went from London to Tilbury to review her army, riding on a fine war-horse, and wearing armour on the upper part of her body, like a man. She also

carried the staff or truncheon of a field-marshal, or principal military commander; and, thus arrayed, she made what may be called a pretty little speech for a queen. Here it is,

"We have been persuaded by some that are careful of our safety," she said, "to take heed how we commit ourselves to armed multitudes, for fear of treachery. But I assure you, I do not desire to live to distrust my faithful and loving people. Let tyrants fear! I have always so behaved myself that, under God, I have placed my chiefest strength and safeguard in the loyal hearts and good-will of my subjects; and, therefore, I am come amongst you at this time, not as for my recreations and sport, but being resolved in the midst and heat of the battle to live or die amongst you all to lay down, for my God, for my kingdom, and my people, my honour and my blood, even in the dust. I know that I have but the body of a weak and foolish woman; but I have the heart of a king, and a king of England, too; and think foul scorn that Parma or Spain, or any prince of Europe, should dare to invade the borders of my realm. To which, rather than any dishonour should grow by me, I myself will take up arms-I myself will be your general-the judge and rewarder of every one of your virtues in the field. I know already by your forwardness that you have deserved rewards and crowns, and we do assure you, on the word of a prince, they shall be duly paid you,"

This was the queen's speech. Rather boastful, perhaps, you may say; but we can readily make allowances for the times. And though we now know that Queen Elizabeth was a rather arbitrary lady after all, and somewhat of a tyrant as well as a queen, she did not seem so to her subjects in those days, who, when they compared her with the queen who had gone before, and with many of the kings who had gone before them both, had reason to be proud of her. And this short speech of her's was received with loud and joyous shouts of applause; indeed, we may readily understand how it excited the enthusiasm of the soldiers-making every one of them feel himself a citizen of a free country, as, indeed, free it was, in comparison with that country which was now threatening to subdue and enslave it.

It was not at Tilbury Fort only that this enthusiasm was felt. All over England the people declared plainly, by their actions as well as their words, that they would not submit tamely to a foreign yoke, nor give up the liberty which they prized so highly. Everywhere, men who had never before handled warlike arms, but had desired to live quiet and peaceable lives, prepared themselves for fighting. And, what seems strange, the Roman Catholics of England were not behind their Protestant fellow-subjects in patriotism and active zeal on behalf of their country. King Philip of Spain had not reckoned upon this. He fancied that, when his troops landed, English papists would join them, and help in overturning the Protestant government under which they lived; but he was mistaken,

Well, all these preparations being made, the people of England almost impatiently waited the coming of the Invincible Armada. But, before I go any further, let me tell you of other efforts that were made, and which are not much taken into account, or even mentioned in the histories which are commonly told of this eventful time.

There were in England at that time (and their number has been greatly increased since then) many hundreds and thousands of pious, godly Christians, both men and women, who had been taught by the Holy Spirit of God how to pray, and what to pray for. They felt very deeply that the sins of England were such as might justly bring down upon the whole nation the Divine displeasure; and they very justly thought that this threatened invasion might be one of those punishments which God sometimes sees fit to inflict on those who despise His warnings and milder chastisements. But they had faith in the promises of God, and they knew where it is written for the encouragement of all believers, "Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify Me." So these Christian people prayed to God to give deliverance to their country from the malice and cruel designs of its powerful enemy. And while others trusted in English ships and arms and armour, and boasted of English courage, they remembered the name of the Lord their God, and rejoiced in the thought of His Almighty power.