The Queen.--"It was with us, at first, considered a scandal that a man so young as that should be admitted to the pulpit. Our antagonists reproached us with it in a book called 'Scandale de l'Angleterre,' saying that we had none but school-boys for ministers. I understand that you pray for me as warmly as if I were your sovereign princess. I think I have done as much for the religion as if I were your Queen." Helmichius.--"We are far from thinking otherwise. We acknowledge willingly your Majesty's benefits to our churches." The Queen.--"It would else be ingratitude on your part." Helmichius.--"But the King of Spain will never keep any promise about the religion." The Queen.--"He will never come so far: he does nothing but make a noise on all sides. Item, I don't think he has much confidence in himself." De Dieu.--"Your Majesty has many enemies. The Lord hath hitherto supported you, and we pray that he may continue to uphold your Majesty." The Queen.--"I have indeed many enemies; but I make no great account of them. Is there anything else you seek?" De Dieu.--"There is a special point: it concerns our, or rather your Majesty's, city of Flushing. We hope that Russelius--(so he called Sir William Russell)--may be continued in its government, although he wishes his discharge." "Aha!" said the Queen, laughing and rising from her seat, "I shall not answer you; I shall call some one else to answer you." She then summoned Russell's sister, Lady Warwick. "If you could speak French," said the Queen to that gentlewoman, "I should bid you reply to these gentlemen, who beg that your brother may remain in Flushing, so very agreeable has he made himself to them." The Queen was pleased to hear this good opinion of Sir William, and this request that he might continue to be governor of Flushing, because he had uniformly supported the Leicester party, and was at that moment in high quarrel with Count Maurice and the leading members of the States. As the deputies took their leave, they requested an answer to their memorial, which was graciously promised. Three days afterwards, Walsingham gave them a written answer to their memorial--conceived in the same sense as had been the expressions of her Majesty and her counsellors. Support to the Netherlands and stipulations for the free exercise of their religion were promised; but it was impossible for these deputies of the churches to obtain a guarantee from England that the Popish religion should be excluded from the Provinces, in case of a successful issue to the Queen's negotiation with Spain. And thus during all those eventful days-the last weeks of July and the first weeks of August--the clerical deputation remained in England, indulging in voluminous protocols and lengthened conversations with the Queen and the principal members of her government. It is astonishing, in that breathless interval of history, that so much time could be found for quill-driving and oratory.