naments of the virgin reign. Spencer has immortalized himself by his work entitled the Fairy Queen, the most considerable allegorical poem in the English language, which in many respects deserves the reputation which, through two centuries, it has enjoyed. This poem was addressed to Queen Elizabeth, the great topic of all the learned, and the adulation of the age; and she is therefore typified by the person of the Fairy Queen, and several incidents of her history are related under the veil of allegory.'

• The Latin letters of her learned preceptor, Roger Ascham, abound with anecdotes of a pupil, in whose proficiency he justly gloried. Writing in 1550 to his friend John Sturmius, the worthy and erudite rector of the Protestant university of Strasburgh, Ascham has the following passages :-"Numberless honourable ladies of the present time surpass the daughters of Sir Thomas More in every kind of learning. But, amongst them all, my illustrious mistress, the lady Elizabeth, shines like a star, excelling them more by the splendour of her virtues and her learning, than by the glory of her royal birth. In the variety of her commendable qualities I am less perplexed to find matter for the highest panegyric, than to circumscribe that panegyric within just bounds. Yet I shall mention nothing respecting her but what has come under my own observation.

"For two years she pursued the study of Greek and Latin under my tuition; but the foundation of her knowledge in both languages was laid by the diligent instruction of William Grindel, my late beloved friend, &c. The lady Elizabeth has accomplished her six

teenth year; and so much solidity of understanding, such courtesy united with dignity, have never been observed at so early an age. She has the most ardent love of true religion, and of the best kind of literature. The constitution of her mind is exempt from female weakness, and she is endowed with a masculine power of application. No apprehension can be quicker than hers, no memory more retentive. French and Italian she speaks like English; Latin with fluency, perspicuity, and judgment; she also spoke Greek with me frequently, willingly, and moderately well. Nothing can be more elegant than her hand-writing, whether in the Greek or Roman character. In music she is very skilful, but does not greatly delight. With respect to personal decorations she greatly prefers a simple elegance to show and splendour."

'A few more scattered notices may be collected relative to this period of the life of Elizabeth. Her talents, her vivacity, her proficiency in those classical studies to which he was himself addicted, and especially the attachment which she manifested for the reformed religion, endeared her exceedingly to the young king her brother, who was wont to call her, perhaps with reference to the sobriety of dress and manners by which she was then distinguished, his sweet sister Temperance. On her part his affection was met by every demonstration of sisterly tenderness, joined to the delicate attentions and respectful observances which his rank required.'

English literature, under the auspices of Elizabeth and her learned court, advanced with a steady and rapid progress. That of the drama excited in a va

riety of ways the attention of Elizabeth, and a new impulse was thus given to English genius; both tragedies and comedies, approaching the regular models, besides historical and pastoral dramas, allegorical pieces resembling the old moralities, and translations from the ancients, were from this time produced in abundance, and received by all classes with avidity and delight. Italy was the storehouse whence the English poets drew their most precious materials; the school where they acquired taste and skill to adapt them to their various purposes, and the Parnassian mount on which they caught the purest inspirations of the muse. Elizabeth was a zealous patroness of these studies; she spoke the Italian language with fluency and elegance, and used it frequently in her mottos and devices.; by her encouragement Harrington was urged to complete his version of the Orlando Furioso, and she willingly accepted in the year 1600 the dedication of Fairfax's admirable translation of the great Epic of Tasso.

'About twenty dramatic writers flourished between 1561 and 1590; and an inspection of the titles alone of their numerous productions would furnish evidence of an acquaintance with the stores of history, mythology, classical fiction, and romance, strikingly illustrative of the literary diligence and intellectual activity of the age. But it was reserved for the transcendent genius of Shakspere alone, in the infancy of our theatre, when nothing proceeded from the crowd but rude and abortive attempts,-to astonish and enchant the nation with those inimitable works, which

form the perpetual boast and immortal heritage of Englishmen. It is agreed on all hands that Shakspere was beloved as a man, and patronized as a poet. Lord Southampton is said to have once bestowed on him a munificent donation of a thousand pounds.- Of any particular gratuities bestowed on him by her majesty we are not informed; but there is every reason to suppose that he must have received from her, on various occasions, both praises and remuneration; for we are told that she caused several of his pieces to be represented before her, and that the Merry Wives of Windsor in particular owed its origin to her desire of seeing Falstaff exhibited in love.'

No doubt can be had that Shakspere was highly esteemed by Elizabeth, and of course had imbibed the highest regard and veneration for his queen and benefactress. Nothing can well be imagined more beautiful than the allusion he is supposed to have made to this princess in his Midsummer Night's Dream. It is so exquisitely touching and fanciful that we cannot deny ourselves the pleasure of inserting it here, as it evinces the admiration and respect of the immortal Bard for his august mistress.

Since once I sat upon a promontory,
And heard a mermaid, on a dolphin's back,
Uttering such dulcet and harmonious breath
That the rude sea grew civil at her song;
. And certain stars shot madly from their spheres
To hear the sea-maid's music.

That very time I saw (but thou could'st not)

Flying between the cold moon and the earth,
Cupid all arm'd; a certain aim he took
At a fair vestal, throned by the west,

And loos'd his love-shaft smartly from his bow,
As it should pierce a hundred thousand hearts :
But I might see young Cupid's fiery shaft
Quench'd in the chaste beams of the watery moon;
And the imperial votaress passed on,

In maiden meditation, fancy-free.

Yet mark'd I where the bolt of Cupid fell:

It fell upon a little western flower,

Before milk-white, now purple with love's wound,—
And maidens call it, love-in-idleness.

Spencer also was much esteemed by Elizabeth, and received from her a pension, which in truth was justly his due; albeit, if we may judge from the eloquent and touching complaint of the poet, was but indifferently attended to by those whose duty it was to see the orders of the queen executed.

Learning, on its revival, was held in high estimation by the English princes and nobles. Queen Elizabeth wrote and translated several books, and she was familiarly acquainted with the Greek as well as Latin tongue in addition to many others. It is said she made an extemporary reply in Greek to the university of Cambridge, who had addressed her in that language. It is certain that she answered in Latin, without premeditation and in a very spirited manner, to the Polish ambassador, who had been wanting in respect. She translated Boethius on the consolation of philosophy, in order as she said to allay her grief for Henry fourth's change of religion.'