and more unwieldy of the enemy, and sheering off again just as they pleased, while the Spanish heavy ships lay as so many butts for the English to fire at.

For several following days, the fight was continued, chiefly to the disadvantage of the Spaniards, who not only began to fall short of ammunition, but were seriously inconvenienced by the non-arrival of the Prince of Parma, who, it seems, made no effort to move his forces from Bruges. Meanwhile, the English fleet, being strengthened by the joining of Lord Seymour's detachment, got more bold and bore away for Calais roads, where the Armada had at length cast anchor to await for the supplies and troops from Flanders.

It was on the 28th that the two fleets, being again in sight of each other, the great blow was struck which decided the fate of the engagement. The Spaniards being to leeward, the lord admiral selected eight inferior vessels, and charging them with combustibles and loaded guns, sent them all blazing adrift among the enemy's vessels. Nothing could surpass the apprehensions of the Spaniards at sight of these fire-ships, dealing out death to everything within their reach. Anchors were got up or cables slipped or chopped through in the wildest haste, and it was amid the dire confusion attending such a moment that the English vessels poured down upon them and completed the horror of that day. Nothing was now thought of but flight. The Spaniards retreated in hot haste, with the British ships hanging like their own bull-dogs on their rear, attacking them unceasingly and compelling many to run into the Flemish shore, where they got stranded and went to pieces. To get out of the Channel seemed now the only consideration, but in doing so, many of the vessels were wrecked, and

Effects of the Victory.

391

others taken; and when, by increasing the distance, they left behind them their daring foes, their position was scarcely alleviated, for a storm drove many on to the coasts of Norway, Scotland, and Ireland, where the crews miserably perished.

Thus terminated an expedition, begun, apparently under most favourable auspices, and carried on with all the means, appliances, and forethought humanity could devise to insure success. It would be presumptuous to believe that its defeat arose from any particular intervention of Divine will, the more especially as the causes of its failure are to be found in the simple reasonings of plain sense. The effects of this victory were destined to be of vital importance to the country, not merely in saving it from the destiny which threatened it, but in strengthening the predilections of its inhabitants for all succeeding generations. The joy which infused itself into the hearts of the people, caused them to exalt the navy and its officers to the highest pitch of favour. Whatever the maritime leanings before that event, we were a maritime nation unalterably after it. The ballads which were at once produced and sung in memory of the victory, were the forerunners of a collection of sea-songs unequalled by those of any other country; and from the enthusiasm thus created, may be traced the vast number of sea words and expressions which are now found in our language, and are used by all classes of the community with a zest unknown to the idioms of other lands. Indeed, it would be no light task to detail all the peculiarities and advantages arising from this important episode in English naval history, but the principal ones will be best appreciated by the subsequent acts and standing of the country.

CHAPTER XXXV.

England-Sir Francis Drake and Sir John Norris-Earl of Essex -Heroism of Sir Richard Greenville-Death of Drake and Hawkins-East India Company-Captain Lancaster-Captain Best-Commerce in the time of James I.—Bartholomew Gosnold-Richard Hakluyt-Progress of the English in North America-Sir Walter Raleigh-Protectorate of CromwellWar with the United Provinces of Holland-Blake-TrompPenn and Venables-Capture of Jamaica-France a Naval Power-Hostility between France and England-Louis XIV. against England and Holland combined-Battle of La Hogue -Tourville-Sir George Rooke-Accession of Queen AnneMarlborough-Capture of Gibraltar-Voyages round the World-Dampier-Hostilities between Spain and England— Admiral Vernon-Captain Anson circumnavigates the GlobeAdmiral Pococke-Colonel Clive in India-Admiral Boscawen -Sir Edward Hawke-Accession of George III.-Treaty of Peace with France and Spain.

THE exultation felt in England at the successes obtained over the Spaniards at sea, was at once turned to account by Elizabeth and her government. It was deemed advisable to become the aggressor in turn, and, without allowing the Spanish nation time to recover from the blow and prepare a fresh armament, pour down upon their coasts, and seize and cripple their shipping. Sir Francis Drake and Sir John Norris had the command of the principal of these expeditions with several of the

Heroism of Sir Richard Greenville.

393

queen's ships; but there were as usual many merchant adventurers who embarked in such undertakings for the chance of booty. After ravaging the Spanish shores, taking many prizes, and sacking a town or two in the usual dashing style, the fleet returned to England.

The young Earl of Essex, Elizabeth's favourite, embarked in this venture, although contrary to the queen's commands; but his fortunes were so desperate at the time, that he considered it no inconvenient mode of improving them by preying upon the enemies of his country. As many young nobles were of the same mind, and equally low in purse, he found no lack of companions; and having procured a ship well manned and armed, he captured several prizes, and had little difficulty in afterwards reconciling Elizabeth to an act of disobedience in which he had behaved with so much gallantry.

This feat of a man of his rank and prospects, is a tolerably clear proof of the feeling which then actuated the nation; nor can we feel surprised at their subsequent naval achievements, when we observe the readiness with which young men of family flew to the sea as the highroad to fame and riches.

Not content with attacking Spain at home, measures were adopted to harass her in the open seas. In 1591, Lord Thomas Howard and Sir Richard Greenville were ordered with seven ships to the Azores, to intercept the homeward bound Plata vessels; but being themselves attacked by a Spanish fleet of fifty-three sail, were compelled to sheer off. Greenville, however, refused to retreat; and in his ship, the "Revenge," fought alone for several hours against the enemy off the island of Flores, until his vessel, which had been boarded fifteen times,

was completely riddled and himself shot through the head. Even then, with his failing breath, he desired his men to scuttle the ship, that all might go down together; but as this they refused to do, it fell into the hands of the Spaniards, but shortly after went to the bottom.

Frobisher, Drake, and Hawkins, were also sent to sea with orders to harass the Spanish trade. The two latter cruised together in the Spanish colonies, and did considerable damage to the enemy; but the expedition, on the whole, proved most unfortunate. Many of their attempts failed, owing to the weakness of their means; and England suffered irreparable loss in the death of both commanders at Puerto Rico, A.D. 1596. Drake's decease was looked on as a national calamity; and there was scarcely an historian of the period, and in the subsequent reigns, who did not feel it incumbent on him to bestow high encomiums on the gallantry of this famous English seaman, and expatiate on the grief which his death. occasioned among every class of the community.

All fears of fresh invasion from the Spaniards being now at an end, measures of a more peaceful and glorious kind occupied the attention of the English nation. On the 31st Dec. A.D. 1600, the English East India Company was formed, and Captain Lancaster, in the following year, sailed, under its auspices, into the Indian seas, with a powerful squadron, and, despite the opposition of the Portuguese, erected a factory in the island of Java. the succeeding years, other important establishments were made at Amboyna, Sumatra, and some neighbouring isles. These were not effected without a hard struggle. The Portuguese on one side, and the Dutch on the other, used every art to frustrate the progress of

In