PREFACE. XXXV 



st but as a diary ague ; the reign of a lady married to 

 &quot; a foreigner ; and the reign of a lady solitary and 

 &quot; unmarried ; so that as it cometh to pass in massy 

 4 bodies, that they have certain trepidations and 

 &quot; wavering before they fix and settle ; so it seemeth 

 &quot; that by the providence of God this monarchy, be- 

 &quot; fore it was to settle in his majesty, and his gene- 

 &quot; rations, in which I hope it is now established for 

 &quot; ever, hath had these prelusive changes in these 

 &quot; barren princes. Neither could I contain myself 

 &quot; here, as it is easier for a man to multiply than to 

 &quot; stay a wish, but calling to remembrance the un- 

 &quot; worthiness of the history of England,* in the 

 &quot; main continuance thereof; and the partiality and 



&quot;* The unvvorthiness of the history of England hath been 

 &quot; long complained of by ingenious men, both of this and other 

 &quot; nations, Sir Francis Bacon hath expressed himself much to the 

 &quot; same effect, though more at large in his secod book of the 

 &quot; Advancement of Learning: where he carries this period of re- 

 &quot; markable events somewhat higher than in this letter, begin- 

 &quot; ning with the union of the roses under Henry VII. and end- 

 &quot; ing with the union of the kingdoms under King James. A 

 &quot; portion of time filled with so great and variable accidents 

 &quot; both in church and state, and since so well discovered to the 

 &quot; view of the world, that had other parts the same performance, 

 &quot; we should not longer lie under any reproach of this kind. 

 &quot; The reign of King Henry VII. was written by our author soon 

 &quot; after his retirement, with so great beauty of style, and wisdom 

 &quot; of observation, that nothing can be more entertaining; the 

 &quot; truth of history not being disguised with the false colours of 

 &quot; romance. It was so acceptable to the P. of Wales, that when 

 &quot; he became king, he commanded him to proceed with the reign 

 &quot; of King Henry VIII. But my Lord Bacon meditating the his- 



