wonderful periods in the world's history. The recent invention
of the printing-press had scattered books and knowledge over
Christendom, a larger liberty in religions matters had been
achieved by the Reformation, and daring navigators sailed with
their ships into many regions never before visited by civilized
men.

2. The Portuguese and Spaniards sent expeditions to many lands.
In America, thousands of men and women were living who had come
from Europe, or had been born of white parents since the first
settlements in the West Indies, Mexico and Peru. As Columbus had
discovered the new world with Spanish ships, the kings of Spain
laid claim to all the continent.

3. England, in that time, was ruled by Queen Elizabeth, who began
her reign in 1558. Ireland and the small islands in the British
Channel were the only dependencies of the Crown. Scotland was
still an independent monarchy. With a few millions of subjects,
and this small territory as her realm, this queen was in great
danger of dethronement and death. The Pope, the Catholic kings
and her own people belonging to the Church of Rome denied her
title to be queen and sought her overthrow and that of the
Protestant religion she upheld.

4. Amid so many dangers and difficulties, Queen Elizabeth, by
wisdom and prudence, not only managed to defend herself, but
became one of the greatest rulers of any age. She devoted her
energies to the government of her people, and, though courted by
many princes, would never marry, for fear such a relation would
impair her usefulness as a queen.