The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1915-07-27
III. Elizabeth Tudor. Second Queen
Rcgnant of England.

the reigns of England's long line OF
monarchs two stand forth consp1cu-
ously-those of Alfred the Great and
Elizabeth. In the first, unde-: such a
wise and good ruler, the condition OF
the people was notably advanced, the
British Navy founded and the corner
stone OF a greater England laid; I'M
der Elizabeth the kingdom became
the leading world power, the dream
Of colonization was launched to coun-
terbaIance Spain's increasing dOmi-
Mons and the Protestant faith was
firmly established in the Realms
Eliminate those two rules and the
influence of the Anglo-Saxon
would all these succeeding centuries
have been considerably limited, the
history Of the world completely chang
ed and the progress Of re-
tarded. OF course Elizabeth has re-
ceived and still receives n curtailed
recognition of her own share in the
vital events Of her glorious reign, and
undue credit is bestowed on those
famous statesmen who at hat period
served her and their country. 1t
must be remembered it was this re-
markable queen who guided the af-
fair of state and whose uthOrity was
the absolute. She made the wise
selections Of her assistants and at
all times steered the ship of state. His
torians differ widely as to the estimate
of her character, agreeing, doubtless,
at heart that one have understood
her, that to all alike she has been a
puZzle-yet history is greater than
those h record it and plainly re-
veals the fact hat through her gov
eminent England has attained the po-
sition she has since held and aug
mented. In this age the School of
Iconoclasts' has a large membership
and there are historians who strive
to defend the leaders who have been
justly condemned and to underrate
others who were assigned exalted
seats. Among the latter class Eliza
beth is pre-eminent. In studying the
character and reign of his remark
able queen several facts must not be
ignored, namely: that she was the
daughter Of hat imperious tyrant,
Henry Will, and Anne Boleyn, a
beauty who possessed vivacity and a
large share of vanity and frivolity,
unprotected by "a generous supply of
brains, and that she inherited the
characteristics of both; that she was
not reared as carefully as some prin-
cesses have been and surrounded by
enemies instead of loving guardians;
that the times in which she lived were
torn by the bitterest discussions. Could
any king have acted as wisely as did
this scion of the Plantaganet-Tudor
line in those times that tried mems
souls?
ON September I, 1888. the eve of
the nativity of the Virgin Mary, in
the Chamber of the Virgins (so-called
because hung with tapestry represent
ing the story of the holy virgins) at
Greenwich Palace, the favorite abode
OF Henry VIII, and Queen Anne Bo-
LEVIN WAS horn :fho VIRGIN O1aan -
to whom was given the name of her
grandmother Elizabeth of York. The
fiery King never forgave the infant
Tor being a girl, even though he or
dered a TIE Deum to be sung and saw
that she was christened in the Church
OF Grey FriarS with nue. pomp. She
was borne in the arms of her mater
nal Observation-Disclosures the Dowagel
Duchess Of Norfolk, who, with Gran.
mer, Archbishop of Canterbury, anC
the Marchioness of Dorest, acted a:
sponsor. Costly gifts were presented
to the infant. All provision was mad
for the little princess welfare ant
soon the king, ever matrimonially in
clined, preferring early, frequent an,
late marriages, ~endeavored to engo
tate a marriage treaty between he
and the e of Augouleme, third so
of Francis ], Of France, the first il
that long list of alliances proposed 70
and to this princess who ever insiste
that she preferred to remain single.
After the death of the king, Eliza
beth, in her fourteenth year, was en-
trusted to the guardianship of tn
dowager-queen Katharine Parr an
pursued her studies quietly, Twin
with her at Chelsea, Hanworth an
Seymour Place. A great shock cam
In the marriage of Katharine Parr t
Sir Thomas Seymour about one mont
after the kings demise and four day
after she had declined his offer +,
marriage. Mary, as we'll as EliZabetl
was indignant over this lack Of respe,
for their royal fathers al
she urged Elizabeth to leave her Or,
tectress' abode and to abide with he
Elizabeth, however, revealed that wol
derful policy that served her we'll
after life and declined the advio
seeing it would not be wiser to eau