king, it was told him that, though it were
then fairly bound up in _purple velvet_, that the outside
was not fully finished, as it should be, for the prince's
use and better liking. 'Well,' said the king, 'it is very
well done.' So he opened the book, the prince standing at
the table's end, and the Palsgrave and Duke on each side of
the king. The king read the title page and frontispice all
over very deliberately; and well viewing the form of it, how
adorned with _a stately garnish of pictures, &c._, and the
curiousness of the writing of it, said, 'Charles, here is a
book that contains excellent things. This will make you both
wise and good.' Then he proceeded to turn it over, leaf by
leaf, and took exact notice of all in it: and it being _full
of pictures of sundry mens cuts_, he could tell the
palsgrave, who seemed also to be knowing in that kind, that
this and this, and that and that, were of such a man's
graving and invention. The prince all the while greatly eyed
all things; and seemed much to be pleased with the book. The
king having spent some hours in the perusal of it, and
demanding many questions was occasion as, concerning the
contrivement, and having received answers to all he
demanded, at length said, 'It was only _a jewel for a
Prince_, and hoped CHARLES would make good use of it: and I
see and find, by what I have myself received formerly from
this good house, that they go on daily in the prosecution of
these excellent pieces. They are brave employments of their
time.' The Palsgrave said to the prince, 'Sir, your father
the king is master of the goodliest ship in the world, and I
may now say you will be master of the GALLANTEST GREATEST
BOOK in the world: for I never saw _such paper_ before; and
believe there is no book of this largeness to be seen in
Christendom.' 'The paper and the book in all conditions,'
said the king, 'I believe it not to be matched. Here hath
also in this book not wanted, you see, skill, care, nor
cost.' 'It is a most admirable piece,' replied the Duke of
Richmond. So the king, closing the book, said, 'Charles,
this is yours.' He replied, 'But, Sir, shall I not now have
it with me?' Reply was made by one of the family, 'If it
please your highness, the book is not _on the outside so
finish