History of Queen Elizabeth (Paperback)

Book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1899. Excerpt: ... (opinions of Elizabeth'a character. The Catholics and Protestant* Chapter IX. Personal Character. "VTANKIND have always been very much --* J- divided in opinion in respect to the personal character of Queen Elizabeth, but in one point all have agreed, and that is, that in the management of public affairs she was a woman of extraordinary talent and sagacity, combining, in a very remarkable degree, a certain cautious good sense and prudence with the most determined resolution and energy. She reigned about forty years, and during almost all that time the whole western part of the Continent of Europe was convulsed with the most terrible conflicts between the Protestant and Catholic parties. The predominance of power was with the Catholics, and was, of course, hostile to Elizabeth. She had, moreover, in the field a very prominent competitoi for her throne in Mary Queen of Scots. The foreign Protestant powers were ready to aid thia claimant, and there was, besides, in her own dominions a very powerful interest in her favor Parties in England. Elizabeth's wise administration. The great divisions of sentiment in England, and the energy with which each party struggled against its opponents, produced, at all times, c prodigious pressure of opposing forces, whioJ bore heavily upon the safety of the state nnJ of Elizabeth's government, and threatened them with continual danger. The administration of public affairs moved on, during all this time, trembling continually under the heavy shocks it was constantly receiving, like a ship staggering on in a storm, its safety depending on the nice equilibrium between the shocks of the seas, the pressure of the wind upon the sails, and the weight and steadiness of the ballast below. During all this forty years it is admitted that Elizabeth and her wise an...