gratuity for building the pleasure-boats, as he has to entertain so many people." This indicated an increasing interest in yacht-building, as many people, probably courtiers from London, made the journey to the royal dockyards when the King's yachts were building, in order to note their progress; and it is probable that the master-shipwright desired to be provided with means to entertain these visitors with becoming hospitality.
The records show that on August 18, 1663, Pett ordered some lead ballast for the Henrietta, and that on September 9th he repeated the order for sixteen tons. Truly the spirit of economy possessed the minds of the Naval Commissioners! And some one—probably Christopher's jealous brother Peter, whose career as a yacht-builder had now closed; for he built no more yachts for the King—suggested the use of stone ballast. Against this Christopher Pett indignantly protests, under date September 19, 1663: "If stones are used instead of shot for ballast of the King's new yacht she will be damaged, for the quantity of stones required would make it needful to half fill the cabin, and would make her run to leeward." From this it appears that Christopher Pett had a pretty clear idea of the effect of ballast stowed low; the positive knowledge of the fact having taken more than two centuries to develop to its full extent and power.
Hume the historian states that at this period (1663-64) King Charles spent £800,000 in one year upon his navy alone. It must have been
