PLYMOUTH INSTITUTION. 43 



her own mind, that when once fully convinced of the expediency 

 of a particular measure, her will brooked no resistance. All 

 those to whom she distributed her favor were never more than 

 tenants at will, and stood on no better ground than her princely 

 favor, and their own good behaviour. In reviewing the character 

 of Elizabeth herself, whether we consider her as a woman or as 

 a Queen, we shall find much niore to praise than to censure. 

 As a woman we look for more feminine softness in her manners, 

 and less of imperiousnesss in her bearing, whilst we must wonder 

 at, and respect that strength of mind, and admirable sagacity, 

 which raised her so far above the generality of her sex. As a 

 Queen she merits almost unqualified praise; so much power of 

 intellect, such discernment of character, such caution, such 

 innate dignity, joined to a princely condescension, such foresight 

 in forming plans, and decision in executing them, such unflinching 

 political consistency, such self command, such self confidence 

 and equanimity in times of danger, never before nor since together 

 characterized an English nionarch : on the other hand, her 

 dissimu'lation is sometimes apt to disgust an unbiassed observer, 

 though, in that age, such a trait in a sovereign was deemed rather 

 a proof of wisdom than of insincerity. Perhaps no prince ever 

 practised the art of king-craft, as he termed it, more systematicolly 

 than James the 1st. Elizabeth was subject to sudden fits of 

 anger, wherein she resembled her father, but this, although felt by 

 her immediate attendants, and those continually about her person, 

 Effected not her character as a Queen. In private life, I believe 

 her to have been strictly virtuous, although many have wished to 

 prove the contrary. It appears to me that the very uncertainty 

 which attaches to her moral character, is a proof of her innocence ; 

 for surely had she been otherwise, some one fact or other must 

 have transpired which her enemiies (and she had many) would 

 have bruited to her dishonour. But her most virulent foes adduce 

 nothing but conjecture in support of their charges; and the 

 most plausible conjecture is very far from proof. She certainly 

 had favorites amongst her courtiers, who had gained her esteem by 

 their exterior accomplishments, or more solid excellencies, but it 

 has been justly remarked, that although favorites, they were 

 not minions; and in bestowing upon them proofs of her regard, 

 she never forgot the duty she owed herself or her kingdom. 



Her courage and presence of mind under difficulty v/as remark- 

 able. At the very time of the Spanish invasion, in the midst of 

 the anxiety of naval and military preparations, she sent a letter 

 to the University of Cambridge, containing som.e regulations 

 relative to the wearing of caps and hoods; this letter is still 

 extant. But there remains one blot upon her escutcheon, which 

 her most sincere admirers can never hope to efface, either by 

 partiality or extenu.^tion. Her conduct to Mary (^ueen of Scots. 

 Mary undoubtedly deserved the fate which she found, for her 

 guilt has been pioved beyond a doubt ; but I fear tliut Elizabeth 



