eholders, no one ever
went to a greater extravagance in apparel, or studied more the variety
and richness of her dresses. She appeared almost every day in a
different habit; and tried all the several modes by which she hoped to
render herself agreeable. She was also so fond of her clothes, that
she never could part with any of them; and at her death she had in her
wardrobe all the different habits, to the number of three thousand,
which she had ever worn in her lifetime.[****] [42]

* See note OO, at the end of the volume.

** This appears from Burleigh's will: he specifies only the
number of ounces to be given to each legatee, and appoints a
goldsmith to see it weighed out to them, without making any
distinction of the pieces.

**** See note PP, at the end of the volume.

The retrenchment of the ancient hospitality, and the diminution of
retainers, were favorable to the prerogative of the sovereign; and, by
disabling the great noblemen from resistance, promoted the execution
of the laws, and extended the authority of the courts of justice. There
were many peculiar causes in the situation and character of Henry
VII. which augmented the authority of the crown: most of these causes
concurred in succeeding princes; together with the factions in religion,
and the acquisition of the supremacy, a most important article of
prerogative: but the manners of the age were a general cause, which
operated during this whole period, and which continually tended to
diminish the riches, and still more the influence, of the aristocracy,
anciently so formidable to the crown. The habits of luxury dissipated
the immense fortunes of the ancient barons: and as the new methods of
expense gave subsistence to mechanics and merchants, who lived in an
independent manner on the fruits of their own industry, a nobleman,
instead of that unlimited ascendant which he was wont to assume over
those who were maintained at his board, or subsisted by salaries
conferred on them, retained only that moderate influence which
customers have over tradesmen, and which can never be dangerous to civil
government. The landed proprietors also, having a greater demand for
money than for men, endeavored to turn their lands to the best account
with regard to profit; and either enclosing their fields, or joining
many small farms into a few large ones, dismissed those useless hands
which formerly were always at their call in every attempt t