THE FIRST EARL OF SALISBURY 195
James's reign was notorious, but Cecil set himself against it with all his power. As an instance, we may quote from his instructions to the com- missioners who were to act in a proposed scheme for compounding wardships.
" And now," he writes, " because I do consider how subject all men's actions are to calumny, ... I do also require you to make it known particularly to all persons that shall seek composition, that they shall not receive their assurance from his Majesty without taking their corporal oath in open court that they have neither promised nor paid, directly nor indirectly, any money, or other benefit, for obtaining the same, other than the sums agreed upon to his Majesty's use, and the ordinary fees of the clerks and officers. Thus have you now a perfect understanding of his Majesty's royal intention . . . and have also perceived the care I have to preserve your reputa- tion as much as my own, though that is more in danger to be touched, because the envious minds of men, who judge others commonly by their own affections, will be apt to conceive that I, who am his Majesty's principal officer in the Court of Wards, would not endeavour to further this his Majesty's good intention with so great care and such contentment, except some way were open for me by this course to derive to myself some private gain, to counter- vail the diminution of that power and authority which by this means is taken from me to bind or pleasure any man by virtue of this office during my time." l
This proposal came to nothing, but later in the reign Salisbury handed over to the King all the profits of the office of Master of the Wards.
Even Osborne, a very unfavourable witness,
1 Letter to Sir John Savile and others, October 3rd, 1603 (Lodge's Illustrations, III. 41).
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