Note 350 — Chapter I · THE NEW RURAL ECONOMY

See the following extract (Lodge, Illustrations of English History, iii., 41). William Hammond to the Earl of Shrewsbury on the subject of raising money on the latter's estates from Palavicini, a moneylender: “Though his froward fortune hath made him unable to stand you almost in any steadde, hee hathe dealt with Mr. Maynard to aide him in the provision of this £3000 against the second of next month. He finds him very backwarde to disburse any money upon bond or any other security but lands; neither will he deal with lands in any way of mortgage for years or any long time, but only 2 or 3 months.... Yf, therefore, it stands with your honour’s good liking to make a conveyance of Kingston to Sir Horatio ... after the rate of £7000 ... and withal to passe it in this absolute sort that iff the money then laid out by them for your Honour’s use bee not repaid on May day next, that they fully enjoy and possess the lands as their owne.... Hee saith besides that his surveyors have certified him £500 will bee the most the lands will ever yeald yerely rent, without racking and oppressions, which are no course for suche meane men as they be to take.”