The lieutenant-general complained bitterly that there was a most mischievous tendency among all the militia-men to escape from the Queen's colours, in order to enrol themselves as retainers to the great lords.

This spirit was not favourable to efficient organization of a national army.

Even, had the commander-in-chief been a man, of genius and experience it would have been difficult for him, under such circumstances, to resist a splendid army, once landed, and led by Alexander Farnese, but even Leicester's most determined flatterers hardly ventured to compare him in-military ability with that first general of his age.

The best soldier in England was un-questionably Sir John Norris, and Sir John was now marshal of the camp to Leicester.

The ancient quarrel between the two had been smoothed over, and--as might be expected--the Earl hated Norris more bitterly than before, and was perpetually vituperating him, as he had often done in the Netherlands.