, and alter att pleasure," with "libertye to take myne oare and
synders, either to be used att the workes or otherwise," &c. By
"synders" is meant the refuse of the old forges, but which, by the new
process, could be made to yield a profitable per centage of metal, which
the former method had failed to extract.

Early in the year following (17 Feb. 1612), a similar "bargayne" was made
with no less a person than William, Earl of Pembroke, elder brother of
Sir Philip Herbert, one of James I.'s earliest favourites. His high
position did not prevent him, therefore, from engaging in manufacture and
trade, only in the prosecution of them he would be made to pay
accordingly. Thus, whilst the former party paid 3s. for each cord of
wood, the earl was charged 4s. for 12,000 cords yearly for twenty-one
years, or 200 pounds per annum, with 33 pounds 6s. 8d. besides, all for
fuel only. He was, however, "to have allowance of reasonable fireboote
for the workmen out of the dead and dry wood, and to inclose a garden not
exceedinge halfe an acre to every howse, and likewise to inclose for the
necessity of the workes the number of XII. acres to every severall worke;
the howses and enclosures to be pulled downe and layd open as the workes
shall cease or remove."

Similar appreciation of the remunerative character of iron making occurs
in connection with a still more illustrious person. There exists a
letter, dated 7 May, 1611, addressed by Sir Francis Bacon to Cecil, Lord
Salisbury, endorsed, "Ld Lisle, Sir F. Bacon, and others, to be preferred
in the sale intended in the Forest of Deane for some reasonable portion
of wood, for maintenance of their Wire-works, paying as any others."

The letter itself runs in these words:--

"It may please your good Lordship,

"Understanding that his Majesty will be pleased to sell some good
portion of wood in the Forest of Deane, which lies very convenient to
the Company's Wire Works at Tynterne and Whitebrooke, we are enforced
to have recourse to your lordship, as to our Governor of the said
Company, humbly praying your lordship to afford us some reasonable
quantity thereof, the better to uphold the said works, whereof by
information from our farmers there, we stand in such need, as without
your lordship's favour we shall hardly be able to subsist any long
time. We do not entreat your lordship for any other or more easy
price than that your lor