Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 10.djvu/280

 260 REIGN OF ELIZABETH. [CH. 59. as to his mistress, and as Cecil himself continually lamented her closeness, the limitation of the revenue is no complete vindication of it. Cecil doubtless would have preferred a more free application to Parliament, and a greater forwardness in complying with the Par- liament's wishes. Yet, however it was, she did succeed with combined courage and cunning in holding at bay the Catholic Powers. England, with peace and immunity from taxation, grew enormously in wealth and strength, and the Queen herself was gaining a hold on the affections of her subjects which palsied the arm of disloyalty. This is some set-off against the thousand wrongs and injustices which Elizabeth inflicted on parties and persons dependent upon her ; it does not amount to an excuse, but it is something in the opposing scale, to be allowed for and remembered in the estimate of her. If England throve, however, Ireland bled for it. No money came to Dublin to pay the wages of the soldiers, who were compelled, as before, to live upon the farmers on whom they were billeted. Gilbert, after his achievements at Kilmalloch, was recalled, and not a trace remained of his work but his own knighthood and the hate which his cruelties had engendered. Fitzmaurice, whom he had described as a hunted fugitive, became sovereign of Munster the instant of his departure, and the few persons who had shown favour to the English were tried and hanged. It was men- tioned that a Presidency was established in Connaught : the fortunes of it form a curious episode in Irish history. Sir Edward Fitton, like most men of his