, importers, and venders of such commodities. Many had grievously
suffered by this exorbitant jurisdiction; and the lace which had been
manufactured by the patentees was universally found to be adulterated,
and to be composed more of copper than of the precious metals.

These grievances the commons represented to the king and they met with
a very gracious and very cordial reception. He seemed even thankful
for the information given him; and declared himself ashamed that such
abuses, unknowingly to him, had crept into his administration. "I assure
you," said he, "had I before heard these things complained of, I would
have done the office of a just king, and out of parliament have punished
them, as severely, and peradventure more, than you now intend to do."[*]
A sentence was passed for the punishment of Michel and Mompesson.[**]
It was executed on the former. The latter broke prison and escaped.
Villiers was at that time sent purposely on a foreign employment; and
his guilt, being less enormous, or less apparent, than that of the
others, he was the more easily protected by the credit of his brother
Buckingham.[***]

* Franklyn, p. 51. Rushworth, vol. i. p. 25.

** Franklyn, p. 52. Rushworth, vol. i. p. 27.

**** Yelverton, the attorney-general, was accused by the
commons for drawing the patents for these monopolies, and
for supporting them. He apologized for himself, that he was
forced by Buckingham, and that he supposed it to be the
king's pleasure. The lords were so offended at these
articles of defence, though necessary to the attorney-
general, that they fined him ten thousand pounds to the
king, five thousand to the duke. The fines, however, were
afterwards remitted. Franklyn, p. 55. Rushworth, vol. i. p.
31, 32, etc.

Encouraged by this success, the commons carried their scrutiny, and
still with a respectful hand, into other abuses of importance. The great
seal was at that time in the hands of the celebrated Bacon, created
Viscount St. Albans; a man universally admired for the greatness of his
genius, and beloved for the courteousness and humanity of his behavior.
He was the great ornament of his age and nation; and nought was wanting
to render him the ornament of human nature itself, but that strength of
mind which might check his intemperate desire of preferment, that could
add nothing to his dignity, and might restrain his profuse inclination
to e