tween Isabella and those sovereigns, who could not be induced to favour the designs of this great man; and the difficulty of procuring funds for the supply of the expedition, which induced Isabella to pledge the crown jewels to answer the demand, proves the little value she had for these ornaments, compared with the great results of scientific discoveries.

In all that pertained to a vigorous administration and a general superintendence in their respective kingdoms, these rival sovereigns alike claim applause and admiration; and they were both rendered illustrious by their patronage of science and art. • When Sir Francis Drake returned from a successful voyage, wherein he had made many discoveries, &c. the queen conferred on him the honour of knighthood, and accepted of a banquet from him, on board the ship which had performed so memorable a voyage.'

The

But the comparison may be said to end here. intellectual superiority of Elizabeth raised her above the bigotry and superstitious credulity, which impelled Isabella to become the instrument and abettor of deeds abhorrent to humanity; deeds which have cast so deep a shade over the lofty character of the Spanish queen. If some persecutions were suffered under the reign of Elizabeth, it was doubtless believed necessary, as the general scope and tendency of her government was to prevent the revival of popery, or some pernicious heresy ruinous to the empire.

Elizabeth possessed those rare and inestimable qualities, which repressed all desire for foreign conquests or any attempt to enlarge the boundaries of her kingdom; hence she had time to form laws and regula

tions to promote the good and lasting prosperity of her people. Elizabeth even rejected the sovereignty of Holland and Zealand when offered for her acceptance ;. whilst she generously assisted them in maintaining their rights and religion.

The graceful, feminine qualities of Isabella, which. form her most pleasing attributes, and incline us to forget. or overlook the blighting influences of superstition, have made an indelible impression in her favour. The maternal love and solicitude, manifested amid all the tur-moils incident to greatness, are truly attractive; but the high idea we have formed of this gifted queen inclines us to suspect she did not in reality love so well, or entirely, a husband who had violated the most sacred engagements. Nevertheless it was convenient to soothe the restive spirit of Ferdinand, who did not always submit willingly to the superior judgment of Isabella; and she had moreover much respect for the talents of the king, and wished him to retain his high station after her decease.

We cannot willingly admit that Elizabeth was denied that consolation in her last hours, which was granted to the favoured Isabella; or that a mind, exalted by liberal christianity and impressed with a belief in the wisdom and goodness of the God and Father of all mankind, could want that support, which was vouchsafed to her who beheld in God an avenging, implacable Being; whose mercy was limited to one little sect alone, while, with unrelenting severity, He had doomed all other families of the earth to never-ending torments. The mere contemplation of a result like this must fill a benevolent mind with unspeakable horror.

The mind of Elizabeth appeared firm to the last; she relied not on external forms for the forgiveness of sins, or frailties which flesh is heir to,' but on a merciful Father; and when exhorted by the Archbishop of Canterbury to fix her thoughts on God, she calmly replied, she did so, nor did her mind in the least wander from Him.'*

The author of Modern Europe thus concludes his character of the English queen :-' A greater share of feminine softness might have made her more agreeable as a wife or mistress, though not a better sovereign; but a less insidious policy would have reflected more lustre on her reign, and a less rigid frugality, on some occasions, would have given more success to her arms. But as she was, and as she acted, she must be allowed to have been one of the greatest persons that ever filled a throne, and may perhaps be considered as the most illustrious female that ever did honour to humanity. To the testimony of Russell we have the sanction of Prescott, who, in summing up the characters of Elizabeth and Isabella, says, each sovereign conducted her kingdom through a long and triumphant reign, to a height of glory never before reached.'

We have allowed ourselves to be thus diffuse in our remarks, from an impression that strict justice had not been done the English queen by the admired author of Ferdinand and Isabella, who in our opinion has, in this instance alone, allowed his partiality to overcome that strict adherence to justice which characterizes this nvaluable work. Nevertheless we truly appreciate theimanly independence of Mr. Prescott, which has

* See Hume's History of England, vol. iv. p. 530.

enabled him to disregard those petty distinctions and confined views, which prompt many to limit all that is good or great within the circumscribed space of Christendom. True, christians might justly claim this proud distinction, did those who profess this sublime religion act up to their high calling.

The wonderful talents of these gifted sovereigns render the objections, commonly urged in reference to the incapacity of females to fill high and responsible stations, altogether inadmissible; more especially when reference is made to many other illustrious females who have adorned the seat of empire. Yet we wish not to advocate the propriety of females quitting their proper sphere of action, or to encourage them to enter the lists with men, as we are confident no stations are more important than those attached to a daughter, wife, and mother. In this last relation especially, what can demand the exertion of higher talents than are required to form the minds and bodies of children, and prepare them to act well their parts in society! Yet, if it be desirable and expected that women should well and faithfully execute the duties thus devolving on them, let not that power be withheld, which alone can enable them to fulfil their responsible destination. Why should women be subjected to the arbitrary will or caprice of beings fallible like themselves? Or why should they in any instance be compelled to practise artifice or duplicity to obtain a desired good; and thus vitiate the minds of children, and confound their natural sense of justice? May not our greatest calamities be ascribed to these corrupting influences? Moreover

should not a more sacred regard be had for the rights and privileges of women, than for those of men, because in truth they are less able to exact or win those they are by nature entitled to possess? Should our countrymen, who have by their valour and patriotism achieved freedom for themselves, perpetuate the thraldom of their companions and friends, whose bosoms alike glowed with the sacred love of liberty, and whose spirits as indignantly revolted against oppression ?*

To all who have been accustomed to take comprehensive views it must be apparent, that the interests of both sexes are so deeply blended that they cannot be separated, and that the good of both equally requires a revision of those laws, which operate so injuriously on that sex who most require their protecting influence.

A retrospective view of the most prominent acts of the English queen will make it apparent, that she is fairly entitled to the pre-eminence we have given her; especially when reference is had to the beneficial and important results obtained by the wisdom and energy of her government. The Elizabethan reign is justly celebrated for the encouragement afforded to genius and literature. Spencer and Shakspere were the or

*Should not Elizabeth be regarded as one highly endowed, and raised up by God to be the bulwark of the protestant faith, and thus free an enlightened portion of Christendom from the galling yoke of Catholicism? May we not also believe that this spirit descended on our Washington of glorious memory, and enabled him, under divine providence, to achieve freedom for our country, and cause it to be numbered among the na. tions of the earth?