Page:The house of Cecil.djvu/251

 THE FIRST EARL OF SALISBURY 217

than he could make use of him." But this was not the general opinion. ' The world saith you a passing good gentleman," writes Fulke Greville, " and one that will, after the old manner, do common courtesies to men who are never like to requite you." 1

It is remarkable to notice how after the Essex rebellion all the chief persons concerned turned to Cecil for help especially the Countess of Essex, Lady Southampton, Lady Sandys, the Earl of Rutland, and Sir Henry Neville ; and the tone of their letters and the gratitude they express bear very strong testimony to his generosity and kindness of heart. His nieces the Marchioness of Winchester, Lady Bridget Vere, Lady Hatton, Lady Tufton write to him in the most affec- tionate terms ; his nephew, Edward, afterwards Viscount Wimbledon, acknowledges his constant support and favour ; and his " desolate, unfor- tunate aunt," as she is fond of calling herself, Lady Russell, pours forth all her complaints in endless letters, which, though amusing enough to read, must have sorely tried the patience of the hard-worked Secretary.

But perhaps the best tribute to his character is to be found in the affection and trust which he inspired in his friends and colleagues. Making all allowance for the exuberance of language common at the time, it is impossible to believe that the man to whom such expressions as the following were addressed can have been the cold,

1 October ijth, 1601 (Hatfield MSS., XI. 433)

�� �