thereof, in a glass, as she may her own face; I do then assure myself she would with careful consideration receive them, and not allow of any man’s reason to the contrary . . . .  The country is worthy any prince in the world, the people do reverence the Queen, and in love of her do so believe that the Grace of Leicester is by God and her sent among them for her good.  And they believe in him for the redemption of their bodies, as they do in God for their souls.  I dare pawn my soul, that if her Majesty will allow him the just and rightful mean to manage this cause, that he will so handle the manner and matter as shall highly both please and profit her Majesty, and increase her country, and his own honour.”

Lord North, who held a high command in the auxiliary force, spoke also with great enthusiasm.  “Had your Lordship seen,” he wrote to Burghley, “with what thankful hearts these countries receive all her Majesty’s subjects, what multitudes of people they be, what stately cities and buildings they have, how notably fortified by art, how strong by nature, flow fertile the whole country, and how wealthy it is, you would, I know, praise the Lord that opened your lips to undertake this enterprise, the continuance and good success whereof will eternise her Majesty, beautify her crown, with the most shipping, with the most populous and wealthy countries, that ever prince added to his kingdom, or that is or can be found in Europe.  I lack wit, good my Lord, to dilate this matter.”

Leicester, better informed than some of those in his employment, entertained strong suspicions concerning Philip’s intentions with regard to England; but he felt sure that the only way to laugh at a Spanish invasion was to make Holland and England as nearly one as it was possible to do.

“No doubt that the King of Spain’s preparations by sea be great,” he, said; “but I know that all that he and his friends can make are not able to match with her Majesty’s forces, if it please her to use the means that God hath given her.  But besides her own, if she need; I will undertake to furnish her from hence, upon two months’ warning, a navy for strong and tall ships, with their furniture and mariners, that the King of Spain, and all that he can make, shall not be able to encounter with them.  I think the bruit of his preparations is made the greater to terrify her Majesty and this country people.  But, thanked be God, her Majesty hath little cause to fear him.  And in this country they esteem no more of his power by sea than I do of six fisher-boats off Rye.”

Thus suggestive is it to peep occasionally behind the curtain.  In the calm cabinet of the Escorial, Philip and his comendador mayor are laying their heads together, preparing the invasion of England; making arrangements for King Alexander’s coronation in that island, and—­like sensible, farsighted persons as they are—­even settling the succession to the throne after Alexander’s death, instead