Page:The house of Cecil.djvu/55

 WILLIAM, LORD BURGHLEY 39

of his Prince and the wards, for his own profit moderately, and for the benefit of his followers bountifully, yet without offence ; and in all things with great commendations for his inte- grity." 1 His impartiality and incorruptibility were recognised on all sides. "In a case of hearing," says his domestic biographer, " I had rather of the two been his enemy. For if he leaned any way, as willingly he never would, it was rather to the foe; lest he might be taxed of partiality." The same authority recurs to this characteristic several times, being evidently much struck by the fact that, as the Duchess of Suffolk put it in one of her sprightly letters to Cecil, he would never " break justice's head for friendship."

The onerous duties of this office, and the still more responsible labours which fell to his lot as Secretary, would have more than occupied most men. But at this time Cecil was also a member of Parliament for the county of Lincoln and Chancellor of the University of Cambridge. The latter post was by no means a sinecure, but gave him so much trouble that in 1562 he wished to resign, alleging his want of leisure, his unfitness for the position, and above all the laxity and want of uniformity in the religious observances in the University. He was, however, persuaded to with- draw his resignation, and two years later it was his duty to superintend all the preparations for the Queen's visit to Cambridge. He was then granted the degree of M.A., and the same honour was

1 Annals, p. 495.

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