“Thank you for your new History, which I have read with great attention, great pleasure, and great advantage. It places Wolsey in a worse light than that in which Cavendish had led me to view him; but Cavendish saw only the better parts of his character, and was necessarily ignorant of the crooked policy which you have exposed. I am pleased to see how nearly your estimate of Harry’s character accords with mine; and not less pleased to think that my inquiries should have in some degree stimulated you to undertake and accomplish so great an undertaking as this volume. I could wish that the style had in some places been less ambitious.
“On Wednesday next I shall write to the Speaker, and
lay down my M.P.-ship. No temptation that could have been offered would have
induced me to sacrifice the leisure and tranquillity of a studious and private
life. Free from ambition I cannot pretend to be, but what ambition I have is
not of an ordinary kind: rank, and power, and office I would decline without a
moment’s hesitation, were they proffered for my acceptance; and for
riches, if I ever perceive the shadow of a wish for them, it is not for their
own sake, but as they would facilitate my pursuits, and render locomotion less
inconvenient. The world, thank God, has little hold on me. I would fain
persuade myself that even the desire of posthumous
| 272 | LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE | Ætat. 52. |
“I hope and trust you will find courage and health to go on till the end of Elizabeth’s reign,—a reign in which I am sure you will make great discoveries. Remember me most kindly to your family, and believe me always,
