On the 3d of April, 1603, a second great royal personage, Queen Elizabeth, disappeared from the scene.

She had been, as regards the Protestantism of Europe, what Philip II.

had been, as regards Catholicism, a powerful and able patron; but, what Philip II.

did from fanatical conviction, Elizabeth did from patriotic feeling; she had small faith in Calvinistic doctrines, and no liking for Puritanic sects; the Catholic church, the power of the pope excepted, was more to her mind than the Anglican church, and her private preferences differed greatly from her public practices.

Besides, she combined with the exigencies of a king's position the instincts of a woman; she had the vanities rather than the weaknesses of one; she would fain have inspired and responded to the passions natural to one; but policy always had the dominion over her sentiments without extinguishing them, and the proud sovereign sent to the block the overweening and almost rebel subject whom she afterwards grievously regretted.