James discouraged, as much as possible, this alteration of manners.

"He was wont to be very earnest," as Lord Bacon tells us, "with the country gentlemen to go from London to their country seats.

And sometimes he would say thus to them: 'Gentlemen, at London you are like ships in a sea, which show like nothing; but in your country villages you are like ships in a river, which look like great things.'"[*] He was not content with reproof and exhortation.

As Queen Elizabeth had perceived with regret the increase of London, and had restrained all new buildings by proclamation, James, who found that these edicts were not exactly obeyed, frequently renewed them; though a strict execution seems still to have been wanting.

He also issued reiterated proclamations, in imitation of his predecessor; containing severe menaces against the gentry who lived in town.[**] * Apophthegms.
** Rymer, tom.xvii.p.