don, or its vicinity, shortly before that season in order to be in readiness. It might be concluded that the body would be in no very flourishing circumstances, even if we had no evidence upon the point; but so ill were the players furnished to discharge their duties to their royal master, that the King found it necessary (perhaps on the representation of the Master of the Revels) to grant them a Privy Seal with a gift of 100 marks, in order that they might provide themselves with apparel. This document (preserved at the Chapter-house) is, I believe, the first of its kind extant, and as a proof of the encouragement Charles was desirous of extending to the stage, we may quote this instance of princely bounty."

6

By the King.

Right trusty and right well-beloved Cousin and 'Councellor, we greet you well, and will and com'mand you, that, under our Privy Seal, you cause our letters to be addressed forth in form following:Charles by the grace of God &c. To the Trea'surer and Undertreasurer of our Exchequer greeting. Whereas we have been pleased to bestow upon the Company of our Players, who are to attend us daily ' at our Court this Christmas, the sum of one hundred • marks for the better furnishing them with apparel : We do hereby will and command you, of our treasure in the receipt of our Exchequer, to cause present payment to be made unto Joseph Taylor, gent., one ' of the said company, of the said sum of one hundred marks, to the use of himself and the rest of his com

6

6

pany of players, as of our free gift and princely bounty, for provision of apparel as aforesaid, without accompt, imprest, or other charge to be set upon them, or any of them, for the same or any part thereof. And these our letters, &c. Given, &c. 6 And these our letters shall be your sufficient warrant and discharge in this behalf. Given under our

6 Signet at our honor of Hampton Court, the thirtieth day of December in the first year of our reign.

6

'Fra. Galle.'

Six months, therefore, after the date of the Royal licence to the King's servants, Hemmings and Condell being at the head of the list, they are spoken of expressly as the company of Joseph Taylor: the 100 marks are to be delivered to him to the use of himself and the rest of his company,' without any mention of Hemmings and Condell. It is not unlikely, therefore, that they had seceded from any active share in the management on the breaking out of the plague, and the consequent closing of the Globe; but nevertheless, we afterwards find Hemmings entering into arrangements for them with the Master of the Revels, with whom, perhaps, from his long connection, he had a more ready and influential communication than the rest of his former associates*.

*The following quotations upon this point are from the Office-book of Sir H. Herbert.

'17 July, 1626. From Mr. Hemmings, for a courtesie done him about their Blackfriars hous, 31.

'From Mr. Hemming, in their company's name, to forbid the playing

The Privy Seal for the issue of 100 marks bears date after Christmas-day, and the performances of plays, if any, (of which we have no information from Sir H. Herbert, who notices no court revels separately and distinctly after 1624,) took place upon Twelfth-day and at Shrovetide. It was unquestionably intended that a Mask should be exhibited at

A. D. Christmas, 1625-6, because on the 19th Dec. 1626. Michael Oldsworth was allowed a warrant for 300l., on account of a Mask the Queen intends to have performed at Christmas.' No production of the kind, exhibited on this occasion, is extant.

It will not be out of its place here, to annex some account of the musical establishment of Charles I., at the opening of his reign. I am enabled to do so by a Privy Seal, which exempted all the musicians belonging to the Court from the payment of subsidies : it bears date on the 20th December, 1625, and hence we learn that the King then had in his pay

8 Players on the Hautboys and Sackbuts,

6 Players on the Flute,

6 Players on Recorders,

11 Players on Violins, including Thomas Lupo, who is termed Composer,'

6 Players on Lutes,

4 Players on Viols,

' of Shakespeare's plays to the Red Bull Company, this 11th April, '1627, 57?

It will be observed also in 1631, that he was still treated as the leader of the Company.

1 Player on the Harp,

1 Keeper of the Organs, and

15 Musicians for the Lutes and Voices *.

In the whole, fifty-eight persons, exclusive of Serjeant Trumpeters, Trumpeters, Drummers and Fifers. The Musicians for the Lutes and Voices,' probably, consisted of the Gentlemen and the Children of the Chapel. With regard to their salaries, this instrument could not be expected to furnish any information; but by another Privy Seal, dated 20th January, 1625-6, it appears that Jerome Lanier, and his son William Lanier, who are termed Players on the Sackbuts,' were allowed wages at the rate of 20d. per day, besides 161. 2s. for livery. In the next year Anthony Robert was appointed a Musician,' with a salary of 401. per annum.

At this period we find Sir H. Herbert treated by the Crown as Master of the Revels, and as if he discharged the duties of the place in his own right, although he was still only the deputy of Sir J. Astley. He is called Master of our Revels' in a Privy Seal, dated the 7th of November, 1626, by which it was ordered, that 2001. be paid to him for expenses of his department; and farther, that from thenceforward the Treasurer and under-Treasurer of the Exchequer should deliver to him yearly, such sums as should to them seem meet for the provision of necessaries for the Revels*. Here again, it may be

Musicians for the Lutes & Voices.

John Lawrence,

Rich. Dering,

Alphonso

Musicians for the Lutes & Voices.
Robert March,

Angelo Notary.

* The instrument runs as follows: it is subjoined as the first of the

kind issued by Charles I. :