Hatfield House, Cecil Papers
195, fol. 168
Letter,
Thomas Wilson
at Salisbury House to the
Earl of Salisbury
, dated 31 March 1609, outlining plans for the show.
One folded sheet, two folios; p.1, letter; pp. 2-3, blank; p. 4 subscription.
[fol. 168]
We haue not bene vnmindfull of this busines we haue sought out diuers toyes
wherevpon conceits ar ministred, yett doth not the towne afford such
plenty as we expected,, the partyes requyre mony to buy them, or some other
apointment who shall buy them, I tell them they shall
haue mony and being trifles it skills not much.
The designe is to haue three persons only actors according to your
lordships conceit.
The first shall represent the keeper who from the stayre foote to the place of
shewe, shall geue entertaynment by familiar speech, in discoursing vpon
the place and what it is, and what it is not, thervpon taking occation to taxe the
diuers ydle coments that hath ben vpon it since it was begone, which
doubtless the king
hath herd of, & by this tyme he shalbe come to ye place
Att the first opening, they wold haue lowd musick of Cornetts & such lyke, to
erect the more the intendement
Then, the other two personati shall beginn to play ther Montebanke tricks, first in
talking one to an other after ther fashion, and then to discorse vpon, & to
distribute ther tryfles, wherin they desyre to knowe the best & most ^ ⎡of the
best⎤ that shold be ther.
Whylst this toyes are in hand they wold haue the Montebank to haue a visard as they
vse to haue and all this while those things of prise to be couered with curtaynes.
When ther torne comes to be spoken of, he shall vnmaske as a marchant that sell not
merces adulterinas and then make such a presentment of them as the things
& persons deserue
This is shortly the subiect which according to your
lordships inuention they haue framed thers, and doe promise (as
fathers that are most in loue with ther yongest chyld) to make it an
admirable & pleasing spectacle.
The conclusion, they wold haue with soft musick and a songe in the
midle windowe next Duresm yard as the king
shall returne yt way.
your lordships most bonde seruant
Tho: wilson
Salsbury howse
31 March 1609
Bibliography
HMC Salisbury, Part 21 (1609-1612)
(1970), 37
Knowles (1999b), 115-6
Stone (1957), 116 (summary)