e
legitimacy of his sons.

Of the progresses of her majesty, during several years, nothing
remarkable appears on record; they seem to have had no other object than
the gratification of her love of popular applause, and her taste for
magnificent entertainments which cost her nothing; and the trivial
details of her reception at the different towns or mansions which she
honored with her presence, are equally barren of amusement and
instruction. But her visit to the university of Cambridge in the summer
of 1564 presents too many characteristic traits to be passed over in
silence.

Her gracious intention of honoring this seat of learning with her royal
presence was no sooner disclosed to the secretary, who was chancellor of
the university, than it was notified by him to the vice-chancellor, with
a request that proper persons might be sent to receive his instructions
on the subject. It appears to have been part of these instructions, that
the university should prepare an extremely respectful letter to lord
Robert Dudley, who was its high-steward, entreating him in such manner
to commend to her majesty their good intentions, and to excuse any
their failure in the performance, that she might be inclined to receive
in good part all their efforts for her entertainment. So notorious was
at this time the pre-eminent favor of this courtier with his sovereign,
and so humble was the style of address to him required from a body so
venerable and so illustrious!

Cecil arrived at Cambridge the day before the queen to set all things in
order, and received from the university a customary offering of two
pairs of gloves, two sugarloaves, and a marchpane. Lord Robert and the
duke of Norfolk were complimented with the same gift, and finer gloves
and more elaborate confectionary were presented to the queen herself.

When she reached the door of King's college chapel, the chancellor
kneeled down and bade her welcome; and the orator, kneeling on the
church steps, made her an harangue of nearly half an hour. "First he
praised and commended many and singular virtues planted and set in her
majesty, which her highness not acknowledging of shaked her head, bit
her lips and her fingers, and sometimes broke forth into passion and
these words; 'Non est veritas, et utinam'--On his praising virginity,
she said to the orator, 'God's blessing of thy heart, there continue.'
After that he showed what joy the university had of her presence" &c.
"When he h