192 THE CECILS
that Salisbury did produce some sort of order out of the chaos that existed before he took over the office of Treasurer, and succeeded in " raising the revenue to an amount which would have filled Elizabeth with admiration, though it was all too little for her successor." And if it is true, as has been said, that the total result of his financial administration was the halving of the debt, at the cost of almost doubling the deficiency, it is, nevertheless, to be remembered that the former was the result of his own labour, while over the latter he had little control. 1
Undoubtedly the system of bargaining set up between King and Commons was undignified and demoralising, and emphasised the divergence of interests between the Sovereign and his people which led to such disastrous results. It is Salisbury's action in the matter of the Great Contract which is thought to have been responsible for the decline of his power during the last months of his life. Goodman tells a story about a certain un-named " great peer," who, on his death-bed, sent to the King, begging him not to part with any of his prerogatives, especially the Court of Wards, and warning him against being ruled by " some who did endeavour to engross and monopolise the King, and kept other able men out of his service." After which, adds Goodman, " the Earl of Salisbury, who had been a great stirrer in that business, and was the man aimed at, began to decline." 2
1 Gardiner, II. 144 ; Spedding, IV. 276. a Court of James I., I. 141.
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