History of the United Netherlands, 1603-04 | Page 2

at the interior
condition of that kingdom with which it seemed the destiny of the
Dutch republic to be perpetually at war, as may be necessary to
illustrate the leading characteristics of the third Philip's reign.
Meantime, as the great queen was no more, who was always too
sagacious to doubt that the Dutch cause was her own--however
disposed she might be to browbeat the Dutchmen--it seemed possible to
Spain that the republic might at last be deprived of its only remaining
ally. Tassis was despatched as chief of a legation, precursory to a more
stately embassy to be confided to the Duke of Frias. The archdukes sent
the prince of Arenberg, while from the United States came young
Henry of Nassau, associated with John of Olden-Barneveld, Falk,
Brederode, and other prominent statesmen of the commonwealth.
Ministers from Denmark and Sweden, from the palatinate and from
numerous other powers, small and great, were also collected to greet
the rising sun in united Britain, while the, awkward Scotchman, who
was now called upon to play that prominent part in the world's
tragi-comedy which had been so long and so majestically sustained by
the "Virgin Queen," already began to tremble at the plaudits and the
bustle which announced how much was expected of the new performer.
There was indeed a new sovereign upon the throne. That most regal
spirit which had well expressed so many of the highest characteristics
of the nation had fled. Mankind, has long been familiar with the dark,
closing hours of the illustrious reign. The great queen, moody,
despairing, dying, wrapt in profoundest thought, with eyes fixed upon
the ground or already gazing into infinity, was besought by the
counsellors around her to name the man to whom she chose that the
crown should devolve.
"Not to a Rough," said Elizabeth, sententiously and grimly.
When the King of France was named, she shook her head. When Philip
III. was suggested, she made a still more significant sign of dissent.
When the King of Scots was mentioned, she nodded her approval, and
again relapsed into silent meditation.
She died, and James was King of Great Britain and Ireland. Cecil had

become his prime minister long before the queen's eyes were closed.
The hard-featured, rickety, fidgety, shambling, learned, most
preposterous Scotchman hastened to take possession of the throne.
Never--could there have been a more unfit place or unfit hour for such
a man.
England, although so small in dimensions, so meager in population, so
deficient, compared to the leading nations of Europe, in material and
financial strength, had already her great future swelling in her heart.
Intellectually and morally she was taking the lead among the nations.
Even at that day she had produced much which neither she herself nor
any other nation seemed destined to surpass.
Yet this most redoubtable folk only numbered about three millions,
one- tenth of them inhabiting London. With the Scots and Irish added
they amounted to less than five millions of souls, hardly a third as
many as the homogeneous and martial people of that dangerous
neighbour France.
Ireland was always rebellious; a mere conquered province, hating her
tyrant England's laws, religion, and people; loving Spain, and believing
herself closely allied by blood as well as sympathy to that most
Catholic land.
Scotland, on the accession of James, hastened to take possession of
England. Never in history had two races detested each other more
fervently. The leeches and locusts of the north, as they were universally
designated in England, would soon have been swept forth from the
country, or have left it of their own accord, had not the king employed
all that he had of royal authority or of eloquent persuasion to retain
them on the soil. Of union, save the personal union of the sceptre, there
was no thought. As in Ireland there was hatred to England and
adoration for Spain; so in Scotland, France was beloved quite as much
as England was abhorred. Who could have foretold, or even hoped, that
atoms so mutually repulsive would ever have coalesced into a
sympathetic and indissoluble whole?
Even the virtues of James were his worst enemies. As generous as the
day, he gave away with reckless profusion anything and everything that
he could lay his hands upon. It was soon to appear that the great
queen's most unlovely characteristic, her avarice; was a more blessed
quality to the nation she ruled than the ridiculous prodigality of James.

Two thousand gowns, of the most, expensive material, adorned with
gold, pearls, and other bravery--for Elizabeth was very generous to
herself-- were found in the queen's wardrobe, after death. These
magnificent and costly robes, not one of which had she vouchsafed to
bestow upon or to bequeath to any of her ladies of honour, were now
presented by