For in the time of the Cecils, the father and the son, able men were by design and of purpose suppressed; and though of late choice goeth better both in church and commonwealth, yet money, and turn-serving, and cunning canvasses, and importunity prevail too much.  And in places of moment rather make able and honest men yours, than advance those that are otherwise because they are yours.  As for cunning and corrupt men, you must (I know) sometimes use them; but keep them at a distance; and let it appear that you make use of them, rather than that they lead you.  Above all, depend wholly (next to God) upon the King; and be ruled (as hitherto you have been) by his instructions; for that is best for yourself.  For the King’s care and thoughts concerning you are according to the thoughts of a great King; whereas your thoughts concerning yourself are and ought to be according to the thoughts of a modest man.  But let me not weary you.  The sum is that you think goodness the best part of greatness; and that you remember whence your rising comes, and make return accordingly.

God ever keep you.

GORHAMBURY, August 12th, 1616

CHARGE TO JUSTICE HUTTON

From ‘Letters and Life,’ by James Spedding

Mr. Serjeant Hutton: 

The King’s most excellent Majesty, being duly informed of your learning, integrity, discretion, experience, means, and reputation in your country, hath thought fit not to leave you these talents to be employed upon yourself only, but to call you to serve himself and his people, in the place of one of his Justices of the court of common pleas.

The court where you are to serve, is the local centre and heart of the laws of this realm.  Here the subject hath his assurance by fines and recoveries.  Here he hath his fixed and invariable remedies by praecipes and writs of right.  Here Justice opens not by a by-gate of privilege, but by the great gate of the King’s original writs out of the Chancery.  Here issues process of outlawry; if men will not answer law in this centre of law, they shall be cast out of the circle of law.  And therefore it is proper for you by all means with your wisdom and fortitude to maintain the laws of the realm.  Wherein, nevertheless, I would not have you head-strong, but heart-strong; and to weigh and remember with yourself, that the twelve Judges of the realm are as the twelve lions under Solomon’s throne; they must be lions, but yet lions, under the throne; they must shew their stoutness in elevating and bearing up the throne.

     To represent unto you the lines and portraitures of a good
     judge:—­The first is, That you should draw your learning out
     of your books, not out of your brain.

     2.  That you should mix well the freedom of your own opinion
     with the reverence of the opinion of your fellows.

     3.  That you should continue the studying of your books, and
     not to spend on upon the old stock.