by the late Parliament to that of England, and its administration was greatly improved. Trade had increased by the almost total suppression of piracy, and means were taken to encourage the growing and spinning of flax. But revenue was in his eyes the most important part of commerce, and the cloth business was depressed because it interfered with an English staple industry, 'the rather that by the wool of Ireland the King hath four times custom: first, when it is brought into England, and here when it is landed, and then here when it is transported in cloth, and also for the commodities which is returned.' On the other hand, he persuaded the King to take off a lately imposed export duty of four shillings a ton on coal for Ireland, and another heavy one on horses, which interfered with his military plans; and an import duty of eighteenpence and sixpence respectively upon Irish cattle and sheep.[238] [Sidenote: An earldom again refused.] [Sidenote: Lady Carlisle.] Wentworth was useful to the King in the ship-money trouble as well as in Ireland, more than once expressing a wish that Mr. Hampden should be well whipped into his right senses. He had Charles's entire approbation, and wished for a mark of honour to carry back to his government, without which it might be supposed that he was more or less in disgrace at Court. The last rebuff had made him shy, and this time he used Laud's mediation; but the earldom was again refused. No answer was given to the Archbishop, who had observed that his Majesty 'loved extremely to have such things, especially once moved, to come from himself,' and on this occasion the sovereign laid down that titles were useful 'not to quell envy, but to reward service.' He had not much regard for his minister's feelings. Wentworth knew very well that his hold upon Ireland depended on the belief that he was firmly rooted in the King's favour, and he would have liked some outward and visible sign of it. He left London victorious for the time, but knowing that he had many enemies in high places and very few real friends. During this visit he formed a close alliance with Lady Carlisle, who had been lately left a widow. Her husband bequeathed to her his interest in Ireland, the value of which depended much upon the good will of the all-powerful Lord Deputy. Financial considerations may have moved the lady first, and Wentworth on his part may have desired the help of someone who stood well with the Queen. At all events, the admiration was mutual, for she even regulated her movements by his, and was repaid, as her sister Lady Leicester reported, by having 'more power with him than any creature.' When he reached York he was nearly killed with feasting, after which he had a few weeks' rest in the country. 'With what quietness in myself,' he wrote from Gawthorp, 'could I live here in comparison with that noise and labour I meet with elsewhere; and I protest put up more crowns in my purse at the year's end too.