196 THE CECILS
says : " How many soever his faults were, he was of an incomparable prudence, and coming so near after such an unadvised scatterer as King James, he might have feathered his family better than he did, but that he looked upon low things with contempt ... he not standing charged with any grosser bribery or corruption than what lay inclusive under the ceremony of New Year's gifts, or his own or servants sharing with such as by importunity rather than merit had obtained debentures out of the Exchequer." As to the New Year's gifts, another writer states that the first year he was Lord Treasurer he refused them all, amounting to above 1,800, " as supposing them to be some kind of bribes whereby he might wink at the corruption of officers." 1
Even before he was Treasurer, his " New Year's gifts " were of considerable value. The list of those received at Christmas, 1602, has been preserved, and is worth transcribing. 3
" From Lord Burghley, one bason and ewer of silver
white, io8| oz. 3 plates of silver, 27 oz. From the Company of Merchant Venturers, one great
standing bowl in a case. [Margin : ' sold to
Prescott.'] From Sir John Roper, one other great standing bowl in
a case. [' Sold to Prescott.'] From my Lord of Hertford, one pair of great Dutch
pots, gilt, 162! oz - From Mr. Nicolson, one fair standing bowl. [' Sold to
Prescott.']
1 Goodman, I. 36.
2 Hatfield MSS., XII. 527.
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