CUSTOM TO RECEIVE PRESENTS. CCCX1X 



and, in conformity with this practice, the usual presents 

 were made to Lord Bacon within a few hours after he had 

 accepted the great seal, the only pecuniary compensation, 

 except a very trifling salary, to which the Lord Keeper was 

 entitled for labours never intended to be gratuitous, (a) 



What could have been said in answer to this statement, 

 that the presents were made openly, that the decision 

 was against the party by whom they were made, and that 

 they were made by the advice of counsel and delivered by 

 men of eminence, and sanctioned by immemorial practice 

 in this and in all countries ? 



Might he not have called upon the justice of the house 

 for protection from the aspersions of two discontented 

 suitors, who had no more cause of complaint against him 



(a) The whole salary did not then exceed 2790/. per annum, according 

 to the statement of Dean Williams, who says these are all the true means 

 of that great office : 



Fines certain . . 1300 



Fines casual . . 1250, or thereabouts. 



Writs .... 140 



Impost of wine . 100 



2790&quot; 



See this subject fully considered in note G G. 



In Lloyd s life of Sir Augustine Nicholls, who was one of the judges in 

 the time of James the First, he says, &quot; We had exemplary integrity, even 

 to the rejection of gratuities after judgment given, and a charge to his 

 followers that they came to their places clear handed, and that they should 

 not meddle with any motions to him, that he might be secured from all 

 appearance of corruption.&quot; 



When the charge was made against Lord Bacon, the following observa 

 tion was made in the House of Commons, as appears in the Journals of 

 Lunse 26 Martii, 19 Jacobi. Alford. That the Chancery hindereth com 

 merce at home. Many things propounded about the Lord Chancellor. 

 Thinketh he took gratuities ; and the Lord Chancellor before, and others 

 before him. Hath a ledger-book, where 30s. given to a secretary, and 10Z. 

 to a Lord Chancellor, for his pains in hearing a cause. Will proceed 

 from Chancellor to Chancery: will offer heads, to be considered by a 

 committee^ 



