William
Knolles, who perhaps had not desired the appointment, assured his
nephew of his earnest wish to serve him. Finally, this great quarrel was
made up, we scarcely know how, and Essex appeared as powerful at court
as ever; though some have believed, and with apparent reason, that from
this time the sentiments of the queen for her once cherished favorite,
partook more of fear than of love; and that confidence was never
re-established between them.

This celebrated dispute appears to have been in some manner mingled or
connected with the important question of peace or war with Spain, which
had previously been debated with extreme earnestness between Essex and
Burleigh. The former, who still thirsted for military distinction,
contended with the utmost vehemence of invective for the maintenance of
perpetual hostility against the power of Philip; while the latter urged,
that he was now sufficiently humbled to render an accommodation both
safe and honorable. Wearied and disgusted at length with the violence of
his young antagonist, the hoary minister, in whom

..."old experience did attain
To something like prophetic strain,"

drew forth a Prayer-book, and with awful significance pointed to the
text, "Men of blood shall not live out half their days." But the clamor
for war prevailed over the pleadings of humanity and prudence, and it
was left for the unworthy successor of Elizabeth to patch up in haste an
inconsiderate and ignoble peace, in place of the solid and advantageous
one which the wisdom of Elizabeth and her better counsellor might at
this time with ease have concluded.

The lord treasurer enjoyed however the satisfaction of completing for
his mistress an agreement with the states of Holland, which provided in
a satisfactory manner for the repayment of the sums which she had
advanced to them, and exonerated her from a considerable portion of the
annual expense which she had hitherto incurred in their defence. This
was the last act of lord Burleigh's life, which terminated by a long and
gradual decay on August 4th 1598, in the 78th year of his age.

On the character of this great minister, identified as it is with that
of the government of Elizabeth during a period of no less than forty
years, a few additional remarks may here suffice.--Good sense was the
leading feature of his intellect; moderation of his temper. His native
quickness of apprehension was supported by a wonderful force and
steadiness