For England, Mary Stuart embodied the possible relapse into sloth, dependence, barbarism.

For Elizabeth, Mary Stuart embodied sedition, conspiracy, rebellion, battle, murder, and sudden death.
It was not to be wondered at that the Queen thus situated should be cautious, when about throwing down the gauntlet to the greatest powers of the earth.

Yet the commissioners from the United States were now on their way to England to propose the throwing of that gauntlet.

What now was that England?
Its population was, perhaps, not greater than the numbers which dwell to-day within its capital and immediate suburbs.

Its revenue was perhaps equal to the sixtieth part of the annual interest on the present national debt.