all propension
to debauchery, passed his careless hours. During the intervals of
amusement, he introduced business, and insinuated those maxims of
conduct which he was desirous his master should adopt. He observed to
him that while he intrusted his affairs into the hands of his father's
counsellors, he had the advantage indeed of employing men of wisdom and
experience, but men who owed not their promotion to his favor, and who
scarcely thought themselves accountable to him for the exercise of their
authority: that by the factions, and cabals, and jealousies which had
long prevailed among them, they more obstructed the advancement of his
affairs, than they promoted it by the knowledge which age and practice
had conferred upon them: that while he thought proper to pass his time
in those pleasures to which his age and royal fortune invited him, and
in those studies which would in time enable him to sway the sceptre with
absolute authority, his best system of government would be, to intrust
his authority into the hands of some one person who was the creature
of his will, and who could entertain no view but that of promoting his
service: and that if this minister had also the same relish for pleasure
with himself, and the same taste for science, he could more easily,
at intervals, account to him for his whole conduct, and introduce
his master gradually into the knowledge of public business; and thus,
without tedious constraint or application, initiate him in the science
of government.[*]

* Cavendish, p. 12. Stowe, p. 499.

Henry entered into all the views of Wolsey; and finding no one so
capable of executing this plan of administration as the person who
proposed it, he soon advanced his favorite, from being the companion of
his pleasures, to be a member of his council; and from being a member
of his council, to be his sole and absolute minister. By this rapid
advancement and uncontrolled authority, the character and genius
of Wolsey had full opportunity to display itself. Insatiable in his
acquisitions, but still more magnificent in his expense: of extensive
capacity, but still more unbounded enterprise: ambitious of power, but
still more desirous of glory: insinuating engaging, persuasive; and, by
turns, lofty, elevated, commanding: haughty to his equals, but affable
to his dependants: oppressive to the people, but liberal to his friends;
more generous than grateful; less moved by injuries than by contempt; he
was f