so natural? On what pretext should the
queen be induced to disappoint the hopes of her old and faithful
servant, and to cast a stigma upon a young man of the most promising
talents, who was unwearied in his efforts to establish himself in her
favor?

By the queen and the people, Essex, their common favorite, was welcomed,
on his safe return from an expedition to himself so glorious, with every
demonstration of joy and affection, and no one appeared to sympathize
more cordially than her majesty in his indignation that nothing had been
attempted against the Spanish treasure-ships. On the other hand, no
pains were spared by his adversaries to lessen in public estimation the
glory of his exploits, by ascribing to the naval commanders a principal
share in the success at Cadiz, which he accounted all his own. An
anonymous narrative of the expedition which he had prepared, was
suppressed by means of a general prohibition to the printers of
publishing any thing whatsoever relating to that business; and no other
resource was left him than the imperfect one of dispersing copies in
manuscript. It was suggested to the queen by some about her, that though
the treasure-ships had escaped her, she might at least reimburse herself
for the expenses incurred out of the rich spoils taken at Cadiz; and no
sooner had this project gained possession of her mind than she began to
quarrel with Essex for his lavish distribution of prize-money. She
insisted that the commanders should resign to her a large share of their
gains; and she had even the meanness to cause the private soldiers and
sailors to be searched before they quitted the ships, that the value of
the money or other booty of which they had possessed themselves might be
deducted from their pay. Her first feelings of displeasure and
disappointment over, the rank and reputation of the officers concerned,
and especially the brilliancy of the actual success, were allowed to
cover all faults. The influence of her kinsman the lord admiral over the
mind of the queen was one which daily increased in strength with her
advance in age,--according to a common remark respecting family
attachments; and it will appear that he finally triumphed so completely
over the accusations of his youthful adversary, as to ground on this
very expedition his claim of advancement to a higher title.

It was the darling hope of Essex that he might be authorized to lead
without delay his flourishing and victorious a