The Embassy of Sir Thomas Roe to the Court of the Great Mogul 24.2.3

24.2.3

Your Agent must be furnished with a China shop to serue little turnes, for often giuing of trifles is the way of preferment. It cannot bee auoyded, and I haue beene scorned for my Pouerty in that kind. Particulars I haue sent of such as I suppose will please. At my deliuerie of the first sent by mee Contentment outwardly appeared, but I will acquaynt you with the Cabinettes opinion, by which you may Judg. Three exceptions were taken and disputed by the King and his Priuadoes. First, it was censured to name Presentes in a Kinges lettre to bee sent by a Principall man his Ambassador and such poore ones deliuered, meaner and fewer then when they came with lesse ostentation ; that if they had not beene named as from a Monarch it had beene lesse despiceable ; for such is the Pride that although the Coach for the forme and for a Modell gaue much Content, yet the matter was scornd, and it was neuer vsd vntill two other of rich stuff were made by it and that couered with Cloth of gould, harnes and furniture, and all the tynn Nayles headed with siluer or hatched, so that it was nine Monthes a repayring ; when I sawe it, I knew it not. Secondly, it was excepted against that his Majestie did write his Name before the Mogoll ; but it matters not for that dull Pride.