OF THE TRUE GREATNESS OF BRITAIN. 323 



falleth to their lot. But that followeth to be spoken 

 of in the proper place. 



And lastly, it must be confessed, that whatsoever 

 part of your countries and regions shall be counted 

 the meanest, yet is not inferior to those countries 

 and regions, the people whereof some ages since 

 over-ran the world. We see further by the uniting 

 of the continent of this island, and the shutting up 

 of the postern, as it was not unfitly termed, all en 

 trance of foreigners is excluded : and we see again, 

 that by the fit situation and configuration of the 

 north of Scotland toward the north of Ireland, and 

 the reputation, commodity, and terror thereof, what 

 good effects have ensued for the better quieting 

 of the troubles of Ireland. And so we conclude this 

 first branch touching largeness of territory. 



THE second article was, 



That there is too much ascribed to treasure or 

 riches in the balancing of greatness. 



Wherein no man can be ignorant of the idolatry 

 that is generally committed in these degenerate 

 times to money, as if it could do all things public 

 and private : but leaving popular errors, this is like 

 wise to be examined by reason and examples, and 

 such reason, as is no new conceit or invention, but 

 hath formerly been discerned by the sounder sort of 

 judgments. For we see that Solon, who was no 

 contemplative wise man, but a statesman and a law 

 giver, used a memorable censure to Crresus, when he 

 shewed him great treasures, and store of gold and 

 silver that he had gathered, telling him, that when- 



