e
that moued me thereto hath (in part) yer this beene signified vnto your
good Lordship.

Whereas therefore, that worthie Citizen _Reginald Wolfe_, late Printer to
the Queenes Maiestie, a man well knowne and beholden to your Honour, meant
in his life time to publish an vniuersall Cosmographie of the whole world,
and therwith also certaine particular histories of euery knowne nation,
amongst other whom he purposed to vse for performance of his intent in
that behalfe, he procured me to take in hand the collection of those
histories; and hauing proceeded so far in the same, as little wanted to
the accomplishment of that long promised worke, it pleased God to call him
to his mercie, after fiue and twentie yeares trauell spent therein; so
that by his vntimelie deceasse, no hope remained to see that performed,
which we had so long trauelled about. Neuerthelesse, those whom he put in
trust to dispose his things after his departure hence, wishing to the
benefit of others, that some fruit might follow of that whereabout he had
imployed so long time, willed me to continue mine endeuour for their
furtherance in the same. Which, although I was redie to doo, so far as
mine abilitie would reach, and the rather to answere that trust which the
deceassed reposed in me, to see it brought to some perfection; yet when
the volume grew so great, as they that were to defraie the charges for the
impression, were not willing to go through with the whole, they resolued
first to publish the histories of England, Scotland, and Ireland, with
their descriptions; which descriptions, bicause they were not in such
readinesse as those of forren countries, they were inforced to vse the
helpe of other better able to doo it than my selfe.

Moreouer, the Charts wherein _Maister Wolfe_ spent a great part of his
time were not found so complet as we wished: and againe, vnderstanding of
the great charges and notable enterprise of that worthie Gentleman maister
_Thomas Sackford_, in procuring the Charts of the seuerall prouinces of
this realme to be set foorth, we are in hope that in time he will
delineate this whole land so perfectlie, as shall be comparable or beyond
anie delineation heretofore made of anie other region; and therefore leaue
that to his well deserued praise. If any well willer will imitate him in
so praiseworthie a work for the two other regions, we will be glad to
further his endeauour with all the helpes we may.

The histories I haue gather