diminished that of Spanish Philip and that of his subjects too.  Long before the Armada appeared resplendent in English waters, commanded by that hopeless, blithering landlubber, the Duke of Medina Sidonia, who with other sons of Spain was sent forth to fight against Britain for “Christ and our Lady,” there had been trained here a race of dare-devil seamen who knew no fear, and who broke and vanquished what was reckoned, till then, the finest body of sailors in the whole world.  That our sailors have maintained the reputation achieved in the destruction of the great Spanish Armada is sometimes disputed.  I am one of those who trust that British seamen would be worthy of British traditions were they even now put to the test by some powerful invader.  To suppose that the men who smothered the Armada, or those who broke the fleets of Spain and France at Trafalgar, were more courageous than those of our day would be found in similar circumstances, is arrant folly.  In smaller things we can see the same sterling qualities shown by members of our Navy now as their forebears exhibited of old.  The impressive yet half comic character of the religion that guided the lives of seamen during Drake’s time has been faithfully handed down like an heirloom to the genuine old salt of our own time.

The great Admiral had inconsistencies of character, and conduct that would seem to live on in more or less elevated examples up till now.  He conducted himself in regal style on his long voyages, dressing in an imposing way for dinner, during which he commanded fine music to be played—­for at that day England was the home par excellence of music—­and no food was eaten at his table until the blessing of the Almighty had been asked upon it, and “thanks” was solemnly offered ere rising.  The Holy Sacrament was partaken by him with Doughty the Spanish spy.  The latter, after being kissed by Drake, was then made to lay his head on the block, and thereafter no more was heard of him.  Afterwards the Admiral gave forth a few discourses on the importance of unity and obedience, on the sin of spying into other people’s affairs; and then proceeded, with becoming solemnity and in the names of God and the Icy Queen, to plunder Spanish ports and Spanish shipping.  Drake believed he was by God’s blessing carrying out a divinely governed destiny, and so perhaps he was; but it is difficult somewhat to reconcile his covetousness with his piety.  But what is to be said of his Royal mistress whose crown and realm were saved to her by free sacrifices of blood and life on the part of thousands of single-minded men, whom the Royal Lady calmly allowed, after they had secured her safety and that of England, to starve in peace on Margate Sands?  Times have changed.  Were such reward to be meted to the sailors of to-day after some great period of storm, stress and national peril had been passed through by virtue of their prowess, the wrath of the nation might break forth and go near to sweep away such high-placed callousness for good and all.