itself may justly be regarded as base and contemptible; no
public principle was here at stake; whether religious, as in the
struggles between papists and protestants which often rent the cabinet
of Henry VIII.; or civil, as in those of whigs and tories by which the
administrations of later times have been divided and overthrown. It was
simply and without disguise a strife between individuals, for the
exclusive possession of that political power and court influence of
which each might without disturbance have enjoyed a share capable of
contenting an ordinary ambition.

In religion there was apparently no shade of difference between the
hostile leaders; neither of them had studied with so little diligence
the inclinations of the queen as to persist at this time in the
patronage of the puritans, though the early impressions, certainly of
Essex and probably of sir Robert Cecil also, must have been considerably
in favor of this persecuted sect. Still less would either venture to
stand forth the advocate of the catholics; though it was among the most
daring and desperate of this body that Essex was compelled at length to
seek adherents, when the total ruin of his interest with his sovereign
fatally compelled him to exchange the character of head of a court party
for that of a conspirator and a rebel. Of the title of the king of Scots
both were steady supporters; and first Essex and afterwards Cecil
maintained a secret correspondence with James, who flattered each in his
turn with assurances of present friendship and future favor.

On one public question alone of any considerable magnitude do the rivals
appear to have been at issue;--that of the prosecution of an offensive
war against Spain.

The age and the wisdom of lord Burleigh alike inclined him to a pacific
policy; and though Robert Cecil, for the purpose of strengthening
himself and weakening his opponent, would frequently act the patron
towards particular officers,--those especially of whom he observed the
earl to entertain a jealousy,--it is certain that warlike ardor made no
part of his natural composition. Essex on the contrary was all on fire
for military glory; and at this time he was urging the queen with
unceasing importunities to make a fresh attack upon her capital enemy in
the heart of his European dominions. In this favorite object, after
encountering considerable opposition from her habits of procrastination
and from some remaining fears and scruples, he