gality, order, and wise government, he
raised France from the desolation and misery in which she was involved,
to a more flourishing condition than she had ever before enjoyed.

The queen knew that she could also, whenever she pleased, finish the war
on equitable terms; and that Philip, having no claims upon her, would be
glad to free himself from an enemy who had foiled him in every contest,
and who still had it so much in her power to make him feel the weight
of her arms. Some of her wisest counsellors, particularly the treasurer,
advised her to embrace pacific measures; and set before her the
advantages of tranquillity, security, and frugality, as more
considerable than any success which could attend the greatest victories.
But this high-spirited princess, though at first averse to war, seemed
now to have attained such an ascendant over the enemy, that she was
unwilling to stop the course of her prosperous fortune. She considered,
that her situation and her past victories had given her entire security
against any dangerous invasion; and the war must thenceforth be
conducted by sudden enterprises and naval expeditions, in which she
possessed an undoubted superiority: that the weak condition of Philip
in the Indies opened to her the view of the most durable advantages; and
the yearly return of his treasure by sea afforded a continual prospect
of important, though more temporary successes: that after his peace with
France, if she also should consent to an accommodation, he would be
able to turn his whole force against the revolted provinces of the
Netherlands, which, though they had surprisingly increased their power
by commerce and good government, were still unable, if not supported
by their confederates, to maintain war against so potent a monarch: and
that as her defence of that commonwealth was the original ground of the
quarrel, it was unsafe, as well as dishonorable, to abandon its cause
till she had placed it in a state of greater security.

These reasons were frequently inculcated on her by the earl of Essex,
whose passion for glory, as well as his military talents, made him
earnestly desire the continuance of war, from which he expected to reap
so much advantage and distinction. The rivalship between this nobleman
and Lord Burleigh made each of them insist the more strenuously on his
own counsel; but as Essex's person was agreeable to the queen, as well
as his advice conformable to her inclinations, the favori