bt as to this half-decade's
being genuinely by Livy: in the first place that of the diction itself,
which in all features recalls its author: secondly that of the arguments
or epitomes of Floras, which correspond exactly with these books.

And so, knowing that there is no kind of reading more fitting for men of
note than that of the historians, of whom Livy is easily the chief (I
speak of the Roman historians), particularly as we have nothing of
Sallust beyond two fragments, and bearing in mind what an insatiable
glutton, so to speak, your father has always been for history (and I
doubt not that you resemble him in this also): I thought I should not be
acting incongruously in publishing these five books with a special
dedication to you. Although in this point I should not wish you to
resemble your father too closely. He is in the way of poring over his
books every day from dinner until midnight, which is wearisome to his
wife and attendants and a cause of much grumbling among the servants; so
far he has been able to do this without loss of health; still, I do not
think it wise for you to take the same risk, which may not turn out as
successfully. Certainly when your father was studying along with the
present king while still a young man, they read chiefly history, with
the strong approval of his father Henry VII, a king of remarkable
judgement and good sense.

Joined to this edition is the Chronology of Henry Glareanus, a man of
exquisite and many-sided learning, whose indefatigable industry refines,
adorns and enriches with the liberal disciplines not the renowned
Gymnasium at Freiburg alone, but this whole region as well. The
Chronology shows the order of events, the details of the wars, and the
names of persons, in which up till now there has reigned astonishing
confusion, brought about through the fault of the scribes and dabblers
in learning. Yet this was the sole guiding light of history! Without
this Pole star our navigation on the ocean of history is completely
blind: and without this thread to help him, the reader becomes involved
in an inextricable maze, learned though he be, in these labyrinths of
events. If you consider your letter well repaid by this gift, it will
now be your turn to write me a letter. Farewell.

XXII. TO BARTHOLOMEW LATOMUS[116]

Basle, 24 August 1535

To Bartholomew Latomus, greetings:

... In apologizing for your silence you are wasting your time, believe
me; I am not in the hab