for
our signature to the same parties, according to such
directions and reservations as herewith we send you. Wherein
we are more particular, both in the affirmative and the
negative, to the end that, as on one side we would have
nothing pass us to remain upon record which either for the
form might not become us or for the substance might cross
our many proclamations (pursued with good success) for
buildings, or, on the other side, might give them cause to
importune us after they had been at charges; to which end we
wish that you call them before you and let them know our
pleasure and resolution therein.

[Footnote 689: See _State Papers, Domestic, 1619-1623_, p. 181. I have
quoted the letter from Collier, _The History of English Dramatic
Poetry_ (1879), I, 408.]

Accordingly the license was canceled, and no new license was issued.

In 1626, however, John Williams and Thomas Dixon (what had become of
John Cotton we do not know) made an attempt to secure a license from
King Charles, then newly come to the throne, to erect an amphitheatre
in Lincoln's Inn Fields. Apparently they so worded the proposed grant
as to authorize them to present in their amphitheatre not only
spectacles, but dramatic performances and animal-baitings as well,
with the power to restrain all other places of amusement for one day
in each week, on giving two days' warning.

A "bill" to this effect was drawn up and submitted to Thomas Coventry,
the Lord Keeper, who examined it hastily, and dispatched it to Lord
Conway with the following letter:[690]

_My very good Lord_,--I have perused this Bill, and do call
to mind that about three or four years past when I was
Attorney General, a patent for an Amphitheatre was in hand
to have passed; but upon this sudden, without search of my
papers, I cannot give your lordship any account of the true
cause wherefore it did not pass, nor whether that and this
do vary in substance: neither am I apt upon a sudden to take
impertinent exceptions to anything that is to pass, much
less to a thing that is recommended by so good a friend. But
if upon perusal of my papers which I had while I was
Attorney, or upon more serious thoughts, I shall observe
anything worthy to be represented to His Majesty, or to the
Council, I shall then acquaint your lordship; and in the
meantime I would be loath