EDWARD, VISCOUNT WIMBLEDON 115
ence whatever of naval warfare, one cannot wonder that some surprise was expressed at the appoint- ment. ' Would any man take upon himself the charge of a general by sea," wrote Admiral Monson, " that had never passed further than between England and Holland ? It were good to know whether he sought the employment or whether it was put upon him against his will ; if he was led upon it by ambition let him answer his error and that with severity ; if it was procured by others they ought to have the same chastise- ment." 1 Cecil, however, was not the man to throw away so splendid a chance of distinguishing himself, even had he known as apparently he did not of the miserable condition of his ships and men. Before the fleet sailed he had realised that an enterprise undertaken so late in the year, with unseaworthy ships, discontented crews, raw troops, and ignorant officers, had little hope of success, but it was then too late to draw back.
On September I5th, the King, accompanied by the Duke of Buckingham, came himself to Ply- mouth to inspect the fleet and the troops, and to endeavour to put some enthusiasm into the officers and men. Buckingham, who was still sanguine, induced the King to announce that Cecil was to be raised to the peerage, under the title of Viscount Wimbledon. 2 He seems to have forgotten, says
1 Churchill, Naval Tracts, III. 238. Quoted by Dalton.
2 Wimbledon House had come into his possession on the death of his father in the previous year.
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