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74
Hereditary Genius
alluding to these qualities, for they are prominent features in their
characters, and find a large place in their biographies.
In speaking of the Lord Keeper, I think I had better begin with the evil
part of his character. When that has been admitted and done with, the rest
of my task will be pleasant and interesting. In short, the Lord Keeper is
mercilessly handled in respect to his public character. Lord Campbell calls
him the most odious man that ever held the Great Seal, and says that
throughout his whole life he sought and obtained advancement by the
meanest arts. Bishop Burnet calls him crafty and designing. Lord Macaulay
accuses him of selfishness, cowardice, and meanness. I have heard of no
writer who commends his public character except his brother, who was
tenderly attached to him. I should say, that even Lord Campbell
acknowledges the Lord Keeper to have been extremely amiable in all his
domestic relations, and that nothing can be more touching than. the account
we have of the warm and steady affection between him and his brother,
who survived to be his biographer. I am, however, no further concerned
with the Lord Keeper's public character than to show that, notwithstanding
his most unworthy acts to obtain advancement, and notwithstanding he had
relatives in high offices to help him, his own ability and that of his brothers
were truly remarkable.
Bishop Burnet says of him that he had not the virtues of his predecessor
(Lord Nottingham), but he had parts far beyond him. However, Lord
Campbell dissents from this, and remarks that “a Nottingham does not arise
above once in a century.” (I will here beg the reader not to be unmindful of
the marvellous hereditary gifts of the Nottingham or Finch family.)
Macaulay says his intellect was clear, his industry great, his proficiency in
letters and science respectable, and his legal learning more
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