The deaths of the earlier favourites and ministers left lord Burghley almost alone; the court was in a divided state; on the one side were Burghley and his son, sir Robert Cecil, with a few more; while the youthful Essex, sir Walter Raleigh, and other forward and active characters, sought to exercise the chief control. Essex at that time accused Lopez, a Portuguese physician in attendance on the queen, of a design upon her life; it was referred for Burghley to examine, who reported that there were not sufficient grounds for the accusation. The queen then rebuked Essex, who rested not till he obtained further evidence, sufficient to convict Lopez and two others of corresponding with the Spanish governors of the Netherlands respecting such a scheme. Lopez was executed; but he denied any treasonable intentions, declaring that he had informed the queen herself of the effort to engage him in an attempt upon her life. This gave Essex some advantage; but while the queen treated him as a favourite, she supported lord Burghley, and listened to his advice in all matters of state. It is unnecessary to detail all the expeditions undertaken against the Spaniards, by adventurers assisted by the queen. In 1595, one of considerable magnitude was fitted out under Drake and Hawkins; after various predatory efforts, with but partial success, the fleet returned in the ensuing spring, both the commanders having died, their diseases being aggravated by disappointments. Philip was still bent on the invasion of England, for which purpose a large force was prepared in Spain, in 1596, when it was resolved to attack and destroy the Spanish vessels in their own ports. A fleet was fitted out again, chiefly by private adventurers. Essex and lord Effingham were commanders. Many vessels were destroyed; Cadiz was taken. The whole loss to Spain was estimated at twenty millions of ducats; but afleet from America, with a large amount of treasure, was not intercepted, and the expedition returned without making further efforts: it is to be noticed that, by the especial command of Elizabeth, no personal injuries were inflicted on the inhabitants of Cadiz. The nuns and other females were allowed to retire unmolested, carrying with them their clothes and jewels. A Spanish fleet sailed from the Tagus soon afterwards, for Ireland; but Providence again disappointed the project. A storm destroyed a part, and dispersed the rest. It is remarkable, that in the following year, 1597, another fleet designed for Ireland was also scattered by a storm. An expedition from England had previously attacked the Azores with imperfect success. It was originally intended for a descent into Spain; but the ships were crippled by a storm that drove them back into port. : The queen's reception of Essex on his return implied dissatisfaction, upon which he retired to Wanstead. Among other matters that annoyed this wayward youth, was the elevation of the lord admiral to be earl of Nottingham, which, combining the earldom with his official rank, gave him the precedence of Essex. He considered it a studied affront, designed by lord Burghley nor was he appeased till the queen appointed him earl marshal; this restored his precedence, and then Nottingham, displeased in his turn, resigned his office. Such are the troubles that agitate those whom the world calls great. The queen was much annoyed by the disputes among her courtiers; but she evidently gave sir Robert Cecil the preference for conducting matters of business, while Essex was the agreeable and favoured courtier. The efforts of the Spaniards in Ireland much disturbed Elizabeth. Fenton, writing from court in 1597, says: The queen doth not now bear with such composed spirit as she was wont; but, since the Irish affairs, seemeth more froward than commonly she used to bear herself towards her women; nor doth she hold them in discourse with such familiar matter, but often chides them for small neglects; in such wise as to make these fair maids often cry and bewail in piteous sort." Such is the interior of a court! In the year 1598, peace was made between France and Spain. Henry urged Elizabeth and the states to accede to terms of pacification. This advice was supported by lord Burghley and other councillors; but Essex and his young supporters desired the continuance of a war, which promised to bring what they called glory and wealth to England; forgetful that the plunder obtained in these expeditions was only obtained by a heavy expense, and a serious loss of life, while it was in reality disgraceful robbery. The strife among the councillors was severe lord Burghley took a psalm-book from his pocket, and showed to Essex the solemn declaration, that "bloodthirsty and deceitful men shall not live out half their days," Psa. lv. 23. Essex resented this; but it is a solemn truth, and was remembered by many when his own untimely fate realized the warning. Peace was not made with Spain, though negotiations were begun. Instructions were drawn up by lord Burghley, to do nothing without securing the religion and liberty of the United Provinces. This would interpose a barrier against the efforts of the pope and his confederates to injure Scotland and England. Before Henry signed the treaty of peace between France and Spain, he published the edict of Nantes-a decree which insured the enjoyment of many privileges to the Protestants in his dominions, but which was always displeasing to the papists, till it was revoked about a hundred years afterwards. The rash and hasty temper of Essex was further displayed at this time. He opposed the queen's will respecting the appointment of a deputy for the govern ment of Ireland; when he could not prevail he rudely turned his back upon her majesty! This was more than the Tudor spirit of Elizabeth could bear. She "bestowed on him a box on the ear," with a rebuke expressed in no courtly terms; Essex put his hand to his sword, and declared with an oath that he would not put up with such an insult. Those present interfered. Essex withdrew from court, refusing to make any submission; and the queen refused to allow him to return without an apology. How indulgence of the passions, especially anger, lowers the most elevated characters! How true are the words of the wise man, He that ruleth his spirit is better than he that taketh a city," Prov. xvi. 32. This estrangement betwixt the queen and her favourite lasted for some months. The autumn of 1598 was marked by the death of Philip, who died at the age of seventy-two, having signalised himself for more than forty years as the bitter, though unsuccessful enemy of Protestantism. With the chief power of the old world, and the riches of the new at his disposal, he failed in his efforts to subdue Holland and England. The Almighty said to this proud monarch, as to the waves of the ocean, "Thus far shalt thou go, and no further." Though the waves toss and roar, they cannot pass the seemingly feeble barrier of sand which is decreed for their boundary. Thus, although Philip was permitted to overrun and pass over many realms, he was not allowed to accomplish the subjugation of England, or the ruin of those who refused to obey him rather than their God. A few weeks before the death of Philip, his great opponent, lord Burghley, departed this life. How dif ferent were their objects; and how different, so far as we can venture to judge, their reward! Amidst all the difficulties and temptations of the principal official post in the kingdom, lord Burghley sought the glory of God, and the welfare of his queen. Of this Elizabeth was fully sensible; she never allowed his enemies to prevail against him, however much they presumed on her personal favour. She called him "her spirit ;" and it is evident, that most of the laudable part of the polity of Elizabeth, which secured her the respect of succeeding ages, emanated from the spirit of Burghley. The path of a statesman is beset with snares; nor can Burghley's long administration of forty years be considered free from blame; but as no one has since held the highest post of government with an equally sincere desire for the promotion of true religion, so no one has been found equally deserving of honour, when all things are considered. It is true that Burghley was ignorant of right views as to toleration; for though he was in advance of his age, he too often acted under a mistaken desire of bringing down all matters of religion to one precise standard, arranged for political advantage; and he gave way too much to the imperious spirit of Elizabeth in this important matter. But he may be considered as influenced by what were good motives. One of lord Burghley's family thus describes his last hours: "He was in a languishing state for two or three months, but not confined to the house. His great anxiety was, that he might leave his country in a state of peace. His only comfort was in contemplation, reading or hearing the Scripture, psalms, and prayers. About ten days before his death, he was confined to his bed, but without much suffering. On August 4, at seven in the evening, he felt his last hour approach, and said, 'Now the Lord be praised, the time is come.' Then calling his children, he blessed them, and took his leave, commanding them to love and fear God, and to love one another; he then prayed for the queen, and calling Bellot, his steward, delivered his will to him, saying, 'I have ever found thee true to me, and now I trust thee with all.' The steward, like a godly, honest man, prayed his lordship, as he had lived religiously, so now to remember his Saviour Christ, by whose blood he was to have forgiveness of his sins, with many the like speeches used by his chaplains, to whom he answered, it was done already, for he was assured God had forgiven his sins, and would save his soul." What a contrast to the death-beds of Beaufort and Wolsey! But lord Burghley lived in the fear of God, and found him a very present help in his last hour. A paper of instructions for the earl of Rutland, one of his wards, when about to set out upon his travels in 1570, yet extant, begins with the important statement: "The first, the midst, and the last is, to continue yourself in the fear of God, by daily service of him in prayer." The preamble of his |
