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the Duke of Medina summoned a council of war, by whom it was determined to return into Spain by the Northern Ocean. To attempt to return through the Channel, or to land on the English coast, would have been destruction to the fleet; and all agreed that only one way remained open, round the north of Scotland and Ireland*. It was determined, therefore, to attempt to reach their own country by the northern seas.

The Spaniards now perceived that they ought to have secured certain harbours, as had been recommended by some of Philip's council, on the coast of Zealand. The armada, instead of being invincible from the size of the ships, was on that very account unable to contend with the English fleet. We have, therefore, another instance of infatuation in the councils of Spain, in building vessels of such a size as to render them unfit for use in those narrow seas in which the struggle was to take place.

Leaving the particulars connected with the Spanish fleet, after their dispersion at the end of July, for the next chapter, we may now notice one of those acts of Elizabeth which endeared her so much to her subjects. It has been stated that a considerable army was stationed at Tilbury, opposite Gravesend, for the purpose of guarding the approach to the metropolis. Queen Elizabeth visited the army at this place early in August, while the armada was endeavouring to force

* CARTE, 628. LINGARD, V. 501. WATSON'S Philip II.

vol. ii. 267.

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its way back to Spain by the Northern Ocean. She remained in the camp for a day, and dined in the midst of her army. The troops were drawn out to receive Her Majesty, who rode up and down the ranks, encouraging the men by her presence, the general and three or four other superior officers accompanying her as she proceeded. During her stay with the army she was saluted, whenever she made her appearance, with the loudest demonstrations of joy, both by the soldiery and also the people, who assembled from all quarters to witness the royal proceedings. The writer of the Letter to Mendoza-the truth of whose description has never been impeached-says, in allusion to the Queen's visit to the camp, "I could enlarge this description with many more particulars of mine own sight, for thither I went, as many others did; and all that day, wandering from place to place, I never heard any word spoken of her but in praising her for her stately person and princely beauty, and in praying for her life and safety, and cursing all her enemies, both traitors and all papists, with earnest desires to venture their lives for her safety*."

• Letter to Mendoza, p. 22.-A notice in this letter furnishes an illustration of the common practice at this time of singing psalms a practice derived from the Reformers. The writer says,-"And besides such particular acclamations, the whole army in every quarter did devoutly, at certain times, sing in her hearing, in very tunable manner, divers psalms, put into forms of prayer in praise of Almighty God, no ways to be misliked, which she greatly commended, and with very earnest speech thanked God with them."-Ibid.

On the occasion of this visit, her Majesty addressed the army in a speech which merits the attention of all Protestants, and more especially at this particular juncture, when a most perfect contrast is presented in the public proceedings of the nation, to those of the age of Elizabeth. The address was couched in the following terms :

"My loving people, we have been persuaded by some that are careful of our safety, to take heed how we commit ourselves to armed multitudes, for fear of treachery; but I assure you that I do not desire to live to distrust my faithful and loving people. Let tyrants fear. I have always so behaved myself that (under God) I have always placed my chiefest strength and safeguard in the loyal hearts and good will of my subjects; and therefore I am come amongst you, as you see, at this time, not for my recreation and disport, but being resolved, in the midst and heat of the battle, to live or die amongst you all-to lay down for my ) God, and for my kingdom, and for my people, my honour and my blood even in the dust. I know I have the body but of a weak and feeble woman, but I have the heart and stomach of a king, and of a king of ENGLAND too, and think fine scorn that PARMA, or SPAIN, or any prince of Europe should dare to invade the borders of my realm,-to which, rather than dishonour shall grow by me, I myself will take up arms-I myself will be your general, judge, and rewarder of every one of your virtues in the field. I

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know that already, for your forwardness, you have deserved rewards and crowns; and we do assure you, on' the word of a prince, that shall be duly paid you. In the mean time, my Lieutenant General (LEICESTER) shall be in my stead, than whom, never prince commanded a more noble or worthy subject; not doubting but by your obedience to my general, by your concord in the camp, and your valour in the field, we (shall shortly have a famous victory over those enemies of my God, of my kingdoms, and my people."

That such an address was well suited to the circumstances under which it was delivered must be admitted. Dr. Lingard, however, pretends to doubt whether such a speech was delivered by the Queen : "I have not," says he, "noticed the speech said to have been spoken by her Majesty at Tilbury. It might have been prepared for her as an address to the soldiers, if it had been necessary. But she certainly could not exhort them to fight after the enemy was gone, and when she had resolved to disband the army immediately*." He adds also, that "the danger was now over."

This extraordinary statement demands an investigation. In the first place, it cannot be said that Elizabeth was not capable of conceiving and uttering a speech like the above, for, on many occasions, she proved herself more than equal to such a task. In the next place, it is not true, as is stated by Dr. Lingard, • LINGARD, V. 504.

that the danger was over. He would insinuate, that Elizabeth presented herself to the army, when all peril was out of the question. Such an insinuation is unworthy of an honest writer: for at the moment when the speech was delivered, the people were apprehensive of the landing of the Spaniards. Let the facts of the case be examined. Dr. Lingard himself fixes the Queen's visit to the camp at Tilbury on the 9th of August. Let this be borne in mind in the examination. It was only on the 31st of July that the Duke of Medina determined to return home by the Northern Ocean, and this determination was not known until some time after the Queen's visit to Tilbury. It was not known until some of the prisoners were examined. It was known that the armada was sailing away, pursued by the English fleet; but the intentions of the Spaniards were not known; nor could any one feel assured that they would not prove victorious over the English. Nay, it is clear, that at the period of the Queen's visit, the return of the Spanish fleet was expected. It is, indeed, stated, by a writer of undoubted veracity, Bishop Carleton, who wrote not long after the period, and who must have remembered the circumstances connected with the armada, that it was the rumour that the Spaniards would return that induced the Queen to visit the army. Speaking of the flight of the armada, he says, "The English navy followed, and sometimes the Spanish turned upon the English, insomuch that it was thought by many that)

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