"but as a diary ague; the reign of a lady married to "a foreigner; and the reign of a lady solitary and " unmarried; so that as it cometh to pass in massy "bodies, that they have certain trepidations and

wavering before they fix and settle; so it seemeth " that by the providence of God this monarchy, be"fore it was to settle in his majesty, and his gene❝rations, in which I hope it is now established for "ever, hath had these prelusive changes in these

barren princes. Neither could I contain myself here, as it is easier for a man to multiply than to stay a wish, but calling to remembrance the un"worthiness of the history of England, in the "main continuance thereof; and the partiality and

"The unworthiness of the history of England hath been "long complained of by ingenious men, both of this and other "nations, Sir Francis Bacon hath expressed himself much to the "same effect, though more at large in his secod book of the "Advancement of Learning: where he carries this period of re"markable events somewhat higher than in this letter, begin

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ning with the union of the roses under Henry VII. and end"ing with the union of the kingdoms under King James. A "portion of time filled with so great and variable accidents "both in church and state, and since so well discovered to the "view of the world, that had other parts the same performance, "we should not longer lie under any reproach of this kind. "The reign of King Henry VII. was written by our author soon is after his retirement, with so great beauty of style, and wisdom “of observation, that nothing can be more entertaining; the "truth of history not being disguised with the false colours of romance. It was so acceptable to the P. of Wales, that when " he became king, he commanded him to proceed with the reign " of King Henry VIII. But my Lord Bacon meditating the his

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obliquity of that of Scotland, in the latest and largest author* that I have seen: I conceived "it would be honour for his majesty, and a work very memorable, if this island of Great Britain, as "it is now joined in monarchy for the ages to come, "so it were joined in history for the times past and "that one just and complete history were compiled "of both nations. And if any man perhaps should "think it may refresh the memory of former dis"cords, he may satisfy himself with the verse olim "hæc meminisse juvabit:' for the case being now

"tory of nature, which he hardly lived to publish; his ill state "of health, and succeeding death, put an end to this and other "noble designs; leaving the ecclesiastical and civil affairs of "those times to be related by the learned pens of Dr. Burnet, "notwithstanding the objections of the avowed enemies, and seeming friends to the reformation, and the Lord Herbert of Cherbury; that I think there is not much of moment to be expected from a future hand. And for the annals of Queen "Elizabeth compiled by Mr. Camden, the esteem of them is as "universal as the language in which they are written. Nor "must I forget in this place to take notice of two fair and large "volumes lately published in French by Monsieur de Larrey; "where building upon the foundations laid by these gentlemen, and some other memoirs, he hath not forgotten to do "much honour to the English nation. beginning his history also with Henry VII." Stephens.

"* This I take to be meant of Buchanan's history of Scot"land; a book much admired by some, though censured by "many, for his partiality in favour of the Lords, against Mary "Queen of the Scots, and the regal power. In other respects, Archbishop Spotswood informs us that he penned it with "such judgment and eloquence, as no country can shew a "better." Stephens.

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altered, it is matter of comfort and gratulation to "remember former troubles. Thus much, if it may please your lordship, is in the optative mood; and "it is time that I did look a little into the potential; "wherein the hope which I conceived was grounded upon three observations. The first, the nature of "these times, which flourish in learning, both of art "and language; which giveth hope not only that "it may be done, but that it may be well done. "Secondly, I do see that which all the world sees in "his majesty, both a wonderful judgment in learn"ing, and a singular affection towards learning, and "works which are of the mind more than of the hand. "For there cannot be the like honour sought and found, in building of galleries,* and planting of "elms along high-ways, and in those outward or"naments, wherein France is now so busy, things "rather of magnificence than of magnanimity, as "there is in the uniting of states,† pacifying of controversies, nourishing and augmenting of learning and arts, and the particular actions appertain'ing to these; of which kind Cicero judged truly, "when he said to Cæsar, Quantum operibus tuis "detrahet vetustas, tantum addet laudibus.' And

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“* The magnificent gallery at the Louvre in Paris, built " by Henry IV."

"The union of England and Scotland."

"The conference at Hampton Court held between the bishops and puritans, as they were then called, soon after the "king's coming to the crown of England, and where his ma"jesty was the moderator." Stephens.

lastly, I call to mind, that your lordship at some "times hath been pleased to express unto me a

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great desire, that something of this nature should "be performed; answerable indeed to your other "noble and worthy courses and actions: joining "and adding unto the great services towards his majesty, which have, in small compass of time, "been performed by your lordship, other great de"servings both of the Church and commonwealth, "and particulars; so as the opinion of so great and "wise a man doth seem to me a good warrant both " of the possibility and worth of the matter. But "all this while I asure myself, I cannot be mistaken by your lordship, as if I sought an office or employment for myself; for no man knows better "than your lordship, that if there were in me any "faculty thereunto, yet neither my course of life "nor profession would permit it; but because there "be so many good painters both for hand and co"lours, it needeth but encouragement and instruc"tions to give life unto it. So in all humbleness I "conclude my presenting unto your lordship this "wish; which, if it perish, it is but a loss of that "which is not. And so craving pardon that I have "taken so much time from your lordship, I remain— The next letter is

"To the King, upon sending unto him a beginning "of the History of his Majesty's times.

"It may please your Majesty,

"Hearing that your Majesty is at leisure to pe"ruse story, a desire took me to make an experiment

"what I could do in your majesty's times, which

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being but a leaf or two, I pray your pardon, if I "send it for your recreation; considering that love "must creep where it cannot go. But to these I "add these petitions: First, that if your majesty do “dislike any thing, you would conceive I can amend "it upon your least beck. Next, that if I have not spoken of your majesty encomiastically, your ma"6 jesty would be pleased only to ascribe it to the "law of an history; which doth not cluster together

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praises upon the first mention of a name, but ra"ther disperseth and weaveth them through the "whole narrative. And as for the proper place of "commemoration, which is in the period of life, I pray God I may never live to write it. Thirdly, "that the reason why I presumed to think of this oblation, was because whatsoever my disability be, "yet I shall have that advantage which almost no "writer of history hath had; in that I shall write " of times not only since I could remember, but since "I could observe. And lastly, that it is only for your majesty's reading."

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"This

Of this tract Archbishop Tenison says, was an essay, sent to King James, whose "times it considered. A work worthy his pen, had "he proceeded in it; seeing (as he saith) he should "have written of times, not only since he could re

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member, but since he could observe; and by way "of introduction, of times, as he further noteth, of "strange variety; the reign of a child: the offer of

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usurpation by the Lady Jane, though it were but as