of 
It. 7] Ne _THE SECOND BOOK. 93 
diminution at all, and only to be supplied and continued. 
But this is matter of magnificence, rather to be com- 
mended than required: and we speak now of parts of 
learning supplemental and not of supererogation. 
8. But for modern histories, whereof there are some 
few very worthy, but the greater part beneath mediocrity, 
leaving the care of foreign stories to foreign states, be« 
cause I will not be curzosus in aliena republica, I cannot 
fail to represent to your Majesty the unworthiness of the 
history of England in the main continuance thereof, and 
the partiality and obliquity of that of Scotland in the 
latest and largest author that I have seen: supposing that 
it would be honour for your Majesty, and a work very 
memorable, if this island of Great Brittany, as it is now 
joined in monarchy for the ages to come, so were joined 
in one history for the times passed; after the manner of 
the sacred history, which draweth down the story of the 
ten tribes and of the two tribes as twins together. And 
if it shall seem that the greatness of this work may make 
it less exactly performed, there is an excellent period 
of a much smaller compass of time, as to the story of 
England; that is to say, from the uniting of the Roses to 
the uniting of the kingdoms; a portion of time wherein, 
to my understanding, there hath been the rarest varieties 
that in like number of successions of any hereditary 
monarchy hath been known. For it beginneth with the 
mixed adeption of a crown by arms and title; an entry 
by battle, an establishment by marriage; and therefore 
times answerable, like waters after a tempest, full of 
working and swelling, though without extremity of storm ; 
but well passed through by the wisdom of the pilot, 
being one of the most sufficient kings of all the number. 
Then followeth the reign of a king, whose actions, howso- 
