at last, upon the death of the Earl of Lincoln, advanced, in 1585, to the dignity of Lord High Admiral.

The period of this appointment was big with the most important consequences. Philip the II., of Spain, was well known to have flattered himself with strong pretensions to the crown of England, by virtue of his marriage with the late Queen Mary, and the most critical apprehensions of a powerful attack to try the issue of this claim, were reasonably entertained, both by the government and the people. It was not, however, until the year 1588, that the measures of preparation for so formidable an undertaking were thought to be complete, and the destination of the extraordinary force, which had long been in a course of muster, was publicly avowed. An accurate account of the Spanish fleet was then published in Latin, and circulated throughout Europe, in which The Most Happy Armada, as it was fancifully styled, was boasted to consist of 130 vessels, floating 58,868 tons, mounting 2630 pieces of cannon, and manned with 19,295 soldiers, 8450 marines, and 2085 galley slaves. These ships of war were also accompanied by a large fleet of transports, carrying a plentiful store of ammunition, and farther provided with a prodigious quantity of arms, which were destined to supply the great body of volunteers that was expected to flock around the Spanish banner upon its first descent to our shores. The officer originally entrusted with the command of this great armament was the Marquis of Santa Cruz, a nobleman who had distinguished his name by a long course of valorous experience. Death, however, snatched him from the post of defeat, and his place was nominally supplied by the Duke of Medina Sidonia, while the Admiral second in command, Don Martinez de Ricalde, was really the person to whose advice the direction of every movement was confided. A large body of nobility crowded around these officers, under the character of volunteers, and some of the highest dignitaries of the church were allotted as chaplains to the forces. In the month of May, the captains were all assembled at Lisbon, and the fleet was forthwith reported to be in a fit condition for sea.

This momentous act, however, was deferred until the first of June, on which day, with a consecrated banner, blessed by the Pope, and pronounced Invincible, the sails of the Spanish fleet were unfurled, and the voyage commenced, under every circum

stance that could establish pomp and excite enthusiasm. Being thus launched to subdue England, and convert its inhabitants, the cominanders were instructed to proceed to the Roads of Calais, and there form a junction with the reinforcement promised by the Duke of Parma. This point effected, the orders contained in a sealed packet were to be obeyed. To these charges was added a general recommendation to act on the defensive, and to forbear any first attack.

Of the force which was collected by Elizabeth to repel this powerful invasion, the accounts are various and contradictory. That her ships were more nuinerous than those of the enemy appears certain, though their size and strength were inferior, their equipment much weaker, and their power still farther reduced by the different squadrons into which they were divided, for the purpose of guarding every vulnerable quarter upon which the descent might be first made. Howard, as Lord High Admiral, assumed the chief command, Sir John Hawkins was his Rear-admiral, and all the vessels available for actual engagement are estimated at 175 sail, the number of tons being 29,794, and of men 14,501. Of these Sir Francis Drake, as Vice-admiral, led a distinct squadron of 32 vessels, and 2,358 men; while Lord Henry Seymour, supported by a Dutch fleet, under the Count Nassau, drew off 23 sail, and 1700' men, in order to coast along the shores of Flanders, and embarrass the projected approach of the Duke of Parma. Of the remaining force mustered by the English, beside volunteer ships from private individuals amounting to 18, there were also 10 fine merchantmen tendered to the Lord High Admiral, and a fleet of 58 vessels fitted out for him by the City of London. With these various means of opposition, Howard put to sea, and, in compliance with the directions given for the occasion, cruised along our western coast in order to receive the enemy at their first approach. The season advanced, but there was no appearance of an enemy; and the English cabinet began to conjecture from the delay, that no decided attempts at an invasion would be made during the year. In, consequence of this supposition, Walsingham, the Secretary of State, issued orders to the High Admiral, to send his heavier vessels into harbour and pay off the men, in order to save the state expense. Fortunately, however, for the country, the discrimination of Lord Effingham was more correct. He wrote back to the Secretary to

excuse himself from complying with the orders issued, and begged if expense was the only object in view, and his reasons for refusing to pay off the ships should be deemed insufficient, they might all be considered as retained in the service at his personal charge. The propriety and importance of this conduct was soon evinced, for on the night of the 19th of June, a Scotch pirate, named Captain Fleming, brought intelligence that the Spanish fleet had entered the channel. The first land they approached was the Lizard Point, which they confounded with the Ram's Head, near Plymouth, and in consequence stood off again to sea until the following morning, when the hostile flags again appeared in sight.

Adverse winds had already scattered and reduced the Spanish fleet, and so widely asunder were the English ships extended in squadrons of observation, that the utmost exertions could only collect a sail of 50 vessels to meet the Spaniards, who came nobly steering up the Channel in the shape of a half-moon, with their wings spread out to an extent of seven miles. Howard suffered them to pass him without molestation, and they were vain enough to accept of the advantage; but as soon as he found himself in the rear, and had acquired the aid he desired from the wind, he immediately pursued and attacked them. This movement was projected with great skill, and performed with appropriate courage. The battle, which took place off the Eddystone, in consequence of the inadequateness of his force, was irregular and indecisive; but one great object was attained in the damage done to almost every vessel he contended with, and the promise of still greater benefits was held forth by the confusion which was perceptible before the night concluded the firing. Meanwhile a Spanish galleon, with an admiral's flag, sprung her foremast in consequence of the injuries she received during the day, and floated. disabled on the squadron commanded by Sir Francis Drake, who now came up to support the High Admiral. She proved laden with specie, which was intended to pay the Spanish sailors, and supply their fleet; but which was immediately distributed as a prize to encourage the English crew, while the capture itself was sent into Dartmouth, as an earnest of nobler advantages.

The next engagement ensued on the 23d, and the prospective

triumph of the English became still more apparent. The larger vessels of the enemy, which formed so prominent a source of pride, now proved singularly inefficient, for, in consequence of their bulky elevation above the water, every shot from them flew over the heads of the English; while not a bullet from the latter passed without effect; and the execution committed, in consequence of the crowded equipments of the Spanish men-of-war, was terribly conspicuous.

The 24th was a day of rest, in consequence of the want of ammunition among the English, and it is singular to observe how palpably the forbearance of the enemy established the greatness of their fears, and ultimately tended to their final discomfiture. Had they reversed the order of their movements, the consequence had, in all probability, been signally different also; but while vainly awaiting for a junction with the Duke of Parma, who never approached them, they neglected a series of favourable opportunities, which, judiciously availed, must have produced results the most disastrous to the safety of the British nation. To expose such errors is now uninteresting, and it is only left to state the succession of assaults by which the destination of this mighty Armada was utterly defeated. On the 25th, the English Admiral was fully supplied with ammunition, and also reinforced by the arrival of all the squadrons destined to support his ineasures. His strength was now swelled to the number of 140 sail, and he made the final arrangements for a signal attack. For this purpose he parted his fleet into four divisions, of the first of which he retained the command in person; while he entrusted the second to Sir Francis Drake, the third to Sir John Hawkins, and the fourth to Captain Forbisher. A calm, however, ensued, and obviated the fulfilment of the plan, when it was thought prudent to suspend any farther operations until the enemy should enter the Straits of Dover, where Lord Henry Seymour was stationed to repel the Duke of Parma, and oppose their progress.

This event did not occur until the 27th of July, when the Spaniards, who had been greatly harassed during the interval, anchored before Calais, but prudently arranged their large ships in protecting their lines, so that no attempt could be made to attack them without involving almost certain ruin to the ag

gressors. In this dilemma, Howard had recourse to an expedient at that period most unusual in naval tactics. He converted eight of the worst vessels he had into fire-ships, and at midnight despatched them, loaded with combustibles, into the thickest of the enemy's fleet, where ere long the blaze of success rose apparent; and as the English Admiral foresaw, the compact order of the enemy was broken up, and every vessel obliged to seek safety for itself in separate flight. On the following morning, the English, as was their custom, gave close chase, and, without a general battle, were able to execute considerable damage. A large galleon foundered upon the sands of Calais, and was there pursued and burnt; while the Spaniards, still cherishing a hope, rendezvoused at Gravelines, and assumed the appearance of decisive efforts. Here they again cast anchor for some time, in hopes the Duke of Parma would heave in sight; but still disappointed of this long delayed succour, and hourly oppressed by the running fire and fight of the English, they at last broke from their moorings, and made one resolute attempt to repass the Straits of Dover. It has been honourably said, that the decision and skill with which this movement was made, would, in all probability have made it successful, had not the wind, fortunately for the English, veered suddenly and with violence round to the north-west, and driven the enemy directly upon the coast of Zealand. Here again, fortunately for the Spaniards, it turned to north-east, and they were enabled, by superior tacking, to avoid the certain wreck that seemed to await them upon the shores. This dilemma passed, a council of war was held by the Duke de Medina Sidonia, and, after some deliberation, it was admitted that hopes there were none for the issue of their hostile views. By a natural consequence it was next resolved, that the only course to be pursued with prudence, was to return home, with as many ships and men as they could possibly save from the adversity of wind, wave, weather, and England.

The determination was no sooner taken, than it was carried into execution; and the fleet made sail for Spain. But its dangers were still far from passed, and its difficulties far from overcome. Unwilling again to face the English squadron, it was determined to double the island, and by this means escape an encounter. Care, however, was taken to deprive them of every

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