The impression, therefore, in England was to the effect that Philip was bent not so much upon the settlement of Sevances, ill lie had any, as upon the subjugation of the country; and the prevalence of this impression cannot but have had tm important

AN E_XGLI.I[ SHIP OF WAll, lstq. (_tfh'r the Ttl Mries its Ihe old 11ots Qf Lords.)

influence upon the attitude of an independent and self-reliantl people.

While, therefore, Spain prepared for the spring, England made ready to receive the shock without flinching.

Early in the year the Lord Iligh Adlniral, Lord Howard o' Effingham, had warned Valsyngham float it would be dangerore then to weaken the nglish fleet. lb, was of opinion that Parma at 1)unqucrque, was hatching something against Scotland, ang cmnplained that English prestige had diminished. He wrote tha, the enclny was aware that the English were like bears tied t( stakes, and that the dogs might worry them with impunity. O,

Fehrum.y 1st: S. P. Dom. ccviii. 41L From on board the II7, ite Bear.

llowal'd had len Sl,eeinlly commissi, med on l)ecemlr 21st, 1587, to con,man( 

against ll,e $1mninl-ds: $. P. Dmn. ecvi. 41.