apists; and it would be rash to pronounce that such fears were
entirely void of foundation; but we may be permitted to smile at the
ignorant credulity on the subject of poisons,--universal indeed in that
age,--which dictated the following minute of council, extant in the
handwriting of Cecil. "We think it very convenient that your majesty's
apparel, and specially all manner of things that shall touch any part of
your majesty's body bare, be circumspectly looked unto; and that no
person be permitted to come near it, but such as have the trust and
charge thereof.

"Item. That no manner of perfume either in apparel or sleeves, gloves or
such like, or otherwise that shall be appointed for your majesty's
savor, be presented by any stranger or other person, but that the same
be corrected by some other fume.

"Item. That no foreign meat or dishes being dressed out of your
majesty's court, be brought to your food, without assured knowledge from
whom the same cometh; and that no use be had hereof.

"Item. That it may please your majesty to take the advice of your
physician for the receiving weekly twice some preservative 'contra
pestem et venena,' as there be many good things 'et salutaria.'

"Item. It may please your majesty to give order who shall take the
charge of the back doors to your chamberers chambers, where landresses,
tailors, wardrobers, and the like, use to come; and that the same doors
be duly attended upon, as becometh, and not to stand open but upon
necessity.

"Item. That the privy chamber may be better ordered, with an attendance
of an usher, and the gentlemen and grooms[48]."

[Note 48: "Burleigh Papers" by Haynes, p. 368.]

It was fortunate that the same exaggerated notions of the power of
poisons prevailed amongst papists as protestants. Against the ill
effects of a drug applied by direction of a Spanish friar to the arms of
a chair and the pommel of a saddle, the antidotes received twice a week
might be depended upon as an effectual preservative.

From these perils, real and imaginary,--none of which however appear to
have taken strong hold of the cheerful and courageous temper of the
queen,--her attention and that of her council was for some time diverted
by the expectation of a royal suitor.

Eric king of Sweden,--whose hopes of final success in his addresses were
kept up in spite of the repeated denials of the queen, by the artifice
of some Englishmen at his court who deluded him by pretended s