70 LETTERS FROM THE CABALA. 



variety, that in so little number of successions of any here 

 ditary monarchy, hath ever been known ; the reign of a 

 child, the offer of an usurpation, though it were 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 massive bodies, that they have certain 

 trepidations, and waverings, before they fix and settle ; so it 

 seemeth, that by the providence of God, this monarchy (before 

 it was to settle in his majesty and his generations, in which 

 I hope it is now established for ever,) hath had these preclu- 

 sive 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 con 

 tinuance thereof, and the partiality and 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 com 

 plete history were compiled of both nations. And if any 

 man think, it may refresh the memory of former discord, he 

 may satisfy himself with the verse, &quot; Glim haec meminisse 

 juvabit.&quot; For the case being now altered, it is matter of 

 comfort and gratulation, to remember former troubles. Thus 

 much, if it may please your lordship, was in the optative 

 mood, and it was time that I should look a little into the 

 potential ; wherein the hope that I received was grounded 

 upon three observations. The first, 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, a wonderful judgment in learning, and a singular 

 affection towards learning, and works which are of the mind, 

 and not of the hand. For there cannot be the like honour 



