hed works are very rare. He apparently had more taste for helping
others to literary fame than for appearing himself in Athene's arena.
Harrison's interesting reference to Seckford (to whom Harrison dedicated
the Description of Scotland as well) is as follows:--

"Thus haue I finished the description of such riuers and streames as
fall into the Ocean, according to my purpose, although not in so
precise an order and manner of handling as I might, if information
promised had been accordinglie performed; or others would, if they
had taken the like in hand. But this will I saie of that which is
here done, that from the Solueie by west, which parteth England &
Scotland on that side, to the Twede which separateth the said
kingdoms on the east, if you go backeward, contrarie to the course of
my description, you shall find it so exact, as beside a verie few
by-riuers, you shall not need to vse any further aduise for the
finding and falles of the aforesaid streames. _For such hath beene my
help of maister Sackfords cardes, and conference with other men about
these_, that I dare pronounce them to be perfect and exact.
Furthermore, this I have also to remember, that in the courses of our
streames, I regard not so much to name the verie towne or church, as
the limits of the paroch. And therefore if I saie it goeth by such a
towne, I thinke my dutie discharged, if I hit vpon anie part or
parcell of the paroch. This also hath not a little troubled me, I
meane the euill writing of the names of manie townes and villages; of
which I have noted some one man, in the description of a riuer, to
write one towne two or three manner of waies, whereby I was inforced
to choose one (at adventure most commonlie) that seemed the likeliest
to be sound in mine opinion and iudgement.

"Finallie, whereas I minded to set downe an especiall chapter of
ports and creeks, lieng on ech coast of the English part of this Ile,
and had provided the same in such wise as I iudged most convenient,
it came to passe, that _the greater part of my labour was taken from
me by stealth_, and therefore as discouraged to meddle with that
argument, I would have giuen ouer to set downe anie thing thereof at
all, and so much the rather, for that I see it may prooue a spurre
vnto further mischeefe, as things come to passe in t