CECIL, WirruAxt, Lord BURLEIGIT, one of England's greatest statesmen, was b. at Bourne, Lincolnshire, Sept. 15, 1520. Educated at the grammar-schools of Grantham and Stamford, he thence passed to St. John's college, Cambridge, where he was remark able alike for his diligence and aptitude in learning. Entering Gray's inn at the age of 21, he devoted himself assiduously to the study of law. History, genealogy, and the ology also formed part of his studies at this time; and his knowledge of the last recom mended him to the notice of Henry VIII., who presented him with the reversion of the custos breriuni, an office of value in the common pleas. An alliance with the daughter of sir Anthony Cook procured him the friendship of the protector Somerset, who, in 1547, appointed him master of requests; and in the following year his great talents pro cured for him the office of secretary of state. He shared in the disgrace of Somerset, even to imprisonment for three months; but in less than two years after his release, his pre-eminent abilities secured for him a reappointment to the state secretaryship by the duke of Northumberland, his former patron's sworn enemy. During his second secre taryship, C. effected most important and beneficial changes in the commercial policy of the country. With a sagacity far beyond the spirit of his age, he endeavored to throw trade open, and did succeed in abolishing some monopolies; but others proved too strong for him, standing as he did alone, at a time when exclusive privileges were con sidered the only sureties of a profitable trade. When queen Mary ascended the throne, C., being a Protestant, resigned his official employment, because lie could not conscien tiously serve a Roman Catholic court; but as a private gentleman he maintained good relations with the Roman Catholic party, and was one of the few eminent Protestants who escaped in purse and person during that short but infamous reign. His freedom
from persecution has given rise to the charge, that he was a " trimmer"—a very unjust accusation, indeed. C. was naturally cautious and politic, and averse to extremes in religion; but though he took no part in bitter sectarian discussions, he never belied his conscience, and to him is mainly owing the rejection of the bill which the Roman Cath olics had introduced into parliament, with the view to a wholesale confiscation of the estates of Protestants. Prior to Mary's death, C„ foreseeing her end, had entered into correspondence with Elizabeth, who, on her accession to the throne (Nov. 16, 1538), at once recognizing 0.'s capacity for government, appointed him secretary of state. A biography of C. from this time until his death would be.a forty years' history of Eng land, for he was alike the originator and director of that policy which, hitherto, has made Elizabeth's reign memorable above that of any other English sovereign; for although Elizabeth occasionally, in her caprice, favored other courtiers, C. was the statesman whose judgment she relied on in all /natters of consequence. His policy at home and abroad was at once shrewd and cautious, and also liberal and comprehensive, while he displayed a power of decision, ready and stern, when necessity demanded. As a statesman, C. was above animosities and favoritism; his enemies never suffered, and his friends profited nothing, by his power. Capacity, truth, and honor were what he sought in public men. Had he been less just, history might have been more generous to his memory. The queen created him baron Burleigh in 1571, and conferred on him the order of the garter in the succeeding year, when he was also made lord high treas urer, an of he held until his death, Aug. 15, 1508.