420 THE QUEENS OF ENGLAND. except through an atmosphere of light which dazzles and con- fuses their judgment. Even the philosophical and dispas- sionate Hume is repeatedly yielding to what may be termed an hereditary incitement to commend extravagantly her talents for empire; and the consequence is, that he is constantly con- tradicting in one page what he advanced in a prior one. Yet no one knew better than' this great historian the real causes of her splendid career; for, after repeating a series of her most arbitrary, dishonest, and impolitic public acts, he adds : — "Not- withstanding this conduct, Elizabeth contrived to be the most popular sovereign that ever swayed the scepter of England, because the maxims of her reign were comfortable to the prin- ciples of the times and to the opinions generally entertained with regard to the constitution."
