Page:The house of Cecil.djvu/191

 THE FIRST EARL OF SALISBURY 163

Lord and me a thankful memory and due acknow- ledgment of so undeserved a benefit from him whom this friendly favour assures me will never be proved my Lord's malicious enemy." 1

" It was Cecil's speech in the Star Chamber, when the conduct of the Earl was called in question, that was marked with a greater tone of moderation than that of any other of the judges. When, to avoid being tried in the Chamber, the Earl, at his own request, was brought before a Commission, though Cecil condemned him for abandoning his post contrary to the Queen's command, he mitigated the severity of his remarks by giving Essex credit for his services in Ireland. His conduct on this and other occasions, when the Earl was concerned, won for him general approbation. ' Sir Robert Cecil,' says a writer of the time, by no means his indiscriminate admirer, 2 ' is highly commended for his wise and temperate proceeding in this matter, showing no gall, though perhaps he had been galled, if not by the Earl, by some of his dependants. By employing his credit with her Majesty in behalf of the Earl, he has gained great credit, both at home and abroad.' " 3

It was certainly mainly owing to Cecil that Essex was let off so lightly, yet his followers assailed Sir Robert with every species of insult. " They posted lampoons on his doors in Salisbury

1 December i2th, 1599 (Hatfield MSS., IX. 411).

2 John Petit, June i^th, 1600 (Cal. S. P. Dom.). 8 Brewer, p. 140.

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