The essays, or councils, civil and moral, of Sir Francis Bacon, Lord Verulam, Viscount St. Alban with a table of the colours of good and evil, and a discourse of The wisdom of the ancients : to this edition is added The character of Queen Elizabeth, never before printed in English.

THE CHARACTER OF Queen Elizabeth. Written by way of Essay.

By the Lord Verulam.

QUeen Elizabeth was one, whom Nature and Fortune had made the Wonder of her Sex, and an Ornament to Crowned Heads. For the truth of this we need not appeal to the Testimony of any Monk, or of any such like Solitary Recluse: For tho these men write acutely, and have extraordinary Judgments; yet being wedded to, and byas∣sed by their own Faction, they can never be faithful in transmitting a thing of this nature to Posterity. But this is a Province that more properly belongs to men of the first Rank, to such as have had the management of the Go∣vernment in their own hands, and have been acquainted with the Secret Springs and moti∣ons of Civil Affairs. Every Age has look'd upon a Female Government as a Rarity; if prosperous as a Wonder; but if prosperous and long, almost as a Miracle. Whereas tho she reign'd full four and forty years, yet she out∣liv'd not her happiness. Of the happiness of her Reign I design to say something, without run∣ning

out into high Encomiums. For Praise in∣deed is the Tribute of Men, but Happiness the Gift of God.

I take this to be the first step to her happi∣ness, that from a Private condition she was rais'd to the Administration of the Regal Power. Forasmuch as 'tis a standing Rule in the Mo∣rality and common Sense of Mankind, that those things are to be look'd upon as our greatest happiness, which come beyond our hope and expectation. But this is not what I mean. That which I aim at is this, that Princes, who are bred up in Courts as the undoubted Heirs of a Crown, are so far debauch'd by a soft, indulgent and effeminate Education, that they frequently become less capable of manag∣ing the State: Whereas those have proved the best and most excellent Princes, who have been under the Discipline of both Fortunes. We need not to go far for instances, Henry the Seventh in England, and Lewis the Twelfth in France, within our own memory, and almost at the same time, mounted the Throne, not only from a Private, but also from an Adverse and harass'd Fortune; and the one prov'd famous for his Prudence, the other for his Justice. This was the Case of Q. Elizabeth; whose Fortune was as inconstant at the first, as at last, when she came to the Crown, it prov'd Constant and Even. For at her Birth she was declar'd Heiress to the Throne, afterwards disinherited, and at last despisd: during her Brother's Reign she enjoy'd a more

serene and favourable Fortune, but whilst her Sister sway'd the Scepter the Clouds and Storms return'd upon her again. Nor was she advanc'd on a sudden from a Prison to a Throne, there∣by to render her haughty after the Provocati∣on of her Sufferings: But being restor'd to her Liberty, and rais'd in her hopes, she at last qui∣etly and happily mounted the Throne, with∣out any Opposition or Competitor.

These things I have mention'd, to shew how careful Divine Providence was of this best of Princes, by preparing her for a Crown by such methods of Discipline. Nor ought the misfor∣tune of her Mother to Eclipse the glory of her Birth: especially since 'tis abundantly evident, that Henry the Eighth was engag'd in a new love before he gave way to his Anger against Q. Ann: nor is posterity a stranger to the na∣ture of that King, which was so very prone to Love and Jealousie, and prosecuted both even with the effusion of Blood. To this we may add, that she was cut off by an Accusati∣on grounded on slight Conjectures, and on the improbable Testimony of a wicked Accuser: all which was mutter'd privately at that very time; and Q. Ann herself with an undaunted mind, and noble presence, protested her In∣nocence at the time of her Death. For having (as she thought) got a faithful and generous Messenger, she just before her execution dis∣patcht him away with this Message to the King; That the King had very well observ'd, and would still keep his promise good to her, that was now go∣ing

to be invested with new honors: since from a Private Person he rais'd her at first to the dignity of a Marchioness, and then advanc'd her to be the Partner of his Bed and Throne; and now, when he could raise her no higher on Earth, design'd to promote her an Innocent to the Crown of Martyr∣dom. But the Messenger durst not tell this to the King, who was devoted to another Love, tho Fame, the Asserter of Truth, has transmit∣ted it to Posterity.

Another part of the Happiness of Q Eliza∣beth seems to consist in the Period and Course of time wherein she reign'd: Not only that it was Long, but because it was such a Part of her Life, as was most fit for managing the Affairs of State, and governing a Kingdom. For she was five and twenty years old when she began her Reign (at which Age she was out of her Guardians Jurisdiction) and she continu••d to Reign to the 70th year of her Age. So that she neither experienc'd what it was to be a Mi∣nor, and under a Governors power; nor did she labour under the Inconveniences of an ex∣treme and miserable Old Age. An Age, which even to Private men brings too many troubles along with it; but to Kings, beside the ordinary Miseries of human Life, it comes attended with the Decay of their States, and is back'd with an inglorious Exit. For there has scarce been a King, that has liv'd to an extreme and infirm old Age, but what lost much of that Power and Esteem, which he formerly had. Of this we have a notable Instance in Philip the

Second, King of Spain, a Prince very potent, and one very well skill'd in the Art of Govern∣ing: who in his latter days, labouring under the Impotency of old Age, deeply experienc'd the truth of what we asserted. He quitted all his Conquests in France, made a Peace with that Nation, and endeavour••d to do the same with others, that so he might leave all things in quiet and compos'd to his Successors. On the other hand, Q. Elizabeth's Fortune was so Constant and Vigorous, that no declension of Affairs follow'd her lively, tho declining Age. Nay more, for a standing and most certain monument of her happiness, she died not be∣fore a Victory in Ireland had put an end to the Rebellion there, so shining and so uniform was her Glory in all its Parts! Besides, I think it very material to reflect, over what sort of People she bore the sway, for had her Govern∣ment been over the Palmyrenians, or any other soft and unmanly Nation of Asia, it had been a less wonder, since a Female in the Throne would be suitable enough to an Esseminate People, but to have all things move and be directed by a Woman's Nod in England, a Na∣tion so fierce and warlike; this, I say, justly raises our highest admiration.

But tho the Genius of her Subjects was so de∣sirous of War, and so impatient of Peace, yet this did not hinder her from maintaining it strictly all her Reign. And this natural incli∣nation of hers, join'd with success, is what I reckon redounds to her highest Commendati∣on.

For this conduc'd much to the Happiness of her own Life, to the Honor of her Sex, and to the Peace and Quiet of her Conscience. A∣bout the tenth year of her Reign, an Insur∣rection was indeed attempted in the North, but it was soon hush'd and suppress'd. All the rest of her time England enjoy'd a secure and pro∣found Peace. And I account it a most glori∣ous Peace, upon these two accounts; which tho they make nothing to the Merit, yet con∣tribute very much to the Glory of a Peace. The first is, that it appear'd the more Conspicuous and Shining by the Calamities of its Neigh∣bours, which were all in flames round about it. Another is, that even in the Blessings of Peace there still remain'd so much martial Glory, as by its famous Actions not only retain'd, but likewise increas'd the honor of the English Na∣tion. For the supplies sent into the Nether∣lands, France, and Scotland; the Voyages that were made to the Indies, and round the whole World; the Fleets that were sent to infest Portugal and the Coasts of Spain, and the Irish. Rebels so often conquer'd and cut off, were all sufficient Testimonies, that England had remitted and lost nothing of its Ancient Glory in the Field of War.

It was likewise an addition to her Glory and Deserts, that by her timely supplies, the Neigh∣bouring Princes were maintain'd in their Thrones; and the Suppliant States, who by a conduct unbecoming Princes, were expos'd to the Cruelty of their Ministers, to the sury of

the Rabble, and to all manner of Ravage and Slaughter, were at last reliev'd by her and plac'd in that posture of Affairs, wherein they now are. Nor were her Counsels less benefi∣cial than her Supplies: witness her frequent ad∣monitions to his Catholick Majesty, to mode∣rate the displeasure he had conceiv'd against his Subjects in the Netherlands, and to restore them to that mildness of Government which they formerly enjoy'd: and witness her earnest importunities with the Kings of France, putting them often in mind of the Edicts wherein they had promis'd to preserve the Peace. It must indeed be acknowledg'd that her advices prov'd ineffectual. For the common interest of Eu∣rope oppos'd the first, lest the Ambition of Spain, freed as it were from its confinement, should enlarge it self (as affairs then stood) to the great prejudice of the Kingdoms and States of the Christian World. And the Latter was prevented by the Massacre of so many Inno∣cent Persons, who with their Wives and Chil∣dren were butcher'd in their own Habitations by the barbarous Rabble, who like so many Beasts of prey seem'd to be Animated, Armed, and sent out by Publick Authority: So that the Blood which was shed cry'd aloud for Revenge, that the Kingdom, stain'd by so no∣torious a Villany, might be purg'd by mutual Slaughters and Bloodshed. However she per∣form'd the Office of a Faithful, Prudent, and Generous Ally.

There is still another Reason, why we should admire the peaceful Reign of Queen Elizabeth, namely, because the Peace which she enjoy'd, was not owing to the inclination which the age she liv'd in had to it, but wholly to her own Prudence and wise Conduct. She strug∣gled with an Inbred Faction at home, upon the account of Religion; and the strength of the Kingdom, like the common Bulwark of all Eu∣rope, seem'd to oppose the growing Greatness of the Spaniard, and his Ambition so formida∣ble at that time; so that upon these accounts, there was a sufficient Cause of War: but by her Forces and Policy she surmounted these diffi∣culties. This was demonstrated by one of the most memorable Events, that ever happened in the whole course of Affairs of our age. For when the Spanish Armada rode upon our Seas, to the terror of all Europe, with so much noise, and so much assurance of success; it took not the least Fisher-boat, nor burnt the least Cot∣tage, nor so much as touched upon our Coast: but being routed in an Engagement, was dis∣pers'd by a miserable flight, and with frequent storms; and so left England and her Sea Coasts in an unmov'd and undisturbed Peace. Nor was she less fortunate in disappointing the se∣cret Plots of her private Foes, than in Con∣quering and Routing the Forces of an open Enemy: For tho there were many Conspiracies laid against her Life, yet were they most hap∣pily discovered and defeated. Nor was she upon that account more fearful or anxious of

the safety of her Person; her Guards were not increas'd, nor did she confine her self in her Palace, without appearing abroad: But secure of her self, and trusting to her Subjects, she remembered her Deliverance, but forgot the Danger, and alter'd nothing of her usual Management and Behaviour.

It is likewise worthy our Observation, to consider in what sort of times she flourish'd. For some Ages are so Barbarous and Ignorant, that Men have been Govern'd with as much ease, as a Shepherd drives and manages his Sheep: But this Princess liv'd in a most Learned and Polite Age; wherein it requir'd great parts and a high degree of Vertue to be excellent. A Female Government is likewise very often eclips'd by Marriage, and all the Praises and Conduct is bestow'd upon the Husband: whilst those who live unmarry••d, have no sha∣rers or partners in their Glory. And in this was our Queen the more to be commended, in that her Throne stood upon no other Basis, than what she her self had erected. She had no Brother, no Ʋncle, nor any other of the Royal Family, to partake of her Cares, or share in her Government. But even those whom she did advance to any places of Trust, were so manag'd and kept in such awe, that each of them was solicitous how to please her; so that she was always Mistress of her self. She was indeed Childless, and left no issue of her own Body to succeed her: But this has been the case of the most fortunate Princes, of Alexan∣der

the Great, of Julius Caesar, of Trajan, and several others: which has been variously cen∣sur'd, and has always been a matter of Dis∣pute. For some have look'd upon it as a Di∣minution of human Happiness, as if men could not be compleatly happy, unless they were so both in their own persons, and in the propa∣gation of their Species: but others have e∣steem'd it as the greater Happiness, because then it seems to be compleat, when it is not any longer subjected to the various turns of Fortune: which 'tis impossible to secure, when a Posterity is left behind.

To all this we may add her Outward Embel∣lishments; she was tall of stature, well shap'd in her Body, and had in her Face the mixture of Sweetness and Majesty; and always enjoy'd a very Sound Health. Beside all this, she was strong and vigorous to the very last, never experienc'd the Changes of Fo••tune, nor the miseries of old Age, and at last by an easy and gentle death she obtain'd that Eutha∣nasia, which Augustus Caesar was us••d so passio∣nately to desire. This also is Recorded of Antoninus Pius, one of the best of Emperors, whose death seem'd to be nothing else but a quiet and sweet slumber. Just so in Q. Eliza∣beth's Distemper, there was nothing that was deadly, or ominous, or unsuitable to humane nature. She was not desirous of Life, or im∣patient under Sickness, nor disturb'd with the tortures of any Pain: No direful, no pesti∣lential Symptom appear'd, but every thing

seem'd rather to prognosticate the decay of Nature, than either the corruption or dispa∣ragement of it. For some few days before her Death, being weakened by the driness of her Constitution, and the cares of the Govern∣ment, having not so much as drank any Wine, or taken any moist diet, she was seiz'd with a Dead Palsy, but yet (which is not usual in that Distemper) she retained her Speech, her Sense, and her Motion, tho not so brisk and lively as before. Nor was she long in this condition, so that it did not seem to be the last Act of her Life, but rather the first step to her Death. For tho 'tis esteemed a misery to live a long time in the loss of the use of our faculties; yet to be prepar'd for Death, by a gradual decay of our senses, is certainly a very sweet and pleasant Dissolution.

Another remarkable addition to her Hap∣piness, is this, that she was not only very hap∣py in her own Person, but likewise in the Worthiness of her Ministers of State. For she made choice of such men, as this Island per∣haps was never so happy in before. But God that favours Kings, raises them up Ministers and adorns their Minds.

There remain two Posthumous Felicities, which seem to attend the more Noble and Au∣gust Passages of her Life: The One is that of her Successor, the Other, that of her Memory. For she has got such a Successor, who, tho by his Masculine Virtue, and Off-spring, and late Accession to the Throne, he may excel and eclipse

her Glory; yet is so far a favourer of her Name and Esteem, and is so willing to transmit her actions to posterity, that he has made little alterations, either in the choice of Ministers, or in the method of Governing. So that hard∣ly any Father has been succeeded by his Son, with less noise, disturbance or alteration. As for her Memory, 'tis so much in the mouths, and so fresh in the minds of all men, that Death seems to have extinguished Envy, and put her Fame in a clearer light, and now the Happiness of her Memory does as it were strive to outvie that of her Life. For tho through mens love to any Party, or upon the account of the difference of Religion, any factious re∣port may be spread abroad, yet 'tis such as seems to be fearful of it self, is not sincere, and can never last long. And 'tis upon this account especially that I have made this collection of things, that relate to her happiness, and are marks of the Divine favour: that so no foul-mouthed Libeller might dare to stain so great blessings of God, by the venom of his scandalous Tongue. If any one should now say, as one did to Caesar, quae miremur, habe∣mus; sed quae laudemus, expectamus; we do in∣deed see cause to Admire, but none to Praise: to this I answer, that I look upon Admiration as the superlative degree of Praise. Nor could that Happiness we have been describing, be at∣tained by any, but such as are supported and highly indulged by the Divine favour; and such as in some measure by their Morals and

Vertue are the Establishers of their own For∣tune. However I thought fit to subjoin some few hints with respect to those Morals of the Queen, which seem to have been most exposed to the lash of malevolent Tongues.

In Religion, Q. Elizabeth was Pious and Mo∣derate, Constant and Steady, and a profest E∣nemy to Novelty. As for her Piety, tho the chief strokes of it appeared in the Actions and Affairs of State; yet some signs of it were to be seen in the course of her Life, and her ordi∣nary Conversation. She was seldom absent from Divine Service, either in her publick or private Chappel. She employed much of her time in reading the Scriptures and the Writings of the Fathers, especially of S. Augustin. She compos'd some Prayers her self, upon some oc∣casions, and for some extraordinary purpose. Whenever she mentioned the name of God, even in ordinary discourse, she generally ad∣ded the title of Creator; and shewed some sort of humility and reverence in her looks and countenance, which I my self have often ob∣served. As for that which some have re∣ported, that she was so far from thinking of her Mortality, that she could not endure to be told of Old Age or Death, it is absolutely false: since she her self, several years before her Death, would frequently with much face∣tiousness call her self the Old Woman: and would often discourse about the Inscription, she had a mind should be upon her Tomb: She gave out, that she was no lover of Glory

and pompous Titles, but only desired her Memory might be recorded in a line or two, which should very briefly express her Name, her Virginity, the time of her Reign, the Refor∣mation of Religion, and her Preservation of the Peace. 'Tis true, in the flower of her Age be∣fore she was past Child-bearing, when she was importun'd by some to declare her Successor, she did make answer, that she could by no means endure to have a Shroud held before her Eyes while she was living. However, some few years before her Death, when she was more thought∣ful, and meditated (as 'tis probable) on her Mortality, as one of her bosom friends told her, that many and great Places and Offices of Trust in the Commonwealth, would be too long vacant; she rose up, and with more than ordinary concern said, that she was sure her place would not long be Vacant.

As for her Moderation in Religion, perhaps in this her Character will seem deficient, be∣cause of the severity of those Laws, which were made against her Subjects of the Romish Reli∣gion; but we will produce such things, as are well known to us, and carefully taken notice of by us. This is certain, that she was al∣ways averse from laying any constraint on mens Consciences: but yet she could not al∣low that the Government should be endan∣ger'd under the pretence of Conscience and Re∣ligion. Hence it was that she thought nothing but a certain destruction would ensue, if she should at the first grant a liberty and tolera∣tion

of two Religions by publick Authority to a fierce and headstrong people, who would soon upon their private Animosities fall to∣gether by the ears. Even in the beginning of her Reign, when all things looked with a sus∣picious face, she kept some of the Prelates, which were of a more turbulent and factious spirit, Prisoners at large, tho she had the Law on her side: and to the rest of both Orders, she used not any sharp inquisition, but by a generous Connivance kept them un∣der her Protection. This was the posture of affairs at first. Nor did she swerve much from this her Clemency, tho provoked by the Bull of Excommunication, thundered against her by Pius the Fifth. This indeed might have raised her indignation, and have been the oc∣casion of new modelling the State, but still she retained her own generous Temper. For this Prudent and Courageous Woman was not much moved at the noise of such Threatnings, being secure of the Fidelity and Affection of her Subjects, and not fearing any harm from the Romish Faction, which was too weak to at∣tempt any thing unless seconded by a foreign. Enemy.

But about the three and twentieth year of her Reign, the face of Affairs was quite chang'd. Nor is this Period of time, feigned to serve a turn only, but mentioned in the Publick Re∣cords, and engraven as it were in leaves of Brass. Nor were her Subjects of the Romish Religion punished with any severity before that

year, tho several Laws had formerly been en∣acted against them. But at this time it was by degrees discovered what vast and ambiti∣ous designs were laid by Spain, to conquer this Kingdom A great part of this design was to raise a faction in the very heart of the Na∣tion, which being no friends to the Govern∣ment, and desirous of alteration, should join with the Enemy upon his Invasion. This was hoped would be effected upon the difference there was in Religion: whereupon they re∣solved to improve that breach, and Priests were sent over from the young Seminaries, to raise and increase Mens Love for the Romish Religion, to teach and inforce the Validity of the Popes Bull, which absolved the Queens Subjects from their Allegiance, and to excite and prepare the Minds of men for an Altera∣tion in the Government.

Much about that time, Ireland was openly invaded, and the Name and Government of Queen Elizabeth vilified by various and Scan∣dalous Libels; and affairs were in such a strange ferment, that they prognosticated a greater Commotion. Nor indeed will I say, that eve∣ry Priest knew of the design, or were con∣scious of what was to be done, but certainly they were the wicked Instigators and Promo∣ters of the Villany others were to commit. And this is certainly true, (as appears by seve∣ral Confessions) that almost all the Priests, who were sent into England from the year abovemention'd, to the thirtieth year of Queen

Elizabeth's Reign (wherein the Design of Spain and the Romanists was to be put in Execution, by that memorable preparation of a Fleet and Land-forces) I say tis certain, that all, who were sent over within that time, among other things had this likewise in their Orders, That they should insinuate, That Affairs could not last long in the same posture; that they would put on a new Face within some short time and that the Pope and the Catholick Princes would take care of the English State, provided the English were not their own hinderance. Nay, some of the Priests were manifestly engag'd in the Plots and Contrivances which were laid for the Subversion and Ruin of the Government: and which is still more, the whole Train of this Design was discover'd by Letters which were intercepted from all parts: wherein it was written, That the Vigilancy of the Queen and her Council over the Catholicks would be baffled: For she only seem'd concern'd, that the Faction should not be headed by any Nobleman or Person of Qua∣lity; whereas the Design they laid was such, as was carried on by Private Men of no Note; who never met and conspir'd together in numbers, but order'd and dispos'd all things in the private way of Confession. These were the Artifices which were then us'd, and were so customary and familiar to those Men, as might be seen in a fresh and parallel case.

In a time of so much danger, Queen Elizabeth was obliged by a kind of fatal necessity to e∣nact severe Laws, thereby to restrain those of

her Subjects, who being averse to her Govern∣ment, and grown past the hopes of being cur'd, began to grow rich by the private Life they led, being exempted from the charge and burden of publick Offices. The Original of this spreading Evil was charg'd upon the Semi∣nary Priests; who were bred up in foreign parts, and maintain'd by the Charity and Bene∣volence of Foreign Princes the profest Ene∣mies of the Realm: who had liv'd in places, where the best Titles they could bestow on Queen Elizabeth were those of, Heretick, Ex∣communicated, and Damnable Fury; who, tho they themselves were not engag'd in treasona∣ble practices, yet were known to be the inti∣mate Friends of such as were guilty of those Villanies, and who, by their Artifices and poy∣sonous Methods had depraved the very Sacri∣fice of the Mass, which before was a sweet and harmless thing; and had as it were infected it with a new kind of Ferment and pernicious Malignity. Whereupon the only Expedient to put a stop to this growing Evil was thought to be the prohibiting these Men from coming into the Land upon pain of Death; which was accordingly enacted in the seven and twentieth Year of her Reign. Nor did the Event itself, when so great a Storm broke out upon, and threatned the Nation, in the least take off from the Envy and Hatred of these Men, but rather increas'd it; so far had they divested themselves of the Love they ow'd their Country. Afterwards when our fears

of Spain (the true occasion of this severity) were over and vanisht; yet the Memory of the former times was so deeply fixt in the Minds and Senses of most Men, and to have abrogated the Laws that were once made would have argued so much Inconstancy, or to have slighted them would have been a sign of so much Indifferency; that Queen Elizabeth as cases then stood, did not think it safe for her self, that things should return to the same posture they were in before the three and twentieth year of her Reign. To this may be added the Industry of some to increase the Re∣venues of the Exchequer, and the Care of those Ministers of Justice, who are us'd to mind no other Safety of their Country than what is contain'd in the Laws: both which requir'd and call'd loudly for the Laws to be put in Execution. However, she (to the Glory of her good Nature be it spoken) did so far blunt the edge of the Laws, that but very few Priests suffer'd Death upon that account. Nor do we speak this by way of defence, for these matters stand in need of none: since the whole Safety of the Nation depended upon this Con∣duct, and the Method and Measure of all this Severity was far from being bloody, and is a thing that no Christian need to be asham'd of; for it proceeded more from the Arrogance and Wicked Practices of others, than from any necessity the Nation lay under, and it stands for a Monument of Disgrace to the Romanists. But not to forget what we first asserted, we

think we have abundantly demonstrated, that she was moderate in points of Religion, and that the Alteration which did happen, was not owing to her Nature, but to the Iniquity of the times.

Of her Constancy in Religion and the Worship thereof, the greatest proof is, That with an undaunted Mind and little Assistance she ex∣tirpated and abrogated the Romish Religion, as being disagreeable to the Word of God, the Primitive Purity, and her own Conscience: not∣withstanding in her Sister's Reign it was esta∣blished by Publick Authority and a great deal of Care, and had taken deep root, and was strengthned with the Consent and Approba∣tion of all that were in Authority and Places of Trust. Nor did she do this hastily or in a heat, but cautiously and by degrees. The truth of which appears not only in her whole Conduct of Affairs, but also in that Answer which she once made to a Courtier upon the like occasion. For in the beginning of her Reign, when according to the Custom the Pri∣soners were to be releas'd, to grace and honor her first Accession to the Throne; as she was going to Chappel she was accosted by a certain Courtier, who took more than ordinary free∣dom, being of a pleasant and facetious Na∣ture. He, either prompted to it by his own private Inclination, or set on by a Wiser Head, deliver'd a Petition into her hand, and in a full Concourse of People with a loud Voice expressed himself thus, Tnat there were still four

or five kept Prisoners, and that for no reason at all: That he came to petition for their Freedom, as well as for the rest: That they were the Four Evangelists, and the Apostle S. Paul, who had been long confin'd in an unknown tongue, as it were in a Prison, and were not suffer'd to appear abroad in the World. The Queen gave him this very cautious Reply, That it was best to consult them first, whether they were willing to have their Freedom yet, or no. And thus she kept every thing within her own Power, by giving such a doubtful Answer to so surprizing a Demand. Nor did she carry on things fearfully, and by fits and starts, but gravely, orderly, and ma∣turely: A Conference first had between the Parties, and a Parliament first call'd; and at last, within the compass of a year, she so far order'd and establish'd all things which con∣cern'd Religion, that she did not suffer the least Tittle of them to be alter'd, during all her Reign. And it was always her Publick Admonition in almost every Session of Parlia∣ment, that no Innovation should be made in the Discipline and Ceremonies of the Church. Thus far of her Religion.

Now if any of the graver Sort should object these Levities:

That she was contented and desirous to be Admir'd, to be Courted, and upon the Account of Love to be Prais'd and Extoll'd; and that she continu'd these Levi∣ties even to an Age wherein they were un∣becoming her.

Yet if you take even these in a milder sense, they are not without their

due Admiration, since they are such things, as often are to be found in the fubulous Narrations of Poets and others. Thus 'tis recorded of a certain Queen in the Fortunate Islands, who in her Court and Government entertain'd that soft thing call'd Love, and yet forbad Lust to enter there. But if a harsher construction should be put upon them, yet they are to be admir'd, and that very highly too, since these Softnesses cast but little blemish on her Fame, and none at all upon her Grandeur; did no Injury to her Government, and hinder'd not the Publick Administration of Affairs. For these sort of things are usually joyn'd to the most Noted Fortune. But, to conclude this Essay; she was certainly a good, moral Princess, and as such she desir'd to appear: She was a hater of Vice, and study'd to grow famous by honorable Methods. And truly at the naming of her Manners, something comes into my mind, which I will here declare. When she had or∣der'd an Express to be written to her Embassa∣dor, concerning certain Instructions, which he was privately to impart to the Queen Mo∣ther of France at Valois, and her Secretary had incerted a certain Clause, that the Embassador to ingratiate himself the better should say, That they were two Female Princes, of whom, in the Management of Affairs, and in the Art and Skill of Governing, as great things were expected as from the best of Men; she could not endure the Comparison, but order'd it to be struck out, and said, that she us'd quite different Arts

and Methods in the Administration of the Go∣vernment. And she was extreamly pleas'd, when any one by chance dropt out such an Expres∣sion as this, That she would have liv'd and ex∣cell'd in the Eye of the VVorld, tho she had spent her days in a private and mean Station: So desi∣rous was she that nothing of her Virtue and Praise should be owing to the Grandeur of her Fortune. But if I should enter upon her Praises, either Moral or Political, or should touch only upon her Virtues, which would be a Disparage∣ment to so great a Princess: or should I en∣deavour to set them in their clear and proper light, I must run out into the History of her Life, which requires more leisure, and a larger Genius, than I can pretend to. For I have here given you her Character in short. But it must after all be said, That only Time will be∣stow a true Encomium on this Excellent Wo∣man: since no Age since the Creation, could ever shew her Equal in her own Sex, that was so fit to manage the Affairs of a State.

FINIS.