to annex themselves to England, and to become loyal subjects of England’s Elizabeth.  But the Queen, besides other objections to the course proposed by the Provinces, thought that she could do a better thing in the way of mortgages.  In this, perhaps, there was something of the penny-wise policy, which sprang from one great defect in her character.  At any rate much mischief was done by the mercantile spirit which dictated the hard chaffering on both sides the Channel at this important juncture; for during this tedious flint-paring, Antwerp, which might have been saved, was falling into the hands of Philip.  It should never be forgotten, however, that the Queen had no standing army, and but a small revenue.  The men to be sent from England to the Netherland wars were first to be levied wherever it was possible to find them.  In truth, many were pressed in the various wards of London, furnished with red coats and matchlocks at the expense of the citizens, and so despatched, helter-skelter, in small squads as opportunity offered.  General Sir John Norris was already superintending these operations, by command of the Queen, before the present formal negotiation with the States had begun.

Subsequently to the 11th July, on which day the second address had been made to Elizabeth, the envoys had many conferences with Leicester, Burghley, Walsingham, and other councillors, without making much progress.  There was perpetual wrangling about figures and securities.

“What terms will you pledge for the repayment of the monies to be advanced?” asked Burghley and Walsingham.

“But if her Majesty takes the sovereignty,” answered the deputies, “there will be no question of guarantees.  The Queen will possess our whole land, and there will be no need of any repayment.”

“And we have told you over and over again,” said the Lord Treasurer, “that her Majesty will never think of accepting the sovereignty.  She will assist you in money and men, and must be repaid to the last farthing when the war is over; and, until that period, must have solid pledges in the shape of a town in each Province.”

Then came interrogatories as to the amount of troops and funds to be raised respectively by the Queen and the States for the common cause.  The Provinces wished her Majesty to pay one-third of the whole expense, while her Majesty was reluctant to pay one-quarter.  The States wished a permanent force to be kept on foot in the Netherlands of thirteen thousand infantry and two thousand cavalry for the field, and twenty-three thousand for garrisons.  The councillors thought the last item too much.  Then there were queries as to the expense of maintaining a force in the Provinces.  The envoys reckoned one pound sterling, or ten florins, a month for the pay of each foot soldier, including officers; and for the cavalry, three times as much.  This seemed reasonable, and the answers to the inquiries touching the expense of the war-vessels and sailors