He saw the growing danger of abuses in Church and State which were left untouched, and were protected by the punishment of those who dared to complain of them.

He saw the confusion and injustice of much of that common law of which the lawyers were so proud; and would have attempted, if he had been able, to emulate Justinian, and anticipate the Code Napoleon, by a rational and consistent digest.

Above all, he never ceased to impress on James the importance, and, if wisely used, the immense advantages, of his Parliaments.

Himself, for great part of his life, an active and popular member of the House of Commons, he saw that not only it was impossible to do without it, but that, if fairly, honourably, honestly dealt with, it would become a source of power and confidence which would double the strength of the Government both at home and abroad.

Yet of all this wisdom nothing came.