The Embassy of Sir Thomas Roe to the Court of the Great Mogul 6.1.6

6.1.6

The Presentes you haue this yeare sent are extreamly despised by those who haue seene them ; the lyning of the Coach and Couer of the Virginalls scorned, beeing veluett of these parts and faded to a base Tawny ; the Kniues little and meane, soe that I am enforced to new furnish the Case of my owne store ; . . . . the burning glasses and prospectiues such as no man hath face to offer to giue, much less to sell, such as I can buy for sixe peence a peice; your Pictures not all woorth one Penny, and finally such error in the chooyce of all things, as I thincke no man euer heard of the Place that was of Councell. Here are nothing esteemed but of the best sorts : good Cloth and fine, and rich Pictures, they comming out of Italy ouerland and from Ormus ; soe that they laugh at vs for such as wee bring. And doubtlesse they vnderstand them as well as wee; and what they want in knowledge they are enformed by the Jesuites and others, that in Emulation of vs prouide them of the best at any rates.