minence to the usage than it obtained in the chronicles of
any earlier period of English history. On each New Year's day her
courtiers gave her costly presents--jewels, ornaments of gold or silver
workmanship, hundreds of ounces of silver-gilt plate, tapestry, laces,
satin dresses, embroidered petticoats. Not only did she accept such
costly presents from men of rank and wealth, but she graciously received
the donations of tradesmen and menials. Francis Bacon made her majesty
"a poor oblation of a garment;" Charles Smith, the dustman, threw upon
the pile of treasure "two bottes of cambric." The fashion thus
countenanced by the queen was followed in all ranks of society; all men,
from high to low, receiving presents, as expressions of affection when
they came from their equals, as declarations of respect when they came
from their social inferiors. Each of her great officers of state drew a
handsome revenue from such yearly offerings. But though the burdens and
abuses of this system were excessive under Elizabeth, they increased in
enormity and number during the reigns of the Stuarts.

That the salaries of the Elizabethan judges were small in comparison
with the sums which they received in presents and fees may be seen from
the following Table of stipends and allowances annually paid, towards
the close of the sixteenth century:--

L _s._ _d._

The Lord Cheefe Justice of England:--
Fee, Reward and Robes 208 6 8
Wyne, 2 tunnes at L5 the tunne 10 0 0
Allowance for being Justice of Assize 20 0 0

The Lord Cheefe Justice of the Common Pleas:--
Fee, Reward, and Robes 141 13 4
Wyne, two tunnes 8 0 0
Allowance as Justice of Assize 20 0 0
Fee for keeping the Assize in the Augmentation
Court 12 10 8

Each of the three Justices in these two Courts:--
Fee, Reward and Robes L123 6_s._ 8_d._
Allowance as Justice of Assize 20 0 0

The Lord Cheefe Baron of the Exchequer:--
Fee 100 0 0
Lyvery 12 17 8
Allowance as Justice of the Assize 20 0 0