THE SPANISH ARMADA.

TWICE has England been in imminent danger of invasion-from the Spaniards, and from Napoleon.

The Spaniards, in the days of their power, fitted out a fleet, or armada, for the conquest of England, that, when it approached our shores, appeared a close crescent of seven miles broad, composed of ships for the most part like floating castles, and manned by an army of 34,000 men. Queen Elizabeth appointed the best and bravest men in her kingdom to manage the defence. Troops were collected from all parts of the land, and all orders of people. Elizabeth

placed herself at the head of the movement, and fixed her camp at Tilbury, on the banks of the Thames, near London. "It was a pleasant sight to behold the soldiers as they marched toward Tilbury; their cheerful countenances, courageous words and gestures; dancing and leaping wheresoever they came." (Stow.) The Queen put on armour, took in her hand the truncheon of command, mounted her war-horse, and addressed her "loving people" in a most noble speech. She said :-"I am resolved in the midst and heat of the battle to live or die amongst you all; to lay down for my God, for my kingdom, and for my people, my honour and my blood, even in the dust. I know that I have but the body of a weak and feeble woman, but I have the heart of a king, and of a king of England too!"

A naval force of 181 ships and 17,472 sailors was sent out to meet the Armada. Our ships were of various sizes, but all far smaller than those of the Spaniards, which were namedInvincibles.

The battle took place off Portland; Howard,