in of this haughty minister. The high opinion
itself, which Henry had entertained of the cardinal's capacity, tended
to hasten his downfall; while he imputed the bad success of that
minister's undertakings, not to ill fortune or to mistake, but to the
malignity or infidelity of his intentions. The blow, however, fell not
instantly on his head. The king, who probably could not justify by any
good reason his alienation from his ancient favorite, seems to have
remained some time in suspense; and he received him, if not with all his
former kindness, at least with the appearance of trust and regard.

* Collier, vol. ii. p. 45. Burnet, vol, i. p. 53.

** Cavendish, p. 40.

But constant experience evinces how rarely a high confidence and
affection receives the least diminution, without sinking into absolute
indifference, or even running into the opposite extreme. The king now
determined to bring on the ruin of the cardinal with a motion almost as
precipitate as he had formerly employed in his elevation. The dukes of
Norfolk and Suffolk were sent to require the great seal from him; and
on his scrupling to deliver it[*] without a more express warrant, Henry
wrote him a letter, upon which it was surrendered; and it was delivered
by the king to Sir Thomas More, a man who, besides the ornaments of
an elegant literature, possessed the highest virtue, integrity, and
capacity.

Wolsey was ordered to depart from York Place, a palace which he had
built in London, and which, though it really belonged to the see of
York, was seized by Henry, and became afterwards the residence of the
kings of England, by the title of Whitehall. All his furniture and plate
were also seized: their riches and splendor befitted rather a royal than
a private fortune. The walls of his palace were covered with cloth of
gold or cloth of silver: he had a cupboard of plate of massy gold: there
were found a thousand pieces of fine holland belonging to him. The rest
of his riches and furniture was in proportion; and his opulence was
probably no small inducement to this violent persecution against him.

The cardinal was ordered to retire to Asher, a country seat which he
possessed near Hampton Court. The world, that had paid him such abject
court during his prosperity, now entirely deserted him on this fatal
reverse of all his fortunes. He himself was much dejected with the
change; and from the same turn of mind which had made him be so vainly
elated wi