5

So the fancied slight was nothing. The Queen's second remarkably-timed visit was followed up by an haunch of venison from my Lord Treasurer, and an atmosphere of satisfaction reigned. One of the rolls of which Dee writes is still in existence. It has on one side of the parchment a large map of "Atlantis," or America, drawn with the skill of a practised cartographer. At the top is his name, "Joannes Dee," and the date, "Anno 1580." Among his papers is a smaller map, upon which large tracts in the Polar regions are marked "Infinite yse." Thge other side of the roll is devoted to proving the Queen's title to lands she would never see or hear of, under the four following heads: "1. The Clayme in Particular. 2. The Reason of the Clayme. 3. The Credit of the Reason. 4. The value of that Credit by Force of Law."

Dee was also busied this summer attending at the Muscovy House and writing instructions and drawing a chart for the two captains, Charles Jackson and Arthur Pett, for their North-East voyage to "Cathay," or China.

He had perhaps joined the Company of the Merchant Venturers, for in March, 1579, he had signed a letter with Sir Thomas Gresham, Martin Frobisher (as every one knows, he was knighted in the thick of the Armada fight), and others, to the Council of State, desiring that those Adventurers who have not paid shall be admonished to send in contributions without delay. Another very interesting remark tells how "Young Mr. Hawkins, who had byn with Sir Francis Drake, came to me to Mortlake, in June, 1581; also Hugh Smith, who had just returned from the Straits of Magellan." In November, Dee is observing "the blasing star," or comet, of which, with its long tail, he makes a drawing on the margin of his diary. By the 22nd it had disappeared: "Although it were a cler night, I could see it no more."

On June 7, 1581, at half-past seven in the morning, Dee's second child and eldest daughter, Katherine, was born. She was christened on the 10th, her sponsors being Lady Katherine Crofts, wife of Sir James Crofts, Controller of the Queen's Household; Mistress Mary Scudamore, of the Privy Chamber, the Queen's cousin; and Mr. Packington, also a court gentleman. The infant was put out to nurse, first at Barnes with Nurse Maspely, then transferred to Goodwife Bennett. On August 11

"Katherine Dee was shifted to nurse Garrett at Petersham, on Fryday, the next day after St. Lawrence day, being the 11th day of the month. My wife went on foot with her, and Ellen Cole, my mayd, George and Benjamin, in very great showers of rain."

Nevertheless the little Katherine seemed to flourish, and there are entries of monthly payments of six shillings to her nurse, with allowance for candles and soap, up to August 8 of the following year, when "Kate is sickly," and on the 20th is reported as "still diseased." Four or five days after, she ws taken from nurse Garret, of Petersham, and weaned at home. The mother had several times been over to see the child, sometimes on foot, attended by George or Benjamin, the servants, and once by water with "Mistress Lee in Robyn Jackes bote." The children seemed in trouble at this time, for about seven weeks before Arthur "fell from the top of the Watergate Stayres, down to the fote from the top, and cut his forhed on the right eyebrow." This was at the old landing-place at Mortlake. Their childish ailments are always most carefully recorded in the diary, even when the cause is a box on the ears - probably well earned - from their quick-tempered mother. Jane's friends Mr. and Mrs. Scudamore, and their daughter, and the Queen's dwarf, Mrs. Tomasin, all came for a night to Mortlake. Jane went back with Mistress Scudamore to the Court at Oatlands. A number of other visitors are named, including "Mr. Fosker of the wardrobe."