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+The Project Gutenberg EBook History of The United Netherlands, 1588
+#56 in our series by John Lothrop Motley
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+Title: History of the United Netherlands, 1588
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+Author: John Lothrop Motley
+
+Release Date: January, 2004  [EBook #4856]
+[Yes, we are more than one year ahead of schedule]
+[This file was first posted on April 5, 2002]
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+Edition: 10
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+*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HISTORY UNITED NETHERLANDS, 1588 ***
+
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+This eBook was produced by David Widger
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+[NOTE: There is a short list of bookmarks, or pointers, at the end of the
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+
+HISTORY OF THE UNITED NETHERLANDS
+From the Death of William the Silent to the Twelve Year's Truce--1609
+
+By John Lothrop Motley
+
+
+
+MOTLEY'S HISTORY OF THE NETHERLANDS, Project Gutenberg Edition, Vol. 56
+
+History of the United Netherlands, 1588
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII.  Part 2.
+
+     Dangerous Discord in North Holland--Leicester's Resignation arrives
+     --Enmity of Willoughby and Maurice--Willoughby's dark Picture of
+     Affairs--Hatred between States and Leicestrians--Maurice's Answer to
+     the Queen's Charges--End of Sonoy's Rebellion--Philip foments the
+     Civil War in France--League's Threats and Plots against Henry--Mucio
+     arrives in Paris--He is received with Enthusiasm--The King flies,
+     and Spain triumphs in Paris--States expostulate with the Queen--
+     English Statesmen still deceived--Deputies from Netherland Churches
+     --Hold Conference with the Queen--And present long Memorials--More
+     Conversations with the Queen--National Spirit of England and
+     Holland--Dissatisfaction with Queen's Course--Bitter Complaints of
+     Lord Howard--Want of Preparation in Army and Navy--Sanguine
+     Statements of Leicester--Activity of Parma--The painful Suspense
+     continues.
+
+
+But it is necessary-in order to obtain a complete picture of that famous
+year 1588, and to understand the cause from which such great events were
+springing--to cast a glance at the internal politics of the States most
+involved in Philip's meshes.
+
+Certainly, if there had ever been a time when the new commonwealth of the
+Netherlands should be both united in itself and on thoroughly friendly
+terms with England, it was exactly that epoch of which we are treating.
+There could be no reasonable doubt that the designs of Spain against
+England were hostile, and against Holland revengeful.  It was at least
+possible that Philip meant to undertake the conquest of England, and to
+undertake it as a stepping-stone to the conquest of Holland.  Both the
+kingdom and the republic should have been alert, armed, full of suspicion
+towards the common foe, full of confidence in each other.  What decisive
+blows might have been struck against Parma in the Netherlands, when his
+troops were starving, sickly, and mutinous, if the Hollanders and
+Englishmen had been united under one chieftain, and thoroughly convinced
+of the impossibility of peace!  Could the English and Dutch statesmen of
+that day have read all the secrets of their great enemy's heart, as it is
+our privilege at this hour to do, they would have known that in sudden
+and deadly strokes lay their best chance of salvation.  But, without that
+advantage, there were men whose sagacity told them that it was the hour
+for deeds and not for dreams.  For to Leicester and Walsingham, as well
+as to Paul Buys and Barneveld, peace with Spain seemed an idle vision.
+It was unfortunate that they were overruled by Queen Elizabeth and
+Burghley, who still clung to that delusion; it was still more disastrous
+that the intrigues of Leicester had done so much to paralyze the
+republic; it was almost fatal that his departure, without laying down his
+authority, had given the signal for civil war.
+
+During the winter, spring, and summer of 1588, while the Duke--in the
+face of mighty obstacles--was slowly proceeding with his preparations in
+Flanders, to co-operate with the armaments from Spain, it would have been
+possible by a combined movement to destroy his whole plan, to liberate
+all the Netherlands, and to avert, by one great effort, the ruin
+impending over England.  Instead of such vigorous action, it was thought
+wiser to send commissioners, to make protocols, to ask for armistices,
+to give profusely to the enemy that which he was most in need of--time.
+Meanwhile the Hollanders and English could quarrel comfortably among
+themselves, and the little republic, for want of a legal head, could come
+as near as possible to its dissolution.
+
+Young Maurice--deep thinker for his years and peremptory in action--was
+not the man to see his great father's life-work annihilated before his
+eyes, so long as he had an arm and brain of his own.  He accepted his
+position at the head of the government of Holland and Zeeland, and as
+chief of the war-party.  The council of state, mainly composed of
+Leicester's creatures, whose commissions would soon expire by their own
+limitation, could offer but a feeble resistance to such determined
+individuals as Maurice, Buys, and Barneveld.  The party made rapid
+progress.  On the other hand, the English Leicestrians did their best
+to foment discord in the Provinces.  Sonoy was sustained in his rebellion
+in North Holland, not only by the Earl's partizans, but by Elizabeth
+herself.  Her rebukes to Maurice, when Maurice was pursuing the only
+course which seemed to him consistent with honour and sound policy,
+were sharper than a sword.  Well might Duplessis Mornay observe, that
+the commonwealth had been rather strangled than embraced by the English
+Queen.  Sonoy, in the name of Leicester, took arms against Maurice and
+the States; Maurice marched against him; and Lord Willoughby, commander-
+in-chief of the English forces, was anxious to march against Maurice.
+It was a spectacle to make angels weep, that of Englishmen and Hollanders
+preparing to cut each other's throats, at the moment when Philip and
+Parma were bending all their energies to crush England and Holland at
+once.
+
+Indeed, the interregnum between the departure of Leicester and his
+abdication was diligently employed by his more reckless partizans to
+defeat and destroy the authority of the States.  By prolonging the
+interval, it was hoped that no government would be possible except the
+arbitrary rule of the Earl, or of a successor with similar views: for a
+republic--a free commonwealth--was thought an absurdity.  To entrust
+supreme power to advocates; merchants, and mechanics, seemed as hopeless
+as it was vulgar.  Willoughby; much devoted to Leicester and much
+detesting Barneveld, had small scruple in fanning the flames of discord.
+
+There was open mutiny against the States by the garrison of
+Gertruydenberg, and Willoughby's brother-in-law, Captain Wingfield,
+commanded in Gertruydenberg.  There were rebellious demonstrations in
+Naarden, and Willoughby went to Naarden.  The garrison was troublesome,
+but most of the magistrates were firm.  So Willoughby supped with the
+burgomasters, and found that Paul Buys had been setting the people
+against Queen Elizabeth, Leicester, and the whole English nation, making
+them all odious.  Colonel Dorp said openly that it was a shame for the
+country to refuse their own natural-born Count for strangers.  He swore
+that he would sing his song whose bread he had eaten.  A "fat militia
+captain" of the place, one Soyssons, on the other hand, privately
+informed Willoughby that Maurice and Barneveld were treating underhand
+with Spain.  Willoughby was inclined to believe the calumny, but feared
+that his corpulent friend would lose his head for reporting it.  Meantime
+the English commander did his best to strengthen the English party in
+their rebellion against the States.
+
+"But how if they make war upon us?"  asked the Leicestrians.
+
+"It is very likely," replied Willoughby, "that if they use violence you
+will have her Majesty's assistance, and then you who continue constant to
+the end will be rewarded accordingly.  Moreover, who would not rather be
+a horse-keeper to her Majesty, than a captain to Barneveld or Buys?"
+
+When at last the resignation of Leicester--presented to the States by
+Killegrew on the 31st March--seemed to promise comparative repose to the
+republic, the vexation of the Leicestrians was intense.  Their efforts.
+to effect a dissolution of the government had been rendered unsuccessful,
+when success seemed within their grasp.  "Albeit what is once executed
+cannot be prevented," said Captain Champernoun; "yet 'tis thought certain
+that if the resignation of Lord Leicester's commission had been deferred
+yet some little time; the whole country and towns would have so revolted
+and mutinied against the government and authority of the States, as that
+they should have had no more credit given them by the people than pleased
+her Majesty.  Most part of the people could see--in consequence of the
+troubles, discontent, mutiny of garrisons, and the like, that it was most
+necessary for the good success of their affairs that the power of the
+States should be abolished, and the whole government of his Excellency
+erected.  As these matters were busily working into the likelihood of
+some good effect, came the resignation of his Excellency's commission and
+authority, which so dashed the proceedings of it, as that all people and
+commanders well affected unto her Majesty and my Lord of Leicester are
+utterly discouraged.  The States, with their adherents, before they had
+any Lord's resignations were much perplexed what course to take, but now
+begin to hoist their heads."  The excellent Leicestrian entertained
+hopes, however; that mutiny and intrigue might still carry the day.
+He had seen the fat militiaman of Naarden and other captains, and,
+hoped much mischief from their schemes.  "The chief mutineers of
+Gertruydenberg," he said, "maybe wrought to send unto 'the States, that
+if they do not procure them some English governor, they will compound
+with the enemy, whereon the States shall be driven to request her Majesty
+to accept the place, themselves entertaining the garrison.  I know
+certain captains discontented with the States for arrears of pay, who
+will contrive to get into Naarden with their companies, with the States
+consent, who, once entered, will keep the place for their satisfaction,
+pay their soldiers out of the contributions of the country; and yet
+secretly hold the place at her Majesty's command."
+
+This is not an agreeable picture; yet it is but one out of many examples
+of the intrigues by which Leicester and his party were doing their best
+to destroy the commonwealth of the Netherlands at a moment when its
+existence was most important to that of England.
+
+To foment mutiny in order to subvert the authority of Maurice, was not
+a friendly or honourable course of action either towards Holland or
+England; and it was to play into the hands of Philip as adroitly as
+his own stipendiaries could have done.
+
+With mischief-makers like Champernoun in every city, and with such
+diplomatists at Ostend as Croft and Ropers and Valentine Dale, was it
+wonderful that the King and the Duke of Parma found time to mature their
+plans for the destruction of both countries?
+
+Lord Willoughby, too, was extremely dissatisfied with his own position.
+He received no commission from the Queen for several months.  When it at
+last reached him, it seemed inadequate, and he became more sullen than
+ever.  He declared that he would rather serve the Queen as a private
+soldier, at his own expense--"lean as his purse was"--than accept the
+limited authority conferred on him.  He preferred to show his devotion
+"in a beggarly state, than in a formal show."  He considered it beneath
+her Majesty's dignity that he should act in the field under the States,
+but his instructions forbade his acceptance of any office from that body
+but that of general in their service.  He was very discontented, and more
+anxious than ever to be rid of his functions.  Without being extremely
+ambitious, he was impatient of control.  He desired not "a larger-shaped
+coat," but one that fitted him better.  "I wish to shape my garment
+homely, after my cloth," he said, "that the better of my parish may not
+be misled by my sumptuousness.  I would live quietly, without great
+noise, my poor roof low and near the ground, not subject to be overblown
+with unlooked-for storms, while the sun seems most shining."
+
+Being the deadly enemy of the States and their leaders, it was a matter
+of course that he should be bitter against Maurice.  That young Prince,
+bold, enterprising, and determined, as he was, did not ostensibly meddle
+with political affairs more than became his years; but he accepted the
+counsels of the able statesmen in whom his father had trusted.  Riding,
+hunting, and hawking, seemed to be his chief delight at the Hague, in the
+intervals of military occupations.  He rarely made his appearance in the
+state-council during the winter, and referred public matters to the
+States-General, to the States of Holland, to Barneveld, Buys, and
+Hohenlo.  Superficial observers like George Gilpin regarded him as a
+cipher; others, like Robert Cecil, thought him an unmannerly schoolboy;
+but Willoughby, although considering him insolent and conceited, could
+not deny his ability.  The peace partisans among the burghers--a very
+small faction--were furious against him, for they knew that Maurice of
+Nassau represented war.  They accused of deep designs against the
+liberties of their country the youth who was ever ready to risk his life
+in their defence.  A burgomaster from Friesland, who had come across the
+Zuyder Zee to intrigue against the States' party, was full of spleen at
+being obliged to dance attendance for a long time at the Hague.  He
+complained that Count Maurice, green of years, and seconded by greener
+counsellors, was meditating the dissolution of the state-council, the
+appointment of a new board from his own creatures, the overthrow of all
+other authority, and the assumption of the, sovereignty of Holland and
+Zeeland, with absolute power.  "And when this is done;" said the rueful
+burgomaster, "he and his turbulent fellows may make what terms they like
+with Spain, to the disadvantage of the Queen and of us poor wretches."
+
+But there was nothing farther from the thoughts of the turbulent fellows
+than any negotiations with Spain.  Maurice was ambitious enough, perhaps,
+but his ambition ran in no such direction.  Willoughby knew better; and
+thought that by humouring the petulant young man it might be possible to
+manage him.
+
+"Maurice is young," he said, "hot-headed; coveting honour.  If we do but
+look at him through our fingers, without much words, but with providence
+enough, baiting his hook a little to his appetite, there is no doubt but
+he might be caught and kept in a fish-pool; while in his imagination he
+may judge it a sea.  If not, 'tis likely he will make us fish in troubled
+waters."
+
+Maurice was hardly the fish for a mill-pond even at that epoch, and it
+might one day be seen whether or not he could float in the great ocean
+of events.  Meanwhile, he swam his course without superfluous gambols or
+spoutings.
+
+The commander of her Majesty's forces was not satisfied with the States,
+nor their generals, nor their politicians.  "Affairs are going 'a malo in
+pejus,'" he said.  "They embrace their liberty as apes their young.  To
+this end are Counts Hollock and Maurice set upon the stage to entertain
+the popular sort.  Her Majesty and my Lord of Leicester are not
+forgotten.  The Counts are in Holland, especially Hollock, for the other
+is but the cipher.  And yet I can assure you Maurice hath wit and spirit
+too much for his time."
+
+As the troubles of the interregnum increased Willoughby was more
+dissatisfied than ever with the miserable condition of the Provinces,
+but chose to ascribe it to the machinations of the States' party,
+rather than to the ambiguous conduct of Leicester.  "These evils,"
+he said, "are especially, derived from the childish ambition of the
+young Count Maurice, from the covetous and furious counsels of the proud
+Hollanders, now chief of the States-General, and, if with pardon it may
+be said, from our slackness and coldness to entertain our friends.  The
+provident and wiser sort--weighing what a slender ground the appetite of
+a young man is, unfurnished with the sinews of war to manage so great a
+cause--for a good space after my Lord of Leicester's departure, gave him
+far looking on, to see him play has part on the stage."
+
+Willoughby's spleen caused him to mix his metaphors more recklessly than
+strict taste would warrant, but his violent expressions painted the
+relative situation of parties more vividly than could be done by a calm
+disquisition.  Maurice thus playing his part upon the stage--as the
+general proceeded to observe--"was a skittish horse, becoming by little
+and little assured of what he had feared, and perceiving the harmlessness
+thereof; while his companions, finding no safety of neutrality in so
+great practices, and no overturning nor barricado to stop his rash wilded
+chariot, followed without fear; and when some of the first had passed the
+bog; the rest, as the fashion is, never started after.  The variable
+democracy; embracing novelty, began to applaud their prosperity; the base
+and lewdest sorts of men, to whom there is nothing more agreeable than
+change of estates, is a better monture to degrees than their merit, took
+present hold thereof.  Hereby Paul Buys, Barneveld, and divers others,
+who were before mantled with a tolerable affection, though seasoned with
+a poisoned intention, caught the occasion, and made themselves the
+Beelzebubs of all these mischiefs, and, for want of better angels, spared
+not to let fly our golden-winged ones in the name of guilders, to prepare
+the hearts and hands that hold money more dearer than honesty, of which
+sort, the country troubles and the Spanish practices having suckled up
+many, they found enough to serve their purpose.  As the breach is safely
+saltable where no defence is made, so they, finding no head, but those
+scattered arms that were disavowed, drew the sword with Peter, and gave
+pardon with the Pope, as you shall plainly perceive by the proceedings
+at Horn.  Thus their force; fair words, or corruption, prevailing
+everywhere, it grew to this conclusion--that the worst were encouraged
+with their good success, and the best sort assured of no fortune or
+favour."
+
+Out of all this hubbub of stage-actors, skittish horses, rash wilded
+chariots, bogs, Beelzebubs, and golden-winged angels, one truth was
+distinctly audible; that Beelzebub, in the shape of Barneveld, had been
+getting the upper hand in the Netherlands, and that the Lecestrians were
+at a disadvantage.  In truth those partisans were becoming extremely
+impatient.  Finding themselves deserted by their great protector, they
+naturally turned their eyes towards Spain, and were now threatening to
+sell themselves to Philip.  The Earl, at his departure, had given them
+privately much encouragement.  But month after month had passed by while
+they were waiting in vain for comfort.  At last the "best"--that is to
+say, the unhappy Leicestrians--came to Willoughby, asking his advice in
+their "declining and desperate cause."
+
+"Well nigh a month longer," said that general, "I nourished them with
+compliments, and assured them that my Lord of Leicester would take care
+of them."  The diet was not fattening.  So they began to grumble more
+loudly than ever, and complained with great bitterness of the miserable
+condition in which they had been left by the Earl, and expressed their
+fears lest the Queen likewise meant to abandon them.  They protested that
+their poverty, their powerful foes, and their slow friends, would.
+compel them either to make their peace with the States' party, or
+"compound with the enemy."
+
+It would have seemed that real patriots, under such circumstances, would
+hardly hesitate in their choice, and would sooner accept the dominion of
+"Beelzebub," or even Paul Buys, than that of Philip II.  But the
+Leicestrians of Utrecht and Friesland--patriots as they were--hated
+Holland worse than they hated the Inquisition.  Willoughby encouraged
+them in that hatred.  He assured him of her Majesty's affection for them,
+complained of the factious proceedings of the States, and alluded to the
+unfavourable state of the weather, as a reason why--near four months
+long--they had not received the comfort out of England which they had a
+right to expect.  He assured them that neither the Queen nor Leicester
+would conclude this honourable action, wherein much had been hazarded,
+"so rawly and tragically" as they seemed to fear, and warned them, that
+"if they did join with Holland, it would neither ease nor help them, but
+draw them into a more dishonourable loss of their liberties; and that,
+after having wound them in, the Hollanders would make their own peace
+with the enemy."
+
+It seemed somewhat unfair-while the Queen's government was straining
+every nerve to obtain a peace from Philip, and while the Hollanders were
+obstinately deaf to any propositions for treating--that Willoughby should
+accuse them of secret intentions to negotiate.  But it must be confessed
+that faction has rarely worn a more mischievous aspect than was presented
+by the politics of Holland and England in the winter and spring of 1588.
+
+Young Maurice was placed in a very painful position.  He liked not to be
+"strangled in the great Queen's embrace;" but he felt most keenly the
+necessity of her friendship, and the importance to both countries of a
+close alliance.  It was impossible for him, however, to tolerate the
+rebellion of Sonoy, although Sonoy was encouraged by Elizabeth, or to fly
+in the face of Barneveld, although Barneveld was detested by Leicester.
+So with much firmness and courtesy, notwithstanding the extravagant
+pictures painted by Willoughby, he suppressed mutiny in Holland, while
+avowing the most chivalrous attachment to the sovereign of England.
+
+Her Majesty expressed her surprise and her discontent, that,
+notwithstanding his expressions of devotion to herself, he should
+thus deal with Sonoy, whose only crime was an equal devotion.  "If you
+do not behave with more moderation in future," she said, "you may believe
+that we are not a princess of so little courage as not to know how to
+lend a helping hand to those who are unjustly oppressed.  We should be
+sorry if we had cause to be disgusted with your actions, and if we were
+compelled to make you a stranger to the ancient good affection which we
+bore to your late father, and have continued towards yourself."
+
+But Maurice maintained a dignified attitude, worthy of his great father's
+name.  He was not the man to crouch like Leicester, when he could no
+longer refresh himself in the "shadow of the Queen's golden beams,"
+important as he knew her friendship to be to himself and his country.
+So he defended himself in a manly letter to the privy council against the
+censures of Elizabeth.  He avowed his displeasure, that, within his own
+jurisdiction, Sonoy should give a special oath of obedience to Leicester;
+a thing never done before in the country, and entirely illegal.  It would
+not even be tolerated in England, he said, if a private gentleman should
+receive a military appointment in Warwickshire or Norfolk without the
+knowledge of the lord-lieutenant of the shire.  He had treated the
+contumacious Sonoy with mildness during a long period, but without
+effect.  He had abstained from violence towards him, out of reverence to
+the Queen, under whose sacred name he sheltered himself.  Sonoy had not
+desisted, but had established himself in organized rebellion at
+Medenblik, declaring that he would drown the whole country, and levy
+black-mail upon its whole property, if he were not paid one hundred
+thousand crowns.  He had declared that he would crush Holland like a
+glass beneath his feet.  Having nothing but religion in his mouth, and
+protecting himself with the Queen's name, he had been exciting all the
+cities of North Holland to rebellion, and bringing the poor people to
+destruction.  He had been offered money enough to satisfy the most
+avaricious soldier in the world, but he stood out for six years' full
+pay for his soldiers, a demand with which it was impossible to comply.
+It was necessary to prevent him from inundating the land and destroying
+the estates of the country gentlemen and the peasants.  "This gentlemen,"
+said Maurice, "is the plain truth; nor do I believe that you will sustain
+against me a man who was under such vast obligations to my late father,
+and who requites his debt by daring to speak of myself as a rascal; or
+that you will countenance his rebellion against a country to which he
+brought only, his cloak and sword, and, whence he has filched one hundred
+thousand crowns.  You will not, I am sure, permit a simple captain, by
+his insubordination to cause such mischief, and to set on fire this and
+other Provinces.
+
+"If, by your advice," continued the Count; "the Queen should appoint
+fitting' personages to office here--men who know what honour is; born
+of illustrious and noble-race, or who by their great virtue have been
+elevated to the honours of the kingdom--to them I will render an account
+of my actions.  And it shall appear that I have more ability and more
+desire to do my duty, to her Majesty than those who render her lip-
+service only, and only make use of her sacred name to fill their purses,
+while I and, mine have been ever ready to employ our lives, and what
+remains of our fortunes, in the cause of God, her Majesty, and our
+country."
+
+Certainly no man had a better right: to speak with consciousness of the
+worth of race than the son of William the Silent, the nephew of Lewis,
+Adolphus, and Henry of Nassau,  who had all laid down their lives for
+the liberty of their country.  But Elizabeth continued to threaten the
+States-General, through the mouth of Willoughby, with the loss of her
+protection, if they should continue thus to requite her favours with
+ingratitude and insubordination: and Maurice once more respectfully but
+firmly replied that Sonoy's rebellion could not and would not be
+tolerated; appealing boldly to her sense of justice, which was the
+noblest attribute of kings.
+
+At last the Queen informed Willoughby, that--as the cause of Sonoy's
+course seemed to be his oath of obedience to Leicester, whose resignation
+of office had not yet been received in the Netherlands--she had now
+ordered Councillor Killigrew to communicate the fact of that resignation.
+She also wrote to Sonoy, requiring him to obey the States and Count
+Maurice, and to accept a fresh commission from them, or at least to
+surrender Medenblik, and to fulfil all their orders with zeal and
+docility.
+
+This act of abdication by Leicester, which had been received on the 22nd
+of January by the English envoy, Herbert, at the moment of his departure
+from the Netherlands, had been carried back by him to England, on the
+ground that its communication to the States at that moment would cause
+him inconveniently to postpone his journey.  It never officially reached
+the States-General until the 31st of March, so that this most dangerous
+crisis was protracted nearly five months long--certainly without
+necessity or excuse--and whether through design, malice, wantonness,
+or incomprehensible carelessness, it is difficult to say.
+
+So soon as the news reached Sonoy, that contumacious chieftain found his
+position untenable, and he allowed the States' troops to take possession
+of Medenblik, and with it the important territory of North Holland.
+
+Maurice now saw himself undisputed governor.  Sonoy was in the course of
+the summer deprived of all office, and betook himself to England.  Here
+he was kindly received by the Queen, who bestowed upon him a ruined
+tower, and a swamp among the fens of Lincolnshire.  He brought over some
+of his countrymen, well-skilled in such operations, set himself to
+draining and dyking, and hoped to find himself at home and comfortable in
+his ruined tower.  But unfortunately, as neither he nor his wife,
+notwithstanding their English proclivities, could speak a word of the
+language; they found their social enjoyments very limited.  Moreover,
+as his work-people were equally without the power of making their wants
+understood, the dyking operations made but little progress.  So the
+unlucky colonel soon abandoned his swamp, and retired to East Friesland,
+where he lived a morose and melancholy life on a pension of one thousand
+florins, granted him by the States of Holland, until the year 1597, when
+he lost his mind, fell into the fire, and thus perished.
+
+And thus; in the Netherlands, through hollow negotiations between enemies
+and ill-timed bickerings among friends, the path of Philip and Parma had
+been made comparatively smooth during the spring and early summer of
+1588.  What was the aspect of affairs in Germany and France?
+
+The adroit capture of Bonn by Martin Schenk had given much trouble.
+Parma was obliged to detach a strong force; under Prince Chimay, to
+attempt the recovery of that important place, which--so long as it
+remained in the power of the States--rendered the whole electorate
+insecure and a source of danger to the Spanish party.  Farnese
+endeavoured in vain to win back the famous partizan by most liberal
+offers, for he felt bitterly the mistake he had made in alienating so
+formidable a freebooter.  But the truculent Martin remained obdurate and
+irascible.  Philip, much offended that the news of his decease had proved
+false, ordered rather than requested the Emperor Rudolph to have a care
+that nothing was done in Germany to interfere with the great design upon
+England.  The King gave warning that he would suffer no disturbance from
+that quarter, but certainly the lethargic condition of Germany rendered
+such threats superfluous.  There were riders enough, and musketeers
+enough, to be sold to the highest bidder.  German food for powder was
+offered largely in the market to any foreign consumer, for the trade in
+their subjects', lives was ever a prolific source of revenue to the petty
+sovereigns--numerous as the days of the year--who owned Germany and the
+Germans.
+
+The mercenaries who had so recently been, making their inglorious
+campaign in France had been excluded from that country at the close of
+1587, and furious were the denunciations of the pulpits and the populace
+of Paris that the foreign brigands who had been devastating the soil of
+France, and attempting to oppose the decrees of the Holy Father of Rome,
+should; have made their escape so easily.  Rabid Lincestre and other
+priests and monks foamed with rage, as they execrated and anathematized
+the devil-worshipper Henry of Valois, in all the churches of that
+monarch's capital.  The Spanish ducats were flying about, more profusely
+than ever, among the butchers and porters, and fishwomen, of the great
+city; and Madam League paraded herself in the day-light with still
+increasing insolence.  There was scarcely a pretence at recognition of
+any authority, save that of Philip and Sixtus.  France had become a
+wilderness--an uncultivated, barbarous province of Spain.  Mucio--Guise
+had been secretly to Rome, had held interviews with the Pope and
+cardinals, and had come back with a sword presented by his Holiness,
+its hilt adorned with jewels, and its blade engraved with tongues of
+fire.  And with this flaming sword the avenging messenger of the holy
+father was to smite the wicked, and to drive them into outer darkness.
+
+And there had been fresh conferences among the chiefs of the sacred
+League within the Lorraine territory, and it was resolved to require of
+the Valois an immediate extermination of heresy and heretics throughout
+the kingdom, the publication of the Council of Trent, and the formal
+establishment of the Holy Inquisition in every province of France.  Thus,
+while doing his Spanish master's bidding, the great Lieutenant of the
+league might, if he was adroit enough, to outwit Philip, ultimately carve
+out a throne for himself.
+
+Yet Philip felt occasional pangs of uneasiness lest there should, after
+all, be peace in France, and lest his schemes against Holland and England
+might be interfered with from that quarter.  Even Farnese, nearer the
+scene, could, not feel completely secure that a sudden reconciliation
+among contending factions might not give rise to a dangerous inroad
+across the Flemish border.  So Guise was plied more vigourously than ever
+by the Duke with advice and encouragement, and assisted with such Walloon
+carabineers as could be spared, while large subsidies and larger promises
+came from Philip, whose prudent policy was never to pay excessive sums,
+until the work contracted for was done.  "Mucio must do the job long
+since agreed upon," said Philip to Farnese, "and you and Mendoza must see
+that he prevents the King of France from troubling me in my enterprize
+against England."  If the unlucky Henry III. had retained one spark of
+intelligence, he would have seen that his only chance of rescue lay in
+the arm of the Bearnese, and in an honest alliance with England.  Yet
+so strong was his love for the monks, who were daily raving against him,
+that he was willing to commit any baseness, in order to win back their
+affection.  He was ready to exterminate heresy and to establish the
+inquisition, but he was incapable of taking energetic measures of any
+kind, even when throne and life were in imminent peril.  Moreover, he
+clung to Epernon and the 'politiques,' in whose swords he alone found
+protection, and he knew that Epernon and the 'politiques' were the
+objects of horror to Paris and to the League.  At the same time he looked
+imploringly towards England and towards the great Huguenot chieftain,
+Elizabeth's knight-errant.  He had a secret interview with Sir Edward
+Stafford, in the garden of the Bernardino convent, and importuned that
+envoy to implore the Queen to break off her negotiations with Philip, and
+even dared to offer the English ambassador a large reward, if such a
+result could be obtained.  Stafford was also earnestly, requested to
+beseech the Queen's influence with Henry of Navarre, that he should
+convert himself to Catholicism, and thus destroy the League.
+
+On the other hand, the magniloquent Mendoza, who was fond of describing
+himself as "so violent and terrible to the French that they wished to be
+rid of him," had--as usual--been frightening the poor King, who, after a
+futile attempt at dignity, had shrunk before the blusterings of the
+ambassador.  "This King," said Don Bernardino, "thought that he could
+impose, upon me and silence me, by talking loud, but as I didn't talk
+softly to him, he has undeceived himself .  .  .  . I have had another
+interview with him, and found him softer than silk, and he made me many
+caresses, and after I went out, he said that I was a very skilful
+minister."
+
+It was the purpose of the League to obtain possession of the King's
+person, and, if necessary, to dispose of the 'politiques' by a general
+massacre, such as sixteen years before had been so successful in the case
+of Coligny and the Huguenots.  So the populace--more rabid than ever--
+were impatient that their adored Balafre should come to Paris and begin
+the holy work.
+
+He came as far as Gonesse to do the job he had promised to Philip, but
+having heard that Henry had reinforced himself with four thousand Swiss
+from the garrison of Lagny, he fell back to Soissons.  The King sent him
+a most abject message, imploring him not to expose his sovereign to so
+much danger, by setting his foot at that moment in the capital.  The
+Balafre hesitated, but the populace raved and roared for its darling.
+The Queen-Mother urged her unhappy son to yield his consent, and the
+Montpensier--fatal sister of Guise, with the famous scissors ever at her
+girdle--insisted that her brother had as good a right as any man to come
+to the city.  Meantime the great chief of the 'politiques,' the hated and
+insolent Epernon, had been appointed governor of Normandy, and Henry had
+accompanied his beloved minion a part of the way towards Rouen.  A plot
+contrived by the Montpensier to waylay the monarch on his return, and to
+take him into the safe-keeping of the League, miscarried, for the King
+reentered the city before the scheme was ripe.  On the other hand,
+Nicholas Poulain, bought for twenty thousand crowns by the 'politiques,'
+gave the King and his advisers-full information of all these intrigues,
+and, standing in Henry's cabinet, offered, at peril of his life, if he
+might be confronted with the conspirators--the leaders of the League
+within the city--to prove the truth of the charges which he had made.
+
+For the whole city was now thoroughly organized.  The number of its
+districts had been reduced from sixteen to five, the better to bring it
+under the control of the League; and, while it could not be denied that
+Mucio, had, been doing his master's work very thoroughly, yet it was
+still in the power of the King--through the treachery of Poulain--to
+strike a blow for life and freedom, before he was quite, taken in the
+trap.  But he stood helpless, paralyzed, gazing in dreamy stupor--like
+one fascinated at the destruction awaiting him.
+
+At last, one memorable May morning, a traveller alighted outside the gate
+of Saint Martin, and proceeded on foot through the streets of Paris.  He
+was wrapped in a large cloak, which he held carefully over his face.
+When he had got as far as the street of Saint Denis, a young gentleman
+among the passers by, a good Leaguer, accosted the stranger, and with
+coarse pleasantry, plucked the cloak from his face, and the hat from his
+head.  Looking at the handsome, swarthy features, marked with a deep
+scar, and the dark, dangerous eyes which were then revealed, the
+practical jester at once recognized in the simple traveller the terrible
+Balafre, and kissed the hem of his garments with submissive rapture.
+Shouts of "Vive Guise" rent the air from all the bystanders, as the Duke,
+no longer affecting concealment, proceeded with a slow and stately step
+toward the residence of Catharine de' Medici.'  That queen of compromises
+and of magic had been holding many a conference with the leaders of both
+parties; had been increasing her son's stupefaction by her enigmatical
+counsels; had been anxiously consulting her talisman of goat's and human
+blood, mixed with metals melted under the influence of the star of her
+nativity, and had been daily visiting the wizard Ruggieri, in whose magic
+circle--peopled with a thousand fantastic heads--she had held high
+converse with the world of spirits, and derived much sound advice as to
+the true course of action to be pursued between her son and Philip, and
+between the politicians and the League.  But, in spite of these various
+sources of instruction, Catharine--was somewhat perplexed, now that
+decisive action seemed necessary--a dethronement and a new massacre
+impending, and judicious compromise difficult.  So after a hurried
+conversation with Mucio, who insisted on an interview with the King, she
+set forth for the Louvre, the Duke lounging calmly by the aide of her,
+sedan chair, on foot, receiving the homage of the populace, as men,
+women, and children together, they swarmed around him as he walked,
+kissing his garments, and rending the air with their shouts.  For that
+wolfish mob of Paris, which had once lapped the blood of ten thousand
+Huguenots in a single night, and was again rabid with thirst, was most
+docile and fawning to the great Balafre.  It grovelled before him, it
+hung upon his look, it licked his hand, and, at the lifting of his
+finger, or the glance of his eye, would have sprung at the throat of King
+or Queen-Mother, minister, or minion, and devoured them all before his
+eyes.  It was longing for the sign, for, much as Paris adored and was
+besotted with Guise and the League, even more, if possible, did it hate
+those godless politicians, who had grown fat on extortions from the poor,
+and who had converted their substance into the daily bread of luxury.
+
+Nevertheless the city was full of armed men, Swiss and German
+mercenaries, and burgher guards, sworn to fidelity to the throne.  The
+place might have been swept clean, at that moment, of rebels who were not
+yet armed or fortified in their positions.  The Lord had delivered Guise
+into Henry's hands.  "Oh, the madman!"--cried Sixtus V., when he heard
+that the Duke had gone to Paris, "thus to put himself into the clutches
+of the King whom he had so deeply offended!"  And, "Oh, the wretched
+coward, the imbecile?"  he added, when he heard how the King had dealt
+with his great enemy.
+
+For the monarch was in his cabinet that May morning, irresolutely
+awaiting the announced visit of the Duke.  By his aide stood Alphonse
+Corse, attached as a mastiff to his master, and fearing not Guise nor
+Leaguer, man nor devil.
+
+"Sire, is the Duke of Guise your friend or enemy?"  said Alphonse.  The
+King answered by an expressive shrug.
+
+"Say the word, Sire," continued Alphonse, "and I pledge myself to bring
+his head this instant, and lay it at your feet."
+
+And he would have done it.  Even at the side of Catharine's sedan chair,
+and in the very teeth of the worshipping mob, the Corsican would have had
+the Balafre's life, even though he laid down his own.
+
+But Henry--irresolute and fascinated--said it was not yet time for such a
+blow.
+
+Soon afterward; the Duke was announced.  The chief of the League and the
+last of the Valois met, face to face; but not for the last time.  The
+interview--was coldly respectful on the part of Mucio, anxious and
+embarrassed on that of the King.  When the visit, which was merely one
+of ceremony, was over, the Duke departed as he came, receiving the
+renewed homage of the populace as he walked to his hotel.
+
+That night precautions were taken.  All the guards were doubled around
+the palace and through the streets.  The Hotel de Ville and the Place de
+la Greve were made secure, and the whole city was filled with troops.
+But the Place Maubert was left unguarded, and a rabble rout--all night
+long--was collecting in that distant spot.  Four companies of burgher-
+guards went over to the League at three o'clock in the morning.  The rest
+stood firm in the cemetery of the Innocents, awaiting the orders of the
+King.  At day-break on the 11th the town was still quiet.  There was an
+awful pause of expectation.  The shops remained closed all the morning,
+the royal troops were drawn up in battle-array, upon the Greve and around
+the Hotel de Ville, but they stood motionless as statues, until the
+populace began taunting them with cowardice, and then laughing them to
+scorn.  For their sovereign lord and master still sat paralyzed in his
+palace.
+
+The mob had been surging through all the streets and lanes, until,
+as by a single impulse, chains were stretched across the streets, and
+barricades thrown up in all the principal thoroughfares.  About noon the
+Duke of Guise, who had been sitting quietly in his hotel, with a very few
+armed followers, came out into the street of the Hotel Montmorency, and
+walked calmly up and down, arm-in-aim with the Archbishop of Lyons,
+between a double hedge-row of spectators and admirers, three or four
+ranks thick.  He was dressed in a white slashed doublet and hose, and
+wore a very large hat.  Shouts of triumph resounded from a thousand
+brazen throats, as he moved calmly about, receiving, at every instant,
+expresses from the great gathering in the Place Maubert.
+
+"Enough, too much, my good friends," he said, taking off the great hat--
+("I don't know whether he was laughing in it," observed one who was
+looking on that day)--"Enough of 'Long live Guise!' Cry 'Long live the
+King!'"
+
+There was no response, as might be expected, and the people shouted more
+hoarsely than ever for Madam League and the Balafre.  The Duke's face was
+full of gaiety; there was not a shadow of anxiety upon it in that
+perilous and eventful moment.  He saw that the day was his own.
+
+For now, the people, ripe, ready; mustered, armed, barricaded; awaited
+but a signal to assault the King's mercenaries, before rushing to the
+palace: On every house-top missiles were provided to hurl upon their
+heads.  There seemed no escape for Henry or his Germans from impending
+doom, when Guise, thoroughly triumphant, vouchsafed them their lives.
+
+"You must give me these soldiers as a present, my friends," said he to
+the populace.
+
+And so the armed Swiss, French, and German troopers and infantry,
+submitted to be led out of Paris, following with docility the aide-de-
+camp of Guise, Captain St. Paul, who walked quietly before them, with his
+sword in its scabbard, and directing their movements with a cane.  Sixty
+of them were slain by the mob, who could not, even at the command of
+their beloved chieftain, quite forego their expected banquet.  But this
+was all the blood shed on the memorable day of Barricades, when another
+Bartholomew massacre had been, expected.
+
+Meantime; while Guise was making his promenade through the city,
+exchanging embraces with the rabble; and listening to the coarse
+congratulations and obscene jests of the porters and fishwomen, the poor
+King sat crying all day long in the Louvre.  The Queen-Mother was with
+him, reproaching him bitterly with his irresolution and want of
+confidences in her, and scolding him for his tears.  But the unlucky
+Henry only wept the more as he cowered in a corner.
+
+"These are idle tears," said Catherine.  "This is no time for crying.
+And for myself, though women weep so easily; I feel my heart too deeply
+wrung for tears.  If they came to my eyes they would be tears of blood."
+
+Next day the last Valois walked-out, of the Louvre; as if for a promenade
+in, the Tuileries, and proceeded straightway to the stalls, where his
+horse stood saddled.  Du Halde, his equerry, buckled his master's spurs
+on upside down.  "No; matter;" said Henry; "I am not riding to see my
+mistress.  I have a longer journey before me."
+
+And so, followed by a rabble rout of courtiers, without boots or cloaks;
+and mounted on, sorry hacks--the King-of France rode forth from his
+capital post-haste, and turning as he left the gates, hurled back
+impotent imprecations upon Paris and its mob.  Thenceforth, for a long
+interval, there: was no king in that country.  Mucio had done his work,
+and earned his wages, and Philip II. reigned in Paris.  The commands
+of the League were now complied with.  Heretics were doomed to
+extermination.  The edict of 19th July, 1588, was published with the most
+exclusive and stringent provisions that the most bitter Romanist could
+imagine, and, as a fair beginning; two young girls, daughters of Jacques
+Forcade, once 'procureur au parlement,' were burned in Paris, for the
+crime, of Protestantism.  The Duke of Guise was named Generalissimo of
+the Kingdom (26th August, 1588).  Henry gave in his submission to
+the Council of Trent, the edicts, the Inquisition, and the rest of
+the League's infernal machinery, and was formally reconciled.
+to Guise, with how much sincerity time was soon to show.
+
+     [The King bound himself by oath to extirpate heresy, to remove all
+     persons suspected of that crime from office, and never to lay down
+     arms so long as a single, heretic remained.  By secret articles,'two
+     armies against the Huguenots were agreed upon, one under the Duke of
+     Mayenne, the other under some general to be appointed by the grog.
+     The Council of Trent was forthwith to be proclaimed, and by a
+     refinement of malice the League stipulated that all officers
+     appointed in Paris by the Duke of Guise on the day after the
+     barricades should resign their powers, and be immediately re-
+     appointed by the King himself (DeThou, x.1.  86, pp. 324-325.)]
+
+Meantime Philip, for whom and at whose expense all this work had been
+done by he hands of the faithful Mucio, was constantly assuring his royal
+brother of France, through envoy Longlee, at Madrid, of his most
+affectionate friendship, and utterly repudiating all knowledge of these
+troublesome and dangerous plots.  Yet they had been especially organized
+--as we have seen--by himself and the Balafre, in order that France might
+be kept a prey to civil war, and thus rendered incapable of offering any
+obstruction to his great enterprise against England.  Any complicity of
+Mendoza, the Spanish ambassador in Paris, or, of the Duke of Parma, who
+were important agents in all these proceedings, with the Duke of Guise,
+was strenuously--and circumstantially--denied; and the Balafre, on the
+day of the barricades, sent Brissac to Elizabeth's envoy, Sir Edward
+Stafford, to assure him as to his personal safety; and as to the deep
+affection with which England and its Queen were regarded by himself and
+all his friends.  Stafford had also been advised to accept a guard for
+his house of embassy.  His reply was noble.
+
+"I represent the majesty of England," he said, "and can take no safeguard
+from a subject of the sovereign to whom I am accredited."
+
+To the threat of being invaded, and to the advice to close his gates, he
+answered, "Do you see these two doors? now, then, if I am attacked, I am
+determined to defend myself to the last drop of my blood, to serve as an
+example to the universe of the law of nations, violated in my person.  Do
+not imagine that I shall follow your advice.  The gates of an ambassador
+shall be open to all the world."
+
+Brissac returned with this answer to Guise, who saw that it was hopeless
+to attempt making a display in the eyes of Queen Elizabeth, but gave
+private orders that the ambassador should not be molested.
+
+Such were the consequences of the day of the barricades--and thus the
+path of Philip was cleared of all obstructions on, the part of France.
+His Mucio was now, generalissimo.  Henry was virtually deposed.  Henry of
+Navarre, poor and good-humoured as ever, was scarcely so formidable at
+that moment as he might one day become.  When the news of the day of
+barricades was brought at night to that cheerful monarch, he started from
+his couch.  "Ha," he exclaimed with a laugh, "but they havn't yet caught
+the Bearnese!"
+
+And it might be long before the League would catch the Bearnese; but,
+meantime, he could render slight assistance to Queen Elizabeth.
+
+In England there had been much fruitless negotiation between the
+government of that country and the commissioners from the States-General.
+There was perpetual altercation on the subject of Utrecht, Leyden, Sonoy,
+and the other causes of contention; the Queen--as usual--being imperious
+and choleric, and the envoys, in her opinion, very insolent.  But the
+principal topic of discussion was the peace-negotiations, which the
+States-General, both at home and through their delegation in England, had
+been doing their best to prevent; steadily refusing her Majesty's demand
+that commissioners, on their part, should be appointed to participate in
+the conferences at Ostend.  Elizabeth promised that there should be as
+strict regard paid to the interests of Holland as to those of England,
+in case of a pacification, and that she would never forget her duty to
+them, to herself, and to the world, as the protectress of the reformed
+religion.  The deputies, on the other hand, warned her that peace with
+Spain was impossible; that the intention of the Spanish court was to
+deceive her, while preparing her destruction and theirs; that it was
+hopeless to attempt the concession of any freedom of conscience from
+Philip II.; and that any stipulations which might be made upon that, or
+any other subject, by the Spanish commissioners, would be tossed to the
+wind.  In reply to the Queen's loud complaints that the States had been
+trifling with her, and undutiful to her, and that they had kept her
+waiting seven months long for an answer to her summons to participate in
+the negotiations, they replied, that up to the 15th October of the
+previous year, although there had been flying rumours of an intention on
+the part of her Majesty's government to open those communications with
+the enemy, it had, "nevertheless been earnestly and expressly, and with
+high words and oaths, denied that there was any truth in those rumours."
+Since that time the States had not once only, but many times, in private
+letters, in public documents, and in conversations with Lord Leicester
+and other eminent personages, deprecated any communications whatever with
+Spain, asserting uniformly their conviction that such proceedings would
+bring ruin on their country, and imploring her Majesty not to give ear to
+any propositions whatever.
+
+And not only were the envoys, regularly appointed by the States-General,
+most active in England, in their, attempts to prevent the negotiations,
+but delegates from the Netherland churches were also sent to the Queen,
+to reason with her on the subject, and to utter solemn warnings that the
+cause of the reformed religion would be lost for ever, in case of a
+treaty on her part with Spain.  When these clerical envoys reached
+England the Queen was already beginning to wake from her delusion;
+although her commissioners were still--as we have seen--hard at work,
+pouring sand through their sieves at Ostend, and although the steady
+protestations, of the Duke of Parma, and the industrious circulation of
+falsehoods by Spanish emissaries, had even caused her wisest statesmen,
+for a time, to participate in that delusion.
+
+For it is not so great an impeachment on the sagacity of the great Queen
+of England, as it would now appear to those who judge by the light of
+subsequent facts, that she still doubted whether the armaments,
+notoriously preparing in Spain and Flanders, were intended against
+herself; and that even if such were the case--she still believed in the
+possibility of averting the danger by negotiation.
+
+So late as the beginning of May, even the far-seeing and anxious
+Walsingham could say, that in England "they were doing nothing but
+honouring St. George, of whom the Spanish Armada seemed to be afraid.
+We hear," he added, "that they will not be ready to set forward before
+the midst of May, but I trust that it will be May come twelve months.
+The King of Spain is too old and too sickly to fall to conquer kingdoms.
+If he be well counselled, his best course will be to settle his own
+kingdoms in his own hands."
+
+And even much later, in the middle of July--when the mask was hardly,
+maintained--even then there was no certainty as to the movements of the
+Armada; and Walsingham believed, just ten days before the famous fleet
+was to appear off Plymouth, that it had dispersed and returned to Spain,
+never to re-appear.  As to Parma's intentions, they were thought to lie
+rather in the direction: of Ostend than of England; and Elizabeth; on the
+20th July, was more anxious for that city than for her own kingdom.
+"Mr. Ned, I am persuaded," she wrote to Morris, "that if a Spanish fleet
+break, the Prince of Parma's enterprise for England will fall to the
+ground, and then are you to look to Ostend.  Haste your works."
+
+All through the spring and early summer, Stafford, in Paris, was kept in
+a state of much perplexity as to the designs of Spain--so contradictory
+were the stories circulated--and so bewildering the actions of men known
+to be hostile to England.  In, the last days of April he intimated it as
+a common opinion in Paris, that these naval preparations of Philip were
+an elaborate farce; "that the great elephant would bring forth but a
+mouse--that the great processions, prayers, and pardons, at Rome, for the
+prosperous success of the Armada against England; would be of no effect;
+that the King of Spain was laughing in his sleeve at the Pope, that he
+could make such a fool of him; and that such an enterprise was a thing
+the King never durst think of in deed, but only in show to feed the
+world."
+
+Thus, although furnished with minute details as to these, armaments, and
+as to the exact designs of Spain against his country, by the ostentatious
+statements of the; Spanish ambassador in Paris himself, the English,
+envoy was still inclined to believe that these statements were a figment,
+expressly intended to deceive.  Yet he was aware that Lord Westmoreland,
+Lord Paget, Sir Charles Paget, Morgan, and other English refugees, were
+constantly meeting with Mendoza, that they were told to get themselves in
+readiness, and to go down--as well appointed as might be--to the Duke of
+Parma; that they had been "sending for their tailor to make them apparel,
+and to put themselves in equipage;" that, in particular, Westmoreland had
+been assured of being restored by Philip to his native country in better
+condition than before.  The Catholic and Spanish party in Paris were
+however much dissatisfied with the news from Scotland, and were getting
+more and more afraid that King James would object to the Spaniards
+getting a foot-hold in his country, and that "the Scots would soon be
+playing them a Scottish trick."
+
+Stafford was plunged still more inextricably into doubt by the accounts
+from Longlee in Madrid.  The diplomatist, who had been completely
+convinced by Philip as to his innocence of any participation in the
+criminal enterprise of Guise against Henry III., was now almost staggered
+by the unscrupulous mendacity of that monarch with regard to any supposed
+designs against England.  Although the Armada was to be ready by the 15th
+May, Longlee was of opinion--notwithstanding many bold announcements of
+an attack upon Elizabeth--that the real object of the expedition was
+America.  There had recently been discovered, it was said, "a new
+country, more rich in gold and silver than any yet found, but so full of
+stout people that they could not master them."  To reduce these stout
+people beyond the Atlantic, therefore, and to get possession of new gold
+mines, was the real object at which Philip was driving, and Longlee and
+Stafford were both very doubtful whether it were worth the Queen's while
+to exhaust her finances in order to protect herself against an imaginary
+invasion.  Even so late as the middle of July, six to one was offered on
+the Paris exchange that the Spanish fleet would never be seen in the
+English seas, and those that offered the bets were known to be well-
+wishers to the Spanish party.
+
+Thus sharp diplomatists and statesmen like Longlee, Stafford, and
+Walsingham, were beginning to lose their fear of the great bugbear by
+which England had so long been haunted.  It was, therefore no deep stain
+on the Queen's sagacity that she, too, was willing to place credence in
+the plighted honour of Alexander Farnese, the great prince who prided
+himself on his sincerity, and who, next to the King his master, adored
+the virgin Queen of England.
+
+The deputies of the Netherland churches had come, with the permission of
+Count Maurice and of the States General; but they represented more
+strongly than any other envoys could do, the English and the monarchical
+party.  They were instructed especially to implore the Queen to accept
+the sovereignty of their country; to assure her that the restoration of
+Philip--who had been a wolf instead of a shepherd to his flock--was an
+impossibility, that he had been solemnly and for ever deposed, that
+under her sceptre only could the Provinces ever recover their ancient
+prosperity; that ancient and modern history alike made it manifest
+that a free republic could never maintain itself, but that it must,
+of necessity, run its course through sedition, bloodshed, and anarchy,
+until liberty was at last crushed by an absolute despotism; that equality
+of condition, the basis of democratic institutions, could never be made
+firm; and that a fortunate exception, like that of Switzerland, whose
+historical and political circumstances were peculiar, could never serve
+as a model to the Netherlands, accustomed as those Provinces had ever
+been to a monarchical form of government; and that the antagonism of
+aristocratic and democratic elements in the States had already produced
+discord, and was threatening destruction to the whole country.  To avert
+such dangers the splendour of royal authority was necessary, according to
+the venerable commands of Holy Writ; and therefore the Netherland
+churches acknowledged themselves the foster-children of England, and
+begged that in political matters also the inhabitants of the Provinces
+might be accepted as the subjects of her Majesty.  They also implored the
+Queen to break off these accursed negotiations with Spain, and to provide
+that henceforth in the Netherlands the reformed religion might be freely
+exercised, to the exclusion of any other.
+
+Thus it was very evident that these clerical envoys, although they were
+sent by permission of the States, did not come as the representatives of
+the dominant party.  For that 'Beelzebub,' Barneveld, had different
+notions from theirs as to the possibility of a republic, and as to the
+propriety of tolerating other forms of worship than his own.  But it was
+for such pernicious doctrines, on religious matters in particular, that
+he was called Beelzebub, Pope John, a papist in disguise, and an atheist;
+and denounced, as leading young Maurice and the whole country to
+destruction.
+
+On the basis of these instructions, the deputies drew up a memorial of
+pitiless length, filled with astounding parallels between their own
+position and that of the Hebrews, Assyrians, and other distinguished
+nations of antiquity.  They brought it to Walsingham on the 12th July,
+1588, and the much enduring man heard it read from beginning to end.
+He expressed his approbation of its sentiments, but said it was too long.
+It must be put on one sheet of paper, he said, if her Majesty was
+expected to read it.
+
+"Moreover," said the Secretary of State, "although your arguments are
+full of piety, and your examples from Holy Writ very apt, I must tell you
+the plain truth.  Great princes are not always so zealous in religious
+matters as they might be.  Political transactions move them more deeply,
+and they depend too much on worldly things.  However there is no longer
+much danger, for our envoys will return from Flanders in a few days."
+
+"But," asked a deputy, "if the Spanish fleet does not succeed in its
+enterprise, will the peace-negotiations be renewed?"
+
+"By no means," said Walsingham; "the Queen can never do that,
+consistently with her honour.  They have scattered infamous libels
+against her--so scandalous, that you would be astounded should you read
+them.  Arguments drawn from honour are more valid with princes than any
+other."
+
+He alluded to the point in their memorial touching the free exercise of
+the reformed religion in the Provinces.
+
+"'Tis well and piously said," he observed; "but princes and great lords
+are not always very earnest in such matters.  I think that her Majesty's
+envoys will not press for the free exercise of the religion so very much;
+not more than for two or three years.  By that time--should our
+negotiations succeed--the foreign troops will have evacuated the
+Netherlands on condition that the States-General shall settle the
+religious question."
+
+"But," said Daniel de Dieu, one of the deputies, "the majority of the
+States is Popish."
+
+"Be it so," replied Sir Francis; "nevertheless they will sooner permit
+the exercise of the reformed religion than take up arms and begin the war
+anew."
+
+He then alluded to the proposition of the deputies to exclude all
+religious worship but that of the reformed church--all false religion--
+as they expressed themselves.
+
+"Her Majesty," said he, "is well disposed to permit some exercise of
+their religion to the Papists.  So far as regards my own feelings, if we
+were now in the beginning, of the reformation, and the papacy were still
+entire, I should willingly concede such exercise; but now that the Papacy
+has been overthrown, I think it would not be safe to give such
+permission.  When we were disputing, at the time of the pacification of
+Ghent, whether the Popish religion should be partially permitted, the
+Prince of Orange was of the affirmative opinion; but I, who was then at
+Antwerp, entertained the contrary conviction."
+
+"But," said one of the deputies--pleased to find that Walsingham was more
+of their way of thinking on religious toleration than the great Prince
+of Orange had been, or than Maurice and Barneveld then were--"but her
+Majesty will, we hope, follow the advice of her good and faithful
+counsellors."
+
+"To tell you the truth," answered Sir Francis, "great princes are not
+always inspired with a sincere and upright zeal;"--it was the third
+time he had made this observation"--although, so far as regards the
+maintenance of the religion in the Netherlands, that is a matter of
+necessity.  Of that there is no fear, since otherwise all the pious would
+depart, and none would remain but Papists, and, what is more, enemies of
+England.  Therefore the Queen is aware that the religion must be
+maintained."
+
+He then advised the deputies to hand in the memorial to her Majesty,
+without any long speeches, for which there was then no time or
+opportunity; and it was subsequently arranged that they should be
+presented to the Queen as she would be mounting her horse at St. James's
+to ride to Richmond.
+
+Accordingly on the 15th July, as her Majesty came forth at the gate, with
+a throng of nobles and ladies--some about to accompany her and some
+bidding her adieu--the deputies fell on their knees before her.
+Notwithstanding the advice of Walsingham, Daniel de Dieu was bent upon an
+oration.
+
+"Oh illustrious Queen!"  he began, "the churches of the United
+Netherlands----"
+
+He had got no further, when the Queen, interrupting, exclaimed, "Oh!  I
+beg you--at another time--I cannot now listen to a speech.  Let me see
+the memorial."
+
+Daniel de Dieu then humbly presented that document, which her Majesty
+graciously received, and then, getting on horseback, rode off to
+Richmond.'
+
+The memorial was in the nature of an exhortation to sustain the religion,
+and to keep clear of all negotiations with idolaters and unbelievers;
+and the memorialists supported themselves by copious references to
+Deuteronomy, Proverbs, Isaiah, Timothy, and Psalms, relying mainly on the
+case of Jehosaphat, who came to disgrace and disaster through his treaty
+with the idolatrous King Ahab.  With regard to any composition with
+Spain, they observed, in homely language, that a burnt cat fears the
+fire; and they assured the Queen that, by following their advice, she
+would gain a glorious and immortal name, like those of David, Ezekiel,
+Josiah, and others, whose fragrant memory, even as precious incense from
+the apothecary's, endureth to the end of the world.
+
+It was not surprising that Elizabeth, getting on horseback on the 15th
+July, 1588, with her head full of Tilbury Fort and Medina Sidonia, should
+have as little relish for the affairs of Ahab and Jehosophat, as for
+those melting speeches of Diomede and of Turnus, to which Dr. Valentine
+Dale on his part was at that moment invoking her attention.
+
+On the 20th July, the deputies were informed by Leicester that her
+Majesty would grant them an interview, July 20, and that they must
+come into his quarter of the palace and await her arrival.
+
+Between six and seven in the evening she came into the throne-room, and
+the deputies again fell on their knees before her.
+
+She then seated herself--the deputies remaining on their knees on her
+right side and the Earl of Leicester standing at her left--and proceeded
+to make many remarks touching her earnestness in the pending negotiations
+to provide for their religious freedom.  It seemed that she must have
+received a hint from Walsingham on the subject.
+
+"I shall provide," she said, "for the maintenance of the reformed
+worship."
+
+De Dieu--"The enemy will never concede it."
+
+The Queen.--"I think differently."
+
+De Dieu.--"There is no place within his dominions where he has permitted
+the exercise of the pure religion.  He has never done so."
+
+The Queen.--"He conceded it in the pacification of Ghent."
+
+De Dieu.--"But he did not keep his agreement.  Don John had concluded
+with the States, but said he was not held to his promise, in case he
+should repent; and the King wrote afterwards to our States, and said that
+he was no longer bound to his pledge."
+
+The Queen.--"That is quite another thing."
+
+De Dieu.--"He has very often broken his faith."
+
+The Queen.--"He shall no longer be allowed to do so.  If he does not keep
+his word, that is my affair, not yours.  It is my business to find the
+remedy.  Men would say, see in what a desolation the Queen of England has
+brought this poor people.  As to the freedom of worship, I should have
+proposed three or four years' interval--leaving it afterwards to the
+decision of the States."
+
+De Dieu.--"But the majority of the States is Popish."
+
+The Queen.--"I mean the States-General, not the States of any particular
+Province."
+
+De Dieu.--"The greater part of the States-General is Popish."
+
+The Queen.--"I mean the three estates--the clergy, the nobles, and the
+cities."  The Queen--as the deputies observed--here fell into an error.
+She thought that prelates of the reformed Church, as in England, had
+seats in the States-General.  Daniel de Dieu explained that they had no
+such position.
+
+The Queen.--"Then how were you sent hither?"
+
+De Dieu.--"We came with the consent of Count Maurice of Nassau."
+
+The Queen.--"And of the States?"
+
+De Dieu.--"We came with their knowledge."
+
+The Queen.--"Are you sent only from Holland and Zeeland?  Is there no
+envoy from Utrecht and the other Provinces?"
+
+Helmichius.--"We two," pointing to his colleague Sossingius, "are from
+Utrecht."
+
+The Queen.--"What?  Is this young man also a minister?"  She meant
+Helmichius, who had a very little beard, and looked young.
+
+Sossingius.--"He is not so young as he looks."
+
+The Queen.--"Youths are sometimes as able as old men."
+
+De Dieu.--"I have heard our brother preach in France more than fourteen
+years ago."
+
+The Queen.--"He must have begun young.  How old were you when you first
+became a preacher?"
+
+Helmichius.--"Twenty-three or twenty-four years of age."
+
+The Queen.--"It was with us, at first, considered a scandal that a man so
+young as that should be admitted to the pulpit.  Our antagonists
+reproached us with it in a book called 'Scandale de l'Angleterre,' saying
+that we had none but school-boys for ministers.  I understand that you
+pray for me as warmly as if I were your sovereign princess.  I think I
+have done as much for the religion as if I were your Queen."
+
+Helmichius.--"We are far from thinking otherwise.  We acknowledge
+willingly your Majesty's benefits to our churches."
+
+The Queen.--"It would else be ingratitude on your part."
+
+Helmichius.--"But the King of Spain will never keep any promise about the
+religion."
+
+The Queen.--"He will never come so far: he does nothing but make a noise
+on all sides.  Item, I don't think he has much confidence in himself."
+
+De Dieu.--"Your Majesty has many enemies.  The Lord hath hitherto
+supported you, and we pray that he may continue to uphold your Majesty."
+
+The Queen.--"I have indeed many enemies; but I make no great account of
+them.  Is there anything else you seek?"
+
+De Dieu.--"There is a special point: it concerns our, or rather your
+Majesty's, city of Flushing.  We hope that Russelius--(so he called Sir
+William Russell)--may be continued in its government, although he wishes
+his discharge."
+
+"Aha!" said the Queen, laughing and rising from her seat, "I shall not
+answer you; I shall call some one else to answer you."
+
+She then summoned Russell's sister, Lady Warwick.
+
+"If you could speak French," said the Queen to that gentlewoman,
+"I should bid you reply to these gentlemen, who beg that your brother
+may remain in Flushing, so very agreeable has he made himself to them."
+
+The Queen was pleased to hear this good opinion of Sir William, and this
+request that he might continue to be governor of Flushing, because he had
+uniformly supported the Leicester party, and was at that moment in high
+quarrel with Count Maurice and the leading members of the States.
+
+As the deputies took their leave, they requested an answer to their
+memorial, which was graciously promised.
+
+Three days afterwards, Walsingham gave them a written answer to their
+memorial--conceived in the same sense as had been the expressions of her
+Majesty and her counsellors.  Support to the Netherlands and stipulations
+for the free exercise of their religion were promised; but it was
+impossible for these deputies of the churches to obtain a guarantee from
+England that the Popish religion should be excluded from the Provinces,
+in case of a successful issue to the Queen's negotiation with Spain.
+
+And thus during all those eventful days-the last weeks of July and the
+first weeks of August--the clerical deputation remained in England,
+indulging in voluminous protocols and lengthened conversations with the
+Queen and the principal members of her government.  It is astonishing, in
+that breathless interval of history, that so much time could be found for
+quill-driving and oratory.
+
+Nevertheless, both in Holland and England, there had been other work than
+protocolling.  One throb of patriotism moved the breast of both nations.
+A longing to grapple, once for all, with the great enemy of civil and
+religious liberty inspired both.  In Holland, the States-General and all
+the men to whom the people looked for guidance, had been long deprecating
+the peace-negotiations.  Extraordinary supplies--more than had ever been
+granted before--were voted for the expenses of the campaign; and Maurice
+of Nassau, fitly embodying the warlike tendencies of his country and
+race, had been most importunate with Queen Elizabeth that she would
+accept his services and his advice.  Armed vessels of every size, from
+the gun-boat to the galleon of 1200 tons--then the most imposing ship
+in those waters--swarmed in all the estuaries and rivers, and along the
+Dutch and Flemish coast, bidding defiance to Parma and his armaments;
+and offers of a large contingent from the fleets of Jooat de Moor and
+Justinua de Nassau, to serve under Seymour and Howard, were freely made
+to the States-General.
+
+It was decided early in July, by the board of admiralty, presided over by
+Prince Maurice, that the largest square-rigged vessels of Holland and
+Zeeland should cruise between England and the Flemish coast, outside the
+banks; that a squadron of lesser ships should be stationed within the
+banks; and that a fleet of sloops and fly-boats should hover close in
+shore, about Flushing and Rammekens.  All the war-vessels of the little
+republic were thus fully employed.  But, besides this arrangement,
+Maurice was empowered to lay an embargo--under what penalty he chose and
+during his pleasure--on all square-rigged vessels over 300 tons, in order
+that there might be an additional supply in case of need.  Ninety ships
+of war under Warmond, admiral, and Van der Does, vice-admiral of Holland;
+and Justinus de Nassau, admiral, and Joost de Moor, vice-admiral of
+Zeeland; together with fifty merchant-vessels of the best and strongest,
+equipped and armed for active service, composed a formidable fleet.
+
+The States-General, a month before, had sent twenty-five or thirty good
+ships, under Admiral Rosendael, to join Lord Henry Seymour, then cruising
+between Dover and Calais.  A tempest, drove them back, and their absence
+from Lord Henry's fleet being misinterpreted by the English, the States
+were censured for ingratitude and want of good faith.  But the injustice
+of the accusation was soon made manifest, for these vessels, reinforcing
+the great Dutch fleet outside the banks, did better service than they
+could have done; in the straits.  A squadron of strong well-armed
+vessels, having on board, in addition to their regular equipment,
+a picked force of twelve hundred musketeers, long accustomed to this
+peculiar kind of naval warfare, with crews of, grim Zeelanders, who had
+faced Alva, and Valdez in their day, now kept close watch over Farnese,
+determined that he should never thrust his face out of any haven or nook
+on the coast so long as they should be in existence to prevent him.
+
+And in England the protracted diplomacy at Ostend, ill-timed though
+it was, had not paralyzed the arm or chilled the heart of the nation.
+When the great Queen, arousing herself from the delusion in which the
+falsehoods of Farnese and of Philip had lulled her, should once more.
+represent--as no man or woman better than Elizabeth Tudor could represent
+--the defiance of England to foreign insolence; the resolve of a whole
+people to die rather than yield; there was a thrill of joy through the
+national heart.  When the enforced restraint was at last taken off, there
+was one bound towards the enemy.  Few more magnificent spectacles have
+been seen in history than the enthusiasm which pervaded the country as
+the great danger, so long deferred, was felt at last to be closely
+approaching.  The little nation of four millions, the merry England of
+the sixteenth century, went forward to the death-grapple with its
+gigantic antagonist as cheerfully as to a long-expected holiday.
+Spain was a vast empire, overshadowing the world; England, in comparison,
+but a province; yet nothing could surpass the steadiness with which the
+conflict was awaited.
+
+For, during all the months of suspense; the soldiers and sailors, and
+many statesman of England, had deprecated, even as the Hollanders had
+been doing, the dangerous delays of Ostend.  Elizabeth was not embodying
+the national instinct, when she talked of peace; and shrank penuriously
+from the expenses of war.  There was much disappointment, even
+indignation, at the slothfulness with which the preparations for defence
+went on, during the period when there was yet time to make them.  It was
+feared with justice that England, utterly unfortified as were its cities,
+and defended only by its little navy without, and by untaught enthusiasm
+within, might; after all, prove an easier conquest than Holland and
+Zeeland, every town, in whose territory bristled with fortifications.
+If the English ships--well-trained and swift sailors as they were--were
+unprovided with spare and cordage, beef and biscuit, powder and shot,
+and the militia-men, however enthusiastic, were neither drilled nor
+armed, was it so very certain, after all, that successful resistance
+would be made to the great Armada, and to the veteran pikemen and
+musketeers of Farnese, seasoned on a hundred, battlefields, and equipped
+as for a tournament?  There was generous confidence and chivalrous
+loyalty on the part of Elizabeth's naval and military commanders; but
+there had been deep regret and disappointment at her course.
+
+Hawkins was anxious, all through the winter and spring, to cruise with a
+small squadron off the coast of Spain.  With a dozen vessels he undertook
+to "distress anything that went through the seas."  The cost of such a
+squadron, with eighteen hundred men, to be relieved every four months, he
+estimated at two thousand seven hundred pounds sterling the month, or a
+shilling a day for each man; and it would be a very unlucky month, he
+said, in which they did not make captures to three times that amount; for
+they would see nothing that would not be presently their own.  "We might
+have peace, but not with God," said the pious old slave-trader; "but
+rather than serve Baal, let us die a thousand deaths.  Let us have open
+war with these Jesuits, and every man will contribute, fight, devise, or
+do, for the liberty of our country."
+
+And it was open war with the Jesuits for which those stouthearted sailors
+longed.  All were afraid of secret mischief.  The diplomatists--who were
+known to be flitting about France, Flanders, Scotland, and England--were
+birds of ill omen.  King James was beset by a thousand bribes and
+expostulations to avenge his mother's death; and although that mother had
+murdered his father, and done her best to disinherit himself, yet it was
+feared that Spanish ducats might induce him to be true to his mother's
+revenge, and false to the reformed religion.  Nothing of good was hoped
+for from France.  "For my part," said Lord Admiral Howard, "I have made
+of the French King, the Scottish King, and the King of Spain, a trinity
+that I mean never to trust to be saved by, and I would that others were
+of my opinion."
+
+The noble sailor, on whom so much responsibility rested, yet who was so
+trammelled and thwarted by the timid and parsimonious policy of Elizabeth
+and of Burghley, chafed and shook his chains like a captive.  "Since
+England was England," he exclaimed, "there was never such a stratagem
+and mask to deceive her as this treaty of peace.  I pray God that we do
+not curse for this a long grey beard with a white head witless, that will
+make all the world think us heartless.  You know whom I mean."  And it
+certainly was not difficult to understand the allusion to the pondering
+Lord-Treasurer."  'Opus est aliquo Daedalo,' to direct us out of the
+maze," said that much puzzled statesman; but he hardly seemed to be
+making himself wings with which to lift England and himself out of the
+labyrinth.  The ships were good ships, but there was intolerable delay in
+getting a sufficient number of them as ready for action as was the spirit
+of their commanders.
+
+"Our ships do show like gallants here," said Winter; "it would do a man's
+heart good to behold them.  Would to God the Prince of Parma were on the
+seas with all his forces, and we in sight of them.  You should hear that
+we would make his enterprise very unpleasant to him."
+
+And Howard, too, was delighted not only with his own little flag-ship the
+Ark-Royal--"the odd ship of the world for all conditions,"--but with all
+of his fleet that could be mustered.  Although wonders were reported, by
+every arrival from the south, of the coming Armada, the Lord-Admiral was
+not appalled.  He was perhaps rather imprudent in the defiance he flung
+to the enemy.  "Let me have the four great ships and twenty hoys, with
+but twenty men a-piece, and each with but two iron pieces, and her
+Majesty shall have a good account of the Spanish forces; and I will make
+the King wish his galleys home again.  Few as we are, if his forces be
+not hundreds, we will make good sport with them."
+
+But those four great ships of her Majesty, so much longed for by Howard,
+were not forthcoming.  He complained that the Queen was "keeping them to
+protect Chatham Church withal, when they should be serving their turn
+abroad."  The Spanish fleet was already reported as numbering from 210
+sail, with 36,000 men,' to 400 or 500 ships, and 80,000 soldiers and
+mariners; and yet Drake was not ready with his squadron.  "The fault is
+not in him," said Howard, "but I pray God her Majesty do not repent her
+slack dealing.  We must all lie together, for we shall be stirred very
+shortly with heave ho!  I fear ere long her Majesty will be sorry she
+hath believed some so much as she hath done."
+
+Howard had got to sea, and was cruising all the stormy month of March in
+the Channel with his little unprepared squadron; expecting at any moment
+--such was the profound darkness which, enveloped the world at that day--
+that the sails of the Armada might appear in the offing.  He made a visit
+to the Dutch coast, and was delighted with the enthusiasm with which he
+was received.  Five thousand people a day came on board his ships, full
+of congratulation and delight; and he informed the Queen that she was not
+more assured of the Isle of Sheppey than of Walcheren.
+
+Nevertheless time wore on, and both the army and navy of England were
+quite unprepared, and the Queen was more reluctant than ever to incur the
+expense necessary to the defence of her kingdom.  At least one of those
+galleys, which, as Howard bitterly complained, seemed destined to defend
+Chatham Church, was importunately demanded; but it was already Easter-Day
+(17th April), and she was demanded in vain.  "Lord! when should she
+serve," said the Admiral, "if not at such a time as this?  Either she is
+fit now to serve, or fit for the fire.  I hope never in my time to see so
+great a cause for her to be used.  I dare say her Majesty will look that
+men should fight for her, and I know they will at this time.  The King of
+Spain doth not keep any ship at home, either of his own or any other,
+that he can get for money.  Well, well, I must pray heartily for peace,"
+said Howard with increasing spleen, "for I see the support of an
+honourable, war will never appear.  Sparing and war have no affinity
+together."
+
+In truth Elizabeth's most faithful subjects were appalled at the ruin
+which she seemed by her mistaken policy to be rendering inevitable.  "I
+am sorry," said the Admiral, "that her Majesty is so careless of this
+most dangerous time.  I fear me much, and with grief I think it, that she
+relieth on a hope that will deceive her, and greatly endanger her, and
+then it will not be her money nor her jewels that will help; for as they
+will do good in time, so they will help nothing for the redeeming of
+time."
+
+The preparations on shore were even more dilatory than those on the sea.
+We have seen that the Duke of Parma, once landed, expected to march
+directly upon London; and it was notorious that there were no fortresses
+to oppose a march of the first general in Europe and his veterans upon
+that unprotected and wealthy metropolis.  An army had been enrolled--a
+force of 86,016 foot, and 13,831 cavalry; but it was an army on paper
+merely.  Even of the 86,000, only 48,000 were set down as trained;
+and it is certain that the training had been of the most meagre and
+unsatisfactory description.  Leicester was to be commander-in-chief; but
+we have already seen that nobleman measuring himself, not much to his
+advantage, with Alexander Farnese, in the Isle of Bommel, on the sands of
+Blankenburg, and at the gates of Sluys.  His army was to consist of
+27,000 infantry, and 2000 horse; yet at midsummer it had not reached half
+that number.  Lord Chamberlain Hunsdon was to protect the Queen's person
+with another army of 36,000; but this force, was purely an imaginary one;
+and the lord-lieutenant of each county was to do his best with the
+militia.  But men were perpetually escaping out of the general service,
+in order to make themselves retainers for private noblemen, and be kept
+at their expense.  "You shall hardly believe," said Leicester, "how many
+new liveries be gotten within these six weeks, and no man fears the
+penalty.  It would be better that every nobleman did as Lord Dacres, than
+to take away from the principal service such as are set down to serve."
+
+Of enthusiasm and courage, then, there was enough, while of drill and
+discipline, of powder and shot, there was a deficiency.  No braver or
+more competent soldier could be found than Sir Edward Stanley--the man
+whom we have seen in his yellow jerkin, helping himself into Fort Zutphen
+with the Spanish soldier's pike--and yet Sir Edward Stanley gave but a
+sorry account of the choicest soldiers of Chester and Lancashire, whom he
+had been sent to inspect.  "I find them not," he said, "according to your
+expectation, nor mine own liking.  They were appointed two years past to
+have been trained six days by the year or more, at the discretion of the
+muster-master, but, as yet, they have not been trained one day, so that
+they have benefited nothing, nor yet know their leaders.  There is now
+promise of amendment, which, I doubt, will be very slow, in respect to my
+Lord Derby's absence."
+
+My Lord Derby was at that moment, and for many months afterwards,
+assisting Valentine Dale in his classical prolusions on the sands of
+Bourbourg.  He had better have been mustering the trainbands of
+Lancashire.  There was a general indisposition in the rural districts to
+expend money and time in military business, until the necessity should
+become imperative.  Professional soldiers complained bitterly of the
+canker of a long peace.  "For our long quietness, which it hath pleased
+God to send us," said Stanley, "they think their money very ill bestowed
+which they expend on armour or weapon, for that they be in hope they
+shall never have occasion to use it, so they may pass muster, as they
+have done heretofore.  I want greatly powder, for there is little or none
+at all."
+
+The day was fast approaching when all the power in England would be too
+little for the demand.  But matters had not very much mended even at
+midsummer.  It is true that Leicester, who was apt to be sanguine-
+particularly in matters under his immediate control--spoke of the handful
+of recruits assembled at his camp in Essex, as "soldiers of a year's
+experience, rather than a month's camping; "but in this opinion he
+differed from many competent authorities, and was somewhat in
+contradiction to himself.  Nevertheless he was glad that the Queen had
+determined to visit him, and encourage his soldiers.
+
+"I have received in secret," he said, "those news that please me, that
+your Majesty doth intend to behold the poor and bare company that lie
+here in the field, most willingly to serve you, yea, most ready to die
+for you.  You shall, dear Lady, behold as goodly, loyal, and as able men
+as any prince Christian can show you, and yet but a handful of your own,
+in comparison of the rest you have.  What comfort not only these shall
+receive who shall be the happiest to behold yourself I cannot express;
+but assuredly it will give no small comfort to the rest, that shall be
+overshined with the beams of so gracious and princely a party, for what
+your royal Majesty shall do to these will be accepted as done to all.
+Good sweet Queen, alter not your purpose, if God give you health.  It
+will be your pain for the time, but your pleasure to behold such people.
+And surely the place must content you, being as fair a soil and as goodly
+a prospect as may be seen or found, as this extreme weather hath made
+trial, which doth us little annoyance, it is so firm and dry a ground.
+Your usher also liketh your lodging--a proper, secret, cleanly house.
+Your camp is a little mile off, and your person will be as sure as at St.
+James's, for my life."
+
+But notwithstanding this cheerful view of the position expressed by the
+commander-in-chief, the month of July had passed, and the early days of
+August had already arrived; and yet the camp was not formed, nor anything
+more than that mere handful of troops mustered about Tilbury, to defend
+the road from Dover to London.  The army at Tilbury never, exceeded
+sixteen or seventeen thousand men.
+
+The whole royal navy-numbering about thirty-four vessels in all--of
+different sizes, ranging from 1100 and 1000 tons to 30, had at last been
+got ready for sea.  Its aggregate tonnage was 11,820; not half so much as
+at the present moment--in the case of one marvellous merchant-steamer--
+floats upon a single keel.
+
+These vessels carried.  837 guns and 6279 men.  But the navy was
+reinforced by the patriotism and liberality of English merchants and
+private gentlemen.  The city of London having been requested to furnish
+15 ships of war and 5000 men, asked two days for deliberation, and then
+gave 30 ships and 10,000 men of which number 2710 were seamen.  Other
+cities, particularly Plymouth, came forward with proportionate
+liberality, and private individuals, nobles, merchants, and men of
+humblest rank, were enthusiastic in volunteering into the naval service,
+to risk property and life in defence of the country.  By midsummer there
+had been a total force of 197 vessels manned, and partially equipped,
+with an aggregate of 29,744 tons, and 15,785 seamen.  Of this fleet a
+very large number were mere coasters of less than 100 tons each; scarcely
+ten ships were above 500, and but one above 1000 tons--the Triumph,
+Captain Frobisher, of 1100 tons, 42 guns, and 500 sailors.
+
+Lord Howard of Effingham, Lord High-Admiral of England, distinguished for
+his martial character, public spirit, and admirable temper, rather than
+for experience or skill as a seaman, took command of the whole fleet, in
+his "little odd ship for all conditions," the Ark-Royal, of 800 tons, 425
+sailors, and 55 guns.
+
+Next in rank was Vice-Admiral Drake, in the Revenge, of 500 tons, 250 men
+and 40 guns.  Lord Henry Seymour, in the Rainbow, of precisely the same
+size and strength, commanded the inner squadron, which cruised in the
+neighbourhood of the French and Flemish coast.
+
+The Hollanders and Zeelanders had undertaken to blockade the Duke of
+Parma still more closely, and pledged themselves that he should never
+venture to show himself upon the open sea at all.  The mouth of the
+Scheldt, and the dangerous shallows off the coast of Newport and Dunkirk,
+swarmed with their determined and well-seasoned craft, from the flybooter
+or filibuster of the rivers, to the larger armed vessels, built to
+confront every danger, and to deal with any adversary.
+
+Farnese, on his part, within that well-guarded territory, had, for months
+long, scarcely slackened in his preparations, day or night.  Whole
+forests had been felled in the land of Waas to furnish him with
+transports and gun-boats, and with such rapidity, that--according to his
+enthusiastic historiographer--each tree seemed by magic to metamorphose
+itself into a vessel at the word of command.  Shipbuilders, pilots, and
+seamen, were brought from the Baltic, from Hamburgh, from Genoa.  The
+whole surface of the obedient Netherlands, whence wholesome industry had
+long been banished, was now the scene of a prodigious baleful activity.
+Portable bridges for fording the rivers of England, stockades for
+entrenchments, rafts and oars, were provided in vast numbers, and
+Alexander dug canals and widened natural streams to facilitate his
+operations.  These wretched Provinces, crippled, impoverished,
+languishing for peace, were forced to contribute out of their poverty,
+and to find strength even in their exhaustion, to furnish the machinery
+for destroying their own countrymen, and for hurling to perdition their
+most healthful neighbour.
+
+And this approaching destruction of England--now generally believed in--
+was like the sound of a trumpet throughout Catholic Europe.  Scions of
+royal houses, grandees of azure blood, the bastard of Philip II., the
+bastard of Savoy, the bastard of Medici, the Margrave of Burghaut, the
+Archduke Charles, nephew of the Emperor, the Princes of Ascoli and of
+Melfi, the Prince of Morocco, and others of illustrious name, with many
+a noble English traitor, like Paget, and Westmoreland, and Stanley, all
+hurried to the camp of Farnese, as to some famous tournament, in which it
+was a disgrace to chivalry if their names were not enrolled.  The roads
+were trampled with levies of fresh troops from Spain, Naples, Corsica,
+the States of the Church, the Milanese, Germany, Burgundy.
+
+Blas Capizucca was sent in person to conduct reinforcements from the
+north of Italy.  The famous Terzio of Naples, under Carlos Pinelo,
+arrived 3500 strong--the most splendid regiment ever known in the history
+of war.  Every man had an engraved corslet and musket-barrel, and there
+were many who wore gilded armour, while their waving plumes and festive
+caparisons made them look like holiday-makers, rather than real
+campaigners, in the eyes of the inhabitants of the various cities through
+which their road led them to Flanders.  By the end of April the Duke of
+Parma saw himself at the head of 60,000 men, at a monthly expense of
+454,315 crowns or dollars.  Yet so rapid was the progress of disease--
+incident to northern climates--among those southern soldiers, that we
+shall find the number woefully diminished before they were likely to set
+foot upon the English shore.
+
+Thus great preparations, simultaneously with pompous negotiations, had
+been going forward month after month, in England, Holland, Flanders.
+Nevertheless, winter, spring, two-thirds of summer, had passed away, and
+on the 29th July, 1588, there remained the same sickening uncertainty,
+which was the atmosphere in which the nations had existed for a
+twelvemonth.
+
+Howard had cruised for a few weeks between England and Spain, without any
+results, and, on his return, had found it necessary to implore her
+Majesty, as late as July, to "trust no more to Judas' kisses, but to her
+sword, not her enemy's word."
+
+
+
+
+ETEXT EDITOR'S BOOKMARKS:
+
+A burnt cat fears the fire
+A free commonwealth--was thought an absurdity
+Baiting his hook a little to his appetite
+Canker of a long peace
+Englishmen and Hollanders preparing to cut each other's throats
+Faction has rarely worn a more mischievous aspect
+Hard at work, pouring sand through their sieves
+She relieth on a hope that will deceive her
+Sparing and war have no affinity together
+The worst were encouraged with their good success
+Trust her sword, not her enemy's word
+
+
+
+
+
+*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HISTORY UNITED NETHERLANDS, 1588 ***
+
+********** This file should be named 4856.txt or 4856.zip ***********
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