The government of the day was not wise, and a large element of England's sea power was sacrificed; but by mistake, not wilfully; through arrogance, not through weakness.
This steady keeping to a general line of policy was doubtless made specially easy for successive English governments by the clear indications of the country's conditions.

Singleness of purpose was to some extent imposed.

The firm maintenance of her sea power, the haughty determination to make it felt, the wise state of preparation in which its military element was kept, were yet more due to that feature of her political institutions which practically gave the government, during the period in question, into the hands of a class,--a landed aristocracy.

Such a class, whatever its defects otherwise, readily takes up and carries on a sound political tradition, is naturally proud of its country's glory, and comparatively insensible to the sufferings of the community by which that glory is maintained.

It readily lays on the pecuniary burden necessary for preparation and for endurance of war.