see it, he would con them no thanks', the book being made only for the young people in the family. But all excuses would not satisfy this gentleman. He said if we enforced him to go without it, he knew he should be again sent for it that night; and no nays he would have. So necessity enforced the delivery; and the gentleman seemed greatly contented; took the book, saying not his man, but himself would carry it: he knew it would be an acceptable service to his master; and engaged his faith, that at the king's departure from Apthorpe, he would bring it again. But a quarter of a year past. Then came the gentleman again, but brought no book; but after much compliment said, the king so liked the work itself, and the contrivement of it in all kinds, that there had not a day passed, but the king, in the midst of all his progress and sports, spent one hour in the perusing of it: and that would apparently be seen by the notations he had made upon the margins of it with his own hand: and that his master would upon no terms part with it, except he brought him a promise from the family, that they would make him one for his daily use, which he should esteem as a rich jewel. Some months after the gentleman,

1 "So, 'Frend Hoggarde, I cun you thanke, that you have learned somewhat at Father Latimer's Sermons.'-Robert Crowley's Confutation of the Aunswer to the Ballad, called 'The Abuse of the Blessed Sacrament of the Altare.' Signat. A 3. b. A.D. 1548." Dr. Wordsworth's note.

acquainting the king what he had done in obedience to his command, brought back the book from London to Gidding; saying, that upon the condition that within the space of twelve months the king might have one made him, he was to render back that again; and so with many courtly terms he departed, with intimation from Nicholas Ferrar, that his majesty's commands should be obeyed.

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The book being opened, there was found, as the gentleman had said, the king's notes in many places in the margin; which testified the king's diligent perusal of it. And in one place, which is not to be forgotten, to the eternal memory of his majesty's superlative humility (no small virtue in a king), having written something in one place, he puts it out again very neatly with his pen. But that, it seems, not contenting him, he vouchsafes to underwrite, I confess my error: it was well before (an example to all his subjects): I was mistaken.

I02. Before the year came about, such diligence and expedition was used, that a book was presented to his majesty, being bound in crimson velvet and richly gilded upon the velvet, a thing not usual. The king graciously with a cheerful countenance received it: and after a curious perusal, after having asked many questions concerning the work, and the parties that had done it, said to the lord's grace of Canterbury, and divers other lords that stood about him (doctor Cosins being also there, that was his chaplain for that month), Truly my

lords, I prize this as a rare and rich jewel, and worth a king's acceptance. The substance of it is of the best alloy in the world, and ought to be the only desirable book. And for the skill, care, cost, used in it, there is no defect, but a superlative diligence in all about it. I very much thank them all: and it shall be my Vade mecum. How happy a king were I, if I had many more such workmen and women in my kingdom! God's blessing on their hearts and painful hands! I know they will receive no reward for it. Then he gave the book to the lords to peruse, saying, there are fine pictures in it. The lords said, they believed the like book was not in the world to be seen. It was a precious gem, and worthy of his cabinet.

103. Then said the king to my lord of Canterbury, and to doctor Cosins, What think you? Will not these good people be willing that I put them to a further trouble? I find their ability and art is excellent: and why should I doubt of their condescension to my desire? Your majesty need not, replied the archbishop; and doctor Cosins seconded him. We know they will fulfil your commands in all things in their powers. Well, said the king, let me tell you. I often read the books of Kings and Chronicles, as is befitting a king: but in many things I find some seeming contradictions; and one book saith more, and the other less, many circumstances the latter being a supply to the former. Now I seeing this judicious and well-contrived book of the Four Evangelists, I gladly would have these skilful

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persons to make me another book that might so be ordered, that I might read these stories of Kings and Chronicles so interwoven by them, as if one pen had written the whole books; and to make it a complete history altogether: yet so again ordering the matter, that I may also read them severally and apart, if I would. I have often spoken to many of my chaplains about this thing; but they have excused themselves from it as a difficult work, and they not skilful in that way.—Let your majesty rest contented, and doubt not, but with the best expedition that can be, the thing shall be done as you intimate. Doctor Cosins shall acquaint them speedily with your majesty's pleasure.

104. So intimation was given them at Gidding of this thing: and they with all care and diligence instantly set about it. And thus was this second work (as you see in the ensuing title), begun and finished in a year's time. And what happened in the presenting and acceptation of it, you shall find by the ensuing discourse that follows upon it.

2. The second work done at Little Gidding, whereof the title is as you see, was in the time of twelve months finished; and the proceedings that happened thereupon, here ensueth.

105. The king's most excellent majesty having in the interim often demanded when the book would be done, saying the time seemed long unto him till he saw it: it being now sent up to London, my

lord of Canterbury understanding so much by Dr. Cosins1 and one Mr. Ramsay, that had married one of the daughters of the family, he being a minister, desired it might be brought such a day to court. My lord took it, and perused it, and to admiration beheld it, saying, Here is a masterpiece indeed in all kinds, inside and outside, all performed by those judicious heads and active hands of Little Gidding. Sure these, and the like works they intend, deserve to make it alter its name from Parva to Magna. Come, said he, let us go to the king, who, I am sure, will bid us welcome for this royal present.

106. At their coming into the room where the king was, he seeing my lord of Canterbury to have a stately great book in his two hands, presently rose out of his chair where he was sitting, many lords then standing round about him: What, said he, shall I now enjoy that rich jewel I have thus long desired? Have you, my lord, brought me my book? Yea, sir, replied the bishop of Canterbury. Give it me; give it me, said the king. Your expectations, sir, said he, are not only performed, but out of doubt many ways surpassed. For my own part, I wonder at the work, and all the parts of

1 To this occasion must be referred an anecdote in Baker's MS. XXXV, 422. "When this last book was sent up, there was a letter sent up with it to Dr. Cosins. He shewing it to the king, his Majesty said, It was one of the best he ever saw in its kind, which did character the master of it to be a man of rare parts every way.”