Note 290 — THE TRIUMPHS OF TRUTH, AND THE ENTERTAINMENT AT THE OPENING OF THE NEW RIVER.

the river, &c.] “Sir Thomas Middleton, grocer, and mayor in 1613,” says Herbert, in his History of the Twelve Great Livery Companies of London, “was nearly the first who attempted an emblematical and scenic representation of his company, in a water spectacle, consisting (in imitation of the pageant mentioned to have been exhibited by Sir John Wells to Henry VI.[290A]) of ‘five islands, artfully garnished with all manner of Indian fruit trees, drugges, spiceries, and the like; the middle island having a faire castle especially beautified:’ the latter probably allusive to the newly-established East India Company’s forts, and whose adventures had contributed so much to enlarge the sphere of the grocers’ trade.” vol. i. p. 200.