to attempt the subduing and planting of
Clandeboy, Ferny, and other territories, part of some late forfeitures;
but that enterprise proved unfortunate; and Essex died of a distemper,
occasioned, as is supposed, by the vexation which he had conceived from
his disappointments. A university was founded in Dublin with a view
of introducing arts and learning into that kingdom, and civilizing
the uncultivated manners of the inhabitants.[**] But the most unhappy
expedient employed in the government of Ireland, was that made use of in
1585 by Sir John Perrot, at that time lord deputy; he put arms into
the hands of the Irish inhabitants of Ulster, in order to enable them,
without the assistance of the government, to repress the incursions of
the Scottish islanders, by which these parts were much infested.[***] At
the same time, the invitations of Philip, joined to their zeal for
the Catholic religion, engaged many of the gentry to serve in the
Low Country wars, and thus Ireland, being provided with officers and
soldiers, with discipline and arms, became formidable to the English,
and was thenceforth able to maintain a more regular war against her
ancient masters.

* Stowe, p. 720.

** Camden, p. 566.

*** Nanton's Fragmenta Regalia, p. 203.

Hugh O'Neale, nephew to Shan O'Neale, had been raised by the queen to
the dignity of earl of Tyrone; but having murdered his cousin, son of
that rebel, and being acknowledged head of his clan, he preferred the
pride of barbarous license and dominion to the pleasures of opulence and
tranquillity, and he fomented all those disorders by which he hoped to
weaken or overturn the English government. He was noted for the vices of
perfidy and cruelty, so common among uncultivated nations; and was also
eminent for courage, a virtue which their disorderly course of life
requires, and which, notwithstanding, being less supported by the
principle of honor, is commonly more precarious among them than among a
civilized people. Tyrone actuated by this spirit, secretly fomented the
discontents of the Maguires, O'Donnels, O'Rourks, Macmahons, and other
rebels; yet, trusting to the influence of his deceitful oaths and
professions, he put himself into the hands of Sir William Russel, who,
in the year 1594, was sent over deputy to Ireland. Contrary to the
advice and protestation of Sir Henry Bagnal, marshal of the army, he was
dismissed; and returning to his own country, he embraced the reso