Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1890-10-03

AS the faction called "Jingoes" have
lately sought to create alarm about the
weakness of the fleet and the danger of in
vason, the other party feels impelled to
make this ceremony peculiarly brilliant,
and glorify greatly over the ruin of the
Spanish Armada. 1t was, indeed, a great
drliverance. Cesar, the Danes, the Saxons
and William of Normandy invaded Eng
land successfully; but since the kingdom
was thoroughly established all such at
tempts have been defeated, and the Span
iards of 1888 suffered the most disastrous
defeat of all.
1t is one of the stock falsehoods in popu-
lar histories to say that the Spaniards
wanted to conquer England for religion
sake. PhiliplI had many good reasons for
warning against Elizabeth. She had en-
couraged depredations on the Spaniards
by men who would now be treated as
pirates Philip, therefore, employed all
the resources of his then vast dominions to
conquer England. and early in 1888 com
pleted ia Felicissima Armada" though
another word was popularity substituted
for "most fortunate" and the fleet was
styled THE Invincible Armada"
1t was IA queer collection 1t is not easy
to realize that only 300 years ago galleons
of 100 to $50 tons burden were classed rs
enormous war vessels" that smaller yes.
sells were rowed by galley slaves, and actual
Invent into action with the hapless wretch
rs chained to their benches as described in
Lew Walace's "Ben-Hur" Yet the Span
ish record tells us that there were sixty
galeons of huge size and strength" (the
largest go tons), some Levantine gal
Icons carrying soldiers, four ships of the
class called "galliasses" carrying the heavy
cannon, and smaller war ships and vessels
carrying stores. And on this fleet were
5000 soldiers, 5000 sailors, 1000 galley
slaves, 1000 guns, of caliber from to 81
FOUNDERS and the commanders, with quite
a retiIue of young noblemen and $50 priests,
the whole supplied with six months pro
visions and very lavish outfit of small
arms and ammunition. The Prince of
Parma also had in the Netherlands 30 00l
infantry and 1000 cavalry, plcNel men,
ready to cross as soon as the British fleet
was put out of the way.
The British had ample warning, and
We're thoroughly aroused to the need of &c
ton. The sea commanders usually spoke
of the Spaniards with GndisgIi,el con
tempt, bat the land soldiers took very
serious view of things, for Spain was then
admitted to IL" the greatest power ii
I I.lIN Pc anu = liSl lllldulTN lhu lOIt
terrible work Wherever engaged in that
generation. so a commission of noblemer
and gentlemen was convened, and ordered
| beacOns to he set on every commanding
| point on the sea coast, ready for lighting
and continuous signals across the king
dom, that the yeOmanry might gather at
instant notice The national spirit wa,
reused and swelled high. The poorest la
borer provided himself with weapon, il
nothing better than stake hardened il
the fire, and the contemporary description.
tell of men walking the coast with picks,
scythes on poles and long handled axes
But in the navy there We're experienced
men and sensible preparations though
both were sadly hindered by corrupt ant
inefficient administration, and. as it turned
ont, the sailors We're forced suddenly tC
fight when but half ready. Sir John Haw
kins was treasurer of the navy, with gen