U. ;.] 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 curiosus in aliena republica y 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- 



