er, "even as London, London like, gave
precedent, the whole kingdom kept true rank and equipage." At this time,
the able-bodied men in the capital between the ages of eighteen and
sixty amounted to no more than 17,083.

Without entering into further detail respecting the particular
contributions of different towns or districts to the common defence, it
is sufficient to remark, that every sinew was strained, and that little
was left to the charge of government but the task of arranging and
applying the abundant succours furnished by the zeal of the country. One
trait of the times, however, it is essential to commemorate. Terror is
perhaps the most merciless of all sentiments, and that which is least
restrained either by shame or a sense of justice; and under this
debasing influence some of the queen's advisers did not hesitate to
suggest, that in a crisis so desperate, she ought to consult her own
safety and that of the country, by seeking pretexts to take away the
lives of some of the leading catholics. They cited in support of this
atrocious proposal the example of Henry VIII. her father, who, before
his departure for the French wars, had without scruple brought to the
block his own cousin the marquis of Exeter and several others, whose
chief crime was their attachment to the ancient faith and their enjoying
a degree of popularity which might enable them to raise commotions in
his absence.

Elizabeth rejected with horror these suggestions of cowardice and
cruelty, at the same time that she omitted no measures of precaution
which she regarded as justifiable. The existing laws against priests and
seminary-men were enforced with vigilance and severity, all popish
recusants were placed under close inspection, and a considerable number
of those accounted most formidable were placed under safe custody in
Wisbeach-castle.

To these gentlemen, however, the queen caused it to be intimated, that
the step which she had taken was principally designed for their
protection, since it was greatly to be apprehended that, in the event of
landing of the Spaniards, the Roman catholics might become the victims
of some ebullition of popular fury which it would not then be in the
power of government to repress.

This lenient proceeding on the part of her majesty was productive of the
best effects; the catholics who remained at liberty became earnest to
prove themselves possessed of that spirit of patriotism and loyalty for
which she had