INTRODUCTIOK
 

I.
 

LL our preconceptions to the contrary
notwithstanding, the Press in Eng¬
land in the reign of Queen Euzabeth
was probably the freest in Europe;
as free indeed as the political situa¬
tion at that time would admit of.

The long administration of Lord
BuRGHLEY, who was ever on the
side of light and moderation, wel¬
comed rather'than feared all honest
discussion of grievances or exposure
of abuses in print: and not a few
treatises on matters of State have
thus come down to us. Cases like
that of John Stubbs—who, with
William Page, for the fervently
loyal protest against the Anjou marriage in his Biscouery of a Gaping
Gulf m August 1579, subsequently had their right hands cut off by the
executioner—were of very rare occurrence ; and were quite contrary to the
general spirit ^nd tenor of the Queen's government.

III. 11