EXCELLENT LORD-Solomon says:a good name is as a precious ointment;and I assure my self, such will your Grace's name be, with posterity. For your fortune, and merit both, have been eminent.And you have planted things, that are like to last I do now publish my essays;which, of all my other works, have been most current:for that, as it seems, they come home, to men's business, and bosoms.I have enlarged them, both in number, and weight;so that they are indeed a new work.I thought it therefore agreeable, to my affection, and obligation to your Grace, to prefix your name before them, both in English, and in Latin.For I do conceive, that the Latin volume of them(being in the universal language)may last, as long as books last My Instaration, I dedicated to the King:my History of Henry the Seventh(which I have now also translated into Latin)and my portions of Natural History, to the Prince:and these I dedicate to your Grace;being of the best fruits, that by the good increase, which God gives to my pen and labours, I could yield.God lead your Grace by the hand.
Your Grace's most obliged and faithful servant
FRANCIS ST ALBAN