Some of the judges even in a corrupt age would not be tempted. One of the most upright of our judges was Sir Matthew Hale. It had long been customary for the Dean and Chapter of Salisbury to present to the judges of the Western Circuit six sugar loaves. The gift was sent to Hale, and he directed his servant to pay for the sugar before he tried a case in which the donors were interested. On another occasion while he was on circuit, a gentleman gave him a buck, hoping by this act to gain his favour in a case that was to be tried before him. When the trial was about to commence, Hale remembered the name of the gentleman and inquired if he was the person from whom the venison had been received. On being informed that such was the fact, he would not allow the trial to proceed until he had made payment for the buck. The gentleman strongly protested against receiving the money, saying that he had only presented the same to the Chief Baron as he had done to other judges who had gone the circuit. Further instances might be mentioned of presents being offered and refused by Hale, but the foregoing are sufficient to show the character of the man. Newcastle-on-Tyne municipal records contain many references to presents of sugar loaves. There are for example gifts to noblemen who called at the town on their way to Scotland. In January 1593, we find particulars of 23s. 7d. for sugar and wine "sent in a present to my L. Ambassador as he came travling through this towne to Scotland called my L. Souch." The charges are as follow:-- "Paide for 2 gallons of secke 2 gallons and a quarte of clared wine 11s. 3d. A sugar loaf weis 8 lb. and a quarter at 18d. per pound 12s. 4d." A little later the Earl of Essex was bound for Scotland and received a present at the hands of the local authorities. The town accounts state: "Sept. 1594.--Paide for four sugar loaves weide 27-3/4 lbs. 41s. 8d. 5 gallons and a pottle of claret, 11s. 4 gallons secke 10s. 8d. -------- Soma 63s. 4d." In the following month the Earl of Essex, in company of my Lord Wharton, returned from North Britain and received sugar and wine costing the town £4 14s. 10d. The details of the amount are as under:-- "Oct. 1594.--Paide for 3 sugar loves weide 30-1/4 lb. 18d. per lb. £2 5s. 10d. For clarid wine and secke £2 9s. 0d." The Bishop of Durham was not overlooked. In February, 1596, we find an entry as follows:-- "Paide for 4 pottles secke and 2 quarte, for 3 pottles of white wine, and 4 pottles and a quarte of clared wine for a present to the bishop of Dorum 17s. 6d.