THE chief materials for the biography of Archbishop Cranmer are to be found in Foxe,-in Burnet's History of the Reformation,-in Strype's Life of Cranmer, and in his Ecclesiastical Memorials. Some additional particulars may be derived from other histories of that period, both ecclesiastical and general. The Life of the archbishop by Gilpin is but a slight performance; and, besides, it does not possess the advantage of any reference to authorities. The recent work of Mr. Todd, on the same subject, is extremely valuable for its faithfulness and accuracy; as, also, for some important documents and letters with which it has been enriched by the indefatigable patience and industry of its author.
The object of the following attempt has been to collect into a compendious narrative the substance of more voluminous compilations; and to present it to the British public in a manner which may enable them duly to estimate their obligations to the great master builder of the Protestant Church of England.
There is reason to hope that, previously to the