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 INTRODUCTION.

I. REPORTS OF VENETIAN AMBASSADORS.

A DESCRIPTION OF CARDINAL WOLSEY.

Sebastian Giusiniani to the Senate, September 10th, 1519.

The Cardinal of York is the same as he whom I have styled Orion, in a work composed by me. He is of low origin and has two brothers, one of whom holds an untitled benefice, and the other is pushing his fortune. He rules both the king and the entire kingdom. On my first arrival in England he used to say to me, "His majesty will do so and so." Subsequently, by degrees, he forgot himself, and commenced saying, "We shall do so and so." At this present he has reached such a pitch that he says, "I shall do so and so." He is about forty-six years old, very handsome, learned, extremely eloquent, of vast ability