Report of the Arrangements which were made for the internal Defence of these Kingdoms, when Spain, by its Armada, projected the Invasion and Conquest of England; and Application of the wise Proceedings of our Ancestors to the present Crisis of public Safety.-Not published. Svo. pp. 420.

THE duties of government are more extensive and diversified, than those who are not immediately concerned in their execution can imagine. Shakespeare says well : The slave, a member of the country's peace, Enjoys it; but in gross brain little wots, What watch the king keeps to maintain the peace, Whose hours the peasant best advantages!

HEN. V.

When the commonwealth is threatened, the public officers of the state must meet tho e threats, at their personal peril; and must discharge the duties of their offices with promptitude, zeal and intelligence, or subject themselves to the reproaches and hatred of their contemporaries, to the execration and contempt of posterity.-Late events have roused the spirit of this country to exertions which exhibit no symptoms of declining empire; whatever some atrabilious politicians foreboded. An examination of what the power and patriotism of Britain has effected under our own observation, compared with those efforts that distinguished the brightest period of our national history, and days which we are taught to look back upon as eminently glorious, forms no weak antidote to that despondency which a few ill-informed minds or hypocondriac constitutions, have rather harboured than indulged, rather obscurely suggested, than openly acknowledged.

We consider ourselves, therefore, as being very much obliged to a Right Honourable Friend who has favoured us with an opportunity of consulting the curious compi ation announced in the present article. VOL. I. [Lit. Pan. Nov. 1806.]

We understand that his Majesty conceiving the situation of his dominions lately to resemble in many respects that which issued so fortunately for England in the days of Queen Elizabeth, directed proper researches to be made for ascertaining the principles and preparations adopted at that period. Accordingly, the records in the Tower were consulted; and a selection of papers, apparently of the greatest consequence, was formed, and printed, but not published. They are classed in the order of external alliance, internal defence, military arrangements, and naval equipments. They are preceded by a statement of facts in the History of Europe, at the period of the Spanish Armada, and a sketch of events, shewing the effects of the Queen's measures, at home and abroad. It is very properly observed, that in 1588, the state of Scotland, as a neighbour, and perhaps, a rival, of England, constantly required a watchfulness and attention, which had a weighty influence on operations in the south. A portion, larger or smaller as exigencies were estimated, yet still a portion, of the English force was of neces sity, attached to the northern counties, and the expense attending it was an unavoidable contingency, and felt as such by the exchequer. The internal situation of England itself was unsettled; in as much as the minds of many were averse from the establishment of protestantism, and retained no small 1egard for that manner of worship, which their fathers had transmitted to their posterity as the only mean of salvation: of this persuasion the invader was the professed support and patron. The head and visible representative, to whom all who maintained this worship looked up with unbounded veneration, was, if not the instigator, yet the well-wisher of this attack on our island, had consecrated it by

I

is olessing, and had bestowed on it the title of "Invincible." Ireland too, acknowledged the Pope as its head, in religious matters; and dreaded nothing more than his anathema. Philip of Spain was the only enemy whose power could be thought formidable to England. His army was decidedly the most inured to arms, the best appointed and disciplined of any in Europe; it was already in Flanders, was commanded by the first General of the age, ready to act, and willing to pour its myriads on the shores of its devoted prey. The navy of Philip was vast and unrivalled; he was at that time the great naval power of Europe; and his ports on the Continent, opposite to the most convenient landing places of England, gave him every advantage that could be desired. His influence with the catholic party in France was great; his resources in Europe and the Indies were immense; his national strength, his political dexterity, his personal character, induced the whole continent to conclude that England was most certainly overmatched, and that the hour was come, in which she must yield to an implacable and triumphant enemy. History relates with rapture the event of that perilous period: and from this æra we may date the progressive power of the British Navy. But what proportion of the then existing evils to be provided against by authority, is in activity at the present moment? Scotland is no longer a separate kingdom, but a horde of auxiliary heroes: the protestant succession is established in Britain beyond removal, and the political ascendancy of the catholic religion is an event whose probability makes no man's heart ache; the power of the Pope is the shadow of a shade, his consecrations or his execrations are regarded with the mere gaze of uninterested curiosity. Is the navy of Bonaparte equal to the navy of Philip? neither in reputation, power, nor skill: Are his troops superior to those which had long been hardened to service in Flanders? man for man they are inferior: and their very numbers, is their disadvantage in a project of invasion. The ports he possesses, are the same as Philip possessed; but their advantages are not increased during the lapse of ages; on the contrary, their essential strength is abated; and their relative strength is comparatively in a state of decay, if not of decrepitude. Neverthe

less there are many points of comparison which attach uncommon interest to whatever is recorded concerning the Spanish Armada; we, therefore, coincide perfectly with the object for which this selection was comanded; and cannot help thinking that the dispositions of our forces in modern days, are at least equal in skill as they are superior in the spirit of enterprize, tothose which were so happily crowned with success in the sixteenth century.

We shall consider the volume before us in two points of view: first, as a collection of historical documents narrating an important event in British History; an event in which we ourselves are interested not only as antiquaries, as critics, as general readers, but as men and Britons, as Patriots and Philanthropists, as Protestants and Christians. Under a second point of view, we shall take occasion to compare the relative strength of this country in population, and other resources, as it was in the days of the valiant heroine who "though she had but the body of a "weak and feeble woman; yet had the "heart of a king; and of a king of Eng"land too; and thought foul scorn, that "Parma or Spain, or any Prince of Eu

rope, should dare to invade the borders "of her realms :"-with its present state, under a monarch who announced to Parliament his intention of unfurling the royal standard, and sharing the dangers as well as the honours of his country.

We shall first introduce specimens of the waiting and manners of the age; including the judgment of our great naval officers, as to the duty of enterprize and activity against the enemy. There is a kind of English Bull-dog growling, in Lord Howard's letter, which seems to express in a manner perfectly natural, a persuasion that he had suffered the loss of a great victory: Sir Francis Drake's style is more lively. The difference in size between the Spanish and English vessels, as described by the English fugitives is very striking.

Lord Howard's Letter to Sir Francis Wal-singham.

Sr. 15th June, 1588. WITHIN three houres, after I had written my letter, which herewith I send you, I receaved your letter of the 9th of this present, by a pursuyvante, which letter I doe not a litle mervaile at; for therby you signifie, that Her Ma'tie perceavinge, by a letter I sent you, heretofore, that I was mynded to goo on

the coaste of Spaine, to the Iles of Bayone, her pleasure is, that I shold not goe so far, but only, of and on, betwixte the coaste of Spaine and Englande, leste the Spanishe fleete shold com into the heighte of 50, and then should bend theire course directlie to this realme. Sr. For the meaninge we had, to goe on the coaste of Spaine, it was deepely debated by those, which the world dothe judge to be men of the greatest experience, that this realme hath, which are theise Sr. Fra. Drake, Mr. Hawkins, Mr. Frobisher, and Mr. Thos. Fenner; and I hope Her Majestie will not thinke, that we wente soe rashlie to work, or without a principall and choice care, and respecte of the saftie of this realme, we wold goe on the coaste of Spaine, and, therfore, our grounde was, firste to look to that principall. And yff we founde they did but linger on theire owne coaste, or that they were put into the Isles of Bayone, or the Groyne, then we thought, in all menne's judgements, that be of experience here, it had bin moste fit, to have soughte some good waie, and the sureste we cold devise (by the good protectione of God) to have defeated them. For this we considered, that the Spanishe forces, beinge for so long time victualled, as they are, mighte in very good policie, detract time, to drive us to consume oure victualles, which, for any thinge we can see, is not to be supplied againe, to serve the turne, by all the meanes that Her Majestie, and all you can doe. And if Her Ma'ty doe thinke, that she is hable to detracte time, with the Kinge of Spaine, she is greatlie deceaved, whiche may breed her greate perill. For this abusinge of the treaty of peace dothe playnelie shewe, howe the Kinge of Spaine will have all thinges perfecte, as his plote is layed before he will proceede to execute. I am persuaded, he will see the Duke of Gwise bringe the French K. to his purpose, before he will assaile. Yf his intention be soe, I praie you, when our victualles be consumed, in gasinge for them, what shal becom of us. Whether this may not breade moste greate danger and dishonour, I leave it to Her Ma'tis. wisdome; but if yt shold fall out soe, I wold I had never bin borne; and soe I am sure, many heare wold wishe, noe lesse, on theire owne behalfe. And if we were tomorrowe, next on the coaste of Spaine, I wold not land, in any place, to offend anye, but they shold well perceave, that we came not to spoyle, but to seeke oute the greate force, to feighte with them; and soe shold they have knowne by message, which shold have bin the surest waie, and most honourable to Her Majestie; but nowe, as by your derectione, to lye, of and on, betwixte Englande and Spaine, the south west wind that shall bringe them to Scotland of Ireland, shall put us to the leewards.

The seas are broade; but if we had bin on their coaste, they durst not have put of, to have left us on theire backs; and when they shall come, with the southwesterly wind, which must serve them, if they goe for Irelande or Scotlande, though we be as highe, as Cape Cleare, yet shall we not be hable to goe to them, as longe as the wind shal be westerlie. And if we lye so highe, then may the Spanishe fleete beare, with the coaste of France, to come for the Isle of Weighte, which for my parte, I thinke, if they come to Englande, they will attempt, then are we cleane oute of the waye of any service againste them. But I must, and will obeye; and I am glad, there be such there, as are liable to judge, what is fitter for us to doe, than we here; but, by my instructions which I had, I did thinke it otherwise; but I will put them up in a bag; and I shall most humblie praye Her Majestie to thinke, that that which we ment to doe, was not rashlie determyned, and that which shall be done, shall be most care fully used by us; and we will followe and obey Her Majestie's commandements. But if we had bin nowe, betwixte Spaine and Englande, we had bin but in hard case, the storme beinge soe stronge, and continueinge so longe as it hathe don; but, upon the coaste of Spaine, we had had a land wind and places of succor. We ment not to have spoyled any towne or village, onely we muste, of necessitie, water; and when we lie betwixte both coastes, we muste come to this coaste to water, for soe we are enjoyned; and if the winde doe not serve us, to com on our owne coaste, then in what case shall we be, nowe that we muste not goe on the coaste of Spaine.

We laie 7 daies in the Sleeve, which was as longe as we cold contynue there, without danger, as the winde was; and if som had bin with us, they should have seene, what a place of danger it is, to lye, of and on, in. Sr. You knowe it hath bin the opinion, bothe of Her Majestie and others, that it was the sureste course, to lye on the coaste of Spaine. I confess my erroure, at that time, which was otherwise; but I did, and will yeald, ever unto them of greater experience; yet you knowe, it was thoughte by Her Majestie, that we might go into Lisbone to defeate them, which was the strongest place. Therfore, I thought, that if we had hard, that they had bin at the Iles of Bayone, or in the Groyne, which was 10 times more easie to defeate them in, I thinke it wold have bin good service. But Sir, I will perswade noe more, but doe as I am directed. And God sende the winde Idoe not force us thither, otherwise, uppon my dewtie we will goe thither, nowe we knowe Her Ma'ties pleasure. And soc, Ibid you most hartelic farewelle.

From on boarde Her Ma'tie's good shippe,

1588.

Your assured lovinge Frende,
C. HOWARDe.

To the Righte Honorable my very lovinge Frende Sir Francis Walsingham Knight, principall Secretary to Her Majestie. [Extract.] Letter from Sir Francis Drake to Sir F. Walsingham.-24th July, 1588.

We have the army of Spayne before us, and mind, with the grace of God, to wrestle or fall with them. There was never any thing pleased me better, than the seeing the enemie flying, with a south wind, to the northwards. God grant they have a good eye to the Duke of Parma, for, with the grace of God, if we live, I doubt it not, but ere it be long, so to handle the matter with the Duke of Sidonia, as he shall wish himself at St. Marie among his orange trees.

God give us grace to depend upon him, so shall we not doubt victory; for our cause is good. Humbly taking my leave, this last of July, 1588.

Your Honor's faithfully to

be co'manded ever, Fra. Drake. P. S. I crave pardon of your Honor for my haste, for that I had to watch, this last night, upon the enemy.

Your's ever,

Fra. Drake.

We discover in these sentiments the very reasonings of the immortal Nelson : let us now survey the force concerning which our Admiral's fear was, not their coming forward but their getting away. The Substaunce of certain Maryners' Report, touching the Spanish Fleet.

August, 88. Certain maryners of this countrie to the number of 19, which have bene in the Spanysh fleete, ever since they first putt to sca, and are nowe fledd awaie from them, having made sailes, for their cockboats, with their shirtes, do reporte and say; that all the fleete, being 150 saile, did sett forth out of Lisborne, the 20th May, and commyng neere England, were driven back again, by contrary winds; that, in all the whole number of them was but 20,000 men, whereof 10,000 good soldiers, the rest common men; that theie were victualled for 3 months, and, for any great sicknesse, there was none, as it was reported, nether did land any more sick persons at the Groyne, than 300, from whence they putt to sea, the 22d July, stilo-vetere, and came to the Lande's Ende by the 28th of the same, and till they came over against Plimuth, they met with no man, where 40 of her Ma'ty's shippes did skirmish with them, and one

reason the captaine falling into a rage with the gunner, and threatening to kill him if he shot no righter; the gunner cast fire into the powder barrels, and threwe himself overboard. In this shipp, theie say, was the treasure, and 5 ensigns of Spaniards. After this againe at Portland, and the Isle of Wight, her Ma'ty's navie sett upon them, but no great hurte done; but betweene Cales and the Blacknes, most furiouslie, where a great galeass was taken, and three other great shipps with 1000 men a-piece sunk downe right about the Goodwines; besides another Italian ship, which they take to be sunk also, because they made signs for helpe, but none made towards them; that there, about Cales theie were forced to cut their cabels, by the ships of fire which came upon them, out of her Ma'ty's flecte, and soe, from thence fledd awaie with all speede; that they were driven thus above Dunkerke, and there about Blanckenburgh, one of their greate shippes was grounded on the Wheelings, and taken by them of Flushing, wherein were 500 Spaniards, of whome 150 are come to Roterodami, the rest cast overboard; that before their fight, about Cales, which was on the Sundaye, the D. of Parma sent them word, he would assist them the next daie; but for that he kept not promise, theie generallie crie out against hin That on the Satterday, he did what he could to imbarque his men, but it would not be notwithstanding that with his own handes he did kill some souldiers and captaynes; that, in all, theie had not above 300 horse, and some mules for carriage of their field ordinance; that, generallie, the Englishmen have greatlie endamaged them with ordinance; and that in the fleete, they did see, through the port-holes, an Italian ship all full of blood, which yet mainteined the fight, in her ranke, 3 hours after; that one of her Ma'ty's ships valiantlie passed through them, to charge the Admirall, who fledd away, and, as theie say, doth seeme to be wonderfully dismaied and discouraged; that when theie left them, and fledd awaie, theie were as high as Walcheren, yet about 100 saile, but uncertain what course to take, or where to turn in, for relief; for into Spaine theie dared not returne, because at their coming out, they were all threatened hanging, if they conquered not England, and that theie had brought great store of halters to hang up all Englishmen; but, they think, they will round about Scotland; that her la'ty's navie followed them, alwaies hard, and drove them, like a flock of sheepe, but durst not aboard them, because theie are so high built, so as 40 of our's were troubled, to take one of their greatest armadas, at the last fight, on Mondaie; that as they think, they should have landed, about the Isle of Wight; that, 3 days and 3 nights, after they caine