The Importance of Porcelain
made in the province of Saxie is the best and finest. . . .
" The fine earthen dishes that are in this countrie
cannot be declared without many wordes. But that
which is brought from thence into Spaine is verie course ;
although, unto them that hath not seene the finer sort,
it seemeth excellent good ; but they have such with
them, that a cubbard thereof amongest us would be
esteemed as though it were of golde. The finest cannot
be brought forth of the kingdome upon paine of death ;
neyther can any have the use thereof, but onely the
loytias, which be there gentlemen."
The glowing accounts of the riches of Ind and Far
Cathay brought home by the early voyagers naturally
fired the imagination and cupidity of Dutch, English
and French merchants and adventurers, who said to
one another : " We too will go to the hills of the Chank-
ley Bore " ; and every potentate in Europe connived
at their subjects' efforts to trespass on the Kingfof Portu-
gal's Tom Tiddler's Ground.
Independent efforts had been made by the English
to get a share of the riches of the East long before the
Dutch and English East India companies were formed.
In 1560, the Portuguese ambassador exhibited articles
for restraining the traffic of English merchants in the
Indies. In 1566, " Dr. Lewes takes bonds of George
Fenner not to spoil any of the Queen's subjects, nor to
traffic into India, or any other places privileged by the
King of Spain." About the same date, the merchants
petitioned "for reopening the trade with Portugal sus-
pended in consequence of the irregular trade of some
Englishmen to the Indies."

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