THE FIRST BOOK. 53 



learning in sovereignty, painted forth in the greatest table 

 of the world. 



But for a tablet, or picture of smaller volume, (not 

 presuming to speak of your Majesty that liveth,) in my 

 judgment the most excellent is that of Queen Elizabeth, 

 your immediate predecessor in this part of Britain ; a prince 

 that, if Plutarch were now alive to write lives by parallels, 

 would trouble him, I think, to find for her a parallel 

 amongst women. This lady was endued with learning in 

 her sex singular, and rare even amongst masculine princes ; 10 

 whether we speak of learning, language, or of science, 

 modern or ancient, divinity or humanity : and unto the very 

 last year of her life she was accustomed to appoint set hours 

 for reading, scarcely any young student in a university more 

 daily, or more duly. As for her government, I assure my 

 self, I shall not exceed, if I do affirm that this part of the 

 island never had forty-five years of better times ; and yet 

 not through the calmness of the season, but through the 

 wisdom of her regiment. For if there be considered of the 

 one side, the truth of religion established, the constant peace 20 

 and security, the good administration of justice, the tem 

 perate use of the prerogative, not slackened, nor much 

 strained, the nourishing state of learning, sortable to so 

 excellent a patroness, the convenient estate of wealth and 

 means, both of crown and subject, the habit of obedience, 

 and the moderation of discontents ; and there be considered 

 on the other side the differences of religion, the troubles of 

 neighbour countries, the ambition of Spain, and opposition 

 of Eome ; and then, that she was solitary and of herself : 

 these things, I say, considered, as I could not have chosen an 30 

 instance so recent and so proper, so, I suppose, I could not 

 have chosen one more remarkable or eminent to the purpose 

 now in hand, which is concerning the conjunction of 

 learning in the prince with felicity in the people. 



Neither hath learning an influence and operation only 

 upon civil merit and moral virtue, and the arts or tempera- 



