ton in the reign of Edward III, but it was Sir Francis Carew,
rebuilding it under Elizabeth, who first brought greatness to
Beddington. He entertained the Queen there twice, and the orange garden
was famous for many generations of Carews. When Aubrey saw the trees at
the end of the seventeenth century, he wrote that they were 'planted in
the open ground, where they have throve to admiration for above a whole
century; but are preserved, during the winter season, under a moveable
Covert.' The hard frost of 1739 killed them.

A later Sir Nicholas Carew rebuilt much of the house, but retained the
hall. He was an exact and particular person, and never let his careful
dissipation prevent him from keeping a precise record in his account
book. One of his pocket-ledgers has found its way into the British
museum. Here are some extracts of his expenses:--

L s. d.
Pd. my man's Nurse - 7 -
For a Pocket-Book 1 16 -
For a smelling bottle 1 1 6
F. a table and Books - 3 6
G. (gave) f. verses - 10 -
Pd. my french marster 1 13 6
F. fishing tackle - 2 6
G. f. finding my sword - 2 6
Pd. for a gunn 4 - -
F. Herrings and oysters - 7 3

Sept. ye 25th 1706. I bought a P^r of Coach Horses 4 years old come five
and gave four and thirty pounds for y^m.--N. Carew.

He had a nice taste in wines and tea, and was properly generous to
musicians and servants:--

L s. d.
Jan. ye 5th 1706/7 for s. candy and liquorish - 2 2
G. ye serv^ts at Soho 2 1 6
F. gr. tea - 12 6
F. bohea tea - 14 0
F. asquebah - 3 0
Sp. at ye Gre(cian)
Sp. at Jelly H - 1 6
F. swaring paper - - 3
F. a rasour case 2 15 0
G. ye Harper - 5 -
G. ye musick - 1 -
G. a poor woman - 1 -
G. a fool - 1 -

I have met with occasional difficulties in tr