SPEECH AS LORD KEEPER. CCXV11 



courts of justice to the bush, whereunto, while the sheep 

 flies for defence in weather, he is sure to lose part of his 

 fleece.&quot; 



He concludes his address with some observations upon 

 projected improvements in the practice of the court, and 

 his intention to frame ordinances for its better regulation. 

 &quot; My lords, * he added, &quot; I have no more to say, but now 

 I will go on to business*&quot; 



Upon his retirement from the court he communicated to 

 Buckingham, then at Edinburgh, an account of the day s 

 proceedings, in a letter, saying, &quot; Yesterday I took my place 

 in Chancery, which I hold only from the King s grace and 

 favour, and your constant friendship. There was much 

 ado, and a great deal of world. But this matter of pomp, 

 which is heaven to some men, is hell to me, or purgatory 

 at least. It is true I was glad to see that the King s choice 

 was so generally approved, and that I had so much inte 

 rest in men s good wills and good opinions, because it 

 maketh me the fitter instrument to do my master service, 

 and my friend also. 



&quot; After I was set in Chancery, I published his majesty s 

 charge, which he gave me when he gave me the seal, and 

 what rules and resolutions I had taken for the fulfilling 

 his commandments* I send your lordship a copy of that 

 I said, (a) Men tell me, it hath done the King a great 

 deal of honour; insomuch that some of my friends that 

 are wise men and no vain ones, did not stick to say to me, 

 that there was not these seven years such a preparation for 

 a parliament; which was a commendation, I confess, 

 pleased me well. I pray take some fit time to shew it his 

 majesty, because, if I misunderstood him in any thing, I 



(a) Stephens, p. 202. See vol. xii. p. 244 ; and, for the speech, vol. vii, 

 p. 241, 



