Sir Henry Sidney, father to Sir Philip Sidney, was then Lord President, and continued so till his death, which took place at Ludlow Castle in 1586.

Descended from a long line of noble ancestors, born a courtier-his father, Sir William Sidney, having held high posts at court-it was the lot of one of the most high-minded characters that history holds up to us to emulate and admire, to be brought up with Edward the Sixth, and to be his dearest friend and chosen companion from that monarch's childhood to his death. Sir Henry Sidney, as he grew up into one of the most accomplished gentlemen of his age, was the favourite friend of the young king, who never liked him absent from him, and who made him one of the gentlemen of his bed-chamber. Brought up in courtly scenes, his character seems to have been the admiration and example of all around him; and at one-and-twenty years of age, he began his political career by going on an embassy of some importance to France, 'performing his charge,' says the chronicler, 'with that singular spirit, wisdom, and dexterity, as gained him much commendation.'

His friendship with the young king lasted till

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Edward's death; and it was in Sir Henry's arms at Greenwich that that gentle monarch breathed his last. It was a great grief to Sidney to lose his young master, who had not only loved him as if he had been his equal, but who had loaded him with benefits; and in sorrow he retired to Penshurst, in Kent, the seat of the Sidneys, and later the birthplace of his son, Sir Philip Sidney.

Sir Henry had married before Edward's death, and the wife chosen by him was the Lady Mary Dudley, eldest daughter of John, Earl of Warwick.

Queen Mary was so well satisfied with Sir Henry's conduct, in keeping clear of the calamities that subsequently befell the Duke of Northumberland, his father-in-law, that she gave him several marks of her favour, although Sir Henry was a Protestant, and therefore unlikely to sympathize with the atrocious acts of persecution perpetrated in her reign under the name of religion. However, besides grants of several important and lucrative offices, in the second year of her reign she made him ViceTreasurer and General Governor of the Revenue in Ireland, and he embarked for that kingdom in 1556.

Ireland was then in a state of revolt; and in an engagement against the rebels, Sir Henry Sidney behaved with great valour, killing their leader himself. Queen Elizabeth was wise enough to find out and employ those most distinguished for ability, integrity, and honour among her subjects; so that, on her accession, she also chose Sir Henry Sidney to represent her in Ireland as governor of that unruly island, in consideration of his loyalty, wisdom, and industry,' as the patent recites in confirming the appointment. Sir Henry found the kingdom almost ruined by its internal feuds, the country overrun with thieves and robbers, and the Irish so poverty-stricken that they could not purchase, in some parts of Ireland, the necessaries of existence. The Irish laws had fallen into complete disuse; thieves and robbers overran the land; while the army was idle and oppressive, and incapable of suppressing the numerous rebellions that had broken out. The churches were unroofed, and the clergy scattered, even the existence of our Creator being in some parts unknown to the ignorant and benighted peasantry.

It was owing to Sir Henry Sidney's wise and

prudent conduct, and indefatigable industry, that Queen Elizabeth was able to restore Ireland to a state of order and government. Sir Henry Sidney's task was a very hard one, owing to internal jealousies among the Irish, and especially the quarrels of the Earls Desmond and Ormond, the latter of whom accused the Lord Deputy of favouring his opponents unjustly.

His integrity and honour stood, however, so high with Elizabeth, that his enemies could not succeed in shaking him in her favour,

They accused him of being over-fond of show and ostentation, which, no doubt, he loved as much as any of the luxurious courtiers around Elizabeth, and which was the most conspicuous defect in his character.

One day the queen was standing looking out of one of the windows of Hampton Court Palace, when she saw in the distance, without recognising him, Sir Henry Sidney riding towards the royal residence, with a train of two hundred retainers. She asked sharply who dared to approach the court with a suite almost as numerous as her own; but, on being told that it was Sir Henry Sidney,