LEGAL SUBJECTS. 447 



of the offence : for if it be suffered, that the learned 

 council shall practise the art of multiplication upon 

 their warrants, the crown will be destroyed in small 

 time. The great seal, the privy seal, signet, are 

 solemn things ; but they follow the king s hand. It 

 is the bill drawn by the learned council and the 

 docquet, that leads the king s hand. 



2. Next I note the nature of the defence. As 

 first, that it was error in judgment : for this surely, 

 if the offence were small though clear, or great, 

 but doubtful, I should hardly sentence it. For it 

 is hard to draw a straight line by steadiness of 

 hand ; but it could not be the swerving of the 

 hand. And herein I note the wisdom of the law of 

 England, which termeth the highest contempts and 

 excesses of authority, &quot; misprisions ;&quot; which, if you 

 take the sound and derivation of the words, is 

 but &quot; mistaken :&quot; but if you take the use and ac 

 ceptation of the word, it is high and hainous con 

 tempts and usurpations of authority ; whereof the 

 reason I take to be, and the name excellently im 

 posed ; for that main mistaking, it is ever joined 

 with contempt ; for he, that reveres, will not easily 

 mistake ; but he, that slights, and thinks more of the 

 greatness of his place than of the duty of his place, 

 will soon commit misprisions. 

 Indorsed, 



Star-Chamber, October 24, 1620. Notes upon Air. 

 Attorney s cause. 



