The invasion of England by Spain had been most portentous.  That the danger was at last averted is to be ascribed to the enthusiasm of the English, nation—­both patricians and plebeians—­to the heroism of the little English fleet, to the spirit of the naval commanders and volunteers, to the stanch, and effective support of the Hollanders; and to the hand of God shattering the Armada at last; but very little credit can be conscientiously awarded to the diplomatic or the military efforts of the Queen’s government.  Miracles alone, in the opinion of Roger Williams, had saved England on this occasion from perdition.

Towards the end of August, Admiral de Nassau paid a visit to Dover with forty ships, “well appointed and furnished.”  He dined and conferred with Seymour, Palmer, and other officers—­Winter being still laid up with his wound—­and expressed the opinion that Medina Sidonia would hardly return to the Channel, after the banquet he had received from her Majesty’s navy between Calais and Gravelines.  He also gave the information that the States had sent fifty Dutch vessels in pursuit of the Spaniards, and had compelled all the herring-fishermen for the time to serve in the ships of war, although the prosperity of the country depended on that industry.  “I find the man very wise, subtle, and cunning,” said Seymour of the Dutch Admiral, “and therefore do I trust him.”

Nassau represented the Duke of Parma as evidently discouraged, as having already disembarked his troops, and as very little disposed to hazard any further enterprise against England.  “I have left twenty-five Kromstevens,” said he, “to prevent his egress from Sluys, and I am immediately returning thither myself.  The tide will not allow his vessels at present to leave Dunkerk, and I shall not fail—­before the next full moon—­to place myself before that place, to prevent their coming out, or to have a brush with them if they venture to put to sea.”

But after the scenes on which the last full moon had looked down in those waters, there could be no further pretence on the part of Farnese to issue from Sluys and Dunkerk, and England and Holland were thenceforth saved from all naval enterprises on the part of Spain.

Meantime, the same uncertainty which prevailed in England as to the condition and the intentions of the Armada was still more remarkable elsewhere.  There was a systematic deception practised not only upon other governments; but upon the King of Spain as well.  Philip, as he sat at his writing-desk, was regarding himself as the monarch of England, long after his Armada had been hopelessly dispersed.