XXXVI PREFACE. 



&quot; obliquity of that of Scotland, in the latest and 

 &quot; largest author* that I have seen : I conceived 

 &quot; it would be honour for his majesty, and a work 

 &quot; very memorable, if this island of Great Britain, as 

 &quot; it is now joined in monarchy for the ages to come, 

 &quot; so it were joined in history for the times past : and 

 &quot;that one just and complete history were compiled 

 &quot; of both nations. And if any man perhaps should 

 &quot; think it may refresh the memory of former dis- 

 &quot; cords, he may satisfy himself with the verse olim 

 &quot; hsec meminisse juvabit : for the case being now 



&quot; tory of nature, which he hardly lived to publish ; his ill state 

 &quot; of health, and succeeding death, put an end to this and other 

 &quot; noble designs ; leaving the ecclesiastical and civil affairs of 

 &quot; those times to be related by the learned pens of Dr. Burnet, 

 &quot; notwithstanding the objections of the avowed enemies, and 

 &quot; seeming friends to the reformation, and the Lord Herbert of 

 &quot; Cherbury ; that I think there is not much of moment to be ex- 

 &quot; pected from a future hand. And for the annals of Queen 

 &quot; Elizabeth compiled by Mr. Camden, the esteem of them is as 

 * universal as the language in which they are written. Nor 

 &quot; must I forget in this place to take notice of two fair and large 

 &quot; volumes lately published in French by Monsieur de Larrey ; 

 &quot; where building upon the foundations laid by these gen- 

 &quot; tlemen, and some other memoirs, he hath not forgotten to do 

 &quot; much honour to the English nation . beginning his history 

 &quot; also with HenryVII.&quot; Stephens. 



&quot; * This 1 take to be meant of Buchanan s history of Scot- 

 &quot; land ; a book much admired by some, though censured by 

 &quot; many, for his partiality in favour of the Lords, against Mary 

 &quot; Queen of the Scots, and the regal power. In other respects, 

 &quot; Archbishop Spotswood informs us that he penned it with 

 * such judgment and eloquence, as no country can shew a 

 better.&quot; Stephens. 



