x CONTENTS. PAGE The Scots invade Limerick . . . . 289 They are cut in pieces by Perrot and the Butlers . . 290 Results of Perrot's Government . . . . . . 291 Elizabeth determines to conciliate the Irish. . . . 292 Attempted English Settlement at Knockfergus . . 294 Effect in Ireland of the Massacre of St Bartholomew . . 296 Cattle-driving in the Pale . . . . 297 The Earl of Desmond is allowed to return to Ireland . . 299 He is again imprisoned in Dublin . . . . . . 300 Advice of Tremayne . . . . . . . . 301 Walter Devereux, Earl of Essex, undertakes to occupy part of Ulster at his own charge . . 302 Great Preparations . . . . . . . . 304 Essex lands at Carrickfergus . . . . . . 306 Bright Prospects soon overclouded . . . . 307 Failure and Ruin . . . . . . . . 309 Desmond escapes from Dublin . . . . . . 310 General. prostration of the English Power in Ireland . . 314 CHAPTER LX. THE SPANISH TREATY. Development of the Character of Elizabeth . . . . 316 Her Favourites. . . . . . % . . . 317 The Bishop of Ely and Hatton Garden . . . . 321 State of France . . . . . . . . 329 Proposed Latitudinarian League . . . . . . 330 Haarlem taken . . . . . . . . . . 331 Exploits of Drake . . . . . . . . 332 Alva in favour of an English Alliance . . . . 333 Treachery of English Officers in the Low Countries . . 334 Recall of Alva . . . . . . . . . . 335 Spanish Offers of Peace . . , , , . 335