ment or on paper,
nor whether the paper were white, black, or brown. The commons were
offended at this reply, which seemed to contain a mockery of them; and
they complained of it, though without obtaining any satisfaction.[***]

An application was made, by way of petition, to the queen from the
lower house, against monopolies; an abuse which had risen to an enormous
height; and they received a gracious though a general answer; for which
they returned their thankful acknowledgments.[****]

* D'Ewes, p. 525, 527. Townsend, p. 79.

** D'Ewes, p. 539, 540, 580, 585. Townsend, p. 93, 94, 95.

*** D'Ewes. p, 576, 577.

**** D'Ewes, p, 570, 573.

But not to give them too much encouragement in such applications, she
told them, in the speech which she delivered at their dissolution, "that
with regard to these patents, she hoped that her dutiful and loving
subjects would not take away her prerogative, which is the chief flower
in her garden, and the principal and head pearl in her crown and diadem;
but that they would rather leave these matters to her disposal." [*]
The commons also took notice, this session, of some transactions in
the court of high commission; but not till they had previously obtained
permission from her majesty to that purpose.[**]

* D'Ewes, p. 547.

** D'Ewes, p. 557, 558.

{1598.} Elizabeth had reason to foresee, that parliamentary supplies
would now become more necessary to her than ever; and that the chief
burden of the war with Spain would thenceforth lie upon England. Henry
had received an overture for peace with Philip; but before he would
proceed to a negotiation, he gave intelligence of it to his allies, the
queen and the states; that, if possible, a general pacification might be
made by common agreement. These two powers sent ambassadors to France,
in order to remonstrate against peace; the queen, Sir Robert Cecil and
Henry Herbert; the states, Justin Nassau and John Barnevelt. Henry said
to these ministers, that his early education had been amidst war and
danger, and he had passed the whole course of his life either in arms
or in military preparations: that after the proofs which he had given
of his alacrity in the field, no one could doubt but he would willingly,
for his part, have continued in a course of life to which he was now
habituated, till the common enemy were reduced to such a condition as no
longer to give umbrage either to him or to his allies: t