University of Virginia Library

This a lively and highly entertaining historical narrative of the reign of one of the
most marked of all the British sovereigns.

Grand, gloomy, tender, picturesque, exciting, sad, and true to fact, as well as true to
human nature.

The life and times of Henry VIII. are subjects of more interest and importance, not
only to the people of England, but to all men everywhere, than perhaps any other portion
of British history.

A happy medium betwixt the stately dignity of history, and the extravagance of romance.
Strict historic truth is gilded with the graces of fancy.

Mr. Herbert is a novelist of the historic school. He has here a subject better than fiction;
for no romancer ever conceived such a character and destiny as that of the young
and chivalrous Prince of England, turned Caliph, and accomplishing a religious revolution,
and raising himself to the supreme ecclesiastical authority, in the midst of a life of
cruelty, lust, and rapine, that has no parallel in civilized history.

Mr. Herbert has scarcely a superior as a historian. He is thorough and searching, displaying,
at every point, a deep study of his subject, and a strict regard for truth and
justice; while his style is such as to render his histories attractive to the popular class
of readers. We believe that one of the best gifts a historian can possess, is to be able to
interest the popular mind, without descending from the true standard of literary excellence.
In this respect Mr. Herbert is remarkably fortunate.

This is really one of the most valuable works which has been issued from the press for
a twelvemonth. It is written in a good-natured, fiction-like style, and yet all the historical
facts are carefully preserved.

This work is produced in superior style; the engravings of Henry and his Six Wives
are in the best style of art. The highest praise that we can offer to the author of this
work, is to say that Mr. Herbert has excelled himself; the style and manner should secure
it great popularity, and it is evident that the author has spared no pains in his researches,
to make the work a truthful and reliable one. We cordially recommend its perusal
to the reading public.

Scott has thrown around few of his female characters so much charm as Herbert invests
the “Six Wives” of the “most uxorious of husbands.”

This is no fiction. It is simply history of a peculiar and interesting period, compiled
from the best authorities; and to all students of English history, and especially to all
lovers of history who have not the leisure nor the opportunity to do more than read one
or more histories, the present volume will be of peculiar interest.