painter, but as exceptionally good in the art of illuminating, so that it is extremely probable that a number of the miniatures still in existence, representing Henry, his wives, and members of his Court, which though very excellent, have not the brilliance of execution and the unfailing insight into character which mark the few genuine miniatures by Holbein, were the work of the members of this family. Guicciardini published his book only twenty-four years after Holbein’s death, so that his account of the position they occupied at Henry’s court, and the estimation in which they were held in England, borne out as it is by the royal accounts, is evidently an accurate one. Footnote 482: Quoted by Woltmann from Van Mander, i. p. 407; English translation, p. 370. Further confirmation of the fact that Holbein was famous for his skill in miniature painting during his residence in England is to be found in a manuscript “Treatise concerning the Arte of Limning,” which was written, at the request of Richard Haydock, by Nicholas Hilliard, the first and one of the finest of English native-born miniature painters, who was born in all probability in 1537, and so was a boy of six when Holbein died, and based his art on Holbein’s own practice. This treatise, which was first published in its entirety by Dr. Philip Norman in the first annual volume of the Walpole Society, 1911-12, from the original manuscript in the Edinburgh University Library, was probably written by Hilliard between 1598-1602. The manuscript, which is not in the miniaturist’s own hand, is dated 18th March 1624. In it Hilliard extols “King Henry the eight a Prince of exquisit jugment and Royall bounty, soe that of cuning stranger even the best resorted unto him, and removed from other courts to his. Amongst whom came the most excelent Painter and limner Master Haunce Holbean the greatest Master Truly in both thosse arts after the liffe that ever was, so Cuning in both together and the neatest; and therewithall a good inventor, soe compleat for all three, as I never heard of any better then hee. Yet had the King in wages for limning Divers others, but Holbean’s maner of limning I have ever imitated and howld it for the best, by Reason that of truth all the rare Siences especially the arts of Carving, Painting, Goudsmiths, Imbroderers, together with the most of all the liberall Siences came first unto us from the strangers, and generally they are the best and most in number. I heard Kinsard [Ronsard?] the great French poet on a time say, that the Ilands indeed seldome bring forth any Cunning man, but when they Doe it is in high perfection; so then I hope there maie come out of this ower land such a one, this being the greatest and most famous Iland of Europe.”[483] Footnote 483: Quoted by Holmes, _Burlington Magazine_, vol. viii., January 1906, p. 229. See also _Walpole Society_, vol. i., 1912, pp. 18-19. [Sidenote: “MINIATURA, OR ART OF LIMNING”]