petitions from nailmakers and other smiths, shipmasters, shipowners, and
shipwrights, from which it would appear that the iron imported from
foreign parts was brittle and useless; and being themselves unable to
judge accurately of the quality of iron, they directed the Lord Mayor to
take the evidence of the Master and some of the Wardens of the
Blacksmiths', Ironmongers', and Carpenters' Companies, of the Master and
some of the Brethren of the Trinity House, and of any others that he
might think fit to consult: after hearing the evidence, he was to draw
up a statement of his own views and return Daubigny's petition.
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