ily sufficed in the
event to frustrate entirely the designs of the enemy, equal activity
was exerted to place the land-forces in a condition to dispute the soil
against the finest troops and most consummate general of Europe.

An army of reserve consisting of about thirty-six thousand men was drawn
together for the defence of the queen's person, and appointed to march
towards any quarter in which the most pressing danger should manifest
itself. A smaller, but probably better appointed, force of twenty-three
thousand was stationed in a camp near Tilbury to protect the capital,
against which it was not doubted that the most formidable efforts of the
enemy on making good his landing would be immediately directed.

Owing to the long peace which the country had enjoyed, England possessed
at this juncture no general of reputation, though, doubtless, a
sufficiency of men of resolution and capacity whom a short experience of
actual service would have matured into able officers. Under
circumstances which afforded to the government so small a choice of men,
the respective appointments of Arthur lord Grey,--distinguished by the
vigor which he had exerted in suppressing the last Irish rebellion,--to
the post of president of the council of war; of lord Hunsdon,--a brave
soldier long practised in the desultory warfare of the northern border,
as well as in several regular campaigns against Scotland,--to the
command of the army of reserve; and of the earl of Essex,--a gallant
youth who had fleshed his maiden sword and gained his spurs in the
affair of Zutphen,--to the post of general of the horse in the main
army;--seem to have merited the sanction of public approbation. But the
most strenuous defender of the measures of her majesty must have been
staggered by her nomination of Leicester,--the hated, the disgraced, the
incapable Leicester,--to the station of highest honor, danger, and
importance;--that of commander in chief of the army at Tilbury. Military
experience, indeed, the favorite possessed in a higher degree than most
of those to whom the defence of the country was now of necessity
intrusted, but of skill and conduct he had proved himself destitute;
even his personal courage was doubtful; and his recent failures in
Holland must have inspired distrust in the bosom of every individual,
whether officer or private, appointed to serve under him. Something must
be allowed for the embarrassments of the time; the deficiency of
milita