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also that the privy council intermeddled too much in cases of meum and tuum. For the council was then a mere court of justice, especially in the beginning of his reign. But in that part of justice and policy, which is durable, and carved, as it were, in brass and marble, viz. the making of good laws, he greatly excelled.

His justice also was mixed with mercy; for in his reign but three of the nobility suffered capitally; viz. the Earl of Warwick, the Lord Chamberlain, and the Lord Audley. Though the two former were as numbers, in respect to the virulence and hatred of the people. But never were such great rebellions known to be expiated with so little blood, shed by the sword of justice, as the two extraordinary ones of Exeter and Blackheath. His general pardons to the rebels ever went both before and after his sword. But then he had a strange method of interchanging ample and unexpected pardons with severe executions: which, considering his wisdom, could not be attributed to any inconstancy, or wavering; but either to some secret reason, or to a certain rule he had prescribed himself, to try both corrosives and lenitives by turns.

But the less blood he drew, the more treasure he usually took: and, as some maliciously construed it, he was sparing in the one, that he might squeeze the more in the other; for to have taken both would, indeed, have been intolerable. Doubtless, he was naturally inclined to hoarding; and admired riches too much for one in so high a sphere. And, indeed, he was touched with remorse at his death, for having oppressed his

people, and extorted money, by ways of all kinds. This excess of his had, at that time, many interpretations. Some were of opinion, that the perpetual rebellions where with he had been harassed, drove him to hate his people; some that it tended to abate the fierceness of his subjects, by keeping. them low; others, that he intended to leave a golden fleece to his son; and others, in fine, that he had some secret design of a foreign war. But those, perhaps, come nearest the truth, who impute it to nature, years, peace, and a mind taken up with no other ambition or pursuit. Whereto may be added, that having frequent occasion to observe the necessities and shifts which other princes were drove to for money; this strongly showed him the felicity that attends full coffers.

In expending of treasure, he kept this rule, never to spare any charge his affairs required. In his buildings he was magnificent; in his reward closehanded so that his liberality extended rather to what regarded himself, and his own memory, than to the rewarding of merit.

He was of a high and exalted mind; a lover of his own opinion, and his own way; as one that revered himself, and would reign alone. Had he been a private man, doubtless he would have been termed proud. But in a wise prince, it was no more than keeping a just and due distance between himself and his subjects; which he constantly did towards all; not admitting any one a near approach, either to his authority or secrets. For he was governed by none about him.

His consort, the queen, who had blessed

him with several children, and with a crown also, though he would not acknowledge it, could do little with him. His mother he indeed reverenced much; but seldom admitted her to a share of his counsels. He had no person agreeable to him for conversation; unless he should account for such, Bishop Fox, and Bray, and Empson, because they were frequently with him: but it was as the tool is with the workman. He had as little vainglory as any other prince, though without any diminution of state and majesty, which he ever kept up to the height; being sensible that the reverence of majesty holds the people in obedience: whilst vainglory, if rightly considered, prostitutes princes to popular breath.

He was just and constant to his confederates, but close and cautious. He searched into them so much, yet kept himself so close and reserved, that they stood as it were in the light to him, and he in the dark to them. But this was carried without any appearance of secrecy; and rather with the show of frankness and familiarity, as one who communicated his own affairs to others and at the same time inquired into theirs.

As for the little envies and emulations which usually pass between princes, to the detriment of their affairs, he had nothing of them; but went earnestly and substantially about transacting his business. His reputation, though great at home, was still greater abroad. For foreigners, who could not see the conduct and particular passages of his affairs, but only the conclusions and general issues of them, observed that he was ever in strife, and ever superior, It was partly occa

sioned also by the letters and relations of foreign ambassadors, who attended his court in great numbers; for these he not only pleased by courtesy, reward, and familiar conversation; but also raised their admiration, by discovering a universal knowledge of the affairs of Europe. Which, though he had chiefly drawn from the ambassadors themselves, and their informations, yet what he had gathered from them all seemed extraordinary to every particular. So that they always wrote to their superiors in high terms of his wisdom and policy. Nay, when returned to their several countries, they frequently gave him intelligence, by letter, of all occurrences that had happened worthy of note; such a talent he had, at ingratiating himself with foreign ministers.

He was solicitous to procure, by all methods, intelligence from every quarter; for which end, he not only used the industry of foreign ministers residing here, and of his own pensioners, which he kept at the court of Rome, and the courts of other princes; but the vigilance likewise of his own ambassadors abroad. And with this view, his instructions were exact, even to curiosity, and orderly digested in articles; more of which generally regarded inquiry than negotiation; and required distinct and particular answers.

As for his emissaries, which he secretly employed both at home and abroad, to discover what practices and conspiracies were on foot against him, they seem in his case to have been exceedingly necessary: he had so many moles, as it were, perpetually at work to undermine

him. Neither can this be accounted unlawful. For if spies are approved in war against lawful enemies, much more against conspirators and traitors. His industry, in thus employing emissaries, had this good effect, that as many conspiracies were detected by their means, so the fame and suspicion of his spies doubtless kept many others from being attempted.

He was no uxorious husband, nor indulgent; yet complaisant, companionable, and free from jealousy. He was affectionate to his children, and careful of their education, for he aspired to procure their advancement: he was careful, also, that all the honour and respect becoming their quality should be paid them; but not greatly desirous to have them exalted in the eyes of the people.

He referred most of his business to his privy council, and often presided among them in person; well knowing this to be a right and solid way both to strengthen his authority and inform his judgment. To which end also he was patient of their liberty, as well in advising as voting, till he had declared his own opinion, which he usually reserved to the end of the debates.

He kept a strict hand upon the nobility, and chose rather to advance to his service such clergymen and lawyers who were more obsequious to him, and less gracious with the people, which made for his authority, but not for his safety: insomuch that I am fully persuaded this method of his was a principal cause of the frequent commotions which happened in his reign; because the nobility, though loyal and obedient, did not

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