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| author | nfenwick <nfenwick@pglaf.org> | 2025-01-25 00:22:55 -0800 |
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| committer | nfenwick <nfenwick@pglaf.org> | 2025-01-25 00:22:55 -0800 |
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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..4b5d47d --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #69077 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/69077) diff --git a/old/69077-0.txt b/old/69077-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 4745891..0000000 --- a/old/69077-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,8114 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook of Half hours on the quarter deck, by -Anonymous - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you -will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before -using this eBook. - -Title: Half hours on the quarter deck - The Spanish Armada to Sir Cloudesley Shovel 1670 - -Author: Anonymous - -Release Date: September 30, 2022 [eBook #69077] - -Language: English - -Produced by: Juliet Sutherland, Charlie Howard, and the Online - Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net - -*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HALF HOURS ON THE QUARTER -DECK *** - - - - - -Transcriber’s Note: Italic text is enclosed in _underscores_; boldface -text is enclosed in =equals signs=. - - - - - HALF HOURS - ON THE QUARTER-DECK - - - - -THE HALF HOUR LIBRARY. - -_TRAVEL, NATURE, AND SCIENCE._ - -Handsomely bound, very fully Illustrated, 2s. 6d. each; gilt edges, 3s. - - - Half Hours in the Holy Land. - - Travels in Egypt, Palestine, and Syria. - - By NORMAN MACLEOD. - - - Half Hours in the Far North. - - Life amid Snow and Ice. - - - Half Hours in the Wide West. - - Over Mountains, Rivers, and Prairies. - - - Half Hours in the Far South. - - The People and Scenery of the Tropics. - - - Half Hours in the Far East. - - Among the People and Wonders of India. - - - Half Hours with a Naturalist. - - Rambles near the Seashore. - - By the Rev. J. G. WOOD. - - - Half Hours in the Deep. - - The Nature and Wealth of the Sea. - - - Half Hours in the Tiny World. - - Wonders of Insect Life. - - - Half Hours in Woods and Wilds. - - Adventures of Sport and Travel. - - - Half Hours in Air and Sky. - - Marvels of the Universe. - - - Half Hours Underground. - - Volcanoes, Mines, and Caves. - - By CHARLES KINGSLEY and others. - - - Half Hours at Sea. - - Stories of Voyage, Adventure, and Wreck. - - - Half Hours in Many Lands. - - Arctic, Torrid, and Temperate. - - - Half Hours in Field and Forest. - - Chapters in Natural History. - - By the Rev. J. G. WOOD. - - - Half Hours on the Quarter-Deck. - - - Half Hours in Early Naval Adventure. - - -[Illustration: - - _Frontispiece._] [_Page 41._ - -SIR FRANCIS DRAKE CALLS ON HIS COMRADES TO “PLAY OUT THE MATCH, FOR -THERE IS PLENTY OF TIME TO DO SO, AND TO BEAT THE SPANIARDS TOO.”] - - - - - THE HALF HOUR LIBRARY - - _OF TRAVEL, NATURE, AND SCIENCE_ - - FOR YOUNG READERS - - - HALF HOURS ON - - THE QUARTER-DECK - - The Spanish Armada to Sir Cloudesley Shovel - - 1670 - - - WITH NUMEROUS ILLUSTRATIONS - - - London - JAMES NISBET & CO. LIMITED - 21 Berners Street, W. - 1899 - - - - -INTRODUCTION. - - -This is the second of a series of books on a subject of the greatest -interest to all young Englishmen--the Naval History of England. To the -sea England owes its greatness, and the Anglo-Saxon race its possession -of such large portions of the earth. Two-thirds of the surface of our -globe are covered with water, and the nations that have the chief -command of the seas must naturally have immense power in the world. -There is nothing more marvellous in the last century, great as has -been the progress in all directions, than the birth of new nations in -distant parts of the earth, sprung from our own people, and speaking -our own language. England and America bid fair to encompass the world -with their influence; because, centuries ago, England became, through -the bravery and endurance of her sailors, the chief ocean power. - -From the earliest times, the command of the sea was eagerly sought -after. The Phœnicians, occupying a position of much importance as a -commercial centre between the great regions of Asia on the east and -the countries surrounding the Mediterranean on the west, made rapid -progress in navigation. The large ships they sent to Tarshish were -unequalled for size and speed. Their vessels effected wonderful things -in bringing together the varied treasures of distant countries. They -used the sea rather for commerce, and the sending forth of colonists -through whom they might extend their trade, than for purposes of -conquest. With the Romans, who succeeded them in the command of the -sea, especially after the fall of Carthage, the sea was a war-path, -and the subjugation of the world was the paramount idea, although -the vessels brought treasures from all parts to enrich the imperial -city. The Anglo-Saxons have used the seas, both east and west, as the -Phœnicians used the Mediterranean, for the extension of commerce and -the planting of colonies, but also, as the Romans, for the subjugation -and civilisation of great empires. - -There is a great interest in observing the progress of events for a -century after the opening up of the great world by Columbus and others -of the same period. It seemed for a time as if Spain and Portugal were -to conquer and possess most of the magnificent territories discovered; -France seemed also likely to have a fair portion; but England, almost -nowhere at first, gradually led the way. This was due chiefly to the -wonderful feats and endurance and bravery of her sailors. One country -after another fell under our influence, till the great continent of -America in all its northern parts became peopled by the Anglo-Saxon -race--which has, in later periods, similarly spread over Australia and -New Zealand. - -With the growth of the maritime power of England is associated a -splendid array of heroic names, and many of the humblest sailors were -equal in bravery to their renowned commanders. No history is more -intensely interesting than that of the daring perils and triumphs -of heroic seamen. The heroes, who have distinguished themselves in -the history and growth of the British Navy, furnish a gallery and -galaxy, bewildering in extent; the events of pith and moment, in which -they have been prominent actors, present fields too vast to be fully -traversed; they can only be touched at salient points. - - - - -CONTENTS - - - CHAP. WILLIAM, JOHN, AND RICHARD HAWKINS. PAGE - - I. THREE GENERATIONS OF ADVENTURERS, 1 - - - CHARLES HOWARD, BARON OF EFFINGHAM, AFTERWARDS EARL OF - NOTTINGHAM. - - II. “BORN TO SERVE AND SAVE HIS COUNTRY,” 37 - - - SIR MARTIN FROBISHER, NAVIGATOR, DISCOVERER, AND COMBATANT. - - III. THE FIRST ENGLISH DISCOVERER OF GREENLAND, 47 - - - THOMAS CAVENDISH, GENTLEMAN ADVENTURER. - - IV. THE SECOND ENGLISHMAN WHO CIRCUMNAVIGATED THE GLOBE, 57 - - - SIR WALTER RALEIGH, QUEEN ELIZABETH’S FAVOURITE MINISTER. - - V. AMERICAN COLONISATION SCHEMES, 83 - - - SIR WALTER RALEIGH, SAILOR, SCHOLAR, POET. - - VI. NAVAL EXPEDITIONS--TRIAL AND EXECUTION, 130 - - - THE PLANTING OF THE GREAT AMERICAN COLONIES. - - VII. “TO FRAME SUCH JUST AND EQUAL LAWS AS SHALL BE MOST - CONVENIENT,” 173 - - - OLIVER CROMWELL AND THE SEA-POWER OF ENGLAND. - - VIII. A LONG INTERVAL IN NAVAL WARFARE ENDED, 181 - - - ROBERT BLAKE, THE GREAT ADMIRAL OF THE COMMONWEALTH. - - IX. HE ACHIEVED FOR ENGLAND THE TITLE, NEVER SINCE DISPUTED, - OF “MISTRESS OF THE SEA,” 186 - - - GEORGE MONK, K.G., DUKE OF ALBEMARLE. - - X. THE FRIEND OF CROMWELL, AND THE RESTORER OF CHARLES II., 230 - - - EDWARD MONTAGU, EARL OF SANDWICH. - - XI. NAVAL CONFLICT BETWEEN THE ENGLISH AND THE DUTCH, 253 - - - PRINCE RUPERT, NAVAL AND MILITARY COMMANDER. - - XII. THE DUTCH DISCOVER ENGLISH COURAGE TO BE INVINCIBLE, 290 - - - SIR EDWIN SPRAGGE, ONE BORN TO COMMAND. - - XIII. THE DUTCH AVOW SUCH FIERCE FIGHTING NEVER TO HAVE BEEN - SEEN, 315 - - - SIR THOMAS ALLEN. - - XIV. THE PROMOTED PRIVATEER, 334 - - - SIR JOHN HARMAN. - - XV. “BOLD AS A LION, BUT ALSO WISE AND WARY,” 343 - - - ADMIRAL BENBOW. - - XVI. THE KING SAID, “WE MUST SPARE OUR BEAUX, AND SEND HONEST - BENBOW,” 346 - - - SIR CLOUDESLEY SHOVEL. - - XVII. THE SHOEMAKER WHO ROSE TO BE REAR-ADMIRAL OF ENGLAND, 359 - - - - -LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. - - - PAGE - - SIR FRANCIS DRAKE CALLING ON HIS COMRADES TO PLAY OUT - THE MATCH, AND TO BEAT THE SPANIARDS TOO, _Frontispiece_ - - SIR JOHN HAWKINS, 3 - - ROCHELLE, 11 - - SIR JOHN HAWKINS PURSUING THE SHIPS OF THE ARMADA, 19 - - CHATHAM EARLY IN THE 17TH CENTURY, 25 - - MOUNTAINS AND GLACIERS IN THE STRAITS OF MAGELLAN, 33 - - EARL OF EFFINGHAM, 38 - - LORD HOWARD DEFEATING A SPANISH FLEET, 43 - - SIR MARTIN FROBISHER, 49 - - SIR MARTIN FROBISHER PASSING GREENWICH, 53 - - THOMAS CAVENDISH, 59 - - PERILOUS POSITION IN THE STRAITS OF MAGELLAN, 67 - - ROUNDING THE CAPE DE BUENA ESPERANÇA, 75 - - SIR WALTER RALEIGH, 85 - - RALEIGH SPREADING OUT HIS CLOAK TO PROTECT THE - QUEEN’S FEET FROM THE MUD, 93 - - EDMUND SPENSER, AUTHOR OF THE “FAERIE QUEENE,” 103 - - THE MADRE DE DIOS, 111 - - RALEIGH ON THE ORINOCO RIVER, 121 - - RALEIGH AS SAILOR, SCHOLAR, POET, 131 - - ENGLISH FLEET BEFORE CADIZ, 139 - - ST. HELIERS, JERSEY, 149 - - SIR WALTER RALEIGH CONFINED IN THE TOWER, 157 - - LORD FRANCIS BACON, 167 - - THE MAYFLOWER, 175 - - OLIVER CROMWELL, 183 - - ADMIRAL BLAKE, 193 - - BATTLE BETWEEN BLAKE AND VAN TROMP, 203 - - ADMIRAL VAN TROMP, 213 - - THE DEATH OF ADMIRAL BLAKE, 225 - - GENERAL MONK, 233 - - DEFEAT OF THE DUTCH FLEET BY MONK, 241 - - SEA FIGHT WITH THE DUTCH, 249 - - EARL OF SANDWICH, DUKE OF YORK--BATTLE OF SOUTHWOLD - OR SOLE BAY, 257 - - DUNKIRK, 265 - - CASTLE OF TANGIERS, 273 - - ACTION BETWEEN THE EARL OF SANDWICH AND ADMIRAL - DE RUYTER, 283 - - PRINCE RUPERT AT EDGEHILL, 293 - - DEFEAT OF THE DUTCH OFF LOWESTOFT, 301 - - ADRIAN DE RUYTER, 309 - - THE DUTCH FLEET CAPTURES SHEERNESS, 319 - - ATTACKING A PIRATE OFF ALGIERS, 329 - - AN ALGERINE CORSAIR, 339 - - ADMIRAL BENBOW, 351 - - SIR CLOUDESLEY SHOVEL, 361 - - CARRICKFERGUS CASTLE, 369 - - - - -HALF HOURS ON THE QUARTER-DECK. - - - - -WILLIAM, JOHN, AND RICHARD HAWKINS. - -CHAPTER I. - -THREE GENERATIONS OF ADVENTURERS. - - -The proclivities of parents are not uniformly manifested in their -children, and the rule of “Like father, like son” has its exceptions. -The three generations of the Hawkins’ family, who distinguished -themselves as maritime adventurers in the reign of Henry VIII. and -Queen Elizabeth, while differing in character, disposition, and -attainments at divers points, were in common governed by a ruling -passion--love of the sea, and choice of it as a road to fame and -fortune. - -William Hawkins, Esq., of Tavistock, was a man of much property, -acquired by inheritance, but chiefly by his good fortune as a -successful naval adventurer. He was regarded with great favour by -King Henry VIII. About the year 1530 he fitted up a ship of 250 tons -burthen, which he named the _Paul of Plymouth_, and in which he made -three voyages to Brazil, touching also at the coast of Guinea to buy -or capture human beings,--to make merchandise of them. He was probably -the first English adventurer that engaged in this horrible traffic. -Old chroniclers coolly record the fact that he traded successfully -and most profitably in “slaves, gold, and elephants’ teeth.” Brazil -was in those days under a quite different government to that of the -enlightened ex-Emperor Dom Pedro, or of the Republic that has recently -succeeded him. Its rulers were savage Indian chiefs, with whom Hawkins -was signally successful in ingratiating himself. On the occasion of his -second visit to the country, so complete was the confidence reposed -in him by these native princes, that one of them consented to return -with him to England, Hawkins leaving Martin Cockram of Plymouth, one -of his crew, as a hostage for the safe return of the prince. The -personal adornments of this aboriginal grandee were of a remarkable -character. According to Hakluyt’s account, “In his cheeks were holes, -made according to the savage manner, and therein small bones were -planted, standing an inch out from the surface, which in his country -was looked on as evidence of great bravery. He had another hole in -his lower lip, wherein was set a precious stone about the bigness of -a pea. All his apparel, behaviour, and gestures were very strange to -the beholders,” as may easily be believed. After remaining in England -for about a year, during which time the distinguished foreigner was a -repeated visitor at the court of Henry VIII., who was a warm patron -of Hawkins, the adventurer embarked to return to Brazil. Unhappily, -the Indian prince died on the passage, which naturally occasioned -serious apprehensions in Hawkins’ mind. He was sorry for the death of -his fellow-voyager, but more concerned on account of poor Cockram, -the hostage, whose life, he feared, was imperilled by the death of -the savage, for whose safe return he had been left as security. The -confiding barbarians, however, disappointed his fears; they accepted, -without doubt or hesitation, his account of the circumstances of the -chief’s death, and his assurance that all that was possible to skill and -care had been done to save his life. The friendly intercourse between -Hawkins and the natives continued; they traded freely upon mutually -satisfactory terms, and Hawkins returned to England freighted with a -valuable cargo. He was greatly enriched by his successive voyages to -the West Indies and Brazil, and at a mature age retired from active -life, in the enjoyment of the fortune he had amassed by his skill -and courage as a seaman, his wisdom and astuteness as a merchant, -his enterprise, fortitude, perseverance, and other qualities and -characteristics that distinguish most men who get on in the world. - -[Illustration: SIR JOHN HAWKINS.] - -John Hawkins, the second son of William Hawkins of Plymouth above -referred to, was born at Plymouth about the year 1520. His elementary -education was followed up in his early youth by assiduous study of -mathematics and navigation. Early in life he made voyages to Spain -and Portugal, and to the Canary Islands--the latter being considered -a rather formidable undertaking in those days. In his early life he -so diligently applied himself to his duties, and acquitted himself so -successfully in their discharge, as to achieve a good reputation, and -soon after the accession of Queen Elizabeth, an appointment in her -navy, as an officer of consideration. It is stated concerning him, -that as a young man he had engaging manners, and that at the Canaries, -to which he had made several trips, “he had, by his tenderness and -humanity, made himself very much beloved,” and had acquired a knowledge -of the slave trade, and of the mighty profits which even in those days -resulted from the sale of negroes in the West Indies. These glowing -accounts of a quick road to riches fired the ambition of the tender and -humane adventurer. - -In 1562, when he had acquired much experience as a seaman, and was at -the best of his manhood’s years, he projected a great slave-trading -expedition. His design was to obtain subscriptions from the most -eminent London traders and other wealthy persons, to provide and -equip an adventure squadron. He proposed to proceed first to Guinea -for a cargo of slaves, to be procured by barter, purchase, capture, -or in any other way,--and the cheaper the better. With his freight -of slaves, his design was to proceed to Hispaniola, Porto Rico, and -other Spanish islands, and there to sell the slaves for money, or -barter them in exchange for sugar, hides, silver, and other produce. -He readily obtained, as his partners in this unscrupulous project, Sir -William Lodge, Sir William Winter, Mr. Bromson, and his (Hawkins’) -father-in-law, Mr. Gunson. The squadron consisted of the _Solomon_, -of 120 tons, Hawkins, commander; the _Swallow_, of 100 tons, captain, -Thomas Hampton; and the _Jonas_, a bark of 40 tons. The three vessels -carried in all one hundred men. The squadron sailed in October 1562, -and touched first at Teneriffe, from which they proceeded on to Guinea, -where landing, “by money, and where that failed, by the sword,” -Hawkins acquired three hundred negroes to be sold as slaves. These he -disposed of at enormous profits at Hispaniola and others of the Spanish -settlements, and returned to England,--to the enrichment, as the result -of his “famous voyage,” of himself and his unscrupulous co-proprietors. - -“Nothing succeeds like success.” There was now no difficulty in -obtaining abundant support, in money and men, for further adventure, -on the same lines. Slave-trading was proved to be a paying pursuit, and -then as now, those who hasted to be rich were not fastidious, as to -the moral aspect and nature of the quickest method. Another expedition -was determined upon, and on a larger scale. Hawkins, the successful -conductor of the expedition, was highly popular. As eminent engineers -have taken in gentlemen apprentices in more modern times, Captain -Hawkins was beset with applications to take in gentlemen apprentices to -the art and mystery of slave-trade buccaneering. Among the youngsters -entrusted to his tutelage were several who afterwards achieved -distinction in the Royal Navy, including Mr. John Chester, son of Sir -Wm. Chester, afterwards a captain in the navy; Anthony Parkhurst, -who became a leading man in Bristol, and turned out an enterprising -adventurer; John Sparkes, an able writer on maritime enterprises, who -gave a graphic account of Hawkins’ second expedition, which Sparkes had -accompanied as an apprentice. - -The squadron in the second expedition comprised the _Jesus of Lubeck_, -of 700 tons, a queen’s ship, Hawkins, commander; the _Solomon_; and -two barques, the _Tiger_ and the _Swallow_. The expedition sailed -from Plymouth on the 18th October 1564. The first endeavour of the -adventurers was to reach the coast of Guinea, for the nefarious purpose -of man-stealing, as before. An incident, that occurred on the day -after the squadron left Teneriffe, reflects credit on Hawkins in -showing his paternal care for the lives of his crew, although he held -the lives of Guinea negroes of little account, and in exhibiting also -his skill as a seaman. The pinnace of his own ship, with two men in -it, was capsized, and the upturned boat, with the two men struggling -in the water, was dropped out of sight, before sail could be taken in. -Hawkins ordered the jolly-boat to be let down and manned by twenty-four -able-bodied seamen, to whose leading man he gave steering directions. -After a long and stiff pull, the pinnace, with the two men riding -astride on the keel, was sighted, and their rescue effected. - -The poor hunted savages sometimes sold their lives and liberties -dearly to their Christian captors. In one of his raids upon the -coast of Africa in this expedition, the taking of ten negroes cost -Hawkins six of his best men killed, and twenty-seven wounded. The -Rev. Mr. Hakluyt--affected with obliquity of moral vision it may -be--deliberately observes concerning Captain Hawkins and this disaster, -that “his countenance remained unclouded, and though he was naturally -a man of compassion, he made very light of his loss, that others -might not take it to heart.” A very large profit was realised by -this expedition, “a full cargo of very rich commodities” having been -collected in the trading with Jamaica, Cuba, and other West Indian -islands. On the return voyage another incident occurred illustrative -of Captain Hawkins’ punctilious regard to honesty in other directions -than that of negroes--having property rights in their own lives and -liberties. When off Newfoundland, which seemed to be rather round -circle sailing on their way home, the commander fell in with two French -fishing vessels. Hawkins’ squadron had run very short of provisions. -They boarded the Frenchmen, and, without leave asked or obtained, -helped themselves to as much of their stock of provisions, as they -thought would serve for the remainder of the voyage home. To the -amazement as much as the satisfaction of the Frenchmen, Hawkins paid -honourably for the salt junk and biscuits thus appropriated. - -The squadron arrived at Padstow, Cornwall, on the 20th September 1565. -The idea of the brotherhood of man had not in that age been formulated, -and Hawkins was honoured for his achievements, in establishing a new -and lucrative branch of trade. Heraldic honours were conferred upon him -by Clarencieux, king at arms, who granted him, as an appropriate crest, -“a demi-moor bound with a cord or chain.” - -[Illustration: ROCHELLE.] - -In 1567 Hawkins sailed in charge of an expedition for the relief of -the French Protestants at Rochelle. This object was satisfactorily -effected, and he proceeded to prepare for a third voyage to the West -Indies. Before this expedition sailed, Hawkins, while off Cativater -waiting the queen’s orders, had an opportunity, of which he made -prompt and spirited use, for vindicating the honours of the queen’s -flag. A Spanish fleet of fifty sail, bound for Flanders, passed -comparatively near to the coast, and in sight of Hawkins’ squadron, -without saluting by lowering their top-sails, and taking in their -flags. Hawkins ordered a shot to be fired across the bows of the -leading ship. No notice was taken of this, whereupon he ordered another -to be fired, that would make its mark. The second shot went through the -hull of the admiral, whereupon the Spaniards struck sail and came to -an anchor. The Spanish general sent a messenger to demand the meaning -of this hostile demonstration. Hawkins would not accept the message, -or even permit the messenger to come on board. On the Spanish general -sending again, Hawkins sent him the explanation that he had not paid -the reverence due to the queen, that his coming in force without -doing so was suspicious; and he concluded his reply by ordering the -Spanish general to sheer off, or he would be treated as an enemy. On -coming together, and further parley, Hawkins and the Spaniard arrived -at an amicable understanding, and concluded their conferences in -reconciliation feasts and convivialities, on board and on shore. - -The new expedition sailed on the 2nd October 1567. The squadron -consisted of the _Jesus of Lubeck_, the _Minion_, and four other -ships. As before, the adventurers made first for Guinea, the favourite -gathering-ground for the inhuman traffic, and collected there a crowd -of five hundred negroes, the hapless victims of their cupidity. The -greater number of these they disposed of at splendid prices, in money -or produce, in Spanish America. Touching at Rio Del Hacha, to Hawkins’ -indignant surprise, the governor, believing it to be within his right, -refused to trade with him. Such arrogance was not to be submitted -to, and Hawkins landed a storming party, who assaulted and took the -town, which, if it did not exactly make things pleasant, compelled -submission, and, for the invading adventurers, a profitable trade. -Having made the most he could of Hacha, Hawkins next proceeded to -Carthagena, where he disposed, at good prices, of the remainder of the -five hundred slaves. - -The adventurers were now (September 1568) in good condition for -returning home with riches, leaving honours out of consideration, but -the time had passed for their having their own will and way. Plain -sailing in smooth seas was over with them; storm and trouble, and -struggle for dear life, awaited them. Shortly after leaving Carthagena -the squadron was overtaken by violent storms, and for refuge they -made, as well as they could, for St. John de Ulloa, in the Gulf of -Mexico. While in the harbour, the Spanish fleet came up in force, and -was about to enter. Hawkins was in an awkward position. He liked not -the Spaniards, and would fain have given their vastly superior force -a wide berth. He tried what diplomacy would do. He sent a message to -the viceroy that the English were there only for provisions, for which -they would pay, and he asked the good offices of the viceroy, for the -preservation of an honourable peace. The terms proposed by Hawkins were -assented to, and hostages for the observance of the conditions were -exchanged. But he was dealing with deceivers. On Thursday, September -23rd, he noticed great activity in the carrying of ammunition to -the Spanish ships, and that a great many men were joining the ships -from the shore. He sent to the viceroy demanding the meaning of all -this, and had fair promises sent back in return. Again Hawkins sent -Robert Barret, master of the _Jesus_, who knew the Spanish language, -to demand whether it was not true that a large number of men were -concealed in a 900-ton ship that lay next to the _Minion_, and why it -was that the guns of the Spanish fleet were all pointed at the English -ships. The viceroy answered this demand by ordering Barret into irons, -and directing the trumpet to sound a charge. At this time Hawkins -was at dinner in his cabin with a treacherous guest, Don Augustine -de Villa Nueva, who had accepted the _rôle_ of Hawkins’ assassin. -John Chamberlain, of Hawkins’ bodyguard, detected the dagger up the -traitor’s sleeve, denounced him, and had him cared for. Going on deck, -Hawkins found the English attacked on all sides; an overpowering -crowd of enemies from the great Spanish ship alongside was pouring -into the _Minion_. With a loud voice he shouted, “God and St. George! -Fall upon those traitors, and rescue the _Minion_!” His men eagerly -answered the call, leaped out of the _Jesus_ into the _Minion_, and -made short work with the enemy, slaughtering them wholesale, and -driving out the remnant. Having cleared the _Minion_ of the enemy, they -did equally effective service with the ship’s guns; they sent a shot -into the Spanish vice-admiral’s ship that, probably from piercing the -powder-room, blew up the ship and three hundred men with it. On the -other hand, all the Englishmen who happened to be on shore were cut -off, except three who escaped by swimming from shore to their ships. -The English were overmatched to an enormous extent, by the fleet and -the attack from the shore. The Spaniards took the _Swallow_, and burnt -the _Angel_. The _Jesus_ had the fore-mast cut down by a shot, and -the main-mast shattered. The Spaniards set fire to two of their own -ships, with which they bore down upon the _Jesus_, with the desire -of setting it on fire. In dire extremity, and to avert the calamity -of having their ship burnt, the crew, without orders, cut the cables -and put to sea; they returned, however, to take Hawkins on board. The -English ships suffered greatly by the shots from the shore, as well as -from the fleet, but inflicted, considering the disparity in strength of -the combatants, much greater damage than they sustained. The ships of -the Spanish admiral and vice-admiral were both disabled,--the latter -destroyed; four other Spanish ships were sunk or burnt. Of the Spanish -fighting men,--fifteen hundred in number at the commencement of the -battle,--five hundred and forty, or more than a third, were killed or -wounded. The _Jesus_ and the _Minion_ fought themselves clear of the -Spaniards, but the former was so much damaged as to be unmanageable, -and the _Minion_, with Hawkins and most of his men on board, and the -_Judith_, of 50 tons, were the only ships that escaped. The sanguinary -action lasted from noon until evening. The wreckage to such an extent -of Hawkins’ fleet involved, of course, a heavy deduction from his -fortune. - -After leaving St. John de Ulloa, the adventurers suffered great -privations. Their design to replenish their failing stock of provisions -had been frustrated, and Hawkins was now threatened with mutiny among -the crew, because of the famine that seemed imminent, and which he was -powerless to avert. They entered a creek in the Bay of Mexico, at the -mouth of the river Tampico. A number of the men demanded to be left on -shore, declaring that they would rather be on shore to eat dogs and -cats, parrots, rats, and monkeys, than remain on board to starve to -death. “Four score and sixteen” men thus elected to be left on shore. -Job Hortop, one of the crew, who left a narrative of the voyage, states -that Hawkins counselled the men he was leaving to “serve God and love -one another, and courteously bade them a sorrowful farewell.” On -the return voyage, Hawkins and the remnant with him, sustained great -hardships and privations. At Vigo, where he touched, he met with some -English ships, from which he was able to obtain, by arrangement, twelve -stout seamen, to assist his reduced and enfeebled crew, in the working -of his ships for the remainder of the homeward voyage. He sailed from -Vigo on the 20th January 1569, and reached Mount’s Bay, Cornwall, -on the 25th of the same month. Thus ended his third eventful and -disastrous expedition to El Dorado. - -The poor fellows, left on shore in Mexico, entered upon a terrible -campaign of danger and suffering. The first party of Indians that -the castaways fell in with, slaughtered a number of them, but on -discovering that they were not Spaniards, whom the Indians hated -inveterately, spared the remainder, and directed them to the port of -Tampico. It is recorded of two of their number, Richard Brown and -Richard Twide, that they performed the wonderful feat, under such cruel -disadvantages and difficulties, of marching across the North American -continent from Mexico to Nova Scotia,--from which they were brought -home in a French ship. Others of the wanderers fell into the hands of -the Spaniards, who sent some of them prisoners to Mexico, and others -to Spain, where, by sentence of the Holy Inquisition, some were burnt -to death, and others consigned for long terms to imprisonment. -Miles Philips, one of the crew, reached England, after many perilous -adventures and hair-breadth ’scapes, in 1582. Job Hortop and John -Bone were sentenced to imprisonment for ten years. Hortop, after -twenty-three years’ absence from England, spent in Hawkins’ fleet, and -in wanderings, imprisonment, and divers perils, reached home in 1590, -and wrote an interesting account of the voyage, and of his personal -adventures. - -[Illustration: SIR JOHN HAWKINS PURSUING THE SHIPS OF THE ARMADA.] - -In his last expedition Hawkins had returned with impaired fortune, but -without dishonour. He had, indeed, added to the lustre of England, and -to his personal renown, by the skill and valour he had displayed in the -affair of St. John de Ulloa,--in which the glory was his, and infamy -attached to the treacherous Spaniards, whose immense superiority in -strength should have enabled them to extinguish their enemy, instead -of being beaten by him. In recognition of his valour, Hawkins was -granted by Clarencieux, king at arms, further heraldic honours, in an -augmentation of his arms; he was also appointed Treasurer to the Navy, -an office of great honour and profit. - -Hawkins’ next great public service was rendered, as commander of Her -Majesty’s ship _Victory_, in the actions against the Spanish Armada in -1588. The commanders of the English squadrons in the Armada actions -and pursuit were the Lord High Admiral, and Sir Francis Drake, and -Sir John Hawkins, rear-admiral. Sir John was knighted by the Lord -High Admiral for his distinguished services; as was also Sir Martin -Frobisher. Sir John Hawkins shared largely in the dangers and honours -of the actions, and, in the pursuit of the Spaniards, he rendered -extraordinarily active and successful service, for which he was -particularly commended by Queen Elizabeth. - -In 1590 Sir John Hawkins, in conjunction with Sir Martin -Frobisher,--each with a squadron of fifty ships,--was sent to harass -the Spanish coast, and to intercept and capture, if possible, the -Plate fleet. Suspecting this intention, the Spanish king contrived -to convey intelligence to India, ordering the fleet to winter there, -instead of coming home. Hawkins and Frobisher cruised about for six or -seven months, with no more definite result than humiliating Spain, and -detracting from its dignity and influence as a naval power. - -Sir John Hawkins was next appointed in a joint expedition against Spain -with Sir Francis Drake. The design of the expedition, which sailed -from Plymouth on the 28th August 1595, was to burn Nombre-de-Dios, and -to march thence overland to Panama, and appropriate there the Spanish -treasure from Peru. The design proved abortive, partly from tempestuous -weather, but partly also from disagreement between the commanders. On -the 30th October, at a short distance from Dominica, the _Francis_, a -bark of 35 tons, the sternmost of Sir John Hawkins’ fleet,--and a long -way in the rear of the others,--was fallen in with by a squadron of -five Spanish frigates, and captured. This misfortune, in conjunction -with other depressing circumstances, and the hopelessness of the -enterprise, so much affected Sir John Hawkins as to cause his death on -the 21st November 1595--of a broken heart, it was believed. - -The expeditions of Sir John Hawkins to the West Indies, his services -in connection with the Spanish Armada, his joint expeditions with -Frobisher and Drake, fall far short of filling up the story of his -life, or the measure of his usefulness as a public man. Of his home -life they tell nothing. - -Sir John was twice married, and was three times elected a member of -Parliament, twice for Plymouth. He was a wise, liberal, and powerful -friend and supporter of the British Navy. He munificently provided, -at Chatham, an hospital for poor and distressed sailors. The “Chest” -at Chatham was instituted by Sir John Hawkins and Sir Francis -Drake,--being a provident fund, formed from voluntary deductions from -sailors’ pay, applied to the relief of disabled and indigent comrades. -Sir John Hawkins was the author and promoter of many beneficial rules -and regulations for the government of the navy. He was an accomplished -mathematician, a skilful navigator, a courageous combatant; as -Treasurer of the Navy he proved an able administrator; and to these -qualities he added the enterprising spirit of a merchant prince,--he -and his brother William being joint owners at one time of a fleet of -thirty good stout ships. It was said of him by a contemporary that -he had been graceful in youth, and that he was grave and reverend in -advanced life. He was a man of great sagacity, unflinching courage, -sound judgment, and cool presence of mind, submissive to authority, -courteous to his peers, affable and amiable to his men, by whom he was -much beloved. His active life embraced a period of forty-eight years, -during which he, for longer or shorter periods, acted as a commander -at sea, including twenty-two years, during which he held the office of -Treasurer of the Navy. - -Richard Hawkins, of the third generation of eminent navigators, and -son of Sir John Hawkins, was born at Plymouth about the year 1570. He -had a strong predilection for naval service, and when only a lad in -his teens had the command of a vessel, and was vice-admiral of a small -squadron commanded by his uncle, William Hawkins, Esq., of Plymouth, -that was employed in a “private expedition” to the West Indies--really -to “pick and steal” what they could from the Spaniards. He had an -early opportunity of showing his courage and confidence in his own -powers. The captain of one of the ships of the fleet, the _Bonner_, -complained that his ship was not seaworthy, and recommended that his -crew and himself should be shifted into a better ship, and that the -_Bonner_ should be sunk. Young Hawkins protested against the sacrifice -of the ship, and offered, if a good crew were allowed him, to carry -the _Bonner_ through the cruise, and then home. His success would, of -course, have disgraced the captain, who withdrew his recommendation, -and remained in his ship,--which justified young Hawkins’ protest by -continuing seaworthy for many years. - -[Illustration: CHATHAM, 17TH CENTURY.] - -In 1588 young Hawkins was captain of the queen’s ship _Swallow_, which -suffered most of any in the actions with the Spanish Armada. A fire -arrow that had been hid in a sail, burnt a hole in the beak-head of the -_Swallow_. Richard afterwards wrote an able account of the actions, -with a judicious criticism and defence of the strategy of the Earl of -Nottingham, Lord High Admiral,--in not laying the Spaniards aboard. -This Hawkins held would have been a dangerous course, from the greater -height of the Spanish ships, and from their having an army on board. By -keeping clear, the English ships could also take advantage of wind and -tide for manœuvring round the enemy. He held that, by lying alongside -of the Spaniards they would have risked defeat, and that the free -movement and fighting gave them a better chance of humiliating the -enemy. - -In 1590 Richard Hawkins commanded the _Crane_, of 200 tons, in the -expedition of his father and Sir Martin Frobisher against Spain. The -commander of the _Crane_ did excellent service in the pursuit of -the Spanish squadron employed in carrying relief to the forces in -Brittany; and afterwards he so harassed the Spaniards at the Azores, -as to incite the merchants there to curse the Spanish ministers who -had brought about (or permitted) a war with such a powerful enemy as -England. - -On returning from this expedition, Hawkins commenced preparations for a -bold buccaneering project against Spain. He built a ship of 350 tons, -to which his mother-in-law--who had assisted with funds--obstinately -persisted in giving the ominous name of the _Repentance_. Richard -Hawkins could not stand this name, and sold the ship to his father. The -_Repentance_, in spite of the name, did excellent service, and had very -good fortune. On return from an expedition, while lying at Deptford, -the _Repentance_ was surveyed by the queen, who rowed round the ship -in her barge, and graciously--acting probably upon a hint from Sir -John or his son Richard--re-named it the _Dainty_, whereupon Richard -bought back the ship from his father for service in his projected great -expedition. His plan included, in addition to plundering the Spaniards, -visits to Japan, the Moluccas, the Philippines, passage through the -Straits of Magellan, and return by the Cape of Good Hope. His ambitious -prospectus secured the admiration and approval of the greatest men of -the time, including the lord high admiral, Sir R. Cecil, Sir Walter -Raleigh, etc. On the 8th of April 1593, the _Dainty_ dropped down -the river to Gravesend, and on the 26th arrived at Plymouth, where -severe misfortune overtook the little squadron, consisting of the -_Dainty_, the _Hawk_, and the _Fancy_,--all of them the property of -Richard Hawkins, or of the Hawkins family. A tempest arose in which the -_Dainty_ sprang her main-mast, and the _Fancy_ was driven ashore and -knocked to pieces before the owner’s eyes. This misfortune magnified -the fears, and intensified the tender entreaties, of his young wife -that he would abandon the perilous enterprise,--but he was not to be -dissuaded. He said that there were “so many eyes upon the ball, that -he felt bound to dance on, even though he might only be able to hop at -last.” - -On the 12th June 1593, Hawkins left Plymouth Sound, with his tiny -squadron of the _Dainty_ and tender. Before the end of the month -he arrived at Madeira, and on the 3rd July passed the Canaries, -and shortly after the Cape de Verd Islands, all well, and without -anything notable occurring to the squadron. Later, however, when -nearing the coast of Brazil, scurvy of a malignant type broke out -among the crew. Hawkins gave close attention to the men stricken, -personally superintended their treatment, and made notes,--from which -he afterwards wrote an elaborate paper on the disease, its causes, -nature, and cure. At a short distance south of the Equator he put in to -a Brazilian port for provisions. He sent a courteous letter, written in -Latin, to the governor, stating that he was in command of an English -ship, that he had met with contrary winds, and desired provisions, for -which he would gladly pay. The governor replied that their monarchs -were at war, and he could not supply his wants, but he politely gave -him three days to do his best and depart. The three days’ grace were -promptly taken advantage of to lay in a supply of oranges and other -fruit, when he again sailed southward. On the 20th November he arrived -at the Island of St. Ann, 20° 30’ south latitude, where--the provisions -and stores having been taken out of the _Hawk_--that vessel was burned. -He touched at other parts of the coast for provisions and water. -Hawkins had a difficult part to play in dealing with his crew, who were -impatient for plunder. Robert Tharlton, who commanded the _Fairy_, -and who had proved a traitor to Captain Thomas Cavendish, in the La -Plata, drew off a number of the men, with whom he deserted before they -reached the Straits of Magellan. Notwithstanding the discouragement -of Tharlton’s treachery and desertion, Hawkins courageously proceeded -with his hazardous enterprise. Sailing along the coast of Patagonia, -he gave names to several places, amongst others to Hawkins’ Maiden -Land,--because discovered by himself in the reign of a maiden queen. - -In the course of his voyage southward, he made a prize of a Portuguese -ship. He found it to be the property of an old knight who was on -board, on his way to Angola, as governor. The old gentleman made a -piteous appeal to Hawkins, pleading that he had invested his all -in the ship and its cargo, and that the loss of it would be his -utter ruin. His petition was successful, and Hawkins let him go. On -the 10th February he reached the Straits of Magellan, and, passing -through, emerged into the South Pacific Ocean on the 29th March -1594. This was the sixth passage of the straits--the third by an -Englishman. He wrote an excellent account of the passage through the -straits, which he pronounced navigable during the whole year, but -the most favourable--or, it should rather perhaps be put, the least -unfavourable--seasons for the at best unpleasant voyage were the months -of November, December, and January. On the 19th April he anchored -for a short time under the Isle of Mocha. Resuming his voyage along -the coast of Chili, he encountered, in the so-called Pacific Ocean, -a violent storm, that lasted without intermission for ten days. His -men were becoming desperately impatient, and they insisted that they -should attempt to take everything floating that they sighted. Every -vessel in those waters, they believed, had gold or silver in them. -At Valparaiso they took four ships, much against Hawkins’ wish. He -exercised discrimination, and wished to reserve their strength, and -prevent alarm on shore, by waiting till a prize worth taking came in -their way. They got from the prizes an abundant supply of provisions, -but very little gold, and only trifling ransoms for the prisoners. -The small amount taken added greatly to Hawkins’ difficulties and -embarrassments. His bold buccaneers demanded that the third part of -the treasure should, according to contract, be given up to them,--then -and there. He resisted the demand, urged that they could not expend -anything profitably here and now, and that they would only gamble with -their shares, which would probably lead to quarrels and the ruin of the -expedition. It was at last agreed that the treasure should be placed in -a chest with three locks,--one key to be held by Hawkins, one by the -master, and the third by a representative appointed by the men. - -[Illustration: MOUNTAINS AND GLACIERS, STRAITS OF MAGELLAN.] - -Arriving at Ariquipa, Hawkins ascertained by some means that Don Garcia -Hurtado de Mendoza, Viceroy of Peru, had received intelligence of -his being off the coast, and had sent out a squadron of six vessels -to capture him. Hawkins had in the _Dainty_, and in a little Indian -vessel he had taken, and which he had fitted up as a pinnace, a -combined crew of seventy-five men and boys--a lamentably small force -to resist a well-manned squadron of six men-of-war ships. About the -middle of May the Spanish squadron was sighted near Civite. Hawkins, -who was to windward, stood out to sea. The Spanish ships, under the -command of Don Bertrand de Castro, followed. The wind freshened -greatly; the Spanish admiral lost his main-mast, the vice-admiral split -his main-sail, and the rear-admiral’s main-yard tumbled down. The -Spaniards were thrown into utter confusion, and Hawkins escaped. On -returning to port with his damaged ships, and without the diminutive -enemy he had gone out to capture, De Castro and the other commanders -were received with humiliating and exasperating derision. De Castro’s -earnest petition to be allowed to go to sea again was granted, and he -sailed with two ships and a pinnace,--all fully manned with picked -men. On the 20th June the Spanish squadron came in sight. Hawkins’ -ungovernable crew would have him chase everything they sighted; they -would have it that the armed cruisers were the Peruvian plate fleet, -laden with the treasure for which they had come, and for which they had -so long toiled and waited. They were soon undeceived by the Spanish -attack, which they met with dogged bravery. The Spanish ships were -manned by about thirteen hundred of the best men in the service,--and -it seems marvellous that Hawkins and his bull-dogs could have stood -out so long. The fight lasted for two whole days and part of a third. -Hawkins had received six wounds, two of them dangerous, and was at -last completely disabled. Besides the killed, there were forty of his -men wounded, and his ship was sinking. On the afternoon of 22nd June, -this was his deplorable plight:--the whole of his sails were rent, -the masts shattered, eight feet of water in the hold, and the pumps -rent and useless; scarcely a single unwounded man was left in the -ship, and all were so fatigued that they could not stand. Helpless -as was their plight, and desperate their condition, Hawkins was able -to obtain honourable conditions of surrender, namely, that himself -and all on board should have a free passage to England, as soon as -possible. De Castro swore by his knighthood that the conditions would -be faithfully observed, in token of which he sent his glove to Hawkins, -and took possession of the shattered _Dainty_, without inflicting the -slightest humiliation on his brave fallen enemy, or permitting his crew -to express triumph over them. On the 9th July, the Spanish squadron, -with Hawkins on board De Castro’s ship, arrived at Panama, which -was brilliantly illuminated in celebration of the “famous victory.” -Despatches, to allay apprehensions concerning the terrible enemy, were -sent off to the viceroys of New Spain and Peru. Hawkins was allowed to -send letters home to his father and other friends, and to the queen. -From Don Bertrand, Hawkins learned that the King of Spain had received -from England full and minute particulars, concerning the strength and -equipment of Hawkins’ little squadron before it sailed, showing that -the King of Spain had spies in England. The _Dainty_ prize was repaired -and re-named the _Visitation_, because surrendered on the day of the -feast of the blessed Virgin. Hawkins was long kept in captivity. He -was for two years in Peru and adjacent provinces, and was then sent -to Europe and kept a prisoner at Seville and Madrid. His release was -claimed on the ground of Don Bertrand’s knightly pledge, but the reply -was given that he had received his authority from the Viceroy of Peru, -not from the King of Spain, upon whom his engagement was not binding. -The Count de Miranda, President of the Council, however, at last gave -judgment, that the promise of a Spanish general in the king’s name -should be kept, and Hawkins was set at liberty, and returned to England. - -During his captivity he wrote a detailed account of his voyage, -entitled _The Observations of Richard Hawkins, Knight, in his Voyage -into the South Sea, 1593_. It was published in London in 1622, the year -in which Hawkins died of apoplexy,--at somewhere near fifty years of -age. - -Sir Richard Hawkins possessed powers that fitted him for great -achievements. With resources at command, and a fitting field for -their use, corresponding with his courage and ability, he would have -distinguished himself by mighty deeds. His ill-fated voyage to the -South Sea was like the light cavalry charge at Balaclava--it was -magnificent, but it was not war! - - - - -CHARLES HOWARD, - -BARON OF EFFINGHAM, AFTERWARDS EARL OF NOTTINGHAM. - -CHAPTER II. - -“BORN TO SERVE AND SAVE HIS COUNTRY.” - - -Queen Elizabeth has been magniloquently designated the RESTORER OF -ENGLAND’S NAVAL POWER and SOVEREIGN OF THE NORTHERN SEAS. Under her -sovereignty Lord Charles Howard wielded supreme authority worthily -and well, on behalf of his country, during that naval demonstration, -which may be regarded as the most important, in its design and results, -of any that the world has known. Lord Charles was High Admiral of -England during the period of the inception, the proud departure, the -baleful course, and the doleful return to Spain, of the “most happy and -invincible Armada,” or rather--what was left of it. - -[Illustration: EARL OF EFFINGHAM.] - -Charles Howard, elder son of the Earl of Effingham, was born in the -year 1536, in the reign of Henry VIII. Charles served under his father, -who was Lord Admiral to Mary, in several expeditions. He did duty -as an envoy to Charles IX. of France on his accession. He served as -a general of horse in the army headed by Warwick, against the Earls -of Northumberland and Westmoreland, and, as a courtier, he rendered -various other services, not calling for particular notice. In 1572 he -succeeded his father, and in 1573 was made a Knight of the Garter. On -the death of the Earl of Lincoln, in 1585, the queen appointed Lord -Charles, High Admiral. This appointment gave great satisfaction to all -ranks, and was especially gratifying to seamen,--with whom Lord Charles -was highly popular. - -Philip of Spain employed all the art he was possessed of to obtain -ascendency over Elizabeth, as he had done over her infatuated sister -Mary, and--irrespective of law, if any existed to the contrary--was -more than willing to marry his “deceased wife’s sister,” but Elizabeth -would neither marry, nor take orders from him, which exasperated Philip -greatly. His religious fanaticism and the influence of the Jesuits -made him determined to punish the queen and ruin her country. With -this amiable intention the great Armada was prepared. It consisted -of 130 ships, of an aggregate of about 60,000 tons. It was armed -with 2630 pieces of cannon, and carried 30,000 men, including 124 -volunteers,--the flower of the Spanish nobility and gentry,--and -180 monks. Twelve of the greatest ships were named after the twelve -apostles. - -The English fleet was put under the command of Lord Howard, with Sir -Francis Drake for his vice-admiral, and Sir John Hawkins for his -rear-admiral. Lord Henry Seymour, with Count Nassau, cruised on the -coast of Flanders, to watch the movements of the Duke of Parma, who -purposed, it was believed, to form a junction with the Spanish Armada, -or to aid it, by making a separate descent upon England. - -The threatened invasion stirred the kingdom to the highest pitch of -patriotic fervour. The city of London advanced large sums of money for -the national service. Requisitioned to provide 15 ships and 5000 men, -the city fathers promptly provided 30 ships and 10,000 men. - -The Armada encountered a violent storm, at almost the commencement of -the voyage northwards, and had to put back. The rumour was current -in England that the great expedition was hopelessly shattered. Lord -Howard consequently received, through Walsingham, Secretary of State, -instructions to send four of his largest ships into port. The admiral -doubted the safety of this course, and willingly engaged to keep the -ships out, at his own charge. He bore away towards Spain, and soon -obtained such intelligence, as confirmed him in the opinion he had -formed, and fully justified the course he had adopted. - -On the 19th July, Fleming, a Scottish pirate, who plied his vocation -in the Channel and the approaches thereto, sailed into Plymouth in -hot haste, with the intelligence that the Armada was at hand. This -pirate did, for once at least in his life, an honest and incalculably -important day’s work. An ancient historian estimates it so highly as -to say that “this man was, in reality, the cause of the absolute ruin -of the Spaniards; for the preservation of the English was undoubtedly -owing to his providential discovery of the enemy.” At the request of -Lord Admiral Howard, the queen afterwards granted a pardon to Fleming -for his past offences, and awarded him a pension for the timely service -he had rendered to the nation. - -“And then,” says Dr. Collier, “was played on the Hoe at Plymouth that -game of bowls, which fixes itself like a picture on the memory,--the -faint, hazy blue of the July sky, arching over sun-baked land and -glittering sea; the group of captains on the grass, peak-bearded and -befrilled, in the fashion of Elizabeth’s day; the gleaming wings of -Fleming’s little bark skimming the green waters like a seagull, on -her way to Plymouth harbour with the weightiest news. She touches the -rude pier; the skipper makes hastily for the Hoe, and tells how that -morning he saw the giant hulls off the Cornish coast, and how he has -with difficulty escaped by the fleetness of his ship. The breathless -silence changes to a storm of tongues; but the resolute man who loaded -the _Golden Hind_ with Spanish pesos, and ploughed the waves of every -ocean round the globe, calls on his comrades to ‘play out the match, -for there is plenty of time to do so, and to beat the Spaniards too.’ -It is Drake who speaks. The game is resumed, and played to the last -shot. Then begin preparations for a mightier game. The nation’s life is -at stake. Out of Plymouth, along every road, men spur as for life, and -every headland and mountain peak shoots up its red tongue of warning -flame.” - -The sorrows and sufferings of the crowd of Spaniards noble and ignoble, -of the nine score holy fathers, and the two thousand galley slaves, -who left the Tagus in glee and grandeur, in the “happy Armada,” with a -great design,--but really to serve no higher purpose, as things turned -out, than to provide, in their doomed persons, a series of banquets for -the carnivorous fishes in British waters,--need not be dwelt upon here, -being referred to elsewhere. - -As commander-in-chief, it was universally felt and admitted that Lord -Charles Howard acquitted himself with sound judgment, consummate -skill, and unfaltering courage. The queen acknowledged his merits, the -indebtedness of the nation to the lord high admiral, and her sense of -his magnanimity and prudence, in the most expressive terms. In 1596 he -was advanced to the title and dignity of Earl of Nottingham, his patent -of nobility containing the declaration, “that by the victory obtained -anno 1588, he did secure the kingdom of England from the invasion of -Spain, and other impending dangers; and did also, in conjunction with -our dear cousin, Robert, Earl of Essex, seize by force the Isle and -the strongly fortified castle of Cadiz, in the farthest part of Spain; -and did likewise rout and entirely defeat another fleet of the King of -Spain, prepared in that port against this kingdom.” On entering the -House of Peers, the Earl of Nottingham was received with extraordinary -expressions and demonstrations of honourable regard. - -[Illustration: LORD HOWARD’S DEFEAT OF THE SPANISH FLEET NEAR CADIZ.] - -In 1599, circumstances of delicacy and difficulty again called for the -services of the Earl of Nottingham. Spain meditated another invasion. -The Earl of Essex in Ireland had entangled affairs, had left his post -there, and had rebelliously fortified himself in his house in London. -The Earl of Nottingham succeeded in bringing the contumacious earl to -a state of quietude, if not of reason, and had the encomium pronounced -upon him by the queen, that he seemed to have been born “to serve and -to save his country.” He was invested with the unusual and almost -unlimited authority of Lord Lieutenant General of all England; he was -also appointed one of the commissioners for executing the office of -Earl-Marshal. On her death-bed the queen made known to the earl her -desire as to the succession,--an unequivocal proof of her regard and -confidence,--the disclosure having been entreated in vain by her most -favoured ministers. - -The accession of James did not impede the fortunes of the Earl of -Nottingham; he was appointed Lord High Steward, to assist at the -coronation; and afterwards commissioned to the most brilliant -embassy--to the court of Philip III. of Spain--that the country had -ever sent forth. During his stay at the Spanish court, the dignified -splendour that characterised the Embassy commanded the admiration -and respect of the court and people; and at his departure, Philip -made him presents of the estimated value of about £20,000,--thereby -exciting the jealousy and displeasure of the far from magnanimous -James I. Popularity and influence, enjoyed or exercised independently -of himself, were distasteful and offensive to his ungenerous nature. -James frequently reminded his nobles at court “that they were there, as -little vessels sailing round the master ship; whereas they were in the -country so many great ships each riding majestically on its own stream.” - -The earl had his enemies, but he regained the confidence of the king, -and in 1613 assisted at the marriage of the Princess Elizabeth with -Frederick, the Elector Palatine. His last naval service was to command -the squadron that escorted the princess to Flushing. The infirmities of -age having disqualified him for discharging the onerous duties of the -office, he resigned his post of lord high admiral, after a lengthened -term of honourable and effective service. The distinguished career of -this eminent public man came to a calm and honourable close on the nth -December 1624--the earl having reached the advanced age of eighty-eight -years. - - - - -SIR MARTIN FROBISHER, - -NAVIGATOR, DISCOVERER, AND COMBATANT. - -CHAPTER III. - -THE FIRST ENGLISH DISCOVERER OF GREENLAND. - - -Martin Frobisher had no “lineage” to boast of; he was of the people. -His parents, who had respectable connections, are supposed to have come -from North Wales to the neighbourhood of Normanton, Yorkshire, where -he was born about the year 1535. Frobisher seems to have taken to the -sea from natural inclination. He is said to have been bred to the sea, -but had reached the prime of life--about forty years of age--before he -came into public notice as a mariner. He must have been a man of mark, -and possessed of qualities that commanded confidence. His mother had a -brother in London, Sir John York, to whom young Frobisher was sent, and -by whom he was probably assisted. - -In 1554 he sailed to Guinea in a small squadron of merchant ships under -the command of Captain John Lock, and in 1561 had worked his way up -to the command of a ship. In 1571 he was employed in superintending -the building of a ship at Plymouth, that was intended to be employed -against Ireland. For years he had been scheming, planning, and striving -to obtain means for an expedition in search of a North-West passage -from England to “far Cathay.” He was at last so far successful as to -get together an amusingly small squadron for such a daring project. He -was placed in command of the _Gabriel_ and the _Michael_, two small -barques of 20 tons each, and a pinnace of 10 tons, with crews of -thirty-five men all told, wherewith to encounter the unknown perils -of the Arctic seas. Captain Matthew Kindersley was associated with -him in the adventure. The expedition sailed from Gravesend on the 7th -June 1576, and proceeded northwards by way of the Shetland Islands. -The pinnace was lost on the voyage, and the other vessels narrowly -escaped wreck in the violent weather encountered off the coast of -Greenland, of which Frobisher was the first English discoverer. He -reached Labrador 28th July, and effected a landing on Hall’s Island, at -the mouth of the bay that bears Frobisher’s name. At Butcher’s Island, -where he afterwards landed, five of the crew were captured by the -natives, and were never again seen. The adventurers took on board -samples of earth,--with bright specks supposed to be gold. Compared -with subsequent Arctic expeditions, this was a small affair in length -of voyage and time occupied,--the mariners reaching home on the 9th -October. - -[Illustration: SIR MARTIN FROBISHER.] - -Practical mineralogy was in its infancy in those days, and the supposed -auriferous earth excited great expectations, but no attempt seems to -have been made to find out whether it was or was not what it seemed. -Pending analysis, the expedition was considered so far satisfactory and -successful, and a Cathay Company was straightway formed under a charter -from the Crown. Another expedition was determined upon; the queen lent -a ship of 200 tons, and subscribed £1000; Frobisher was appointed High -Admiral of all lands and seas he might discover, and was empowered to -sail in every direction except east. The squadron consisted of the -queen’s ship, the _Aid_, the _Gabriel_, and the _Michael_ of last -year’s voyage, with pinnaces and boats, and a crew of one hundred -and twenty men. The squadron sailed 28th May 1577, and arrived off -Greenland in July. More of the supposed precious earth was shipped, and -certain inhospitable shores were taken possession of in the queen’s -name, but no very notable discoveries were made. An unsuccessful search -was made after the five men lost in the previous expedition. The -_Aid_ arrived home at Milford Haven on 22nd August, and the others -later,--one at Yarmouth, and others at Bristol. Although no results had -been obtained from the “ore,” yet another and much larger expedition -was planned. Frobisher was honoured with the thanks of the queen, who -showed great interest in the expeditions. The new fleet consisted of -thirteen vessels of various kinds, including two queen’s ships of -400 and 200 tons, with one hundred and fifty men and one hundred and -twenty pioneers. For the other ships there was an aggregate crew of two -hundred and fifty men. The squadron sailed from Harwich on the 31st May -1578, and reached Greenland 19th June, and Frobisher Bay about a month -later. A considerable amount of hitherto unexplored area of land and -water was roughly surveyed in this voyage, including a sail of sixty -miles up Hudson’s Strait, and more would probably have been done, but -for dissensions and discontent among the crews. A vast quantity of the -golden (?) earth was shipped, and the expedition returned to England, -which was reached in October. - -[Illustration: SIR MARTIN FROBISHER PASSING GREENWICH.] - -Frobisher’s next public employment was of a different character. -In command of the _Primrose_, he accompanied Drake’s expedition to -the West Indies in 1585, and shared in the rich booty of which the -Spaniards were spoiled during that cruise. In 1588 Frobisher held a -high command, and with his ship, the _Triumph_, rendered distinguished -service in the actions with the Spanish Armada. The _Triumph_ -was the largest ship in the English fleet, being of about 1000 tons -burthen, or the same as the floating wonder of Henry VIII., the -_Henry Grace à Dieu_,--but not so heavily armed. The _Henry_ carried -no fewer than one hundred and forty-one guns, whereas the _Triumph_ -was armed with only sixty-eight guns. Frobisher proved well worthy -of his important command. For his skilful and courageous service, in -the series of actions against the Armada, he received the well-earned -honour of knighthood, at the hands of the lord high admiral. In 1591 -he commanded a small fleet that cruised on the coast of Spain, with -hostile and plundering designs. He burned one rich galleon in the -course of this cruise, and captured and brought home another. Having -got the prize safely disposed of, the gallant old hero answered a -summons from the court of Cupid, and, after a short courtship, he -led the fair daughter of Lord Wentworth to the altar. The following -year, however, he was again afloat in command of a cruising fleet, as -successor to Sir Walter Raleigh, who had been recalled. - -One of the most important and brilliant actions, among the many in -which Sir Martin had taken a leading part, was his next, and, alas! -his last,--the taking of Brest from the Spaniards. The place was -strong, well armed, and stubbornly defended, with obstinate valour. -Sir Martin first attacked from the sea, but, impetuous and impatient, -was dissatisfied with the result of his cannonade, and, landing his -blue-jackets, headed them in a desperate storming assault, which -compelled the surrender of the garrison. The surrender cost the -assailants a heavy price in the lives of many brave heroes, Sir Martin -Frobisher himself, their gallant leader, receiving a musket ball in his -side. His wound was unskilfully treated, and he died from its effects -at Plymouth two days after the action,--22nd November 1594. His body -was conveyed to London, and interred at St. Giles’s, Cripplegate. - -Sir Martin Frobisher was a man of great and varied capabilities as a -navigator and commander; enthusiastic, enterprising, skilful, manly, -and of dauntless valour, but rather rough and despotic, and not -possessed of the polished manners, airs, and graces that adorn carpet -knights and make men shine in courts. - - - - -THOMAS CAVENDISH, - -GENTLEMAN ADVENTURER. - -CHAPTER IV. - -THE SECOND ENGLISHMAN WHO CIRCUMNAVIGATED THE GLOBE. - - -In the time of Queen Elizabeth it was not unusual for men of the -highest rank to devote their private fortunes and their personal -services to the advancement of what were considered national interests, -with the tacit understanding that the adventurers should consider -themselves at liberty to engage in operations fitted to serve their own -private interests, concurrently with those of the State. The morals of -the time were somewhat lax, and “sea divinity,” as Fuller terms it, was -taken to sanction extraordinary transactions in the appropriation and -treatment of property, especially such as was owned by the State or the -subjects of Spain. To spoil the Spaniards by all and every possible -means, seems to have been esteemed an object of honourable and -patriotic enterprise, in which Sir Francis Drake distinguished himself, -as he did also by much nobler and more disinterested service. Thomas -Cavendish was a contemporary of Drake, and in his wake plundered the -Spaniards, and he also followed him in circumnavigating the globe,--the -second Englishman who achieved that feat. - -Thomas was a descendant of Sir William Cavendish; he was born at the -family mansion, Trimley, Suffolk, about the year 1560. His father died -while he was still a minor. Trimley, his birthplace, is situate on the -river Orwell, below Ipswich. The locality in which he spent his early -days probably induced a liking for the sea. - -In April 1585, Cavendish accompanied Sir Richard Grenville in an -expedition to Virginia, its object being the establishment of a colony -as designed by Sir Walter Raleigh. The colony was a failure, and Drake, -as we have related in another place, subsequently brought home the -emigrants sent out to form it. Cavendish accompanied the expedition -in a ship that had been equipped at his own cost, and acquired -considerable nautical experience in the course of the voyage. - -[Illustration: THOMAS CAVENDISH.] - -On his return to England, Cavendish applied such means as he could -command to the equipment of a small squadron with which to commence -business as a buccaneer. He diligently got together all the existing -maps and charts accessible, and, through the influence of Lord -Hunsdon, he was so fortunate as to obtain a queen’s commission. The -“flag-ship” of Cavendish, admiral and commander, was the _Desire_, of -only 120 tons burthen; the others were, the _Content_, of 60 tons, and -the _Hugh Gallant_, a barque of 40 tons. The crews consisted of 123 -officers, sailors, and soldiers, all told. The expedition sailed from -Plymouth on the 21st July 1586. The squadron first touched at Sierra -Leone, where they landed, and plundered and burned the town. Having -obtained supplies of water, fish, and lemons, the squadron sailed for -the coast of America, and reached in 48° S. a harbour on the coast -of Patagonia, in which they anchored, and which, in honour of the -admiral’s ship, they named Port Desire. Here the crews were enabled -to make an agreeable change in the ship’s dietary, by slaughtering -the sea-lions and the penguins that abounded on the coast; the flesh -of the young sea-lions, after a long course of salt junk, seemed to -the sailors equal to lamb or mutton. Towards the end of December the -squadron sailed southward for Magellan’s Straits, which were entered -on the 6th January 1587. At a short distance from the entrance, lights -were seen from the north shore that were supposed to be signals, and on -the morning following a boat was sent off for information. Unmistakable -signs were made, as the shore was approached, by three men waving such -substitutes as they could find for flags. It was found that they were -the wretched survivors of one of the colonies that the Spaniards had -attempted to plant, in order to intercept Drake on his expected return, -and to prevent, in the future, any buccaneer from ravaging the coast -as he had done. The crops of the perishing colonists had all failed; -they were constantly harassed by the natives, subject to unspeakable -hardships; out of four hundred men and thirty women landed by Pedro -Sarmiento, about seven years before Cavendish’s visit, only fifteen -men and three women survived. He offered the poor creatures a passage -to Peru. They at first hesitated to trust themselves with the English -heretic, but, after brief reflection on the misery and hopelessness -of their situation, eagerly accepted the offer,--but unhappily too -late. A favourable wind sprang up, of which Cavendish took advantage, -and set sail. Concern for the safety of his crew, desire to escape -as speedily as possible from the perilous navigation of the Straits, -and probably eagerness to make a beginning with the real objects of -the expedition--the acquisition of plunder--overbore any pity he may -have felt for the wretched colonists, whose heartless abandonment to -hopeless misery attached shame and infamy to the Spanish Government -responsible for sending them thither, rather than to the bold -buccaneer, with no humanitarian pretensions, who had come upon them -accidentally. He brought off one Spaniard, Tomé Hernandez, who wrote an -account of the colony. - -On the 24th of February the squadron emerged from the Straits and -sailed northwards, reaching the island of Mocha about the middle of -March, but not before the little ships had been much knocked about, by -weather of extreme violence. The crews landed at several points, and -laid the natives under contribution for provisions. They were mistaken -for Spaniards, and were in some cases received with undisguised hatred, -in others with servility. On the 30th they anchored in the Bay of -Quintero, to the north of Valparaiso, which was passed by mistake, -without being “tapped.” Notice of the appearance of the suspicious -squadron seems to have reached some of the authorities. Hernandez, -the Spaniard, was sent ashore to confer with them. On returning, he -reported that the English might have what provisions they required. -Remaining for a time at their anchorage here, parties were sent ashore -for water and such provisions as could be obtained. In one of these -visits, the men were suddenly attacked by a party of two hundred -horsemen, who cut off, and took prisoners, twelve of the Englishmen. -Six of the English prisoners were executed at Santiago as pirates, -although, as has been said, with somewhat arrogant indignation, “they -sailed with the queen’s commission, and the English were not at open -war with Spain.” - -Putting again to sea, the adventurers captured near Arica a vessel -laden with Spanish treasure. The cargo was appropriated, and the -ship--re-named the _George_--attached to the squadron. Several other -small vessels were taken and burned. One of these from Santiago had -been despatched to the viceroy, with the intelligence that an English -squadron was upon the coast. Before they were taken, they threw the -despatches overboard, and Cavendish resorted to the revolting expedient -of torture, to extort their contents from his captives. The mode of -torture employed was the “thumbikins,” an instrument in which the -thumb, by screw or lever power, could be crushed into shapeless pulp. -Having got what information he could wring out of his prisoners, -Cavendish burned the vessel and took the crew with him. One of them -was a Greek pilot, who knew the coast of Chili, and might be useful. -After a visit to a small town where supplies were obtained--not by -purchase--of bread, wine, poultry, fruit, etc., and some small prizes -taken, the adventurers proceeded to Paita, where they landed on the -20th May. The town, consisting of about two hundred houses, was -regularly built and very clean. The inhabitants were driven out, and -the town burned to the ground. Cavendish would not allow his men to -carry away as much as they could, as he expected they would need a -free hand to resist a probable attack. After wrecking the town and -burning a ship in the harbour, the squadron again sailed northwards, -and anchored in the harbour of the island of Puna. The Indian chief, -who lived in a luxuriously furnished palace, surrounded by beautiful -gardens, and the other inhabitants had fled, carrying as many of their -valuables with them as possible. The English visitors sank a Spanish -ship of 250 tons that was in the harbour, burned down a fine large -church, and brought away the bells. - -[Illustration: PERILOUS POSITION IN THE STRAITS OF MAGELLAN.] - -On the 2nd June, before weighing anchor at Puna, a party of Cavendish’s -men, strolling about and foraging, was suddenly attacked by about -one hundred armed Spaniards. Seven of the Englishmen were killed, -three were made prisoners, two were drowned, and eight escaped. To -avenge this attack, Cavendish landed with as powerful a force as he -could muster, drove out the Spaniards, burned the town and four ships -that were building; he also destroyed the gardens and orchards, and -committed as much havoc generally as was in his power. Again proceeding -northwards to Rio Dolce, he sent some Indian captives ashore, and -sank the _Hugh Gallant_, the crew of which he needed for the manning -of the other two ships. On the 9th July a new ship of 120 tons was -taken; the sails and ropes were appropriated, and the ship burned. A -Frenchman, taken in this vessel, gave valuable information respecting -a Manilla ship, then expected from the Philippines. The record of the -proceedings of the squadron continues most inglorious, including the -burning of the town, the church, and the custom-house of Guatulco; -the burning of two new ships at Puerto de Navidad; capturing three -Spanish families, a carpenter, a Portuguese, and a few Indians,--the -carpenter and the Portuguese only being kept for present and future -use. On the 12th September the adventurers reached the island of St. -Andrew, where a store of wood and of dried and salted wild-fowl was -laid in, and the sailors, failing other supply, had a fresh meat -change in cooking the iguanas, which were found more palatable, than -inviting in appearance. Towards the end of September the fleet put -into the Bay of Mazattan, where the ships were careened, and water was -taken in. During October the fleet cruised, in wait for the expected -prize, not far wide of Cape St. Lucas. On the 4th November a sail was -sighted, which proved to be the _Santa Anna_, which was overtaken after -some hours’ chase, and promptly attacked. The Spaniards resisted with -determination and courage, although they had no more effective means -of defence than stones, which they hurled at the boarders, from behind -such defective shelters as they could improvise. Two separate accounts -of the action have been preserved, both written by adventurers who were -present. After receiving a volley of stones from the defenders, one -narrator proceeds: “We new-trimmed our sails and fitted every man -his furniture, and gave them a fresh encounter with our great ordnance, -and also with our small-shot, raking them through and through, to the -killing and wounding of many of their men. Their captain, still like -a valiant man with his company, stood very stoutly in close fights, -not yielding as yet. Our general, encouraging his men afresh, with the -whole voice of trumpets, gave them the other encounter with our great -ordnance and all our small-shot, to the great discouragement of our -enemies,--raking them through in divers places, killing and wounding -many of their men. They being thus discouraged and spoiled, and their -ship being in hazard of sinking by reason of the great shot which were -made, whereof some were made under water, within five or six hours’ -fight, sent out a flag of truce, and parleyed for mercy, desiring our -general to save their lives and take their goods, and that they would -presently yield. Our general, of his goodness, promised them mercy, and -called to them to strike their sails, and to hoist out their boat and -come on board; which news they were full glad to hear of, and presently -struck their sails and hoisted out their boat, and one of their chief -merchants came on board unto our general, and, falling down upon his -knees, offered to have kissed our general’s feet, and craved mercy.” -It is satisfactory that this craven submission was not made by the -commander of the _Santa Anna_, who must have been a noble hero to -stand out, almost without arms of any kind, against the “great ordnance -and small-shot” of his enemy for five or six hours. The narrator -proceeds: “Our general graciously pardoned both him and the rest, upon -promise of their true-dealing(!) with him and his company concerning -such riches as were in the ship, and sent for their captain and pilot, -who, at their coming, used the like duty and reverence as the former -did. The general, out of his great mercy and humanity, promised their -lives and good usage.” - -Cavendish and his crews must have been getting rather disgusted with -their hard and bitter experiences up to the time they fell in with the -_Santa Anna_. They were about sixteen months out from Plymouth; had -been much knocked about; had destroyed a great deal of property, but -had acquired very little. The _Santa Anna_ compensated for all their -hardships and disappointments. It was a ship of 700 tons burthen, the -property of the King of Spain, and carried one of the richest cargoes -that had ever floated up to that time. It had on board 122,000 pesos of -gold, _i.e._ as many ounces of the precious metal, with a cargo of the -finest silks, satins, damasks, wine, preserved fruits, musk, spices, -etc. The ship carried a large number of passengers, with the most -luxurious provision for their accommodation and comfort. The captors -entered with alacrity upon the unrestrained enjoyment of luxuries -such as many of them had never known before. Cavendish carried his -prize into a bay within Cape St. Lucas, where he landed the crew and -passengers,--about one hundred and ninety in all. He allowed them a -supply of water, a part of the ship’s stores, some wine, and the sails -of the dismantled prize to construct tents for shelter. He gave arms -to the men to enable them to defend their company against the natives. -He also allowed them some planks wherewith to build a raft, or such -craft as they might be able to construct for their conveyance to the -mainland. Among the passengers were two Japanese youths, both of whom -could read and write their own language. There were also three boys -from Manilla, one of whom, on the return of the expedition to England, -was presented to the Countess of Essex,--such an attendant being at -that time considered evidence of almost regal life and splendour. These -youths, with a Portuguese who had been in Canton, the Philippines, and -Japan, with a Spanish pilot, Cavendish took with him. - -Much anger and discontent were excited in connection with the division -of the spoils, especially among the crew of the _Content_, who thought -Cavendish took more than a fair share for himself and the company -of the _Desire_--his own ship. The threatened mutiny was, however, -suppressed, and a grand gala was held on the queen’s day--17th -November, with eating and drinking, firing of guns, and a display of -fireworks, with as a grand set-piece the blazing _Santa Anna_, with all -of her precious cargo on board that the captors could not carry away -with them. They left the ship burned down to the water’s edge. After -they left the burning ship, the fire providentially freed the wreck -from the anchors, and the flood-tide carried her still burning into -the bay. The abandoned company were happily enabled to extinguish the -flames, and to save so much of the hull as with some fitting furnished -them with a means of escape from the inhospitable shore upon which they -had been cast. - -After leaving Cape St. Lucas, the _Content_ fell behind, and was never -again seen by Cavendish, who set sail to cross the Pacific by a course -not very widely different from that taken by Drake. - -In January 1588, Cavendish reached the Ladrone Islands, a few miles -from which an incident occurred that does not redound to his credit. -A fleet of fifty or more canoes surrounded the _Desire_ with cargoes -of fish, potatoes, plantains, etc., to exchange them, as they had been -accustomed to do with the Spaniards, for pieces of iron. The islanders -were importunate and rather troublesome, and, to get rid of them, “our -general” and five of his men fired a volley into them. The savages were -so expert as divers and swimmers that the sportsmen could not tell how -many they killed. These natives were of tawny colour, tall, stout, and -naked. Their canoes, six or seven yards in length, but very narrow, -were admirably made, and had carved figureheads. They had square and -triangular sails of a cloth made from rushes. - -On the voyage, while in the vicinity of the Philippines, an important -secret oozed out. The Portuguese taken from the _Santa Anna_ let it -be known that the Spanish pilot had prepared a letter to be secretly -conveyed to the governor at Manilla, explaining how the _Desire_ might -be surprised and overpowered. The Spaniard was summarily hanged for his -patriotism. The further course of the homeward voyage was from Manilla -to the Moluccas, passed about the middle of February; Java; the Cape -of Good Hope; St. Helena, in June; to Plymouth, which was reached on -the 9th September 1588; Cavendish’s circumnavigation of the globe--the -third that had been accomplished--having been made in two years and -fifty days, a considerably shorter time than had been occupied by -either Magellan and his successors or Sir Francis Drake,--but mere -speed in getting back to a home port had not been an object with either -of the three distinguished navigators. - -Accounts differ as to the style in which Cavendish made his return -entry into Plymouth. According to one account, he encountered, for four -days, a violent storm in the Channel, from which the tempest-tossed -adventurers happily escaped, and, says N. H., “on 10th September 1588, -like wearied men, through the favour of the Almighty, we got into -Plymouth, where the townsmen received us with all humanity.” Anyway, -his arrival, like that of Drake before him, caused a great sensation at -Plymouth. - -[Illustration: ROUNDING THE CAPE DE BUENA ESPERANÇA.] - -Cavendish was received as a hero, and appeared to consider himself -worthy of his fame and the honours conferred upon him. He had -acquired great wealth, albeit dishonestly, and his exploits had been -distinguished in many instances by wanton outrage and gratuitous -destruction of life and property. He, however, appeared to be -unconscious of having done anything to be ashamed of, and probably held -in accord with those avowed by the Rev. Dr. Thos. Fuller, prebendary -of Sarum, who, as apologist for Sir Francis Drake’s piratical -performances, considered that “his case was clear in sea divinity; and -few are such infidels as not to believe doctrines which make for their -own profit.” In a letter to his patron, Lord Hunsdon, he writes: “It -hath pleased Almighty God to suffer me to circumpass the whole globe -of the world, entering in at the Strait of Magellan, and returning by -the Cape de Buena Esperança; in which voyage I have either discovered -or brought certain intelligence of all the rich places in the world, -which were ever discovered by any Christian. I navigated along the -coast of Chili, Peru, and New Spain, where I made great spoils. I -burned and sank nineteen ships, small and great. All the villages and -towns that ever I landed at I burned and spoiled; and had I not been -discovered upon the coast, I had taken great quantity of treasure. The -matter of most profit unto me was a great ship of the king’s which I -took at California, which ship came from the Philippines, being one of -the richest of merchandise that ever passed those seas. From the Cape -of California, being the uttermost part of all New Spain, I navigated -to the islands of the Philippines, hard upon the coast of China, of -which country I have brought such intelligence as hath not been heard -of in these parts; the stateliness and riches of which country [China] -I fear to make report of, lest I should not be credited. I found out -by the way homeward the island of Santa Helena; and from that island -God hath suffered me to return unto England. All which services, with -myself, I humbly prostrate at Her Majesty’s feet, desiring the Almighty -long to continue her reign amongst us; for at this day she is the most -famous and victorious princess that liveth in the world.” Although -Cavendish contributed comparatively little to the sum of geographical -knowledge by accurate reports of any original discoveries he had made, -apart from the moral aspect of the principal incidents in his career, -he was indisputably a remarkable man, and rarely since the world began -has a young man of only twenty-eight years achieved such a record as he -had done, at the end of his circumnavigation, illustrative of daring -bravery, indomitable perseverance, and manly endurance. - -The wealth with which Cavendish returned was considered sufficient to -have bought “a fair earldom”; but it was not to his taste to settle, -or found a family. His expedition had been undertaken to repair his -shattered fortunes, and had done so satisfactorily, but it was probably -“light come, light go” with him. The treasure of the _Santa Anna_ had -been put into “a bag with holes,” and what did not run through was -providently applied by Cavendish to fitting out another expedition -on an extended scale, which it was expected would do a much larger -business, and prove even a more pronounced success than the last. The -new squadron consisted of “three tall ships” and two pinnaces,--the -galleon _Leicester_, in which Cavendish sailed; the _Desire_, his old -ship, commanded by Captain John Davis; the _Roebucke_, the _Black -Pinnace_, and the _Daintie_. The expedition sailed from Plymouth on -26th August 1591, which was from the beginning a series of dreary, -unrelieved misery and disaster. The Straits of Magellan were reached -in April 1592, and passed through about half-way. Disagreements -arose among the crews, and Cavendish seemed to have lost his power -of command. He determined to return to Santos. The ships parted -company, and the last notice of Cavendish in the homeward voyage of the -_Leicester_ is his own notice of the death of his cousin John Locke in -8° N. latitude. Cavendish is supposed to have died on board a few days -later, the victim of grief and disappointment. While tossed about in -the _Desire_ after the ships had parted company, Captain Davis was, on -the 14th August 1592, “driven in among certain islands never before -discovered by any known relation, lying fifty leagues or better off the -shore, east and northerly from the Straits.” These were the Falkland -Islands, of which Captain Davis has certainly the honour of being the -original discoverer, although the discovery has been claimed by Sir -Richard Hawkins, and certain foreign navigators.[1] Several more or -less complete accounts of this last disastrous voyage of Cavendish -have been preserved; one of them, drawn up at sea by himself, is a most -affecting and depressing narrative. In this account he writes: “We had -been almost four months between the coast of Brazil and the Straits, -being in distance not above six hundred leagues, which is commonly run -in twenty or thirty days; but such was the adverseness of our fortune, -that in coming thither we spent the summer, and found the Straits in -the beginning of a most extreme winter, not endurable for Christians. -After the month of May was come in, nothing but such flights of snow, -and extremity of frosts, as in all my life I never saw any to be -compared with them. This extremity caused the weak men to decay; for, -in seven or eight days in this extremity, there died forty men and -sickened seventy, so that there were not fifteen men able to stand -upon the hatches.” Mr. John Lane, a friend of Captain Davis, writing -of their experiences in the middle of “charming May,” says: “In this -time we endured extreme storms, with perpetual snow, where many of our -men died of cursed famine and miserable cold, not having wherewith to -cover their bodies nor to fill their stomachs, but living by mussels, -water, and weeds of the sea, with a small relief from the ship’s stores -of meal sometimes.” He makes the shocking disclosure that “all the sick -men in the galleon” (Cavendish’s ship) “were most uncharitably put on -shore into the woods, in the snow, wind, and cold, when men of good -health could scarcely endure it, where they ended their lives in the -highest degree of misery.” - - [1] Captain John Davis achieved in this early age deserved - celebrity as a navigator and discoverer. He made three - voyages, under the sanction and authority of the English - Government, in search of a North-West passage to the - Pacific. In the first, in 1585, he pushed his way round - the southern end of Greenland, across the strait that from - then until now has borne his name--Davis Strait--and along - the coast of what is now known as Baffin’s Land, to the - Cape of God’s Mercy, which he thus named in the belief that - his task was virtually accomplished. In the second voyage, - 1586, he made little further progress; in the third, 1587, - he reached the entrance to the strait afterwards explored - by, and named after, Hudson. Davis, after other important - nautical services, was, when on his return from the East - Indies, killed by pirates off the coast of Malacca. Davis - was an author as well as a navigator. - -Anthropology, natural history, or other scientific subjects, had no -attractions for the adventurers, whose attention, and such powers as -were left with them, were absorbed in their conflicts with storm and -tempest, cold, hunger, and nakedness. After parting company they never -again reunited, or in any of the separated ships made any attempt to -carry out the objects of the expedition. Almost all perished miserably. -It is stated that Davis, whom Cavendish charged with treachery and -desertion, did all that was possible to find and rejoin his leader, -but without success. Long after the separation of the fleet, Davis -returned to Port Desire, and three times attempted unsuccessfully to -pass through the Straits in search for Cavendish. Davis and a few more -survived their terrible hardships. Out of a crew of seventy-six men who -sailed from England, only a remnant of fifteen lived to return with -Davis, in misery and weakness so great that they could neither “take in -or heave out a saile.” Davis, with the distressed survivors, arrived -off Bearhaven, Ireland, on 11th June 1593, fully a year after the death -and burial of Cavendish at sea. - -Cavendish was far from faultless. He was passionate and impetuous, -and was still young at the end of his adventurous life. He was a -University man, a bred aristocrat, a courtier, with a contempt for -humanitarian doctrines and practices. Society, as it was constituted -then, has to share the blame of his excesses, and especially his -recklessness of human life. It was a comparatively venial offence in -those days to fire into a crowd of South Sea Islanders with as little -hesitation as if they had been a flock of wild ducks. His high spirit, -courage, and intrepidity are, however, indisputable. - - - - -SIR WALTER RALEIGH, - -QUEEN ELIZABETH’S FAVOURITE MINISTER. - -CHAPTER V. - -AMERICAN COLONISATION SCHEMES. - - -Endowed with a rare combination of high qualities and capability, Sir -Walter Raleigh may be pronounced one of the most distinguished men of -the Elizabethan era. He approved himself a brave soldier, an intrepid -sailor, and a thorough disciplinarian; in other directions he was a -learned scholar, a profound philosopher, an eloquent orator, and an -elegant courtier. - -Raleigh’s family traced its lineage from before the Conquest, and -Walter could claim descent from, and connection with, three of the best -Devonshire houses--the Gilberts, the Carews, and the Champernouns. His -father, Walter Raleigh the elder, was the second husband of Catherine, -daughter of Sir Philip Champernoun of Modbury. By a former husband, -Otto Gilbert, this lady had two sons, Humphrey and Adrian, destined to -distinguish themselves as navigators and colonists, with whom Walter -Raleigh was intimately associated in their enterprises. - -Walter Raleigh was born, according to Camden, in 1552, at Hayes Barton, -East Budleigh, a farmstead in Devonshire, pleasantly situated near the -coast. - -Information touching Raleigh’s education and the early part of his life -is vague and meagre, few facts being on record concerning him prior to -1569, when, it is stated, he left Oxford, where he was first a resident -at Christ Church, from which he removed to Oriel. It is supposed -that he commenced at Oxford his acquaintance with Sir Philip Sydney, -Hakluyt, and Camden. - -Camden states, in his _Annales_, that Raleigh was one of a hundred -gentlemen volunteers who proceeded to France with Henry Champernoun, -Raleigh’s cousin, to the assistance of the Huguenots. The service of -the English contingent appears to have commenced about the end of -the year 1569. References are made by Raleigh in his _History of the -World_ to the Huguenot troubles, and his own connection with them; -amongst others, to the conduct of the Protestants at the battle of -Jarnac, after the death of the Prince of Condé; and to the retreat at -Moncontour, of which he was an eye-witness. It is conjectured that -Raleigh spent about six years in France in active service. - -[Illustration: SIR WALTER RALEIGH.] - -It has been discovered by modern historians that in 1577 Raleigh was -attached in some capacity to Queen Elizabeth’s court, and that he was -also “of the Middle Temple,” but whether called to the Bar, or only -lodging in the Temple, or “eating his terms,” is not certain. He had -reached vigorous manhood, was twenty-five years of age, of cultivated -mind, active temperament, enterprising and ambitious. He was familiar -with the exploits of Hawkins and Drake, and was probably fired by -the romance of the Spanish Indies. His half-brother, Sir Humphrey -Gilbert, had made several voyages to the Gulf of Mexico and the country -afterwards called Virginia in honour of Queen Elizabeth, and it has -been considered probable that on one or more occasions Walter was his -companion. It is known that he was with Gilbert in an unfortunate -expedition to the St. Lawrence in 1578. In the following year he was -committed to the Fleet prison for a violent difference with another -courtier. He was released after a short confinement, however, and in -the same year was stopped when in the act of starting on a piratical -expedition against Spain. - -At the close of 1579 the Spanish Catholics invaded Ireland. The -invading expedition, which came from Ferrol, first landed at Dingle, -but not feeling so secure there as they desired, they sailed four -miles farther west to Senerwick Bay, and built there the Fort del -Ore, upon a sandy isthmus, from which the invaders thought they -might easily, if pressed, escape to sea. The Earl of Desmond and the -Geraldines coalesced with their foreign co-religionists, casting off -their allegiance to Elizabeth. Raleigh was sent to take part with the -force then in Ireland upholding the queen’s power, and to assist in -exterminating the invaders. - -Raleigh left London in January 1580, with one hundred foot soldiers. -At the Isle of Wight they were transferred into ships of the queen’s -fleet. On the 22nd February, Raleigh wrote from Cork to Lord Burghley, -giving an account of his voyage. His arrival was welcome, and timely, -to his friend Sir Warham Saint Leger, who was holding Cork with great -difficulty, with an insufficient garrison of only forty Englishmen. - -It does not appear that Raleigh entered at once upon active duty, -as his pay only begins July 13, 1580; he probably served, however, -irrespective of this circumstance. In August he was associated with -Saint Leger, provost-marshal of Munster, in a commission to try the -younger brother of the Earl of Desmond, whom they sentenced to be hung. - -In August, Lord Grey of Wilton arrived in Dublin, to relieve Pelham of -the chief command in Ireland. He had with him the afterwards famous -poet, Edmund Spenser, as his secretary. Raleigh remained in Ireland, -and thus were brought together two of the most gifted men of their -time; they naturally, as they became known to each other, entered into -a close friendship. - -In the operations for the suppression of the rebellion that followed, -Raleigh took an active and influential part, and was for a time -practically governor of Munster. There was much hard work in the -campaign, and considerable scope for dash and military capability, -which Raleigh exhibited in a high degree, but there was little “glory” -to be derived from skirmishes, raids, and forays, or from scouring the -woods and ravines for hunted rebels, and it must have been a welcome -relief to Raleigh when a summons from London, to which he returned -in December 1581, put an end to his military service in Ireland. An -established reputation for military prowess had preceded him. - -Raleigh, as before stated, was attached in some capacity to the court -in 1577, but had not then entered into personal relations, or become -a favourite, with the queen, who reappointed him a captain to serve -in Ireland, but decreed in connection with the appointment,--“That -our pleasure is that the said [Irish] land be, in the meantime, till -he [Raleigh] repair into that Our realm, delivered to some such as he -shall depute to be his lieutenant there.” “For that he is, for some -considerations, by Us excused to stay here.” The Duc d’Alençon, who had -at this time come from France to woo the queen, was not very favourably -spoken of by Her Majesty. He served probably as a foil to manly, -handsome Raleigh, who was now about thirty years of age, and described -as “having a good presence in a well-compacted person; a strong natural -wit, and a better judgment; with a bold and plausible tongue, whereby -he could set out his parts to the best advantage.” He was “about six -feet in height, with dark hair and a high colour, a facial expression -of great brightness, personable from the virile force of his figure, -and illustrating these attractions by a splendid taste in dress. His -clothes were at all times noticeably gorgeous; and to the end of his -life his person was commonly bedizened with jewels to his very shoes.” -The sprightly soldier-poet never lost his decided Devonshire accent, -which his royal mistress liked rather than otherwise. For several years -he basked in the almost perfectly unclouded sunshine of her smiles, and -received openly many distinguishing marks of the queen’s favour. Old -writers give some interesting illustrations of the little passages of -wit and gallantry that marked their intercourse. On one occasion, it -is related, when the queen, with Raleigh in attendance, had to alight -from her carriage into a puddle,--roads were bad in those days,--the -gay cavalier whipt off his dainty cloak of silk plush, and spread it -out as a foot-cloth to protect her feet from the mud. The sacrifice of -the cloak was highly appreciated, and proved to have been--although, -perhaps, not so designed on Raleigh’s part--an excellent investment. - -The personal intimacy and intercourse between the queen and Raleigh -were as close as was permissible between a sovereign and a subject. Had -the queen given the Duc d’Alençon half the encouragement she gave to -Raleigh, his suit would have ended in a royal wedding. Sir Walter did -not dare, probably, to make the queen an offer of his heart and hand, -but he did not fail to give her an “inkling” concerning his feelings. -On a pane in the window of her boudoir or other apartment, he wrote -with his diamond ring-- - - “Fain would I climb, but that I fear to fall.” - -His royal inamorata, holding probably that “there is much virtue in an -‘if,’” replied-- - - “If thy heart fail thee, then climb not at all.” - -Raleigh did not go to Ireland to take over from his lieutenant command -of the company of infantry of which he was the nominal commander, but -had a confidential place by the queen’s side, and was her counsellor in -divers weighty matters. - -In 1583, Raleigh came into possession, through the queen’s favour, of -the estates of Stolney and Newland, formerly possessions of All Souls’ -College, Oxford. He was also favoured with letters patent for the “Farm -of Wines,” afterwards one of the principal sources of his wealth. -Under this grant each vintner throughout the kingdom had to pay twenty -shillings a year for a licence to sell wines. The grant also included -a share to Raleigh of fines accruing to the Crown, under previously -existing wine statutes. From his wine trade emoluments Raleigh realised -at one period about £2000 a year, equivalent to about £12,000 of our -money. From certain causes the amount of his receipts from this source -declined, and he afterwards resigned his patent to James I. for £1000 -per annum. - -Meantime, Raleigh’s half-brother, Sir Humphrey Gilbert, had been -making, at great cost, persevering attempts to establish a colony or -colonies in North America, but unfortunately without success. Gilbert -had obtained a charter for his colonisation project extending for -six years from 1578. After repeated failures of his enterprises, -particularly in 1579, he gave up, for a time at least, their further -prosecution, and lent three of his ships to the Government for service -on the coast of Ireland. - -[Illustration: “RALEIGH WHIPT OFF HIS CLOAK OF SILK PLUSH, AND SPREAD -IT OUT TO PROTECT THE QUEEN’S FEET FROM THE MUD.”] - -Raleigh had always befriended his courageous relative, Sir Humphrey -Gilbert, and now used all his court influence in his favour. His -charter was about to expire. The queen was much importuned to renew -it, and reluctantly did so, but refusing permission to her favourite, -Raleigh, to take part personally in the enterprise. He expended, -however, a large sum in aid of the fresh expedition to North -America, which Sir Humphrey was resolved to undertake. One of the five -ships that constituted the fleet--the _Ark Raleigh_--was built and -fitted out entirely by Sir Walter, at a cost of £2000. The expedition -sailed June 11th, 1583, and met with a series of disasters, including -the death of its resolute and gallant commander. In this expedition -Newfoundland was touched at, and taken possession of by Gilbert in the -queen’s name. - -Undismayed by Humphrey Gilbert’s repeated and disastrous failures, -Raleigh continued to believe in the ultimate success of these American -colonisation schemes, and he induced the queen to renew the charter, -to which the parties were Raleigh himself, as chief; Adrian Gilbert, -a younger brother of Sir Humphrey; and John Davis, a courageous and -experienced navigator. These three were incorporated as representing -“The College of the Fellowship for the Discovery of the North-West -Passage.” Realisation of the queen’s dream, and desire after a shorter -route _via_ the north-west to China, was the professed object of the -adventurers, but Raleigh was careful to secure subsidiary material -advantages, and the charter gave full powers to the adventurers to -inhabit or retain, build or fortify, at Raleigh’s discretion, any -remote lands that he might find hitherto unoccupied by any Christian -power. - -Raleigh was financier and managing director, but not the personal -conductor of the next American expedition. In April 1584 a small -fleet sailed for the West, under the command of Captains Amadas and -Barlow. In May they passed the Canaries; in June they fell in with the -Bahama Islands. While still far out at sea, delicate odours, sweet -as those of “Araby the blest,” were wafted to them from Florida, at -which they touched; thereafter sailing northwards, they landed at, -and, in name of the queen, annexed the islands then called Roanoke and -Wokoken, with the mainland adjacent. In honour of Queen Elizabeth, the -newly-annexed country was named Virginia. An ancient writer pronounces -the name appropriate, from the country having been discovered in the -reign of the Virgin Queen, and also because the country seemed “to -retain the virgin purity and plenty of the first creation, and the -people their primitive innocence.” Early in 1585 Raleigh sent out a -second expedition to Virginia under Sir Richard Grenville; others -were afterwards sent, and, under Ralph Lane, settled for a time on -Roanoke, but failed to succeed as settlers, or to justify the sanguine -expectations of Raleigh, who was by this time very rich, and could -well afford to carry out his costly colonisation hobby. He was also -befriended by a success that befell his lieutenant, Sir Richard -Grenville, who, in returning to England, fell in with a treasure-laden -Spanish ship of an estimated value of £50,000, which he captured and -brought safely into Plymouth. - -In addition to his other rich privileges and possessions, the queen -granted to Raleigh a liberty to export broadcloth. This fresh mark -of royal favour was disapproved by Lord Burghley, who estimated the -increase to Raleigh’s income from the woollen broadcloth trade at the -equivalent of £18,000 of our present money. It is to be said for Sir -Walter that his enormous wealth was not wasted in vice and debauchery, -although personal ambition had probably a good deal to do in directing -his expenditure. He probably aspired to the creation of a state in -the West, with himself as its chief, that for riches, dignity, and -power, would excel the possessions of Spain. His were not the views -or aims of the mere grubber after lucre for its own sake, or for his -own personal aggrandisement. He was not indifferent to any promise the -newly-found region might give of pearls or precious metals, but was -equally solicitous concerning its useful mineral, vegetable, and animal -products, and he appointed Mr. Thomas Hariot, an able scientific and -practical man, commissioner to collect trustworthy information. - -At this time, 1584, Raleigh was very much in close attendance on the -queen, at one or other of her palaces, at Greenwich or Windsor. His -own residence was in the then rural village of Islington. The immense -revenue derived from his wine and broadcloth businesses enabled him to -indulge in such a scale of expenditure as could only be incurred by a -merchant prince or other opulent personage. He leased from the queen, -Durham House, situated on the river, in the locality now known as the -Adelphi. This was a vast palace, occupied at one time by the bishops -of Durham, and afterwards by Queen Elizabeth herself. This stately -building was Raleigh’s town house from 1584 to 1603. - -In the year 1584, or the year following, Raleigh was knighted, and -advanced to various high dignities. He was appointed Lord Warden of -the Stannaries, Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall, Vice-Admiral of Cornwall -and Devon, and he entered Parliament, as one of the two members for -Devonshire. He was no carpet knight or mere sinecurist, but to the -utmost of his ability discharged faithfully the duties devolving upon -him in these various offices, personally as far as possible, or by -competent deputies. As Warden of the Stannaries he effected important -reforms that greatly mitigated the hardships of the Cornish miners. -His discrimination, judgment, and resolution fitted him admirably for -judge, and director of administration of the affairs that came within -his jurisdiction. - -Raleigh’s Virginian colony came to an inglorious end in 1586, but he -was successful in another less creditable enterprise. He had sent a -small fleet for undisguised predatory purposes to the Azores, that did -good business. Its commander captured and brought to England a Spanish -noble, Don Pedro Sarmiento, a colonial governor. While his ransom was -being collected, Raleigh entertained his illustrious guest in splendid -style in his grand town house. In 1587, Raleigh took possession of -vast estates in Ireland, assigned to his charge by the queen, as -gentleman-undertaker; they were part of the escheated lands of the -Earl of Esmond, and embraced forty-two thousand acres in the counties -of Cork, Waterford, and Tipperary. He did his best to re-people the -desolate regions, and brought over many West of England farmers and -farm labourers, but his energetic and well-meant efforts met with only -partial success. - -Up to this time, 1587, Raleigh had been first favourite with the queen, -who had showered wealth and influence upon him. The queen had now, -however, other flutterers around her in addition to Raleigh. In 1587 -one appeared on the scene, who seemed likely to cut them all out. The -queen had reached the mature age of fifty-four years; the young Earl -of Essex, the new royal favourite, was only twenty. Essex hated “that -knave Raleigh,” as he designated him, and did all he could to make -mischief between the queen and her favourite. - -Turning to affairs more worthy of Raleigh’s nature and powers, the -public offices he held necessitated his frequent and rapid movements -from one distant locality to another, and withdrew him from court -connection and intrigues. His interest in his Virginian enterprise -had never flagged. A third expedition he had despatched had proved -disastrous; in May 1587 he sent out another, under Captain John White. -Another still, under Sir Richard Grenville, that attempted to follow, -was stopped by Government at Bideford. Undismayed and resolute, Raleigh -sent out from Bideford, in April 1588, two pinnaces, with help to the -unfortunate colonists. These fell into the hands of privateers, and -returned to England stripped and helpless. Raleigh had up to this -time used the most strenuous endeavours, and had spent a princely -fortune, in his attempt to found an American colony, but he was unaided -by court or other influence, and public affairs now required the -application of his energies in another direction. The advent of the -“invincible Spanish Armada” was at hand. Raleigh was one of the nine -commissioners appointed to consider the best means of resisting the -threatened invasion; two of his captains, Sir Richard Grenville and -Ralph Lane, were also on the commission, which implies that Sir Walter -was an important factor in determining the most important national -affairs. In anticipation of the arrival of the Armada he made all -necessary preparations for defence, and for assistance in attack, in -relation to the counties under his charge, as vice-admiral. He also -directed preparations to resist invasion on the east coast--notably -at Norfolk. In resistance of the Armada, and assistance in its pursuit -and destruction, Raleigh took a prominent part. His ship was amongst -those that chased the distressed Spanish galleons northwards. In proof -that he had rendered important service in connection with the memorable -events, it may be mentioned that on September 5th, 1588, to Raleigh and -Drake were consigned equal numbers of wealthy Spanish prisoners, whose -ransoms were to be the reward of the achievements of these commanders. -Raleigh so distinguished himself in the actions with the Armada by his -skill in naval tactics, and his genius for rapid action, as to excite -the admiration of Lord Howard, High Admiral, who ever after treated him -as a recognised authority in important naval affairs. - -In 1589, Raleigh leased his patent rights, title, and interest in the -Virginia Colony to a company of merchants, reserving only a royalty -upon gold and silver ore that might be raised in the colony. It is -not recorded that he ever received profit from this reservation, or -from his costly efforts to colonise Virginia, extending over thirteen -years. In the settlement of America by Europeans he was the unpaid -pioneer. After the defeat of the Armada, Raleigh continued actively -occupied in the direction of important schemes in Devonshire, Cornwall, -Ireland, and other parts of the kingdom, and was interested also in -some privateering enterprises for which the King of Spain--“the natural -enemy of England”--and the Armada were convenient covering and excuse. -Raleigh’s rovers were not particular as to nationality of vessels -attacked; they sacked the English ship _Angel Gabriel_ of a cargo of -wine, and took sack and sugar and mace from other vessels, without -assurance that these were only reprisals against the Spaniards. - -In 1589, Raleigh was associated with Sir Francis Drake in an expedition -to restore Dom Antonio to the throne of Portugal, from which he had -been ousted by Philip of Spain. Raleigh proceeded with the force up to -the walls of Lisbon. The object of the expedition was not achieved, -but a good deal of plunder was secured in its course,--Raleigh’s -share amounting to £4000. Some of the ships engaged were Raleigh’s -own property, amongst them the afterwards famous _Revenge_, the -_Crane_, and the _Garland_. These ships were employed as merchantmen -or men-of-war, as circumstances might require or interest suggest. The -sort of public service they rendered, led to the exploits of their -owners and crews being judged with a considerable degree of indulgence -by the national authorities, who sometimes overlooked acts of piracy, -and in some instances appropriated the proceeds. Raleigh’s men were -on this occasion so rash and inconsiderate as to capture two French -barques, which brought a sharp reprimand upon Sir Walter, because -France and England were at that time at peace with each other. In some -cases the cargo of the privateers was “taken over” wholesale by the -authorities. - -[Illustration: EDMUND SPENSER, AUTHOR OF “THE FAERIE QUEEN.”] - -The Earl of Essex, as a courtier and an admirer, had a great advantage -over Raleigh, thus so much out of the queen’s sight,--and he made the -most of it to his rival’s disadvantage. In August 1589, a contemporary -writes, “My Lord of Essex hath chased Mr. Raleigh from the court, and -hath confined him to Ireland”; but Raleigh contradicted the rumour -of his disgrace. However this may have been, he proceeded to Ireland -in 1589, and resided in his own house at Youghal,--his most intimate -friends and neighbours there being his cousin, Sir George Carew, who -lived at Lismore, and the poet, Edmund Spenser, who had been rewarded -for his services, as Clerk of the Council of Munster, with a gift of a -manor and ruined castle, Kilcolman, formerly the property of the rebel -Desmonds. With Spenser, Raleigh had much close, pleasant, sympathetic -intercourse. Much of Spenser’s admirable poetical work was done during -his comparative seclusion at Kilcolman, and there Raleigh also, -perturbed though his life had been, and unfavourable to cultivation of -the muses, exercised his extraordinary literary powers. Spenser had -nearly completed his great poem, _The Faery Queen_, the MS. of which -was read by Raleigh, who in turn submitted to the friendly criticism -of Spenser his _Lamentable Lay_, a eulogy on Queen Elizabeth, under the -name of Cynthia. Mr. Edmund Gosse, as a result of the most searching -inquiry into the circumstances and evidence, touching the intercourse -between Raleigh and Spenser at this time, says that the evidence is -conclusive that Raleigh had then written a poem or poems which Spenser -“set on a level with the best works of the age, in verse.” - -But Raleigh was an energetic man of business as well as a poet, a man -of action more than of dreams, and, during his residence in Ireland, -he did much in various ways to promote the material prosperity of -the people. He defended the rights of the merchants of Waterford and -Wexford, and encouraged their export trade in barrel staves by putting -two of his own ships to a regular service between Waterford and the -Canaries. Traces of his beneficent work in Munster still remain. Sir -John Pope Hennessy says:-- - -“The richly perfumed wallflowers that he brought to Ireland from the -Azores, and the Affane cherry, are still found where he first planted -them by the Blackwater. Some cedars he brought to Cork are to this -day growing at a place called Tivoli. He also introduced a number of -plants, before unknown in England,--among others, the potato, which has -had such an influence--for good or evil--on the destinies of Ireland -and many other countries,--and the tobacco plant, which was not much -approved by the queen, and which he had to use very privately. The four -venerable yew-trees, whose branches have grown and intermingled into -a sort of summer-house thatch, are pointed out as having sheltered -Raleigh, when he first smoked tobacco in his Youghal garden. In that -garden he also planted tobacco.... A few steps farther on, where the -town-wall of the thirteenth century bounds the walls of the gardens of -the Warden’s house, is the famous spot where the first Irish potato -was planted by him. In that garden he gave the tubers to the ancestor -of the present Lord Southwell, by whom they were spread throughout the -province of Munster.” - -Such were some of the precious gifts brought by Raleigh’s -wisely-instructed and zealous agents from across the Atlantic, and -conferred by the enlightened patriot upon his country--boons of -infinitely greater value than the plate and pearls of which the -Spaniards were deprived by the early English rovers. - -About the end of 1589 Raleigh returned to England, taking Spenser -with him, whom he introduced to the queen, and he was instrumental in -obtaining for him, as the first poet-laureate, a pension of £50 a year. -Spenser’s _Faery Queen_ was published by royal command. - -“The supplementary letter and sonnets to Raleigh express Spenser’s -generous recognition of the services his friend had performed for -him, and appeal to Raleigh, as ‘the Summer Nightingale, thy sovereign -goddess’s most dear delight,’ not to delay in publishing his own great -poem, the _Cynthia_. The first of the eulogistic pieces prefixed by -friends to the _Faery Queen_ was that noble and justly celebrated -sonnet signed W. R., which alone would justify Raleigh in taking a -place among the English poets.”--_Gosse_, p. 49. - -In 1591, Raleigh’s first published work appeared, being an account -of the battle of the Azores, between the _Revenge_ and an armada of -the King of Spain. Raleigh sets forth enthusiastically the valour of -his gallant and faithful friend, Sir Richard Grenville, as displayed -in this contest, one of the most famous in English history, in which -Grenville, with one ship containing one hundred men, stood to his -guns against a fleet manned by fifteen thousand Spaniards. He ably -vindicated Grenville’s conduct, and following historians are agreed -that this action was “memorable even beyond credit, and to the height -of some heroical fable.” This report has been highly praised by -competent critics as attaining the highest level reached by English -narrative prose up to the period at which it was written. - -About this time, 1591, Raleigh received another valuable gift from the -queen, in a long lease of Sherborne, an estate in Dorsetshire, formerly -the possession of the dean and chapter of Salisbury. This was, for the -future, Raleigh’s favourite country residence. - -An expedition was planned at this time that seemed to promise -additional wealth and honours to Raleigh. Its objects were to capture -the rich fleet of Indian plate-ships, and to take possession of the -pearl fisheries of Panama, or to rifle the pearl treasuries. The queen -sanctioned and aided the project, and Raleigh threw his whole fortune -into it. He was to be admiral of the fleet of fifteen sail, and the -chief adventurer, with Sir Martin Frobisher as second in command. The -fleet was ready for sea in February 1592, but when the time for sailing -arrived, the capricious queen could not, or would not, part with -Raleigh, and the fleet sailed under the command of Sir John Burrough. - -The courtship of Raleigh and Miss Elizabeth Throgmorton, afterwards -Lady Raleigh, a maid of honour of the queen, greatly exasperated his -royal mistress, and he was banished for four years from the queen’s -presence. - -The privateering expedition before referred to, in which Raleigh -was so largely interested, proceeded to the Azores. The queen had -contributed two ships and £1800, and the citizens of London had given -£6000 in aid, but Raleigh retained by much the largest share. Sir John -Burrough divided his fleet, and left Frobisher with part of it on the -coast of Spain; with his own portion of the fleet he proceeded to -the supposed track of the expected richly-laden carracks, to await -their coming. The victims came as expected, and fell an easy prey to -the spoilers. The _Madre de Dios_, the largest of the treasure-laden -carracks, carried what was unprecedented in those days, the enormous -cargo of 1800 tons, valued at £500,000. The cargo included rubies, -pearls, ambergris, frankincense, ebony, sandalwood, cypress, ivory, -carpets, silks, sarsenets, cinnamon, nutmegs, and cloves, and stores of -the most costly productions of India. The unwieldy carrack offered a -feeble resistance to Raleigh’s more nimble and mischievous craft, the -_Roebuck_, which speedily overcame her. There had been considerable -leakage in the valuable cargo, which had been freely tapped at every -port called at, and before Sir John Burrough could get on board to take -personal command, his sailors had made the best possible use of their -opportunity to do a little privateering, each man for his own hand. -Even after these deductions, the _Madre de Dios_ was a prize of great -value. It was, after many trials and troubles from wind and weather, -and narrow escapes from foundering, safely brought into Dartmouth on -the 2nd September, being, as it happened, the queen’s birthday. - -At this time Raleigh was a prisoner in the Tower, whither he had -been sent by the queen for his misconduct. The arrival of the _Madre -de Dios_ with such a store of plunder, awoke greed of gain in -all directions, and caused excitement and disorder that baffled the -authorities. - -[Illustration: THE MADRE DE DIOS.] - -Sir Robert Cecil, writing from Exeter, 19th September, reports that -“for seven miles everybody met on the London road smells of musk or -spice, and you could not open a private bag that had not seed pearls -in it”; he declares that “there never was such rich spoil.” Lord -Burleigh sent down Raleigh, in charge of a keeper, to look after his -property--if the term can be applied to plunder--and to restore order. -The disgraced favourite received quite an ovation: “His poor servants, -to the number of one hundred and forty goodly men, and all the -mariners, met him with shouts and joy.” Raleigh was greatly enraged to -find so much of the treasure devoured and dispersed. The residue of the -property was disposed of, according to the report of a commission of -inquiry, which included Sir Francis Drake, Sir Robert Cecil, and four -other persons. - -From the settlement of the affairs of the _Madre de Dios_ at the close -of 1592, Raleigh was occupied with his own business concerns and the -discharge of various official duties; amongst others, with the exercise -of his judgment and authority, in attempting settlement of the quarrels -between English and French fishermen on the south coast, that were rife -then, and have continued intermittently, even until this day. He was -now about forty years of age, and although his health had suffered -from his imprisonment, he was at about the zenith of his vigorous -life. He was now married to a well-born lady, worthy of his affection -and esteem; he was possessed of a fair competence in wealth and -property, the wearer of high honours,--amongst others Lord Lieutenant -of Cornwall, Admiral of Devon and Cornwall, and Lord Warden of the -Stannaries. With these possessions and dignities an ordinary man would -have been content to settle down as a provincial magnate, but they did -not suffice for a man of Raleigh’s active and sanguine temperament, his -enterprising and ambitious nature. His life up to this point had been -enlivened by many and important stirring adventures and projects, that -had elevated him in position and influence, and made him famous. He had -proved himself alert, valorous, and capable alike as a soldier and as a -naval commander, and in the last-named capacity had rendered brilliant -service in connection with the defeat of the Spanish Armada. As a -pioneer colonist and a privateer, he had organised spirited and costly -projects, but had been prevented by circumstances from personally -conducting his enterprises. The desire to command personally in the -expeditions that had been successively fitted at his cost, and that -were conducted under his orders and directions, had always been alive -in his mind,--and now, as it would seem, the time had arrived for him -to realise his cherished dream. He hated the Spaniard as thoroughly as -Sir Francis Drake did, and had in common with that redoubtable sea-dog -the ruling passion and strong desire to shatter the Spaniard’s power, -and to appropriate the Spaniard’s treasure. He was in possession, -it may be supposed, of all the information existing and accessible -concerning Spanish discoveries and possessions in the West Indies and -South America, and touching the mineral wealth and other resources of -the settlements and resorts of the Spanish and other adventurers in -these quarters. Raleigh had probably by this time had enough of court -life and intrigues; he had the strong desire, “with God’s blessing, -and the queen’s permission, to sail into the sunset, and conquer for -England as much as he may of the fabled golden lands and cities of the -West.” - -Early in 1594, Captain George Popham, a sea rover, sailing in one of -Raleigh’s vessels, made a prize at sea of a ship with letters to the -King of Spain, announcing that De Berreo, Governor of Trinidad, had -annexed Guiana to the Spanish dominions, under the name of the New El -Dorado. The despatches contained interesting particulars respecting the -country and its inhabitants. The documents were delivered to Raleigh, -in whom they excited lively interest, and they stimulated him to prompt -energetic action, which resulted in his sailing from Plymouth, bound -“Westward ho,” on the 2nd January 1595, with a squadron of five ships, -and an equipment of small craft for river navigation. On the voyage -out, two ships were captured, from one of which, laden with wine, -the ships of the expedition were stocked. In March they arrived off -Trinidad, the southern and western coasts of which were surveyed by -Raleigh in a boat,--the ships lying at anchor in the channel known as -the Serpent’s Mouth. In his _History of the World_, Raleigh describes -some of the natural curiosities he met with at Trinidad, including -oysters hanging to the branches of mangrove trees, and a curious liquid -pitch, a peculiar product of the island. At the first settlement -touched--the Port of Spain--some trading was done with the settlers, -and Raleigh endeavoured to worm out any information he could obtain -concerning Guiana, stating, with loose regard for veracity, that he -was on his way to Virginia, and that his inquiries were prompted by -mere curiosity. Very little information they did give him. This much he -found out, that De Berreo, the governor, had sent for reinforcements, -in anticipation of Raleigh’s arrival. Some of the Indians came on -board secretly, and gave harrowing accounts of the horrible cruelties -practised upon them by the Spaniards. Raleigh at once marched a part of -his force inland to St. Joseph, the capital of the island, which they -took by storm, with De Berreo in it. The reports of the Indians as to -the hideous cruelty of the governor were fully confirmed. It was a -pastime with him to baste the naked bodies of the Indians with boiling -fat. Five poor scorched chieftains were found in irons, and near the -point of death. They were released, and the town was burned. - -Raleigh spared De Berreo, in the hope possibly that he might be -useful to him, but De Berreo did his best to bamboozle his captor. -The larger vessels of the expedition were left at anchor in the Gulf -of Paria, and with a galley, a barge, two wherries, and a ship’s boat -carrying a hundred men, with a stock of provisions, Raleigh entered -the Orinoco, the flotilla encountering at many points, and in divers -ways, formidable difficulties and obstacles in the navigation. Raleigh -thus describes the most painful and unpleasant voyage of four hundred -miles:-- - - “We were all driven to lie in the rain and weather in the open air, - in the burning sun, and upon the hard boards, and to dress our meat - and to carry all manner of furniture, wherewith the boats were so - pestered and unsavoury, that what with victuals being most fish, - and the wet clothes of so many men thrust together, and the heat - of the sun, I will undertake there was never any prison in England - that could be found more unsavoury and loathsome, especially to - myself, who had for many years before been dieted and cared for in - a sort far different.” - -The provisions ran short, and hunger, added to other hardships, induced -a mutinous spirit, repression of which severely taxed Raleigh’s -oratorical powers. At length they approached the inner reach of the -vast flat delta, with its mud banks and brackish water. They next -came to banks, on which wholesome fruits were found. In the purer -water they caught edible fresh fish. The abundance and variety of -birds and the brilliancy of the plumage of many of them, excited -wonder and admiration. Deer came feeding down to the water’s edge; the -alligators, with which the river swarmed, were less pleasant objects of -contemplation. A handsome young Indian, who leaped into the water from -the galley was seized and devoured by these monsters, immediately he -touched its surface. Four canoes laden with excellent bread were met -with in the river. The Indians to whom they belonged deserted them on -the approach of the strangers. - -On the fifteenth day, far-off mountain peaks gladdened the sight of -the voyagers. On the evening of the same day the flotilla anchored in -the main stream of the great river, at a point a little to the east of -San Rafael de Barrancas. Here a welcome change of fare was met with. -The eggs of fresh-water turtles were found in vast numbers on the -sandy islands. The mountain chains to the south, in the direction of -Essiquibo, now assumed defined forms, and furnished a grand feature -in the splendid panorama. Parties of the native Indians were met with -ashore, who entertained the adventurers hospitably with provisions and -the “wine” of the country, of which Raleigh’s captains partook with -“strict moderation,” yet in sufficient quantity to make them, as their -leader has it, “reasonable pleasant.” Raleigh had an elastic moral -code; he was far from being straitlaced or squeamish with regard to -either honesty or veracity when he had his own purpose to promote. -He did not hesitate to tap the cargo of an alien, or even an English -trader, for a gratuitous supply to his wine-cellar; if the governor was -fool enough to swallow the tale, he did not scruple to tell it, that -he had found Trinidad on his way from England to Virginia. Whatever -laxity in morals he may have shown in other directions, it must be said -to his credit that he was the chivalrous protector of women; his men -were given to understand, and they well knew that the penalty would be -inflicted if incurred, that death would be the punishment for violence -towards an Indian matron or maiden. - -Geography was not a strong point with Raleigh and the adventurers. It -is scarcely possible for us to measure or appreciate the difference -between the state of geographical knowledge then and now, between their -dubious scraps and our full and accurate knowledge,--the contrast -between their darkness and our light. So crude were their geographical -notions, that it has been said of the explorers that they believed -that if they could only sail far enough up the Orinoco, they would -emerge into the Pacific on the western coast of South America! They -traversed about three degrees of west longitude, through a region until -then entirely unknown to Europeans, except Spaniards, who had already -planted settlements here and there, at vast distances apart. Raleigh’s -party passed one of these, but possibly ignored its existence, his -majestic idea being to annex the entire territory in the name of the -Queen of England. His intercourse with the Indians was everywhere -friendly and pacific, and he was assiduous in impressing them with the -danger and disadvantage that would result from their having anything -to do with the Spaniards otherwise than by driving them out of the -country; he strongly recommended England as a safe and benign protector. - -[Illustration: RALEIGH ON THE ORINOCO RIVER.] - -On the banks of the Orinoco, Raleigh and his company feasted on -pine-apples and other luscious fruits, and made acquaintance with the -armadillo and many other strange creatures. At the junction of the -Caroni, a southern tributary, with the Orinoco, Raleigh left the main -stream, and ascended the branch to the great cataract which stopped -his further progress. Raleigh’s description of the great cataract and -the adjoining country may be given as a fair specimen of his literary -style:-- - -“When we ran to the tops of the first hills of the plains adjoining to -the river, we beheld the wonderful breach of the waters which ran down -Caroni, and might from that mountain see the river how it ran in three -parts, above twenty miles off, and there appeared some ten or twelve -overfalls in sight, every one as high over the other as a church tower, -which fell with that fury that the rebound of waters made it seem as -if it had been all covered over with a great shower of rain; and in -some places we took it at the first for a smoke that had risen over -some great town. For mine own part I was well persuaded from thence to -have returned, being a very ill footman, but the rest were so desirous -to go near the said strange thunder of waters, that they drew me on, -little by little, till we came into the next valley, where we might -better discern the same. I never saw a more beautiful country, nor more -lively prospects; hills so raised here and there over the valleys, the -river winding into divers branches, the plains adjoining without bush -or stubble, all fair green grass, the ground of hard sand, easy to -march on, either for horse or foot; the deer crossing in every path, -the birds towards the evening singing on every tree, with a thousand -several tunes, cranes and herons, of white, crimson, and carnation, -perching on the river’s side, the air fresh with a gentle easterly -wind, and every stone that we stopped to take up promised either gold -or silver by his complexion.” - -The expedition was not equipped with geologists’ hammers or prospecting -tools, but they nevertheless collected, and Sir Walter brought home, a -number of specimens, that he thought auriferous quartz richly charged -with gold. The white quartz brought home did contain gold, but in such -infinitesimal proportion as not to be worth extracting. - -The friendly Indians, with whom Sir Walter had much familiar -intercourse, finding that he “with greedy ear devoured up their -discourse,” entertained him with many wondrous recitals--of pronounced -Munchausen flavour--concerning the gold and gems with which the country -abounded, and of the wonders in anthropology and natural history that -he would meet with, if he went a little farther on. These included -tribes of Indians away west, whose eyes were on their shoulders, and -their mouths below where their necks should be. In another direction -he would meet with men with heads of the form and fit-on of dogs, who -spent the day in the sea, and who spoke the Caril language. Sir Walter, -to do him justice, does not state that he saw or heard of any of these -marvels, except by report at second-hand. It should be remembered, too, -that the recitals, reaching Raleigh through interpreters, probably very -indifferently qualified, exposed them to the risk of distortion and -misapprehension, and conduced to exaggeration rather than accuracy. - -The great cataract on the Caroni was the farthest point reached by -Raleigh in this exploration. He and his party had now been away from -the fleet for about a month. He gave up the hope of reaching Manoa; -and the terrific violence of the tropical rains, the sudden floods -to which the rivers were subject, and the general aspect of affairs, -admonished him to return to the ships with the utmost possible speed. -They were carried down at a tremendous pace, without need to use sail -or oar. At Morequito, Raleigh had a grave, private conference with an -ancient chief, Topiawari. Raleigh solemnly denounced Spain as the enemy -and England as the friend of Guiana, and entered into an alliance with -him, offensive and defensive, Topiawari to become the ally of England, -which would in turn aid him against certain Indians who had given the -chief grounds for complaint. The old chief and his people heartily -assented, and urged Raleigh to proceed farther inland, if not to Manoa, -to a rich city, Macureguari, about four days’ journey distant, where -they would find many “statues of gold.” The prospect was tempting, -but the adventurers had been, and were, suffering severe privations, -and Raleigh determined to hasten back. He exchanged hostages with the -chief, engaging to return next year; he took with him the chiefs son, -and left with the chief Goodwin, who learned the Indian language, and -was found by Raleigh, on his revisiting the country many years later, -when Goodwin had almost forgotten the English language. - -In the course of their descent of the Orinoco, the adventurers -visited a lake where they met with the curious creature, the manatee, -or sea-cow. On an island in the Orinoco they had a feast, at which -armadillo meat was the principal dainty. After encountering much -violent weather in rain-floods, thunder-storms, and intermittent cold -winds, they reached the sea. Notwithstanding bad water, scanty food, -and weather hardships, only one life was lost in the course of the -voyage, that of the young Indian who was devoured by the alligator. - -During Raleigh’s absence, his fleet, under the command of Captain Amyas -Preston, was active in spoiling the Spaniards, sacking and burning all -the towns he could get at, in Venezuela. They were able to do much -mischief, but to collect very little plunder. The visits of English -captains had waked up the inhabitants to the propriety of preparing -for their coming; they hid their most precious portable possessions -away among the hills inland, or shipped them off to Spain for safety -with the least possible delay. Among other towns devastated was Cumana, -concerning which Captain Amyas Preston felt provoked to make the -peevish complaint that he “found not the value of a single real of -plate.” - -Having accomplished all that his resources and circumstances made -possible, and prepared the way for future operations, Raleigh brought -back his little fleet to England in the autumn of 1595, making a -quiet entrance into port,--Dartmouth or Falmouth,--that was in strong -contrast with the pomp and circumstance, and noisy enthusiasm, that -distinguished the return of Sir Francis Drake from his famous voyage. -Raleigh’s spirited achievements do not seem to have been appreciated. -He had, as he thought, returned bringing a gift to his queen of a rich -empire that would assure his restoration to favour, but he was met with -cold neglect, and left in doubt as to whether his report concerning -Guiana was to be accepted as a true history or passed by as an idle -tale. At this stage of his career he gave conclusive evidence of the -diversity of his gifts, the wide range of his capability, his restless -activity, and indomitable perseverance. He had distinguished himself -as a practical navigator and commander, and as an explorer of regions -before unknown. As a diplomatist he had established satisfactory -relations with foreign potentates--albeit uncivilised--as allies; he -had carried out with safety and success a perilous expedition, and had -laid a good foundation for future operations. He had full confidence in -his own ability to prosecute these operations successfully, and felt -certain that evil and failure would result from his being supplanted, -as he seemed to have reason to fear. Of himself and the Guiana chiefs -he says: “I rather sought to win the kings than to sack them; I know -what others will do when these kings come singly into their hands.” - -No author of reputation, probably, who has written works which the -world will not willingly let die,--works which have not died,--has -done his literary work under greater disadvantages than Raleigh, or -has enjoyed so little of the tranquillity of retirement, favourable to -literary pursuits. It would appear from the date of publication, the -end of the year 1595, that he must have been engaged in writing a book -that became famous, while his expedition was actually in progress. In -November he submitted a manuscript account of his Guiana voyage and -travels, illustrated with a map, to Sir Robert Cecil. In a letter which -accompanied it, he expresses his disappointment and surprise at the -rejection of such a prize, as was never before offered to a Christian -prince. In magnifying the value and importance of the acquisition -within reach, he draws freely upon his imagination, and declares that -the golden statues with which the city of Manoa abounds--which he has -not seen--are worth at least £100,000 each! He urges that, whatever may -be done about Guiana, or whoever may be sent to do it, the enterprise -may not be soiled by cruelty, and plunder of the Indians. At the close -of 1595 his work was published under the somewhat ponderous title, -_The Discovery of the large, rich, and beautiful Empire of Guiana, with -a Relation of the Great and Golden City of Manoa, which the Spaniards -call El Dorado, and of the provinces of Emeria, Arromaia, Amapaia, and -other countries, with their Rivers adjoining_. The book became famous -throughout Europe. Two editions were published in England in 1596, -and a Latin translation in Germany. Raleigh’s literary contemporaries -at this period included such illustrious men as Shakespeare, Bacon, -Hooker, and Marlowe. His book on Guiana is admitted to occupy the -foremost place among the volumes describing voyages and discoveries, -that appeared towards the end of the sixteenth and beginning of the -seventeenth centuries, and has been republished in Hakluyt’s _Voyages_ -and Purchas’s _Pilgrim_. - - - - -SIR WALTER RALEIGH, - -SAILOR, SCHOLAR, POET. - -CHAPTER VI. - -NAVAL EXPEDITIONS--TRIAL AND EXECUTION. - - -The desirability of further crippling or arresting the reviving -power of Spain, engaged the continued attention of the queen and her -advisers, but there was much vacillation, on the part of the queen, -with regard to actual operations. In 1596 a commission was appointed to -act as a council of war, consisting of the Earl of Essex, Lord Charles -Howard, High Admiral; Sir Walter Raleigh, and Lord Thomas Howard. -Raleigh was treated with the highest consideration as an experienced -and skilful naval authority. As Admiral of the Counties, he sent to the -Council a valuable report on the defence of Cornwall and Devon. He was -appointed collector of levies for a projected hostile expedition to -Cadiz. In the prosecution of this work he displayed robust activity, -recruiting all round the southern and south-eastern coasts, flitting -about from place to place between Plymouth, Dover, Gravesend, and -Blackwall as occasion required. On 1st June 1596, the forces collected -put to sea, and on the 20th cast anchor in the Bay of San Sebastian. -The English fleet, in four divisions, comprised 93 ships; an auxiliary -Dutch squadron numbered 24 additional. The combined fleet had on board -about 13,000 English soldiers and sailors, and 2600 Dutchmen. - -[Illustration: RALEIGH AS SAILOR, SCHOLAR, POET.] - -This English Armada of 1596 was the “return match” for the “most happy -and invincible Armada” of Philip of Spain, that visited, and was for -the most part scattered, upon our shores in 1588. The English force, -although very imposing, was much smaller than the array which Spain had -made. As has been stated, the combined fleet consisted of 117 ships, -carrying 15,600 men. The Spanish Armada embraced 130 ships, some of -them of enormous size, carrying about 30,000 men all told, including -“124 volunteers of quality, and 180 monks.” The Spanish expedition -attracted the flower of the nobility of the nation, and the English -Armada, in like manner, enlisted the sympathy, fired the patriotism, -and inflamed the martial ardour of the flower of English chivalry. -The most distinguished men in both arms of the service accompanied -the expedition. Even amongst such associates in council and comrades -in arms, Sir Walter Raleigh came to the front simply by his native -force and merits; even in such a galaxy he shone the bright particular -star--he was pre-eminently the hero of the expedition. - -At the beginning of the battle of Cadiz, Raleigh, in compliance with -the orders of the lord admiral, detached the ships under his charge -and the Dutch squadron from the main body, and took up a favourable -position for preventing the escape of Spanish ships from Cadiz -harbour. He was directed to watch, but not to fight unless attacked. -Lord Howard and the impetuous Essex, Raleigh being absent from their -council, determined to open the action by military, in preference to -naval operations--to land the soldiers and assault the town, leaving -the Spanish fleet alone for the time. Raleigh detected in this a false -and dangerous move, and despite his being a subordinate in command, -interposed with promptitude and courage. He came up with Essex in -the _Repulse_, when the embarkation of the soldiers was actually -in progress. There was a heavy sea running, making the landing an -enterprise to be attended with extreme difficulty and danger. He warmly -remonstrated with Essex, and declared that this course imperilled -their own lives, and risked the utter overthrow and ruin of the whole -expedition. Essex deferred to Raleigh’s superior experience, judgment, -and ability, and shifted the responsibility for the movement to the -lord admiral, to whom, on board the _Ark Royal_, Raleigh immediately -repaired,--now that he had boldly declared himself,--warmly supported -by the highest military officers of the expedition. Lord Howard was -converted to Raleigh’s views, which were in favour of immediate and -vigorous action, but on a different plan. From his own ship, the _War -Sprite_, Raleigh wrote a hurried letter to Lord Howard, advising the -order of battle, which included the attack by well-manned boats upon -the Spanish galleons, before they could be set on fire. Raleigh was at -his best in this crisis. He bore himself with graceful courtesy towards -his colleagues of the Council, and commanded, by his manifest grasp -of the situation, his skill, intrepidity, and genius for rapid and -vigorous action, their respect and admiration. Each of the four heads -of the force was eager to lead the van, but they generously conceded -the post of honour to Raleigh. Their final council before the action -was held late on the evening of June 20th. Cadiz was illuminated, and -its inhabitants carousing, and in the full enjoyment, as they supposed, -of perfect security. At daybreak on the 21st June, the splendid English -fleet swept into the harbour of Cadiz. Raleigh led in the _War Sprite_, -followed by Sir George Carew in the _Mary Rose_, Sir Francis Vere in -the _Rainbow_, Sir Robert Southwell in the _Lion_, Sir Conyers Clifford -in the _Dreadnought_, and another ship, the six being a considerable -distance in advance of the main body of the fleet. In front of them, -under the walls of Cadiz, were seventeen galleons that were the special -objects of attack. The forts and galleys opened fire upon the invading -squadron, making a target of the leading _War Sprite_. Raleigh answered -them not by shot from his guns, but, in contempt, by blasts from his -trumpets. In his account of the action, he says that “the _St. Philip_, -the great and famous ship of Spain, was the mark I shot at, esteeming -those galleys but as wasps.” The _St. Philip_ had a special claim upon -his attention. It was the _St. Philip_ and the _St. Andrew_ that had -been the principal actors in what Raleigh considered the murder of -his gallant friend and companion-in-arms, Sir Richard Grenville, who -in the fight at the Azores in 1591, in his ship the _Revenge_, with -a hundred men, faced in battle, and was crushed by, a Spanish fleet, -manned by fifteen thousand soldiers and sailors. Raleigh was determined -to avenge the death of his gallant friend and kinsman, or to perish in -the attempt. He came to anchor close to the galleons, and for three -hours the battle raged with great fury. Raleigh’s ship was suffering -severely, and he became impatient from the delay in the arrival of the -boats. He put on his skiff, and urged first Essex and afterwards the -admiral to make every possible effort to bring up the boats. During -this short parley, and Raleigh’s absence from his ship, some of the -other commanders, especially Sir Francis Vere in the _Rainbow_, had -attempted to supplant the _War Sprite_. Vere, the marshal, had a rope -attached from his own to Raleigh’s ship, to haul the _Rainbow_ abreast -of the leader. On Raleigh’s discovering this, he ordered the rope to be -thrown off, and for the remainder of the fight the _Rainbow_, excepting -a small part of the bows, was covered by the _War Sprite_. In Sir -Walter’s spirited description of the action, he says:-- - -“Having no hope of my fly-boats to board, and the earl and my Lord -Thomas having both promised to second me, I laid out a warp by the side -of the _Philip_ to shake hands with her, for with the wind we could not -get aboard; which, when she and the rest perceived, finding also that -the _Repulse_, seeing mine, began to do the like, and the rear-admiral -my Lord Thomas, they all let slip, and ran aground, tumbling into the -sea heaps of soldiers, as thick as if coals had been poured out of a -sack in many ports at once, some drowned, and some sticking in the mud. -The _Philip_ and the _St. Thomas_ burned themselves; the _St. Matthew_ -and the _St. Andrew_ were recovered by our boats ere they could get -out to fire them. The spectacle was very lamentable on their side; for -many drowned themselves; many, half burned, leaped into the water; very -many hanging by the ropes’ end, by the ships’ side, under the water -even to the lips; many swimming with grievous wounds, stricken, under -water, and put out of their pain; and withal so huge a fire, and such -tearing of the ordnance in the great _Philip_ and the rest when the -fire came to them, as if a man had a desire to see hell itself, it was -there most lively figured. Ourselves spared the lives of all after the -victory, but the Flemings, who did little or nothing in the fight, used -merciless slaughter, till they were by myself, and afterwards by my -lord admiral, beaten off.” - -In the action Raleigh received a serious wound in the leg, his flesh -was torn by splinters, which disabled him from taking part in the land -attack. Although his wound was excessively painful, he was unwilling -to be left behind, and had himself carried into Cadiz on a litter. But -a town in process of being sacked by soldiers freed from discipline -and restraint, grievously hurt as he was, and suffering the agony he -did, was no place for him, and he was speedily carried back to the -_War Sprite_. Early next morning, however, eager in spirit although -physically unfit for arduous duty, he went ashore again, and entreated -for leave to follow a fleet of richly-laden Spanish carracks, Indian -bound, that had escaped. The disturbance and excitement attending -the operations on land, prevented attention being given to Raleigh’s -request. In the interim of his waiting for authority, the Spanish -commander, the Duke of Medina Sidonia, settled the matter by burning -the whole fleet of rich argosies. Raleigh had the mortification of -witnessing the conflagration from the deck of the _War Sprite_. Of the -large fleet of Spain that had been completely defeated, only two ships, -the _St. Matthew_ and the _St. Andrew_, remained for the victors to -take home as prizes to England. - -[Illustration: ENGLISH FLEET BEFORE CADIZ.] - -Neither the lord admiral nor his colleagues on the Council concerned -themselves about sending home information about their proceedings. A -letter written by Raleigh to Cecil, dated 7th July, and taken home -by Sir Anthony Ashley, was the first news received in England of the -victory. An epidemic broke out in Raleigh’s ship, which could not be -effectively dealt with, and it was determined, 1st August, that he -should return with his ship to England, in company with two other ships -of the fleet. He arrived at Plymouth in six days. On the 12th he landed -at Weymouth, and proceeded to Sherborne for the rest and nursing of -which he stood so sorely in need. The remainder of the fleet returned -a few weeks later. Essex on the way home landed and pounced upon the -magnificent library of the Bishop of Algarve. He presented it to Sir -Thomas Bodley, to form the nucleus of the famous Bodleian Library, -which remaineth at Oxford until this day. - -Of such glory as attached to the destruction of the Spanish fleet, -Sir Walter Raleigh was entitled to the chief share. There was much -plunder, great destruction and loss of property, but little or no prize -money resulted from the great victory. The “Council of Four” agreed -that if the property available for prize money realised as much, the -lord admiral and Essex should have £5000 each, and Raleigh £3000; -subordinate officers and men according to the amount that the treasure -would “pan out.” The Earl of Essex gallantly assigned his share to his -venerable and royal lady, but he might have saved himself the trouble, -for “the good Queen Bess,” without consultation, or “by’r leave,” -scooped up the whole. She further blamed the victorious chiefs of the -expedition for having failed to bring home the Indian carracks, and -adding to her coffers the treasure with which they were laden! Raleigh -did all he could to procure restoration to favour, but the queen -continued relentless towards him. - -Raleigh’s hope and expectation of achieving credit and renown to -himself, and adding to the glory of his country, in connection with -“the large, rich, and beautiful empire of Guiana,” had slumbered while -other active enterprises engaged his energies, but they were now -revived. Towards the close of 1596 he sent out another expedition to -Guiana, under Captain Berrie, who brought back in the summer of 1597 a -glowing confirmation of Raleigh’s favourable report. About this time -he was received again at court, and appears to have been on the most -friendly terms with Sir Robert Cecil and the Earl of Essex. - -Essex, high in authority, with the assent of the queen, it may be -supposed, and of the Privy Council and chiefs of the services, designed -another expedition against Spain, and needed Raleigh’s assistance, -which was heartily given. He fully approved the object, as may be -inferred from his _Spanish Alarum_, which he wrote expressly to -stimulate and warn the Government against its old enemy. He felt -assured that as soon as Philip should think his power sufficient, -he would attempt reprisals for the crushing losses and humiliating -indignities that had been inflicted upon him in the face of the -world. Raleigh was decidedly of opinion that it would be best not to -wait Philip’s coming, but to go to him at home, or on the high seas. -Restored to power, Raleigh proceeded energetically to victual and -equip a powerful fleet. The Dutch contributed a contingent of twelve -ships. On the night of Sunday, 10th July 1597, the fleet sailed from -the rendezvous in Plymouth Sound, but soon got separated by a violent -storm. Some of the ships were lost; the others got back as they could -to Falmouth, Plymouth, and Tor Bay. On 18th August the fleet again -put to sea. The _St. Andrew_ and the _St. Matthew_, Spanish prizes, -revisiting their native shores as enemies, were disabled in the Bay -of Biscay, and had to be left at La Rochelle. Raleigh’s ship also -sustained an accident, which required his detention for repairs off -Lisbon. Essex left directions for Raleigh to hasten after him to the -Azores. Raleigh rejoined the main fleet under Essex at Flores, on the -15th September. A pinnace from India, fallen in with, gave the news -that the homeward-bound Spanish fleet was changing its course this -year. The English fleet was, in consequence of this information, and -as the decision of a council of war, divided, and the ships of the -fleet assigned their several posts. Fayal was to be taken by Essex -and Raleigh, the other islands by different appointed commanders. -Essex sailed first, leaving Raleigh taking in provisions at Flores. -Essex, after he had left, sent a letter to Raleigh to come on at -once to Fayal, and do his victualling there. Raleigh had completed -his work, and sailed at midnight; he had perhaps a better ship than -Essex, or could handle it better, and thus headed his superior. When -Raleigh arrived at Fayal with the _War Sprite_ and the _Dreadnought_, -Essex had not come up. The inhabitants immediately began to construct -defensive works, and to remove their most valuable effects inland. -Raleigh waited, chafing insufferably with impatience, for three days. -On the fourth day his patience was exhausted; he leaped into a boat -at the head of a storming party, and scaled the cliffs. The Spaniards -contested every foot of the road, but were completely defeated, and -Raleigh at the head of his four hundred and fifty men, entered Fayal, -a “town full of fine gardens, orchards, and wells of delicate waters, -with fair streets, and one very fair church.” - -Next morning Essex came creeping into the harbour. Raleigh went out -to meet and greet him. The impetuous earl felt mortified, doubtless, -at having been forestalled and eclipsed, and as he had those about -him envious of Raleigh, they would do what they could to inflame his -anger. Essex reproved Raleigh for breach of orders and articles, and -intimated that by taking Fayal without authority he had rendered -himself liable to the punishment of death. Raleigh defended himself, -and claimed that authority for what he had done had been given to him -by the queen’s letters patent. A reconciliation for the present was -patched up, and the fleet proceeded to St. Miguel, Raleigh being left -to watch the roadstead, in which he had not been posted long, ere an -Indian carrack of 1600 tons, laden with spices, unsuspectingly sailed -into what it took for a friendly Spanish fleet. Raleigh, at the head of -a party, made a prompt attempt to seize the vessel, but its commander -ran her ashore, enabled his crew to land, and set the ship on fire. It -was totally destroyed; he took, however, another carrack laden with -cochineal. Nothing else notable distinguished the voyage, in which -Raleigh, although not the highest in authority, was incontestably -the most prominent, active, and successful in action. He came home -in October, with his health greatly disordered and his strength much -impaired. - -In 1598, Raleigh resumed his duties at court as Captain of the Guard. -Although his office brought him into personal contact with the queen, -and he had well proved his loyalty and valour, these claims failed -to benefit him. Essex had never been as patient and painstaking in -serving and endeavouring to please the queen as Raleigh had been, -yet nothing he might have asked from her in reason would have been -denied him; but to the faithful Raleigh she would give nothing. He -desired the office of Vice-Chamberlain, which had become vacant; he -thought it not unreasonable that he should be raised to the peerage; -he would have been a very fit man to have been made Lord Deputy of -Ireland; but from all these offices he was excluded, and Cecil, his -professed friend, prevented him from being sworn on the Privy Council. -Life at court became unpleasant from the jarring and bad blood that -prevailed. Essex had been so far left to himself as to personally -insult the queen, whose conditions he declared were “as crooked as her -carcass.” True friendship had never existed between Essex and Raleigh, -and their relations did not improve by closer contact,--very much the -reverse; their dislike grew into hate. About this time Raleigh formed -another friendship that was to have much to do in effecting his ruin. -This dangerous friend was Henry Brooke, afterwards Lord Cobham, -Lady Cecil’s brother, who, with his brother, George Brooke, were the -champions of Arabella Stuart, cousin of James I., daughter of Charles -Stuart, a younger brother of Darnley, whom they conspired to support -by secret intrigues as heir to the throne. Raleigh got unwittingly -entangled with them, to his ultimate, although long-deferred, ruin. -The closeness of his intimacy with Cobham may be inferred from the -following letter, of date-- - - “BATH, _April 29, 1600_. - - “Here we attend you and have done this se’enight, and we still - mourn your absence, the rather that we fear your mind is changed. - I pray let us hear from you at least, for if you come not we will - go hereby home, and make but short tarrying here. My wife will - despair ever to see you in these parts, if your Lordship come - not now. We can but long for you and wish you as our own lives - whatsoever.--Your Lordship’s everest faithful, to honour you most. - - W. RALEIGH.” - -At intervals Raleigh did much good work in connection with his offices -as Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall, Warden of the Stannaries; affairs in -Ireland also engaged much of his attention. - -Sir Anthony Paulet, Governor of Jersey, died in August 1600, and -Raleigh was appointed his successor. He “entered into residence” in -October, Lady Raleigh and their little son Walter, now six years old, -witnessing his departure from Weymouth. As Governor he discharged his -duties with a breadth of view and a spirit of enterprise not often -manifested by such officials. From considerations of policy his first -intention was to destroy the castle of Mont Orgueil, but he was not an -iconoclast; its stately architecture and commanding position so charmed -him as to induce him to appoint a military guard for its preservation. -He established a trade communication for interchange of products -between Jersey and Newfoundland. In many ways he lightened the burdens -and improved the condition of the people, whom he ruled with wisdom, -justice, and beneficence. - -Essex was tried and executed in 1601. The friends of Essex stigmatised -Raleigh. A trap was laid for him by Sir Christopher Blount and others, -who attempted, but unsuccessfully, to assassinate Raleigh when he kept -an appointment on the river, off Durham House, to which they lured him. -Four shots were fired at him from a boat manned by Blount and some of -Essex’s servants. Raleigh escaped unhurt. Blount confessed having taken -part in this treachery, and on the scaffold asked pardon from Raleigh, -which was freely granted. Touching his enmity with Essex, Raleigh -states that he “shed tears for him when he died. I confess I was of a -contrary faction, but I knew he was a noble gentleman. Those that -set me up against him, did afterwards set themselves against me.” - -[Illustration: ST. HELIER, JERSEY.] - -In 1601, Raleigh had much trouble in connection with Meeres, bailiff -of the Sherborne estates, who was first aggressive and overbearing, -and when brought to account, insolent, malicious, and audacious; -clever enough to make much mischief, and cause his abused employer -much vexation and annoyance. He made himself amenable to the law, and -confessed that he had wrongously maligned Sir Walter. He was pardoned, -but pardon was not followed by repentance, and he continued as vicious -and troublesome as before. - -In September 1601, Henry IV. of France being at Calais, sent a -complimentary embassy, consisting of the Duke de Biron and a large and -brilliant retinue, to pay respect to Queen Elizabeth. The queen was -not in London at the time, and the remnant of her court left behind -were unequal to the duty of fitly entertaining the French chevaliers. -Raleigh happened, most opportunely, to pay a visit to London, and -exercised his accomplishments to good purpose in the entertainment of -the distinguished visitors, whom he escorted to Westminster, and to the -Bear Garden by way of variety. After “doing London,” he accompanied the -party, “by royal command,” to Hampshire, where the queen was the guest -of the Marquis of Worcester. In anticipation of the visit, and by the -queen’s desire, Raleigh wrote to Lord Cobham to join him, and assist -in entertaining the visitors. Raleigh’s letters to Cobham show that -they were on terms of intimate friendship. - -In November the Duke of Lennox visited London, with a delicate -diplomatic commission from James of Scotland touching the succession -to the English throne. Amongst others he saw Raleigh and Cobham, both -of whom he found unfavourable to the claims of the Scottish king. In -the complications which resulted from this important question of State -policy, Cecil, never a warm friend of Raleigh, became more unfriendly -and even hostile, and accused him of ingratitude. - -In 1602, Raleigh sent out commissioners to look after, and, if -possible, more firmly settle the colony of Virginia, which had now -occupied his attention for above a dozen years. His representatives -were his nephew, Bartholomew Gilbert, Captain Gosnoll, and Samuel -Mace. No definite results followed their expeditions, beyond their -supplying a link establishing Raleigh’s claim to be the founder of the -still inchoate colony. At home Raleigh devoted his time and attention -to the discharge of his numerous and onerous official duties. He was -at this time in poor health, very depressed in spirits, and pestered -by legal proceedings taken by his dismissed steward Meeres, with whom -Lord Thomas Howard, now Lord Howard of Bindon, Raleigh’s brother -commander in the Cadiz expedition, meanly and maliciously conspired. -Towards the close of 1602, Raleigh had what has been supposed his last -interview with Queen Elizabeth, who asked for his counsel with respect -to Irish affairs. He advised that the leaders of the malcontents -should be treated with rigorous severity. In the same year he sold -his great estates in Ireland to Boyle, Earl of Cork. Queen Elizabeth -died 30th March 1603. The loss of his protector and patroness was to -Raleigh ruinous and irreparable. His career up to this point--he was -now fifty-one years of age--had not been distinguished by unclouded -sunshine,--henceforth it was to be marked by unrelieved gloom. Of his -well-earned title to honour and fame he could not be wholly stripped, -but it was in the power of his enemies to deprive him of offices, -property, peace, and other conditions that made life worth living. He -entered now upon his decline and fall. - -King James received Raleigh roughly, and at once superseded him as -Captain of the Guard; Cecil was raised to the peerage as a mark of -favour. In May 1603, Raleigh, in terms of a royal warrant, was required -to surrender Durham House to the Bishop of Durham. He had expended -large sums upon the “rotten house” to which, as was now stated, he -had “no right.” The order to quit was most arbitrary and unjust. He -had received no notice, and was required in the space of a few days -to clear out his retinue of forty persons and twenty horses, with the -provision laid in for them. - -James was favourable to Spain and the Catholics; Raleigh never -repressed or concealed his hostility to both. Raleigh became involved -with Lord Cobham and George Brooke, brothers-in-law of Cecil, in an -alleged treasonable plot, the lines and objects of which it would be -difficult to define. Raleigh was arrested on 17th July, and immured in -the Tower on the information of his dastardly and dangerous friend, -Lord Cobham, the Judas who should have been consigned to the dungeon, -in place of his too confiding and credulous friend. In his depression -and desperation he attempted suicide. Anticipating death, he wrote an -extremely touching letter to his wife:-- - -“Receive from thy unfortunate husband,” he writes, “these last -lines.... That I can live never to see thee and my child more! I -cannot! I have desired God and disputed with my reason, but nature and -compassion have the victory. That I can live to think how you are both -left a spoil to my enemies, and that my name shall be a dishonour to -my child! I cannot!... Unfortunate woman, unfortunate child, comfort -yourselves, trust God, and be contented with your poor estate. I would -have bettered it, if I had enjoyed a few years. - -“What will my poor servants think, at their return, when they hear I -am accused to be Spanish, who sent them, at my great charge, to plant -and discover upon his territory! O God! O intolerable infamy!... For -the rest I commend me to thee, and thee to God, and the Lord knows my -sorrow to part from thee and my poor child, and let him know his father -was no traitor. Be bold of my innocence, for God--to whom I offer life -and soul--knows it.... And the Lord for ever keep thee and give thee -comfort in both worlds.” - -On 21st September, Raleigh, Cobham, and George Brooke were indicted at -Staines. The charge was “of exciting rebellion against the king, and -raising one Arabella Stuart to the crown of England.” This Arabella -Stuart was first cousin to James, being the daughter of Charles Stuart, -fifth Earl of Lennox, Darnley’s elder brother. Raleigh’s bitter enemy, -Lord Thomas Howard, afterwards Lord Howard of Bindon, and yet again -created Earl of Suffolk, had powerful influence amongst the higher -powers, and exercised his influence virulently against Raleigh to the -full extent of his power. Raleigh was repeatedly examined, and on -Thursday, 17th November 1603, put upon his trial before a Court of -King’s Bench, the court-room having been fitted up in the old episcopal -palace at Winchester. Lord Chief Justice Popham presided, and had with -him on the bench as commissioners, Sir Robert Cecil, Sir W. Wood, the -Earl of Devonshire, and Howard of Bindon, Earl of Suffolk, with judges -Anderson, Gawdy, and Warburton. Sir Edward Coke, Attorney-General, -prosecuted, with Serjeant Hale as his “junior.” - -The indictment against Raleigh was in effect-- - -That he did conspire, and go about to deprive the king of his -government, to raise up sedition within the realm, to alter religion, -to bring in the Roman superstition, and to procure foreign enemies to -invade the kingdom. That the Lord Cobham, the 9th of June last, did -meet with the said Sir Walter Raleigh in Durham House, in the parish -of St. Martins in the Fields, and then and there had conference with -him, how to advance Arabella Stuart to the crown and royal throne of -this kingdom, and that then and there it was agreed that Cobham should -treat with Aremberg, ambassador from the Archduke of Austria, and -obtain of him 600,000 crowns to bring to pass the intended treasons. It -was agreed that Cobham should go to Albert the Archduke to procure him -to advance the pretended title of Arabella, from thence, knowing that -Albert had not sufficient means to maintain his own army in the Low -Countries, Cobham should go to Spain to procure the king to assist and -further her pretended title. - -It was agreed, the better to effect all this conspiracy, that Arabella -should write three letters, one to the Archduke, another to the King -of Spain, and a third to the Duke of Savoy, and promise three things: -first, to establish a firm peace between England and Spain; secondly, -to tolerate the popish and Roman superstition; thirdly, to be ruled by -them in contracting of her marriage. - -[Illustration: SIR WALTER RALEIGH CONFINED IN THE TOWER.] - -And for the effecting these traitorous purposes, Cobham should return -by the Isle of Jersey, and should there find Sir Walter Raleigh, -Captain of the said isle, and take counsel of him for the distributing -the aforesaid crowns, as the occasion or discontentment of the subjects -should give cause and way. - -That Raleigh must be found guilty was a foregone conclusion. The -trial was a cruel mockery of the accused; a flagrant outrage upon -the spirit, even the mere name, of justice. One of the judges at -least--Gawdy--confessed on his death-bed that the procedure had -violated and “degraded the justice of England.” Coke attacked the -apparently deserted and friendless defendant with uncontrollable -ferocity, with a shameless abuse of his office. Instead of attempting -to prove his case by admissible evidence and legitimate arguments, he -discharged upon the defendant a torrent of coarse invective, that was -utterly disgraceful in the public prosecutor in a State trial. His -case was doubtless aggravated by the feeling that the man whom he was -privileged with permission to abuse was his superior, and bore himself -with a self-command and dignity of demeanour that Coke could appreciate -in another, but to which it was not given to himself to attain. - -The sole evidence(?) against Raleigh consisted of the alleged -declarations of persons with whom he was not confronted, as he -demanded to be. Coke, in successive speeches, denounced the defendant -with insensate rage, and in disgustingly clumsy phrases, as the -“notoriousest traitor,” the “vilest viper,” the “absolutest traitor -that ever came to the bar.” Raleigh had great difficulty in obtaining -a hearing, in checking the rushing stream of violent abuse. “You try -me,” said he, “as by the Spanish Inquisition, if you proceed only -by the circumstances, without two witnesses.” He pleaded that “by -the statute law and by God’s word it was required that there be two -witnesses. Bear me if I ask for only one; the common law is my support -in this. Call my accuser before my face, and I have done. All I hear -against me is but this accusation of Cobham. Which of his accusations -has he subscribed to or avouched?” Cobham, it appears, had made eight -different confessions, each conflicting in some points, or varying from -all the others. Coke’s answer to Raleigh’s reasonable plea was to heap -more violent, utterly irrelevant abuse upon him,--“Thou art the most -vile and execrable traitor that ever lived. I will make it appear that -there never lived a viler viper on the face of the earth than thou. I -want words to express sufficiently thy viperous treasons.” “You want -words, indeed,” interposed Raleigh, “for you have spoken one thing half -a dozen times; you speak indiscreetly, barbarously, and uncivilly.” - -Raleigh defended himself with signal ability, but in vain. Popham -summed up strongly against him, and the packed jury found him guilty. -The rumours in circulation against Raleigh had been accepted, and -before the trial popular fury raged against him. The effect of the -trial, the cruel, crushing injustice with which he was treated, caused -a reaction in his favour. So gross and palpable was the injustice done -to him, that even in the High Court, Popham was hissed and Coke was -hooted, by the portion of the public present during the proceedings. -The revolting terms of the sentence are too hideous to be recited. Many -weary years elapsed between Raleigh’s sentence and his execution. - -A number of persons really concerned in the conspiracy were tried -and condemned about the same time as Raleigh, and were executed. -The execution of others, including Raleigh, was stayed by the king, -although Raleigh had no knowledge of this. The Bishop of Winchester, -who was appointed to prepare him for execution, gave him no hope. -Believing himself at death’s door, he wrote a touching farewell letter -to his wife, in which he says:-- - -“Know it, dear wife, that your son is the child of a true man, and -who, in his own respect, despiseth death and all his misshapen and -ugly forms. I cannot write much. God knows how hardly I stole this -time, when all sleep; and it is time to separate my thoughts from the -world. Beg my dead body, which living was denied you; and either lay -it at Sherborne, if the land continue yours, or in Exeter Church, by my -father and mother. I can write no more. Time and death call me away.” - -From Wolvesley Castle, in which Raleigh was confined after his trial, -he was, after having received the announcement that his life was not -to be taken, removed to the Tower of London on the 16th December 1603, -and remained there a State prisoner for twelve years. He, of course, -lost his various offices and sources of income, excepting Sherborne, -which was coveted and greedily desired by court favourites and others. -Ultimately the estate was taken by the king, and £8000 paid as -purchase-money for the benefit of Lady Raleigh and her children. Many -of Raleigh’s voluminous writings were composed during the period of his -confinement in the Tower. - -The queen, who made the acquaintance of Raleigh about the year 1606, -was very favourably disposed towards him, as was also Prince Henry, a -most promising prince, who became warmly attached to the illustrious -prisoner, and would probably have been successful in obtaining his -release, had he been spared. He obtained from the king, indeed, a -promise of Raleigh’s release, but died before the stipulated date -had arrived. Influence on Raleigh’s behalf continued to be used with -the king, who at last gave way to the importunities of the captive’s -friends, and a warrant for his release from the Tower was signed by -James on the 30th January 1616. - -An express condition involved in Raleigh’s liberation was that he -should proceed at once to undertake preparations for, and to personally -conduct, another expedition to Guiana. This he set about with -promptitude and energy, investing in it the whole of what remained of -his fortune. Raleigh and his friends contributed to the enterprise an -aggregate of about £15,000. Raleigh was by royal commission appointed -commander of the expedition, which consisted of the _Destiny_, of 440 -tons, which was built under Raleigh’s personal direction, and six -smaller vessels. - -The fleet sailed in March 1617. It could not be regarded with hopeful -confidence. Raleigh’s description of the _personnel_ of the expedition -is decidedly unsatisfactory. “A company of volunteers who for the most -part had neither seen the sea nor the wars; who, some forty gentlemen -excepted, were the very scum of the world, drunkards, blasphemers, -and such others as their fathers, brothers, and friends thought it -an exceeding good gain to be discharged of, with the hazard of some -thirty, forty, or fifty pound.” Raleigh was commander of the fleet, -and his son Walter captain of the _Destiny_. Various delays occurred. -On the 12th June the fleet left Plymouth, but soon got separated by -stormy weather, and some of the ships turned back to Falmouth. The -fleet reassembled in Cork harbour, and remained there waiting for a -favourable wind for nearly six weeks. While thus detained, Raleigh -disposed as completely as possible, and on the best terms he could -command, of his remaining Irish leases and other interests in Ireland. -The fleet called at the Canaries and the Cape Verde Islands. After -encountering much rough weather, they sighted, on the 11th November, -Cape Orange, the most northerly point of the coast of Brazil; on the -14th they anchored at the mouth of the Cayenne River; and Raleigh, who -had been struck down by fever, was conveyed from the choky cabin to his -barge. From this place he writes to Lady Raleigh: “To tell you I might -be here King of the Indians were a vanity; but my name hath still lived -among them. Here they feed me with fresh meat and all that the country -yields; all offer to obey me. Commend me to poor Carew, my son.” Here, -also, Goodwin, the English lad left as exchange hostage on the occasion -of his first visit, twenty-two years before, came to do homage to his -old master. He was voluble in the Indian tongue, but had almost lost -ability to express himself in English. - -The state of his health incapacitated Raleigh from conducting the -expedition on the Orinoco and searching for the expected mines of the -precious metals--gold more especially. He despatched a party under the -command of Captain Keymis; his son Walter, and George Raleigh, his -nephew, accompanied the expedition. Its result was disastrous. Keymis -attacked a Spanish settlement--San Thomé; and young Walter Raleigh lost -his life in the fight. Keymis, with a remnant of the men left with -him, fled in the belief that a powerful Spanish force was in pursuit. -When Raleigh and Keymis met, the admiral was severe in his reproof, -and required from him such explanation of his conduct as he could give -for the satisfaction of His Majesty and the State. Keymis, in great -dejection, committed suicide. The crews mutinied, and became quite -unmanageable; and the ships returned, each as the crews could find -their way, to English ports. On the 21st May, Raleigh in the _Destiny_ -reached Kinsale harbour, and on the 21st June arrived at Plymouth, -infirm in body, broken in spirit, penniless, dejected, and destitute. - -Intrigues against Raleigh were originated and stimulated by Gondomar, -the Spanish ambassador. He was beset with spies, who ensnared him into -acts and confessions--to be employed against him. Sir Lewis Stukely, a -cousin of Raleigh, an infamous wretch, was the traitor of the miserable -drama. Again the grand old man had to stand his trial; the charge now -was, of having abused the king’s confidence by setting out to find gold -in a mine which never existed, with instituting a piratical attack upon -a peaceful Spanish settlement, with attempting to capture the Mexican -Plate fleet, although he had been specially warned that he would take -his life in his hands, if he committed any one of these three faults. - -Raleigh was tried before the Commissioners on 22nd October. He denied -having had any intention of stirring up war between England and Spain, -and declared that he had confidently believed in the existence of the -gold mine. He confessed that in case of his failing to find the mine, -he would if he could have taken the Mexican fleet. At the close of the -examination, Lord Francis Bacon, in the name of the commissioners, said -that he was guilty of abusing the confidence of King James, and of -injuring the subjects of Spain, and that he must prepare to die,--being -already civilly dead. Execution was ordered upon the Winchester -sentence of 1603. On the 28th October 1618 he was roused from his bed -in the Tower, where he lay suffering from a severe attack of ague. The -order of movement was so hurried that the barber remarked that his -master had not had time to comb his head. “Let them comb it that are to -have it,” said Raleigh. He had been brought first to Westminster Hall -from the Tower, and from the Hall was taken to the Gate House. On the -way he told his old friend, Sir Hugh Beeston, “to secure a good place -at the show next morning, adding that he (Raleigh) was sure of one.” -His cousin, Francis Thynne, suggested that he should be more serious, -lest his enemies should report his levity. Raleigh rejoined, “It -is my last mirth in this world, do not grudge it to me.” The good Dr. -Tounson, Dean of Westminster, a stranger to Raleigh, was puzzled by his -conduct, but confessed his admiration. After the execution, he reported -“he was the most fearless of death he had ever known, and the most -resolute and confident, yet with reverence and conscience.” - -[Illustration: LORD FRANCIS BACON.] - -It was late, on the evening before the date fixed for execution, when -Lady Raleigh knew that the end was so near. She hastened to the Gate -House, and remained till midnight with her husband, from whom she had -been so much parted involuntarily, and from whom she was to be so soon -finally separated in this life. - -In the morning the dean visited Raleigh in the Gate House, and -administered the Eucharist. He ate a hearty breakfast, and smoked a -pipe of tobacco. The servant brought him a cup of sack, and, after he -had drunk, asked if the wine was to his liking. “I may answer you,” -said Raleigh, “as the fellow did on his way to Tyburn. ‘It is good -drink, if a man might stay by it.’” As they passed through the dense -crowd that had assembled, Raleigh noticed a very old man bareheaded. He -pulled off the rich laced cap that he was wearing, and, throwing it to -the old man with the remark, “Friend, you need this more than I do,” -passed on himself bareheaded. - -On the scaffold he delivered an ingenious and eloquent speech that -occupied nearly half an hour. At the windows of an adjacent house -he noticed a number of noblemen and gentlemen with whom he had been -connected in his foreign adventures, or associated in public affairs. -Amongst others were the Earls of Arundel, Oxford, and Northampton. He -seemed anxious that they should hear his vindication of his conduct, -and apologised for the weakness of his voice, whereupon they came -down, solemnly embraced him, and took their places around him on the -scaffold. He prayed that the company might bear with him, because -this was the third day of his fever, which might cause him to show -weakness. “I thank God,” he said, “that He has sent me to die in the -light and not in darkness. I also thank God that He has suffered me to -die before such an assembly of honourable witnesses, and not obscurely -in the Tower, where for the space of thirteen years together I have -been oppressed with many miseries. And I return Him thanks that my -fever hath not taken me at this time, as I prayed to Him that it might -not, that I might clear myself of such accusations unjustly laid to my -charge, and leave behind me the testimony of a true heart both to my -king and country.” - -His speech was ingenious and eloquent, and well fitted to move the -sympathy of his hearers. He closed his address-- - - “And now I entreat that you will all join me in prayer to the great - God of heaven, whom I have grievously offended, being a man full of - all vanity, who has lived a sinful life in such callings as have - been most inducing to it; for I have been a soldier, a sailor, and - a courtier, which are courses of wickedness and vice; that His - almighty goodness will forgive me, that He will cast away my sins, - and that He will receive me into everlasting life.--So I take my - leave of you all, making my peace with God.” - -His friends lingered on the stage after visitors had been asked to -quit, and Raleigh himself requested them to leave, saying smilingly, “I -have a long journey to go, and must take my leave of you.” Turning to -the headsman, he asked to see his axe. “Let me see it, I prithee,” he -said, as the executioner hesitated. “Dost thou think that I am afraid -of it?” Feeling its keen edge, he turned to the sheriff, to whom he -said with a smile, “’Tis a sharp medicine, but one that will cure me -of all my diseases.” The executioner, greatly moved, begged Raleigh to -pardon him for this cruel duty his office imposed. Raleigh answered him -by a kindly touch on the shoulders and assuring words. Turning to the -people, to whom he bowed right and left, Raleigh cried aloud, “Give me -heartily your prayers.” He then lay down, and gave the directions to -the headsman, “When I stretch forth my hands, despatch me.” After a -brief space, in which he was supposed to be engaged in silent prayer, -he put out his hands, but the man was completely overcome, and could -not perform his office. Again he repeated the signal, and yet a third -time, saying, “What dost thou fear? Strike, man, strike!” At last he -did strike, and with two rapidly delivered blows completely severed -Raleigh’s head from his body. According to custom, the head was held -up in view of the people, but it is not recorded that they were called -upon to behold the head of a traitor! - -“All Europe,” says a biographer of last century, “was astonished -at the injustice and cruelty of this proceeding; but Gondamor, the -Spanish ambassador, thirsted for his blood, on account of his having -been the scourge of Spain during the reign of Queen Elizabeth; and -King James durst not refuse him the life of a man who, as a soldier, -a scholar, and a statesman, was the greatest ornament to his country. -This mean-spirited prince, to his eternal infamy, soon after ordered -Cortington, one of the residents of Spain, to inform the Spanish Court -how able a man Sir Walter Raleigh was, and yet to give them content, -he had not spared him, though, by preserving him, he would have given -great satisfaction to his subjects, and had at his command, upon all -occasions, as useful a man as served any prince in Christendom.” - - - - -THE PLANTING OF THE GREAT AMERICAN COLONIES. - -CHAPTER VII. - -“TO FRAME SUCH JUST AND EQUAL LAWS AS SHALL BE MOST CONVENIENT.” - - -After the accession of James to the throne of England in 1603, very -little happened of interest in connection with naval affairs, except -the unfortunate expedition of Sir Walter Raleigh already referred to. - -In 1617 there was an important sea-fight with the Turks, near Cagliari. -Towards the close of December 1616 the ship _Dolphin_, Captain Edward -Nicholl, left Zante, one of the Ionian Isles, with a full cargo for -the Thames. She was a craft of 220 tons, with a crew of thirty-six men -and two boys, and armed with nineteen pieces of cast ordnance and five -“murderers,”--a name given to small pieces of cannon made to load at -the breech. On the 8th January 1617 she sighted Sardinia. There was a -west wind, and at nine in the morning she stood inshore for Cagliari. -About noon she was close to two watch-towers from which cannon were -fired, as a signal that the guard wished to speak with the crew. The -object, not clearly understood, was to warn them that Turkish war -vessels were cruising off the coast. Early on 12th January they saw -a large vessel steering towards them. She was manned by armed men. -Soon five other vessels were descried. The ports were open, and they -were evidently bent on hostility. Preparations were accordingly made -for battle, when the captain thus addressed his men: “Countrymen and -fellows, you see into what an exigency it has pleased God to suffer us -to fall. Let us remember that we are but men, and must of necessity -die--where, and when, and how, is of God’s appointment; but if it be -His pleasure that this must be the last of our days, His will be done; -and let us, for His glory, our soul’s welfare, our country’s honour, -and the credit of ourselves, fight valiantly to the last gasp. Let us -prefer a noble death to a life of slavery; and if we die, let us die to -gain a better life.” - -The crew responded by a loud assent and cheers. The leading Turkish -vessel had fifteen hundred men on board. After a tremendous struggle, -in which one after the other of the enemy attacked the _Dolphin_, -she got safely into Cagliari, with the loss of seventeen men. The -captains of three of the Turkish war vessels were Englishmen. - -[Illustration: THE MAYFLOWER.] - -But the chief event of this period was the establishment of the great -English Colonies in North America. The first region colonised was -Virginia--so called, as has been stated, in honour of Queen Elizabeth. -A belt of twelve degrees on the American coast--from Cape Fear to -Halifax--was set apart to be colonised by two rival companies. The -first of these was composed of noblemen, gentlemen, and merchants in -and about London; the second of knights, gentlemen, and merchants in -the west of England. On the 19th December 1606, a squadron of three -vessels, the largest not exceeding 100 tons burden, sailed for “the -dear strand of Virginia, earth’s only paradise.” Michael Drayton, the -patriot poet of “Albion’s glorious isle,” cheered them on their voyage -in the following lines:-- - - “Go, and in regions far, - Such heroes bring ye forth - As those from whom we came; - And plant our name - Under that star - Not known unto our north.” - -A severe storm carried the fleet, which had sailed by way of the -Canaries and the West India Islands, into the magnificent bay of -Chesapeake. A noble river was soon entered, which was named after -King James, and on the 13th May 1607, the peninsula of Jamestown was -selected for the site of the colony. After many early struggles the -colony became settled, and in 1619 a Legislature was constituted. -The Church of England was established as the Church of Virginia. All -persons were to frequent Divine service upon the Sabbath-days, both -forenoon and afternoon. Penalties were appointed for idleness, gaming -with dice or cards, and drunkenness. And excess in apparel was taxed in -the church for all public contributions. Gradually the colony, which -was nurtured by a most influential company in London, became settled, -and it soon increased in prosperity. - -The New England Colony was founded about the same period. A Puritan -community in the north of England, being persecuted at home, fled to -Amsterdam in 1608. Their minister, a man of high character and great -ability, was John Robinson. The Dutch made them large offers to settle -in their colonies, but the pilgrims were attached to their nationality -as Englishmen, and to the language of their country. A secret, but -deeply-seated love of country led them to the resolution of recovering -the protection of their country, by enlarging her dominions. They -resolved to make a settlement of their own. They at first thought -of joining the colony of Virginia, but, after consultation with the -English Government, religious liberty was refused them. At length -they resolved to sail at their own hazard, and made ready for their -departure from Leyden. The ships which they had provided--the -_Speedwell_ of 60 tons, and the _Mayflower_ of 180 tons--could hold but -a minority of the congregation, and Robinson was therefore detained -at Leyden; while Brewster, the governing elder, conducted “such of -the youngest and strongest as freely offered themselves.” There were -solemn instructions given them, and there was much prayer. They soon -reached Southampton, and on the 5th August 1620 sailed from thence -for America. The _Speedwell_ put back, as unfit for the voyage, and -the _Mayflower_ at length, on 6th September, set sail alone with 102 -on board,--men, women, and children,--without any warrant from King -James. After a boisterous voyage of sixty-three days they cast anchor -in the harbour of Cape Cod. Before they landed they formed themselves -into a body politic by a solemn voluntary compact “to frame such just -and equal laws as shall be thought most convenient,” and they pledged -themselves to submission and obedience. They had to encounter terrible -difficulties in seeking for a secure harbour, in the midst of a cold -and stormy winter; but at length, on 11th December, they chose a spot, -which they called Plymouth. When a body of Indians was discovered -hovering near, the colony assumed a military organisation, with Miles -Standish as the captain. Again in April the _Mayflower_ sailed for -Europe; and in autumn new emigrants arrived. In the summer the bay of -Massachusetts and harbour of Boston were explored. The supply of bread -was scanty; but, at their rejoicing together after the harvest, the -colonists had great quantities of wildfowl and venison. They had many -difficulties, but conquered them all, and soon became a strong, free -community, of high moral character and devoted piety, though intolerant -in some of their laws, according to the spirit of the age. They became -a centre of attraction to many of the Puritans in England, and their -number thus increased rapidly. This colony laid the basis of the -principles of the United States constitution,--adopted a century and a -half later. It was the true foundation of the great American nation. - - - - -OLIVER CROMWELL AND THE SEA-POWER OF ENGLAND. - -CHAPTER VIII. - -A LONG INTERVAL IN NAVAL WARFARE ENDED. - - -Cromwell, with his great grasp of mind, saw at once the vast importance -of the English navy, which, during the civil wars, had been neglected, -and bent all his energies, not only to make it effective, but to give -it the supreme command of the seas. The Dutch had become, through -the long discords in England, the great traders of the world; they -now aimed at nothing less than securing naval supremacy. It was this -that brought about the fierce conflict between the two nations, both -Protestant, and both at the time liberal,--which lasted for several -years. The Dutch were unwilling to pay deference to the English -Commonwealth by showing the wonted respect to the English flag in -British waters. They probably thought that England was almost defunct -as a sea-power, and they knew little the ruler with whom they had -to deal. Cromwell had ulterior views, as to crushing the religious -despotism which, with Spain as its chief instrument, had been long -attempting to stamp out all Christian liberty. He could not proceed, -however, with his plans, while Holland lay behind him as a possible -enemy. Had the Dutch taken at the time a statesmanlike view of the -position, they would have hailed the English Commonwealth as fighting -the very battle which they themselves had fought,--and there might then -have been a union of the naval forces of the two nations, for the good -of the world, as afterwards, in the time of William III. But the Dutch -looked only to their passing commercial interests. It was they that, -by their exhibition of contempt for the English flag, originated the -war. The battles during this war were about the fiercest ever fought -on the seas. The result seemed uncertain for a time, but in the end -England gained the day, and Holland had to succumb. Then, with Holland -powerless, Cromwell was free to carry out his great policy, as to -Spain and the Catholic powers. The navy entered the Mediterranean, -where England had before no position at all, and swept everything -before it, under its brave and godly commander, Blake, who felt, as -did Cromwell, that he was fighting the universal battle of liberty of -conscience. When Piedmont massacred numbers of her subjects, belonging -to the ancient Vaudois Church, in the Alpine valleys, Cromwell was -in a position, through his navy in the Mediterranean, to _command_ the -cessation of the persecution, and he thundered forth in the ears of -astonished Europe, by his immortal secretary John Milton, such threats -as alarmed the whole array of persecutors, and compelled submission to -his demands,--for England now commanded the seas, and could sweep the -coast of Italy, and all Mediterranean territory. To the foresight and -statesmanship of Oliver Cromwell, John Milton, and Robert Blake is due, -in great part, the position which England has occupied ever since, as -the leading maritime power of the world. - -[Illustration: O Cromwell] - - - - -ROBERT BLAKE, THE GREAT ADMIRAL OF THE COMMONWEALTH. - -CHAPTER IX. - -HE ACHIEVED FOR ENGLAND THE TITLE, NEVER SINCE DISPUTED, OF “MISTRESS -OF THE SEA.” - - -To designate some of the naval heroes of early times gallant “sea -dogs,” is not disrespectful to these worthies. Dashing courage, -indomitable perseverance, and open-handed generosity, were the -qualities, by which they were chiefly distinguished. But to apply such -an epithet to Robert Blake, “Admiral and General at Sea,” would be -altogether unsuitable. - -Grave, scholarly, courageous, generous, disinterested, wise in counsel, -valiant in war, Admiral Blake occupied a high place among the men of -his time. He has been pronounced one of the most perfect characters of -his age. - -Robert Blake was born at Bridgewater, Somersetshire, in 1598, the -year before that in which Oliver Cromwell first saw the light. His -father, Humphrey Blake, was possessed of landed property, and was also -a merchant adventurer. He belonged to what Fuller, in his _Worthies_, -calls the “middle-sized gentry.” The first portion of his education -he received at the Bridgewater grammar school. When sixteen years -of age he entered St. Alban’s Hall, Oxford, and afterwards shifted -to Wadham College. He remained at Oxford for nine years, and had -probably a stronger inclination to follow a scholastic life than for -the adventurous career he passed through. He felt drawn into the great -struggle of his time by his position and his sense of duty; the hurry -and distracting influences of the life of after years never took away -either the taste, which had made him learned, or the earnestness which -had made him a Puritan. - -In the year 1625, Robert was recalled home on account of the illness -of his father, whose business affairs were in a very unsatisfactory -condition. The father died in embarrassed circumstances, and upon -Robert devolved the charge of his widowed mother and a large family, -with a somewhat straitened income. He discharged his duties as head -of the family with fidelity and success, and conducted himself in an -exemplary manner in his domestic, social, and business relations. His -brothers and sisters made their way in the world, married, and settled -respectably. - -At the time of Blake’s return to Bridgewater, State affairs and the -relations between the sovereign and his subjects were causing much -excitement and turmoil. Charles I. was at war with his Parliament, and -wringing taxes illegally from his people, which many of them resisted. -The king’s Catholic consort, Henrietta Maria, daughter of Henry IV. -of France, hated the Puritans, and urged Charles to the exercise of -absolute power, in resisting their reasonable demands. His first -and second Parliaments refused the supplies he demanded. His third -Parliament wrung from him assent to the famous “petition of right,”--a -second Magna Charta,--which he nominally granted, but in practice -resisted. From 1629 to 1640 there had been no meeting of Parliament; in -1640, when the Short Parliament, as it was called, was summoned, Blake -was returned as representative for Bridgewater. In 1645 he was elected -for Taunton to serve in the Long Parliament. - -Oxford was not a likely nursery for Puritans, but Blake was a man -of independent mind, and of resolute character. He considered the -dissolution of the Short Parliament a declaration of defiance to the -people on the part of the king, and took it as a signal for action, -and declared for the Parliamentarians. He raised a troop of dragoons, -who were among the first of the Parliamentary army that took the -field; they were engaged in almost every action of importance in -the western counties. Blake, although himself only a raw, untrained -volunteer, distinguished himself above all the men about him, in the -“marvellous fertility, energy, and comprehensiveness of his military -genius”--evidence of native superiority. It has been stated that -Prince Rupert alone, in the Royalist force, could be compared to him -as a commander and leader. Blake distinguished himself by his gallant -defence of Prior’s Hill fort, at the siege of Bristol in 1643, which -he would have held, but for the surrender by his chief, Colonel -Fiennes. In his next command, Blake had not a pusillanimous commander -to overrule him, and showed conclusively the stuff he was made of. He -had won the confidence of the Parliament, and was appointed to the -Somerset Committee of Ways and Means, and to the lieutenant-colonelcy -of Popham’s regiment, a body of stalwart Roundheads, fifteen thousand -strong. He made an entry into Bridgewater, with the intention of -seizing the castle, but finding that the attempt would be foolhardy, -he desisted, and marched with his regiment to Lyme, where he was -wanted for the defence of the place. He had a sad memory to carry -away from this visit to the familiar scenes of the home of his youth. -His younger brother Samuel, who was with his force, strayed from -headquarters, and boldly attacked a Royalist recruiting party he fell -in with. He was slain in the fray. When the news reached the town, -the officers were greatly distressed. Colonel Blake suspected from -their grave conferences that there was something wrong, of which -they were reluctant to tell him. He demanded information, which was -given reluctantly in the communication, “Your brother Sam is killed,” -explaining how the thing came to pass. The colonel’s grave response -was, “Sam had no business there.” Retiring, however, to the Swan Inn, -he shut himself up in a room, and mourned bitterly the loss of his -brother. - -Colonel Blake’s defence of the “little vile fishing town” of Lyme, as -Clarendon contemptuously calls it, was a brilliant service. It was -besieged by Prince Maurice after he had failed in an attempt to take -Plymouth by storm. It was a small place, with a population of about -a thousand inhabitants. The natural defences were very weak. The -Cavaliers in descending from the heights behind the town, drove in -Blake’s outposts, charged with horse, and a shower of hand grenades. -The prince summoned Blake to surrender, but the summons was only -answered by a fire that emptied many saddles, threw the attacking force -into confusion, and compelled them to retire. Day after day, from week -to week, the attack was renewed by siege trains and storming parties, -in which many gallant Cavaliers were slain. Charles was at Oxford, -where he and his court waited in anxious expectation the defeat of -Blake and the fall of Lyme, the successful defence of which seemed a -marvel and a mystery. Instead of receiving the welcome news of Blake’s -defeat, they had the mortifying intelligence, that his spirited defence -was rousing and rallying the dispersed Parliamentary party in those -parts. After a protracted siege, Warwick’s fleet arrived, in time to -save Colonel Blake and his besieged heroes from being starved out. The -siege was raised, after a loss to the Royalists of two thousand men, -many of them of noble and gentle blood,--Blake’s fire having been more -deadly, and the cause of heavier loss, than all the actions in the West -since the commencement of the war. - -Blake’s name and fame were now established, and he had proved his -capacity sufficiently to be trusted to cut out his own work. All -over the western counties the Cavaliers had strong fortresses, and -consequently a line of communication. Blake saw that the possession -of Taunton by his party would be of vital importance. He made a -rapid march upon it, and carried it almost without encountering -resistance. This was on the 8th of July 1644, six days after Cromwell -and the Scots had defeated Prince Rupert at the battle of Marston -Moor. The possession of Taunton was as important to the Cavaliers as -it was to the Parliamentarians, and troops poured round the lines -that had been formed for the defence of the inland town. Blake, who -had been invested with office as Governor of Taunton, was summoned -to surrender, but a deaf ear was turned to the summons. Again, the -Governor of Bridgewater, Wyndham, sent an earnest entreaty to his old -neighbour and fellow-townsman to accept the liberal terms of surrender -offered, but Blake was influenced by a sense of public duty with which -considerations of friendly ties or his own personal safety and comfort -could not be allowed to interfere. Appeals to the patriot were made in -vain, and so the siege began. - -[Illustration: ADMIRAL BLAKE.] - -Governor Wyndham, who had charge of the attack, formed a blockade, -barricading the roads with trees. A clever German officer who joined -Blake made a dashing attack on Wyndham’s line, and broke it, which gave -a short relief; but Goring’s forces came up from Weymouth to join in -the attack, their track marked by every horror that can accompany civil -war. Many of the inhabitants, to escape slaughter, fled before Goring -to the besieged town, as to a sanctuary. Taunton excited the king’s -party to fury; numerous councils were held, and various plans proposed, -to effect its speedy subjugation. Their whole power was brought to -bear upon it. Blake’s defence exhibited a rare combination of civil -and military genius. The spectacle was one of the most remarkable ever -presented in the history of battles and sieges. An inland town, without -walls for defence, or any natural protection, surrounded by strong -castles and garrisons, and invested by an enemy numerous, watchful, -and well supplied with artillery,--the defenders successfully resisting -the attacks persistently made upon it for months. This stubborn -resistance paralysed the king’s power, and gave to Cromwell the -opportunity, of which he took full advantage, of remodelling his army. -The besieged town was surrounded, as by a wall of fire. The suburbs -were burned and pillaged, and the outer houses of the town crumbled -into rubbish before the continuous shower of cannon balls. The brave -defenders suffered the pangs of famine, but Blake’s zeal sustained -their drooping courage and continued resistance. One of his answers, -during a parley, to a repeated summons to surrender, was that he had -four pairs of boots left, and would eat three pairs of them before -he would give in. Another time, when threatened that when the town -surrendered, unless it surrendered now, all but seven persons found in -it would be put to the sword, his reply was, that he wanted the names -of the seven, and their bodies would be sent out. He and his brave -comrades were almost in the last stage of suffering and peril when -Fairfax sent four regiments to his relief, and the siege was raised on -the 11th May 1645. - -The country around Taunton was terribly devastated, and almost -completely depopulated, and the spectacle presented by the town -inexpressibly shocking. This remarkable siege, which lasted a year, -attracted the attention and admiration of foreign military critics, -who did Blake the honour of pronouncing Taunton the modern Saguntum. -Goring, the Royalist commander, had sworn fiercely that he would take -the town, or leave his body in the trenches. He did neither, but beat a -sullen retreat. - -Blake’s victory was a great triumph for Parliament, which voted him -thanks, and a gift of £500. Although elected to sit in Parliament for -Taunton, and now regarded as a distinguished national hero, he did not -attend Parliament, or put himself in the way of the popular ovations -that many would have courted rather than avoided. It is believed that -he had no sympathy with the regicides, and reported, indeed, concerning -his feelings on this subject, that he would “as freely venture his -life to save the king as he had ventured it to serve the Parliament.” -He was a practical and a moderate man, and a gentleman, and had only -opposed the king, because the king’s policy and conduct had been, as he -considered, unjust, and dangerous to Protestantism and the State. With -the king in prison, and his cause defeated, Blake was satisfied. - -It was not desirable, Cromwell and his party probably thought, that -a man possessing, deservedly, such commanding influence, of such -independent mind, and holding opinions so moderate, should be near the -centre of affairs or intrigues. Some such considerations may have led -to his being appointed to the chief naval command. He possessed in an -eminent degree the higher qualities necessary in a naval commander, but -their cultivation was commenced at an unprecedentedly late period in -life. If he had commenced his nautical training early, and continued it -during the whole of his life, he could scarcely have achieved higher -fame than he did, though his naval career began at fifty years of age. -He vacated his comparatively quiet post of Governor of Taunton--his -chief duties connected probably with the rebuilding of the town--to -assume office as “General and Admiral at Sea,” a title afterwards -changed to “General of the Fleet,” and again to “Admiral of the Fleet.” - -Blake’s career and history are unique; among its greatest men, the -world has rarely seen an accomplished scholar, a famous general, and -still more famous admiral, with such a splendid record, united in -one and the same man. The scope of his powers, the strength of his -character, his wonderful ability to adapt himself to his position and -surroundings, the rapidity with which he acquired knowledge,--in a -word, his master mind, were abundantly displayed in the command of a -force, that employed a language and conducted operations with which he -had been previously entirely unacquainted. - -It has been conjectured that the Blakes of Somersetshire came -originally from Northumberland, and that the “forbears” of the -Northumbrian Blakes, Blackes, or Blaks, a Scandinavian name, hailed -from Norway or Denmark. - -Blake joined the fleet on the 18th April 1649, eight months after the -revolt of a part of the fleet to the Royalists. His first expedition -was against his old adversary, Prince Rupert, who had also taken to -the sea, and whose exploits were not of a very dignified character, -consisting of picking up merchant ships in the Channel, and conveying -them to Kinsale harbour, on the south coast of County Cork. Blake -blockaded the prince for a long time, but he contrived to escape, -with the loss of three ships, and made for Portugal, whither Blake -followed, and again blockaded him in the river Tagus. Here Blake seized -the Brazil fleet of the King of Portugal, and afterwards pursued and -harassed Rupert, hither and thither, in the Mediterranean. Blake -destroyed the principal part of the prince’s fleet at Carthagena, -and Rupert escaped with three ships to the West Indies. He had been -sheltered for a time at Toulon, which Blake avenged by taking several -French ships. This first cruise in the Mediterranean by Admiral Blake -was the beginning of our maritime influence and ultimate ascendency in -those important waters. - -The admiral’s maritime operations were watched with lively interest at -home, and the result of his first cruises to Ireland, Portugal, and the -Mediterranean was to fairly inaugurate his naval fame. It had seasoned -him in his new profession, and made him every inch a sailor. He very -soon commanded the confidence of the men,--became among them, indeed, -an object of almost affectionate adoration. The naval system of the -time stood greatly in need of reform, and no man could have been found -more capable and willing to effect needed reforms than Blake. His care -for the wellbeing of the men, and his progressive reforms, commenced -at once with his going on board. It has been said concerning him that -“he was from first to last England’s model seaman. Envy, hatred, and -jealousy dogged the steps of every other officer of the fleet.” The -Council of State conferred upon him almost unlimited powers, which he -exercised with masterly success, startling officials and others by -his bold and independent action, and contempt for established routine -and red-tape, when they stood in the way of what he considered the -best means for attaining desired ends. With but slender resources he -performed extraordinary exploits. He effectually suppressed Prince -Rupert, and put an end to his freebooting performances, and next -directed his attention to Sir John Grenville in the Scilly Isles, -and Sir George Cartaret in Jersey, who were seizing and plundering -homeward-bound traders. It had been an axiom before Blake’s time that -ships were not expected to attack, and should not waste power in -attacking, castles. He had no respect for the restriction, and brought -down the strongholds that the piratical Cavaliers had established in -Scilly, Guernsey, and Jersey. The unfortunate Cavaliers whom the civil -war had ruined, who had found refuge in these islands, and occupation -in plundering at sea, were thus dispersed. For his services Blake was -again thanked by Parliament, and voted a thousand pounds. He was also -honoured with the appointment of Warden of the Cinque Ports. - -In the year 1652, Blake had reached the age of fifty-three, but -was still young and inexperienced as commander of a fleet. Able or -otherwise, competent or incompetent, he was forced into conflict with -the most thoroughly experienced, courageous, and competent naval -commander, and the most powerful navy of the time--that of Holland. -It had to be settled, whether England or Holland was to be sovereign -of the seas. The foes that Blake had hitherto encountered at sea, -such as Prince Rupert, Grenville, and Cartaret, were comparatively -insignificant; he was now called upon to defeat, or be defeated by, -such redoubtable and experienced naval commanders as Van Tromp, De -Witt, and De Ruyter. Van Tromp, who of the trio named was Blake’s first -antagonist, was the son of a famous sea-captain, and had been afloat -since he was ten years old. - -Blake’s first encounter with Van Tromp was caused by an act of -defiance on the part of the Dutch. During the civil wars in England -they had acquired great naval power and commercial prosperity. They -wished to combat, therefore, the long maintained supremacy of the -English flag in the narrow seas, where foreigners were accustomed to -strike their colours on meeting our flag. Van Tromp, with a fleet of -forty-five men-of-war, appeared in the Downs, where Blake was lying. -Blake had only twenty ships with him, but, on the approach of the Dutch -admiral’s ship, he fired three shots across his bows, to require him -to show the usual respect to the flag, in seas considered to be under -British dominion. Van Tromp answered with a broadside, and hung out the -red flag as a signal for an engagement. Blake, in a vehement passion, -curling his whiskers, as he used to do when angry, answered in kind, -and for some time stood alone in his flag-ship against the whole force -of the enemy, when, the rest of the squadron coming up, the battle went -on from four P.M. till nine,--the Dutch then retreating, and leaving -two of their vessels in his hands. - -Blake continued to master the Channel. All pretence of reserve being -thrown away, in consequence of the late engagement, he exerted all -his power to harass the enemy’s trade, and to fit out such vessels -as had fallen into his hand for immediate service against them. His -cruisers brought prizes into port almost daily during the latter part -of May and June. One day he received intelligence that a Dutch fleet -of twenty-six traders, convoyed by three men-of-war, was coming up the -Channel. They were all captured, traders and convoy, and the latter -immediately manned and fitted for service. In less than a month, to -the surprise and ecstasy of the Londoners, he had sent into the river -more than forty rich prizes, captured in open sea from their vigilant -and powerful enemy. The Dutch merchants were compelled to abandon the -Straits. Their argosies from the south of Europe, and from the East -and West Indies, had either to run for safety into French ports, and -send their cargoes overland at an immense loss, or make the long and -dangerous voyage round by the north. This brilliant success vivified -the Council of State with new life. Orders were given to strengthen -Dover pier. Forty sail were added by a vote to the fleet. At Blake’s -suggestion, six additional fire-ships were prepared. The seamen’s wages -were raised; and the vice-admirals of all the maritime stations from -Norfolk to Hampshire were requested to summon together all mariners -between the ages of fifteen and twenty, young, ardent, docile, and -engage them in the State’s service. The Council of State, of which -Blake was a member, resolved that the entire fleet should be raised to -250 sail and 14 fire-ships. At the end of one month from the fight off -Dover, the energetic admiral could count with patriotic pride no less -than 105 vessels, carrying 3961 guns under his flag. - -[Illustration: BATTLE BETWEEN BLAKE AND VAN TROMP, - -_Off Dover, 10th December 1652._] - -“The Dutch preparations for the campaign were also made ‘on the -grandest scale.’ In a few weeks their renowned admiral, ripe in age, -honours, and experience, saw himself at the head of 120 sail of -ships--a power more than sufficient, in the opinion of every patriotic -Dutchman, to sweep the English navy from the face of the earth.” - -Blake proceeded to the North Sea, in the _Resolution_, of sixty-eight -guns, accompanied by a squadron of smaller vessels, to disperse the -great herring fleet of the Dutch. While in the North Sea on this -service, Van Tromp followed him with a large fleet; but a tremendous -storm scattered the Dutch forces, shattering on the rocks some of the -vessels, and dispersing the others, so that the Dutch admiral had to -return home to refit his vessels. Blake had kept his fleet together -under shelter of the mainland of the Shetland Islands, and although -he had not escaped without serious injury to many ships, he had not -suffered nearly so much. He hung in the rear of the disabled Dutch -ships, ravaged the coasts of Zealand, and reached Yarmouth with prizes -and nine hundred prisoners. Clamorous at a reverse in a fleet from -which victory had been expected, a Dutch mob insulted Van Tromp, and, -in a fit of disgust, he laid down his commission, and retired into -private life. - -We may note here Van Tromp’s career. At ten years old, he was present -in his father’s ship at the famous battle fought against Spain under -the walls of Gibraltar in 1607. Shortly after that memorable event, -he was captured by an English cruiser, after a brisk engagement, in -which his father lost his life. Two years and a half he was compelled -to serve in the menial capacity of cabin-boy on board the captor,--and -thus were the seeds of hatred to England and the English sown in his -proud and passionate heart. Once planted, this hatred grew with his -growth, and strengthened with his strength. For a long time his life -was passed on board fishing-boats and merchantmen; but his nautical -genius was irresistible, and he fought his way through legions of -obstacles to high command. At thirty years old he was confessedly -the ablest navigator in Holland. More than twenty years he had now -commanded his country’s fleet with success against Spain,--and had done -more than any other individual to humble the pride and reduce the power -of that extensive empire. - -The States-General of Holland associated De Ruyter with De Witt in the -supreme command of the Dutch navy; Blake and Ayscue were associated -in the command of the force which was to meet the next attack to be -delivered by the Dutch against the English in English waters. Meantime -Blake, with characteristic judgment and promptitude, delivered a blow -in another direction. He overhauled and defeated a French squadron on -its way to relieve Dunkirk from the siege of the Archduke Leopold. -Blake’s intervention was completely successful, and ensured prevention -of the use of Dunkirk by the Dutch against the English, with the -connivance of the French Government. This prompt action on Blake’s part -was evidence of his genius and of his keen perception as a commander, -and of the confidence reposed in him by the Commonwealth. - -Much more imposing events in Blake’s career than any hitherto recorded -were now pending. It had to be determined whether the English or Dutch -were to be “Mistress of the Seas.” On the 28th September 1652, the -Dutch fleet were off the North Foreland under De Witt, De Ruyter, and -Evertsen. Blake, in the _Resolution_, at about four o’clock in the -afternoon, bore down upon them, signalling the ships of his squadron -to reserve their fire for close quarters,--and a murderous fire it was -at close quarters till nightfall,--when the Dutch drew off, but still -fighting. Two of the Dutch ships went down in the action, and two were -carried, by boarding. Next morning, De Witt would have continued the -fight, but De Ruyter and Evertsen refused to renew the action, and the -Dutch fleet, terribly cut up, went home. Blake pursuing, was received -with scorn and contempt; but his return was hailed with enthusiasm by -his grateful countrymen. - -The States, with wonderful energy and rapidity, got together another -great fleet to sweep English waters of any power that might dare -to oppose it. It was commanded by Van Tromp, De Ruyter, Evertsen, -and Floritz. Blake’s commission was renewed as General and Admiral -of the Fleet, with General Monk and Colonel Deane as colleagues. -Not anticipating a renewed attack in force by the Dutch, Blake had -separated his force for a number of duties to different destinations, -and had only retained a fleet of thirty-seven ships, including -frigates, in the Channel. With this small force he had to meet Van -Tromp at the head of a hundred Dutch men-of-war. Notwithstanding the -enormous disparity of force, Blake did not flinch, but stood to his -guns, and for once, as was not to be wondered at, had the worst of the -fight. In evidence that he had swept the sea, Van Tromp cruised along -the south coast with a broom at his mast-head. Blake was dissatisfied -with the conduct of some of his commanders, and asked to be relieved -of his command. His proffered resignation was not accepted; on the -contrary, the Council of State thanked him for his conduct in the -engagement. Blake’s own brother Benjamin had not conducted himself to -the admiral’s satisfaction, and he was sent ashore,--no excuse he could -offer availing to avert the disgrace. - -In February 1653, Blake was again at sea with a fleet of sixty ships, -with Monk and Deane and a force of soldiers on board. With him were -Penn as vice-admiral, and Lawson as rear-admiral. On the 18th, -Van Tromp was sighted near Cape de la Hogue; he was in charge of a -considerable convoy of merchantmen. As if eager for the fray, he left -them to windward, and bore down upon the English. The leading ships of -the English, in which were the three admirals, were considerably ahead -of Monk and the main body of the fleet, for whom, however, they did not -wait. Van Tromp in the _Brederode_ passed on the weather-side of the -_Triumph_, into which he poured a broadside, which he repeated from -under the lee. The rearward ships of the English fleet came up with all -speed, and a terrific general action ensued. The incessant roar of the -guns was heard with exciting interest on both sides of the Channel, -proclaiming the fierce struggle between the sea giants. In the action -itself and around it, startling evidence abounded of its destructive -character, and the resolute purpose and fierce valour of the combatants -on both sides. Here, a ship on fire belching its towers of lurid flame -into the cold wintry sky; there, two opposing ships crashing against -each other; in another place, the wild shouts of the boarders, making -headlong charges, met, repulsed, and renewed with varying fortune. The -battle commenced in the forenoon; Monk, with the white division of the -English fleet, came up at noon, and the whole of the forces continued -engaged during the remainder of the day. The day’s action cost the bold -and bellicose Van Tromp eight of his ships by destruction or capture. -Sorely crippled and deeply wounded, but not subdued, he retreated, only -to look after the merchantmen of his convoy that looked to him for -protection. Several of Blake’s fleet had been boarded, but recaptured; -one of his ships, the _Sampson_, had the captain and a large number -of the men killed; those who remained were transferred to Blake’s -own ship, the _Triumph_,--and the _Sampson_ was allowed to drift to -leeward. The _Triumph_ and her crew suffered greatly in the action; -Ball the captain was killed, the men were mown down at their guns, -Blake himself was wounded in the leg, and the decks ran red with blood. -The long night was spent in sending away, and otherwise caring for, the -wounded, and in preparing for a renewal of the conflict on the morrow. - -Enclosing his convoy in such position as he thought would best enable -him to protect them, Van Tromp sailed up channel with them in the -morning with a light breeze. Blake followed him up, and a running fight -was kept up throughout the second day, at the close of which Van Tromp -had lost five more of his ships, and he retreated towards Boulogne. -It was the Dutch commander’s misfortune to be clogged by subordinates -who were unworthy to serve under such a courageous leader. Some of -his cowardly captains who advised retreat were indignantly ordered -to retire, and did so during the night. On the morning of the third -day, Blake renewed the attack upon Van Tromp’s reduced forces,--the -gallant Dutchman suffering grave disadvantage from the encumbrance -of his convoy, as well as from the demoralisation of a part at least -of the officers and men of the fleet. He endeavoured to send off -the merchantmen to Calais, but the wind was against them, and the -merchantmen and fighting ships got mixed up, hindering his effective -action. Blake, of course, made legitimate use of his advantages, and, -pressing him hard, drove the defeated Dutch admiral--the broom no -longer at his mast-head--to take shelter with the remnant of his fleet -on the French coast. In the morning it was found that Van Tromp had -departed, carrying the news of his own defeat. So ended this famous -battle, in which the English loss was great and grievous, but that -of the enemy much more disastrous. The flag-ship _Triumph_ suffered -greatly in its encounters with Van Tromp’s ship, the two commanding -admirals and their respective ships being much engaged in close -encounter with each other. Captain Ball of the _Triumph_ was shot dead; -Mr. Sparrow, Blake’s secretary, fell at his feet while taking his -orders; a hundred of the crew were killed, and about as many wounded; -the _Fairfax_ had a hundred men killed, the _Vanguard_ and other ships -also suffering severely. Van Tromp’s ship was disabled, and the greater -part of its officers slain. Eight men-of-war and a large number of the -Dutch merchantmen fell into the hands of the English. The Dutch loss in -the three days’ engagement has been stated at eleven men-of-war, thirty -merchantmen, fifteen hundred killed, and as many wounded. The English -only lost one ship, the _Sampson_, which, as stated, was allowed to -drift and founder, after the crew were taken off. Blake made effective -use of the soldiers on board, this being one of the earliest occasions -of the many upon which the marines, as they are now called, have highly -distinguished themselves in action. - -Blake’s great victory caused much jubilation in London; a national -thanksgiving was appointed, and a Patriotic Fund was formed for the -benefit of the widows and children of the men who had fallen in the -conflict. Blake remained for a time at St. Helen’s, refitting and -preparing for what might next happen in the way of a Dutch attack. -Learning that Van Tromp was again preparing for sea, Blake proceeded to -the Texel, where he did not exactly flourish a broom in sight of the -enemy, but treated him with like provocation, without effect, however; -and he next proceeded with a small squadron, with which he cruised -for a time off the east coast of Scotland, where he was on 20th April -1653, when Cromwell came down to the House of Commons, drove out the -Rump Parliament, locked the door of the House, and put the key in his -pocket. Admiral Blake did not personally figure as a politician in -these important State events. As a commander of the State forces, he -held that it was not his “business to mind State affairs, but to keep -foreigners from fooling us,” and he remained afloat at his post. - -[Illustration: ADMIRAL VAN TROMP.] - -In June the Dutch again made a marine parade in the Channel, with -a hundred and twenty ships of war, carrying four admirals. Admiral -Lawson of the blue squadron first fell in with them, and engaged De -Ruyter on the forenoon of the 2nd June. The ships of both fleets came -up promptly, and a desperate broadside engagement at close quarters -ensued. The fight was continued to the close of the long summer day, -and after a few hours’ interval and some manœuvring, was renewed with -unabated fury in the morning. Blake, who had joined the Channel fleet -with his squadron from the North, had with him his nephew, also a -Robert Blake, a young hero who distinguished himself by breaking the -Dutch line, amid the roaring cheers of the men of the English fleet. -Van Tromp was furious, and his men on board the _Brederode_ performed -desperate feats of valour. They boarded Admiral Penn’s ship, the -_James_, but were repulsed and followed to the _Brederode_, the sacred -quarter-deck of which was reached by the men of the _James_. This -was more than Van Tromp could stand, and he threw a firebrand into -the magazine, which blew up the decks and effectually dispersed the -boarders. The Dutch admiral’s own life was saved as if by miracle, -but belief that he was killed brought the crisis of the battle. The -Dutch fleet broke into wild disorder, and sheered off, each taking -its own course, the English in hot pursuit, sinking one after another -of the fugitives. Van Tromp got away, but his defeat was crushing and -final. The Dutch had eight men-of-war destroyed, eleven captured, and -a very heavy loss in officers and men. The English ships were terribly -battered and damaged, but the loss in killed and wounded was much less -than that sustained by the enemy. - -Hard work, hard living, and high pressure conquered, in their combined -attack, on Admiral Blake’s health and strength, and he was reluctantly -compelled to go ashore, ill with a complication of disorders, including -the sailor’s peculiar distemper, scurvy, fever, and threatened dropsy. -While the great commander was thus disabled, and involuntarily off -duty, it devolved upon Admirals Penn and Lawson and General Monk to -conduct the last grand encounter with the naval power of the Dutch -Republic. Van Tromp, De Ruyter, and Evertsen, were again the opposing -commanders. Again the battle lasted for three days, and again the -English were completely victorious, and achieved for England the title, -never since disputed, of being “Mistress of the Seas.” On the last of -these three days, the great Van Tromp received a bullet in his heart, -which, we feel sure, caused him much less pain, than he would have -suffered, had he been spared to cherish the bitter memory of his defeat. - -During his temporary retirement from the navy, Admiral Blake attended -in his place in Parliament, transacted important business with the -Navy Commissioners, dined occasionally with Oliver Cromwell, and gave -energetically his personal attention and labours to the important -work of reform, not of the navy and its administration,--in these he -had already effected great reforms,--but of other important public -institutions. He aspired, even, to “purging the churches of England -of ignorant, scandalous, and inefficient pastors.” Blake was a man -among ten thousand, and was doubtless equal to the efficient discharge -of even this delicate and difficult duty. It may be noted that he -was a great student of the Bible, and regularly conducted the family -devotions in his own house. - -The naval supremacy that Admiral Blake had done so much to achieve was -not to remain inert or valueless. Proud, priest-ridden Spain, the enemy -of truth, righteousness, and freedom of worship, had to be crippled -and humbled. A new naval force was created and organised in 1654, and -Blake, at the head of a fleet, sailed from England, with sealed orders, -towards the end of that year. He first visited Cadiz, whence he sailed -in pursuit of the Duke of Guise, who was understood to have gone to -Naples with hostile intent. The duke was not there, and Blake next -proceeded to Leghorn, where he demanded and obtained from the Grand -Duke of Tuscany a large sum of money as compensation to the owners of -ships, that had been sold there by the Princes Rupert and Maurice. The -admiral’s name and fame had preceded him, and his irresistible power -caused consternation among the states bordering on the Mediterranean. -Having settled with the Duke of Tuscany, he next sent in his account -against the sovereign pontiff, Alexander VII., for ships sold by the -same princes, in ports under the sovereignty of His Holiness. The -admiral did not object to foreign coin in payment, and accordingly -received on board the sixty-gun ship _George_, the sum of twenty -thousand pistoles, in whole or part payment of his Roman account. He -next sailed southwards, with the desire of bringing the piratical -powers of North Africa to a better state of mind and behaviour. The -Bey of Tunis resisted Blake’s overtures, and left the admiral the only -alternative of battering his forts and burning all the corsair ships he -could get at, both of which he did. He visited in succession Tripoli, -Venice, Malta, and Versailles, and was received at some places with -honour,--at others with fear and constrained hospitality. He may be -regarded as the pioneer, the first of the long line of English admirals -that entered with pride the noble bay of Valetta, as an English -possession. At Algiers he ransomed, for a moderate sum, a number of -Englishmen who had fallen into the hands of the Algerine corsairs. A -cheery illustration of the good heart of the jolly tars of the time was -given while the squadron lay off Algiers. A number of captives, pursued -by Moors, swam from the shore to the English ships, and were readily -hauled on board, and found to be Dutchmen. The English sailors raised -a subscription for them,--many of the men giving a dollar out of their -wages,--and the Dutchmen were sent home happy and grateful. - -Admiral Blake next touched at Malaga, and reached the Bay of Cadiz in -June. By this time his ships were getting much in need of overhauling -and repair, and stores were run out, particularly water, renewed supply -of which was often obtained with difficulty; and, most distressing -of all, the hero’s health and strength were failing greatly, which -naturally caused sore depression of spirits. In a touching letter to -Cromwell, dated “Aboard the _George_ in Cascaes Road, August 30, 1655,” -he writes, after stating some of the difficulties he was encountering: -“Our only comfort is that we have a God to lean upon, although we -walk in darkness and see no light. I shall not trouble your Highness -with any complaints of myself, of the indisposition of my body or -the troubles of my mind; my many infirmities will one day, I doubt -not, plead for me, or against me, so that I may be free of so great a -burden, consoling myself meantime in the Lord, and in the firm purpose -of my heart with all faithfulness and sincerity, to discharge the trust -while reposed in me.” - -Although sick and broken, and having well earned his rest, his great -heart quailed not nor failed. Cromwell had lost a number of his -principal commanders by death or defection, and Blake honoured the -draft upon such powers as remained with him. He superintended the -operations in the dockyard and arsenal when ashore. At the end of -February 1656, he was again afloat in the _Naseby_. He took on board -as his colleague Edward Montague, afterwards Earl of Sandwich. The -departing fleet sailed down channel, westward. In the waning light of -the bleak brief day, the grave, grand, and heroic patriot took his last -look of the hills and vales and rock-bound shores of old England--the -country that he had served so well, and that was honoured in having -such a son. - -His first duty after leaving England was of a diplomatic nature, being -to effect, if possible, a satisfactory permanent treaty with Portugal. -He left a part of his squadron to watch Cadiz, and came to an anchor -with the remainder of the fleet at the mouth of the Tagus. He kept a -lookout for the homeward-bound Spanish argosies, and had his patience -severely tried. The squadron suffered greatly from a succession of -violent gales. Running short of provisions and water, the admiral -proceeded northwards to Portugal for supplies, leaving the watching -squadron of seven ships under the command of Captain Stayner. They -had not long parted company ere the expected fleet was sighted--four -splendid Spanish galleons, and two Indian merchant ships, laden amongst -them with products rich and rare, in gold and silver, pearls and gems, -indigo, cochineal, tobacco, etc. It was on the evening of 8th September -that the homeward-bounds caught sight of Stayner’s frigates, which -they at first mistook for a protecting guard that was to convoy them -into port in safety and glad triumph. They were speedily undeceived -by Stayner swooping down upon them. They resisted desperately, and -there were six hours of hard fighting, in which heavy loss in life and -treasure was sustained. The treasure ships had on board as passengers -high dignitaries and members of some of the proudest families of Spain -and its possessions; one of the ships plundered first, was afterwards -the burning tomb of a viceroy and his family who had sailed in it. -Montague took home the prizes. The treasure was forwarded to London in -thirty-eight heavily-laden waggons, many of them freighted with gold -and silver. Under strong military escort, it passed along the streets -to the Tower, amid the ringing cheers of the crowd who turned out to -welcome its arrival. - -Blake, amid hardships and trials that he was now ill fitted to stand -against, kept faithfully his post off Cadiz. In the spring of 1657 -he made a run to Tetuan, and gave a salutary word of warning to the -Barbary pirates, that had a restraining effect upon these marauders. -“From information received,” but from what source is not communicated, -Admiral Blake had reason to believe that another bullion fleet had -crossed the Atlantic, and had taken shelter somewhere about the Canary -Islands: hither he repaired with his squadron. It was even so, the -silver fleet had taken shelter in the strongly fortified harbour of -Santa Cruz, in the island of Teneriffe. The spacious harbour is of -horse-shoe shape, and was dominated by a strong castle above the -inner portion of the area, flanked on each side by a series of forts, -connected with earthworks, available for musketry. The water was -so deep that the ships could lie close under the forts. The castle -and forts were well supplied with guns. The galleons also had their -broadsides turned to the narrow entrance of the harbour. To an enemy -the harbour entrance seemed the veritable jaws of death. The governor -believed his position impregnable, and the precious fleet in the -harbour unassailable and absolutely secure. The redoubtable admiral was -prostrate from illness, but, with indomitable spirit, he rose from his -couch to preside at a council of war. The plan of attack decided on -was, for the admiral to lead and direct the bombardment of the castle -and the forts, and for Captain Richard Stayner to direct his force -against the galleons. Blake and Stayner had twenty-five ships between -them. For his second’s share in the action Blake chose the innovation, -as some authorities considered it, that he had introduced, of attacking -strong castles and forts from the floating wooden walls of Old England. -The attacking ships were received by a tremendous simultaneous volley -from the whole of the guns of the castle, the forts, and the galleys, -that could be brought to bear upon them. - -It was a battle of gunnery, of weight of metal, of rapidity and -precision of delivery. In these particulars the English had the -advantage. The forts were knocked about the ears of the gunners that -manned them, and silenced one after another. That morning the ships’ -companies had prayers before breakfast, and the terrible day’s work -commenced immediately after. About noon, Blake had disposed of the -land forces so satisfactorily as to be at liberty to assist Stayner -in completing the destruction of the galleons, which would have been -brought out and carried away as prizes, had this been possible. About -two o’clock the work of destruction had been completed. Two of the -Spanish ships went down in the course of the attack, and the whole of -the others were burned. A favourable change in the wind carried the -victors out with flying colours, leaving the costly contents and strong -defences of the harbour utterly wrecked. The English only sustained -the almost incredibly small loss of about fifty killed, and about three -times that number wounded. Of this action the historian Clarendon says: -“The whole action was so miraculous that all men who knew the place -wondered that any sober man, with what courage soever endowed, would -ever undertake it; and they could hardly persuade themselves to believe -what they had done, whilst the Spaniards comforted themselves with the -belief that they were devils, and not men, who had destroyed them in -such a manner.” - -This brilliant and daring feat of arms caused the highest degree of -admiration and delight at home. Cromwell ordered a day of public -thanksgiving for the victory; a ring of the value of five hundred -guineas was voted to Blake by Parliament; and a gratuity of one -hundred pounds to the captain who had brought the intelligence; thanks -were also voted to the officers, sailors, and soldiers who had been -concerned in the action. - -[Illustration: THE DEATH OF ADMIRAL BLAKE.] - -It was the great admiral’s last battle with mortal foes! He was -approaching to close quarters with “the last great enemy.” On his way -home he paid a visit to Morocco, where he exercised his influence, in -further restraining the Sallee rovers, and in procuring the deliverance -of some of their Christian captives. He was completely successful in -his negotiations, and at last, suffering much, wearied and worn-out, -he turned his prow towards “home.” Cromwell’s letter, the thanks of -Parliament, and the jewel of honour met him on the way, but he was past -saving by such solace. While crossing the Bay of Biscay, his illness -increased rapidly without check. When England was sighted he was dying, -and while others were delighting in the vision of the long-looked-for -shores, his noble spirit passed away. He died on board his ship, the -_St. George_, on the 17th August 1657, when he was just entering his -sixtieth year. “The _St. George_,” says Mr. Hepworth Dixon in his _Life -of Blake_, “rode with its precious burden into the Sound; and just as -it came into full view of the eager thousands crowding the beach, the -pier-head, the walls of the citadel, or darting in countless boats -over the smooth waters between St. Nicholas and the docks, ready to -catch the first glimpse of the hero of Santa Cruz, and salute him with -a true English welcome,--he, in his silent cabin, in the midst of his -lion-hearted comrades, now sobbing like little children, yielded up his -soul to God.” - -His body, embalmed, and enclosed in lead, was carried by sea to -Greenwich, where it lay in state for several days. Thence the remains -were conveyed in a splendid barge to Westminster Abbey for interment. -The imposing river procession embraced a large number of mourners -of wide variety in rank and condition, including his relations and -servants, Cromwell’s Council, the Commissioners of the Navy, admirals -and generals, the Lord Mayor and aldermen of London, and a large -number of persons of distinction, in their barges and wherries,--the -whole marshalled by the heralds at arms. At Westminster, the body had -a guard of honour of several regiments of foot, and was landed amid -salvoes of artillery. The remains were deposited in a vault in Henry -Seventh’s Chapel. A few years later, after the Restoration, Blake’s -remains, among those of some others, were rejected from the Abbey, -and buried in the Abbey yard, where they have since, it is believed, -remained undisturbed. “To their eternal infamy,” says his biographer, -“the Stuarts afterwards disturbed the hero’s grave.... Blake had ever -been for mild and moderate councils. He had opposed the late king’s -trial.... The infamy belonged to Charles himself. Good men looked -aghast at such atrocity....” Blake “had laid the foundations of our -lasting influence in the Mediterranean, and, in eight years of success, -had made England the first maritime power in Europe.” - -Blake exhibited a combination of high excellences of character and -disposition, and capabilities that are rarely met with in one man. As a -leader and commander he was undauntedly brave, fertile in expedients, -irresistible in action. Anxious only for the glory and interest of his -country, he took no care for personal aggrandisement. “His contempt -for money, his impatience with the mere vanities of power, were -supreme. Bribery he abhorred in all its shapes. He was frank and open -to a fault; his heart was ever in his hand, and his mind ever on his -lips. His honesty, modesty, generosity, sincerity, and magnanimity -were unimpeached. The care and interest with which he looked to the -wellbeing of his humblest followers made him eminently popular in the -fleet. He was one of England’s simplest, truest, bravest captains, one -of her greatest naval heroes, and he was truly a knight _sans peur et -sans reproche_.” - - - - -GEORGE MONK, K.G., - -DUKE OF ALBEMARLE. - -CHAPTER X. - -THE FRIEND OF CROMWELL, AND THE RESTORER OF CHARLES II. - - -Among the distinguished heroes of the seventeenth century, men born -to command, and qualified above their fellows, to achieve renown in -the “profession of arms,” as general in the army or as admiral of the -fleet, a foremost place has to be assigned to General and Admiral Monk. - -George Monk, son of Sir Thomas Monk, was a scion of an ancient and -honourable family, that had even by the female line been related to -royalty, a pedigree being in existence that shows a descent of the -family from Edward IV. The family were established at Potheridge, -Devonshire, where George was born on the 6th December 1608. His -father’s means were very limited; and, having no fortune to divide -amongst his family, he designed George for a soldier of fortune, -and proceeded to equip him with a “sword” with which to open “the -world--his oyster.” His education was intended to prepare him for -following the art of war. In his seventeenth year he joined, as a -volunteer, a fleet that sailed to Cadiz with hostile intent, under -the command of Lord Wimbledon. Two years later he accompanied an -unfortunate expedition under Sir John Burroughs to the Île de Rhé. -His earliest experiences in warlike adventure were the reverse of -encouraging. - -Sir Thomas had intended his son George to be a soldier rather than a -sailor, but circumstances, that may be glanced at, diverted the young -man’s course. Charles I., at the beginning of his reign, visited -Plymouth to inspect the naval preparations in progress in view of an -expected war with Spain. Sir Thomas wished to pay his duty to the -king, and took this opportunity for carrying out his loyal purpose. -His financial affairs were in a most unsatisfactory condition. So he -sent a considerable present to the under-sheriff of the county, who, -in return, gave him a promise of freedom from “molestation” while he -paid his duty to the king. The creditors of Sir Thomas, having heard of -this arrangement, sent a more considerable present to this official, -who unblushingly arrested the old gentleman whom he had betrayed. -George, his devoted and plucky son, proceeded to Exeter to expostulate -with the sheriff, and procure, if possible, his father’s release. He -employed his rhetorical powers with much energy, but scant patience. -His arguments and appeals were made in vain, and, finding that no -redress was to be obtained, he proceeded to give the sheriff a thorough -beating, and, without wasting time in leave-taking ceremonies, escaped -to Cadiz. - -Monk remained connected with the navy till 1628, when he went to -Holland, and served with valour under the Earl of Oxford. He returned -to England, and from 1641 did military duty in Ireland. In 1643, when -the disputes between Charles I. and the Parliament were at their -height, Monk was arrested by Fairfax, and imprisoned in the Tower. The -king sent to Monk from Oxford a hundred pounds in gold as an expression -of his esteem; considering the king’s circumstances, the gift in coin -was certainly evidence of his generosity. - -[Illustration: GENERAL MONK.] - -Early in 1647, the royal cause being hopeless, Monk obtained his -liberty by accepting a commission to serve under his relative Lord -Lisle, who was appointed by Parliament to the government of Ireland. -He incurred the displeasure of Parliament by entering into a treaty -with Owen O’Neile. This he had felt to be the only means by which he -could save the remnant of troops left under his command, and preserve -the interest of the Parliament in the country. In 1650, Monk accepted -a commission to serve under Cromwell in Scotland. These engagements -seem to have been inconsistent in a loyalist. He was only, it may be, -keeping his hand in as a combatant, until the king should “enjoy his -own again.” Leaving out of consideration his inconsistency, it may be -said with truth that, in Scotland Monk rendered Cromwell most important -service, by counsel as well as action. - -The Dutch war gave occasion for removing Monk, now a general, from his -command in Scotland, to give him employment on board the fleet. He was -now forty-five years of age, which seems an advanced period of life for -entering upon a profession, for which he had not been designed. The -case of Blake, who was older than Monk when he changed from military -to naval service, was similar. Both of these distinguished commanders -were capable of playing, worthily and well, a variety of parts. At -the beginning of his career Monk had been connected with the navy, -although he had not had any experience fitting him for high command. -His remarkable natural powers and strength of character had to make up -for slender experience. - -In May 1653 he was afloat, in joint command with Admiral Deane, of a -fleet that had been prepared for conflict with the Dutch. Both of the -admirals were on board the _Resolution_. On the 2nd June they fell in -with the Dutch fleet, and immediately attacked them with desperate -vigour. The English fleet consisted of ninety-five men-of-war and five -fire-ships. The Dutch fleet consisted of ninety-eight men-of-war and -six fire-ships; it was commanded by the famous Admirals De Ruyter, De -Witt, and Van Tromp. - -Early in the course of the action Admiral Deane was killed by a chain -shot.[2] Monk was close by, and, with admirable presence of mind, -threw his cloak over the mangled body of his colleague, the sight of -which would have had a dispiriting effect upon the crew. After a few -turns and encouraging the men in the action, he had the body removed, -quickly and quietly, to his cabin. No intimation of the loss that had -been sustained was made to the fleet, and Monk, now sole commander, -continued the action with undiminished energy. The action, which -commenced at about eleven o’clock, was continued with great fury till -late at night. A forty-two gun ship of the Dutch fleet was sunk, and -another large ship, commanded by Van Kelson, was blown up in the course -of the action. Admiral Blake arrived at night with a squadron of -eighteen ships. - - [2] The invention of this murderous missile is attributed to - the Dutch Admiral De Witt. - -Van Tromp would have avoided renewal of the conflict next morning had -his honour permitted, but it was forced upon him. Fire was opened about -eight o’clock, and the battle raged with great fury till about noon, -when the Dutch fell into great confusion, and got away as well and as -fast as they could, escaping with difficulty to Zealand. Six of the -Dutch ships were sunk, two blown up, and eleven taken. Six of their -captains were made prisoners, and upwards of fifteen hundred men. The -English had Admiral Deane and a captain killed, and a comparatively -small number of men, and did not lose a single ship. - -The Dutch, undismayed by defeat, fitted a fresh fleet of upwards of -ninety ships, that were afloat ready for renewed action in a few weeks. -On the 29th July 1653, the hostile fleets came in sight of each other. -Monk, in the _Resolution_, and a squadron of thirty ships, came up with -the Dutch fleet, and boldly charged and dashed through their line. -Darkness ended the action. The following day was so foul and windy, -and the sea ran so high, that fighting would only have been wasting -ammunition. Sunday, 31st July, the weather being more calm, witnessed -a renewal of the deferred battle. The action raged with terrible fury -for about eight hours. De Ruyter’s ship was so severely injured that it -had to be towed out of the fleet; the brave admiral, however, did not -leave with his ship, but went aboard another to continue the action. -The brave Van Tromp was shot through the body. His fall was to his -countrymen a paralysing disaster, that seemed to take the heart out -of them, and utterly quench what was left of their drooping spirit. -The Dutch had only one flag left flying,--Van Tromp killed,--all going -against them! Again they sought refuge behind the sandbanks on the -coasts of their country, whither the victors followed, as closely as -their knowledge of the navigation would permit. In the pursuit of the -flying foe, the lightest of the English ships took the most prominent -part. The Dutch admiral, perceiving that they were only frigates that -pursued him, turned upon them, but heavier ships coming up, he was -not permitted to sink his tenacious tormentors, but had his own ship -captured before he reached the Texel. - -This battle was a terrible blow to the Dutch. Twenty-six of their ships -were burned or sunk. Five of their captains were taken prisoners, and -between four and five thousand men killed. Such is the statement of -the historian, which should perhaps be taken with a deduction; for the -celerity with which the Dutch provided new fleets and fresh crews, -after such disastrous losses, was wonderful. The English are reported -to have lost two frigates--the _Oak_ and the _Hunter_, and had six -captains and about five hundred seamen killed. The Dutch Admiral De -Witt, in a report to the States, confesses to a heavy loss in ships, -and to his having been compelled to retreat, for which he assigns two -reasons--that the best of their ships were much shattered, and that -many of his officers had behaved like poltroons, by “retiring out -of the reach of the enemy’s cannon, as well in this engagement as -formerly.” He adds, with conclusive force: “If they had been hanged for -behaving so before, they had not had it in their power to have acted -the same parts over again.” - -In this important action a number of merchant ships were engaged. To -prevent their making concern, for the safety of their owners’ ships and -cargoes, their paramount consideration, and a curb upon their fighting -energy, Monk astutely placed the captains in other ships than those to -which they were respectively attached. This expedient fully justified -itself in the result,--the merchant ships and their captains behaving -admirably. Monk also issued orders at the beginning of the fight that -quarter was neither to be given nor taken. This order was not given -from wanton recklessness of life, but because the taking of ships and -conveying them to harbour occupied much time, diverted needed strength, -and risked opportunities of advantage. There is no reason to believe -that General Monk was displeased with the English crews taking about -twelve hundred Dutchmen out of the sea, while their ships were sinking. -The “no quarter” order was doubtless intended to apply to ships, not -men. - -General Monk exhibited, personally, unresting energy and steadfast -bravery, from first to last of the battle. Of five Dutch admirals’ -flags displayed at the commencement of the action, Monk brought down -three--those of Van Tromp, Evertsen, and De Ruyter. Monk’s own ship, -the _Resolution_, was so shattered that it had to be towed out of the -line; all of the great ships, indeed, were so leaky and unseaworthy as -to compel them to give up, lest they should sink, and return home for -repair. - -Parliament, on the 8th August 1653, ordered gold chains to be sent -to Admirals Blake and Monk, in token of appreciation of their -services; also to Vice-Admiral Penn and Rear-Admiral Lawson, and to -the flag-officers, and medals to the captains. The 25th of August was -appointed as a day of solemn thanksgiving. At a great banquet in the -city, Oliver Cromwell put the chain of honour on Monk, with grave words -of commendation for his public services. - -The war had lasted two years, in which time the English had taken -from the Dutch seventeen hundred prizes, valued at sixty-two million -guilders, or six millions sterling. The prizes taken by the Dutch did -not amount to a fourth, in number or value. - -A treaty of peace with Holland was made, 4th April 1654. Cromwell -had declared himself Lord Protector, and, feeling the weight of -governing three kingdoms, he sought out competent officers to share -the labour with him. General Monk was appointed to Scotland as a -sort of Lord Lieutenant, and commenced his duties in April 1654. He -made his residence at the house of the Countess of Buccleuch, at -Dalkeith. He is said to have governed the country more absolutely, -than many of its monarchs had done. His private life was quiet and -unostentatious,--husbandry and gardening being his chief amusements. - -[Illustration: DEFEAT OF THE DUTCH FLEET BY MONK.] - -General Monk’s loyalty to Cromwell was doubted, although his zeal for -the Protectorate seemed more effusive, during his tenure of office -in Scotland, than it had ever been before. He set a price upon the -heads of the principal Royalists in the North, and erected magazines -and garrisons for maintaining the Protectorate throughout Scotland, -and governed it absolutely, yet with much wisdom,--the effects of his -government conducing greatly to the welfare of the Scottish nation. -Certain Parliamentarians plotted to take Monk’s life, as a traitor to -their cause. Oliver Cromwell himself suspected Monk’s _bonâ fides_. A -short time before his death, Cromwell wrote a long letter to Monk, that -ended with the following remarkable postscript: “There be that tell me -that there is a certain cunning fellow in Scotland, called George Monk, -who is said to be in wait there, to introduce Charles Stuart. I pray -use your diligence to apprehend him, and bring him up to me.” - -Cromwell died 3rd September 1658, and Monk at once proclaimed his son -Richard. Uncertain what turn the public mind would take, he thought -it prudent to affect for the present attachment to the Protectorate -carefully,--meanwhile, securing his own power. Richard Cromwell’s -incapacity to rule soon showed itself, as Monk probably foresaw. Monk -possessed powerful influence in the direction of public affairs, and -employed it in promoting the restoration of the king. There has been -more than one “Vicar of Bray” in the domestic and national history of -England, and the species will never probably become extinct. - -General Monk’s adherence to the two opposing parties in the State, -Parliament and the Royalists; his service of the two masters, Cromwell -and King Charles; his motives, and his talents, have been much -discussed, and his merits hotly disputed by historians and critics. -Monk has been credited with having been mainly instrumental in -initiating, promoting, and consummating the Restoration. Up to this -point in Monk’s career he had proved himself a valiant and skilful -captain in Ireland, a firm and wise governor in Scotland, an able -admiral in the war with Holland, and it is not too much to claim for -him that he had proved himself to be also a profound statesman. - -On the 23rd of May 1660, an English fleet brought Charles II. and his -court from Holland. The king reached the Palace, Whitehall, on the 29th -of the same month. On resuming the kingly dignity, almost the first -use the king made of the royal prerogative was to elevate Monk to the -peerage, as Duke of Albemarle, to invest him with the order of the -Garter, and to appoint him Vice-Admiral of England under James, Duke -of York. - -Passing over a few years, in which the Duke of Albemarle was a -prominent personage in the king’s Government, we come to renewed war -with Holland. - -The dissolute life and extravagant habits of the king kept him in -constant want of money, and to fill his purse he did many mean things, -amongst them, marrying Catherine of Portugal, for her dowry of half a -million sterling. He also favoured the sale of Dunkirk to the French -king for the beggarly sum of five thousand livres. He also plunged -into a war with Holland. The Duke of Albemarle and Prince Rupert were -associated in the command of the fleet that had been equipped against -the Dutch. They went aboard in April 1666. Prince Rupert, with the -white squadron, was detached to go in quest of a French contingent, -reported to be hastening to join the Dutch. The duke was left with a -fleet of about sixty sail. On the 1st June the Dutch fleet of about -ninety men-of-war came in sight. The duke called a council of war, at -which it was resolved that, notwithstanding their manifest numerical -inferiority, and that several of their ships were not fully manned or -ready, refusal to fight the Dutch was not to be thought of,--and the -fleet was accordingly made ready to fall into line. The battle lasted -throughout the day, and notwithstanding their greatly superior power -the Dutch gained no important or decided advantage. A furious battle -was fought between the flag-ships of Albemarle and De Ruyter, the -Dutch admiral, which was maintained with dogged obstinacy for many -hours,--but neither side could claim a victory. Both of the ships were -greatly crippled by its adversary. - -The bravery and skilful handling of their ships by the English -commanders was above all praise, but their ships were badly -provisioned. King Charles, to his shame, recked not that the lives of -the bravest of his subjects should be sacrificed, if he could indulge, -unchecked, the career of a Sybarite and profligate. It has been written -by the careful historian that--“The money voted by Parliament for the -war was squandered by the king in his wicked pleasures; and ships leaky -and badly rigged were sent out to contend with the splendid fleets of -Holland.” - -Albemarle discreetly sought the decision of a council of war before -renewing the action on the second day. What his own feeling was may -be gathered from the reported gist of the address he delivered to the -assembled commanders: “If we had dreaded the number of our enemies we -should have retreated yesterday; but though we are inferior to them -in number of ships, we are in other things superior. Force gives them -courage; let us, if we need it, borrow resolution from the thoughts -of what we have formerly performed. Let our enemy feel that, though -our fleet is divided, our spirit is united. At the worst it will be -more honourable to die bravely here on our own element than to be made -spectacles to the Dutch. To be overcome is the fortune of war, but to -fly is the fashion of cowards. Let us teach the world that Englishmen -had rather be acquainted with death than with fear.” - -Much terrible damage was again done by the belligerents to each other, -but no decisive victory could be claimed by either power. On the 3rd -of June, the duke, on a survey of the condition of his fleet, felt -compelled to burn three of his disabled ships. He sent away, in the -van, the ships that had suffered most, and, covering them in the rear, -drew off. On the 4th of June, Albemarle’s spirits revived, and his -strength was materially increased by the arrival of Prince Rupert -with his squadron. Thus strengthened, he again sought the enemy, and -came up with them about eight in the morning. Five times the English -charged through the enemy’s line, firing into them right and left. -The conflict, fiercely sustained on both sides, lasted till seven in -the evening, when, as if by tacit agreement or sheer exhaustion, the -wearied, worn-out warriors desisted from their murderous activity. - -The loss was calamitous on both sides. Amongst the brave officers who -fell, mention must be made of Sir William Berkeley, vice-admiral -of the blue, whose squadron led the van in the first day’s action. -Towards the close of the day, Sir William’s ship, the _Swiftsure_, -a second-rate, and two others were cut off from the English; hemmed -in and overwhelmed by greatly superior force, Sir William fought -desperately. The following account of his gallant death-struggle -is given by Lediard: “Highly to be admired was the resolution of -Vice-Admiral Berkeley, who, though cut off from the line, surrounded -by his enemies, great numbers of his men killed, his ship disabled -and boarded on all sides, yet continued fighting almost alone, killed -several with his own hand, and would accept of no quarter, till at -length, being shot in the throat by a musket ball, he retired into the -captain’s cabin, where he was found dead, extended at his full length -upon a table, and almost covered with his own blood.” To their honour, -the Dutch treated the hero’s remains with the utmost respect. The body -was embalmed and deposited in the chapel of the great church at the -Hague by order of the States, and a message was sent to King Charles -for his orders for the disposal of the remains. This brave officer, -a scion of an ancient and honourable family, had not reached his -twenty-seventh year. - -[Illustration: SEA FIGHT WITH THE DUTCH.] - -Another distinguished hero who fell in the action was Sir Christopher -Myngs, vice-admiral, who led the van of Prince Rupert’s division -on the fourth day of the fight. Myngs also was a young officer of -proved vigilance, valour, and capacity. In this his last action, -while fighting with desperate bravery, he received a musket ball in -the throat. No persuasion could prevail with him to retire to have it -dressed or to leave the quarter-deck; for nearly half an hour he held -his finger in the wound to stop the flow of blood. Another musket ball -in the neck, and the hero fell, and so finished his gallant career. - -The Dutch claimed the victory, but admitted that if the English -were beaten, they deserved honour in their defeat, and had proved -incontestably their invincible courage. - -On the 25th July 1666, the English fleet under Albemarle and Prince -Rupert, and the Dutch fleet under Admirals Evertsen and De Ruyter, -again came into conflict; a long and bloody battle ended in a complete -and indisputable victory to the English. This was the last great naval -action in which Albemarle took part. While he is taking the leading -part in this bloody drama on the high seas, king and people alike want -him urgently at home, for help and guidance in a time of sore trouble, -from an unprecedented calamity. London is ablaze with the great fire; -who among men has heart, head, and hand, tender, clear, and strong, -fitting him to be a comforter, guide, and shield at such a time? The -king recalled Albemarle from his naval duties to direct, deeply -distressing, domestic affairs; the people wail piteously, perhaps not -wisely, “If the duke had been here, London had not been burned.” Such -was the confidence reposed in his wisdom and strength. - -A vast amount of life and work had been crowded into his years, and the -great man was wearing out. In 1667 he wisely exerted himself in warding -off renewal of hostilities with the Dutch, and gave attention to his -own much neglected domestic affairs. On the 3rd January 1669, he died -peacefully while sitting in his chair, aged sixty-two years. By order -of the king, his body lay in state for some time at Somerset House, and -was interred in Westminster Abbey. - -George Monk was a man distinguished by great personal valour. His -zeal in the public service was indefatigable. He was wise in counsel, -fearless in battle; as a commander a strict disciplinarian, but also -the stern enemy of oppression and tyranny, on the part of naval and -military officers. Few men have ever attained to the influence and -power he wielded, with less of personal ambition. - -He was commanding in person, robust in constitution, an early riser, -and a hard worker; loyal, faithful, and affectionate, in his public, -social, and domestic relations. - - - - -EDWARD MONTAGUE, - -EARL OF SANDWICH. - -CHAPTER XI. - -NAVAL CONFLICT BETWEEN THE ENGLISH AND THE DUTCH. - - -Remarks, by persons of mature age, are not uncommon, in our time, upon -the precocity of the rising generation. It is alleged that we have no -boys and girls nowadays, that they are too forward, know too much for -their years, and are men and women before their time. Edward Montague, -afterwards Earl of Sandwich, furnishes a notable illustration of -precocity, in his generation. - -Edward was the only surviving son of Sir Sidney Montague, and was a -grandson of Lord Montague of Boughton, a staunch Royalist. Sir Sidney -also adhered firmly to Charles I., and submitted to expulsion from the -House of Commons, of which he was a member, rather than subscribe to -an oath of allegiance to the Earl of Essex “to live and die with him,” -in his conspiracy against the king. - -Edward Montague was born 27th July 1625, the year of Charles I.’s -accession to the throne, and of his marriage with Henrietta Maria, -daughter of Henry IV., King of France. Some years before he reached -his majority, young Montague entered the whirl of domestic and State -affairs. When only seventeen years of age he married Jemima, daughter -of Lord Crewe of Stene. In the following year, 1643, he received a -commission from the Earl of Essex,--whom his father had refused to -support,--to raise a regiment of horse, to serve against the king, to -whom his father adhered. Such was the influence at the command of the -young chief, and the ardour with which he entered upon the execution of -his commission, that in six weeks he was ready to take the field at the -head of his regiment, and he entered immediately upon active service. -He assisted at the storming of Lincoln in May 1644, and also exhibited -great bravery, at the battle of Marston Moor, in the July following. -In 1645 he had a great deal of stirring service, fighting at Naseby -in July, and taking part in the storming of Bridgewater. In September -he commanded a brigade in the attack on Bristol, and subscribed the -articles of the capitulation of that city by Prince Rupert. With -Colonel Hammond he was deputed to carry the intelligence of this -important success, to the Parliament in London. - -While yet under age, so prominent a character was he in connection -with public affairs, as to be elected, or more properly appointed, by -those who had the power, a member of Parliament for Huntingdonshire. -It is stated concerning his conduct as member of Parliament, that the -plottings and contests of parties were distasteful to him, and that -he shunned these,--as he did also intrigues and cabals in the army. -His opinions were sought after and valued, and notwithstanding his -youth, he exercised considerable influence in the direction of affairs. -Cromwell affected to despise nobility and family lineage, but he had -a keen eye for the men fitted to promote his objects, could fully -appreciate their value, and was skilful and effective in his methods -of attaching them to his person and cause. Montague had rendered -distinguished service, but he was a supporter of a very different stamp -from the ordinary Roundheads,--and his allegiance was held by a more -uncertain tenure. His social and family relations probably drew him -in a different direction. Cromwell was solicitous to have Montague -fully committed to his cause; he extolled his valour, discretion, and -independence, and snared him into a seat, at his Treasury board. - -Montague rendered effective service at the Treasury, but was not in -his element in the civil service, from which he obtained release -in 1656, when, at the request of Admiral Blake, he was appointed, -in conjunction with that distinguished commander, to the command of -the fleet in the Mediterranean. Montague found great discontent with -the service, prevailing among the officers of the fleet. Exercising -patience and discretion with the disaffected, he succeeded in allaying -their discontent, and the fleet sailed under the direction of its -distinguished commanders, who cherished magnificent projects,--to be -accomplished ere they returned to England. One of these was to fall -upon the Spanish fleet in Cadiz harbour, which, however, on careful -survey, they concluded it would be foolhardy to attempt. Another -project designed was the reduction of Gibraltar. Montague doubted -the success of an attack by sea, and decidedly favoured attack by a -land force,--approaching by the isthmus. However, the attack was not -then made, and, after cruising about for a time, the fleet made for -the opposite coast of Barbary, the intention of the commanders being -the chastisement of the Tripoli and Salee rovers. Notwithstanding the -terror that Blake had inspired by a former visit, the pirates had -become as troublesome, daring, and destructive to traders as they had -been before. - -[Illustration: EARL OF SANDWICH--DUKE OF YORK. - -BATTLE OF SOUTHWOLD OR SOLE BAY.] - -Montague had experience in his early life, as a combatant, in -successful land attacks, and seems to have had a decided preference for -that method, which he again recommended in the conflict with the -pirates, who were doubtless difficult to get at,--and who were not to -be subdued by ordinary means. He was decidedly of opinion that forcible -possession should be taken of a position on shore, as the best means of -operating against the pirates, and protecting our trade in the Levant. -Instructions from home, restricting rather than extending the powers -of the admirals, prevented Montague’s design from being carried into -effect. - -The fleet was ordered back to Cadiz, to give the Spaniards an -opportunity of engaging, if they would. While the main body lay off -Cadiz, three ships were despatched to a bay along shore to take in -fresh water, and obtain what provisions they could. On this expedition -the detached squadron fell in with eight galleons, returning from South -America, and promptly pounced upon them. One of the galleons was sunk, -another burned, two were forced ashore, and others taken, on board of -which were found treasure to the value of six hundred thousand pounds. -In writing to Secretary Thurloe, Admiral Montague gives the following -account of the silver taken in the galleons: “There have been some -miscarriages by our ships that took the ships of Spain; I judge the -best way to improve mercies of this kind is to look forward: however, -that is my business at this time. The silver they brought is on board -this ship, and in the vice-admiral: in the admiral we have five -hundred and fifty bars of silver, and boxes of plate, and nine pieces -of silver, not well refined, like sugar loaves. In the vice-admiral -there are a hundred and twenty-four bars of silver, all of which we -judge may produce nearly two hundred thousand pounds. I hope that it -will make much more. In the galleons, also, there is a space between -the main-mast and the bulkhead of the bread-room, not yet rummaged.” - -Montague was charged with instructions to bring the treasure to -England, and he requested that some trusty persons might be sent to -Portsmouth to receive the silver. Great pains were taken to impress -the public with a sense of the magnitude of the prize. When the silver -reached London, it was placed in open carts and ammunition waggons, and -conveyed in a triumphal procession through Southwark to the Tower to -be coined. To show their confidence in the people, a guard of only ten -soldiers accompanied the treasure. The intention of these arrangements -was fully realised, and greatly increased Cromwell’s popularity. -Montague also, although he had really had nothing to do with the actual -capture of the treasure, but had only conveyed it home in safety, -became quite a popular hero. Cromwell loaded him with praise, and -Parliament thanked him formally, through the Speaker. - -Montague was on the most intimate terms with Cromwell, and held in high -esteem by the Protector, but he does not appear to have been cordially -attached to his public employment, or satisfied with the instructions -under which he was called to act. - -In 1657, Montague was appointed to the command of a fleet in the Downs, -the objects of which were--to keep a strict watch upon the Dutch, and -to carry on the war with Spain. In his command of the fleet in the -Downs he found no opportunity for useful action, and he chafed under -the enforced stagnation; when called upon to act, he was not satisfied -as to the justice of following the line the authorities wished him -to take, or that it was compatible with manly honesty and safety to -himself. His letters to Cromwell show the difficulties in which he -felt himself placed, and also that the Protector expected him to -follow his own course, although in doing so he might be unable, after -the event, to justify himself, by official sanctions. A letter from -Richard Cromwell to Montague illustrates the policy of the Protector, -and the danger to which it exposed his admiral. He was commanded in -express terms to insist upon honour to the flag, within the British -seas, from all nations,--the writer stating, at the same time, that he -did not know what were the limits of the British seas, and that the -admiral must execute his orders with caution,--as peace or war might -depend upon his acts. It was extremely difficult to obey such equivocal -instructions, without incurring blame from one side or the other. -Montague displayed great sagacity and prudence in the discharge of his -delicate and difficult duties, but did not escape bitter complaints -from the Dutch, because of the diligence he displayed in searching -their vessels. - -In 1658 Denmark and Sweden were at war. The Dutch believed it to be -their interest to help Denmark; Cromwell thought that the defeat of -Sweden would be a calamity to England,--and a powerful fleet was -despatched to the Baltic under the command of Admiral Montague, with -the avowed intention of negotiating an honourable peace between the -belligerents. In the midst of these great events Oliver Cromwell -died at Whitehall on the 3rd September 1658, and his son Richard was -proclaimed ruler in his stead. - -Although Montague was nominally in command of the Baltic fleet, three -commissioners had been sent to conduct the negotiations, and control -his actions. Before he had left home, Montague had suffered what -seemed an unprovoked indignity, in being disjoined from his regiment -of horse. He had never at any time, probably, been a very hearty -Cromwellian,--and this treatment operated sharply in alienating him -from the Parliamentary party. Montague had powerful personal influence -in the fleet. The three commissioners--Colonel Algernon Sidney, Sir -Robert Heywood, and Mr. Thomas Boon--regarded him as a disaffected -subordinate, and the relations, between the commissioners and the -admiral commanding, were the reverse of cordial. Montague’s colleagues -were at Copenhagen, when he determined upon decisive action. He called -a council of the flag-officers of the fleet, and, submitting to them -a plain statement of the impossibility of doing anything for the -honour of their country, by remaining where they were;--not having any -authority to fight, and being therefore useless,--he suggested the -necessity of returning home, which want of provisions, indeed, would -soon compel them to do, as they had scarcely enough left to carry them -to England. There was no dissent in the council, and the admiral at -once issued orders to weigh anchor, set all sail, and shape course for -England. Montague’s diplomatic colleagues had the mortification of -witnessing, from the shore, the procession of the homeward-bound fleet. -The rapidity of the movement was fortunate, as these diplomats had in -their possession secret instructions to arrest Montague on board his -own ship, and to place the command of the fleet in other hands. The -worst they could do now was to send a strongly condemnatory despatch -to the Parliament, charging Montague with treachery and desertion. -Without waiting for a summons, he presented himself before Parliament, -to give an account of his conduct. He had the unanimous support of -his flag-officers, and presented such an unanswerable vindication, -that Parliament had to be content with accepting his resignation, and -letting him go. He retired from public life and service for a time, to -his estate in the country. - -A time of turbulence and anarchy ensued, which led to the restoration -of Charles II. in the year 1660. In full accord and friendship with -General Monk, Duke of Albemarle, Montague returned to the public -service, and resumed naval command. He went with Monk to the Hague -to bring over the king. After completion of certain ceremonials at -the Hague, Montague conveyed the king to England,--the Duke of York -being Lord High Admiral under the restored royal ruler. Two days after -the king’s landing, he sent to Montague, by Garter king at arms, the -Garter, in acknowledgment of his eminent services. He was also, as soon -as the court was established, created by letters patent, Baron Montague -of St. Neots, Viscount Hitchinbroke in Huntingdon, and Earl of Sandwich -in Kent. He was sworn a member of the Privy Council, appointed Master -of the King’s Wardrobe, Admiral of the Narrow Seas, and Lieutenant -Admiral to the Duke of York. - -[Illustration: DUNKIRK.] - -As Admiral of the Narrow Seas, the duty devolved upon Lord Sandwich -of conveying or escorting all persons of distinction, passing between -England and foreign countries. He gave much attention to State affairs, -and was a constant attender at meetings of the Privy Council, -especially when questions of foreign policy were under consideration, -and, ere long, was regarded as one of the king’s most capable and -deservedly influential and trusted advisers. - -An important question, in the settlement of which he took a -leading part, was the disposal of Dunkirk, which had been taken by -Cromwell from the Spaniards. The Commonwealth being at an end, the -Spaniards claimed the restoration of the place; the question for the -determination of the Privy Council was whether Dunkirk should be sold -or kept. The matter caused lively and protracted discussion, and has -been treated very fully by Clarendon, Burnet, and others. For advising -or sanctioning the sale or surrender of Dunkirk, some historians have -condemned, while others have defended, Lord Sandwich. - -The Earl of Sandwich had courtly duties to perform in his capacity of -Admiral of the Narrow Seas. In September 1660, with a squadron of nine -ships of war, he proceeded to Helvoetsluys to bring over the Princess -of Orange, the king’s sister. When the fleet returned, the king and the -Duke of York went on board the _Resolution_, the admiral’s ship, where -they passed the night, and they reviewed the squadron on the following -day. - -In 1661 an imposing fleet was equipped, with the several objects of -bringing home the Infanta of Portugal to be married to the king,--of -securing Tangier against the Moors,--and of punishing the Barbary -and Algerine pirates, who, since the death of Admiral Blake, and in -disregard of the terms which that powerful commander had imposed -upon them, had resumed their rapacious, destructive attacks upon the -merchant ships of England, as also upon those of Holland and France. -The fleet consisted of eighteen men-of-war ships, and two fire-ships; -it was placed under the command of the Earl of Sandwich and Sir John -Lawson. The fleet sailed from the Downs on the 19th June, and was -before Algiers on the 29th July. A council of war was held under -the presidency of Lord Sandwich, which determined to require--as an -article in any treaty with the Algerines--an undertaking that, for -the future, English ships were not to be liable to search, upon any -pretext whatever. Captain Spragge and Mr. Brown, the English consul, -were deputed to attempt negotiation of a treaty with the Algerian -Government, who professed willingness to enter into a treaty, but -refused point-blank to give up their right of search, and insolently -followed up their refusal by opening fire upon the fleet. The strength -of the land batteries greatly preponderated over the power of the fleet -for either attack or defence, and Lord Sandwich prudently withdrew from -range of the guns, but did not abandon the purpose of crippling the -pirates. Sir John Lawson was left with a strong squadron to cruise in -the Mediterranean, for the protection of English merchantmen and the -chastisement of the pirates. Sir John swept as many of the pirates -off the seas as he could get at,--and at Algiers, Tripoli, and Tunis, -made such imposing demonstrations as compelled the barbaric powers to -renew their treaties with England. At Algiers, however, he had much -difficulty in arriving at a satisfactory settlement. He obtained the -release there of one hundred and fifty slaves,--English, Irish, and -Scottish sailors, who had been captured by the pirates. These men he -sent home, with several captured ships, but the Algerines stopped -short at surrender of the goods in the ships that had been captured. -Lawson continued hostilities, seized an Algerine corsair of thirty-four -guns, and sold the Turks and Moors by which it was manned to the -French admiral, who was then cruising in the Mediterranean. Lawson was -called home, and the duty of suppressing the pirates taken up by his -successor, Sir Thomas Allen, who replaced him with twelve ships of -war, and, acting with great energy and skill, compelled the Algerines -to accept a satisfactory treaty. The Earl of Sandwich, in accordance -with his instructions, proceeded to Tangier, of which he obtained -possession from the Queen Regent of Portugal,--as part of the dowry of -the Infanta, affianced to the King of England. After manning Tangier -with English soldiers, and settling affairs, Lord Sandwich set sail -for Lisbon, to take on board the royal bride. His reception at Lisbon -was all that he could have desired; house, equipage, and appointments -on a scale befitting his dignity, as an ambassador extraordinary -to the queen. But the “business” entrusted to him presented a most -unsatisfactory aspect. The dowry of the Infanta had been fixed, and his -instructions were explicit; he was to ask for no more, but to take no -less, than the sum that had been agreed upon, and to take payment only -in “hard cash.” Tangier had already been secured, as part of the dowry, -but the part to be paid in specie was not forthcoming. The queen-mother -pleaded poverty, and asked for “time.” She averred that “the straits -and poverty of the kingdom were so great that there could at this time -be paid only one-half of the queen’s portion; that the other half -should infallibly be paid within a year, with which she hoped the king, -her brother, would be satisfied; and that, for the better doing it, -she resolved to send back the ambassador, who had brought so good a -work, with God’s blessing, to so good an end, with her daughter to the -king.” The situation was further awkward, in this, that it was proposed -to make the half payment in kind, not in cash--in jewels, sugar, and -other commodities. The earl had no difficulty about taking off the -young lady, but the “goods” were a serious embarrassment; his royal -master he knew right well wanted cash badly, but he did not suppose -him to be solicitous about “goods consignments.” The earl proved equal -to the occasion. He distinctly refused to accept goods of any kind, -at any “quotation” as regards price or value, but he would permit -them to be shipped,--to be received and accounted for by some person -in London, who should be appointed to transact the business. This -difficulty was got over, and the goods were satisfactorily converted -into cash, through the instrumentality of Diego Silvas, a wealthy Jew -of Amsterdam, who accompanied the goods to London. Lord Sandwich gave a -receipt for any denomination of money paid on account of the Infanta’s -dowry, and took from the queen-mother a special promise to pay the -balance, within the year following date of agreement. The Infanta and -her retinue were safely landed at Portsmouth in May 1662. - -In the great naval conflict between the English and the Dutch in -1664–65, the Earl of Sandwich highly distinguished himself. The English -fleet was made up of 114 men-of-war and frigates, 28 fire-ships and -ketches, and about 21,000 sailors and soldiers. It was divided into -three squadrons; the first, under the red flag, was commanded by the -Duke of York, and with him Admirals Penn and Lawson; the white squadron -was commanded by Prince Rupert, and the blue squadron by the Earl of -Sandwich. The fleet arrived at the Texel on the 28th April 1664, and -cruised off the Dutch coast for about a month. Towards the end of May -the Dutch fleet was descried near the Dogger Bank. Accounts vary as -to the strength of the Dutch fleet. One careful historian puts it at -121 men-of-war, besides fire-ships, yachts, etc. Other writers give -lower estimates of the strength of the fleet. It carried 4869 guns, and -upwards of 22,000 men. It was divided into seven squadrons, commanded -by valiant and skilful admirals, some of them of the highest renown. -They were, Admirals Baron Opdam, Evertsen, Cortenaer, Stillingwerth, -Van Tromp, son of the famous old fighting admiral, Cornelius Evertsen, -and Schram. - -It was said that neither the king nor the Duke of York approved the -policy of this war, and it was believed that influences were at work -to diminish the zeal and enthusiasm of the Dutch. De Witt, who was the -ruling spirit in the States, sent a letter to Opdam of a peremptory -character, ordering him to attack at once. Opdam and his officers were -agreed that the time was inopportune, and would have delayed, for a -brief space at least, until the wind and other circumstances were more -favourable, but his orders were imperative, and he felt that his honour -demanded prompt action upon them. The Dutch admiral came in sight of -the English fleet not far from Harwich, in the early morning of the 3rd -June. He bore down upon the duke’s ship with the intention of boarding. -At the commencement of the action the English had the advantage in the -weather-gage. The two fleets charged through each other’s lines with -great fury and intrepidity. Critics have given the opinion that -the English, having the wind in their favour, ought to have contented -themselves with meeting the attack of the enemy, without changing -their relative position more than could be avoided. For nine hours the -onslaught was terrible and sanguinary, without either party having -gained any decided advantage. About mid-day a brilliant movement was -executed by the Earl of Sandwich, that greatly improved the prospects -of the English. With his blue squadron compactly arranged, Lord -Sandwich broke through the enemy’s centre, and threw the whole Dutch -fleet into confusion and dire disorder. - -[Illustration: CASTLE OF TANGIERS.] - -Opdam’s determination from the beginning of the fight, to board the -English admiral, had never slumbered. In the midst of the consternation -caused by the dashing action of the Earl of Sandwich, Opdam, in the -_Eendract_, of eighty-four guns, was engaged in a fierce contest with -the Duke of York in the _Royal Charles_, of eighty guns. The fight -was close and deadly--yard-arm and yard-arm. The Earl of Falmouth, -Lord Muskerry, Mr. Boyle, son of the Earl of Burlington, and a number -of others, the duke’s attendants, were killed by a chain-shot, when -quite near His Grace’s person. In this terrific onslaught, either by -accident or by a grenade from the _Royal Charles_, the gun-room of the -_Eendract_, the Dutch admiral’s ship, was ignited, and the ship blown -up. Five hundred men perished in this terrible catastrophe, including -the noble and valiant Baron Opdam, and a number of volunteers -belonging to some of the best families in Holland. - -The greatest confusion prevailed among the Dutch ships; they fell foul -of, and burned each other. The whole Dutch fleet seemed to be ablaze, -and the cries of the wretched men perishing by fire and water were -even more frightful and hideous than the noise of the cannon. The -shelter of night permitted the shattered remnant of the Dutch fleet to -escape. Had the light held out a little longer, the entire remainder -of the armament would have been captured or destroyed. In addition to -Opdam, Admirals Stillingwerth and Cortenaer were killed, upwards of -four thousand of the Dutchmen perished, and two thousand were taken -prisoners. Eighteen of the largest Dutch ships were taken, and fourteen -more were sunk or burned. The English had one ship taken, had two -hundred and fifty men killed, and three hundred and forty wounded. The -fight lasted without intermission from three o’clock in the morning, -till seven o’clock in the evening. - -The Duke of York was severely blamed by some critics for his failure to -secure the full advantages that might have been gained by this decisive -victory. Clarendon says apologetically, that “the duke had received -so many blows on his own and the other ships, that it was necessary -to retire into port, where they might be repaired.” Bishop Burnet’s -account of the duke’s conduct after the fight puts His Grace in an -unenviable light and position. Burnet, in his circumstantial style of -minute narration, says: “After the flight of the Dutch vessels, the -duke ordered all the sail to be set on to overtake them. There was -a council of war called to concert the method of action, when they -should come up with them. In that council, Penn, who commanded under -the duke, happened to say that they must prepare for hotter work, in -the next engagement. He knew well the courage of the Dutch was never -so high as when they were desperate.” Burnet adds that “the Earl of -Montague, a volunteer, one of the duke’s court, said to me it was -very visible, that made an impression. All the duke’s domestics said -he had got honour enough,--why should he venture a second time? The -duchess had also given a strict charge to the duke’s servants, to do -all they could, to hinder him from engaging too far. When matters were -settled, they went to sleep; and the duke ordered a call to be given -him, when they should get up to the Dutch fleet. It is not known what -passed between the duke and Brounker, who was of his bed-chamber, and -was then in waiting; but he came to Penn, as from the duke, and said -the duke ordered sail to be slackened. Penn was struck with the order, -but did not go to argue the matter with the duke himself, as he ought -to have done, but obeyed the order. When the duke had slept, he, upon -his waking, went out on the quarter-deck, and seemed amazed to see the -sails slackened, and that thereby all hope of overtaking the Dutch -was lost. He questioned Penn upon it; Penn blamed Brounker, who said -nothing. The duke denied having given any such order, but he neither -punished Brounker for carrying it, nor Penn for obeying it. He put -Brounker out of his service, but durst do no more, because he was so -strong in the king’s favour. Penn was more in his favour after that -than even before,--which favour was continued to his son after him, -though a Quaker; and it was thought that all that favour was shown to -oblige him to keep the secret. Lord Montague did believe “that the duke -was struck, and that he had no mind to engage again, and that Penn was -privately with him.” Other accounts of the affair have been given,--but -none of them are a satisfactory vindication of the duke’s valour, or -evidence that he followed up his advantage, as a brave and capable -commander should have done. - -The fleet returned home, and was refitted with expedition, and in less -than a month was again ready for sea. Sixty ships sailed from Southwold -Bay on the 5th July 1665, under the command of the Earl of Sandwich. -The fleet sailed northwards, and at Bergen engaged in a series of -tangled manœuvres and operations,--complicated by the part necessarily -taken by the Danish authorities. In the course of his cruise, the -earl, on the 4th September, fell in with four Dutch East Indiamen and -several merchantmen in the North Sea. They were protected by a strong -convoy. Lord Sandwich promptly attacked the Dutch, and, after a severe -conflict, captured eight of the Dutch men-of-war, two of the richest -of the East Indiamen, and several of the merchant ships;--the others -were scattered by the storm, and escaped. On the 9th of September, -four men-of-war, two fire-ships, and thirty merchantmen, losing their -courses in the fog, joined the English fleet by mistake, and were all -taken, with upwards of a thousand prisoners. The Earl of Sandwich -brought home his fleet in triumph. The contribution to the Treasury -from this expedition was most acceptable, and much needed to provide -for further costly naval operations, necessary to maintain England’s -“sovereignty of the seas.” - -The valiant Earl of Sandwich, like most other eminent and successful -men, had his enemies and detractors, and foremost among these was -Sir William Coventry, the secretary to the Duke of York; “a sullen, -ill-natured, proud man, whose ambition had no limits, nor could be -contained within any.” He had prevented Prince Rupert from being -associated with Lord Sandwich in the command of the fleet, not to -favour the earl, but to mortify the prince. Clarendon pronounced him -a man “who never paid a civility to any worthy man, but as it was a -disobligation to another, whom he cared less for.” Without provocation -he proceeded to pluck the earl of the honours he had taken part in -conferring upon him. Coventry did his utmost to have the earl dismissed -from the service. - -In 1666 the Earl of Sandwich was appointed to an office of great trust -and dignity--Ambassador Extraordinary, to mediate and negotiate a peace -between England and Spain and Portugal. He accomplished his delicate -mission with signal success, and in the course of a year brought -the complicated negotiations to an amicable conclusion. He arrived -at Madrid on the 26th May 1666, and a treaty of forty articles was -signed, on the 13th May 1667. Having been successful with Spain, he -next proceeded to Lisbon, and successfully arranged the conditions of a -treaty with Portugal, which was signed on the 13th February 1668. - -The Earl of Sandwich achieved a high reputation by the manner -in which he conducted these important affairs of State. His -despatches were pronounced models of sound judgment, dignity, and -patriotism,--remarkable alike for accuracy of expression and honesty -of purpose. In Spain and Portugal he produced a highly favourable -impression, tending powerfully towards the cultivation of friendly -relations with England. The king and the Duke of York sent Lord -Sandwich autograph letters complimenting him highly upon the skill -and success with which he had fulfilled his mission. On his return to -England he was received with marked favour, and admitted to greater -confidence at court than he had ever, up to that time, enjoyed. - -The earl was, on the 3rd August 1670, sworn in President of a -newly-appointed Council in Trade and Plantations, to whom the -government of the Colonies was entrusted. As Vice-Admiral, Privy -Councillor, and President of the Council of Trade, he had many -opportunities of rendering important public services. He availed -himself of these with great zeal, and exercised his authority in the -most impartial spirit. He set his face against all factions, and in -doing so, made for himself some bitter enemies. The Cabal did all they -could to thwart and undermine him. He introduced a new system into the -navy, founding promotion upon meritorious services. He was idolised by -the fleet, but hated by the hunters after rank, who had no better claim -to promotion than connection or private interest. - -In 1672 war with the Dutch again broke out. The interval that had -elapsed, since the close of the former hostilities, had been diligently -employed by the Dutch in refitting their navy, and they turned out -a powerful fleet of ships, improved in construction, well equipped, -and commanded by the distinguished Admiral De Ruyter. The naval force -of France acted in conjunction with that of England. The Duke of -York, although his conduct in the former actions had been at least -questionable, again assumed the chief command of the English fleet, in -the red squadron which took the centre. The Earl of Sandwich commanded -the blue squadron, and Count D’Estrées, the French vice-admiral, the -white squadron. A trustworthy writer has given the strength of the -united English and French fleets as sixty-five line of battle ships, -exclusive of frigates and all necessary attendant vessels, making up -the total force, including the French contingent, to something above -one hundred sail. The Dutch fleet consisted of seventy-five large -ships, and forty frigates and fire-ships, commanded by De Ruyter as -chief, by Bancquert in the van, and Van Ghent in the rear. These -divisions corresponded with those of the combined fleet. - -[Illustration: ACTION BETWEEN THE EARL OF SANDWICH AND ADMIRAL DE -RUYTER.] - -After cruising about from the first week in May till the 28th, the -Dutch fleet was descried at break of day, approaching with great speed. -The utmost haste was needed in the English fleet to prepare for battle; -and many of the ships had to cut their cables to get away and form in -order. The blue squadron, commanded by the Earl of Sandwich, in his -flag-ship the _Royal James_, of one hundred guns, commenced the action -by a hot attack on the squadron of Van Ghent. The earl’s object in his -attack was partly to give the vessels of the combined fleet time to -form. In this he was completely successful. Captain Brackel, in the -_Great Holland_, made a furious attack upon the _Royal James_, but got -much the worst of the fight, and was, with several others of the Dutch -men-of-war, disabled by their powerful antagonist, which also sank -three of the Dutch fire-ships. The white squadron, under D’Estrées, the -French vice-admiral, withstood for a time the fierce onslaught of the -Dutch, but soon sheered off,--keeping aloof from the engagement during -the remainder of the day. - -The Duke of York and De Ruyter were warmly engaged against each other -for several hours. The main-mast of the _St. Michael_, the duke’s -ship, was shot down, and it sustained such serious damage as to compel -him to change into the _Loyal London_. The most desperate part of the -battle was that in which the Earl of Sandwich was engaged. Soon after -he was attacked by the _Great Holland_, which had grappled with him -for an hour and a half, when the whole of Van Ghent’s squadron bore -down upon him. He was completely surrounded by Dutch men-of-war and -fire-ships. In the midst of this tremendous struggle Van Ghent fell. -The _Great Holland_ was shattered, and became a wreck; Brackel, the -commander, was wounded, and almost all the other officers were killed -or wounded. In this unequal contest, which had lasted for more than -five hours, the Earl of Sandwich defended his ship with the most heroic -and dauntless bravery, and--although he had not received from the rest -of the squadron the support he had a right to claim and expect--he -succeeded in so far repulsing the enemy as to break through their wall -of fire, and continue his daring conflict with them from the outer -side. He carried on, against fearful odds, the struggle for victory. -In his desperate strait, the vice-admiral, Sir Joseph Jordan, might -have assisted him, had the duke demanded his assistance, but he sailed -past, heedless of the condition of the wrecked flag-ship, and the -claims upon a brave comrade, its gallant commander. When the earl saw -Jordan pass unheeding, he exclaimed, “There is nothing left for us now -but to defend the ship, to the last man.” The situation was appalling. -Of one thousand men on board the _Royal James_ at the commencement -of the action, six hundred lay dead upon the deck. The devastation -continued,--men dropped rapidly,--and the ship was so shattered that it -was impossible to carry her off. A fourth fire-ship grappled the doomed -_Royal James_, and accomplished its mission of destruction. The gallant -ship was speedily in flames. The earl entreated his captain, Sir -Richard Haddock, his servants, and all who could, to get into the boats -and save themselves, which at last they did. Haddock was afterwards -taken out of the sea alive, but severely wounded in the thigh. The -attempts to extinguish the fire by the few sailors who remained on -board were utterly vain, and about noon the _Royal James_ blew up, and -all who had remained in the ship perished, including the brave Earl of -Sandwich and one of his sons. The body of the earl was not recovered -till a fortnight after the terrible event. The following announcement -appeared in the _Gazette_ of 10th June 1672:-- - - “HARWICH, _10th June_. - - “This day the body of the Right Honourable Edward, Earl of - Sandwich, being, by the order upon his coat, discovered floating - on the sea by one of His Majesty’s ketches, was taken up and - brought into this port, where Sir Charles Littleton, the governor, - receiving it, took immediate care for its embalming and honourable - disposing, till His Majesty’s pleasure should be known concerning - it; for the obtaining of which His Majesty was attended at - Whitehall the next day by the master of the said vessel, who, by - Sir Charles Littleton’s order, was sent to present His Majesty with - the George found upon the body of the said Earl, which remained, - at the time of its taking up, in every part unblemished, saving by - some impression made by the fire upon his face and breast; upon - which His Majesty, out of his great regard to the deservings of the - said Earl, and his unexampled performances in this last act of his - life, hath resolved to have his body brought up to London; there - at his charge, to receive the rites of funeral due to his great - quality and merits.” - -Reverting to the terrible contest, it is stated that the battle raged -with incessant fury from a little after seven in the morning until nine -o’clock in the evening. Tremendous losses were sustained by both the -English and the Dutch, on whose side their admirals, Evertsen and Van -Ghent, with many of their chief officers, were killed, and De Ruyter -was wounded. The English also lost many officers, besides the brave -Earl of Sandwich,--and vast numbers of men fell in both fleets. Victory -was claimed by both sides, but it seems to have been gained by neither. -They fought as long as a remnant of fighting life and strength were -left in either of them. At the end of the dreadful day’s work the Dutch -sailed away, which does not look like victory. The English did not -pursue them, which looks also as if they had had enough of it. - -The body of the deceased earl was conveyed from Harwich to Deptford -in one of the king’s yachts. The _Gazette_ of 4th July informs us -that the body was at Deptford on the 3rd July 1672, “laid in the -most solemn manner in a sumptuous barge, and conveyed to Westminster -Bridge,[3] attended by the King’s barge, His Royal Highness the Duke of -York’s, as also with the several barges of the nobility, Lord Mayor, -and the several companies of the city of London, adorned suitably to -the melancholy occasion, with trumpets and other music that sounded -the deepest notes. On passing by the Tower, the great guns there -were discharged, as well as at Whitehall; and about five o’clock in -the evening, the body being taken out of the barge at Westminster -Bridge, there was a procession to the Abbey church, with the greatest -magnificence. Eight earls were assistant to his son Edward, Earl of -Sandwich, chief mourner; and most of the nobility, and other persons -of quality in town, gave their assistance to his interment.” In this -order they proceeded through a double line of the King’s Guards drawn -up on each side of the street, to the west end of the Abbey, where the -dean, prebends, and choir received them, and conducted them into Henry -Seventh’s Chapel, where the remains of the Earl of Sandwich were most -solemnly committed to, the Duke of Albemarle’s vault,--which done, the -officers broke their white staffs, and Garter proclaimed the titles of -the most noble earl deceased. The great earl perished in the prime of -life, having only reached his forty-seventh year. - - [3] A causeway so called at that time. - -The high character and noble qualities of the Earl of Sandwich are so -clearly revealed in his life, as to render comment upon his character, -or enumeration of his qualities, superfluous. He took no share in -intrigues, either under the Commonwealth or the Monarchy, both of which -he served. His life was a continuous series of public services. He -was brave, wise, just, and generous,--the advocate of no party. His -highest ambition was to be instrumental in promoting the prosperity of -his country, and maintaining its honour among the nations. - - - - -PRINCE RUPERT, - -NAVAL AND MILITARY COMMANDER. - -CHAPTER XII. - -THE DUTCH DISCOVER ENGLISH COURAGE TO BE INVINCIBLE. - - -Some heroes of the olden time played many parts, which are in these -later days assigned to distinct and separate performers. The division -of labour was not then so well understood and appreciated,--and -specialists were more rare. Prince Rupert, like Blake, his great -antagonist, with whom he repeatedly came into conflict upon land -and at sea, distinguished himself highly as a military as well as a -naval commander. He was, in addition, an accomplished chemist and -metallurgist, and in general scientific culture and attainments much in -advance of his age. Rupert was endowed with a degree of native energy -that swept aside temptations to indulge in luxurious idleness, and -made effeminacy impossible. He was preternaturally restless, active, -and impetuous; so much so, as to have made his name a proverbial -adjective, expressive of these qualities. This was illustrated in the -case of a distinguished deceased statesman, Earl Derby, who was fitly -pronounced “the Rupert of debate.” - -[Illustration: PRINCE RUPERT AT EDGEHILL.] - -Prince Rupert was the third son of Frederick, Elector Palatine, King -of Bohemia, and Princess Elizabeth, eldest daughter of King James I., -and sister of Charles I., King of England,--to whom he was accordingly -nephew. He was born at Prague, 18th December 1619. He was probably -educated and trained, as most German princes were then,--and have -continued to be since,--with a view to his following the profession of -arms. In 1630 he was a student at Leyden, and proved himself an apt -scholar, particularly in languages. Military studies, even as a boy, -he prosecuted with much zest. In 1633, a lad of fourteen years, he -was with the Prince of Orange at the siege of Rheneberg, and served -as a volunteer against the Spaniards in the Prince’s Life Guards. -In 1635 he was at the English court, and in the following year took -the degree--or had it conferred upon him--of M.A. at Oxford. In 1638 -he was again at the Hague, and took part in the siege of Breda, at -which he exhibited his characteristic reckless bravery. He was taken -prisoner by the Austrians, and was confined for three years at Linz. -Overtures were pressed upon him, which he steadfastly resisted, to -change his religion, and take service under the emperor. In 1642 he -was released, and returned to the Hague, proceeding shortly afterwards -to England, where he was made Master of the Horse, otherwise commander -of the king’s cavalry, when only twenty-three years of age. He joined -the king at Leicester in August 1642, and was present at the raising -of the royal standard at Nottingham. He was about that time admitted -to the dignity of Knight of the Garter. He introduced important -improvements in cavalry movements and general military administration. -He displayed great activity and bravery, in the actions at Worcester -and Edgehill. He was opposed in his march to London, and led valiantly -in some desperate fighting. In 1643 took Cirencester for the king, -but failed in his attempt to take Gloucester. He had a number of -stirring military actions and adventures in different parts of the -country, and amongst them a conflict with John Hampden at Chalgrove -on the 18th June, in which the patriot was slain. Throughout the war -Rupert exhibited unwavering intrepidity. In token of appreciation of -his services, the king raised him to the dignity of a peer of England, -under the title of Earl of Holderness and Duke of Cumberland, and -appointed him Generalissimo of the army. In the course of events, -during the contest between the king and the Parliament, Rupert achieved -some victories, but sustained also many reverses, which culminated -in the defeat of the king’s forces, at the battle of Naseby. Rupert -was regarded with envy, jealousy, and dislike by a large party of the -courtiers, who intrigued against him, and sought to diminish or destroy -his influence. The queen was also against him. From Naseby the king and -his shattered army fled to Bristol, which Rupert engaged to hold for -four months, but surrendered in three weeks,--not from lack of bravery, -but from impatience, and inability to endure an inactive life--he was -as a caged lion. A contemporary critic says of him that he was “the -boldest _attaquer_ in the world for personal courage, but wanted the -patience and seasoned head to consult and advise for defence.” Although -impetuous and courageous to a fault, he was not utterly reckless,--and -his view of the situation, estimate of forces, and calculation as to -probabilities, led him to counsel the king to endeavour to come to -terms with the Parliament. - -A brilliant incident in Rupert’s career, in which the heroism of -a noble lady shines resplendent, merits a brief reference. Lathom -House, the seat of the Earl of Derby, was left in charge, during the -absence of the earl on public affairs, of his countess, Charlotte de -la Tremouille. The Parliamentary forces demanded possession, which the -countess promptly and uncompromisingly resisted, although confronted -with an army ten times the strength of her garrison. The siege -commenced on the 24th February 1644. The fortress was bombarded by -chain shot, bars of iron, stone balls of thirteen inches diameter, -weighing eighty pounds, and all sorts of terrible missiles. The -artillery of the assailants slackened for a time, and the beleaguered -garrison made a gallant sortie; they slew thirty of the enemy, and took -from them “forty guns and a drum.” Although suffering great privations, -the answer of the countess to the repeated demands to capitulate was, -that they would never be taken alive, but would burn the place and -perish in the flames rather than surrender. Prince Rupert and his -gallant cavalry arrived on the 27th May, put the besiegers to the -rout, and relieved the long-suffering, noble countess and her gallant -garrison. - -The civil war was virtually ended with the battle of Naseby, June 14, -1645. Rupert applied to Parliament for a pass to go abroad, which they -would only grant upon conditions that he could not accept. He was -taken prisoner by Sir Thomas Fairfax, the Parliamentary commander. On -the demand of the Parliament, Rupert proceeded to France, where he -was made a marshal in the French army, and commenced at once active -service. He sustained a wound in the head at Armentières in 1647. -Part of the English fleet, that had adhered to the king, sailed to -Holland, whither Rupert went also, to commence his career as a naval -commander. In conjunction with the Prince of Wales, to whom part of -the Parliamentary fleet had revolted, he assumed the command of the -fleet; the sole command, very soon after, devolved upon Prince Rupert. - -He set out upon a piratical expedition, inflicted considerable injury -upon English trade, and after relieving Grenville at the Scilly -Isles, sailed for the coast of Ireland, with the desire to assist, if -possible, the king’s nearly hopeless cause. Rupert took the harbour and -fort of Kinsale, but not for use or according to his own pleasure, for -his old antagonist Blake was upon him, with a powerful squadron, which -the prince must either engage or remain blocked up in Kinsale. With -his characteristic dashing bravery, he attempted to force his way out -of port, and did so, but at the loss of the _Roebuck_ and the _Black -Prince_, two of Rupert’s best ships, which were sunk in the encounter. -Rupert sailed for Portugal, and was well received by the king, but -Blake followed hard after him, and blockaded him in the Tagus. Again -the gallant Rupert broke through, and sailed for the Mediterranean. He -refitted at Toulon, and did a good deal of not altogether unprofitable -piratical work in a cruise about Madeira, the Canaries, the Azores, -Cape de Verd, and the West Indies. Blake, however, followed him -whithersoever he went, and attacked him on every opportunity. Rupert -was greatly overmatched, and his strength continuously reduced. -Having lost most of his ships, with the remainder shattered and unfit -for sea, at the close of 1652, he took the remnant and such prizes as -he had made, and been able to keep, to Nantes, where he sold them, -and with the proceeds paid the wages of his faithful crews, whom he -discharged,--and then laid aside his command as an admiral. - -Louis XIV. invited Rupert to Paris, and made him Master of the Horse -in the French army. The restless energy of the prince prevented his -settling,--and he travelled in France for a time, returning to Paris -in 1655. About this time he took a turn of work in the laboratory, -and completed a series of experiments, in which he succeeded in very -greatly increasing the explosive force of gunpowder. He prosecuted -his studies and researches in relation to other arts also, including -mezzotint engraving, of which he was the reputed inventor. - -On the restoration of Charles II. in May 1660, Prince Rupert was sent -for by the king, and appears to have been connected with the court for -a few years. In 1661 the prince, in company with a number of noblemen -and persons of rank and eminence, was called to the Bar of the Inner -Temple. In the following year he was sworn as a member of the Privy -Council, and was also declared a Fellow of the Royal Society, which was -then founded, the king subscribing the statutes as founder and patron. - -In 1664, Prince Rupert was appointed admiral of a fleet, that had been -equipped to watch the movements of the Dutch. He hoisted his flag on -board the _Henrietta_, and afterwards on the _Royal James_. He took -part, as admiral of the white, in the great sea-fight between the -English and Dutch fleets, off Lowestoft, in June 1665. The English -fleet was commanded by H.R.H. James, Duke of York, afterwards James -II., King of England; the Dutch were commanded by Admirals Opdam and -Van Tromp. The English got the weather-gage of the Dutch, and about -three o’clock on a fine summer morning, commenced the action, awaking -the inhabitants of Lowestoft by the thunder of their artillery. The -contest was desperate, victory trembling in the balance during many -hours. About noon the Earl of Sandwich came up with a reinforcement, -and fell upon the Dutch centre, which threw them into the confusion -that ended in their defeat. The Duke of York in his flag-ship, the -_Royal Charles_, of eighty guns, and the Dutch Admiral Opdam in the -_Eendracht_, of eighty-four guns, were engaged closely, ship to -ship, yard-arm and yard-arm, when about noon the _Eendracht_ blew up -with a tremendous explosion, the disaster attributable, probably, to -careless management of the powder magazine, and distribution of the -ammunition. Admiral Opdam and five hundred men perished; many of them -were volunteers belonging to some of the best families in Holland, with -a number of Frenchmen, whose lives were the price they paid for the -gratification of their curiosity to witness a sea-fight. Only five of -the crew escaped. The explosion was one of a succession of misfortunes -that befell the Dutch. A number of their best ships ran foul of each -other, and were burnt by the English fire-ships. With a greatly reduced -fleet, the gallant Van Tromp doggedly continued the unequal contest, -and retreated fighting. The Duke of York was much censured for his -failure to pursue his advantage, and terminate, at least for a time, -the contest with Holland, as some authorities thought he might have -done. This we have already referred to. - -[Illustration: TOULON.] - -The impetuosity that had characterised Rupert in his earlier actions, -and had detracted from the value of his services, was now tempered and -subdued, and made him what he was not before, a safe commander. In the -action with Opdam’s fleet, the prince rendered most important service, -that encouraged the belief that he would achieve high distinction as -a naval commander. On the 24th June, Prince Rupert again attacked the -Dutch, pursued them to their own coast, and blocked them up in their -harbours. Again, in the autumn of the same year, having the sole -command of the English fleet, Prince Rupert, learning that the Dutch -were endeavouring to form a junction with a French squadron of forty -sail, followed them so closely into Boulogne Roads as to place them in -imminent danger. A violent storm compelled the prince to return to St. -Helen’s Bay, and prevented him from following up his advantage. Sir -Thomas Allen did so shortly afterwards. - -Prince Rupert on his return was warmly welcomed by the king and the -nation, with whom he was becoming a popular favourite. He was now -associated with the Duke of Albemarle in the command of the English -navy. - -In the spring of 1666 the duke and Prince Rupert were afloat with -a fleet that had been equipped for operations against the Dutch. -It was unfortunate that their power should have been divided, by -detaching Prince Rupert with a squadron, to look for the French and -thwart their naval operations. The duke had a fleet of sixty ships. -On the morning of the 1st of June he got sight of the Dutch fleet, -under Admirals Evertsen, De Ruyter, and Van Tromp,[4] which was found -to consist of ninety-one ships, many of them first-rates, with a -number and weight of guns greatly superior to those of the English -fleet. Lord Albemarle, without hesitation, gave battle. The fight was -carried on with desperate bravery during the whole of that day, and -resumed on the day following. The action is described in our notice -of the Duke of Albemarle. Prince Rupert could find no trace of any -French fleet destined to assist the Dutch, and returned to his home -station. On the 3rd June he came up with the Duke of Albemarle, -whose greatly overmatched squadrons had been so knocked about and -reduced, as to necessitate retreat, which he conducted with great skill -and undiminished courage. In joining forces with the duke, a great -misfortune happened to Prince Rupert’s squadron. The _Royal Prince_, -commanded by Sir George Ayscough, the largest and heaviest ship in the -fleet, ran aground on the Galloper Sands; being without hope of relief, -it was surrendered, and Ayscough, its commander, taken prisoner. - - [4] Cornelius Van Tromp, second son of the great admiral killed - in 1653. - -On the morning of the 4th June, the combined squadrons of Albemarle and -Rupert, although still greatly inferior in power to the Dutch, started -after them in pursuit,--the Dutch being almost out of sight. About -eight in the morning they again commenced their onslaught upon each -other. Five times the English fleet charged through the Dutch line, -firing into it, right and left. Rupert’s ship became disabled, and that -of Albemarle terribly shattered, and the injuries on both sides were -most disastrous. About seven in the evening the hostile fleets drew -off from each other,--their commanders appearing to agree, tacitly, in -thinking that they had enough of it, for the present. - -This, which may be pronounced a drawn battle, has been regarded as -the most terrible action fought in this, or perhaps in any other -war. So the Dutch admirals also considered it. De Witt says of it: -“If the English were beat, their defeat did them more honour than -all their former victories; all that the Dutch had discovered was, -that Englishmen might be killed, and English ships might be burned, -but English courage was invincible.” It is not easy to say who were -victors on the whole, and what the losses were of the victors and the -vanquished respectively. Dutch historians compute our loss at sixteen -men-of-war, of which ten were sunk and six taken. Our writers put -the Dutch loss at fifteen men-of-war, twenty-one captains, and five -thousand men. The Dutch themselves admit that they lost nine ships, -and had a prodigious number of men slain. Discounting even the lowest -estimates, it seems impossible to realise the scenes that produced such -ghastly results. - -Only a short breathing-time was taken by the combatants, and a brief -space for a hurried repair of damages. Before the end of June the Dutch -fleet was again at sea, and was met by an English fleet of eighty -men-of-war of different sizes, and nineteen fire-ships, divided into -three squadrons. The command was again with the Duke of Albemarle -and Prince Rupert. The Dutch fleet of eighty-eight men-of-war, and -twenty fire-ships, was also in three squadrons, commanded by Admirals -De Ruyter, John Evertsen, brother to the admiral who was killed in a -former engagement, and Cornelius Van Tromp. - -About noon the hostile fleets came into contact off the North Foreland. -Rupert and the duke, who were in the same ship, made a desperate -attack upon De Ruyter’s ship, which was in the centre of the Dutch -fleet. After fighting for about three hours, their ship had sustained -such serious injuries as to force them to betake themselves to another. -The most dogged bravery was displayed on both sides, but the English -had the best of the battle. The Dutch retreated. All that night Prince -Rupert and the duke followed in pursuit of De Ruyter. When the gallant -Dutchman found himself so hard pressed, and his fleet in such imminent -danger, he is said to have cried in despair, “My God, what a wretch -am I! Is there not one of these thousands of bullets to put me out of -pain?” He reached, however, the shallow coast of Holland, where the -English could not follow him. Prince Rupert sent a small shallop, with -two small guns on board, close up to De Ruyter’s ship,--the men rowing -it into position,--and opened fire upon the admiral. A return shot -proved convincing to the assailants that this was too dangerous, and -the shallop was rowed back. - -This, it is stated, was the most decided and unquestioned victory -gained during the war. The Dutch were completely defeated, and the -two great admirals, De Ruyter and Van Tromp, could only attempt their -defence by angry recriminations. The Dutch lost twenty ships in the -action; four of their admirals, and a great many captains, and about -four thousand men were killed, with as many wounded. The English lost -one ship burnt, had three captains and about three hundred men killed. - -From 1666 till 1672 there was an interval of peace, during which -Prince Rupert applied himself to scientific pursuits. On the death -of the Earl of Sandwich in 1672, Rupert was appointed to succeed him -as Vice-Admiral of England, and when the Duke of York shortly after -retired from command of the fleet, Prince Rupert was appointed Lord -High Admiral of England. - -Prince Rupert commenced his active duties with the new dignity in April -1673. He effected an important change in naval spirit and method. The -Dutch had hitherto come to us, Rupert went to them. The Hollanders -were rather surprised to find an English fleet at their doors in -the middle of May 1673. De Ruyter was riding within the sands at -Schonebeck, and occupied a very advantageous position, from which it -was desirable he should be drawn. About nine in the morning of the 28th -a squadron, consisting of thirty-five frigates and thirteen fire-ships, -were accordingly detached to lure the enemy from his anchorage. The -ruse was successful, and the action commenced at noon. The advanced -detachment engaged Van Tromp, and the prince attacked De Ruyter. The -contest was obstinate, and the contending ships inflicted tremendous -punishment upon each other. Van Tromp shifted his flag four times,--and -his English antagonists, Spragge and the Earl of Ossory, had to do -the like. Rupert, on his part, did all that could be expected from a -wise and valiant commander. Towards the close of the battle, which -lasted till night, Rupert’s ship had taken in such quantities of water -as to throw out of use the lower tier of guns. The Dutch retreated -behind their sands, which averted what would have been their defeat. -In reporting on the action to the Earl of Arlington, Prince Rupert -writes: “Had it not been for the shoals, we had driven them into their -harbours, and the king would have had a better account of them.” - -[Illustration: W. THOMAS. - -ADRIAN DE RUYTER.] - -With the advantage of recruiting immediately, being at home,--the Dutch -were again at sea at the beginning of June. Suspicious that the enemy -meant to take us by surprise, Prince Rupert went on board the _Royal -Sovereign_ on the evening of 3rd June, and watched during the whole of -the night. On the morning of the 4th the Dutch were seen bearing down -upon our fleet. Rupert, more than willing to meet them, ordered his -cables to be cut. The action lasted from about four in the afternoon -till dark, but no great damage was done, and there was no fighting at -close quarters. Between ten and eleven at night the Dutch bore away to -the east. - -Considerably strengthened, the hostile fleets came together again -in August, when Prince Rupert encountered De Ruyter for the third -time. The French were in this action our allies, but Rear-Admiral De -Martel was the only commander in the French contingent that was, in -honesty and earnestness, a combatant. Rupert had to trust to himself, -and to Sir Edward Spragge, for such help as he might be able to get -from him. Against Prince Rupert and his squadron that occupied the -centre of the English line of battle, the attack was concentrated. -The English fleet consisted of about sixty men-of-war, and the French -of thirty. The Dutch fleet had about seventy ships, but the numerical -superiority of Rupert’s force was illusory. With the exception of De -Martel, none of the French commanders rendered any assistance,--they -were mere spectators. They deserted their own countryman,--the brave -Martel,--and looked on with craven stare as he bore unaided the -combined attack of five Dutch ships,--one of which he disabled, and -made the others sheer off. The contest was furious and protracted, but -indecisive. The conduct of Prince Rupert throughout the action was -resolute, courageous, judicious, and worthy of the highest admiration. -The pusillanimity of the French, and the disobedience or misconception -of orders, on the part of his subordinate admirals and commanders, -prevented the action from being a signal victory. - -Soon after this action Prince Rupert retired from public life, although -he did not resign his Admiralty commission till 1679. The years of -his retirement were passed chiefly at Windsor Castle, his time being -much given to literary and scientific studies and pursuits. He was an -active member of the Board of Trade, and a governor of the Hudson’s Bay -Company. Reference has already been made to his skill as an engraver, -and to his improvement in the composition of gunpowder. He was the -inventor of a method of treating plumbago,--converting it into a -tractable fluid. Amongst his other inventions were the amalgam, named -after him prince’s metal, for sheathing ships; a screw applied to a -quadrant at sea, which prevented shifting, either from the unsteadiness -of the observer’s hands or from the ship’s motion; a rapid discharging -gun; an engine for raising water; an improved method of blasting in -mines; a quick and accurate method of drawing in perspective. - -Prince Rupert died in his house in Spring Gardens, London, on the 29th -November 1682, in the sixty-third year of his age. He was interred in -the Chapel of Henry VII., in Westminster Abbey, with the honour and -respect due to his rank and character. - -Throughout life he was eminently brave. He had natural and acquired -powers, that lifted him high above the run of common men. He was -thoroughly straightforward, detested cabals and intrigues, and kept -entirely aloof from them, although he suffered from them,--especially -as a naval commander. He never meddled with affairs of State or Cabinet -or matters that were not his business. In religion he was a steady -Protestant; to the State a zealous and faithful servant; to his king a -loyal and devoted subject. It is not too much to say of him that he was -an honest, wise, and brave man. - - - - -SIR EDWARD SPRAGGE, - -ONE BORN TO COMMAND. - -CHAPTER XIII. - -THE DUTCH AVOW SUCH FIERCE FIGHTING NEVER TO HAVE BEEN SEEN. - - -Those who are “born great” enjoy favourable conditions for also -achieving greatness, provided they are possessed of the necessary -qualifications. On the other hand, there have been many instances of -men who have proved themselves “born to command,” whose forebears have -left no trace of their existence. The naval heroes of the later half -of the seventeenth century belonged to all classes, princes of the -blood royal, scions of ancient and honourable houses, and many without -any early records. The brave Sir Edward Spragge belongs to the last -category. - -Sir Edward Spragge, in 1661, was captain of the _Portland_, and -afterwards, in succession, the _Dover_, the _Lion_, the _Royal -James_, and the _Triumph_, which he commanded in the great battle -with the Dutch off Lowestoft, on the 3rd June 1665. The mighty Dutch -fleet in this battle comprised a hundred and three men-of-war, eleven -fire-ships, and seven yachts. It was in seven squadrons, commanded -by Admirals Opdam, Van Tromp, John Evertsen, Cornelius Evertsen, -Cortenaer, Stillingwerth, and Schram. In this important action, -referred to in the sketch of Prince Rupert, Spragge and Van Tromp made -each other’s acquaintance as antagonists. Amongst many devoted heroes -on both sides, Spragge distinguished himself highly by his conspicuous -bravery, which procured him the honour of knighthood, conferred on the -24th June of the same year. - -In 1666, Sir Edward was promoted rear-admiral of the white, and again, -vice-admiral of the blue. As commander of the _Dreadnought_, he took -a distinguished part in the four days’ battle with the Dutch in June -1666,--his brave and skilful conduct attracting the particular notice -of the Duke of Albemarle. On the 24th July, Spragge, carrying his flag -in the blue squadron, again engaged Van Tromp; he completely disabled -Tromp’s vice-admiral, killed his rear-admiral, and ruined the rigging -of his ship,--thus contributing greatly to the success of the action. - -In the following year Sir Edward was appointed to an onerous duty, by -the Duke of Albemarle--the defence of the fort at Sheerness, threatened -by the Dutch. On the 10th June 1667, the Dutch attacked the fort. The -place was really incapable of effective resistance, its sole defence -consisting of a platform on which fifteen iron guns were mounted. He -bravely continued to resist for a time the combined fierce attack of -about thirty men-of-war. Continued resistance, however, would have -resulted in the inevitable destruction of his gallant garrison, and he -skilfully made good his retreat. - -The appearance of the Dutch fleet in the Thames, and the capture of -Sheerness, created a panic in London and in England generally, and -brought many reproaches on Charles II.,--stirring up remembrances of -Cromwell and the Commonwealth, under whose auspices the dignity and -honour of the country had always been maintained. The fort of Sheerness -was destroyed. The Dutch (who had received very little damage), it was -feared, might at the next tide sail up the Thames, and extend their -hostilities even to London Bridge. Thirteen ships were in consequence -sunk at Northfleet and four at Blackwall; platforms were raised in many -places, and furnished with artillery; the trained bands were called -out, and every place was in violent agitation. - -Spragge collected such naval force as he could, and retreated up the -Medway, with a squadron of five frigates, seventeen fire-ships,--an -extraordinary proportion!--and a few tenders. He took his station near -the battery at Gillingham, opposite Upnor Castle, where he gave the -Dutch, under Admiral Van Ness, a very warm reception, as they attempted -to force their way up the river. The Dutch retreated, and, after paying -a hostile visit to Harwich, returned again to the Medway, and on the -23rd July sailed up to near the Hope, where a squadron, slightly -reinforced, and placed under the command of Sir Edward Spragge, awaited -them. When the Dutch came up, Sir Edward unfortunately had not arrived -to take the command, and the enemy were very near snatching a victory. -Hostilities were renewed on the second day, under Sir Edward’s personal -command. The enemy were attacked with great vigour and effect, and -the Dutch sheered off, with Spragge in hot pursuit. By dexterous -management he contrived so to tow his fire-ships as to burn twelve of -the enemy’s, with an expenditure of six of his own fire-ships. On the -25th, at daylight, the Dutch had dropped down as far as the buoy at the -Nore. Sir Edward following them was compelled by the tide coming up -against him, to come to an anchor at a point a little below Lee. At one -o’clock, the flood being spent, the Dutch fleet got under way, and our -squadron resumed pursuit. The fleets opened fire upon each other, but -at too great a distance for the guns, such as they were at that period, -to be effective. On the 26th, Sir J. Jordan arrived from Harwich -with a reinforcement. He contrived to pass the Dutch fleet, which lay -between him and Spragge, and joined in the attack upon the Dutch; on -the 27th the Dutch were out of sight, without having given Sir Edward a -chance of closing with them. This was the last action in that war with -the Dutch. - -[Illustration: THE DUTCH FLEET CAPTURES SHEERNESS.] - -In 1668, Sir Edward was appointed an envoy to the Constable of Castile, -who had recently been made Governor of the Spanish Netherlands. Sir -Edward’s function was to compliment the governor on his appointment, -and to complete further negotiations in relation to certain State -measures in which Sir Edward was interested, and with which he was -conversant. The estimation in which Sir Edward was held may be inferred -from the following extract from a letter of Lord Arlington to Sir -William Temple. It is dated London, December 11, 1668. “The bearer, Sir -Edward Spragge, is sent by His Majesty to the Constable of Castile, to -compliment His Excellency upon his arrival in Flanders; where it is -possible you may either meet him, according to your late credential, or -send to him, in order to something in His Majesty’s service, I thought -I could not do less than, in a few lines, let you know that he is a -brave man, and hath long served His Majesty faithfully (particularly -with much gallantry in the last Dutch wars); that you may on all -occasions put that value upon him which is his due, and which shall be -always acknowledged by,” etc. Sir Edward returned to Whitehall from his -embassy on the 29th of January following. - -While the Dutch and English had been fighting each other, they had -given a golden opportunity, of which an enemy common to both--the -Algerine corsairs--had taken full advantage. These pirates infested the -Mediterranean, and were the scourge of the traders of Western Europe. -Expeditions had been repeatedly sent against them by both the English -and the Dutch. They had been often punished in skirmishing actions, and -cowed for a little while,--but never crushed. They entered readily into -treaties, binding them to better behaviour, but broke the treaties, and -their promises, before the negotiators of the other part reached their -respective home ports. The merchants complained loudly of their heavy -losses at the hands of the corsairs, and of the ruinous risks, incurred -in the conduct of foreign commerce. The king and his advisers, unable -to deny that the complaints were well grounded, selected Sir Edward -Spragge to command a squadron to be sent against the pirates, in the -hope that he would be successful in his operations, and especially that -he would follow up and establish his success more effectively than had -been done hitherto. Sir Edward had the character at court of possessing -a sound judgment, resolute purpose, daring courage, and withal a -captivating address, and the most polished manners. - -Sir Edward sailed from England in the spring of the year 1671, with -five frigates and three fire-ships, in the expectation of being joined -by other ships on the way, so that he might have a fleet of about -twelve sail in all. Misfortunes befell the squadron on the way. The -_Eagle_ fire-ship became disabled in a storm, and another ship sprang -her main-mast, and had to leave for repair. The _Eagle_ had such -refitting as could be done, and the squadron held on its way, and -about May Day 1671, entered the Bay of Boujeiah, or Bugia, in a brisk -gale. The intention was to fire the ships of the Algerines, and a -night attempt was made upon them by the men and boats of the squadron, -but was frustrated by the premature lighting of the fire-ship that -was to have carried the flames into the midst of the Algerines. They -took alarm, and in haste unrigged their ships, and for defence made a -strong boom of the spars, lashed together, and buoyed up with casks. -The discharge of a pistol by a drunken gunner set light to a second -fire-ship, which was destroyed, leaving only one more, the _Little -Victory_, which unfortunately drew too much water to approach the part -of the bay where the Algerines lay. - -On the 8th May 1671, a body of horse and foot were seen on shore; they -were an escort to a large supply of ammunition, that had been sent from -Algiers for their ships. On its safe arrival, the Algerines fired off -their cannon, as a joyous salute. Sir Edward Spragge, uncertain as -to future reinforcements, concluded that prompt energetic action was -the most hopeful course to pursue. He directed the _Little Victory_ -to be lightened, so that she might not draw above eight feet. About -noon a fine breeze sprang up, and the admiral gave the signal for the -men-of-war to draw into line, and bear into the bay. The ships bore -in as directed. The admiral came to an anchor in four fathom water, -and was a mark within range for the castle guns, which directed their -fire upon him for two hours. His own pinnace and those of the _Mary_ -and the _Dragon_ were manned with crews told off for the honourable -and dangerous service of cutting the boom, which they did gallantly, -although not without loss in killed and wounded. In the admiral’s -pinnace there were seven men killed, and all the rest wounded, except -Mr. Harman, who commanded. Lieutenant Pierce, of the _Dragon_, with -ten of his men, were wounded, and one man killed. Lieutenant Pinn, of -the _Mary’s_ boat, was wounded, and eight of his men besides. The boom -being cut, the fire-ship went in, and, getting up athwart the bowsprits -of the Algerine ships,--the _Little Victory_ being thoroughly well -alight,--set fire to, and destroyed the whole of the enemy’s ships. -Captain Harris, who commanded the fire-ship, his master’s mate, a -gunner, and one of the seamen, were badly wounded, and the well-planned -attack might have failed in execution, but for the forethought of -the admiral in appointing a deputy commander to act in case of need. -This was Henry Williams, master’s mate, who had formerly commanded -the _Rose_ fire-ship. As deputy and acting commander, he performed -admirably, with unflinching courage, the duties thus devolving upon -him. The Algerine ships destroyed were--the _White Horse_, the _Orange -Tree_, the _Three Cypress Trees_, each of thirty-four guns; the _Three -Half Moons_, twenty-eight guns; the _Pearl_, twenty-six guns; and the -_Golden Crown_, and _Half Moon_, each of twenty-four guns. - -This loss to the Algerines was almost irreparable. These picked -men-of-war ships had been specially selected to fight Sir Edward -Spragge. They were armed with the best brass guns that could be brought -together, taken from their other ships. They were manned by about -nineteen hundred picked men, and commanded by their most courageous -and experienced admiral. Nearly four hundred of the Algerines were -killed. The castle and town were greatly shattered, and a large number -of people in them killed and wounded. The personal suffering was -greatly aggravated from the surgeons’ chests having been burned with -the ships,--thus cutting off the surgical aid and relief that might -otherwise have been given. In addition to the ships enumerated, there -were destroyed with them (of necessity, not willingly) a Genoese ship, -a small English prize, and a settee. - -In this memorable and important engagement, Sir Edward Spragge had -seventeen men killed and forty-one wounded; a loss extraordinarily -small, when it is borne in mind that his fleet was exposed to the fire -of the guns of the fortress on land, as well as of the ships. - -The internationally interesting fact is worthy of mention here, that -in all our wars with the Algerines, the Spaniards allowed us the free -use of the harbour of Port Mahon,--the English being regarded as the -champions of civilisation and the protectors of the commerce of the -Mediterranean. Sir Edward accordingly repaired to the harbour of Port -Mahon, and there refitted sufficiently to enable him to bring his ships -home. He returned in triumph. - -In the subsequent Dutch wars Sir Edward Spragge took a prominent part, -and discharged his duties with consummate skill and invincible courage. -He acted as vice-admiral of the red in the battle of Solebay, and was -afterwards appointed to succeed the Earl of Sandwich as admiral of the -blue. Between this time and the war conducted by Prince Rupert, Sir -Edward was sent to France on an embassy, which he conducted with sound -judgment, to the entire satisfaction of the court. - -His Royal Highness the Duke of York having resolved to resume command -of the navy, the duty was assigned to Sir Edward Spragge to make all -necessary preparations for his reception. - -At the Solebay fight, 28th May 1673, Sir Edward Spragge took an active -part, and distinguished himself greatly. It is stated that when he -received his appointment from the king for this particular service, -he promised that he would bring to the king, Van Tromp, dead or -alive,--or lose his own life in the attempt. Spragge’s contest with -Van Tromp, ship to ship, lasted for seven hours, in the course of -which the gallant Dutchman was so assailed by his antagonist as to be -compelled to shift from the _Golden Lion_ into the _Prince_, again -into the _Amsterdam_, and yet again, into the _Comet_. In this last -ship, Spragge would have, in part at least, redeemed his promise to -the king, and have done his adversary to death or captivity, but for -Admiral De Ruyter coming to his assistance. Sir Edward’s ship was also -so much damaged as to force him to shift into another, and again into a -third. Prince Rupert and Spragge had had a quarrel, some time previous -to this action, and the breach had not been healed, but this did not -prevent the prince from bearing frank and honourable testimony to Sir -Edward’s bravery. In a letter to the Earl of Arlington, he says: “Sir -Edward Spragge did on his side maintain the fight with so much courage -and resolution, that their whole body gave way to such a degree that, -had it not been for fear of the shoals, we had driven them into their -harbours.” Sir Edward had the advantage of Van Tromp in this action; -Dutch writers admit the extraordinarily pertinacious bravery of Sir -Edward, and Van Tromp himself admits that he was forced to retreat -before it was dark. - -[Illustration: ATTACKING A PIRATE OFF ALGIERS.] - -A third battle was fought between these redoubtable combatants on -the 11th August 1673. Sir Edward, with the blue squadron, was in the -rear as the fleet neared the enemy. He had engaged to keep closely -in company with Prince Rupert, but with lynx eye detecting what -he considered a provocation on the part of Van Tromp, he laid his -fore-topsail to the mast to wait for him, and, having engaged his -squadron, maintained a hot contest for many hours, at a distance of -several leagues to leeward of the main body of the fleet. Sir Edward, -at the beginning of the action, fought on board the _Royal Prince_; -Van Tromp was in the _Golden Lion_. It is recorded that Van Tromp -avoided--and that Spragge strove to get to--close quarters; however -this may be, after a terrible onslaught on each other for some time, -both of the flag-ships became so much disabled as to compel the two -admirals to change to other ships, Sir Edward to the _St. George_, and -Van Tromp to the _Comet_. Having got on board these ships, the fight -was renewed with, if possible, increased fury, and with determination -on both sides to end it, with either death or victory. Again the -_St. George_, Sir Edward’s flag-ship, was so battered that he was -fain to leave it and take to the _Royal Charles_. This movement, alas! -resulted in a fatal disaster. He had not been rowed many yards from -the _St. George_ when a shot struck the boat. The crew made every -possible exertion to get back to the ship they had just left, but -failed to reach it, and thus this brave commander perished miserably by -drowning. Sir Edward sank with the boat, and, when it rose again, he -rose with it, clutching it by the gunwale, with his head and shoulders -above water, but--dead. How deplorable that this courageous commander -should have been conquered in a trial out of which the dusky, untutored -child of a South Sea Island savage would have come in safety; the hero -could fight from early morn till dewy eve, could possess his soul in -patience on the water for voyages lasting many weeks, covering many -leagues,--but he could not swim a few yards. - -In the history of his own times, Bishop Parker thus refers to the last -gallant fight and death of Sir Edward Spragge:-- - -“There was a remarkable fight between Spragge and Van Tromp; for these, -having mutually agreed to attack each other, not out of hatred, but -from a thirst of glory, engaged with all the rage, or, as it were, -the sport, of war. They came so close to one another that, like an -army of foot, they fought, at once with their guns and their swords. -Almost at every turn, both of their ships, though not sunk, were bored -through,--their cannon being discharged within common gunshot range; -each ship pierced the other as if they had fought with spears. At -length, after several ships had been shattered, as Spragge was passing -from one ship to another, the boat was overturned by a chance shot, and -that great man, being unable to swim, was drowned, to the great grief -of even his generous enemy, who, after the death of Spragge, could -hardly hope to find an enemy equal to himself.” The author of the _Life -of De Ruyter_, referring to this fierce conflict, says: “The Dutch avow -the like never to have been seen; their own two ships (the ships of -Tromp and Spragge) having, without touching a sail, strangely endured -the fury of three hours’ incessant battery.” - -It is difficult to get at anything approaching an adequate conception -of the horrible scenes of carnage that must have been presented by -this sanguinary conflict. Some particulars respecting Sir Edward’s -flag-ship, the _Royal Prince_, with which he went into action, may -assist in forming an idea of the dreadful devastation. The _Royal -Prince_ was a first-rate, of 1400 tons burthen, armed with one hundred -pieces of brass ordnance, and carrying seven hundred and eighty men. -She was well built, in perfect condition in all respects, and as fine -a ship as any in either of the fleets. Before Sir Edward Spragge -left the _Royal Prince_, the masts had all been shot away, most of -the guns on the upper tier were disabled, four hundred men had been -killed, and the ship was almost a helpless wreck. In this lamentable -condition a large Dutch man-of-war, with two fire-ships, bore down -upon the miserable object,--the Dutch commander resolving to burn, -sink, or capture the _Royal Prince_. The first lieutenant, considering -continued resistance hopeless, ordered the colours to be struck, and -bid the men shift for themselves as they could. Richard Leake, the -heroic master gunner, could not accept any such finish to the fray; he -boldly took the command, ordered the lieutenant to go below, sank the -two fire-ships, compelled the Dutch man-of-war to sheer off, and, wreck -as it was, brought the _Royal Prince_ into port. This hero, father of -the famous Sir John Leake, was afterwards appointed Keeper of Ordnance -Stores, and Master Gunner of England. - -Sir Edward Spragge was highly distinguished for skill and bravery as -a naval commander. To urbane and polite manners he united a resolute -and daring spirit. He was beloved by his men, idolised by his -friends, feared yet honoured by his enemies. His achievements in life -commanded the enthusiastic admiration of his countrymen; his death was -universally mourned. - - - - -SIR THOMAS ALLEN. - -CHAPTER XIV. - -THE PROMOTED PRIVATEER. - - -The martial and naval heroes of England have been recruited from all -classes, patrician and plebeian, with a large contribution from the -class intermediate, to which Allen belonged. Some commanders rendered -eminent service, to each of the great parties in the State, about the -middle of the seventeenth century, who contended for supreme power--the -Royalists and the Parliamentarians. Allen was not of these; he and his -family were always steadfast in their adhesion to the royal cause. -He is supposed to have been the son of a merchant and shipowner of -Lowestoft, Suffolk. He rendered effective service as a privateer in the -North Sea, before receiving a commission in the Royal Navy. - -At the Restoration, Allen was rewarded for his fidelity, by being -appointed to the command of the _Dover_, which was one of the first of -the ships commissioned by the Duke of York. In the two following years -he was in succession appointed to the command of the _Plymouth_, the -_Foresight_, the _Lion_, and the _Rainbow_. In 1663 he was appointed -commodore and commander-in-chief of the fleet in the Downs, and was -allowed the special distinction of flying the Union flag at his -main-top,--the _St. Andrew_ being his flag-ship. In August 1664 he was -appointed commander-in-chief in the Mediterranean, in succession to -the gallant Sir John Harman, who was ordered home. He seems to have -been entrusted with diplomatic as well as naval functions, which may -be inferred from Pepys recording, in his _Diary_, under date Nov. 28, -1664, “certain news of the peace made by Captain Allen at Tangier.” -Specific instructions were given to him, however, to take in tow or -destroy any Dutch men-of-war he might fall in with, and especially to -capture their Smyrna fleet. He had a squadron of seven ships, which -he posted so as to command the Straits of Gibraltar. His patience in -waiting was not greatly strained. The Dutch Smyrna fleet--forty sail -in all--hove in sight about the time expected, the escort consisting -of four men-of-war. England had declared war against the Dutch -States-General, and Allen attacked--it was in spring of 1665--without -hesitation. The contest was obstinate; the Dutch, as usual, brought -the stoutest of their merchant ships into the line of battle. Brackel, -the Dutch commodore, was killed; the line was broken; several of the -Dutch ships were sunk, and four of the richest were captured, but one -of these was so much damaged in action that it foundered on the passage -to England. Its cargo was valued at more than £150,000. A portion of -the Dutch fleet took shelter in Cadiz, where they were blockaded by -Allen, until the state of his supplies compelled his return to England, -when the Dutchmen were allowed to come out. This important victory -was not gained without loss on the part of the English, including two -ships, the _Phœnix_ and the _Nonsuch_, which were so much damaged as -to become unmanageable; other two, the _Advice_ and the _Antelope_, -were also much injured. The Dutch men-of-war did a great deal of firing -at comparatively long range; Allen did not fire a shot, until the -antagonists were within pistol shot. The Dutch commodore, Brackel, was -killed in the action. The fight was close in shore, and was watched by -crowds of Spaniards, who, it is stated, laughed to see the alacrity -with which the Dutch made for refuge. On his return to England, Allen -was made admiral of the blue, and had also a special commission to act -as vice-admiral of the fleet, then under the command of the Earl of -Sandwich. On the 24th June 1665, the honour of knighthood was conferred -upon him. In the following year he was appointed admiral of the white, -and hoisted his flag on board the _Royal James_, which Prince Rupert -made his flag-ship,--Allen remaining on board, however, as captain of -the fleet. The prince, with a squadron, proceeded down the Channel on -the lookout for a French naval force, which was expected to join the -Dutch. Prince Rupert, in conjunction with Monk, Duke of Albemarle, -commanded the Channel fleet. While Prince Rupert, with Sir Thomas -Allen, were thus looking out for the expected hostile French fleet, -Albemarle, greatly out-numbered,--sixty sail against ninety-one,--was -engaged with the splendid Dutch fleet, commanded by the three famous -admirals, De Ruyter, Evertsen, and Van Tromp. The fight had lasted -for three days, and would probably have resulted in the defeat of -Albemarle, but for the timely arrival, 4th June, of Allen’s white -squadron, which compelled the Dutch to withdraw. On the 25th July the -hostile fleets again met, both eager to renew hostilities. Sir Thomas -Allen had the post of honour. He led the van, and commenced the battle -by a furious attack on Admiral Evertsen, who commanded the Friesland -and Zealand squadrons. The carnage was awful, and the Dutch loss -crushing. Evertsen, chief in command of the combined squadrons, was -killed, as were also his vice-admiral, De Vries, and his rear-admiral, -Koenders. The _Tolen_, commanded by Vice-Admiral Banckart, was taken -and burned, with another large man-of-war. The defeat of the Dutch was -decisive. Their fugitive ships were pursued to the shores of Holland. -There was great rejoicing in London on receipt of the news of the -victory. On the 29th July the following notice was read from the pulpit -at Bow: “The Dutch have been totally routed; fourteen ships taken, -twenty-six burnt and sunk, two flag-ships taken, and with them, twelve -hundred men,--six thousand men taken in all. Our ships have blocked up -the Zealanders in Flushing, and ride before them top and top-gallant. -The Dutch fleet are got into the Texel, and we ride before the same. -The Lord Mayor ordered thanks--to be given this forenoon throughout -the city.” On the 18th September a valuable prize fell into Allen’s -hands in the Channel--a French ship, quite new, and considered the -finest in the French navy, the _Ruby_, of fifty-four guns. De la Roche, -commander, mistook Allen’s white squadron for a squadron of the French -navy, and was captured before he could make more than a faint show of -resistance. - -[Illustration: AN ALGERINE CORSAIR.] - -The Duke of York, desirous to commemorate the victories over the Dutch, -commissioned Sir Peter Lely, the court painter, to paint a portrait -group embracing the “flag men” and heroes of the fleet. The Duke of -York had himself commanded at the brilliant action off Lowestoft -on the 3rd June 1665, when the Dutch, under Admirals Opdam and Van -Tromp, sustained a total defeat. The picture by Lely included the -principal naval commanders of the time;--and the number of figures -shows conclusively that the age was rich in naval heroes. Among the -subjects in this historical painting are the Duke of York, Lord High -Admiral; Prince Rupert; George Monk, Duke of Albemarle; Montague, -Earl of Sandwich; Admirals Sir Thomas Allen, Sir George Ayscough, Sir -Thomas Teddiman, Sir Christopher Myngs, Sir Joseph Jordan, Sir William -Berkeley, Sir John Harman, Sir William Penn, and Sir Jeremy Smith. - -In November 1666, Allen had the honour conferred upon him of being -elected an Elder Brother of the Trinity. - -The Dutch war being apparently over, the naval authorities were left -at liberty to prosecute more civilising, although not purely pacific, -enterprises. In the autumn of 1668, Allen sailed in command of a -squadron to repress the Algerine pirates, who had taken advantage -of the war to ply their nefarious occupation against all such -merchant ships as came in their way which they considered worth -rifling,--killing and destroying with ready ferocity where they could -not rob. Nationality was with them no object. The Dutch suffered as -well as the English, and the whilom enemies were united in seeking -redress for their common grievance. The Dutch sent a squadron under -Admiral Van Ghent, with the same object in view as England had, in -sending Allen. The united squadrons drove the corsairs on to their own -shores. Large numbers of English and Dutch prisoners made slaves, who -had formed the crews of ships captured by the pirates, were released -and exchanged by Allen and Van Ghent. - -Ere he returned home, Allen visited Naples and Florence, and was -received with great honour at both places. After paying these visits -he returned to Algiers, where he received fresh assurances that the -terms of the treaty for the suppression of piracy would be scrupulously -observed. He returned to England, but as soon as he had left, the -corsairs resumed their depredations. Allen returned to Algiers, and -inflicted summary vengeance on the persons and property of the pirates, -destroying a large number of their vessels. In 1670 he was recalled at -his own request, and on his return home was appointed Comptroller of -the Navy. In 1678, war with France appearing imminent, he was again -appointed to a command at sea. Happily, the occasion for his active -service did not arise, and he passed the few closing years of his life -at Somerleyton, an estate that he had purchased near his native place. -He lived there in quiet privacy, respected by all who knew him, in the -enjoyment of what he had well earned--Peace with honour. - - - - -SIR JOHN HARMAN. - -CHAPTER XV. - -“BOLD AS A LION, BUT ALSO WISE AND WARY.” - - -Of the early life of this gallant commander there are no records -extant. It is known that in 1664 he commanded the _Gloucester_, of -fifty-eight guns, and in the following year the _Royal Charles_. He -received the honour of knighthood for his distinguished services. - -In the action with the Dutch on the 1st June 1666, Sir John Harman’s -bravery was most conspicuous. He led the van of the fleet under the -Duke of Albemarle. He boldly dashed into the centre of the Zealand -squadron, and was the object of a concentrated attack by a number of -their best ships. His ship, the _Henry_, becoming disabled, Evertsen, -the Dutch admiral, offered Sir John quarter, which he bluntly and -promptly refused, saying, “It was not come to that--not yet.” Sir -John’s ship was grappled by a fire-ship on the starboard quarter, -and in great danger of being destroyed, and probably would have been -captured or burned but for the heroic conduct of Lieutenant Thomas -Lamming, who swung himself into the fire-ship, and by the light of -the fire found the grappling-irons, cast them loose, and swung back -to his own ship.[5] A second fire-ship was sent against the _Henry_, -and grappled on the larboard quarter. This attack was more successful -than that of the assailant Lamming had cast loose. The sails of the -_Henry_ caught fire, and a panic took possession of the crew, a number -of whom leaped overboard. With drawn sword, Sir John Harman commanded -the remainder of the crew to their duty, and threatened with death the -first who should attempt to leave the ship or fail to exert himself to -put out the flames. The fire was got under, but a third fire-ship was -sent against the _Henry_. Happily, before the fire-ship could get to -close quarters, a volley from the guns of the _Henry’s_ lower deck was -so well directed as to sink it--while a broadside directed against the -Dutch flag-ship included in its terrible effects the death of Evertsen, -the brave admiral. - - [5] For this gallant act, Lamming was promoted to the command - of the _Ruby_. - -Harman did not escape severe personal injury in the conflict. During -the hottest part of the fight, some of the burnt rigging fell upon -him and broke his leg, but he did not retire. He took the _Henry_ -into Harwich for such repairs as could be effected in a few hours. -Notwithstanding his broken leg, he rejoined the fleet,--no entreaties -could dissuade him,--to take his part in the continuation of the battle. - -Arriving at the scene of conflict, although eager for action, Rupert -and Albemarle, in consideration of his unfit and suffering condition, -absolutely forbade his pursuing his determination, and insisted on his -retiring for the rest essential to his recovery. - -In March 1667, Sir John Harman sailed in command of an expedition to -the West Indies. His squadron consisted of seven men-of-war and two -fire-ships. He had permission to carry the Union flag at the main-top -of his flag-ship, the _Lion_, of fifty-eight guns, as soon as he got -out of the Channel. At Barbadoes he added four men-of-war to his -squadron, and sailed thence to Nevis, where he arrived on the 13th -June. He learned there that the French fleet, consisting of twenty-four -men-of-war, was at anchor under Martinique. This information he laid -before a council of war, and it was determined to attack the French. -When he came up with the French, he found them so posted as to preclude -the possibility, with the wind as it was, of forcing them to engage. -Sir John was bold as a lion, but was also wise and wary, and felt his -responsibility for the lives of his crews. On the 25th, the wind being -favourable, he attacked the French fleet, albeit double the strength -of his own. His success was complete. Eight of the French fleet were -soon on fire, a number of others were sunk, and only three or four -escaped. - -A curious circumstance is recorded concerning the bearing of Sir John -during this action. He had not fully recovered from the accident he -had sustained in the preceding year, when he had his leg broken. He -was also suffering from a severe attack of gout, and was very lame. -On bearing in on the enemy’s fleet, he got up, walked about, and gave -orders, as if in perfect health, till the fight was over, when he again -became as lame as before. - -He after this made a voyage to the Straits under Sir Thomas Allen, and, -although suffering much from physical infirmities, conducted himself -with characteristic bravery and discretion. The spirited action at -Solebay, and the second battle in 1672, between Prince Rupert and De -Ruyter, in which Harman rendered most effective service, were the last -actions of importance in which he was engaged. He had attained to the -rank of admiral of the blue when bodily infirmity compelled him to -retire reluctantly from the service. - - - - -ADMIRAL BENBOW. - -CHAPTER XVI. - -THE KING SAID, “WE MUST SPARE OUR BEAUX, AND SEND HONEST BENBOW.” - - -John Benbow is represented to have been born at Shrewsbury about the -middle of the seventeenth century, and to have been apprenticed to a -butcher, but to have broken his indentures and joined the _Rupert_, -under Captain Herbert, in 1678. His first active service was in -connection with a small squadron sent to redress the wrongs that had -been sustained by English merchants and the mercantile marine, and to -suppress the perpetrators--the pirates of Algiers, Tunis, and Tripoli, -that infested the Mediterranean. - -Benbow so conducted himself in action as to secure the goodwill of his -superior officer, Captain Herbert (afterwards Earl of Torrington), and -speedy promotion. He was, in 1679, appointed master of the _Nonsuch_. -In 1681, Benbow had an experience that was not pleasant. In conflict -with an Algerine corsair, the British ship _Adventure_ got the worst, -and had to sheer off. The Algerine was taken in hand by the _Nonsuch_, -and captured. Some crowing and chaffing on the part of the men of the -_Nonsuch_ at the expense of the crew of the _Adventure_, led to Benbow -being tried by court-martial on the complaint of Captain Booth of the -_Adventure_. Benbow was sentenced to forfeit three months’ pay (£12, -15s.), which was to be used for the benefit of the wounded men of -the _Adventure_. He was also required to apologise to Captain Booth, -which he did, declaring that he had only repeated the words of others, -without any malicious intention. - -The _Nonsuch_ was, shortly after the _Adventure_ affair, paid off, -and Benbow next comes into view in connection with a ship named -after, and owned and commanded by himself--the _Benbow_ frigate. The -merchants on Change, among whom Benbow was well known and highly -esteemed, may have assisted him in the acquisition of such a valuable -property,--but, however this may be, we find him in 1686 acting as -sole owner and responsible commander. In that year, in a passage to -Cadiz, a Salee rover, greatly an overmatch in number of fighting men, -attacked the _Benbow_, whose crew made a valiant defence. The Moors -boarded the _Benbow_, but were beaten off, with the loss of thirteen -of their number. Captain Benbow ordered their heads to be cut off, -and thrown into a tub of salt pickle. On arriving at Cadiz, he went -ashore, followed by a negro servant carrying the pickled heads in a -sack. The tide waiters, spying the sack, asked if he had “anything -to declare,” that is, anything subject to import duty. He answered, -only salt provisions for his own use, and affected indignation that, -well known as he was, he should be suspected of running goods. The -officers replied that they could not grant him a dispensation from -search, but the magistrates, who were sitting close by, might do so if -they would. The party proceeded in formal order to the custom-house, -Captain Benbow leading,--the negro, with the suspected contraband -goods, following,--and the revenue officers bringing up the rear. The -magistrates received Benbow with great civility, and assured him that -the custom-house officers had not exceeded their duty in requiring him -to show the contents of the sack, and in conducting him hither. They -politely asked him to satisfy them, as he could do so easily. Benbow -answered, with real or assumed sternness, “I told you they were salt -provisions for my own use. Pompey, show the gentlemen what you have -got.” Whereupon the negro, nothing loth, tumbled out the baker’s dozen -of Moors’ heads, to the astonishment of the Alcalde and his colleagues, -who were assured by Benbow that the heads were quite at their service. -An account of Benbow’s valiant exploit in defeating, with his small -force, a number much larger of the fierce and ruthless barbarians who -were the scourge and terror of the seas, was forwarded to the court of -Madrid. Charles II., then King of Spain, expressed a desire to see the -bold Benbow, whom he received with honour, presented with a handsome -testimonial of his respect, and entrusted with a letter to King James -of England, warmly recommending Benbow, as worthy of the king’s -confidence and favour. - -The _Benbow_ frigate was, it may be supposed, paid off, or otherwise -disposed of, and its late owner rejoined the King’s Navy in 1689, as -lieutenant in the _Elizabeth_, of seventy guns. He was soon after -appointed in succession, as captain, to the _York_, the _Bonaventure_, -and the _Britannia_. His rapid promotion was probably, in part at -least, attributable to the influence exercised on his behalf by his -former commander, Herbert, now admiral, and a high authority in -naval affairs. It has been conjectured that during the time of the -Revolution, Benbow was attached to the fleet under Admiral Herbert’s -command, and was its pilot, in landing William at Torbay. - -From the _Britannia_ Captain Benbow was appointed Master Attendant -of Chatham Dockyard, and afterwards to a like office in Deptford -Royal Dockyard, which he held for about six years. During this -period, on several occasions, he was told off for special service. -In the unfortunate action between the united English and Dutch -and the French fleets off Beachy Head, in June 1690, Captain -Benbow, of the _Sovereign_, served under the Earl of Torrington, -commander-in-chief, as Master of the fleet. Benbow’s evidence in -the trial of Lord Torrington by court-martial had great weight in -leading to his acquittal. Continuing master of the _Sovereign_, Benbow -again discharged the important duties of Master of the fleet at the -battles of La Hogue and Barfleur in 1692, under Admiral Russell. In -acknowledgment of the value of his special services as Master of the -fleet, his pay as Master while afloat was added to his pay for his -dockyard office. - -Benbow was next employed, 1693 to 1695, in the command of flotillas -of bomb vessels and fire-ships in attacks upon St. Malo, Dunkirk, and -other localities on the French coast. At Dunkirk he saved the Virginia -and West Indian fleets from falling into the hands of the French -privateers, and for this service received the thanks of the merchants. -He was by this time so well known as to be sometimes referred to as -“the famous Captain Benbow.” So well satisfied were the Admiralty -authorities with his services, as to order that he should be paid -as rear-admiral during the time he had been employed on the French -coast, as a reward for his good service. In 1696 he was promoted to -the substantial rank of rear-admiral. After cruising service, directed -to the protection of English and Dutch traders, he was appointed, -in 1697, commander-in-chief of the king’s ships in the West Indies, -with special orders to suppress the pirates. By a threat to blockade -Carthagena, he obtained the restoration of two English merchant ships, -which the governor had detained to form part of a projected expedition -against the ill-fated Scottish colony at Darien. Benbow’s action -stopped the intended raid. - -[Illustration: ADMIRAL BENBOW.] - -In 1700 the admiral returned to England, and was for a time in command -in the Downs, and served for some months as vice-admiral of the blue in -the grand fleet under Admiral Sir George Rooke. In 1701 it was again -thought necessary to send a strong squadron to promote and protect -the national interests in the West Indies. Benbow was proposed by the -ministry, but the king claimed for him that he had only just returned, -and had been subjected to great difficulties in his West Indian -command, and that it was but fair that some other officer should have -a turn. Several officers were named and consulted, but they all with -one consent made excuse--“health,” “family affairs,” etc. “Well, then,” -said the king, in conference with his ministers, “we must spare our -_beaux_, and send honest Benbow.” Asked if he was willing to go, Benbow -answered bluntly that he did not understand such compliments as were -paid to him; it was not for him to choose his station. If His Majesty -thought fit to send him to the East or West Indies, or anywhere else, -it was for him to cheerfully obey orders. He sailed with his new -command in September 1701, with ten ships,--Sir George Rooke, admiral -of the fleet, convoying him as far as Scilly with a strong squadron. -For action in the West Indies, the French were also making extensive -preparations. A squadron, consisting of five ships of the line and -several large vessels, laden with arms and ammunition, sailed from -Brest in April 1701, under the command of the Marquis de Coetlogon. -Count de Chateau Renaud also sailed with fourteen ships of the line -and sixteen frigates, and in addition to these, M. du Casse, Governor -of St. Domingo, sailed also with a squadron, Admiral Benbow the while -having received no fresh supplies or reinforcements, and being in -danger apparently of being utterly crushed by the superior power of -his enemies. He had made on arrival wise and skilful dispositions and -arrangements for securing our own trade and crippling the enemy. The -French saw with amazement the defeat of the schemes they had been able -to mature from the possession of earlier intelligence of intended -war. Even after the arrival of Marquis Coetlogon, the French had to -confine themselves to acting on the defensive, and found all their -grand projects for attacking Jamaica and the Leeward Islands entirely -frustrated. The Dutch accounts of the state of affairs at the time -state that, notwithstanding all the bluster of the French, Admiral -Benbow, with a small squadron, remained master of the seas, taking many -prizes, giving all possible support to the private trade carried on by -the English on the Spanish coasts. - -The situation changed for the worse for Benbow and his small fleet. -Renaud, he learned, had arrived at Martinique with a squadron much -stronger than his own. This had been joined by the squadron of -Coetlogon from Havannah. The inhabitants of Barbadoes and Jamaica were -excessively alarmed by the approach of a hostile fleet, which the -English had no force capable of resisting. - -Notwithstanding most of his ships being short of their complements -of men, Admiral Benbow concluded it to be his best course under the -circumstances to put to sea and cruise between Jamaica and Hispaniola. -He sailed with this intention on the 8th May 1702, and was joined -about this time by Rear-Admiral Whetstone. In cruising on the coast -of St. Domingo, he received news of the French fleet having gone to -Carthagena and Porto Bello. On the 19th August he sighted it near Santa -Marta. It consisted of four ships of from sixty to seventy guns, one of -thirty guns, and four frigates, all under the command of M. du Casse. -The English force consisted of seven ships of from fifty to seventy -guns, but the ships were much scattered, and their commanders showed -no disposition to close up for action. Late in the afternoon there -was a scrambling action that was closed by nightfall. Admiral Benbow, -in the _Breda_, of seventy guns, closely followed by Captain Walton -in the _Ruby_, of fifty guns, kept company with the enemy through the -night, and was well up with them at daybreak, but the other English -ships kept aloof during the whole day. The 21st and three following -days brought no more worthy resolution to the captains of the English -squadron. Walton of the _Ruby_, only, and Vincent of the _Falmouth_, -supported the admiral in his persistent and resolute attempts to bring -Du Casse to action, and for some time these three sustained the fire -of the whole French squadron, while the other ships held aloof. The -_Ruby_ was disabled on the 23rd, and ordered to make the best of her -way to Port Royal. For five days, against such overpowering odds, brave -Benbow maintained the desperate conflict, sustained by the devoted -loyalty and unflinching courage of his officers and men. On the 24th -the brave commander had his right leg shattered by a chain shot. After -the surgical operation below, the lion-hearted hero had himself carried -up again to the quarter-deck to direct the continued action. Captain -Kirby, of the _Defence_, came on board, and urged the hopelessness of -the conflict and chase. All the other captains being summoned, eagerly -expressed their concurrence with Captain Kirby, and reduced their -finding to writing. The morally and physically depressed, shattered, -and exhausted commander could contend no longer or further, and was -thus compelled to return to Jamaica. A noble letter from his late -enemy, Du Casse, would have been enough as a suggestion for inquiry -into the conduct of the captains of his squadron. It was as follows:-- - - “SIR,--I had little hopes on Monday last but to have supped in your - cabin; but it pleased God to order it otherwise. I am thankful for - it. As for those cowardly captains who deserted you, hang them up, - for, by ----, they deserve it.--Yours, - - DU CASSE.”[6] - - [6] Campbell’s _Lives of the Admirals_, vol. iii. p. 524. - -At Jamaica a court-martial was assembled by order of Admiral Benbow. -Captains Kirby of the _Defence_, and Wade of the _Greenwich_, were -condemned to be shot; and Captain Constable of the _Windsor_ to be -cashiered. Captain Vincent of the _Falmouth_, and Captain Fogg of the -flag-ship, who had signed the protest, were sentenced to suspension -during the sovereign’s pleasure. Kirby and Wade were shot on board the -_Bristol_ in Plymouth Sound, 16th April 1703. - -Benbow was careful to secure such promotion and advantage as was in -his power to the officers who had supported him in the engagement, as -well as to bring the deserters to justice. He had a leg amputated after -the action; fever supervened, and he died in Jamaica, after about a -month’s painful illness, sustained with much fortitude, on the 4th -November 1702, and was buried in St. Andrew’s Church, Kingston. His -portrait, by Sir Godfrey Kneller, is in the Painted Hall, Greenwich. - -Benbow’s bravery has not, we believe, been questioned, but his tact and -temper were not, some of his critics have alleged, of as good quality -as his courage, and the disaffection of his subordinates in the action -with Du Casse has been attributed to defects in this direction. - - - - -SIR CLOUDESLEY SHOVEL. - -CHAPTER XVII. - -THE SHOEMAKER WHO ROSE TO BE REAR-ADMIRAL OF ENGLAND. - - -Cloudesley Shovel was born at or near Cley, a small town on the -north coast of Norfolk, about the year 1650. At that time Cley, -which is about ten miles west from Cromer, had a good harbour, and a -considerable shipping trade; but the harbour has been since silted up, -and the rising generation of the place in this age are not brought so -directly into contact with ships and maritime affairs as young Shovel, -who was named Cloudesley in homage to a rich relative from whom the -family had great expectations, which were not realised. - -The boy was sent to learn the art and craft of shoe-making and -mending, which did not accord with his inclination, and, from which -he ran away,--and, offering his services to Sir John Narborough, was -accepted by that famous seaman, and served as his cabin-boy. Sir John -had himself commenced his naval career as cabin-boy to Sir Christopher -Myngs, and probably took kindly to the runaway youngster, from that -fellow-feeling which makes one wondrous kind. The lad showed great -affection and respect to Sir John, who had him thoroughly instructed in -navigation and other branches of useful knowledge. He proved an apt and -diligent pupil, and became in due time an able and thoroughly capable -seaman. - -Sir John Narborough was the ever-ready and generous patron of -merit, and had sufficient influence to obtain for his apprentice a -lieutenant’s commission. Shovel served in this rank at the close of the -second Dutch war. - -[Illustration: SIR CLOUDESLEY SHOVEL.] - -The pirates of Algiers and Tripoli greatly harassed the traders of our -own and other countries with the Levant, and a squadron was sent out -in 1675, under the command of Sir John Narborough, to chastise their -insolence, and, if possible, put an end to their predacious practices. -Sir John found the corsairs in great force, and ready to give him a -warm reception. The Algerines and the Tripolines combined in their -defence, had their war ships in position, protected by the guns of the -fort. Sir John had been instructed to try negotiation in preference -to force, and, in view of the strength of the confederates, thought -it might be well to at least attempt to obtain treaty promises of -amendment by diplomacy, although he had little hope of a satisfactory -result from this method. He despatched Lieutenant Shovel to the Dey -of Tripoli as his representative. The Dey, despising the youthful -ambassador, treated his message with contempt, which Shovel duly -reported to his commander. He was sent back with a second message, -and was received with even greater discourtesy than on the first -occasion. He bore all patiently, however; appearing to be quite cool -and unobservant, at the same time noting the number and disposition -of the pirate ships. Returning to Sir John, he duly reported the -insolent reception he had received, and added to the report a strong -recommendation that a night attack should be made upon the enemy, with -the object of burning their ships, stating his readiness to conduct the -expedition. His recommendation was adopted, and at midnight on the 4th -March, Lieutenant Shovel at the head of the boats of the English fleet, -well manned, and well supplied with inflammable materials, put off, -with muffled oars, from their own ships, and, stealthily approaching -the pirates, boarded and set them on fire,--leaving them a blaze to -light them back to their own vessels. This brilliant service Shovel -accomplished without suffering the loss of a single man on the English -side. The corsairs destroyed included the _White Eagle_ of fifty guns, -the _Mirror_ of thirty-six guns, the _Sancta Clara_ of twenty-four -guns, and another ship of twenty guns, besides smaller vessels. The -Tripolines were struck with amazement by this successful action, and -sued for peace. When an attempt to treat was made, however, they -refused to accede to the proposed terms, so far as regarded making good -the losses that had been sustained by the English. Sir John cannonaded -the town, but produced little effect. He drew off to a place about -twenty leagues distant, where he destroyed a vast magazine of timber, -stored for shipbuilding, but still failed to reduce the pirates, and -sailed to Malta, whence, after staying a short time, he returned -suddenly, and renewed his attack with so much spirit and success that -the enemy were glad to conclude a peace on the terms that Sir John had -proposed. Shortly after this, a number of the corsairs’ ships that -had been at sea plying their nefarious vocation, returned to port. -They repudiated his treaty and deposed the Dey for having made it, and -continued the perpetration of their lawless practices. Again Sir John -returned, this time with a force of eight frigates, which arriving -before Tripoli, commenced a vigorous cannonade, and so battered the -place as to make the inhabitants eagerly sue for peace. Peace was, for -the time, concluded, and the authors of the late disturbances were -brought to punishment. Lieutenant Shovel took a leading part in these -actions. - -In 1676, Shovel, whose conduct was warmly reported upon and commended -by Sir John Narborough, was given the command of the _Sapphire_, and -not long after of a larger ship, the _James Galley_, in which he -continued till the death of Charles II. - -Captain Shovel was not a pronounced politician, but such leaning as -he had was in the opposite direction to the Jacobite side. King James -thought it to his interest, doubtless, to conciliate and employ such an -able commander, and appointed him to the command of the _Dover_, which -he held when the Revolution took place in 1688. He closed heartily with -the new Government, to which he rendered active and successful service, -that brought him rapid promotion. He was in the first naval action in -this reign, the battle of Bantry Bay, in 1689, in which he commanded -the _Edgar_. In this action his valour and activity were so conspicuous -as to lead the king to confer upon him the honour of knighthood. -During the winter of 1689 he was employed in cruising on the coast of -Ireland, to prevent the enemy from landing recruits. Here he received -advice that several ships of war, French and Irish, were in Dublin Bay, -where, at low water, they lay on the sands. Sir Cloudesley immediately -stood for the bay, in which he noticed an English ship of good size, a -French man-of-war, and several other ships filled with soldiers. These -forces were not sufficient to deter Sir Cloudesley, who determined to -destroy the ships, in sight of King James’s capital and of a powerful -garrison. He left the flag-ship, and went on board the _Monmouth_ -yacht. At a little more than half-flood, with the _Monmouth_, two hoys -belonging to men-of-war, a ketch, and the pinnaces, he passed over -the bar with dashing bravery. The Irish fleet cut their cables, and -sailed as close in shore as the sands would permit, and fired a few -shots at the threatening force, calling also for assistance from the -Dublin garrison. Sir Cloudesley, despite the fire of the ships, and -the shower of bullets from King James’s militia, pressed forward, and -as soon as he was near enough, signalled the fire-ship to advance. The -soldiers deserted the largest ship, and those on board the others ran -them aground. Sir Cloudesley ordered the boarding of the largest ship, -the _Pelican_, of twenty guns, and directed her load to be lightened, -which was done, and the ship was towed away, to the confusion of the -witnesses ashore. The _Pelican_ was the largest man-of-war then in King -James’s possession. It had been taken by the Scots the previous year -from the French, on the occasion of their having conducted forces to -the assistance of the Highlanders, then in rebellion. In turning out of -the bay, the wind, which had veered, drove one of the hoys aground. At -the lowest ebb the hoy was upon dry ground; thousands of people crowded -the strand, King James and his guards amongst them. Cloudesley’s crews -remained in their boats, ready for any encounter. The Irish battalions -discharged a volley or two, which were warmly returned. As soon as the -rising tide permitted, the English left the bay with their prize, very -much to the chagrin of King James and his adherents. - -In June 1690, Sir Cloudesley was appointed to convey King William and -his army to Ireland. In this service he had command of five men-of-war, -six yachts, and a large number of transport vessels. Unfavourable -weather was encountered, but the landing of the whole force at -Carrickfergus, on the 14th June, was successfully accomplished. The -king was so highly pleased with the skill and dexterity displayed by -Sir Cloudesley in this difficult transport service, as to promote him -to be rear-admiral of the blue, and he delivered the commission with -his own hands. - -On the 10th July the king received information that the enemy intended -to send a fleet of frigates into St. George’s Channel to burn the -transport ships, and Shovel was ordered to cruise off Scilly, or in -such other station as he should think best for frustrating this design, -and to send scouts east and west to gain intelligence respecting the -movements of the French fleet. Nothing remarkable came of this cruise. -The remainder of 1690 was spent by Sir Cloudesley chiefly in cruising, -till he was appointed to join Sir George Rooke’s squadron, which -escorted the king to Holland in January 1691. All the services of Sir -Cloudesley were not alike brilliant, but all were well intended, and -his courage and sincerity were never questioned. His promotion by -the king, in the spring of 1692, to be rear-admiral of the red, gave -general satisfaction. On his return from Holland in that year, Sir -Cloudesley joined Admiral Russel with the grand fleet, and had a great -share in the danger, and a deserved share in the glory attaching to the -famous naval battle off La Hogue. - -The combined fleet sailed from Spithead on the 18th May 1692. Admiral -Russel, in the red squadron, had his flag on board the _Britannia_ of -100 guns; his vice and rear admirals were Sir Ralph Delaval in the -_Royal Sovereign_ and Sir Cloudesley Shovel in the _London_, each of -100 guns. The blue squadron was commanded by Sir John Ashby in the -_Victory_ of 100 guns; his vice-admiral was Sir George Rooke in the -_Windsor Castle_ of 90 guns, and his rear-admiral, Richard Carter, -in the _Albemarle_ of 90 guns. The English fleet comprised 63 ships -carrying 4504 guns and 27,725 men, to which was united a Dutch fleet of -36 ships under Admiral Allemonde, carrying 2494 guns and 12,950 men. -Total, 99 ships, 6998 guns, 40,675 men. The French fleet consisted -of 63 ships of war, of which 55 carried from 104 to 60 guns each, -and 8 from 58 to 50 guns each. In addition the French had 7 smaller -vessels, 26 ships _armée en flute_, and 14 others; in all, 110 vessels. -The design of the French was the restoration of James to the English -throne. - -[Illustration: CARRICKFERGUS CASTLE.] - -On the 18th May the fleet sailed from Spithead, the most powerful, -probably, that had ever assembled in the reign of the wooden walls of -England. On the morning of the 19th the French fleet was sighted to the -westward. At 8 A.M. the line of battle was formed, the Dutch in the -van, Admiral Russel in the centre, and Sir John Ashby in the rear. At -11.30 the French flag-ship, the _Soleil Royal_ of 104 guns, opened fire -upon the English admiral’s flag-ship, the _Britannia_. The light air -of wind having died away, the rear division was prevented from closing -with the enemy; the red division bore accordingly the brunt of the -battle. The _Soleil Royal_ was so shattered as to have to cease firing, -and was towed out of the action. About noon a dense fog came on, and -the firing consequently ceased. The fog continued till the evening, -and the weather being calm, the ships drifted with the tide, and got -considerably mixed, friends and foes, so as to make firing dangerous as -touching unintentional billets for the bullets. The rear of the English -fleet became partially engaged from about 7 till 9.30 P.M. After the -day’s action the allied fleet stood to the north-west, and on the -following day proceeded in chase of the enemy. The ships that escaped -capture or destruction took refuge in the harbour of La Hogue, which -gave the name to the glorious action. Sixteen French sail of the line -were captured or destroyed by the English. In the action on the 19th, -and the subsequent pursuit of the defeated enemy, Sir Cloudesley’s -activity and valour were conspicuous; his ship fought in superb style, -and he was entitled to the principal share of such credit as attached -to burning the French ships of war. - -The next notable action in which Sir Cloudesley took part was one -of the few that have detracted from England’s glory and renown as -“mistress of the seas.” In the battle of Beachy Head the glory was -appropriated by the Dutch; if shame attached to any party in the -contest it was to the English; but for mismanagement or failure Sir -Cloudesley was in no degree responsible. He was responsible for the -handling and fighting of the ships under his command, but had to take -the orders of his admiral for the plan of action. In June 1690 the -French fleet, under the Count de Tourville, embracing seventy-eight -men-of-war, chiefly of large size, and carrying an aggregate of four -thousand seven hundred guns, with twenty-two fire-ships, sailed from -Brest, with the intention of creating a diversion in favour of King -James, and, with this view, made a descent upon the coast of Sussex. -Intelligence having reached Spithead of the enemy’s approach, the -British fleet, under the Earl of Torrington, put to sea on the 21st -June, and soon came in sight of the French. The English were joined -by a Dutch squadron of twenty-two large ships, under Vice-Admiral -Evertsen. On the 30th, at daylight, Admiral Torrington signalled to -bear up in line abreast; and the Dutch in the van bore down with their -characteristic bravery, and did not bring to until closely engaged with -the French van at about 9 A.M. The blue squadron, following the example -of their allies, gallantly attacked the rear of the French; but the -centre, under the command of Lord Torrington, hung back, and did not -close with the enemy. The French, taking advantage of the backwardness -of the red division, kept their wind, and, passing through the wide -opening in the line, completely cut off the Dutch squadron, that still, -however, kept up the fight with dogged bravery. The fight lasted -throughout the day, and at 5 P.M. the allied fleets anchored, but at -9 weighed anchor, and retreated eastward. One English ship, and three -of the Dutch ships, were destroyed or sunk. The Earl of Torrington was -tried by court-martial for his conduct of this action, and acquitted. - -In September 1694, Sir Cloudesley sailed with a frigate squadron for -an attack on Dunkirk. Commodore Benbow was in command of the smaller -ships of the squadron, and had with him a Mr. Meesters, and a number -of infernal machines invented by him; he had also a number of Dutch -pilots. On the 12th September, the fleet, consisting of thirteen -English and Dutch men-of-war ships, two mortar vessels, and seventeen -machines, and small craft, arrived before Dunkirk, and on the 13th -commenced the attack with the boats, and two of the machines, which -were to be directed by the engineer, assisted by the pilots. The first -machine took fire before it had reached near enough to damage the -enemy, and the second machine was caught by piles the French had driven -to obstruct the approach. Sir Cloudesley found Dunkirk too strong for -the appliances at present at his command. He sailed for Calais, which -he shelled, and destroyed a large number of houses. He was interrupted -in this occupation by a gale of wind, and returned with his fleet to -the Downs. - -In 1703, Sir Cloudesley was sent on special service to Vigo, to look -after and bring home the spoil of the French and Spanish fleets that -fell to Sir George Rooke in the previous year. In this action, seven -French ships, with 334 guns and 2030 men, were burnt and otherwise -destroyed, and ten ships were taken by the English and Dutch, the total -loss of the French being seventeen ships, carrying 960 guns and 5832 -men, and, in addition, some Spanish galleys. Sir Cloudesley, left in -charge of the prizes, succeeded in rescuing a large portion of the -treasure from the sunken galleons, and recovered the _Dartmouth_, a -fifty-gun ship, that had been captured in the previous war. He also -took out of some of the French ships, which were lying aground severely -damaged, fifty brass guns, and a larger number of guns from the shore -defence. Before leaving the port (Vigo), he completed the destruction -of every ship he could not tow away. - -In 1704, Sir Cloudesley served under Sir George Rooke in the -Mediterranean, and in 1705 was promoted to be Rear-Admiral of England, -and shortly afterwards made Commander-in-chief of the British fleets. -In 1705 he co-operated with the Earl of Peterborough in taking -Barcelona. - -Sir Cloudesley, having determined to open the passage of the bar, where -the French were strongly entrenched, directed Sir John Norris, with -four English and one Dutch ship, to sail into the river. They advanced -to within musket-shot of the enemy’s works. He opened a well-directed -fire, and the cavalry, with the greater portion of the infantry, taken -by surprise, and quite unprepared for the sudden attack, quitted the -camp. Sir Cloudesley, noticing this, ordered Sir John to land with -the sailors and marines, and attack the French in flank. This service -was effectively performed, and the French fled in confusion from the -entrenchments, clearing the way for the Duke of Savoy, our ally, who -passed up the river without meeting with any resistance. - -On the 17th July 1707 an attempt was made upon Toulon by the combined -English and Dutch forces, assisted by the fleet under the command of -Sir Cloudesley Shovel. A hundred guns were landed from the ships for -the batteries, with seamen to serve them; Sir Thomas Dilkes also -bombarded the town from the fleet; but the attack did not prevail, -and the attacking forces withdrew, not without having inflicted -heavy damage and loss upon the French; eight of their largest ships -were burnt; several magazines, and more than a hundred houses, were -destroyed. Sir Cloudesley was greatly annoyed and disappointed by the -partial failure of this expedition, and departed for England upon his -last and fatal voyage. He left a squadron to blockade Toulon, under the -command of Sir Thomas Dilkes. - -The fleet had got so near home as the Scilly Isles, when, in the night -of 22nd October 1707, Sir Cloudesley’s ship, the _Association_, and two -others, struck the rocks known as “The Bishop and his Clerks.” Not a -soul of the eight hundred on board with Sir Cloudesley was saved. The -catastrophe was seen from on board the _St. George_. The _Association_ -went down in less than five minutes after striking the rock. Sir George -Byng, in the _St. Anne_, had a very narrow escape. With Sir Cloudesley, -on board the flag-ship, were his two stepsons, sons of Lady Shovel -and Sir John Narborough, his brother James, Mr. Trelawney, eldest son -of the Bishop of Winchester, and other persons of distinction. Sir -Cloudesley’s body was cast ashore, and recovered next day. His remains -were deposited, with the honourable and solemn ceremony due to his -worth, in Westminster Abbey. - - -PRINTED BY MORRISON AND GIBB LIMITED, EDINBURGH - - - - - JAMES NISBET & CO.’S - - SELECT LIST OF BOOKS - - SUITABLE FOR - - PRESENTS AND PRIZES, - - BY - - WELL-KNOWN AND POPULAR WRITERS. - - - Profusely Illustrated and handsomely Bound in Cloth. - - - _A Complete List will be forwarded post free on - application to the Publishers._ - - - 21 BERNERS STREET, - LONDON, W. - - - - - Works by Mrs. MARSHALL. - - “Readers who value culture and refinement, but, above all, seek for - truth and unction, will recommend her tales, especially for young - ladies.”--_Churchman._ - - - =Price Six Shillings. Extra crown 8vo. Bevelled - Boards. Gilt Top= - - LADY ROSALIND; OR, FAMILY FEUDS. A Novel. With Frontispiece by - ENOCH WARD. - - - With numerous Illustrations. - - =Price Five Shillings each. Extra crown 8vo. 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Extra crown 8vo, gilt edges. 5s. - - “This delightful story.”--_British Weekly._ - - “Dr. Gordon Stables is as fresh, as entertaining, and as tactfully - didactic as ever, and we can heartily recommend ‘From Ploughshare - to Pulpit’ to all boys.”--_Spectator._ - - “The story is lightly told and capitally illustrated, and sure to - please a boy.”--_Scotsman._ - - - =By Mrs. GEORGE CORBETT.= - - THE ADVENTURES OF A YOUNG STOWAWAY. Illustrated. Crown 8vo. 2s. - - - =By SARAH TYTLER.= - - TUDOR QUEENS AND PRINCESSES. Illustrated. Gilt edges, bevelled - boards. Extra crown 8vo. 5s. - - - =By DARLEY DALE.= - - SPOILT GUY. With Illustrations. Crown 8vo. 1s. 6d. - - “A pretty tale, and contains excellent religious - teaching.”--_Church Sunday School Magazine._ - - CISSY’S TROUBLES. With Illustrations. Small crown 8vo. 1s. - - “A very charming story.”--_Yorkshire Post._ - - LITTLE BRICKS. With Illustrations. Small crown 8vo. 1s. - - “The story is fascinating from the interest which is excited and - maintained. It is written with power and insight.”--_Courant._ - - - =By Mrs. SAXBY.= - - THE SAGA BOOK OF LUNDA. Illustrated by C. O. MURRAY. Crown 8vo. 2s. - - TOM AND HIS CROWS. Illustrated. Crown 8vo. 2s. - - “Mrs. Saxby is as charming and fresh as ever.... Children will be - delighted with the story, it is so simple and natural, and the - humour is remarkably spontaneous.”--_Spectator._ - - VIKING BOYS. With Illustrations. Crown 8vo. 2s. - - “Wholesome and manly in tone, the book is thoroughly fresh and - natural.”--_Morning Post._ - - “We prophesy that the tale of the Viking boys and their wild deeds - will become as popular as ‘The Lads of Lunda,’ and all the other - stories with which Mrs. Saxby has delighted us.”--_Athenæum._ - - THE LADS OF LUNDA. With Illustrations. Crown 8vo. 2s. - - “A perfect book for boys--generous, wholesome, manly in tone, and - withal thoroughly young, fresh, and natural. We recommend the book - heartily, not only to all boys, but to everybody who knows and - likes brave boys.”--_Guardian._ - - “A capital book. The tales are full of fun and pathos.”--_Athenæum._ - - THE YARL’S YACHT. With Illustrations. Crown 8vo. 2s. - - “‘The Yarl s Yacht’ is a delightful sequel to the ‘Lads of - Lunda.’”--_Times._ - - * * * * * - - THE HOME OF A NATURALIST. By JESSIE M. E. SAXBY and the Rev. BIOT - EDMONSTON. With Illustrations. Crown 8vo. 3s. 6d. - -“We would fain linger long over the scenes which this excellent volume -brings up before us. The authors have put together a very refreshing -set of memories.”--_Saturday Review._ - - - =By EVA TRAVERS EVERED POOLE.= - - LOTTA’S LIFE MISTAKE. With Illustrations. Crown 8vo. 1s. - - GOLDEN LINKS IN A LIFE CHAIN. With Illustrations. Crown 8vo. 2s. 6d. - - “GOOD-NIGHT” THOUGHTS ABOUT GOD; or, Evening Readings for the Young. - Small crown 8vo. 1s. 6d. - - - =By ELLEN L. DAVIS.= - - HIGH AND LOWLY: A Story of Hearts and Homes. With Illustrations. - Crown 8vo. 1s. 6d. - - YOKED TOGETHER: A Tale of Three Sisters. With Illustrations. Crown - 8vo. 2s. Gilt edges. 2s. 6d. - - “A quiet domestic story of deep interest, with several striking - situations, described with considerable power.”--_Leeds Mercury._ - - A BOY’S WILL. With Illustrations. Crown 8vo. 1s. 6d. - - “The book is full of life and character, and would be a fitting gift - alike to the Sunday-school teacher and the scholar.”--_British - Messenger._ - - - =By the Rev. GEORGE EVERARD, M.A.= - - MERRY AND WISE. Talks with School Girls. 16mo, 1s. - - FIGHT AND WIN. Talks with Lads about the Battle of Life. 16mo, 1s. - - LINED WITH LOVE. Friendly Talks with Young Girls about the Yoke of - the Lord Jesus. 16mo, 1s. - - SALVATION AND SERVICE. Crown 8vo. 3s. 6d. - - STRONG AND FREE. A Book for Young Men. 16mo. 1s. - - YOUR SUNDAYS: Fifty-Two Short Readings. Especially intended for - Schoolboys. Crown 8vo. 2s. 6d. - - “YOUR INNINGS:” A Book for Schoolboys. Sixth Thousand. Crown 8vo. 1s. - 6d. - - EDIE’S LETTER; or, Talks with the Little Folks. 4to. 2s. 6d. - - - =By Miss HAVERGAL.= - - MORNING BELLS. Being Waking Thoughts for the Little Ones. Royal 32mo, - 9d.; paper cover, 6d. - - LITTLE PILLOWS. Being Good Night Thoughts for the Little Ones. 32mo, - 9d.; paper cover, 6d. - - MORNING STARS; or, Names of Christ for His Little Ones. 32mo. 9d. - - THE FOUR HAPPY DAYS. 16mo, 1s. - - BEN BRIGHTBOOTS, and Other True Stories. Sm. crown 8vo. 1s. - - BRUEY. A Little Worker for Christ. Sm. Crown 8vo. 1s. 6d.; paper - cover, 1s. - - * * * * * - - MEMORIALS OF LITTLE NONY. A Biography of Nony Heywood, who was the - First Collector for the Bruey Branch of the Irish Society. By her - Mother. With Preface by Miss HAVERGAL, and a Portrait. Crown 8vo. - 1s. 6d. - - - =By E. LIVINGSTON PRESCOTT,= - - _Author of “Scarlet and Steel,” &c._ - - THE MEASURE OF A MAN. Extra crown 8vo. 6s. - - “A good romance, full of illusion, and with fine effect.”--_Daily - Chronicle._ - - “A notable success.”--_Scotsman._ - -THE RIP’S REDEMPTION. A Trooper’s Story. With Frontispiece. Extra crown -8vo. 6s. - - “Heartily welcome ... always interesting ... will well pay - perusal.”--_Scotsman._ - - “Well written ... brightly coloured ... peculiarly - attractive.”--_Dundee Advertiser._ - - - =By L. T. MEADE.= - - ALL SORTS. Extra crown 8vo, 6s. - - THE CLEVEREST WOMAN IN ENGLAND. Extra crown 8vo, gilt top, 6s. - - GOOD LUCK. With Illustrations by W. LANCE. Crown 8vo, 2s. - - A LONDON BABY: The Story of King Roy. With Illustrations. Crown 8vo. - 1s. 6d. - - “Very touching and sad, though the end is happy.”--_Athenæum._ - -THE CHILDREN’S PILGRIMAGE. With Illustrations. Small crown 8vo, 2s.; -gilt edges, 2s. 6d. - - “Displays vivid conception of character, and clear, - graphic description. The story is full of incident and - adventure.”--_Literary Churchman._ - - - =By SARAH DOUDNEY.= - - KATHERINE’S KEYS. Illustrated by CHAS. RICHARDSON. Extra crown 8vo. - Gilt edges, bevelled boards. 5s. - - WHERE THE DEW FALLS IN LONDON. Illustrated. Crown 8vo. 2s. - - A VANISHED HAND. Illustrated. Crown 8vo. 1s. - - BITTER AND SWEET. Illustrated. Small crown 8vo. 1s. - - - - -Transcriber’s Notes - - -Punctuation, hyphenation, and spelling were made consistent when a -predominant preference was found in the original book; otherwise they -were not changed. - -Simple typographical errors were corrected; unbalanced quotation -marks were remedied when the change was obvious, and otherwise left -unbalanced. - -Illustrations in this eBook have been positioned between paragraphs -and outside quotations. 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- margin-left: 2%; - margin-right: 2%; - margin-top: 1em; - margin-bottom: 1em; - padding: .5em; -} - -.gesperrt { - letter-spacing: 0.15em; - margin-right: -0.15em; -} -.wspace {word-spacing: .3em;} - -span.locked {white-space:nowrap;} -.pagenum br {display: none; visibility: hidden;} -.bbox {border: thin solid black; padding: .75em; margin: 4em auto 4em auto; max-width: 20em; page-break-before: always; page-break-after: always;} -.sans {font-family: sans-serif, serif;} -p.descr {margin-top: 0; margin-left: 2em; font-size: smaller;} - - /* ]]> */ </style> -</head> - -<body> -<p style='text-align:center; font-size:1.2em; font-weight:bold'>The Project Gutenberg eBook of Half hours on the quarter deck, by Anonymous</p> -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online -at <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. If you -are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the -country where you are located before using this eBook. -</div> - -<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Title: Half hours on the quarter deck</p> -<p style='display:block; margin-left:2em; text-indent:0; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:1em;'>The Spanish Armada to Sir Cloudesley Shovel 1670</p> -<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Author: Anonymous</p> -<p style='display:block; text-indent:0; margin:1em 0'>Release Date: September 30, 2022 [eBook #69077]</p> -<p style='display:block; text-indent:0; margin:1em 0'>Language: English</p> - <p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em; text-align:left'>Produced by: Juliet Sutherland, Charlie Howard, and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net</p> -<div style='margin-top:2em; margin-bottom:4em'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HALF HOURS ON THE QUARTER DECK ***</div> - -<div class="transnote"> -<p class="center larger">Transcriber’s Note</p> - -<p>Larger versions of most illustrations may be seen by right-clicking them -and selecting an option to view them separately, or by double-tapping and/or -stretching them.</p> -</div> - -<div id="il_1" class="figcenter" style="max-width: 33em;"> - <img src="images/coverfull.jpg" width="2054" height="2262" alt="cover and spine" /></div> - -<h1>HALF HOURS<br /> -ON THE QUARTER-DECK</h1> - -<div class="chapter"><div class="bbox"> -<p class="center"><span class="wspace larger">THE HALF HOUR LIBRARY.</span><br /> - -<span class="subhead"><i>TRAVEL, NATURE, AND SCIENCE.</i><br /> - -<span class="subhead">Handsomely bound, very fully Illustrated, 2s. 6d. each;<br /> -gilt edges, 3s.</span></span></p> - -<hr class="narrow" /> - -<p class="b0">Half Hours in the Holy Land.</p> - -<p class="descr">Travels in Egypt, Palestine, and Syria.<br /> - -<span class="in4">By <span class="smcap">Norman Macleod</span>.</span></p> - -<p class="b0">Half Hours in the Far North.</p> - -<p class="descr">Life amid Snow and Ice.</p> - -<p class="b0">Half Hours in the Wide West.</p> - -<p class="descr">Over Mountains, Rivers, and Prairies.</p> - -<p class="b0">Half Hours in the Far South.</p> - -<p class="descr">The People and Scenery of the Tropics.</p> - -<p class="b0">Half Hours in the Far East.</p> - -<p class="descr">Among the People and Wonders of India.</p> - -<p class="b0">Half Hours with a Naturalist.</p> - -<p class="descr">Rambles near the Seashore.<br /> - -<span class="in4">By the Rev. <span class="smcap">J. G. Wood</span>.</span></p> - -<p class="b0">Half Hours in the Deep.</p> - -<p class="descr">The Nature and Wealth of the Sea.</p> - -<p class="b0">Half Hours in the Tiny World.</p> - -<p class="descr">Wonders of Insect Life.</p> - -<p class="b0">Half Hours in Woods and Wilds.</p> - -<p class="descr">Adventures of Sport and Travel.</p> - -<p class="b0">Half Hours in Air and Sky.</p> - -<p class="descr">Marvels of the Universe.</p> - -<p class="b0">Half Hours Underground.</p> - -<p class="descr">Volcanoes, Mines, and Caves.<br /> - -<span class="in4">By <span class="smcap">Charles Kingsley</span> and others.</span></p> - -<p class="b0">Half Hours at Sea.</p> - -<p class="descr">Stories of Voyage, Adventure, and Wreck.</p> - -<p class="b0">Half Hours in Many Lands.</p> - -<p class="descr">Arctic, Torrid, and Temperate.</p> - -<p class="b0">Half Hours in Field and Forest.</p> - -<p class="descr">Chapters in Natural History.<br /> - -<span class="in4">By the Rev. <span class="smcap">J. G. Wood</span>.</span></p> - -<p class="b0">Half Hours on the Quarter-Deck.</p> - -<p>Half Hours in Early Naval Adventure.</p> -</div></div> - -<div id="il_2" class="figcenter" style="max-width: 38em;"> - <img src="images/i_004.jpg" width="2420" height="1433" alt="" /> - <div class="caption"> - -<p class="floatl"><i>Frontispiece.</i>]</p> -<p class="floatr">[<a href="#Page_41"><i>Page 41.</i></a></p> -<p class="floatc">SIR FRANCIS DRAKE CALLS ON HIS COMRADES TO “PLAY OUT THE MATCH, FOR THERE -IS PLENTY OF TIME TO DO SO, AND TO BEAT THE SPANIARDS TOO.”</p></div></div> - -<div class="chapter"><div class="p4 center wspace"> - -<p class="larger">THE HALF HOUR LIBRARY<br /> - -<span class="small"><i>OF TRAVEL, NATURE, AND SCIENCE</i><br /> - -<span class="smaller">FOR YOUNG READERS</span></span></p> - -<hr class="narrow" /> - -<p class="p2 xxlarge">HALF HOURS ON<br /> - -THE QUARTER-DECK</p> - -<p class="p2"><b>The Spanish Armada to Sir Cloudesley Shovel</b><br /> - -1670</p> - -<p class="p2">WITH NUMEROUS ILLUSTRATIONS</p> - -<p class="p2"><b>London</b><br /> -<span class="larger">JAMES NISBET & CO. LIMITED</span><br /> -21 Berners Street, W.<br /> -1899</p> -</div></div> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_vii">vii</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="INTRODUCTION">INTRODUCTION.</h2> -</div> - -<hr class="narrow" /> - -<p class="in0"><span class="smcap">This</span> is the second of a series of books on a -subject of the greatest interest to all young -Englishmen—the Naval History of England. To -the sea England owes its greatness, and the Anglo-Saxon -race its possession of such large portions of -the earth. Two-thirds of the surface of our globe -are covered with water, and the nations that have -the chief command of the seas must naturally have -immense power in the world. There is nothing -more marvellous in the last century, great as has -been the progress in all directions, than the birth -of new nations in distant parts of the earth, -sprung from our own people, and speaking our -own language. England and America bid fair -to encompass the world with their influence; because, -centuries ago, England became, through<span class="pagenum" id="Page_viii">viii</span> -the bravery and endurance of her sailors, the -chief ocean power.</p> - -<p>From the earliest times, the command of the -sea was eagerly sought after. The Phœnicians, -occupying a position of much importance as a -commercial centre between the great regions of -Asia on the east and the countries surrounding -the Mediterranean on the west, made rapid progress -in navigation. The large ships they sent -to Tarshish were unequalled for size and speed. -Their vessels effected wonderful things in bringing -together the varied treasures of distant countries. -They used the sea rather for commerce, and the -sending forth of colonists through whom they -might extend their trade, than for purposes of -conquest. With the Romans, who succeeded -them in the command of the sea, especially after -the fall of Carthage, the sea was a war-path, and -the subjugation of the world was the paramount -idea, although the vessels brought treasures from -all parts to enrich the imperial city. The Anglo-Saxons -have used the seas, both east and west, -as the Phœnicians used the Mediterranean, for<span class="pagenum" id="Page_ix">ix</span> -the extension of commerce and the planting of -colonies, but also, as the Romans, for the subjugation -and civilisation of great empires.</p> - -<p>There is a great interest in observing the -progress of events for a century after the opening -up of the great world by Columbus and others of -the same period. It seemed for a time as if Spain -and Portugal were to conquer and possess most -of the magnificent territories discovered; France -seemed also likely to have a fair portion; but -England, almost nowhere at first, gradually led -the way. This was due chiefly to the wonderful -feats and endurance and bravery of her sailors. -One country after another fell under our influence, -till the great continent of America in all its -northern parts became peopled by the Anglo-Saxon -race—which has, in later periods, similarly -spread over Australia and New Zealand.</p> - -<p>With the growth of the maritime power of -England is associated a splendid array of heroic -names, and many of the humblest sailors were -equal in bravery to their renowned commanders. -No history is more intensely interesting than<span class="pagenum" id="Page_x">x</span> -that of the daring perils and triumphs of heroic -seamen. The heroes, who have distinguished -themselves in the history and growth of the British -Navy, furnish a gallery and galaxy, bewildering in -extent; the events of pith and moment, in which -they have been prominent actors, present fields -too vast to be fully traversed; they can only be -touched at salient points.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_xi">xi</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="CONTENTS">CONTENTS</h2> -</div> - -<hr class="narrow" /> - -<table id="toc"> -<tr> - <td class="tdr small mid">CHAP.</td> - <td class="tdc">WILLIAM, JOHN, AND RICHARD HAWKINS.</td> - <td class="tdr small mid">PAGE</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdr top">I.</td> - <td class="tdl">THREE GENERATIONS OF ADVENTURERS,</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#toclink_1">1</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td></td> - <td class="tdc">CHARLES HOWARD, BARON OF EFFINGHAM, AFTERWARDS EARL OF NOTTINGHAM.</td> - <td></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdr top">II.</td> - <td class="tdl">“BORN TO SERVE AND SAVE HIS COUNTRY,”</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#toclink_37">37</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td></td> - <td class="tdc">SIR MARTIN FROBISHER, NAVIGATOR, DISCOVERER, AND COMBATANT.</td> - <td></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdr top">III.</td> - <td class="tdl">THE FIRST ENGLISH DISCOVERER OF GREENLAND,</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#toclink_47">47</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td></td> - <td class="tdc">THOMAS CAVENDISH, GENTLEMAN ADVENTURER.</td> - <td></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdr top">IV.</td> - <td class="tdl">THE SECOND ENGLISHMAN WHO CIRCUMNAVIGATED THE GLOBE,</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#toclink_57">57</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td></td> - <td class="tdc">SIR WALTER RALEIGH, QUEEN ELIZABETH’S FAVOURITE MINISTER.</td> - <td></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdr top">V.</td> - <td class="tdl">AMERICAN COLONISATION SCHEMES,</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#toclink_83">83</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td></td> - <td class="tdc">SIR WALTER RALEIGH, SAILOR, SCHOLAR, POET.</td> - <td></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdr top">VI.</td> - <td class="tdl">NAVAL EXPEDITIONS—TRIAL AND EXECUTION,</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#toclink_130">130</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td></td> - <td class="tdc">THE PLANTING OF THE GREAT AMERICAN COLONIES.</td> - <td></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdr top">VII.</td> - <td class="tdl">“TO FRAME SUCH JUST AND EQUAL LAWS AS SHALL BE MOST CONVENIENT,”</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#toclink_173">173</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td></td> - <td class="tdc">OLIVER CROMWELL AND THE SEA-POWER OF ENGLAND.</td> - <td></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdr top">VIII.</td> - <td class="tdl">A LONG INTERVAL IN NAVAL WARFARE ENDED,</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#toclink_181">181</a><span class="pagenum" id="Page_xii">xii</span></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td></td> - <td class="tdc">ROBERT BLAKE, THE GREAT ADMIRAL OF THE COMMONWEALTH.</td> - <td></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdr top">IX.</td> - <td class="tdl">HE ACHIEVED FOR ENGLAND THE TITLE, NEVER SINCE DISPUTED, OF “MISTRESS OF THE SEA,”</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#toclink_186">186</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td></td> - <td class="tdc">GEORGE MONK, K.G., DUKE OF ALBEMARLE.</td> - <td></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdr top">X.</td> - <td class="tdl">THE FRIEND OF CROMWELL, AND THE RESTORER OF CHARLES II.,</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#toclink_230">230</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td></td> - <td class="tdc">EDWARD MONTAGU, EARL OF SANDWICH.</td> - <td></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdr top">XI.</td> - <td class="tdl">NAVAL CONFLICT BETWEEN THE ENGLISH AND THE DUTCH,</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#toclink_253">253</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td></td> - <td class="tdc">PRINCE RUPERT, NAVAL AND MILITARY COMMANDER.</td> - <td></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdr top">XII.</td> - <td class="tdl">THE DUTCH DISCOVER ENGLISH COURAGE TO BE INVINCIBLE,</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#toclink_290">290</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td></td> - <td class="tdc">SIR EDWIN SPRAGGE, ONE BORN TO COMMAND.</td> - <td></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdr top">XIII.</td> - <td class="tdl">THE DUTCH AVOW SUCH FIERCE FIGHTING NEVER TO HAVE BEEN SEEN,</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#toclink_315">315</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td></td> - <td class="tdc">SIR THOMAS ALLEN.</td> - <td></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdr top">XIV.</td> - <td class="tdl">THE PROMOTED PRIVATEER,</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#toclink_334">334</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td></td> - <td class="tdc">SIR JOHN HARMAN.</td> - <td></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdr top">XV.</td> - <td class="tdl">“BOLD AS A LION, BUT ALSO WISE AND WARY,”</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#toclink_343">343</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td></td> - <td class="tdc">ADMIRAL BENBOW.</td> - <td></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdr top">XVI.</td> - <td class="tdl">THE KING SAID, “WE MUST SPARE OUR BEAUX, AND SEND HONEST BENBOW,”</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#toclink_346">346</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td></td> - <td class="tdc">SIR CLOUDESLEY SHOVEL.</td> - <td></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdr top">XVII.</td> - <td class="tdl">THE SHOEMAKER WHO ROSE TO BE REAR-ADMIRAL OF ENGLAND,</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#toclink_359">359</a></td> -</tr> -</table> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_xiii">xiii</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="LIST_OF_ILLUSTRATIONS">LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.</h2> -</div> - -<hr class="narrow" /> - -<table id="loi"> -<tr> - <td></td> - <td class="tdr smaller">PAGE</td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdl">SIR FRANCIS DRAKE CALLING ON HIS COMRADES TO PLAY OUT THE MATCH, AND TO BEAT THE SPANIARDS TOO,</td> - <td class="tdr smaller"><a href="#il_2"><i>Frontispiece</i></a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdl">SIR JOHN HAWKINS,</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#il_3">3</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdl">ROCHELLE,</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#il_4">11</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdl">SIR JOHN HAWKINS PURSUING THE SHIPS OF THE ARMADA,</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#il_5">19</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdl">CHATHAM EARLY IN THE 17TH CENTURY,</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#il_6">25</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdl">MOUNTAINS AND GLACIERS IN THE STRAITS OF MAGELLAN,</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#il_7">33</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdl">EARL OF EFFINGHAM,</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#il_8">38</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdl">LORD HOWARD DEFEATING A SPANISH FLEET,</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#il_9">43</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdl">SIR MARTIN FROBISHER,</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#il_10">49</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdl">SIR MARTIN FROBISHER PASSING GREENWICH,</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#il_11">53</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdl">THOMAS CAVENDISH,</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#il_12">59</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdl">PERILOUS POSITION IN THE STRAITS OF MAGELLAN,</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#il_13">67</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdl">ROUNDING THE CAPE DE BUENA ESPERANÇA,</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#il_14">75</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdl">SIR WALTER RALEIGH,</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#il_15">85</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdl">RALEIGH SPREADING OUT HIS CLOAK TO PROTECT THE QUEEN’S FEET FROM THE MUD,</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#il_16">93</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdl">EDMUND SPENSER, AUTHOR OF THE “FAERIE QUEENE,”</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#il_17">103</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdl">THE MADRE DE DIOS,</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#il_18">111</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdl">RALEIGH ON THE ORINOCO RIVER,</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#il_19">121</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdl">RALEIGH AS SAILOR, SCHOLAR, POET,</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#il_20">131</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdl">ENGLISH FLEET BEFORE CADIZ,</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#il_21">139</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdl">ST. HELIERS, JERSEY,</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#il_22">149</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdl">SIR WALTER RALEIGH CONFINED IN THE TOWER,</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#il_23">157</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdl">LORD FRANCIS BACON,</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#il_24">167</a><span class="pagenum" id="Page_xiv">xiv</span></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdl">THE MAYFLOWER,</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#il_25">175</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdl">OLIVER CROMWELL,</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#il_26">183</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdl">ADMIRAL BLAKE,</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#il_27">193</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdl">BATTLE BETWEEN BLAKE AND VAN TROMP,</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#il_28">203</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdl">ADMIRAL VAN TROMP,</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#il_29">213</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdl">THE DEATH OF ADMIRAL BLAKE,</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#il_30">225</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdl">GENERAL MONK,</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#il_31">233</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdl">DEFEAT OF THE DUTCH FLEET BY MONK,</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#il_32">241</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdl">SEA FIGHT WITH THE DUTCH,</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#il_33">249</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdl">EARL OF SANDWICH, DUKE OF YORK—BATTLE OF SOUTHWOLD OR SOLE BAY,</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#il_34">257</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdl">DUNKIRK,</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#il_35">265</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdl">CASTLE OF TANGIERS,</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#il_36">273</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdl">ACTION BETWEEN THE EARL OF SANDWICH AND ADMIRAL DE RUYTER,</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#il_37">283</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdl">PRINCE RUPERT AT EDGEHILL,</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#il_38">293</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdl">DEFEAT OF THE DUTCH OFF LOWESTOFT,</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#il_39">301</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdl">ADRIAN DE RUYTER,</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#il_40">309</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdl">THE DUTCH FLEET CAPTURES SHEERNESS,</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#il_41">319</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdl">ATTACKING A PIRATE OFF ALGIERS,</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#il_42">329</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdl">AN ALGERINE CORSAIR,</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#il_43">339</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdl">ADMIRAL BENBOW,</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#il_44">351</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdl">SIR CLOUDESLEY SHOVEL,</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#il_45">361</a></td> -</tr> -<tr> - <td class="tdl">CARRICKFERGUS CASTLE,</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#il_46">369</a></td> -</tr> -</table> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_1">1</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="HALF_HOURS_ON_THE"><span class="larger gesperrt">HALF HOURS ON THE<br /> -QUARTER-DECK.</span></h2> -</div> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2 class="nobreak" id="toclink_1">WILLIAM, JOHN, AND RICHARD -HAWKINS.<br /> - -<span class="subhead p2">CHAPTER I.<br /> - -<span class="subhead">THREE GENERATIONS OF ADVENTURERS.</span></span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="drop-cap"><span class="smcap1">The</span> proclivities of parents are not uniformly manifested -in their children, and the rule of “Like -father, like son” has its exceptions. The three generations -of the Hawkins’ family, who distinguished themselves -as maritime adventurers in the reign of Henry -VIII. and Queen Elizabeth, while differing in character, -disposition, and attainments at divers points, were in -common governed by a ruling passion—love of the -sea, and choice of it as a road to fame and fortune.</p> - -<p>William Hawkins, Esq., of Tavistock, was a man of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_2">2</span> -much property, acquired by inheritance, but chiefly by -his good fortune as a successful naval adventurer. He -was regarded with great favour by King Henry VIII. -About the year 1530 he fitted up a ship of 250 tons -burthen, which he named the <i>Paul of Plymouth</i>, and in -which he made three voyages to Brazil, touching also at -the coast of Guinea to buy or capture human beings,—to -make merchandise of them. He was probably the first -English adventurer that engaged in this horrible traffic. -Old chroniclers coolly record the fact that he traded -successfully and most profitably in “slaves, gold, and -elephants’ teeth.” Brazil was in those days under a -quite different government to that of the enlightened ex-Emperor -Dom Pedro, or of the Republic that has recently -succeeded him. Its rulers were savage Indian chiefs, -with whom Hawkins was signally successful in ingratiating -himself. On the occasion of his second visit to the -country, so complete was the confidence reposed in him -by these native princes, that one of them consented to -return with him to England, Hawkins leaving Martin -Cockram of Plymouth, one of his crew, as a hostage for -the safe return of the prince. The personal adornments -of this aboriginal grandee were of a remarkable character. -According to Hakluyt’s account, “In his cheeks were -holes, made according to the savage manner, and therein -small bones were planted, standing an inch out from the -surface, which in his country was looked on as evidence<span class="pagenum" id="Page_5">5</span> -of great bravery. He had another hole in his lower lip, -wherein was set a precious stone about the bigness of a -pea. All his apparel, behaviour, and gestures were very -strange to the beholders,” as may easily be believed. -After remaining in England for about a year, during which -time the distinguished foreigner was a repeated visitor -at the court of Henry VIII., who was a warm patron of -Hawkins, the adventurer embarked to return to Brazil. -Unhappily, the Indian prince died on the passage, which -naturally occasioned serious apprehensions in Hawkins’ -mind. He was sorry for the death of his fellow-voyager, -but more concerned on account of poor Cockram, the -hostage, whose life, he feared, was imperilled by the -death of the savage, for whose safe return he had been -left as security. The confiding barbarians, however, -disappointed his fears; they accepted, without doubt or -hesitation, his account of the circumstances of the chief’s -death, and his assurance that all that was possible to skill -and care had been done to save his life. The friendly -intercourse between Hawkins and the natives continued; -they traded freely upon mutually satisfactory terms, and -Hawkins returned to England freighted with a valuable -cargo. He was greatly enriched by his successive -voyages to the West Indies and Brazil, and at a mature -age retired from active life, in the enjoyment of the fortune -he had amassed by his skill and courage as a seaman, -his wisdom and astuteness as a merchant, his enterprise,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_6">6</span> -fortitude, perseverance, and other qualities and characteristics -that distinguish most men who get on in the world.</p> - -<div id="il_3" class="figcenter" style="max-width: 16em;"> - <img src="images/i_019.jpg" width="1013" height="1251" alt="" /> - <div class="caption">SIR JOHN HAWKINS.</div></div> - -<p>John Hawkins, the second son of William Hawkins of -Plymouth above referred to, was born at Plymouth about -the year 1520. His elementary education was followed -up in his early youth by assiduous study of mathematics -and navigation. Early in life he made voyages to Spain -and Portugal, and to the Canary Islands—the latter being -considered a rather formidable undertaking in those -days. In his early life he so diligently applied himself -to his duties, and acquitted himself so successfully in -their discharge, as to achieve a good reputation, and -soon after the accession of Queen Elizabeth, an appointment -in her navy, as an officer of consideration. It is -stated concerning him, that as a young man he had -engaging manners, and that at the Canaries, to which he -had made several trips, “he had, by his tenderness and -humanity, made himself very much beloved,” and had -acquired a knowledge of the slave trade, and of the -mighty profits which even in those days resulted from -the sale of negroes in the West Indies. These glowing -accounts of a quick road to riches fired the ambition of -the tender and humane adventurer.</p> - -<p>In 1562, when he had acquired much experience as a -seaman, and was at the best of his manhood’s years, he -projected a great slave-trading expedition. His design -was to obtain subscriptions from the most eminent<span class="pagenum" id="Page_7">7</span> -London traders and other wealthy persons, to provide -and equip an adventure squadron. He proposed to -proceed first to Guinea for a cargo of slaves, to be -procured by barter, purchase, capture, or in any other -way,—and the cheaper the better. With his freight of -slaves, his design was to proceed to Hispaniola, Porto -Rico, and other Spanish islands, and there to sell the -slaves for money, or barter them in exchange for sugar, -hides, silver, and other produce. He readily obtained, -as his partners in this unscrupulous project, Sir William -Lodge, Sir William Winter, Mr. Bromson, and his -(Hawkins’) father-in-law, Mr. Gunson. The squadron -consisted of the <i>Solomon</i>, of 120 tons, Hawkins, commander; -the <i>Swallow</i>, of 100 tons, captain, Thomas -Hampton; and the <i>Jonas</i>, a bark of 40 tons. The -three vessels carried in all one hundred men. The -squadron sailed in October 1562, and touched first at -Teneriffe, from which they proceeded on to Guinea, -where landing, “by money, and where that failed, by the -sword,” Hawkins acquired three hundred negroes to be -sold as slaves. These he disposed of at enormous profits -at Hispaniola and others of the Spanish settlements, and -returned to England,—to the enrichment, as the result -of his “famous voyage,” of himself and his unscrupulous -co-proprietors.</p> - -<p>“Nothing succeeds like success.” There was now no -difficulty in obtaining abundant support, in money and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_8">8</span> -men, for further adventure, on the same lines. Slave-trading -was proved to be a paying pursuit, and then as -now, those who hasted to be rich were not fastidious, -as to the moral aspect and nature of the quickest -method. Another expedition was determined upon, -and on a larger scale. Hawkins, the successful conductor -of the expedition, was highly popular. As -eminent engineers have taken in gentlemen apprentices -in more modern times, Captain Hawkins was beset with -applications to take in gentlemen apprentices to the -art and mystery of slave-trade buccaneering. Among -the youngsters entrusted to his tutelage were several who -afterwards achieved distinction in the Royal Navy, -including Mr. John Chester, son of Sir Wm. Chester, -afterwards a captain in the navy; Anthony Parkhurst, -who became a leading man in Bristol, and turned out an -enterprising adventurer; John Sparkes, an able writer on -maritime enterprises, who gave a graphic account of -Hawkins’ second expedition, which Sparkes had accompanied -as an apprentice.</p> - -<p>The squadron in the second expedition comprised -the <i>Jesus of Lubeck</i>, of 700 tons, a queen’s ship, -Hawkins, commander; the <i>Solomon</i>; and two barques, -the <i>Tiger</i> and the <i>Swallow</i>. The expedition sailed from -Plymouth on the 18th October 1564. The first endeavour -of the adventurers was to reach the coast of Guinea, for -the nefarious purpose of man-stealing, as before. An<span class="pagenum" id="Page_9">9</span> -incident, that occurred on the day after the squadron left -Teneriffe, reflects credit on Hawkins in showing his -paternal care for the lives of his crew, although he held -the lives of Guinea negroes of little account, and in exhibiting -also his skill as a seaman. The pinnace of his -own ship, with two men in it, was capsized, and the upturned -boat, with the two men struggling in the water, -was dropped out of sight, before sail could be taken in. -Hawkins ordered the jolly-boat to be let down and -manned by twenty-four able-bodied seamen, to whose -leading man he gave steering directions. After a long -and stiff pull, the pinnace, with the two men riding -astride on the keel, was sighted, and their rescue effected.</p> - -<p>The poor hunted savages sometimes sold their lives -and liberties dearly to their Christian captors. In one of -his raids upon the coast of Africa in this expedition, the -taking of ten negroes cost Hawkins six of his best men -killed, and twenty-seven wounded. The Rev. Mr. -Hakluyt—affected with obliquity of moral vision it may -be—deliberately observes concerning Captain Hawkins -and this disaster, that “his countenance remained unclouded, -and though he was naturally a man of compassion, -he made very light of his loss, that others might -not take it to heart.” A very large profit was realised by -this expedition, “a full cargo of very rich commodities” -having been collected in the trading with Jamaica, Cuba, -and other West Indian islands. On the return voyage<span class="pagenum" id="Page_10">10</span> -another incident occurred illustrative of Captain Hawkins’ -punctilious regard to honesty in other directions than that -of negroes—having property rights in their own lives and -liberties. When off Newfoundland, which seemed to be -rather round circle sailing on their way home, the commander -fell in with two French fishing vessels. Hawkins’ -squadron had run very short of provisions. They boarded -the Frenchmen, and, without leave asked or obtained, -helped themselves to as much of their stock of provisions, -as they thought would serve for the remainder of the -voyage home. To the amazement as much as the satisfaction -of the Frenchmen, Hawkins paid honourably for -the salt junk and biscuits thus appropriated.</p> - -<p>The squadron arrived at Padstow, Cornwall, on the -20th September 1565. The idea of the brotherhood of -man had not in that age been formulated, and Hawkins -was honoured for his achievements, in establishing a new -and lucrative branch of trade. Heraldic honours were -conferred upon him by Clarencieux, king at arms, who -granted him, as an appropriate crest, “a demi-moor bound -with a cord or chain.”</p> - -<div id="il_4" class="figcenter" style="max-width: 29em;"> - <img src="images/i_027.jpg" width="1800" height="1299" alt="" /> - <div class="caption">ROCHELLE.</div></div> - -<p>In 1567 Hawkins sailed in charge of an expedition for -the relief of the French Protestants at Rochelle. This -object was satisfactorily effected, and he proceeded to -prepare for a third voyage to the West Indies. Before -this expedition sailed, Hawkins, while off Cativater waiting -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_13">13</span>the queen’s orders, had an opportunity, of which he made<span class="pagenum" id="Page_12">12</span> -prompt and spirited use, for vindicating the honours of -the queen’s flag. A Spanish fleet of fifty sail, bound -for Flanders, passed comparatively near to the coast, and -in sight of Hawkins’ squadron, without saluting by lowering -their top-sails, and taking in their flags. Hawkins -ordered a shot to be fired across the bows of the leading -ship. No notice was taken of this, whereupon he ordered -another to be fired, that would make its mark. The -second shot went through the hull of the admiral, whereupon -the Spaniards struck sail and came to an anchor. -The Spanish general sent a messenger to demand the -meaning of this hostile demonstration. Hawkins would -not accept the message, or even permit the messenger to -come on board. On the Spanish general sending again, -Hawkins sent him the explanation that he had not paid -the reverence due to the queen, that his coming in force -without doing so was suspicious; and he concluded his -reply by ordering the Spanish general to sheer off, or he -would be treated as an enemy. On coming together, -and further parley, Hawkins and the Spaniard arrived -at an amicable understanding, and concluded their conferences -in reconciliation feasts and convivialities, on -board and on shore.</p> - -<p>The new expedition sailed on the 2nd October 1567. -The squadron consisted of the <i>Jesus of Lubeck</i>, the <i>Minion</i>, -and four other ships. As before, the adventurers made -first for Guinea, the favourite gathering-ground for the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_14">14</span> -inhuman traffic, and collected there a crowd of five -hundred negroes, the hapless victims of their cupidity. -The greater number of these they disposed of at splendid -prices, in money or produce, in Spanish America. -Touching at Rio Del Hacha, to Hawkins’ indignant -surprise, the governor, believing it to be within his right, -refused to trade with him. Such arrogance was not to -be submitted to, and Hawkins landed a storming party, -who assaulted and took the town, which, if it did not -exactly make things pleasant, compelled submission, -and, for the invading adventurers, a profitable trade. -Having made the most he could of Hacha, Hawkins -next proceeded to Carthagena, where he disposed, at -good prices, of the remainder of the five hundred slaves.</p> - -<p>The adventurers were now (September 1568) in good -condition for returning home with riches, leaving honours -out of consideration, but the time had passed for their -having their own will and way. Plain sailing in smooth -seas was over with them; storm and trouble, and struggle -for dear life, awaited them. Shortly after leaving Carthagena -the squadron was overtaken by violent storms, -and for refuge they made, as well as they could, for St. -John de Ulloa, in the Gulf of Mexico. While in the -harbour, the Spanish fleet came up in force, and was -about to enter. Hawkins was in an awkward position. -He liked not the Spaniards, and would fain have given -their vastly superior force a wide berth. He tried what<span class="pagenum" id="Page_15">15</span> -diplomacy would do. He sent a message to the viceroy -that the English were there only for provisions, for which -they would pay, and he asked the good offices of the viceroy, -for the preservation of an honourable peace. The terms -proposed by Hawkins were assented to, and hostages for -the observance of the conditions were exchanged. But -he was dealing with deceivers. On Thursday, September -23rd, he noticed great activity in the carrying of ammunition -to the Spanish ships, and that a great many men -were joining the ships from the shore. He sent to the -viceroy demanding the meaning of all this, and had fair -promises sent back in return. Again Hawkins sent -Robert Barret, master of the <i>Jesus</i>, who knew the Spanish -language, to demand whether it was not true that a large -number of men were concealed in a 900-ton ship -that lay next to the <i>Minion</i>, and why it was that the -guns of the Spanish fleet were all pointed at the English -ships. The viceroy answered this demand by ordering -Barret into irons, and directing the trumpet to sound -a charge. At this time Hawkins was at dinner in his -cabin with a treacherous guest, Don Augustine de Villa -Nueva, who had accepted the <i>rôle</i> of Hawkins’ assassin. -John Chamberlain, of Hawkins’ bodyguard, detected the -dagger up the traitor’s sleeve, denounced him, and had -him cared for. Going on deck, Hawkins found the -English attacked on all sides; an overpowering crowd of -enemies from the great Spanish ship alongside was<span class="pagenum" id="Page_16">16</span> -pouring into the <i>Minion</i>. With a loud voice he shouted, -“God and St. George! Fall upon those traitors, and rescue -the <i>Minion</i>!” His men eagerly answered the call, leaped -out of the <i>Jesus</i> into the <i>Minion</i>, and made short work -with the enemy, slaughtering them wholesale, and driving -out the remnant. Having cleared the <i>Minion</i> of the -enemy, they did equally effective service with the ship’s -guns; they sent a shot into the Spanish vice-admiral’s -ship that, probably from piercing the powder-room, blew -up the ship and three hundred men with it. On the -other hand, all the Englishmen who happened to be on -shore were cut off, except three who escaped by swimming -from shore to their ships. The English were overmatched -to an enormous extent, by the fleet and the -attack from the shore. The Spaniards took the <i>Swallow</i>, -and burnt the <i>Angel</i>. The <i>Jesus</i> had the fore-mast cut -down by a shot, and the main-mast shattered. The -Spaniards set fire to two of their own ships, with which -they bore down upon the <i>Jesus</i>, with the desire of setting -it on fire. In dire extremity, and to avert the calamity of -having their ship burnt, the crew, without orders, cut the -cables and put to sea; they returned, however, to take -Hawkins on board. The English ships suffered greatly -by the shots from the shore, as well as from the fleet, -but inflicted, considering the disparity in strength of the -combatants, much greater damage than they sustained. -The ships of the Spanish admiral and vice-admiral were<span class="pagenum" id="Page_17">17</span> -both disabled,—the latter destroyed; four other Spanish -ships were sunk or burnt. Of the Spanish fighting men,—fifteen -hundred in number at the commencement of the -battle,—five hundred and forty, or more than a third, were -killed or wounded. The <i>Jesus</i> and the <i>Minion</i> fought -themselves clear of the Spaniards, but the former was so -much damaged as to be unmanageable, and the <i>Minion</i>, -with Hawkins and most of his men on board, and the -<i>Judith</i>, of 50 tons, were the only ships that escaped. -The sanguinary action lasted from noon until evening. -The wreckage to such an extent of Hawkins’ fleet -involved, of course, a heavy deduction from his fortune.</p> - -<p>After leaving St. John de Ulloa, the adventurers -suffered great privations. Their design to replenish their -failing stock of provisions had been frustrated, and -Hawkins was now threatened with mutiny among the -crew, because of the famine that seemed imminent, and -which he was powerless to avert. They entered a creek in -the Bay of Mexico, at the mouth of the river Tampico. -A number of the men demanded to be left on shore, -declaring that they would rather be on shore to eat dogs -and cats, parrots, rats, and monkeys, than remain on -board to starve to death. “Four score and sixteen” -men thus elected to be left on shore. Job Hortop, one -of the crew, who left a narrative of the voyage, states that -Hawkins counselled the men he was leaving to “serve -God and love one another, and courteously bade them a<span class="pagenum" id="Page_18">18</span> -sorrowful farewell.” On the return voyage, Hawkins and -the remnant with him, sustained great hardships and -privations. At Vigo, where he touched, he met with -some English ships, from which he was able to obtain, by -arrangement, twelve stout seamen, to assist his reduced -and enfeebled crew, in the working of his ships for the -remainder of the homeward voyage. He sailed from -Vigo on the 20th January 1569, and reached Mount’s -Bay, Cornwall, on the 25th of the same month. Thus -ended his third eventful and disastrous expedition to -El Dorado.</p> - -<p>The poor fellows, left on shore in Mexico, entered -upon a terrible campaign of danger and suffering. The -first party of Indians that the castaways fell in with, -slaughtered a number of them, but on discovering that -they were not Spaniards, whom the Indians hated inveterately, -spared the remainder, and directed them to -the port of Tampico. It is recorded of two of their -number, Richard Brown and Richard Twide, that they -performed the wonderful feat, under such cruel disadvantages -and difficulties, of marching across the North -American continent from Mexico to Nova Scotia,—from -which they were brought home in a French ship. Others -of the wanderers fell into the hands of the Spaniards, who -sent some of them prisoners to Mexico, and others to -Spain, where, by sentence of the Holy Inquisition, some -were burnt to death, and others consigned for long terms<span class="pagenum" id="Page_21">21</span> -to imprisonment. Miles Philips, one of the crew, reached -England, after many perilous adventures and hair-breadth -’scapes, in 1582. Job Hortop and John Bone were -sentenced to imprisonment for ten years. Hortop, after -twenty-three years’ absence from England, spent in -Hawkins’ fleet, and in wanderings, imprisonment, and -divers perils, reached home in 1590, and wrote an -interesting account of the voyage, and of his personal -adventures.</p> - -<div id="il_5" class="figcenter" style="max-width: 37em;"> - <img src="images/i_035.jpg" width="2316" height="1388" alt="" /> - <div class="caption">SIR JOHN HAWKINS PURSUING THE SHIPS OF THE ARMADA.</div></div> - -<p>In his last expedition Hawkins had returned with -impaired fortune, but without dishonour. He had, -indeed, added to the lustre of England, and to his -personal renown, by the skill and valour he had displayed -in the affair of St. John de Ulloa,—in which the glory -was his, and infamy attached to the treacherous Spaniards, -whose immense superiority in strength should have -enabled them to extinguish their enemy, instead of being -beaten by him. In recognition of his valour, Hawkins -was granted by Clarencieux, king at arms, further -heraldic honours, in an augmentation of his arms; he -was also appointed Treasurer to the Navy, an office of -great honour and profit.</p> - -<p>Hawkins’ next great public service was rendered, as -commander of Her Majesty’s ship <i>Victory</i>, in the actions -against the Spanish Armada in 1588. The commanders -of the English squadrons in the Armada actions and pursuit -were the Lord High Admiral, and Sir Francis Drake,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_22">22</span> -and Sir John Hawkins, rear-admiral. Sir John was knighted -by the Lord High Admiral for his distinguished services; -as was also Sir Martin Frobisher. Sir John Hawkins -shared largely in the dangers and honours of the actions, -and, in the pursuit of the Spaniards, he rendered extraordinarily -active and successful service, for which he -was particularly commended by Queen Elizabeth.</p> - -<p>In 1590 Sir John Hawkins, in conjunction with Sir -Martin Frobisher,—each with a squadron of fifty ships,—was -sent to harass the Spanish coast, and to intercept -and capture, if possible, the Plate fleet. Suspecting this -intention, the Spanish king contrived to convey intelligence -to India, ordering the fleet to winter there, instead -of coming home. Hawkins and Frobisher cruised about -for six or seven months, with no more definite result -than humiliating Spain, and detracting from its dignity -and influence as a naval power.</p> - -<p>Sir John Hawkins was next appointed in a joint -expedition against Spain with Sir Francis Drake. The -design of the expedition, which sailed from Plymouth on -the 28th August 1595, was to burn Nombre-de-Dios, and -to march thence overland to Panama, and appropriate -there the Spanish treasure from Peru. The design proved -abortive, partly from tempestuous weather, but partly -also from disagreement between the commanders. On -the 30th October, at a short distance from Dominica, -the <i>Francis</i>, a bark of 35 tons, the sternmost of Sir<span class="pagenum" id="Page_23">23</span> -John Hawkins’ fleet,—and a long way in the rear of the -others,—was fallen in with by a squadron of five Spanish -frigates, and captured. This misfortune, in conjunction -with other depressing circumstances, and the hopelessness -of the enterprise, so much affected Sir John Hawkins as -to cause his death on the 21st November 1595—of a -broken heart, it was believed.</p> - -<p>The expeditions of Sir John Hawkins to the West -Indies, his services in connection with the Spanish -Armada, his joint expeditions with Frobisher and Drake, -fall far short of filling up the story of his life, or the -measure of his usefulness as a public man. Of his home -life they tell nothing.</p> - -<p>Sir John was twice married, and was three times -elected a member of Parliament, twice for Plymouth. -He was a wise, liberal, and powerful friend and supporter -of the British Navy. He munificently provided, at -Chatham, an hospital for poor and distressed sailors. -The “Chest” at Chatham was instituted by Sir John -Hawkins and Sir Francis Drake,—being a provident -fund, formed from voluntary deductions from sailors’ pay, -applied to the relief of disabled and indigent comrades. -Sir John Hawkins was the author and promoter of many -beneficial rules and regulations for the government of the -navy. He was an accomplished mathematician, a skilful -navigator, a courageous combatant; as Treasurer of the -Navy he proved an able administrator; and to these<span class="pagenum" id="Page_24">24</span> -qualities he added the enterprising spirit of a merchant -prince,—he and his brother William being joint owners -at one time of a fleet of thirty good stout ships. It was -said of him by a contemporary that he had been graceful -in youth, and that he was grave and reverend in -advanced life. He was a man of great sagacity, unflinching -courage, sound judgment, and cool presence -of mind, submissive to authority, courteous to his peers, -affable and amiable to his men, by whom he was much -beloved. His active life embraced a period of forty-eight -years, during which he, for longer or shorter periods, -acted as a commander at sea, including twenty-two years, -during which he held the office of Treasurer of the Navy.</p> - -<p>Richard Hawkins, of the third generation of eminent -navigators, and son of Sir John Hawkins, was born at -Plymouth about the year 1570. He had a strong predilection -for naval service, and when only a lad in his -teens had the command of a vessel, and was vice-admiral -of a small squadron commanded by his uncle, -William Hawkins, Esq., of Plymouth, that was employed -in a “private expedition” to the West Indies—really to -“pick and steal” what they could from the Spaniards. -He had an early opportunity of showing his courage and -confidence in his own powers. The captain of one of the -ships of the fleet, the <i>Bonner</i>, complained that his ship -was not seaworthy, and recommended that his crew and -himself should be shifted into a better ship, and that the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_27">27</span> -<i>Bonner</i> should be sunk. Young Hawkins protested against -the sacrifice of the ship, and offered, if a good crew were -allowed him, to carry the <i>Bonner</i> through the cruise, and -then home. His success would, of course, have disgraced -the captain, who withdrew his recommendation, and -remained in his ship,—which justified young Hawkins’ -protest by continuing seaworthy for many years.</p> - -<div id="il_6" class="figcenter" style="max-width: 36em;"> - <img src="images/i_041.jpg" width="2283" height="1305" alt="" /> - <div class="caption">CHATHAM, 17TH CENTURY.</div></div> - -<p>In 1588 young Hawkins was captain of the queen’s -ship <i>Swallow</i>, which suffered most of any in the actions -with the Spanish Armada. A fire arrow that had been -hid in a sail, burnt a hole in the beak-head of the -<i>Swallow</i>. Richard afterwards wrote an able account of -the actions, with a judicious criticism and defence of the -strategy of the Earl of Nottingham, Lord High Admiral,—in -not laying the Spaniards aboard. This Hawkins held -would have been a dangerous course, from the greater -height of the Spanish ships, and from their having an -army on board. By keeping clear, the English ships could -also take advantage of wind and tide for manœuvring -round the enemy. He held that, by lying alongside -of the Spaniards they would have risked defeat, and -that the free movement and fighting gave them a better -chance of humiliating the enemy.</p> - -<p>In 1590 Richard Hawkins commanded the <i>Crane</i>, -of 200 tons, in the expedition of his father and Sir -Martin Frobisher against Spain. The commander of the -<i>Crane</i> did excellent service in the pursuit of the Spanish<span class="pagenum" id="Page_28">28</span> -squadron employed in carrying relief to the forces in -Brittany; and afterwards he so harassed the Spaniards -at the Azores, as to incite the merchants there to curse -the Spanish ministers who had brought about (or -permitted) a war with such a powerful enemy as England.</p> - -<p>On returning from this expedition, Hawkins commenced -preparations for a bold buccaneering project -against Spain. He built a ship of 350 tons, to which -his mother-in-law—who had assisted with funds—obstinately -persisted in giving the ominous name of the -<i>Repentance</i>. Richard Hawkins could not stand this -name, and sold the ship to his father. The <i>Repentance</i>, -in spite of the name, did excellent service, and had -very good fortune. On return from an expedition, -while lying at Deptford, the <i>Repentance</i> was surveyed by -the queen, who rowed round the ship in her barge, and -graciously—acting probably upon a hint from Sir John or -his son Richard—re-named it the <i>Dainty</i>, whereupon -Richard bought back the ship from his father for service -in his projected great expedition. His plan included, in -addition to plundering the Spaniards, visits to Japan, the -Moluccas, the Philippines, passage through the Straits of -Magellan, and return by the Cape of Good Hope. His -ambitious prospectus secured the admiration and approval -of the greatest men of the time, including the lord high -admiral, Sir R. Cecil, Sir Walter Raleigh, etc. On the -8th of April 1593, the <i>Dainty</i> dropped down the river to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_29">29</span> -Gravesend, and on the 26th arrived at Plymouth, where -severe misfortune overtook the little squadron, consisting -of the <i>Dainty</i>, the <i>Hawk</i>, and the <i>Fancy</i>,—all of them the -property of Richard Hawkins, or of the Hawkins family. -A tempest arose in which the <i>Dainty</i> sprang her main-mast, -and the <i>Fancy</i> was driven ashore and knocked to -pieces before the owner’s eyes. This misfortune magnified -the fears, and intensified the tender entreaties, of his -young wife that he would abandon the perilous enterprise,—but -he was not to be dissuaded. He said that -there were “so many eyes upon the ball, that he felt -bound to dance on, even though he might only be able -to hop at last.”</p> - -<p>On the 12th June 1593, Hawkins left Plymouth Sound, -with his tiny squadron of the <i>Dainty</i> and tender. -Before the end of the month he arrived at Madeira, and -on the 3rd July passed the Canaries, and shortly after -the Cape de Verd Islands, all well, and without anything -notable occurring to the squadron. Later, however, -when nearing the coast of Brazil, scurvy of a -malignant type broke out among the crew. Hawkins -gave close attention to the men stricken, personally -superintended their treatment, and made notes,—from -which he afterwards wrote an elaborate paper on the -disease, its causes, nature, and cure. At a short distance -south of the Equator he put in to a Brazilian port for -provisions. He sent a courteous letter, written in Latin,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_30">30</span> -to the governor, stating that he was in command of -an English ship, that he had met with contrary winds, -and desired provisions, for which he would gladly pay. -The governor replied that their monarchs were at war, -and he could not supply his wants, but he politely gave -him three days to do his best and depart. The three -days’ grace were promptly taken advantage of to lay in a -supply of oranges and other fruit, when he again sailed -southward. On the 20th November he arrived at the -Island of St. Ann, 20° 30’ south latitude, where—the -provisions and stores having been taken out of the -<i>Hawk</i>—that vessel was burned. He touched at other -parts of the coast for provisions and water. Hawkins -had a difficult part to play in dealing with his crew, -who were impatient for plunder. Robert Tharlton, who -commanded the <i>Fairy</i>, and who had proved a traitor to -Captain Thomas Cavendish, in the La Plata, drew off a -number of the men, with whom he deserted before they -reached the Straits of Magellan. Notwithstanding the -discouragement of Tharlton’s treachery and desertion, -Hawkins courageously proceeded with his hazardous -enterprise. Sailing along the coast of Patagonia, he -gave names to several places, amongst others to -Hawkins’ Maiden Land,—because discovered by himself -in the reign of a maiden queen.</p> - -<p>In the course of his voyage southward, he made a -prize of a Portuguese ship. He found it to be the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_31">31</span> -property of an old knight who was on board, on his way -to Angola, as governor. The old gentleman made a -piteous appeal to Hawkins, pleading that he had invested -his all in the ship and its cargo, and that the loss of it -would be his utter ruin. His petition was successful, -and Hawkins let him go. On the 10th February he -reached the Straits of Magellan, and, passing through, -emerged into the South Pacific Ocean on the 29th -March 1594. This was the sixth passage of the straits—the -third by an Englishman. He wrote an excellent -account of the passage through the straits, which he pronounced -navigable during the whole year, but the most -favourable—or, it should rather perhaps be put, the -least unfavourable—seasons for the at best unpleasant -voyage were the months of November, December, -and January. On the 19th April he anchored for -a short time under the Isle of Mocha. Resuming his -voyage along the coast of Chili, he encountered, in the -so-called Pacific Ocean, a violent storm, that lasted -without intermission for ten days. His men were -becoming desperately impatient, and they insisted that -they should attempt to take everything floating that they -sighted. Every vessel in those waters, they believed, -had gold or silver in them. At Valparaiso they took -four ships, much against Hawkins’ wish. He exercised -discrimination, and wished to reserve their strength, and -prevent alarm on shore, by waiting till a prize worth<span class="pagenum" id="Page_32">32</span> -taking came in their way. They got from the prizes -an abundant supply of provisions, but very little gold, -and only trifling ransoms for the prisoners. The small -amount taken added greatly to Hawkins’ difficulties -and embarrassments. His bold buccaneers demanded -that the third part of the treasure should, according -to contract, be given up to them,—then and there. He -resisted the demand, urged that they could not expend -anything profitably here and now, and that they would -only gamble with their shares, which would probably lead -to quarrels and the ruin of the expedition. It was at -last agreed that the treasure should be placed in a chest -with three locks,—one key to be held by Hawkins, -one by the master, and the third by a representative -appointed by the men.</p> - -<div id="il_7" class="figcenter" style="max-width: 24em;"> - <img src="images/i_049.jpg" width="1533" height="1032" alt="" /> - <div class="caption">MOUNTAINS AND GLACIERS, STRAITS OF MAGELLAN.</div></div> - -<p>Arriving at Ariquipa, Hawkins ascertained by some -means that Don Garcia Hurtado de Mendoza, Viceroy -of Peru, had received intelligence of his being off the -coast, and had sent out a squadron of six vessels to -capture him. Hawkins had in the <i>Dainty</i>, and in a -little Indian vessel he had taken, and which he had -fitted up as a pinnace, a combined crew of seventy-five -men and boys—a lamentably small force to resist a well-manned -squadron of six men-of-war ships. About the -middle of May the Spanish squadron was sighted near -Civite. Hawkins, who was to windward, stood out to -sea. The Spanish ships, under the command of Don<span class="pagenum" id="Page_33">33</span> -Bertrand de Castro, followed. The wind freshened -greatly; the Spanish admiral lost his main-mast, the -vice-admiral split his main-sail, and the rear-admiral’s -main-yard tumbled down. The Spaniards were thrown -into utter confusion, and Hawkins escaped. On<span class="pagenum" id="Page_34">34</span> -returning to port with his damaged ships, and without -the diminutive enemy he had gone out to capture, De -Castro and the other commanders were received with -humiliating and exasperating derision. De Castro’s -earnest petition to be allowed to go to sea again was -granted, and he sailed with two ships and a pinnace,—all -fully manned with picked men. On the 20th June -the Spanish squadron came in sight. Hawkins’ ungovernable -crew would have him chase everything they -sighted; they would have it that the armed cruisers -were the Peruvian plate fleet, laden with the treasure for -which they had come, and for which they had so long -toiled and waited. They were soon undeceived by the -Spanish attack, which they met with dogged bravery. -The Spanish ships were manned by about thirteen -hundred of the best men in the service,—and it seems -marvellous that Hawkins and his bull-dogs could have -stood out so long. The fight lasted for two whole days -and part of a third. Hawkins had received six wounds, -two of them dangerous, and was at last completely disabled. -Besides the killed, there were forty of his men -wounded, and his ship was sinking. On the afternoon -of 22nd June, this was his deplorable plight:—the whole -of his sails were rent, the masts shattered, eight feet of -water in the hold, and the pumps rent and useless; -scarcely a single unwounded man was left in the ship, -and all were so fatigued that they could not stand.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_35">35</span> -Helpless as was their plight, and desperate their condition, -Hawkins was able to obtain honourable conditions -of surrender, namely, that himself and all on board -should have a free passage to England, as soon as possible. -De Castro swore by his knighthood that the -conditions would be faithfully observed, in token of -which he sent his glove to Hawkins, and took possession -of the shattered <i>Dainty</i>, without inflicting the slightest -humiliation on his brave fallen enemy, or permitting his -crew to express triumph over them. On the 9th July, -the Spanish squadron, with Hawkins on board De Castro’s -ship, arrived at Panama, which was brilliantly illuminated -in celebration of the “famous victory.” Despatches, to -allay apprehensions concerning the terrible enemy, were -sent off to the viceroys of New Spain and Peru. -Hawkins was allowed to send letters home to his father -and other friends, and to the queen. From Don Bertrand, -Hawkins learned that the King of Spain had received -from England full and minute particulars, concerning the -strength and equipment of Hawkins’ little squadron -before it sailed, showing that the King of Spain had -spies in England. The <i>Dainty</i> prize was repaired and -re-named the <i>Visitation</i>, because surrendered on the day -of the feast of the blessed Virgin. Hawkins was long kept -in captivity. He was for two years in Peru and adjacent -provinces, and was then sent to Europe and kept a -prisoner at Seville and Madrid. His release was claimed<span class="pagenum" id="Page_36">36</span> -on the ground of Don Bertrand’s knightly pledge, but -the reply was given that he had received his authority -from the Viceroy of Peru, not from the King of Spain, -upon whom his engagement was not binding. The -Count de Miranda, President of the Council, however, -at last gave judgment, that the promise of a Spanish -general in the king’s name should be kept, and -Hawkins was set at liberty, and returned to England.</p> - -<p>During his captivity he wrote a detailed account of his -voyage, entitled <i>The Observations of Richard Hawkins, -Knight, in his Voyage into the South Sea, 1593</i>. It was -published in London in 1622, the year in which Hawkins -died of apoplexy,—at somewhere near fifty years of age.</p> - -<p>Sir Richard Hawkins possessed powers that fitted him -for great achievements. With resources at command, -and a fitting field for their use, corresponding with -his courage and ability, he would have distinguished -himself by mighty deeds. His ill-fated voyage to the -South Sea was like the light cavalry charge at Balaclava—it -was magnificent, but it was not war!</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_37">37</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="toclink_37">CHARLES HOWARD,<br /> - -<span class="subhead"><span class="smaller">BARON OF EFFINGHAM, AFTERWARDS EARL OF -NOTTINGHAM.</span></span><br /> - -<span class="subhead">CHAPTER II. - -<span class="subhead">“BORN TO SERVE AND SAVE HIS COUNTRY.”</span></span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="drop-cap"><span class="smcap1">Queen Elizabeth</span> has been magniloquently -designated the <span class="smcap">Restorer of England’s Naval -Power</span> and <span class="smcap">Sovereign of the Northern Seas</span>. -Under her sovereignty Lord Charles Howard wielded -supreme authority worthily and well, on behalf of his -country, during that naval demonstration, which may be -regarded as the most important, in its design and results, -of any that the world has known. Lord Charles was -High Admiral of England during the period of the -inception, the proud departure, the baleful course, and -the doleful return to Spain, of the “most happy and -invincible Armada,” or rather—what was left of it.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_38">38</span></p> - -<div id="il_8" class="figcenter" style="max-width: 15em;"> - <img src="images/i_054.jpg" width="936" height="1157" alt="" /> - <div class="caption">EARL OF EFFINGHAM.</div></div> - -<p>Charles Howard, elder son of the Earl of Effingham, -was born in the year 1536, in the reign of Henry VIII. -Charles served under his father, who was Lord Admiral -to Mary, in several expeditions. He did duty as an -envoy to Charles IX. of France on his accession. He -served as a general of horse in the army headed by -Warwick, against the Earls of Northumberland and Westmoreland, -and, as a courtier, he rendered various other -services, not calling for particular notice. In 1572 he<span class="pagenum" id="Page_39">39</span> -succeeded his father, and in 1573 was made a Knight -of the Garter. On the death of the Earl of Lincoln, in -1585, the queen appointed Lord Charles, High Admiral. -This appointment gave great satisfaction to all ranks, -and was especially gratifying to seamen,—with whom -Lord Charles was highly popular.</p> - -<p>Philip of Spain employed all the art he was possessed -of to obtain ascendency over Elizabeth, as he had done -over her infatuated sister Mary, and—irrespective of law, -if any existed to the contrary—was more than willing to -marry his “deceased wife’s sister,” but Elizabeth would -neither marry, nor take orders from him, which exasperated -Philip greatly. His religious fanaticism and -the influence of the Jesuits made him determined -to punish the queen and ruin her country. With this -amiable intention the great Armada was prepared. It -consisted of 130 ships, of an aggregate of about 60,000 -tons. It was armed with 2630 pieces of cannon, and -carried 30,000 men, including 124 volunteers,—the -flower of the Spanish nobility and gentry,—and 180 -monks. Twelve of the greatest ships were named after -the twelve apostles.</p> - -<p>The English fleet was put under the command of -Lord Howard, with Sir Francis Drake for his vice-admiral, -and Sir John Hawkins for his rear-admiral. -Lord Henry Seymour, with Count Nassau, cruised on -the coast of Flanders, to watch the movements of the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_40">40</span> -Duke of Parma, who purposed, it was believed, to form -a junction with the Spanish Armada, or to aid it, by -making a separate descent upon England.</p> - -<p>The threatened invasion stirred the kingdom to the -highest pitch of patriotic fervour. The city of London -advanced large sums of money for the national service. -Requisitioned to provide 15 ships and 5000 men, the -city fathers promptly provided 30 ships and 10,000 -men.</p> - -<p>The Armada encountered a violent storm, at almost the -commencement of the voyage northwards, and had to -put back. The rumour was current in England that the -great expedition was hopelessly shattered. Lord Howard -consequently received, through Walsingham, Secretary of -State, instructions to send four of his largest ships into -port. The admiral doubted the safety of this course, -and willingly engaged to keep the ships out, at his own -charge. He bore away towards Spain, and soon obtained -such intelligence, as confirmed him in the opinion he -had formed, and fully justified the course he had -adopted.</p> - -<p>On the 19th July, Fleming, a Scottish pirate, who -plied his vocation in the Channel and the approaches -thereto, sailed into Plymouth in hot haste, with the -intelligence that the Armada was at hand. This pirate -did, for once at least in his life, an honest and incalculably -important day’s work. An ancient historian<span class="pagenum" id="Page_41">41</span> -estimates it so highly as to say that “this man was, -in reality, the cause of the absolute ruin of the Spaniards; -for the preservation of the English was undoubtedly -owing to his providential discovery of the enemy.” At -the request of Lord Admiral Howard, the queen afterwards -granted a pardon to Fleming for his past offences, -and awarded him a pension for the timely service he had -rendered to the nation.</p> - -<p>“And then,” says Dr. Collier, “was played on the -Hoe at Plymouth that game of bowls, which fixes itself -like a picture on the memory,—the faint, hazy blue -of the July sky, arching over sun-baked land and glittering -sea; the group of captains on the grass, peak-bearded -and befrilled, in the fashion of Elizabeth’s day; -the gleaming wings of Fleming’s little bark skimming -the green waters like a seagull, on her way to Plymouth -harbour with the weightiest news. She touches the -rude pier; the skipper makes hastily for the Hoe, and -tells how that morning he saw the giant hulls off the -Cornish coast, and how he has with difficulty escaped -by the fleetness of his ship. The breathless silence -changes to a storm of tongues; but the resolute man who -loaded the <i>Golden Hind</i> with Spanish pesos, and ploughed -the waves of every ocean round the globe, calls on his -comrades to ‘play out the match, for there is plenty of -time to do so, and to beat the Spaniards too.’ It is -Drake who speaks. The game is resumed, and played<span class="pagenum" id="Page_42">42</span> -to the last shot. Then begin preparations for a mightier -game. The nation’s life is at stake. Out of Plymouth, -along every road, men spur as for life, and every headland -and mountain peak shoots up its red tongue of -warning flame.”</p> - -<p>The sorrows and sufferings of the crowd of Spaniards -noble and ignoble, of the nine score holy fathers, and the -two thousand galley slaves, who left the Tagus in glee -and grandeur, in the “happy Armada,” with a great -design,—but really to serve no higher purpose, as things -turned out, than to provide, in their doomed persons, -a series of banquets for the carnivorous fishes in -British waters,—need not be dwelt upon here, being -referred to elsewhere.</p> - -<p>As commander-in-chief, it was universally felt and -admitted that Lord Charles Howard acquitted himself -with sound judgment, consummate skill, and unfaltering -courage. The queen acknowledged his merits, the -indebtedness of the nation to the lord high admiral, -and her sense of his magnanimity and prudence, in the -most expressive terms. In 1596 he was advanced to -the title and dignity of Earl of Nottingham, his patent -of nobility containing the declaration, “that by the victory -obtained anno 1588, he did secure the kingdom of -England from the invasion of Spain, and other impending -dangers; and did also, in conjunction with our -dear cousin, Robert, Earl of Essex, seize by force the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_45">45</span> -Isle and the strongly fortified castle of Cadiz, in the -farthest part of Spain; and did likewise rout and -entirely defeat another fleet of the King of Spain, prepared -in that port against this kingdom.” On entering -the House of Peers, the Earl of Nottingham was received -with extraordinary expressions and demonstrations of -honourable regard.</p> - -<div id="il_9" class="figcenter" style="max-width: 36em;"> - <img src="images/i_059.jpg" width="2273" height="1567" alt="" /> - <div class="caption">LORD HOWARD’S DEFEAT OF THE SPANISH FLEET NEAR CADIZ.</div></div> - -<p>In 1599, circumstances of delicacy and difficulty again -called for the services of the Earl of Nottingham. Spain -meditated another invasion. The Earl of Essex in -Ireland had entangled affairs, had left his post there, and -had rebelliously fortified himself in his house in London. -The Earl of Nottingham succeeded in bringing the -contumacious earl to a state of quietude, if not of reason, -and had the encomium pronounced upon him by the -queen, that he seemed to have been born “to serve and -to save his country.” He was invested with the unusual -and almost unlimited authority of Lord Lieutenant -General of all England; he was also appointed one of the -commissioners for executing the office of Earl-Marshal. -On her death-bed the queen made known to the earl -her desire as to the succession,—an unequivocal proof of -her regard and confidence,—the disclosure having been -entreated in vain by her most favoured ministers.</p> - -<p>The accession of James did not impede the fortunes -of the Earl of Nottingham; he was appointed Lord High -Steward, to assist at the coronation; and afterwards<span class="pagenum" id="Page_46">46</span> -commissioned to the most brilliant embassy—to the -court of Philip III. of Spain—that the country had ever -sent forth. During his stay at the Spanish court, the -dignified splendour that characterised the Embassy -commanded the admiration and respect of the court and -people; and at his departure, Philip made him presents -of the estimated value of about £20,000,—thereby -exciting the jealousy and displeasure of the far from magnanimous -James I. Popularity and influence, enjoyed -or exercised independently of himself, were distasteful -and offensive to his ungenerous nature. James frequently -reminded his nobles at court “that they were -there, as little vessels sailing round the master ship; -whereas they were in the country so many great ships -each riding majestically on its own stream.”</p> - -<p>The earl had his enemies, but he regained the confidence -of the king, and in 1613 assisted at the marriage -of the Princess Elizabeth with Frederick, the Elector -Palatine. His last naval service was to command the -squadron that escorted the princess to Flushing. The -infirmities of age having disqualified him for discharging -the onerous duties of the office, he resigned his post of -lord high admiral, after a lengthened term of honourable -and effective service. The distinguished career of -this eminent public man came to a calm and honourable -close on the nth December 1624—the earl having -reached the advanced age of eighty-eight years.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_47">47</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="toclink_47">SIR MARTIN FROBISHER,<br /> - -<span class="subhead"><span class="smaller">NAVIGATOR, DISCOVERER, AND COMBATANT.</span></span><br /> - -<span class="subhead">CHAPTER III. - -<span class="subhead">THE FIRST ENGLISH DISCOVERER OF GREENLAND.</span></span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="drop-cap"><span class="smcap1">Martin Frobisher</span> had no “lineage” to -boast of; he was of the people. His parents, -who had respectable connections, are supposed to have -come from North Wales to the neighbourhood of Normanton, -Yorkshire, where he was born about the year -1535. Frobisher seems to have taken to the sea from -natural inclination. He is said to have been bred to the -sea, but had reached the prime of life—about forty years -of age—before he came into public notice as a mariner. -He must have been a man of mark, and possessed of -qualities that commanded confidence. His mother -had a brother in London, Sir John York, to whom -young Frobisher was sent, and by whom he was probably -assisted.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_48">48</span></p> - -<p>In 1554 he sailed to Guinea in a small squadron of -merchant ships under the command of Captain John Lock, -and in 1561 had worked his way up to the command of -a ship. In 1571 he was employed in superintending -the building of a ship at Plymouth, that was intended -to be employed against Ireland. For years he had been -scheming, planning, and striving to obtain means for -an expedition in search of a North-West passage from -England to “far Cathay.” He was at last so far -successful as to get together an amusingly small -squadron for such a daring project. He was placed in -command of the <i>Gabriel</i> and the <i>Michael</i>, two small -barques of 20 tons each, and a pinnace of 10 tons, with -crews of thirty-five men all told, wherewith to encounter -the unknown perils of the Arctic seas. Captain Matthew -Kindersley was associated with him in the adventure. -The expedition sailed from Gravesend on the 7th June -1576, and proceeded northwards by way of the Shetland -Islands. The pinnace was lost on the voyage, and the -other vessels narrowly escaped wreck in the violent -weather encountered off the coast of Greenland, of -which Frobisher was the first English discoverer. He -reached Labrador 28th July, and effected a landing on -Hall’s Island, at the mouth of the bay that bears -Frobisher’s name. At Butcher’s Island, where he afterwards -landed, five of the crew were captured by the -natives, and were never again seen. The adventurers<span class="pagenum" id="Page_51">51</span> -took on board samples of earth,—with bright specks -supposed to be gold. Compared with subsequent Arctic -expeditions, this was a small affair in length of voyage -and time occupied,—the mariners reaching home on the -9th October.</p> - -<div id="il_10" class="figcenter" style="max-width: 23em;"> - <img src="images/i_065.jpg" width="1432" height="1888" alt="" /> - <div class="caption">SIR MARTIN FROBISHER.</div></div> - -<p>Practical mineralogy was in its infancy in those days, -and the supposed auriferous earth excited great expectations, -but no attempt seems to have been made to -find out whether it was or was not what it seemed. -Pending analysis, the expedition was considered so far -satisfactory and successful, and a Cathay Company was -straightway formed under a charter from the Crown. -Another expedition was determined upon; the queen -lent a ship of 200 tons, and subscribed £1000; Frobisher -was appointed High Admiral of all lands and seas he -might discover, and was empowered to sail in every direction -except east. The squadron consisted of the queen’s -ship, the <i>Aid</i>, the <i>Gabriel</i>, and the <i>Michael</i> of last year’s -voyage, with pinnaces and boats, and a crew of one -hundred and twenty men. The squadron sailed 28th -May 1577, and arrived off Greenland in July. More of -the supposed precious earth was shipped, and certain -inhospitable shores were taken possession of in the -queen’s name, but no very notable discoveries were -made. An unsuccessful search was made after the five -men lost in the previous expedition. The <i>Aid</i> arrived -home at Milford Haven on 22nd August, and the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_52">52</span> -others later,—one at Yarmouth, and others at Bristol. -Although no results had been obtained from the “ore,” -yet another and much larger expedition was planned. -Frobisher was honoured with the thanks of the queen, -who showed great interest in the expeditions. The -new fleet consisted of thirteen vessels of various -kinds, including two queen’s ships of 400 and 200 -tons, with one hundred and fifty men and one -hundred and twenty pioneers. For the other ships -there was an aggregate crew of two hundred and fifty -men. The squadron sailed from Harwich on the 31st -May 1578, and reached Greenland 19th June, and -Frobisher Bay about a month later. A considerable -amount of hitherto unexplored area of land and water -was roughly surveyed in this voyage, including a sail -of sixty miles up Hudson’s Strait, and more would -probably have been done, but for dissensions and discontent -among the crews. A vast quantity of the -golden (?) earth was shipped, and the expedition -returned to England, which was reached in October.</p> - -<div id="il_11" class="figcenter" style="max-width: 35em;"> - <img src="images/i_069.jpg" width="2207" height="1348" alt="" /> - <div class="caption">SIR MARTIN FROBISHER PASSING GREENWICH.</div></div> - -<p>Frobisher’s next public employment was of a different -character. In command of the <i>Primrose</i>, he accompanied -Drake’s expedition to the West Indies in 1585, -and shared in the rich booty of which the Spaniards -were spoiled during that cruise. In 1588 Frobisher -held a high command, and with his ship, the <i>Triumph</i>, -rendered distinguished service in the actions with the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_55">55</span> -Spanish Armada. The <i>Triumph</i> was the largest ship -in the English fleet, being of about 1000 tons -burthen, or the same as the floating wonder of Henry -VIII., the <i>Henry Grace à Dieu</i>,—but not so heavily -armed. The <i>Henry</i> carried no fewer than one hundred -and forty-one guns, whereas the <i>Triumph</i> was armed -with only sixty-eight guns. Frobisher proved well -worthy of his important command. For his skilful and -courageous service, in the series of actions against the -Armada, he received the well-earned honour of knighthood, -at the hands of the lord high admiral. In 1591 -he commanded a small fleet that cruised on the coast of -Spain, with hostile and plundering designs. He burned -one rich galleon in the course of this cruise, and captured -and brought home another. Having got the prize -safely disposed of, the gallant old hero answered a -summons from the court of Cupid, and, after a short -courtship, he led the fair daughter of Lord Wentworth -to the altar. The following year, however, he was again -afloat in command of a cruising fleet, as successor to Sir -Walter Raleigh, who had been recalled.</p> - -<p>One of the most important and brilliant actions, -among the many in which Sir Martin had taken a -leading part, was his next, and, alas! his last,—the taking -of Brest from the Spaniards. The place was strong, -well armed, and stubbornly defended, with obstinate -valour. Sir Martin first attacked from the sea, but, impetuous<span class="pagenum" id="Page_56">56</span> -and impatient, was dissatisfied with the result -of his cannonade, and, landing his blue-jackets, headed -them in a desperate storming assault, which compelled -the surrender of the garrison. The surrender cost the -assailants a heavy price in the lives of many brave -heroes, Sir Martin Frobisher himself, their gallant leader, -receiving a musket ball in his side. His wound was -unskilfully treated, and he died from its effects at -Plymouth two days after the action,—22nd November -1594. His body was conveyed to London, and interred -at St. Giles’s, Cripplegate.</p> - -<p>Sir Martin Frobisher was a man of great and varied -capabilities as a navigator and commander; enthusiastic, -enterprising, skilful, manly, and of dauntless valour, but -rather rough and despotic, and not possessed of the -polished manners, airs, and graces that adorn carpet -knights and make men shine in courts.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_57">57</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="toclink_57">THOMAS CAVENDISH,<br /> - -<span class="subhead"><span class="smaller">GENTLEMAN ADVENTURER.</span></span><br /> - -<span class="subhead">CHAPTER IV. - -<span class="subhead">THE SECOND ENGLISHMAN WHO CIRCUMNAVIGATED -THE GLOBE.</span></span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="drop-cap"><span class="smcap1">In</span> the time of Queen Elizabeth it was not unusual -for men of the highest rank to devote their private -fortunes and their personal services to the advancement -of what were considered national interests, with the tacit -understanding that the adventurers should consider -themselves at liberty to engage in operations fitted to -serve their own private interests, concurrently with those -of the State. The morals of the time were somewhat -lax, and “sea divinity,” as Fuller terms it, was taken -to sanction extraordinary transactions in the appropriation -and treatment of property, especially such as was -owned by the State or the subjects of Spain. To spoil -the Spaniards by all and every possible means, seems to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_58">58</span> -have been esteemed an object of honourable and patriotic -enterprise, in which Sir Francis Drake distinguished -himself, as he did also by much nobler and more disinterested -service. Thomas Cavendish was a contemporary -of Drake, and in his wake plundered the -Spaniards, and he also followed him in circumnavigating -the globe,—the second Englishman who achieved that -feat.</p> - -<p>Thomas was a descendant of Sir William Cavendish; -he was born at the family mansion, Trimley, Suffolk, -about the year 1560. His father died while he was -still a minor. Trimley, his birthplace, is situate on -the river Orwell, below Ipswich. The locality in which -he spent his early days probably induced a liking for -the sea.</p> - -<p>In April 1585, Cavendish accompanied Sir Richard -Grenville in an expedition to Virginia, its object being -the establishment of a colony as designed by Sir Walter -Raleigh. The colony was a failure, and Drake, as we -have related in another place, subsequently brought -home the emigrants sent out to form it. Cavendish -accompanied the expedition in a ship that had been -equipped at his own cost, and acquired considerable -nautical experience in the course of the voyage.</p> - -<div id="il_12" class="figcenter" style="max-width: 21em;"> - <img src="images/i_075.jpg" width="1301" height="1701" alt="" /> - <div class="caption">THOMAS CAVENDISH.</div></div> - -<p>On his return to England, Cavendish applied such -means as he could command to the equipment of a -small squadron with which to commence business as a<span class="pagenum" id="Page_61">61</span> -buccaneer. He diligently got together all the existing -maps and charts accessible, and, through the influence -of Lord Hunsdon, he was so fortunate as to obtain a -queen’s commission. The “flag-ship” of Cavendish, -admiral and commander, was the <i>Desire</i>, of only 120 -tons burthen; the others were, the <i>Content</i>, of 60 tons, -and the <i>Hugh Gallant</i>, a barque of 40 tons. The crews -consisted of 123 officers, sailors, and soldiers, all told. -The expedition sailed from Plymouth on the 21st July -1586. The squadron first touched at Sierra Leone, -where they landed, and plundered and burned the town. -Having obtained supplies of water, fish, and lemons, -the squadron sailed for the coast of America, and reached -in 48° S. a harbour on the coast of Patagonia, in which -they anchored, and which, in honour of the admiral’s -ship, they named Port Desire. Here the crews were -enabled to make an agreeable change in the ship’s -dietary, by slaughtering the sea-lions and the penguins -that abounded on the coast; the flesh of the young -sea-lions, after a long course of salt junk, seemed to the -sailors equal to lamb or mutton. Towards the end of -December the squadron sailed southward for Magellan’s -Straits, which were entered on the 6th January 1587. -At a short distance from the entrance, lights were seen -from the north shore that were supposed to be signals, -and on the morning following a boat was sent off for -information. Unmistakable signs were made, as the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_62">62</span> -shore was approached, by three men waving such substitutes -as they could find for flags. It was found that -they were the wretched survivors of one of the colonies -that the Spaniards had attempted to plant, in order to -intercept Drake on his expected return, and to prevent, -in the future, any buccaneer from ravaging the coast as -he had done. The crops of the perishing colonists had -all failed; they were constantly harassed by the natives, -subject to unspeakable hardships; out of four hundred -men and thirty women landed by Pedro Sarmiento, about -seven years before Cavendish’s visit, only fifteen men and -three women survived. He offered the poor creatures a -passage to Peru. They at first hesitated to trust themselves -with the English heretic, but, after brief reflection -on the misery and hopelessness of their situation, eagerly -accepted the offer,—but unhappily too late. A favourable -wind sprang up, of which Cavendish took advantage, -and set sail. Concern for the safety of his crew, desire to -escape as speedily as possible from the perilous navigation -of the Straits, and probably eagerness to make a -beginning with the real objects of the expedition—the -acquisition of plunder—overbore any pity he may have -felt for the wretched colonists, whose heartless abandonment -to hopeless misery attached shame and infamy to -the Spanish Government responsible for sending them -thither, rather than to the bold buccaneer, with no -humanitarian pretensions, who had come upon them<span class="pagenum" id="Page_63">63</span> -accidentally. He brought off one Spaniard, Tomé -Hernandez, who wrote an account of the colony.</p> - -<p>On the 24th of February the squadron emerged from -the Straits and sailed northwards, reaching the island of -Mocha about the middle of March, but not before the -little ships had been much knocked about, by weather of -extreme violence. The crews landed at several points, -and laid the natives under contribution for provisions. -They were mistaken for Spaniards, and were in some -cases received with undisguised hatred, in others with -servility. On the 30th they anchored in the Bay of -Quintero, to the north of Valparaiso, which was passed -by mistake, without being “tapped.” Notice of the -appearance of the suspicious squadron seems to have -reached some of the authorities. Hernandez, the -Spaniard, was sent ashore to confer with them. On -returning, he reported that the English might have what -provisions they required. Remaining for a time at their -anchorage here, parties were sent ashore for water and -such provisions as could be obtained. In one of these -visits, the men were suddenly attacked by a party of two -hundred horsemen, who cut off, and took prisoners, -twelve of the Englishmen. Six of the English prisoners -were executed at Santiago as pirates, although, as has -been said, with somewhat arrogant indignation, “they -sailed with the queen’s commission, and the English -were not at open war with Spain.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_64">64</span></p> - -<p>Putting again to sea, the adventurers captured near -Arica a vessel laden with Spanish treasure. The cargo -was appropriated, and the ship—re-named the <i>George</i>—attached -to the squadron. Several other small vessels -were taken and burned. One of these from Santiago -had been despatched to the viceroy, with the intelligence -that an English squadron was upon the coast. Before -they were taken, they threw the despatches overboard, -and Cavendish resorted to the revolting expedient of -torture, to extort their contents from his captives. The -mode of torture employed was the “thumbikins,” an -instrument in which the thumb, by screw or lever power, -could be crushed into shapeless pulp. Having got what -information he could wring out of his prisoners, Cavendish -burned the vessel and took the crew with him. -One of them was a Greek pilot, who knew the coast of -Chili, and might be useful. After a visit to a small -town where supplies were obtained—not by purchase—of -bread, wine, poultry, fruit, etc., and some small prizes -taken, the adventurers proceeded to Paita, where they -landed on the 20th May. The town, consisting of about -two hundred houses, was regularly built and very clean. -The inhabitants were driven out, and the town burned -to the ground. Cavendish would not allow his men to -carry away as much as they could, as he expected they -would need a free hand to resist a probable attack. -After wrecking the town and burning a ship in the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_65">65</span> -harbour, the squadron again sailed northwards, and -anchored in the harbour of the island of Puna. The -Indian chief, who lived in a luxuriously furnished -palace, surrounded by beautiful gardens, and the other -inhabitants had fled, carrying as many of their valuables -with them as possible. The English visitors sank a -Spanish ship of 250 tons that was in the harbour, -burned down a fine large church, and brought away -the bells.</p> - -<div id="il_13" class="figcenter" style="max-width: 23em;"> - <img src="images/i_083.jpg" width="1463" height="1798" alt="" /> - <div class="caption">PERILOUS POSITION IN THE STRAITS OF MAGELLAN.</div></div> - -<p>On the 2nd June, before weighing anchor at Puna, a -party of Cavendish’s men, strolling about and foraging, -was suddenly attacked by about one hundred armed -Spaniards. Seven of the Englishmen were killed, three -were made prisoners, two were drowned, and eight -escaped. To avenge this attack, Cavendish landed with -as powerful a force as he could muster, drove out the -Spaniards, burned the town and four ships that were -building; he also destroyed the gardens and orchards, -and committed as much havoc generally as was in his -power. Again proceeding northwards to Rio Dolce, -he sent some Indian captives ashore, and sank the -<i>Hugh Gallant</i>, the crew of which he needed for the -manning of the other two ships. On the 9th July a -new ship of 120 tons was taken; the sails and ropes -were appropriated, and the ship burned. A Frenchman, -taken in this vessel, gave valuable information -respecting a Manilla ship, then expected from the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_66">66</span> -Philippines. The record of the proceedings of the -squadron continues most inglorious, including the burning -of the town, the church, and the custom-house of -Guatulco; the burning of two new ships at Puerto de -Navidad; capturing three Spanish families, a carpenter, -a Portuguese, and a few Indians,—the carpenter and the -Portuguese only being kept for present and future use. -On the 12th September the adventurers reached the -island of St. Andrew, where a store of wood and of dried -and salted wild-fowl was laid in, and the sailors, failing -other supply, had a fresh meat change in cooking the -iguanas, which were found more palatable, than inviting -in appearance. Towards the end of September the fleet -put into the Bay of Mazattan, where the ships were -careened, and water was taken in. During October the -fleet cruised, in wait for the expected prize, not far wide -of Cape St. Lucas. On the 4th November a sail was -sighted, which proved to be the <i>Santa Anna</i>, which was -overtaken after some hours’ chase, and promptly -attacked. The Spaniards resisted with determination -and courage, although they had no more effective means -of defence than stones, which they hurled at the boarders, -from behind such defective shelters as they could improvise. -Two separate accounts of the action have been -preserved, both written by adventurers who were present. -After receiving a volley of stones from the defenders, one -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_69">69</span>narrator proceeds: “We new-trimmed our sails and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_67">67</span> -fitted every man his furniture, and gave them a fresh -encounter with our great ordnance, and also with our -small-shot, raking them through and through, to the -killing and wounding of many of their men. Their -captain, still like a valiant man with his company, stood -very stoutly in close fights, not yielding as yet. Our -general, encouraging his men afresh, with the whole -voice of trumpets, gave them the other encounter with -our great ordnance and all our small-shot, to the great -discouragement of our enemies,—raking them through in -divers places, killing and wounding many of their men. -They being thus discouraged and spoiled, and their ship -being in hazard of sinking by reason of the great shot -which were made, whereof some were made under water, -within five or six hours’ fight, sent out a flag of truce, and -parleyed for mercy, desiring our general to save their -lives and take their goods, and that they would presently -yield. Our general, of his goodness, promised them -mercy, and called to them to strike their sails, and to -hoist out their boat and come on board; which news -they were full glad to hear of, and presently struck their -sails and hoisted out their boat, and one of their chief -merchants came on board unto our general, and, falling -down upon his knees, offered to have kissed our general’s -feet, and craved mercy.” It is satisfactory that this -craven submission was not made by the commander of -the <i>Santa Anna</i>, who must have been a noble hero to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_70">70</span> -stand out, almost without arms of any kind, against the -“great ordnance and small-shot” of his enemy for five -or six hours. The narrator proceeds: “Our general -graciously pardoned both him and the rest, upon promise -of their true-dealing(!) with him and his company concerning -such riches as were in the ship, and sent for -their captain and pilot, who, at their coming, used the -like duty and reverence as the former did. The general, -out of his great mercy and humanity, promised their -lives and good usage.”</p> - -<p>Cavendish and his crews must have been getting -rather disgusted with their hard and bitter experiences -up to the time they fell in with the <i>Santa Anna</i>. They -were about sixteen months out from Plymouth; had -been much knocked about; had destroyed a great deal -of property, but had acquired very little. The <i>Santa -Anna</i> compensated for all their hardships and disappointments. -It was a ship of 700 tons burthen, the -property of the King of Spain, and carried one of the -richest cargoes that had ever floated up to that time. -It had on board 122,000 pesos of gold, <i>i.e.</i> as many -ounces of the precious metal, with a cargo of the finest -silks, satins, damasks, wine, preserved fruits, musk, -spices, etc. The ship carried a large number of -passengers, with the most luxurious provision for their -accommodation and comfort. The captors entered with -alacrity upon the unrestrained enjoyment of luxuries such<span class="pagenum" id="Page_71">71</span> -as many of them had never known before. Cavendish -carried his prize into a bay within Cape St. Lucas, where -he landed the crew and passengers,—about one hundred -and ninety in all. He allowed them a supply of water, a -part of the ship’s stores, some wine, and the sails of the -dismantled prize to construct tents for shelter. He gave -arms to the men to enable them to defend their company -against the natives. He also allowed them some -planks wherewith to build a raft, or such craft as they -might be able to construct for their conveyance to the -mainland. Among the passengers were two Japanese -youths, both of whom could read and write their own -language. There were also three boys from Manilla, -one of whom, on the return of the expedition to England, -was presented to the Countess of Essex,—such an -attendant being at that time considered evidence of -almost regal life and splendour. These youths, with a -Portuguese who had been in Canton, the Philippines, -and Japan, with a Spanish pilot, Cavendish took with -him.</p> - -<p>Much anger and discontent were excited in connection -with the division of the spoils, especially among the -crew of the <i>Content</i>, who thought Cavendish took more -than a fair share for himself and the company of the -<i>Desire</i>—his own ship. The threatened mutiny was, -however, suppressed, and a grand gala was held on the -queen’s day—17th November, with eating and drinking,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_72">72</span> -firing of guns, and a display of fireworks, with as -a grand set-piece the blazing <i>Santa Anna</i>, with all of -her precious cargo on board that the captors could not -carry away with them. They left the ship burned down -to the water’s edge. After they left the burning ship, -the fire providentially freed the wreck from the anchors, -and the flood-tide carried her still burning into the -bay. The abandoned company were happily enabled -to extinguish the flames, and to save so much of the -hull as with some fitting furnished them with a means -of escape from the inhospitable shore upon which they -had been cast.</p> - -<p>After leaving Cape St. Lucas, the <i>Content</i> fell behind, -and was never again seen by Cavendish, who set sail -to cross the Pacific by a course not very widely different -from that taken by Drake.</p> - -<p>In January 1588, Cavendish reached the Ladrone -Islands, a few miles from which an incident occurred -that does not redound to his credit. A fleet of fifty or -more canoes surrounded the <i>Desire</i> with cargoes of fish, -potatoes, plantains, etc., to exchange them, as they had -been accustomed to do with the Spaniards, for pieces -of iron. The islanders were importunate and rather -troublesome, and, to get rid of them, “our general” -and five of his men fired a volley into them. The -savages were so expert as divers and swimmers that the -sportsmen could not tell how many they killed. These<span class="pagenum" id="Page_73">73</span> -natives were of tawny colour, tall, stout, and naked. -Their canoes, six or seven yards in length, but very -narrow, were admirably made, and had carved figureheads. -They had square and triangular sails of a cloth -made from rushes.</p> - -<p>On the voyage, while in the vicinity of the Philippines, -an important secret oozed out. The Portuguese taken -from the <i>Santa Anna</i> let it be known that the Spanish -pilot had prepared a letter to be secretly conveyed to the -governor at Manilla, explaining how the <i>Desire</i> might -be surprised and overpowered. The Spaniard was -summarily hanged for his patriotism. The further -course of the homeward voyage was from Manilla to -the Moluccas, passed about the middle of February; -Java; the Cape of Good Hope; St. Helena, in June; to -Plymouth, which was reached on the 9th September -1588; Cavendish’s circumnavigation of the globe—the -third that had been accomplished—having been made -in two years and fifty days, a considerably shorter time -than had been occupied by either Magellan and his -successors or Sir Francis Drake,—but mere speed in -getting back to a home port had not been an object -with either of the three distinguished navigators.</p> - -<p>Accounts differ as to the style in which Cavendish -made his return entry into Plymouth. According to -one account, he encountered, for four days, a violent -storm in the Channel, from which the tempest-tossed<span class="pagenum" id="Page_74">74</span> -adventurers happily escaped, and, says N. H., “on 10th -September 1588, like wearied men, through the favour -of the Almighty, we got into Plymouth, where the -townsmen received us with all humanity.” Anyway, -his arrival, like that of Drake before him, caused a great -sensation at Plymouth.</p> - -<div id="il_14" class="figcenter" style="max-width: 31em;"> - <img src="images/i_091.jpg" width="1982" height="1318" alt="" /> - <div class="caption">ROUNDING THE CAPE DE BUENA ESPERANÇA.</div></div> - -<p>Cavendish was received as a hero, and appeared to -consider himself worthy of his fame and the honours -conferred upon him. He had acquired great wealth, -albeit dishonestly, and his exploits had been distinguished -in many instances by wanton outrage and -gratuitous destruction of life and property. He, however, -appeared to be unconscious of having done -anything to be ashamed of, and probably held in -accord with those avowed by the Rev. Dr. Thos. -Fuller, prebendary of Sarum, who, as apologist for -Sir Francis Drake’s piratical performances, considered -that “his case was clear in sea divinity; and few are -such infidels as not to believe doctrines which make -for their own profit.” In a letter to his patron, Lord -Hunsdon, he writes: “It hath pleased Almighty God -to suffer me to circumpass the whole globe of the -world, entering in at the Strait of Magellan, and returning -by the Cape de Buena Esperança; in which voyage -I have either discovered or brought certain intelligence -of all the rich places in the world, which were ever -discovered by any Christian. I navigated along the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_77">77</span> -coast of Chili, Peru, and New Spain, where I made -great spoils. I burned and sank nineteen ships, small -and great. All the villages and towns that ever I landed -at I burned and spoiled; and had I not been discovered -upon the coast, I had taken great quantity of treasure. -The matter of most profit unto me was a great ship of -the king’s which I took at California, which ship came -from the Philippines, being one of the richest of -merchandise that ever passed those seas. From the -Cape of California, being the uttermost part of all New -Spain, I navigated to the islands of the Philippines, -hard upon the coast of China, of which country I have -brought such intelligence as hath not been heard of in -these parts; the stateliness and riches of which country -[China] I fear to make report of, lest I should not be -credited. I found out by the way homeward the island -of Santa Helena; and from that island God hath suffered -me to return unto England. All which services, with -myself, I humbly prostrate at Her Majesty’s feet, -desiring the Almighty long to continue her reign -amongst us; for at this day she is the most famous and -victorious princess that liveth in the world.” Although -Cavendish contributed comparatively little to the sum -of geographical knowledge by accurate reports of any -original discoveries he had made, apart from the moral -aspect of the principal incidents in his career, he was -indisputably a remarkable man, and rarely since the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_78">78</span> -world began has a young man of only twenty-eight -years achieved such a record as he had done, at the -end of his circumnavigation, illustrative of daring -bravery, indomitable perseverance, and manly endurance.</p> - -<p>The wealth with which Cavendish returned was considered -sufficient to have bought “a fair earldom”; -but it was not to his taste to settle, or found a family. -His expedition had been undertaken to repair his -shattered fortunes, and had done so satisfactorily, but -it was probably “light come, light go” with him. -The treasure of the <i>Santa Anna</i> had been put into -“a bag with holes,” and what did not run through -was providently applied by Cavendish to fitting out -another expedition on an extended scale, which it was -expected would do a much larger business, and prove -even a more pronounced success than the last. The -new squadron consisted of “three tall ships” and two -pinnaces,—the galleon <i>Leicester</i>, in which Cavendish -sailed; the <i>Desire</i>, his old ship, commanded by Captain -John Davis; the <i>Roebucke</i>, the <i>Black Pinnace</i>, and the -<i>Daintie</i>. The expedition sailed from Plymouth on 26th -August 1591, which was from the beginning a series of -dreary, unrelieved misery and disaster. The Straits of -Magellan were reached in April 1592, and passed through -about half-way. Disagreements arose among the crews, -and Cavendish seemed to have lost his power of command. -He determined to return to Santos. The ships<span class="pagenum" id="Page_79">79</span> -parted company, and the last notice of Cavendish in -the homeward voyage of the <i>Leicester</i> is his own notice -of the death of his cousin John Locke in 8° N. latitude. -Cavendish is supposed to have died on board a few -days later, the victim of grief and disappointment. -While tossed about in the <i>Desire</i> after the ships had -parted company, Captain Davis was, on the 14th August -1592, “driven in among certain islands never before -discovered by any known relation, lying fifty leagues or -better off the shore, east and northerly from the Straits.” -These were the Falkland Islands, of which Captain -Davis has certainly the honour of being the original -discoverer, although the discovery has been claimed by -Sir Richard Hawkins, and certain foreign navigators.<a id="FNanchor_1" href="#Footnote_1" class="fnanchor">1</a> -Several more or less complete accounts of this last<span class="pagenum" id="Page_80">80</span> -disastrous voyage of Cavendish have been preserved; -one of them, drawn up at sea by himself, is a most -affecting and depressing narrative. In this account he -writes: “We had been almost four months between -the coast of Brazil and the Straits, being in distance not -above six hundred leagues, which is commonly run in -twenty or thirty days; but such was the adverseness of -our fortune, that in coming thither we spent the summer, -and found the Straits in the beginning of a most extreme -winter, not endurable for Christians. After the month -of May was come in, nothing but such flights of snow, -and extremity of frosts, as in all my life I never saw any -to be compared with them. This extremity caused the -weak men to decay; for, in seven or eight days in this -extremity, there died forty men and sickened seventy, -so that there were not fifteen men able to stand upon -the hatches.” Mr. John Lane, a friend of Captain Davis, -writing of their experiences in the middle of “charming -May,” says: “In this time we endured extreme storms, -with perpetual snow, where many of our men died of -cursed famine and miserable cold, not having wherewith -to cover their bodies nor to fill their stomachs, but living -by mussels, water, and weeds of the sea, with a small -relief from the ship’s stores of meal sometimes.” He -makes the shocking disclosure that “all the sick men in -the galleon” (Cavendish’s ship) “were most uncharitably -put on shore into the woods, in the snow, wind, and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_81">81</span> -cold, when men of good health could scarcely endure it, -where they ended their lives in the highest degree of -misery.”</p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a id="Footnote_1" href="#FNanchor_1" class="fnanchor">1</a> Captain John Davis achieved in this early age deserved celebrity -as a navigator and discoverer. He made three voyages, -under the sanction and authority of the English Government, in -search of a North-West passage to the Pacific. In the first, in 1585, -he pushed his way round the southern end of Greenland, across -the strait that from then until now has borne his name—Davis -Strait—and along the coast of what is now known as Baffin’s Land, -to the Cape of God’s Mercy, which he thus named in the belief -that his task was virtually accomplished. In the second voyage, -1586, he made little further progress; in the third, 1587, he -reached the entrance to the strait afterwards explored by, and -named after, Hudson. Davis, after other important nautical -services, was, when on his return from the East Indies, killed by -pirates off the coast of Malacca. Davis was an author as well as a -navigator.</p> - -</div> - -<p>Anthropology, natural history, or other scientific subjects, -had no attractions for the adventurers, whose -attention, and such powers as were left with them, were -absorbed in their conflicts with storm and tempest, cold, -hunger, and nakedness. After parting company they -never again reunited, or in any of the separated ships -made any attempt to carry out the objects of the expedition. -Almost all perished miserably. It is stated that -Davis, whom Cavendish charged with treachery and -desertion, did all that was possible to find and rejoin his -leader, but without success. Long after the separation -of the fleet, Davis returned to Port Desire, and three -times attempted unsuccessfully to pass through the -Straits in search for Cavendish. Davis and a few more -survived their terrible hardships. Out of a crew of -seventy-six men who sailed from England, only a remnant -of fifteen lived to return with Davis, in misery and -weakness so great that they could neither “take in or -heave out a saile.” Davis, with the distressed survivors, -arrived off Bearhaven, Ireland, on 11th June 1593, -fully a year after the death and burial of Cavendish -at sea.</p> - -<p>Cavendish was far from faultless. He was passionate -and impetuous, and was still young at the end of his<span class="pagenum" id="Page_82">82</span> -adventurous life. He was a University man, a bred -aristocrat, a courtier, with a contempt for humanitarian -doctrines and practices. Society, as it was constituted -then, has to share the blame of his excesses, and -especially his recklessness of human life. It was a comparatively -venial offence in those days to fire into a -crowd of South Sea Islanders with as little hesitation as -if they had been a flock of wild ducks. His high spirit, -courage, and intrepidity are, however, indisputable.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_83">83</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="toclink_83">SIR WALTER RALEIGH,<br /> - -<span class="subhead"><span class="smaller">QUEEN ELIZABETH’S FAVOURITE MINISTER.</span></span><br /> - -<span class="subhead">CHAPTER V. - -<span class="subhead">AMERICAN COLONISATION SCHEMES.</span></span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="drop-cap"><span class="smcap1">Endowed</span> with a rare combination of high qualities -and capability, Sir Walter Raleigh may be -pronounced one of the most distinguished men of the -Elizabethan era. He approved himself a brave soldier, -an intrepid sailor, and a thorough disciplinarian; in -other directions he was a learned scholar, a profound -philosopher, an eloquent orator, and an elegant courtier.</p> - -<p>Raleigh’s family traced its lineage from before the -Conquest, and Walter could claim descent from, and -connection with, three of the best Devonshire houses—the -Gilberts, the Carews, and the Champernouns. His -father, Walter Raleigh the elder, was the second husband -of Catherine, daughter of Sir Philip Champernoun of -Modbury. By a former husband, Otto Gilbert, this<span class="pagenum" id="Page_84">84</span> -lady had two sons, Humphrey and Adrian, destined to -distinguish themselves as navigators and colonists, with -whom Walter Raleigh was intimately associated in their -enterprises.</p> - -<p>Walter Raleigh was born, according to Camden, in -1552, at Hayes Barton, East Budleigh, a farmstead in -Devonshire, pleasantly situated near the coast.</p> - -<p>Information touching Raleigh’s education and the -early part of his life is vague and meagre, few facts -being on record concerning him prior to 1569, when, it -is stated, he left Oxford, where he was first a resident at -Christ Church, from which he removed to Oriel. It is -supposed that he commenced at Oxford his acquaintance -with Sir Philip Sydney, Hakluyt, and Camden.</p> - -<p>Camden states, in his <i>Annales</i>, that Raleigh was one -of a hundred gentlemen volunteers who proceeded to -France with Henry Champernoun, Raleigh’s cousin, to -the assistance of the Huguenots. The service of the -English contingent appears to have commenced about -the end of the year 1569. References are made by -Raleigh in his <i>History of the World</i> to the Huguenot -troubles, and his own connection with them; amongst -others, to the conduct of the Protestants at the battle of -Jarnac, after the death of the Prince of Condé; and to -the retreat at Moncontour, of which he was an eye-witness. -It is conjectured that Raleigh spent about six -years in France in active service.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_85">85</span></p> - -<div id="il_15" class="figcenter" style="max-width: 22em;"> - <img src="images/i_101.jpg" width="1370" height="1932" alt="" /> - <div class="caption">SIR WALTER RALEIGH.</div></div> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_87">87</span></p> - -<p>It has been discovered by modern historians that -in 1577 Raleigh was attached in some capacity to -Queen Elizabeth’s court, and that he was also “of the -Middle Temple,” but whether called to the Bar, or only -lodging in the Temple, or “eating his terms,” is not -certain. He had reached vigorous manhood, was twenty-five -years of age, of cultivated mind, active temperament, -enterprising and ambitious. He was familiar with -the exploits of Hawkins and Drake, and was probably -fired by the romance of the Spanish Indies. His half-brother, -Sir Humphrey Gilbert, had made several voyages -to the Gulf of Mexico and the country afterwards called -Virginia in honour of Queen Elizabeth, and it has been -considered probable that on one or more occasions -Walter was his companion. It is known that he was -with Gilbert in an unfortunate expedition to the St. -Lawrence in 1578. In the following year he was -committed to the Fleet prison for a violent difference -with another courtier. He was released after a short -confinement, however, and in the same year was stopped -when in the act of starting on a piratical expedition -against Spain.</p> - -<p>At the close of 1579 the Spanish Catholics invaded -Ireland. The invading expedition, which came from -Ferrol, first landed at Dingle, but not feeling so secure -there as they desired, they sailed four miles farther west -to Senerwick Bay, and built there the Fort del Ore, upon<span class="pagenum" id="Page_88">88</span> -a sandy isthmus, from which the invaders thought they -might easily, if pressed, escape to sea. The Earl of -Desmond and the Geraldines coalesced with their -foreign co-religionists, casting off their allegiance to -Elizabeth. Raleigh was sent to take part with the -force then in Ireland upholding the queen’s power, and -to assist in exterminating the invaders.</p> - -<p>Raleigh left London in January 1580, with one -hundred foot soldiers. At the Isle of Wight they were -transferred into ships of the queen’s fleet. On the 22nd -February, Raleigh wrote from Cork to Lord Burghley, -giving an account of his voyage. His arrival was -welcome, and timely, to his friend Sir Warham Saint -Leger, who was holding Cork with great difficulty, with -an insufficient garrison of only forty Englishmen.</p> - -<p>It does not appear that Raleigh entered at once upon -active duty, as his pay only begins July 13, 1580; he -probably served, however, irrespective of this circumstance. -In August he was associated with Saint Leger, -provost-marshal of Munster, in a commission to try the -younger brother of the Earl of Desmond, whom they -sentenced to be hung.</p> - -<p>In August, Lord Grey of Wilton arrived in Dublin, -to relieve Pelham of the chief command in Ireland. -He had with him the afterwards famous poet, Edmund -Spenser, as his secretary. Raleigh remained in Ireland, -and thus were brought together two of the most gifted<span class="pagenum" id="Page_89">89</span> -men of their time; they naturally, as they became known -to each other, entered into a close friendship.</p> - -<p>In the operations for the suppression of the rebellion -that followed, Raleigh took an active and influential -part, and was for a time practically governor of Munster. -There was much hard work in the campaign, and -considerable scope for dash and military capability, -which Raleigh exhibited in a high degree, but there was -little “glory” to be derived from skirmishes, raids, and -forays, or from scouring the woods and ravines for -hunted rebels, and it must have been a welcome relief -to Raleigh when a summons from London, to which he -returned in December 1581, put an end to his military -service in Ireland. An established reputation for -military prowess had preceded him.</p> - -<p>Raleigh, as before stated, was attached in some -capacity to the court in 1577, but had not then entered -into personal relations, or become a favourite, with the -queen, who reappointed him a captain to serve in -Ireland, but decreed in connection with the appointment,—“That -our pleasure is that the said [Irish] land -be, in the meantime, till he [Raleigh] repair into that -Our realm, delivered to some such as he shall depute to -be his lieutenant there.” “For that he is, for some -considerations, by Us excused to stay here.” The -Duc d’Alençon, who had at this time come from France -to woo the queen, was not very favourably spoken of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_90">90</span> -by Her Majesty. He served probably as a foil to -manly, handsome Raleigh, who was now about thirty -years of age, and described as “having a good presence -in a well-compacted person; a strong natural wit, -and a better judgment; with a bold and plausible -tongue, whereby he could set out his parts to the best -advantage.” He was “about six feet in height, with -dark hair and a high colour, a facial expression of great -brightness, personable from the virile force of his figure, -and illustrating these attractions by a splendid taste in -dress. His clothes were at all times noticeably -gorgeous; and to the end of his life his person was -commonly bedizened with jewels to his very shoes.” -The sprightly soldier-poet never lost his decided -Devonshire accent, which his royal mistress liked rather -than otherwise. For several years he basked in the -almost perfectly unclouded sunshine of her smiles, and -received openly many distinguishing marks of the queen’s -favour. Old writers give some interesting illustrations -of the little passages of wit and gallantry that marked -their intercourse. On one occasion, it is related, when -the queen, with Raleigh in attendance, had to alight -from her carriage into a puddle,—roads were bad in -those days,—the gay cavalier whipt off his dainty cloak -of silk plush, and spread it out as a foot-cloth to protect -her feet from the mud. The sacrifice of the cloak was -highly appreciated, and proved to have been—although,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_91">91</span> -perhaps, not so designed on Raleigh’s part—an excellent -investment.</p> - -<p>The personal intimacy and intercourse between the -queen and Raleigh were as close as was permissible -between a sovereign and a subject. Had the queen -given the Duc d’Alençon half the encouragement she -gave to Raleigh, his suit would have ended in a royal -wedding. Sir Walter did not dare, probably, to make -the queen an offer of his heart and hand, but he did -not fail to give her an “inkling” concerning his feelings. -On a pane in the window of her boudoir or other apartment, -he wrote with his diamond <span class="locked">ring—</span></p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indentq">“Fain would I climb, but that I fear to fall.”</div> - </div> -</div> -</div> - -<p class="in0">His royal inamorata, holding probably that “there is -much virtue in an ‘if,’” <span class="locked">replied—</span></p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indentq">“If thy heart fail thee, then climb not at all.”</div> - </div> -</div> -</div> - -<p>Raleigh did not go to Ireland to take over from his -lieutenant command of the company of infantry of which -he was the nominal commander, but had a confidential -place by the queen’s side, and was her counsellor in -divers weighty matters.</p> - -<p>In 1583, Raleigh came into possession, through the -queen’s favour, of the estates of Stolney and Newland, -formerly possessions of All Souls’ College, Oxford. He -was also favoured with letters patent for the “Farm of -Wines,” afterwards one of the principal sources of his<span class="pagenum" id="Page_92">92</span> -wealth. Under this grant each vintner throughout the -kingdom had to pay twenty shillings a year for a licence -to sell wines. The grant also included a share to -Raleigh of fines accruing to the Crown, under previously -existing wine statutes. From his wine trade emoluments -Raleigh realised at one period about £2000 a year, -equivalent to about £12,000 of our money. From -certain causes the amount of his receipts from this -source declined, and he afterwards resigned his patent to -James I. for £1000 per annum.</p> - -<p>Meantime, Raleigh’s half-brother, Sir Humphrey -Gilbert, had been making, at great cost, persevering -attempts to establish a colony or colonies in North -America, but unfortunately without success. Gilbert -had obtained a charter for his colonisation project -extending for six years from 1578. After repeated -failures of his enterprises, particularly in 1579, he gave -up, for a time at least, their further prosecution, and lent -three of his ships to the Government for service on the -coast of Ireland.</p> - -<div id="il_16" class="figcenter" style="max-width: 23em;"> - <img src="images/i_109.jpg" width="1462" height="2247" alt="" /> - <div class="caption">“RALEIGH WHIPT OFF HIS CLOAK OF SILK PLUSH, AND SPREAD -IT OUT TO PROTECT THE QUEEN’S FEET FROM THE MUD.”</div></div> - -<p>Raleigh had always befriended his courageous relative, -Sir Humphrey Gilbert, and now used all his court influence -in his favour. His charter was about to expire. -The queen was much importuned to renew it, and -reluctantly did so, but refusing permission to her -favourite, Raleigh, to take part personally in the enterprise. -He expended, however, a large sum in aid of the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_95">95</span> -fresh expedition to North America, which Sir Humphrey -was resolved to undertake. One of the five ships that -constituted the fleet—the <i>Ark Raleigh</i>—was built and -fitted out entirely by Sir Walter, at a cost of £2000. -The expedition sailed June 11th, 1583, and met with a -series of disasters, including the death of its resolute and -gallant commander. In this expedition Newfoundland -was touched at, and taken possession of by Gilbert in -the queen’s name.</p> - -<p>Undismayed by Humphrey Gilbert’s repeated and -disastrous failures, Raleigh continued to believe in the -ultimate success of these American colonisation schemes, -and he induced the queen to renew the charter, to -which the parties were Raleigh himself, as chief; Adrian -Gilbert, a younger brother of Sir Humphrey; and John -Davis, a courageous and experienced navigator. These -three were incorporated as representing “The College of -the Fellowship for the Discovery of the North-West -Passage.” Realisation of the queen’s dream, and desire -after a shorter route <i>via</i> the north-west to China, was the -professed object of the adventurers, but Raleigh was -careful to secure subsidiary material advantages, and the -charter gave full powers to the adventurers to inhabit or -retain, build or fortify, at Raleigh’s discretion, any remote -lands that he might find hitherto unoccupied by any -Christian power.</p> - -<p>Raleigh was financier and managing director, but not<span class="pagenum" id="Page_96">96</span> -the personal conductor of the next American expedition. -In April 1584 a small fleet sailed for the West, under -the command of Captains Amadas and Barlow. In -May they passed the Canaries; in June they fell in -with the Bahama Islands. While still far out at sea, -delicate odours, sweet as those of “Araby the blest,” -were wafted to them from Florida, at which they touched; -thereafter sailing northwards, they landed at, and, in -name of the queen, annexed the islands then called -Roanoke and Wokoken, with the mainland adjacent. -In honour of Queen Elizabeth, the newly-annexed -country was named Virginia. An ancient writer pronounces -the name appropriate, from the country having -been discovered in the reign of the Virgin Queen, and -also because the country seemed “to retain the virgin -purity and plenty of the first creation, and the people -their primitive innocence.” Early in 1585 Raleigh -sent out a second expedition to Virginia under Sir -Richard Grenville; others were afterwards sent, and, -under Ralph Lane, settled for a time on Roanoke, -but failed to succeed as settlers, or to justify the -sanguine expectations of Raleigh, who was by this -time very rich, and could well afford to carry out -his costly colonisation hobby. He was also befriended -by a success that befell his lieutenant, Sir Richard -Grenville, who, in returning to England, fell in with -a treasure-laden Spanish ship of an estimated value of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_97">97</span> -£50,000, which he captured and brought safely into -Plymouth.</p> - -<p>In addition to his other rich privileges and possessions, -the queen granted to Raleigh a liberty to export broadcloth. -This fresh mark of royal favour was disapproved -by Lord Burghley, who estimated the increase to -Raleigh’s income from the woollen broadcloth trade -at the equivalent of £18,000 of our present money. -It is to be said for Sir Walter that his enormous wealth -was not wasted in vice and debauchery, although -personal ambition had probably a good deal to do in -directing his expenditure. He probably aspired to the -creation of a state in the West, with himself as its chief, -that for riches, dignity, and power, would excel the -possessions of Spain. His were not the views or aims of -the mere grubber after lucre for its own sake, or for his -own personal aggrandisement. He was not indifferent -to any promise the newly-found region might give of -pearls or precious metals, but was equally solicitous -concerning its useful mineral, vegetable, and animal -products, and he appointed Mr. Thomas Hariot, an -able scientific and practical man, commissioner to -collect trustworthy information.</p> - -<p>At this time, 1584, Raleigh was very much in close -attendance on the queen, at one or other of her palaces, -at Greenwich or Windsor. His own residence was in -the then rural village of Islington. The immense<span class="pagenum" id="Page_98">98</span> -revenue derived from his wine and broadcloth businesses -enabled him to indulge in such a scale of expenditure as -could only be incurred by a merchant prince or other -opulent personage. He leased from the queen, Durham -House, situated on the river, in the locality now known as -the Adelphi. This was a vast palace, occupied at one time -by the bishops of Durham, and afterwards by Queen -Elizabeth herself. This stately building was Raleigh’s -town house from 1584 to 1603.</p> - -<p>In the year 1584, or the year following, Raleigh was -knighted, and advanced to various high dignities. He -was appointed Lord Warden of the Stannaries, Lord -Lieutenant of Cornwall, Vice-Admiral of Cornwall and -Devon, and he entered Parliament, as one of the two -members for Devonshire. He was no carpet knight or -mere sinecurist, but to the utmost of his ability -discharged faithfully the duties devolving upon him in -these various offices, personally as far as possible, or by -competent deputies. As Warden of the Stannaries he -effected important reforms that greatly mitigated the -hardships of the Cornish miners. His discrimination, -judgment, and resolution fitted him admirably for judge, -and director of administration of the affairs that came -within his jurisdiction.</p> - -<p>Raleigh’s Virginian colony came to an inglorious end -in 1586, but he was successful in another less creditable -enterprise. He had sent a small fleet for undisguised<span class="pagenum" id="Page_99">99</span> -predatory purposes to the Azores, that did good business. -Its commander captured and brought to England a -Spanish noble, Don Pedro Sarmiento, a colonial governor. -While his ransom was being collected, Raleigh entertained -his illustrious guest in splendid style in his grand town -house. In 1587, Raleigh took possession of vast estates -in Ireland, assigned to his charge by the queen, as -gentleman-undertaker; they were part of the escheated -lands of the Earl of Esmond, and embraced forty-two -thousand acres in the counties of Cork, Waterford, and -Tipperary. He did his best to re-people the desolate -regions, and brought over many West of England farmers -and farm labourers, but his energetic and well-meant -efforts met with only partial success.</p> - -<p>Up to this time, 1587, Raleigh had been first -favourite with the queen, who had showered wealth and -influence upon him. The queen had now, however, -other flutterers around her in addition to Raleigh. In -1587 one appeared on the scene, who seemed likely to -cut them all out. The queen had reached the mature -age of fifty-four years; the young Earl of Essex, the new -royal favourite, was only twenty. Essex hated “that -knave Raleigh,” as he designated him, and did all he -could to make mischief between the queen and her -favourite.</p> - -<p>Turning to affairs more worthy of Raleigh’s nature and -powers, the public offices he held necessitated his<span class="pagenum" id="Page_100">100</span> -frequent and rapid movements from one distant locality -to another, and withdrew him from court connection and -intrigues. His interest in his Virginian enterprise had -never flagged. A third expedition he had despatched -had proved disastrous; in May 1587 he sent out another, -under Captain John White. Another still, under Sir -Richard Grenville, that attempted to follow, was stopped -by Government at Bideford. Undismayed and resolute, -Raleigh sent out from Bideford, in April 1588, two -pinnaces, with help to the unfortunate colonists. These -fell into the hands of privateers, and returned to England -stripped and helpless. Raleigh had up to this time -used the most strenuous endeavours, and had spent a -princely fortune, in his attempt to found an American -colony, but he was unaided by court or other influence, -and public affairs now required the application of his -energies in another direction. The advent of the “invincible -Spanish Armada” was at hand. Raleigh was -one of the nine commissioners appointed to consider the -best means of resisting the threatened invasion; two of -his captains, Sir Richard Grenville and Ralph Lane, were -also on the commission, which implies that Sir Walter -was an important factor in determining the most important -national affairs. In anticipation of the arrival of the -Armada he made all necessary preparations for defence, -and for assistance in attack, in relation to the counties -under his charge, as vice-admiral. He also directed<span class="pagenum" id="Page_101">101</span> -preparations to resist invasion on the east coast—notably -at Norfolk. In resistance of the Armada, and assistance -in its pursuit and destruction, Raleigh took a prominent -part. His ship was amongst those that chased the -distressed Spanish galleons northwards. In proof that -he had rendered important service in connection with -the memorable events, it may be mentioned that on -September 5th, 1588, to Raleigh and Drake were consigned -equal numbers of wealthy Spanish prisoners, -whose ransoms were to be the reward of the achievements -of these commanders. Raleigh so distinguished -himself in the actions with the Armada by his skill in -naval tactics, and his genius for rapid action, as to excite -the admiration of Lord Howard, High Admiral, who ever -after treated him as a recognised authority in important -naval affairs.</p> - -<p>In 1589, Raleigh leased his patent rights, title, and -interest in the Virginia Colony to a company of merchants, -reserving only a royalty upon gold and silver ore that -might be raised in the colony. It is not recorded that -he ever received profit from this reservation, or from his -costly efforts to colonise Virginia, extending over thirteen -years. In the settlement of America by Europeans -he was the unpaid pioneer. After the defeat of the -Armada, Raleigh continued actively occupied in the -direction of important schemes in Devonshire, Cornwall, -Ireland, and other parts of the kingdom, and was<span class="pagenum" id="Page_102">102</span> -interested also in some privateering enterprises for which -the King of Spain—“the natural enemy of England”—and -the Armada were convenient covering and excuse. -Raleigh’s rovers were not particular as to nationality of -vessels attacked; they sacked the English ship <i>Angel -Gabriel</i> of a cargo of wine, and took sack and sugar -and mace from other vessels, without assurance that -these were only reprisals against the Spaniards.</p> - -<p>In 1589, Raleigh was associated with Sir Francis -Drake in an expedition to restore Dom Antonio to the -throne of Portugal, from which he had been ousted by -Philip of Spain. Raleigh proceeded with the force up -to the walls of Lisbon. The object of the expedition -was not achieved, but a good deal of plunder was -secured in its course,—Raleigh’s share amounting to -£4000. Some of the ships engaged were Raleigh’s own -property, amongst them the afterwards famous <i>Revenge</i>, -the <i>Crane</i>, and the <i>Garland</i>. These ships were -employed as merchantmen or men-of-war, as circumstances -might require or interest suggest. The sort of -public service they rendered, led to the exploits of their -owners and crews being judged with a considerable -degree of indulgence by the national authorities, who -sometimes overlooked acts of piracy, and in some instances -appropriated the proceeds. Raleigh’s men were on this -occasion so rash and inconsiderate as to capture two -French barques, which brought a sharp reprimand upon<span class="pagenum" id="Page_105">105</span> -Sir Walter, because France and England were at that -time at peace with each other. In some cases the cargo -of the privateers was “taken over” wholesale by the -authorities.</p> - -<div id="il_17" class="figcenter" style="max-width: 18em;"> - <img src="images/i_119.jpg" width="1103" height="1173" alt="" /> - <div class="caption">EDMUND SPENSER, -AUTHOR OF “THE FAERIE QUEEN.”</div></div> - -<p>The Earl of Essex, as a courtier and an admirer, had a -great advantage over Raleigh, thus so much out of the -queen’s sight,—and he made the most of it to his rival’s -disadvantage. In August 1589, a contemporary writes, -“My Lord of Essex hath chased Mr. Raleigh from the -court, and hath confined him to Ireland”; but Raleigh -contradicted the rumour of his disgrace. However this -may have been, he proceeded to Ireland in 1589, and -resided in his own house at Youghal,—his most intimate -friends and neighbours there being his cousin, Sir George -Carew, who lived at Lismore, and the poet, Edmund -Spenser, who had been rewarded for his services, as -Clerk of the Council of Munster, with a gift of a manor -and ruined castle, Kilcolman, formerly the property of -the rebel Desmonds. With Spenser, Raleigh had much -close, pleasant, sympathetic intercourse. Much of -Spenser’s admirable poetical work was done during -his comparative seclusion at Kilcolman, and there -Raleigh also, perturbed though his life had been, and -unfavourable to cultivation of the muses, exercised his -extraordinary literary powers. Spenser had nearly completed -his great poem, <i>The Faery Queen</i>, the MS. of -which was read by Raleigh, who in turn submitted to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_106">106</span> -the friendly criticism of Spenser his <i>Lamentable Lay</i>, -a eulogy on Queen Elizabeth, under the name of -Cynthia. Mr. Edmund Gosse, as a result of the most -searching inquiry into the circumstances and evidence, -touching the intercourse between Raleigh and Spenser -at this time, says that the evidence is conclusive that -Raleigh had then written a poem or poems which -Spenser “set on a level with the best works of the age, -in verse.”</p> - -<p>But Raleigh was an energetic man of business as well -as a poet, a man of action more than of dreams, and, -during his residence in Ireland, he did much in various -ways to promote the material prosperity of the people. -He defended the rights of the merchants of Waterford -and Wexford, and encouraged their export trade in barrel -staves by putting two of his own ships to a regular -service between Waterford and the Canaries. Traces -of his beneficent work in Munster still remain. Sir -John Pope Hennessy <span class="locked">says:—</span></p> - -<p>“The richly perfumed wallflowers that he brought to -Ireland from the Azores, and the Affane cherry, are still -found where he first planted them by the Blackwater. -Some cedars he brought to Cork are to this day growing -at a place called Tivoli. He also introduced a number -of plants, before unknown in England,—among others, -the potato, which has had such an influence—for good -or evil—on the destinies of Ireland and many other<span class="pagenum" id="Page_107">107</span> -countries,—and the tobacco plant, which was not much -approved by the queen, and which he had to use -very privately. The four venerable yew-trees, whose -branches have grown and intermingled into a sort -of summer-house thatch, are pointed out as having -sheltered Raleigh, when he first smoked tobacco in his -Youghal garden. In that garden he also planted -tobacco.... A few steps farther on, where the town-wall -of the thirteenth century bounds the walls of the -gardens of the Warden’s house, is the famous spot where -the first Irish potato was planted by him. In that -garden he gave the tubers to the ancestor of the present -Lord Southwell, by whom they were spread throughout -the province of Munster.”</p> - -<p>Such were some of the precious gifts brought by -Raleigh’s wisely-instructed and zealous agents from -across the Atlantic, and conferred by the enlightened -patriot upon his country—boons of infinitely greater -value than the plate and pearls of which the Spaniards -were deprived by the early English rovers.</p> - -<p>About the end of 1589 Raleigh returned to England, -taking Spenser with him, whom he introduced to -the queen, and he was instrumental in obtaining for -him, as the first poet-laureate, a pension of £50 a -year. Spenser’s <i>Faery Queen</i> was published by royal -command.</p> - -<p>“The supplementary letter and sonnets to Raleigh<span class="pagenum" id="Page_108">108</span> -express Spenser’s generous recognition of the services -his friend had performed for him, and appeal to Raleigh, -as ‘the Summer Nightingale, thy sovereign goddess’s -most dear delight,’ not to delay in publishing his own -great poem, the <i>Cynthia</i>. The first of the eulogistic -pieces prefixed by friends to the <i>Faery Queen</i> was that -noble and justly celebrated sonnet signed W. R., which -alone would justify Raleigh in taking a place among the -English poets.”—<i>Gosse</i>, p. 49.</p> - -<p>In 1591, Raleigh’s first published work appeared, being -an account of the battle of the Azores, between the -<i>Revenge</i> and an armada of the King of Spain. -Raleigh sets forth enthusiastically the valour of his -gallant and faithful friend, Sir Richard Grenville, as displayed -in this contest, one of the most famous in English -history, in which Grenville, with one ship containing one -hundred men, stood to his guns against a fleet manned -by fifteen thousand Spaniards. He ably vindicated -Grenville’s conduct, and following historians are agreed -that this action was “memorable even beyond credit, -and to the height of some heroical fable.” This report -has been highly praised by competent critics as attaining -the highest level reached by English narrative prose up -to the period at which it was written.</p> - -<p>About this time, 1591, Raleigh received another -valuable gift from the queen, in a long lease of Sherborne, -an estate in Dorsetshire, formerly the possession<span class="pagenum" id="Page_109">109</span> -of the dean and chapter of Salisbury. This was, for the -future, Raleigh’s favourite country residence.</p> - -<p>An expedition was planned at this time that seemed to -promise additional wealth and honours to Raleigh. Its -objects were to capture the rich fleet of Indian plate-ships, -and to take possession of the pearl fisheries of -Panama, or to rifle the pearl treasuries. The queen -sanctioned and aided the project, and Raleigh threw -his whole fortune into it. He was to be admiral of the -fleet of fifteen sail, and the chief adventurer, with Sir -Martin Frobisher as second in command. The fleet -was ready for sea in February 1592, but when the time -for sailing arrived, the capricious queen could not, or -would not, part with Raleigh, and the fleet sailed under -the command of Sir John Burrough.</p> - -<p>The courtship of Raleigh and Miss Elizabeth Throgmorton, -afterwards Lady Raleigh, a maid of honour of -the queen, greatly exasperated his royal mistress, and he -was banished for four years from the queen’s presence.</p> - -<p>The privateering expedition before referred to, in -which Raleigh was so largely interested, proceeded to -the Azores. The queen had contributed two ships and -£1800, and the citizens of London had given £6000 in -aid, but Raleigh retained by much the largest share. -Sir John Burrough divided his fleet, and left Frobisher -with part of it on the coast of Spain; with his own -portion of the fleet he proceeded to the supposed track<span class="pagenum" id="Page_110">110</span> -of the expected richly-laden carracks, to await their -coming. The victims came as expected, and fell an easy -prey to the spoilers. The <i>Madre de Dios</i>, the largest -of the treasure-laden carracks, carried what was unprecedented -in those days, the enormous cargo of -1800 tons, valued at £500,000. The cargo included -rubies, pearls, ambergris, frankincense, ebony, sandalwood, -cypress, ivory, carpets, silks, sarsenets, cinnamon, -nutmegs, and cloves, and stores of the most costly productions -of India. The unwieldy carrack offered a -feeble resistance to Raleigh’s more nimble and mischievous -craft, the <i>Roebuck</i>, which speedily overcame -her. There had been considerable leakage in the -valuable cargo, which had been freely tapped at every -port called at, and before Sir John Burrough could -get on board to take personal command, his sailors had -made the best possible use of their opportunity to do a -little privateering, each man for his own hand. Even -after these deductions, the <i>Madre de Dios</i> was a -prize of great value. It was, after many trials and -troubles from wind and weather, and narrow escapes -from foundering, safely brought into Dartmouth on the -2nd September, being, as it happened, the queen’s -birthday.</p> - -<p>At this time Raleigh was a prisoner in the Tower, -whither he had been sent by the queen for his misconduct. -The arrival of the <i>Madre de Dios</i> with such<span class="pagenum" id="Page_113">113</span> -a store of plunder, awoke greed of gain in all directions, -and caused excitement and disorder that baffled the -authorities.</p> - -<div id="il_18" class="figcenter" style="max-width: 35em;"> - <img src="images/i_127.jpg" width="2205" height="1046" alt="" /> - <div class="caption">THE MADRE DE DIOS.</div></div> - -<p>Sir Robert Cecil, writing from Exeter, 19th September, -reports that “for seven miles everybody met on the -London road smells of musk or spice, and you could not -open a private bag that had not seed pearls in it”; he -declares that “there never was such rich spoil.” Lord -Burleigh sent down Raleigh, in charge of a keeper, to -look after his property—if the term can be applied to -plunder—and to restore order. The disgraced favourite -received quite an ovation: “His poor servants, to the -number of one hundred and forty goodly men, and all -the mariners, met him with shouts and joy.” Raleigh -was greatly enraged to find so much of the treasure -devoured and dispersed. The residue of the property -was disposed of, according to the report of a commission -of inquiry, which included Sir Francis Drake, Sir Robert -Cecil, and four other persons.</p> - -<p>From the settlement of the affairs of the <i>Madre de -Dios</i> at the close of 1592, Raleigh was occupied with -his own business concerns and the discharge of various -official duties; amongst others, with the exercise of his -judgment and authority, in attempting settlement of the -quarrels between English and French fishermen on the -south coast, that were rife then, and have continued -intermittently, even until this day. He was now about<span class="pagenum" id="Page_114">114</span> -forty years of age, and although his health had suffered -from his imprisonment, he was at about the zenith of -his vigorous life. He was now married to a well-born -lady, worthy of his affection and esteem; he -was possessed of a fair competence in wealth and -property, the wearer of high honours,—amongst others -Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall, Admiral of Devon and -Cornwall, and Lord Warden of the Stannaries. With -these possessions and dignities an ordinary man would -have been content to settle down as a provincial magnate, -but they did not suffice for a man of Raleigh’s active -and sanguine temperament, his enterprising and ambitious -nature. His life up to this point had been -enlivened by many and important stirring adventures -and projects, that had elevated him in position and -influence, and made him famous. He had proved -himself alert, valorous, and capable alike as a soldier -and as a naval commander, and in the last-named -capacity had rendered brilliant service in connection -with the defeat of the Spanish Armada. As a pioneer -colonist and a privateer, he had organised spirited and -costly projects, but had been prevented by circumstances -from personally conducting his enterprises. The desire -to command personally in the expeditions that had been -successively fitted at his cost, and that were conducted -under his orders and directions, had always been alive -in his mind,—and now, as it would seem, the time had<span class="pagenum" id="Page_115">115</span> -arrived for him to realise his cherished dream. He -hated the Spaniard as thoroughly as Sir Francis Drake -did, and had in common with that redoubtable sea-dog -the ruling passion and strong desire to shatter the -Spaniard’s power, and to appropriate the Spaniard’s -treasure. He was in possession, it may be supposed, -of all the information existing and accessible concerning -Spanish discoveries and possessions in the West Indies -and South America, and touching the mineral wealth -and other resources of the settlements and resorts of -the Spanish and other adventurers in these quarters. -Raleigh had probably by this time had enough of court -life and intrigues; he had the strong desire, “with God’s -blessing, and the queen’s permission, to sail into the -sunset, and conquer for England as much as he may of -the fabled golden lands and cities of the West.”</p> - -<p>Early in 1594, Captain George Popham, a sea rover, -sailing in one of Raleigh’s vessels, made a prize at sea -of a ship with letters to the King of Spain, announcing -that De Berreo, Governor of Trinidad, had annexed -Guiana to the Spanish dominions, under the name of the -New El Dorado. The despatches contained interesting -particulars respecting the country and its inhabitants. -The documents were delivered to Raleigh, in whom -they excited lively interest, and they stimulated him to -prompt energetic action, which resulted in his sailing -from Plymouth, bound “Westward ho,” on the 2nd<span class="pagenum" id="Page_116">116</span> -January 1595, with a squadron of five ships, and an -equipment of small craft for river navigation. On the -voyage out, two ships were captured, from one of which, -laden with wine, the ships of the expedition were -stocked. In March they arrived off Trinidad, the -southern and western coasts of which were surveyed by -Raleigh in a boat,—the ships lying at anchor in the -channel known as the Serpent’s Mouth. In his <i>History -of the World</i>, Raleigh describes some of the natural -curiosities he met with at Trinidad, including oysters -hanging to the branches of mangrove trees, and a -curious liquid pitch, a peculiar product of the island. -At the first settlement touched—the Port of Spain—some -trading was done with the settlers, and Raleigh -endeavoured to worm out any information he could -obtain concerning Guiana, stating, with loose regard -for veracity, that he was on his way to Virginia, and -that his inquiries were prompted by mere curiosity. -Very little information they did give him. This much -he found out, that De Berreo, the governor, had -sent for reinforcements, in anticipation of Raleigh’s -arrival. Some of the Indians came on board secretly, -and gave harrowing accounts of the horrible cruelties -practised upon them by the Spaniards. Raleigh at once -marched a part of his force inland to St. Joseph, the -capital of the island, which they took by storm, with -De Berreo in it. The reports of the Indians as to the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_117">117</span> -hideous cruelty of the governor were fully confirmed. -It was a pastime with him to baste the naked bodies of -the Indians with boiling fat. Five poor scorched -chieftains were found in irons, and near the point of -death. They were released, and the town was burned.</p> - -<p>Raleigh spared De Berreo, in the hope possibly that -he might be useful to him, but De Berreo did his best -to bamboozle his captor. The larger vessels of the -expedition were left at anchor in the Gulf of Paria, -and with a galley, a barge, two wherries, and a ship’s -boat carrying a hundred men, with a stock of provisions, -Raleigh entered the Orinoco, the flotilla encountering at -many points, and in divers ways, formidable difficulties -and obstacles in the navigation. Raleigh thus describes -the most painful and unpleasant voyage of four hundred -<span class="locked">miles:—</span></p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>“We were all driven to lie in the rain and weather -in the open air, in the burning sun, and upon the hard -boards, and to dress our meat and to carry all manner -of furniture, wherewith the boats were so pestered and -unsavoury, that what with victuals being most fish, and -the wet clothes of so many men thrust together, and the -heat of the sun, I will undertake there was never any -prison in England that could be found more unsavoury -and loathsome, especially to myself, who had for many -years before been dieted and cared for in a sort far -different.”</p> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_118">118</span></p> - -<p>The provisions ran short, and hunger, added to other -hardships, induced a mutinous spirit, repression of which -severely taxed Raleigh’s oratorical powers. At length -they approached the inner reach of the vast flat delta, -with its mud banks and brackish water. They next -came to banks, on which wholesome fruits were found. -In the purer water they caught edible fresh fish. The -abundance and variety of birds and the brilliancy of the -plumage of many of them, excited wonder and admiration. -Deer came feeding down to the water’s edge; -the alligators, with which the river swarmed, were less -pleasant objects of contemplation. A handsome young -Indian, who leaped into the water from the galley was -seized and devoured by these monsters, immediately he -touched its surface. Four canoes laden with excellent -bread were met with in the river. The Indians to whom -they belonged deserted them on the approach of the -strangers.</p> - -<p>On the fifteenth day, far-off mountain peaks gladdened -the sight of the voyagers. On the evening of the same -day the flotilla anchored in the main stream of the -great river, at a point a little to the east of San Rafael de -Barrancas. Here a welcome change of fare was met -with. The eggs of fresh-water turtles were found in -vast numbers on the sandy islands. The mountain -chains to the south, in the direction of Essiquibo, now -assumed defined forms, and furnished a grand feature<span class="pagenum" id="Page_119">119</span> -in the splendid panorama. Parties of the native Indians -were met with ashore, who entertained the adventurers -hospitably with provisions and the “wine” of the -country, of which Raleigh’s captains partook with “strict -moderation,” yet in sufficient quantity to make them, as -their leader has it, “reasonable pleasant.” Raleigh had -an elastic moral code; he was far from being straitlaced -or squeamish with regard to either honesty or veracity -when he had his own purpose to promote. He did not -hesitate to tap the cargo of an alien, or even an English -trader, for a gratuitous supply to his wine-cellar; if the -governor was fool enough to swallow the tale, he did not -scruple to tell it, that he had found Trinidad on his way -from England to Virginia. Whatever laxity in morals -he may have shown in other directions, it must be said -to his credit that he was the chivalrous protector of -women; his men were given to understand, and they -well knew that the penalty would be inflicted if incurred, -that death would be the punishment for violence towards -an Indian matron or maiden.</p> - -<p>Geography was not a strong point with Raleigh and -the adventurers. It is scarcely possible for us to -measure or appreciate the difference between the state -of geographical knowledge then and now, between their -dubious scraps and our full and accurate knowledge,—the -contrast between their darkness and our light. So crude -were their geographical notions, that it has been said<span class="pagenum" id="Page_120">120</span> -of the explorers that they believed that if they could -only sail far enough up the Orinoco, they would emerge -into the Pacific on the western coast of South America! -They traversed about three degrees of west longitude, -through a region until then entirely unknown to Europeans, -except Spaniards, who had already planted -settlements here and there, at vast distances apart. -Raleigh’s party passed one of these, but possibly ignored -its existence, his majestic idea being to annex the entire -territory in the name of the Queen of England. His -intercourse with the Indians was everywhere friendly -and pacific, and he was assiduous in impressing them -with the danger and disadvantage that would result from -their having anything to do with the Spaniards otherwise -than by driving them out of the country; he -strongly recommended England as a safe and benign -protector.</p> - -<div id="il_19" class="figcenter" style="max-width: 36em;"> - <img src="images/i_137.jpg" width="2276" height="1329" alt="" /> - <div class="caption">RALEIGH ON THE ORINOCO RIVER.</div></div> - -<p>On the banks of the Orinoco, Raleigh and his company -feasted on pine-apples and other luscious fruits, -and made acquaintance with the armadillo and many -other strange creatures. At the junction of the Caroni, -a southern tributary, with the Orinoco, Raleigh left the -main stream, and ascended the branch to the great -cataract which stopped his further progress. Raleigh’s -description of the great cataract and the adjoining -country may be given as a fair specimen of his literary -<span class="locked">style:—</span></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_123">123</span></p> - -<p>“When we ran to the tops of the first hills of the -plains adjoining to the river, we beheld the wonderful -breach of the waters which ran down Caroni, and might -from that mountain see the river how it ran in three -parts, above twenty miles off, and there appeared some -ten or twelve overfalls in sight, every one as high over -the other as a church tower, which fell with that fury -that the rebound of waters made it seem as if it had -been all covered over with a great shower of rain; and -in some places we took it at the first for a smoke that -had risen over some great town. For mine own part I -was well persuaded from thence to have returned, being -a very ill footman, but the rest were so desirous to go -near the said strange thunder of waters, that they drew -me on, little by little, till we came into the next valley, -where we might better discern the same. I never saw a -more beautiful country, nor more lively prospects; hills -so raised here and there over the valleys, the river -winding into divers branches, the plains adjoining without -bush or stubble, all fair green grass, the ground of -hard sand, easy to march on, either for horse or foot; the -deer crossing in every path, the birds towards the evening -singing on every tree, with a thousand several tunes, -cranes and herons, of white, crimson, and carnation, -perching on the river’s side, the air fresh with a gentle -easterly wind, and every stone that we stopped to take -up promised either gold or silver by his complexion.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_124">124</span></p> - -<p>The expedition was not equipped with geologists’ -hammers or prospecting tools, but they nevertheless -collected, and Sir Walter brought home, a number of -specimens, that he thought auriferous quartz richly -charged with gold. The white quartz brought home -did contain gold, but in such infinitesimal proportion -as not to be worth extracting.</p> - -<p>The friendly Indians, with whom Sir Walter had -much familiar intercourse, finding that he “with greedy -ear devoured up their discourse,” entertained him with -many wondrous recitals—of pronounced Munchausen -flavour—concerning the gold and gems with which -the country abounded, and of the wonders in anthropology -and natural history that he would meet with, if -he went a little farther on. These included tribes of -Indians away west, whose eyes were on their shoulders, -and their mouths below where their necks should be. -In another direction he would meet with men with -heads of the form and fit-on of dogs, who spent the day -in the sea, and who spoke the Caril language. Sir -Walter, to do him justice, does not state that he saw or -heard of any of these marvels, except by report at -second-hand. It should be remembered, too, that the -recitals, reaching Raleigh through interpreters, probably -very indifferently qualified, exposed them to the risk of -distortion and misapprehension, and conduced to exaggeration -rather than accuracy.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_125">125</span></p> - -<p>The great cataract on the Caroni was the farthest -point reached by Raleigh in this exploration. He and -his party had now been away from the fleet for about a -month. He gave up the hope of reaching Manoa; and the -terrific violence of the tropical rains, the sudden floods -to which the rivers were subject, and the general aspect -of affairs, admonished him to return to the ships with -the utmost possible speed. They were carried down at -a tremendous pace, without need to use sail or oar. At -Morequito, Raleigh had a grave, private conference with -an ancient chief, Topiawari. Raleigh solemnly denounced -Spain as the enemy and England as the friend -of Guiana, and entered into an alliance with him, -offensive and defensive, Topiawari to become the ally of -England, which would in turn aid him against certain -Indians who had given the chief grounds for complaint. -The old chief and his people heartily assented, and -urged Raleigh to proceed farther inland, if not to -Manoa, to a rich city, Macureguari, about four days’ -journey distant, where they would find many “statues of -gold.” The prospect was tempting, but the adventurers -had been, and were, suffering severe privations, and -Raleigh determined to hasten back. He exchanged -hostages with the chief, engaging to return next year; he -took with him the chiefs son, and left with the chief -Goodwin, who learned the Indian language, and was -found by Raleigh, on his revisiting the country many<span class="pagenum" id="Page_126">126</span> -years later, when Goodwin had almost forgotten the -English language.</p> - -<p>In the course of their descent of the Orinoco, the -adventurers visited a lake where they met with the -curious creature, the manatee, or sea-cow. On an island -in the Orinoco they had a feast, at which armadillo -meat was the principal dainty. After encountering -much violent weather in rain-floods, thunder-storms, and -intermittent cold winds, they reached the sea. Notwithstanding -bad water, scanty food, and weather hardships, -only one life was lost in the course of the voyage, -that of the young Indian who was devoured by the -alligator.</p> - -<p>During Raleigh’s absence, his fleet, under the command -of Captain Amyas Preston, was active in spoiling -the Spaniards, sacking and burning all the towns -he could get at, in Venezuela. They were able to -do much mischief, but to collect very little plunder. -The visits of English captains had waked up the inhabitants -to the propriety of preparing for their coming; -they hid their most precious portable possessions away -among the hills inland, or shipped them off to Spain for -safety with the least possible delay. Among other towns -devastated was Cumana, concerning which Captain -Amyas Preston felt provoked to make the peevish complaint -that he “found not the value of a single real of -plate.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_127">127</span></p> - -<p>Having accomplished all that his resources and circumstances -made possible, and prepared the way for -future operations, Raleigh brought back his little fleet -to England in the autumn of 1595, making a quiet -entrance into port,—Dartmouth or Falmouth,—that was -in strong contrast with the pomp and circumstance, and -noisy enthusiasm, that distinguished the return of Sir -Francis Drake from his famous voyage. Raleigh’s -spirited achievements do not seem to have been appreciated. -He had, as he thought, returned bringing a gift -to his queen of a rich empire that would assure his -restoration to favour, but he was met with cold neglect, -and left in doubt as to whether his report concerning -Guiana was to be accepted as a true history or passed by -as an idle tale. At this stage of his career he gave -conclusive evidence of the diversity of his gifts, the wide -range of his capability, his restless activity, and indomitable -perseverance. He had distinguished himself as a -practical navigator and commander, and as an explorer -of regions before unknown. As a diplomatist he had -established satisfactory relations with foreign potentates—albeit -uncivilised—as allies; he had carried out with -safety and success a perilous expedition, and had laid a -good foundation for future operations. He had full -confidence in his own ability to prosecute these operations -successfully, and felt certain that evil and failure -would result from his being supplanted, as he seemed to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_128">128</span> -have reason to fear. Of himself and the Guiana chiefs -he says: “I rather sought to win the kings than to sack -them; I know what others will do when these kings come -singly into their hands.”</p> - -<p>No author of reputation, probably, who has written -works which the world will not willingly let die,—works -which have not died,—has done his literary work under -greater disadvantages than Raleigh, or has enjoyed so -little of the tranquillity of retirement, favourable to -literary pursuits. It would appear from the date of -publication, the end of the year 1595, that he must have -been engaged in writing a book that became famous, -while his expedition was actually in progress. In -November he submitted a manuscript account of his -Guiana voyage and travels, illustrated with a map, to -Sir Robert Cecil. In a letter which accompanied it, he -expresses his disappointment and surprise at the rejection -of such a prize, as was never before offered to a -Christian prince. In magnifying the value and importance -of the acquisition within reach, he draws freely -upon his imagination, and declares that the golden -statues with which the city of Manoa abounds—which -he has not seen—are worth at least £100,000 each! -He urges that, whatever may be done about Guiana, -or whoever may be sent to do it, the enterprise may -not be soiled by cruelty, and plunder of the Indians. -At the close of 1595 his work was published under the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_129">129</span> -somewhat ponderous title, <i>The Discovery of the large, -rich, and beautiful Empire of Guiana, with a Relation -of the Great and Golden City of Manoa, which the -Spaniards call El Dorado, and of the provinces of Emeria, -Arromaia, Amapaia, and other countries, with their -Rivers adjoining</i>. The book became famous throughout -Europe. Two editions were published in England in -1596, and a Latin translation in Germany. Raleigh’s -literary contemporaries at this period included such -illustrious men as Shakespeare, Bacon, Hooker, and -Marlowe. His book on Guiana is admitted to occupy -the foremost place among the volumes describing -voyages and discoveries, that appeared towards the end -of the sixteenth and beginning of the seventeenth -centuries, and has been republished in Hakluyt’s <i>Voyages</i> -and Purchas’s <i>Pilgrim</i>.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_130">130</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="toclink_130">SIR WALTER RALEIGH,<br /> - -<span class="subhead"><span class="smaller">SAILOR, SCHOLAR, POET.</span></span><br /> - -<span class="subhead">CHAPTER VI. - -<span class="subhead">NAVAL EXPEDITIONS—TRIAL AND EXECUTION.</span></span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="drop-cap"><span class="smcap1">The</span> desirability of further crippling or arresting the -reviving power of Spain, engaged the continued -attention of the queen and her advisers, but there was -much vacillation, on the part of the queen, with regard to -actual operations. In 1596 a commission was appointed -to act as a council of war, consisting of the Earl of -Essex, Lord Charles Howard, High Admiral; Sir Walter -Raleigh, and Lord Thomas Howard. Raleigh was -treated with the highest consideration as an experienced -and skilful naval authority. As Admiral of the Counties, -he sent to the Council a valuable report on the defence -of Cornwall and Devon. He was appointed collector of -levies for a projected hostile expedition to Cadiz. In -the prosecution of this work he displayed robust<span class="pagenum" id="Page_133">133</span> -activity, recruiting all round the southern and south-eastern -coasts, flitting about from place to place between -Plymouth, Dover, Gravesend, and Blackwall as occasion -required. On 1st June 1596, the forces collected put to -sea, and on the 20th cast anchor in the Bay of San -Sebastian. The English fleet, in four divisions, comprised -93 ships; an auxiliary Dutch squadron numbered -24 additional. The combined fleet had on board -about 13,000 English soldiers and sailors, and 2600 -Dutchmen.</p> - -<div id="il_20" class="figcenter" style="max-width: 25em;"> - <img src="images/i_147.jpg" width="1575" height="2350" alt="" /> - <div class="caption">RALEIGH AS SAILOR, SCHOLAR, POET.</div></div> - -<p>This English Armada of 1596 was the “return match” -for the “most happy and invincible Armada” of Philip -of Spain, that visited, and was for the most part scattered, -upon our shores in 1588. The English force, although -very imposing, was much smaller than the array which -Spain had made. As has been stated, the combined fleet -consisted of 117 ships, carrying 15,600 men. The Spanish -Armada embraced 130 ships, some of them of enormous -size, carrying about 30,000 men all told, including “124 -volunteers of quality, and 180 monks.” The Spanish -expedition attracted the flower of the nobility of the -nation, and the English Armada, in like manner, enlisted -the sympathy, fired the patriotism, and inflamed the -martial ardour of the flower of English chivalry. The -most distinguished men in both arms of the service -accompanied the expedition. Even amongst such associates -in council and comrades in arms, Sir Walter<span class="pagenum" id="Page_134">134</span> -Raleigh came to the front simply by his native force -and merits; even in such a galaxy he shone the bright -particular star—he was pre-eminently the hero of the -expedition.</p> - -<p>At the beginning of the battle of Cadiz, Raleigh, in -compliance with the orders of the lord admiral, -detached the ships under his charge and the Dutch -squadron from the main body, and took up a favourable -position for preventing the escape of Spanish ships from -Cadiz harbour. He was directed to watch, but not to -fight unless attacked. Lord Howard and the impetuous -Essex, Raleigh being absent from their council, determined -to open the action by military, in preference to -naval operations—to land the soldiers and assault the -town, leaving the Spanish fleet alone for the time. -Raleigh detected in this a false and dangerous move, -and despite his being a subordinate in command, interposed -with promptitude and courage. He came up -with Essex in the <i>Repulse</i>, when the embarkation of the -soldiers was actually in progress. There was a heavy sea -running, making the landing an enterprise to be attended -with extreme difficulty and danger. He warmly remonstrated -with Essex, and declared that this course imperilled -their own lives, and risked the utter overthrow -and ruin of the whole expedition. Essex deferred to -Raleigh’s superior experience, judgment, and ability, -and shifted the responsibility for the movement to the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_135">135</span> -lord admiral, to whom, on board the <i>Ark Royal</i>, -Raleigh immediately repaired,—now that he had boldly -declared himself,—warmly supported by the highest -military officers of the expedition. Lord Howard was -converted to Raleigh’s views, which were in favour of -immediate and vigorous action, but on a different plan. -From his own ship, the <i>War Sprite</i>, Raleigh wrote a -hurried letter to Lord Howard, advising the order of -battle, which included the attack by well-manned boats -upon the Spanish galleons, before they could be set on -fire. Raleigh was at his best in this crisis. He bore -himself with graceful courtesy towards his colleagues of -the Council, and commanded, by his manifest grasp of -the situation, his skill, intrepidity, and genius for rapid -and vigorous action, their respect and admiration. Each -of the four heads of the force was eager to lead the van, -but they generously conceded the post of honour to -Raleigh. Their final council before the action was held -late on the evening of June 20th. Cadiz was illuminated, -and its inhabitants carousing, and in the full -enjoyment, as they supposed, of perfect security. At -daybreak on the 21st June, the splendid English fleet -swept into the harbour of Cadiz. Raleigh led in the -<i>War Sprite</i>, followed by Sir George Carew in the <i>Mary -Rose</i>, Sir Francis Vere in the <i>Rainbow</i>, Sir Robert -Southwell in the <i>Lion</i>, Sir Conyers Clifford in the -<i>Dreadnought</i>, and another ship, the six being a considerable<span class="pagenum" id="Page_136">136</span> -distance in advance of the main body of the -fleet. In front of them, under the walls of Cadiz, were -seventeen galleons that were the special objects of -attack. The forts and galleys opened fire upon the -invading squadron, making a target of the leading -<i>War Sprite</i>. Raleigh answered them not by shot from -his guns, but, in contempt, by blasts from his trumpets. -In his account of the action, he says that “the <i>St. -Philip</i>, the great and famous ship of Spain, was the -mark I shot at, esteeming those galleys but as wasps.” -The <i>St. Philip</i> had a special claim upon his attention. -It was the <i>St. Philip</i> and the <i>St. Andrew</i> that had been -the principal actors in what Raleigh considered the -murder of his gallant friend and companion-in-arms, -Sir Richard Grenville, who in the fight at the Azores in -1591, in his ship the <i>Revenge</i>, with a hundred men, -faced in battle, and was crushed by, a Spanish fleet, -manned by fifteen thousand soldiers and sailors. -Raleigh was determined to avenge the death of his -gallant friend and kinsman, or to perish in the attempt. -He came to anchor close to the galleons, and for three -hours the battle raged with great fury. Raleigh’s ship -was suffering severely, and he became impatient from -the delay in the arrival of the boats. He put on his -skiff, and urged first Essex and afterwards the admiral -to make every possible effort to bring up the boats. -During this short parley, and Raleigh’s absence from his<span class="pagenum" id="Page_137">137</span> -ship, some of the other commanders, especially Sir -Francis Vere in the <i>Rainbow</i>, had attempted to supplant -the <i>War Sprite</i>. Vere, the marshal, had a rope -attached from his own to Raleigh’s ship, to haul the -<i>Rainbow</i> abreast of the leader. On Raleigh’s discovering -this, he ordered the rope to be thrown off, and for -the remainder of the fight the <i>Rainbow</i>, excepting a -small part of the bows, was covered by the <i>War Sprite</i>. -In Sir Walter’s spirited description of the action, he -<span class="locked">says:—</span></p> - -<p>“Having no hope of my fly-boats to board, and the -earl and my Lord Thomas having both promised to -second me, I laid out a warp by the side of the <i>Philip</i> -to shake hands with her, for with the wind we could -not get aboard; which, when she and the rest perceived, -finding also that the <i>Repulse</i>, seeing mine, began to do -the like, and the rear-admiral my Lord Thomas, they -all let slip, and ran aground, tumbling into the sea -heaps of soldiers, as thick as if coals had been poured -out of a sack in many ports at once, some drowned, and -some sticking in the mud. The <i>Philip</i> and the <i>St. -Thomas</i> burned themselves; the <i>St. Matthew</i> and the -<i>St. Andrew</i> were recovered by our boats ere they could -get out to fire them. The spectacle was very lamentable -on their side; for many drowned themselves; many, -half burned, leaped into the water; very many hanging -by the ropes’ end, by the ships’ side, under the water<span class="pagenum" id="Page_138">138</span> -even to the lips; many swimming with grievous wounds, -stricken, under water, and put out of their pain; and -withal so huge a fire, and such tearing of the ordnance -in the great <i>Philip</i> and the rest when the fire came to -them, as if a man had a desire to see hell itself, it was -there most lively figured. Ourselves spared the lives of -all after the victory, but the Flemings, who did little or -nothing in the fight, used merciless slaughter, till they -were by myself, and afterwards by my lord admiral, -beaten off.”</p> - -<p>In the action Raleigh received a serious wound in the -leg, his flesh was torn by splinters, which disabled him -from taking part in the land attack. Although his -wound was excessively painful, he was unwilling to be -left behind, and had himself carried into Cadiz on a -litter. But a town in process of being sacked by -soldiers freed from discipline and restraint, grievously -hurt as he was, and suffering the agony he did, was no -place for him, and he was speedily carried back to the -<i>War Sprite</i>. Early next morning, however, eager in -spirit although physically unfit for arduous duty, he -went ashore again, and entreated for leave to follow a -fleet of richly-laden Spanish carracks, Indian bound, that -had escaped. The disturbance and excitement attending -the operations on land, prevented attention being -given to Raleigh’s request. In the interim of his waiting -for authority, the Spanish commander, the Duke of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_141">141</span> -Medina Sidonia, settled the matter by burning the -whole fleet of rich argosies. Raleigh had the mortification -of witnessing the conflagration from the deck of the -<i>War Sprite</i>. Of the large fleet of Spain that had been -completely defeated, only two ships, the <i>St. Matthew</i> -and the <i>St. Andrew</i>, remained for the victors to take -home as prizes to England.</p> - -<div id="il_21" class="figcenter" style="max-width: 36em;"> - <img src="images/i_155.jpg" width="2273" height="1394" alt="" /> - <div class="caption">ENGLISH FLEET BEFORE CADIZ.</div></div> - -<p>Neither the lord admiral nor his colleagues on the -Council concerned themselves about sending home -information about their proceedings. A letter written -by Raleigh to Cecil, dated 7th July, and taken home by -Sir Anthony Ashley, was the first news received in -England of the victory. An epidemic broke out in -Raleigh’s ship, which could not be effectively dealt -with, and it was determined, 1st August, that he should -return with his ship to England, in company with two -other ships of the fleet. He arrived at Plymouth in six -days. On the 12th he landed at Weymouth, and proceeded -to Sherborne for the rest and nursing of which -he stood so sorely in need. The remainder of the fleet -returned a few weeks later. Essex on the way home -landed and pounced upon the magnificent library of the -Bishop of Algarve. He presented it to Sir Thomas -Bodley, to form the nucleus of the famous Bodleian -Library, which remaineth at Oxford until this day.</p> - -<p>Of such glory as attached to the destruction of the -Spanish fleet, Sir Walter Raleigh was entitled to the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_142">142</span> -chief share. There was much plunder, great destruction -and loss of property, but little or no prize money resulted -from the great victory. The “Council of Four” agreed -that if the property available for prize money realised as -much, the lord admiral and Essex should have £5000 -each, and Raleigh £3000; subordinate officers and men -according to the amount that the treasure would “pan -out.” The Earl of Essex gallantly assigned his share -to his venerable and royal lady, but he might have -saved himself the trouble, for “the good Queen Bess,” -without consultation, or “by’r leave,” scooped up the -whole. She further blamed the victorious chiefs of the -expedition for having failed to bring home the Indian -carracks, and adding to her coffers the treasure with -which they were laden! Raleigh did all he could to -procure restoration to favour, but the queen continued -relentless towards him.</p> - -<p>Raleigh’s hope and expectation of achieving credit -and renown to himself, and adding to the glory of his -country, in connection with “the large, rich, and beautiful -empire of Guiana,” had slumbered while other active -enterprises engaged his energies, but they were now -revived. Towards the close of 1596 he sent out -another expedition to Guiana, under Captain Berrie, -who brought back in the summer of 1597 a glowing -confirmation of Raleigh’s favourable report. About this -time he was received again at court, and appears to have<span class="pagenum" id="Page_143">143</span> -been on the most friendly terms with Sir Robert Cecil -and the Earl of Essex.</p> - -<p>Essex, high in authority, with the assent of the queen, -it may be supposed, and of the Privy Council and chiefs -of the services, designed another expedition against -Spain, and needed Raleigh’s assistance, which was -heartily given. He fully approved the object, as may be -inferred from his <i>Spanish Alarum</i>, which he wrote expressly -to stimulate and warn the Government against -its old enemy. He felt assured that as soon as Philip -should think his power sufficient, he would attempt -reprisals for the crushing losses and humiliating indignities -that had been inflicted upon him in the face -of the world. Raleigh was decidedly of opinion that it -would be best not to wait Philip’s coming, but to go to -him at home, or on the high seas. Restored to power, -Raleigh proceeded energetically to victual and equip a -powerful fleet. The Dutch contributed a contingent of -twelve ships. On the night of Sunday, 10th July 1597, -the fleet sailed from the rendezvous in Plymouth Sound, -but soon got separated by a violent storm. Some of the -ships were lost; the others got back as they could to -Falmouth, Plymouth, and Tor Bay. On 18th August -the fleet again put to sea. The <i>St. Andrew</i> and the <i>St. -Matthew</i>, Spanish prizes, revisiting their native shores as -enemies, were disabled in the Bay of Biscay, and had to -be left at La Rochelle. Raleigh’s ship also sustained an<span class="pagenum" id="Page_144">144</span> -accident, which required his detention for repairs off -Lisbon. Essex left directions for Raleigh to hasten -after him to the Azores. Raleigh rejoined the main -fleet under Essex at Flores, on the 15th September. -A pinnace from India, fallen in with, gave the news that -the homeward-bound Spanish fleet was changing its -course this year. The English fleet was, in consequence -of this information, and as the decision of a council of -war, divided, and the ships of the fleet assigned their -several posts. Fayal was to be taken by Essex and -Raleigh, the other islands by different appointed commanders. -Essex sailed first, leaving Raleigh taking in -provisions at Flores. Essex, after he had left, sent a -letter to Raleigh to come on at once to Fayal, and do -his victualling there. Raleigh had completed his work, -and sailed at midnight; he had perhaps a better ship -than Essex, or could handle it better, and thus headed -his superior. When Raleigh arrived at Fayal with the -<i>War Sprite</i> and the <i>Dreadnought</i>, Essex had not come -up. The inhabitants immediately began to construct -defensive works, and to remove their most valuable -effects inland. Raleigh waited, chafing insufferably with -impatience, for three days. On the fourth day his -patience was exhausted; he leaped into a boat at the head -of a storming party, and scaled the cliffs. The Spaniards -contested every foot of the road, but were completely -defeated, and Raleigh at the head of his four hundred<span class="pagenum" id="Page_145">145</span> -and fifty men, entered Fayal, a “town full of fine -gardens, orchards, and wells of delicate waters, with fair -streets, and one very fair church.”</p> - -<p>Next morning Essex came creeping into the harbour. -Raleigh went out to meet and greet him. The impetuous -earl felt mortified, doubtless, at having been forestalled -and eclipsed, and as he had those about him -envious of Raleigh, they would do what they could to -inflame his anger. Essex reproved Raleigh for breach -of orders and articles, and intimated that by taking -Fayal without authority he had rendered himself liable -to the punishment of death. Raleigh defended himself, -and claimed that authority for what he had done had -been given to him by the queen’s letters patent. A -reconciliation for the present was patched up, and the -fleet proceeded to St. Miguel, Raleigh being left to -watch the roadstead, in which he had not been posted -long, ere an Indian carrack of 1600 tons, laden -with spices, unsuspectingly sailed into what it took -for a friendly Spanish fleet. Raleigh, at the head of -a party, made a prompt attempt to seize the vessel, -but its commander ran her ashore, enabled his crew to -land, and set the ship on fire. It was totally destroyed; -he took, however, another carrack laden with cochineal. -Nothing else notable distinguished the voyage, in which -Raleigh, although not the highest in authority, was incontestably -the most prominent, active, and successful in<span class="pagenum" id="Page_146">146</span> -action. He came home in October, with his health -greatly disordered and his strength much impaired.</p> - -<p>In 1598, Raleigh resumed his duties at court as -Captain of the Guard. Although his office brought him -into personal contact with the queen, and he had well -proved his loyalty and valour, these claims failed to -benefit him. Essex had never been as patient and -painstaking in serving and endeavouring to please the -queen as Raleigh had been, yet nothing he might have -asked from her in reason would have been denied him; -but to the faithful Raleigh she would give nothing. He -desired the office of Vice-Chamberlain, which had become -vacant; he thought it not unreasonable that he -should be raised to the peerage; he would have been a -very fit man to have been made Lord Deputy of -Ireland; but from all these offices he was excluded, and -Cecil, his professed friend, prevented him from being -sworn on the Privy Council. Life at court became -unpleasant from the jarring and bad blood that prevailed. -Essex had been so far left to himself as to -personally insult the queen, whose conditions he declared -were “as crooked as her carcass.” True friendship -had never existed between Essex and Raleigh, and -their relations did not improve by closer contact,—very -much the reverse; their dislike grew into hate. About -this time Raleigh formed another friendship that was to -have much to do in effecting his ruin. This dangerous<span class="pagenum" id="Page_147">147</span> -friend was Henry Brooke, afterwards Lord Cobham, -Lady Cecil’s brother, who, with his brother, George -Brooke, were the champions of Arabella Stuart, cousin of -James I., daughter of Charles Stuart, a younger brother -of Darnley, whom they conspired to support by secret -intrigues as heir to the throne. Raleigh got unwittingly -entangled with them, to his ultimate, although long-deferred, -ruin. The closeness of his intimacy with -Cobham may be inferred from the following letter, of -<span class="locked">date—</span></p> - -<div class="blockquot"> -<p class="right"> -“<span class="smcap">Bath</span>, <i>April 29, 1600</i>. -</p> - -<p>“Here we attend you and have done this se’enight, -and we still mourn your absence, the rather that we fear -your mind is changed. I pray let us hear from you at -least, for if you come not we will go hereby home, and -make but short tarrying here. My wife will despair ever -to see you in these parts, if your Lordship come not -now. We can but long for you and wish you as our own -lives whatsoever.—Your Lordship’s everest faithful, to -honour you most.</p> - -<p class="right"> -<span class="smcap">W. Raleigh.</span>” -</p> -</div> - -<p>At intervals Raleigh did much good work in connection -with his offices as Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall, -Warden of the Stannaries; affairs in Ireland also engaged -much of his attention.</p> - -<p>Sir Anthony Paulet, Governor of Jersey, died in August -1600, and Raleigh was appointed his successor. He<span class="pagenum" id="Page_148">148</span> -“entered into residence” in October, Lady Raleigh and -their little son Walter, now six years old, witnessing his -departure from Weymouth. As Governor he discharged -his duties with a breadth of view and a spirit of enterprise -not often manifested by such officials. From -considerations of policy his first intention was to destroy -the castle of Mont Orgueil, but he was not an iconoclast; -its stately architecture and commanding position so -charmed him as to induce him to appoint a military guard -for its preservation. He established a trade communication -for interchange of products between Jersey and -Newfoundland. In many ways he lightened the burdens -and improved the condition of the people, whom -he ruled with wisdom, justice, and beneficence.</p> - -<p>Essex was tried and executed in 1601. The friends -of Essex stigmatised Raleigh. A trap was laid for him -by Sir Christopher Blount and others, who attempted, -but unsuccessfully, to assassinate Raleigh when he kept -an appointment on the river, off Durham House, to which -they lured him. Four shots were fired at him from a -boat manned by Blount and some of Essex’s servants. -Raleigh escaped unhurt. Blount confessed having -taken part in this treachery, and on the scaffold asked -pardon from Raleigh, which was freely granted. Touching -his enmity with Essex, Raleigh states that he “shed -tears for him when he died. I confess I was of a contrary -faction, but I knew he was a noble gentleman.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_151">151</span> -Those that set me up against him, did afterwards set -themselves against me.”</p> - -<div id="il_22" class="figcenter" style="max-width: 38em;"> - <img src="images/i_165.jpg" width="2427" height="1386" alt="" /> - <div class="caption">ST. HELIER, JERSEY.</div></div> - -<p>In 1601, Raleigh had much trouble in connection with -Meeres, bailiff of the Sherborne estates, who was first -aggressive and overbearing, and when brought to -account, insolent, malicious, and audacious; clever -enough to make much mischief, and cause his abused -employer much vexation and annoyance. He made -himself amenable to the law, and confessed that he -had wrongously maligned Sir Walter. He was pardoned, -but pardon was not followed by repentance, and he -continued as vicious and troublesome as before.</p> - -<p>In September 1601, Henry IV. of France being at -Calais, sent a complimentary embassy, consisting of the -Duke de Biron and a large and brilliant retinue, to pay -respect to Queen Elizabeth. The queen was not in -London at the time, and the remnant of her court left -behind were unequal to the duty of fitly entertaining the -French chevaliers. Raleigh happened, most opportunely, -to pay a visit to London, and exercised his -accomplishments to good purpose in the entertainment -of the distinguished visitors, whom he escorted to -Westminster, and to the Bear Garden by way of variety. -After “doing London,” he accompanied the party, “by -royal command,” to Hampshire, where the queen was -the guest of the Marquis of Worcester. In anticipation -of the visit, and by the queen’s desire, Raleigh wrote to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_152">152</span> -Lord Cobham to join him, and assist in entertaining the -visitors. Raleigh’s letters to Cobham show that they -were on terms of intimate friendship.</p> - -<p>In November the Duke of Lennox visited London, -with a delicate diplomatic commission from James of -Scotland touching the succession to the English throne. -Amongst others he saw Raleigh and Cobham, both of -whom he found unfavourable to the claims of the Scottish -king. In the complications which resulted from this -important question of State policy, Cecil, never a warm -friend of Raleigh, became more unfriendly and even -hostile, and accused him of ingratitude.</p> - -<p>In 1602, Raleigh sent out commissioners to look after, -and, if possible, more firmly settle the colony of Virginia, -which had now occupied his attention for above a dozen -years. His representatives were his nephew, Bartholomew -Gilbert, Captain Gosnoll, and Samuel Mace. No definite -results followed their expeditions, beyond their supplying -a link establishing Raleigh’s claim to be the founder of -the still inchoate colony. At home Raleigh devoted his -time and attention to the discharge of his numerous and -onerous official duties. He was at this time in poor health, -very depressed in spirits, and pestered by legal proceedings -taken by his dismissed steward Meeres, with whom Lord -Thomas Howard, now Lord Howard of Bindon, Raleigh’s -brother commander in the Cadiz expedition, meanly and -maliciously conspired. Towards the close of 1602,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_153">153</span> -Raleigh had what has been supposed his last interview -with Queen Elizabeth, who asked for his counsel with -respect to Irish affairs. He advised that the leaders of -the malcontents should be treated with rigorous severity. -In the same year he sold his great estates in Ireland to -Boyle, Earl of Cork. Queen Elizabeth died 30th March -1603. The loss of his protector and patroness was to -Raleigh ruinous and irreparable. His career up to this -point—he was now fifty-one years of age—had not -been distinguished by unclouded sunshine,—henceforth -it was to be marked by unrelieved gloom. Of his well-earned -title to honour and fame he could not be wholly -stripped, but it was in the power of his enemies to deprive -him of offices, property, peace, and other conditions -that made life worth living. He entered now upon his -decline and fall.</p> - -<p>King James received Raleigh roughly, and at once -superseded him as Captain of the Guard; Cecil was -raised to the peerage as a mark of favour. In May 1603, -Raleigh, in terms of a royal warrant, was required to surrender -Durham House to the Bishop of Durham. He -had expended large sums upon the “rotten house” to -which, as was now stated, he had “no right.” The order -to quit was most arbitrary and unjust. He had received -no notice, and was required in the space of a few days to -clear out his retinue of forty persons and twenty horses, -with the provision laid in for them.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_154">154</span></p> - -<p>James was favourable to Spain and the Catholics; -Raleigh never repressed or concealed his hostility to -both. Raleigh became involved with Lord Cobham and -George Brooke, brothers-in-law of Cecil, in an alleged -treasonable plot, the lines and objects of which it would -be difficult to define. Raleigh was arrested on 17th July, -and immured in the Tower on the information of his -dastardly and dangerous friend, Lord Cobham, the -Judas who should have been consigned to the dungeon, -in place of his too confiding and credulous friend. In -his depression and desperation he attempted suicide. -Anticipating death, he wrote an extremely touching -letter to his <span class="locked">wife:—</span></p> - -<p>“Receive from thy unfortunate husband,” he writes, -“these last lines.... That I can live never to see thee -and my child more! I cannot! I have desired God and -disputed with my reason, but nature and compassion -have the victory. That I can live to think how you are -both left a spoil to my enemies, and that my name shall -be a dishonour to my child! I cannot!... Unfortunate -woman, unfortunate child, comfort yourselves, trust God, -and be contented with your poor estate. I would have -bettered it, if I had enjoyed a few years.</p> - -<p>“What will my poor servants think, at their return, -when they hear I am accused to be Spanish, who sent -them, at my great charge, to plant and discover upon his -territory! O God! O intolerable infamy!... For the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_155">155</span> -rest I commend me to thee, and thee to God, and the Lord -knows my sorrow to part from thee and my poor child, -and let him know his father was no traitor. Be bold of -my innocence, for God—to whom I offer life and soul—knows -it.... And the Lord for ever keep thee and give -thee comfort in both worlds.”</p> - -<p>On 21st September, Raleigh, Cobham, and George -Brooke were indicted at Staines. The charge was -“of exciting rebellion against the king, and raising -one Arabella Stuart to the crown of England.” This -Arabella Stuart was first cousin to James, being the -daughter of Charles Stuart, fifth Earl of Lennox, Darnley’s -elder brother. Raleigh’s bitter enemy, Lord -Thomas Howard, afterwards Lord Howard of Bindon, -and yet again created Earl of Suffolk, had powerful -influence amongst the higher powers, and exercised his -influence virulently against Raleigh to the full extent of -his power. Raleigh was repeatedly examined, and on -Thursday, 17th November 1603, put upon his trial before -a Court of King’s Bench, the court-room having been -fitted up in the old episcopal palace at Winchester. Lord -Chief Justice Popham presided, and had with him on -the bench as commissioners, Sir Robert Cecil, Sir W. -Wood, the Earl of Devonshire, and Howard of Bindon, -Earl of Suffolk, with judges Anderson, Gawdy, and Warburton. -Sir Edward Coke, Attorney-General, prosecuted, -with Serjeant Hale as his “junior.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_156">156</span></p> - -<p>The indictment against Raleigh was in <span class="locked">effect—</span></p> - -<p>That he did conspire, and go about to deprive the -king of his government, to raise up sedition within the -realm, to alter religion, to bring in the Roman superstition, -and to procure foreign enemies to invade the -kingdom. That the Lord Cobham, the 9th of June last, -did meet with the said Sir Walter Raleigh in Durham -House, in the parish of St. Martins in the Fields, and -then and there had conference with him, how to advance -Arabella Stuart to the crown and royal throne of this -kingdom, and that then and there it was agreed that -Cobham should treat with Aremberg, ambassador from -the Archduke of Austria, and obtain of him 600,000 -crowns to bring to pass the intended treasons. It was -agreed that Cobham should go to Albert the Archduke -to procure him to advance the pretended title of Arabella, -from thence, knowing that Albert had not sufficient -means to maintain his own army in the Low Countries, -Cobham should go to Spain to procure the king to assist -and further her pretended title.</p> - -<p>It was agreed, the better to effect all this conspiracy, that -Arabella should write three letters, one to the Archduke, -another to the King of Spain, and a third to the Duke of -Savoy, and promise three things: first, to establish a -firm peace between England and Spain; secondly, to -tolerate the popish and Roman superstition; thirdly, -to be ruled by them in contracting of her marriage.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_157">157</span></p> - -<div id="il_23" class="figcenter" style="max-width: 38em;"> - <img src="images/i_173.jpg" width="2386" height="1619" alt="" /> - <div class="caption">SIR WALTER RALEIGH CONFINED IN THE TOWER.</div></div> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_159">159</span></p> - -<p>And for the effecting these traitorous purposes, Cobham -should return by the Isle of Jersey, and should there -find Sir Walter Raleigh, Captain of the said isle, and take -counsel of him for the distributing the aforesaid crowns, -as the occasion or discontentment of the subjects should -give cause and way.</p> - -<p>That Raleigh must be found guilty was a foregone -conclusion. The trial was a cruel mockery of the -accused; a flagrant outrage upon the spirit, even the mere -name, of justice. One of the judges at least—Gawdy—confessed -on his death-bed that the procedure had -violated and “degraded the justice of England.” Coke -attacked the apparently deserted and friendless defendant -with uncontrollable ferocity, with a shameless abuse -of his office. Instead of attempting to prove his case -by admissible evidence and legitimate arguments, he -discharged upon the defendant a torrent of coarse -invective, that was utterly disgraceful in the public -prosecutor in a State trial. His case was doubtless -aggravated by the feeling that the man whom he was -privileged with permission to abuse was his superior, -and bore himself with a self-command and dignity of -demeanour that Coke could appreciate in another, but -to which it was not given to himself to attain.</p> - -<p>The sole evidence(?) against Raleigh consisted of -the alleged declarations of persons with whom he was -not confronted, as he demanded to be. Coke, in<span class="pagenum" id="Page_160">160</span> -successive speeches, denounced the defendant with -insensate rage, and in disgustingly clumsy phrases, as the -“notoriousest traitor,” the “vilest viper,” the “absolutest -traitor that ever came to the bar.” Raleigh had great -difficulty in obtaining a hearing, in checking the rushing -stream of violent abuse. “You try me,” said he, “as by -the Spanish Inquisition, if you proceed only by the -circumstances, without two witnesses.” He pleaded that -“by the statute law and by God’s word it was required -that there be two witnesses. Bear me if I ask for only -one; the common law is my support in this. Call my -accuser before my face, and I have done. All I hear -against me is but this accusation of Cobham. Which -of his accusations has he subscribed to or avouched?” -Cobham, it appears, had made eight different confessions, -each conflicting in some points, or varying from all the -others. Coke’s answer to Raleigh’s reasonable plea was -to heap more violent, utterly irrelevant abuse upon -him,—“Thou art the most vile and execrable traitor -that ever lived. I will make it appear that there never -lived a viler viper on the face of the earth than thou. -I want words to express sufficiently thy viperous -treasons.” “You want words, indeed,” interposed -Raleigh, “for you have spoken one thing half a dozen -times; you speak indiscreetly, barbarously, and uncivilly.”</p> - -<p>Raleigh defended himself with signal ability, but in<span class="pagenum" id="Page_161">161</span> -vain. Popham summed up strongly against him, and -the packed jury found him guilty. The rumours in -circulation against Raleigh had been accepted, and before -the trial popular fury raged against him. The effect -of the trial, the cruel, crushing injustice with which he -was treated, caused a reaction in his favour. So gross -and palpable was the injustice done to him, that even -in the High Court, Popham was hissed and Coke was -hooted, by the portion of the public present during the -proceedings. The revolting terms of the sentence are -too hideous to be recited. Many weary years elapsed -between Raleigh’s sentence and his execution.</p> - -<p>A number of persons really concerned in the conspiracy -were tried and condemned about the same -time as Raleigh, and were executed. The execution of -others, including Raleigh, was stayed by the king, -although Raleigh had no knowledge of this. The Bishop -of Winchester, who was appointed to prepare him for -execution, gave him no hope. Believing himself at -death’s door, he wrote a touching farewell letter to his -wife, in which he <span class="locked">says:—</span></p> - -<p>“Know it, dear wife, that your son is the child of a -true man, and who, in his own respect, despiseth death -and all his misshapen and ugly forms. I cannot write -much. God knows how hardly I stole this time, when -all sleep; and it is time to separate my thoughts from -the world. Beg my dead body, which living was denied<span class="pagenum" id="Page_162">162</span> -you; and either lay it at Sherborne, if the land continue -yours, or in Exeter Church, by my father and mother. -I can write no more. Time and death call me away.”</p> - -<p>From Wolvesley Castle, in which Raleigh was confined -after his trial, he was, after having received the -announcement that his life was not to be taken, removed -to the Tower of London on the 16th December 1603, -and remained there a State prisoner for twelve years. He, -of course, lost his various offices and sources of income, -excepting Sherborne, which was coveted and greedily -desired by court favourites and others. Ultimately the -estate was taken by the king, and £8000 paid as -purchase-money for the benefit of Lady Raleigh and -her children. Many of Raleigh’s voluminous writings -were composed during the period of his confinement in -the Tower.</p> - -<p>The queen, who made the acquaintance of Raleigh -about the year 1606, was very favourably disposed -towards him, as was also Prince Henry, a most -promising prince, who became warmly attached to the -illustrious prisoner, and would probably have been -successful in obtaining his release, had he been spared. -He obtained from the king, indeed, a promise of -Raleigh’s release, but died before the stipulated date -had arrived. Influence on Raleigh’s behalf continued to -be used with the king, who at last gave way to the -importunities of the captive’s friends, and a warrant for<span class="pagenum" id="Page_163">163</span> -his release from the Tower was signed by James on -the 30th January 1616.</p> - -<p>An express condition involved in Raleigh’s liberation -was that he should proceed at once to undertake -preparations for, and to personally conduct, another expedition -to Guiana. This he set about with promptitude -and energy, investing in it the whole of what remained -of his fortune. Raleigh and his friends contributed to -the enterprise an aggregate of about £15,000. Raleigh -was by royal commission appointed commander of the -expedition, which consisted of the <i>Destiny</i>, of 440 -tons, which was built under Raleigh’s personal direction, -and six smaller vessels.</p> - -<p>The fleet sailed in March 1617. It could not be -regarded with hopeful confidence. Raleigh’s description -of the <i>personnel</i> of the expedition is decidedly unsatisfactory. -“A company of volunteers who for the most -part had neither seen the sea nor the wars; who, some -forty gentlemen excepted, were the very scum of the -world, drunkards, blasphemers, and such others as their -fathers, brothers, and friends thought it an exceeding -good gain to be discharged of, with the hazard of some -thirty, forty, or fifty pound.” Raleigh was commander of -the fleet, and his son Walter captain of the <i>Destiny</i>. -Various delays occurred. On the 12th June the fleet -left Plymouth, but soon got separated by stormy -weather, and some of the ships turned back to Falmouth.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_164">164</span> -The fleet reassembled in Cork harbour, and remained -there waiting for a favourable wind for nearly six weeks. -While thus detained, Raleigh disposed as completely as -possible, and on the best terms he could command, of -his remaining Irish leases and other interests in Ireland. -The fleet called at the Canaries and the Cape Verde -Islands. After encountering much rough weather, they -sighted, on the 11th November, Cape Orange, the most -northerly point of the coast of Brazil; on the 14th they -anchored at the mouth of the Cayenne River; and -Raleigh, who had been struck down by fever, was -conveyed from the choky cabin to his barge. From -this place he writes to Lady Raleigh: “To tell you I -might be here King of the Indians were a vanity; but -my name hath still lived among them. Here they feed -me with fresh meat and all that the country yields; all -offer to obey me. Commend me to poor Carew, my son.” -Here, also, Goodwin, the English lad left as exchange -hostage on the occasion of his first visit, twenty-two -years before, came to do homage to his old master. -He was voluble in the Indian tongue, but had almost -lost ability to express himself in English.</p> - -<p>The state of his health incapacitated Raleigh from -conducting the expedition on the Orinoco and searching -for the expected mines of the precious metals—gold -more especially. He despatched a party under the -command of Captain Keymis; his son Walter, and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_165">165</span> -George Raleigh, his nephew, accompanied the expedition. -Its result was disastrous. Keymis attacked a -Spanish settlement—San Thomé; and young Walter -Raleigh lost his life in the fight. Keymis, with a -remnant of the men left with him, fled in the belief that -a powerful Spanish force was in pursuit. When Raleigh -and Keymis met, the admiral was severe in his reproof, -and required from him such explanation of his conduct -as he could give for the satisfaction of His Majesty and -the State. Keymis, in great dejection, committed suicide. -The crews mutinied, and became quite unmanageable; -and the ships returned, each as the crews could find -their way, to English ports. On the 21st May, Raleigh -in the <i>Destiny</i> reached Kinsale harbour, and on the 21st -June arrived at Plymouth, infirm in body, broken in -spirit, penniless, dejected, and destitute.</p> - -<p>Intrigues against Raleigh were originated and stimulated -by Gondomar, the Spanish ambassador. He was -beset with spies, who ensnared him into acts and -confessions—to be employed against him. Sir Lewis -Stukely, a cousin of Raleigh, an infamous wretch, was -the traitor of the miserable drama. Again the grand -old man had to stand his trial; the charge now was, -of having abused the king’s confidence by setting -out to find gold in a mine which never existed, with -instituting a piratical attack upon a peaceful Spanish -settlement, with attempting to capture the Mexican<span class="pagenum" id="Page_166">166</span> -Plate fleet, although he had been specially warned that -he would take his life in his hands, if he committed any -one of these three faults.</p> - -<p>Raleigh was tried before the Commissioners on -22nd October. He denied having had any intention -of stirring up war between England and Spain, and -declared that he had confidently believed in the existence -of the gold mine. He confessed that in case of his -failing to find the mine, he would if he could have taken -the Mexican fleet. At the close of the examination, -Lord Francis Bacon, in the name of the commissioners, -said that he was guilty of abusing the confidence of King -James, and of injuring the subjects of Spain, and that -he must prepare to die,—being already civilly dead. -Execution was ordered upon the Winchester sentence of -1603. On the 28th October 1618 he was roused from his -bed in the Tower, where he lay suffering from a severe -attack of ague. The order of movement was so hurried -that the barber remarked that his master had not had -time to comb his head. “Let them comb it that are -to have it,” said Raleigh. He had been brought first -to Westminster Hall from the Tower, and from the -Hall was taken to the Gate House. On the way he told -his old friend, Sir Hugh Beeston, “to secure a good place -at the show next morning, adding that he (Raleigh) -was sure of one.” His cousin, Francis Thynne, suggested -that he should be more serious, lest his enemies should<span class="pagenum" id="Page_169">169</span> -report his levity. Raleigh rejoined, “It is my last mirth -in this world, do not grudge it to me.” The good Dr. -Tounson, Dean of Westminster, a stranger to Raleigh, -was puzzled by his conduct, but confessed his admiration. -After the execution, he reported “he was the -most fearless of death he had ever known, and the -most resolute and confident, yet with reverence and -conscience.”</p> - -<div id="il_24" class="figcenter" style="max-width: 17em;"> - <img src="images/i_183.jpg" width="1058" height="1171" alt="" /> - <div class="caption">LORD FRANCIS BACON.</div></div> - -<p>It was late, on the evening before the date fixed for -execution, when Lady Raleigh knew that the end -was so near. She hastened to the Gate House, and -remained till midnight with her husband, from whom she -had been so much parted involuntarily, and from whom -she was to be so soon finally separated in this life.</p> - -<p>In the morning the dean visited Raleigh in the Gate -House, and administered the Eucharist. He ate a -hearty breakfast, and smoked a pipe of tobacco. The -servant brought him a cup of sack, and, after he had -drunk, asked if the wine was to his liking. “I may -answer you,” said Raleigh, “as the fellow did on his -way to Tyburn. ‘It is good drink, if a man might stay -by it.’” As they passed through the dense crowd -that had assembled, Raleigh noticed a very old man bareheaded. -He pulled off the rich laced cap that he was -wearing, and, throwing it to the old man with the -remark, “Friend, you need this more than I do,” passed -on himself bareheaded.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_170">170</span></p> - -<p>On the scaffold he delivered an ingenious and -eloquent speech that occupied nearly half an hour. At -the windows of an adjacent house he noticed a number -of noblemen and gentlemen with whom he had been -connected in his foreign adventures, or associated in -public affairs. Amongst others were the Earls of -Arundel, Oxford, and Northampton. He seemed -anxious that they should hear his vindication of his -conduct, and apologised for the weakness of his voice, -whereupon they came down, solemnly embraced him, -and took their places around him on the scaffold. He -prayed that the company might bear with him, because -this was the third day of his fever, which might cause him -to show weakness. “I thank God,” he said, “that He -has sent me to die in the light and not in darkness. I -also thank God that He has suffered me to die before such -an assembly of honourable witnesses, and not obscurely -in the Tower, where for the space of thirteen years -together I have been oppressed with many miseries. -And I return Him thanks that my fever hath not taken -me at this time, as I prayed to Him that it might not, -that I might clear myself of such accusations unjustly -laid to my charge, and leave behind me the testimony -of a true heart both to my king and country.”</p> - -<p>His speech was ingenious and eloquent, and well -fitted to move the sympathy of his hearers. He closed -his <span class="locked">address—</span></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_171">171</span></p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>“And now I entreat that you will all join me in prayer -to the great God of heaven, whom I have grievously -offended, being a man full of all vanity, who has lived -a sinful life in such callings as have been most inducing -to it; for I have been a soldier, a sailor, and a courtier, -which are courses of wickedness and vice; that His -almighty goodness will forgive me, that He will cast away -my sins, and that He will receive me into everlasting -life.—So I take my leave of you all, making my peace -with God.”</p> -</div> - -<p>His friends lingered on the stage after visitors had -been asked to quit, and Raleigh himself requested -them to leave, saying smilingly, “I have a long journey -to go, and must take my leave of you.” Turning to -the headsman, he asked to see his axe. “Let me see it, -I prithee,” he said, as the executioner hesitated. “Dost -thou think that I am afraid of it?” Feeling its keen -edge, he turned to the sheriff, to whom he said with a -smile, “’Tis a sharp medicine, but one that will cure me -of all my diseases.” The executioner, greatly moved, -begged Raleigh to pardon him for this cruel duty his -office imposed. Raleigh answered him by a kindly -touch on the shoulders and assuring words. Turning -to the people, to whom he bowed right and left, -Raleigh cried aloud, “Give me heartily your prayers.” -He then lay down, and gave the directions to the -headsman, “When I stretch forth my hands, despatch<span class="pagenum" id="Page_172">172</span> -me.” After a brief space, in which he was supposed to be -engaged in silent prayer, he put out his hands, but the -man was completely overcome, and could not perform -his office. Again he repeated the signal, and yet a -third time, saying, “What dost thou fear? Strike, man, -strike!” At last he did strike, and with two rapidly -delivered blows completely severed Raleigh’s head from -his body. According to custom, the head was held up -in view of the people, but it is not recorded that they -were called upon to behold the head of a traitor!</p> - -<p>“All Europe,” says a biographer of last century, “was -astonished at the injustice and cruelty of this proceeding; -but Gondamor, the Spanish ambassador, thirsted -for his blood, on account of his having been the scourge -of Spain during the reign of Queen Elizabeth; and -King James durst not refuse him the life of a man who, -as a soldier, a scholar, and a statesman, was the greatest -ornament to his country. This mean-spirited prince, to -his eternal infamy, soon after ordered Cortington, one of -the residents of Spain, to inform the Spanish Court how -able a man Sir Walter Raleigh was, and yet to give them -content, he had not spared him, though, by preserving -him, he would have given great satisfaction to his -subjects, and had at his command, upon all occasions, -as useful a man as served any prince in Christendom.”</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_173">173</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="toclink_173">THE PLANTING OF THE GREAT -AMERICAN COLONIES.<br /><br /> - -<span class="subhead">CHAPTER VII. - -<span class="subhead">“TO FRAME SUCH JUST AND EQUAL LAWS AS SHALL -BE MOST CONVENIENT.”</span></span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="drop-cap al"><span class="smcap1">After</span> the accession of James to the throne of -England in 1603, very little happened of interest -in connection with naval affairs, except the unfortunate -expedition of Sir Walter Raleigh already referred to.</p> - -<p>In 1617 there was an important sea-fight with the -Turks, near Cagliari. Towards the close of December -1616 the ship <i>Dolphin</i>, Captain Edward Nicholl, left -Zante, one of the Ionian Isles, with a full cargo for the -Thames. She was a craft of 220 tons, with a crew of -thirty-six men and two boys, and armed with nineteen -pieces of cast ordnance and five “murderers,”—a name -given to small pieces of cannon made to load at the -breech. On the 8th January 1617 she sighted<span class="pagenum" id="Page_174">174</span> -Sardinia. There was a west wind, and at nine in the -morning she stood inshore for Cagliari. About noon -she was close to two watch-towers from which cannon -were fired, as a signal that the guard wished to speak -with the crew. The object, not clearly understood, was -to warn them that Turkish war vessels were cruising off -the coast. Early on 12th January they saw a large -vessel steering towards them. She was manned by -armed men. Soon five other vessels were descried. -The ports were open, and they were evidently bent on -hostility. Preparations were accordingly made for -battle, when the captain thus addressed his men: -“Countrymen and fellows, you see into what an -exigency it has pleased God to suffer us to fall. Let -us remember that we are but men, and must of -necessity die—where, and when, and how, is of God’s -appointment; but if it be His pleasure that this must -be the last of our days, His will be done; and let us, -for His glory, our soul’s welfare, our country’s honour, -and the credit of ourselves, fight valiantly to the last -gasp. Let us prefer a noble death to a life of slavery; -and if we die, let us die to gain a better life.”</p> - -<p>The crew responded by a loud assent and cheers. The -leading Turkish vessel had fifteen hundred men on board. -After a tremendous struggle, in which one after the -other of the enemy attacked the <i>Dolphin</i>, she got safely -into Cagliari, with the loss of seventeen men. The<span class="pagenum" id="Page_177">177</span> -captains of three of the Turkish war vessels were -Englishmen.</p> - -<div id="il_25" class="figcenter" style="max-width: 25em;"> - <img src="images/i_191.jpg" width="1583" height="1136" alt="" /> - <div class="caption">THE MAYFLOWER.</div></div> - -<p>But the chief event of this period was the establishment -of the great English Colonies in North America. -The first region colonised was Virginia—so called, as has -been stated, in honour of Queen Elizabeth. A belt of -twelve degrees on the American coast—from Cape Fear -to Halifax—was set apart to be colonised by two rival -companies. The first of these was composed of noblemen, -gentlemen, and merchants in and about London; -the second of knights, gentlemen, and merchants in the -west of England. On the 19th December 1606, a -squadron of three vessels, the largest not exceeding 100 -tons burden, sailed for “the dear strand of Virginia, -earth’s only paradise.” Michael Drayton, the patriot -poet of “Albion’s glorious isle,” cheered them on their -voyage in the following <span class="locked">lines:—</span></p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse indentq">“Go, and in regions far,</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Such heroes bring ye forth</div> - <div class="verse indent0">As those from whom we came;</div> - <div class="verse indent0">And plant our name</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Under that star</div> - <div class="verse indent0">Not known unto our north.”</div> - </div> -</div> -</div> - -<p>A severe storm carried the fleet, which had sailed by -way of the Canaries and the West India Islands, into the -magnificent bay of Chesapeake. A noble river was soon -entered, which was named after King James, and on -the 13th May 1607, the peninsula of Jamestown was<span class="pagenum" id="Page_178">178</span> -selected for the site of the colony. After many early -struggles the colony became settled, and in 1619 a -Legislature was constituted. The Church of England -was established as the Church of Virginia. All persons -were to frequent Divine service upon the Sabbath-days, -both forenoon and afternoon. Penalties were appointed -for idleness, gaming with dice or cards, and drunkenness. -And excess in apparel was taxed in the church for -all public contributions. Gradually the colony, which -was nurtured by a most influential company in London, -became settled, and it soon increased in prosperity.</p> - -<p>The New England Colony was founded about the -same period. A Puritan community in the north of -England, being persecuted at home, fled to Amsterdam -in 1608. Their minister, a man of high character and -great ability, was John Robinson. The Dutch made -them large offers to settle in their colonies, but the -pilgrims were attached to their nationality as Englishmen, -and to the language of their country. A secret, -but deeply-seated love of country led them to the -resolution of recovering the protection of their country, -by enlarging her dominions. They resolved to make -a settlement of their own. They at first thought of -joining the colony of Virginia, but, after consultation -with the English Government, religious liberty was -refused them. At length they resolved to sail at their -own hazard, and made ready for their departure<span class="pagenum" id="Page_179">179</span> -from Leyden. The ships which they had provided—the -<i>Speedwell</i> of 60 tons, and the <i>Mayflower</i> of -180 tons—could hold but a minority of the congregation, -and Robinson was therefore detained at Leyden; -while Brewster, the governing elder, conducted “such -of the youngest and strongest as freely offered themselves.” -There were solemn instructions given them, -and there was much prayer. They soon reached -Southampton, and on the 5th August 1620 sailed -from thence for America. The <i>Speedwell</i> put back, -as unfit for the voyage, and the <i>Mayflower</i> at length, -on 6th September, set sail alone with 102 on board,—men, -women, and children,—without any warrant -from King James. After a boisterous voyage of sixty-three -days they cast anchor in the harbour of Cape -Cod. Before they landed they formed themselves -into a body politic by a solemn voluntary compact -“to frame such just and equal laws as shall be -thought most convenient,” and they pledged themselves -to submission and obedience. They had to -encounter terrible difficulties in seeking for a secure -harbour, in the midst of a cold and stormy winter; but -at length, on 11th December, they chose a spot, which -they called Plymouth. When a body of Indians was -discovered hovering near, the colony assumed a military -organisation, with Miles Standish as the captain. Again -in April the <i>Mayflower</i> sailed for Europe; and in autumn<span class="pagenum" id="Page_180">180</span> -new emigrants arrived. In the summer the bay of -Massachusetts and harbour of Boston were explored. -The supply of bread was scanty; but, at their rejoicing -together after the harvest, the colonists had great -quantities of wildfowl and venison. They had many -difficulties, but conquered them all, and soon became a -strong, free community, of high moral character and -devoted piety, though intolerant in some of their laws, -according to the spirit of the age. They became a -centre of attraction to many of the Puritans in England, -and their number thus increased rapidly. This colony -laid the basis of the principles of the United States constitution,—adopted -a century and a half later. It was -the true foundation of the great American nation.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_181">181</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="toclink_181">OLIVER CROMWELL AND THE -SEA-POWER OF ENGLAND.<br /><br /> - -<span class="subhead">CHAPTER VIII. - -<span class="subhead">A LONG INTERVAL IN NAVAL WARFARE ENDED.</span></span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="drop-cap"><span class="smcap1">Cromwell,</span> with his great grasp of mind, saw at -once the vast importance of the English navy, -which, during the civil wars, had been neglected, and -bent all his energies, not only to make it effective, but to -give it the supreme command of the seas. The Dutch -had become, through the long discords in England, the -great traders of the world; they now aimed at nothing -less than securing naval supremacy. It was this that -brought about the fierce conflict between the two -nations, both Protestant, and both at the time liberal,—which -lasted for several years. The Dutch were unwilling -to pay deference to the English Commonwealth -by showing the wonted respect to the English flag in -British waters. They probably thought that England<span class="pagenum" id="Page_182">182</span> -was almost defunct as a sea-power, and they knew little -the ruler with whom they had to deal. Cromwell had -ulterior views, as to crushing the religious despotism -which, with Spain as its chief instrument, had been long -attempting to stamp out all Christian liberty. He could -not proceed, however, with his plans, while Holland lay -behind him as a possible enemy. Had the Dutch taken -at the time a statesmanlike view of the position, they -would have hailed the English Commonwealth as fighting -the very battle which they themselves had fought,—and -there might then have been a union of the naval -forces of the two nations, for the good of the world, as -afterwards, in the time of William III. But the Dutch -looked only to their passing commercial interests. It -was they that, by their exhibition of contempt for the -English flag, originated the war. The battles during -this war were about the fiercest ever fought on the seas. -The result seemed uncertain for a time, but in the end -England gained the day, and Holland had to succumb. -Then, with Holland powerless, Cromwell was free to -carry out his great policy, as to Spain and the Catholic -powers. The navy entered the Mediterranean, where -England had before no position at all, and swept everything -before it, under its brave and godly commander, -Blake, who felt, as did Cromwell, that he was fighting the -universal battle of liberty of conscience. When Piedmont -massacred numbers of her subjects, belonging to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_185">185</span> -the ancient Vaudois Church, in the Alpine valleys, -Cromwell was in a position, through his navy in the -Mediterranean, to <em>command</em> the cessation of the persecution, -and he thundered forth in the ears of astonished -Europe, by his immortal secretary John Milton, such -threats as alarmed the whole array of persecutors, and -compelled submission to his demands,—for England -now commanded the seas, and could sweep the coast of -Italy, and all Mediterranean territory. To the foresight -and statesmanship of Oliver Cromwell, John Milton, and -Robert Blake is due, in great part, the position which -England has occupied ever since, as the leading -maritime power of the world.</p> - -<div id="il_26" class="figcenter" style="max-width: 19em;"> - <img src="images/i_199.jpg" width="1197" height="2012" alt="" /> - <div class="caption">O Cromwell</div></div> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_186">186</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="toclink_186">ROBERT BLAKE, -THE GREAT ADMIRAL OF THE COMMONWEALTH.<br /><br /> - -<span class="subhead">CHAPTER IX. - -<span class="subhead">HE ACHIEVED FOR ENGLAND THE TITLE, NEVER SINCE -DISPUTED, OF “MISTRESS OF THE SEA.”</span></span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="drop-cap"><span class="smcap1">To</span> designate some of the naval heroes of early times -gallant “sea dogs,” is not disrespectful to these -worthies. Dashing courage, indomitable perseverance, -and open-handed generosity, were the qualities, by which -they were chiefly distinguished. But to apply such an -epithet to Robert Blake, “Admiral and General at Sea,” -would be altogether unsuitable.</p> - -<p>Grave, scholarly, courageous, generous, disinterested, -wise in counsel, valiant in war, Admiral Blake occupied -a high place among the men of his time. He has -been pronounced one of the most perfect characters -of his age.</p> - -<p>Robert Blake was born at Bridgewater, Somersetshire,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_187">187</span> -in 1598, the year before that in which Oliver Cromwell -first saw the light. His father, Humphrey Blake, was -possessed of landed property, and was also a merchant -adventurer. He belonged to what Fuller, in his <i>Worthies</i>, -calls the “middle-sized gentry.” The first portion of -his education he received at the Bridgewater grammar -school. When sixteen years of age he entered St. -Alban’s Hall, Oxford, and afterwards shifted to Wadham -College. He remained at Oxford for nine years, -and had probably a stronger inclination to follow a -scholastic life than for the adventurous career he passed -through. He felt drawn into the great struggle of his -time by his position and his sense of duty; the hurry -and distracting influences of the life of after years never -took away either the taste, which had made him learned, -or the earnestness which had made him a Puritan.</p> - -<p>In the year 1625, Robert was recalled home on -account of the illness of his father, whose business -affairs were in a very unsatisfactory condition. The -father died in embarrassed circumstances, and upon -Robert devolved the charge of his widowed mother and -a large family, with a somewhat straitened income. He -discharged his duties as head of the family with fidelity -and success, and conducted himself in an exemplary -manner in his domestic, social, and business relations. -His brothers and sisters made their way in the world, -married, and settled respectably.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_188">188</span></p> - -<p>At the time of Blake’s return to Bridgewater, State -affairs and the relations between the sovereign and his -subjects were causing much excitement and turmoil. -Charles I. was at war with his Parliament, and wringing -taxes illegally from his people, which many of them -resisted. The king’s Catholic consort, Henrietta Maria, -daughter of Henry IV. of France, hated the Puritans, -and urged Charles to the exercise of absolute power, -in resisting their reasonable demands. His first and -second Parliaments refused the supplies he demanded. -His third Parliament wrung from him assent to the -famous “petition of right,”—a second Magna Charta,—which -he nominally granted, but in practice resisted. -From 1629 to 1640 there had been no meeting of -Parliament; in 1640, when the Short Parliament, as it -was called, was summoned, Blake was returned as representative -for Bridgewater. In 1645 he was elected for -Taunton to serve in the Long Parliament.</p> - -<p>Oxford was not a likely nursery for Puritans, but Blake -was a man of independent mind, and of resolute character. -He considered the dissolution of the Short -Parliament a declaration of defiance to the people on -the part of the king, and took it as a signal for action, -and declared for the Parliamentarians. He raised a -troop of dragoons, who were among the first of the -Parliamentary army that took the field; they were -engaged in almost every action of importance in the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_189">189</span> -western counties. Blake, although himself only a raw, -untrained volunteer, distinguished himself above all the -men about him, in the “marvellous fertility, energy, and -comprehensiveness of his military genius”—evidence of -native superiority. It has been stated that Prince -Rupert alone, in the Royalist force, could be compared -to him as a commander and leader. Blake distinguished -himself by his gallant defence of Prior’s Hill fort, at the -siege of Bristol in 1643, which he would have held, but -for the surrender by his chief, Colonel Fiennes. In his -next command, Blake had not a pusillanimous commander -to overrule him, and showed conclusively the stuff he was -made of. He had won the confidence of the Parliament, -and was appointed to the Somerset Committee of Ways -and Means, and to the lieutenant-colonelcy of Popham’s -regiment, a body of stalwart Roundheads, fifteen -thousand strong. He made an entry into Bridgewater, -with the intention of seizing the castle, but finding that -the attempt would be foolhardy, he desisted, and -marched with his regiment to Lyme, where he was -wanted for the defence of the place. He had a sad -memory to carry away from this visit to the familiar -scenes of the home of his youth. His younger brother -Samuel, who was with his force, strayed from headquarters, -and boldly attacked a Royalist recruiting party -he fell in with. He was slain in the fray. When the -news reached the town, the officers were greatly distressed.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_190">190</span> -Colonel Blake suspected from their grave -conferences that there was something wrong, of which -they were reluctant to tell him. He demanded information, -which was given reluctantly in the communication, -“Your brother Sam is killed,” explaining how the thing -came to pass. The colonel’s grave response was, “Sam -had no business there.” Retiring, however, to the -Swan Inn, he shut himself up in a room, and mourned -bitterly the loss of his brother.</p> - -<p>Colonel Blake’s defence of the “little vile fishing -town” of Lyme, as Clarendon contemptuously calls it, -was a brilliant service. It was besieged by Prince -Maurice after he had failed in an attempt to take -Plymouth by storm. It was a small place, with a -population of about a thousand inhabitants. The -natural defences were very weak. The Cavaliers in -descending from the heights behind the town, drove in -Blake’s outposts, charged with horse, and a shower of -hand grenades. The prince summoned Blake to surrender, -but the summons was only answered by a fire -that emptied many saddles, threw the attacking force -into confusion, and compelled them to retire. Day -after day, from week to week, the attack was renewed by -siege trains and storming parties, in which many gallant -Cavaliers were slain. Charles was at Oxford, where -he and his court waited in anxious expectation the -defeat of Blake and the fall of Lyme, the successful<span class="pagenum" id="Page_191">191</span> -defence of which seemed a marvel and a mystery. -Instead of receiving the welcome news of Blake’s defeat, -they had the mortifying intelligence, that his spirited -defence was rousing and rallying the dispersed Parliamentary -party in those parts. After a protracted siege, -Warwick’s fleet arrived, in time to save Colonel Blake -and his besieged heroes from being starved out. The -siege was raised, after a loss to the Royalists of two -thousand men, many of them of noble and gentle blood,—Blake’s -fire having been more deadly, and the cause -of heavier loss, than all the actions in the West since the -commencement of the war.</p> - -<p>Blake’s name and fame were now established, and he -had proved his capacity sufficiently to be trusted to -cut out his own work. All over the western counties -the Cavaliers had strong fortresses, and consequently a -line of communication. Blake saw that the possession -of Taunton by his party would be of vital importance. -He made a rapid march upon it, and carried it almost -without encountering resistance. This was on the 8th -of July 1644, six days after Cromwell and the Scots had -defeated Prince Rupert at the battle of Marston Moor. -The possession of Taunton was as important to the -Cavaliers as it was to the Parliamentarians, and troops -poured round the lines that had been formed for the -defence of the inland town. Blake, who had been -invested with office as Governor of Taunton, was summoned<span class="pagenum" id="Page_192">192</span> -to surrender, but a deaf ear was turned to the -summons. Again, the Governor of Bridgewater, Wyndham, -sent an earnest entreaty to his old neighbour and -fellow-townsman to accept the liberal terms of surrender -offered, but Blake was influenced by a sense of public -duty with which considerations of friendly ties or his -own personal safety and comfort could not be allowed -to interfere. Appeals to the patriot were made in vain, -and so the siege began.</p> - -<div id="il_27" class="figcenter" style="max-width: 22em;"> - <img src="images/i_209.jpg" width="1390" height="2227" alt="" /> - <div class="caption">ADMIRAL BLAKE.</div></div> - -<p>Governor Wyndham, who had charge of the attack, -formed a blockade, barricading the roads with trees. A -clever German officer who joined Blake made a dashing -attack on Wyndham’s line, and broke it, which gave a -short relief; but Goring’s forces came up from Weymouth -to join in the attack, their track marked by -every horror that can accompany civil war. Many of -the inhabitants, to escape slaughter, fled before Goring -to the besieged town, as to a sanctuary. Taunton -excited the king’s party to fury; numerous councils -were held, and various plans proposed, to effect its -speedy subjugation. Their whole power was brought -to bear upon it. Blake’s defence exhibited a rare combination -of civil and military genius. The spectacle was -one of the most remarkable ever presented in the history -of battles and sieges. An inland town, without walls for -defence, or any natural protection, surrounded by strong -castles and garrisons, and invested by an enemy numerous,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_195">195</span><span class="pagenum" id="Page_194">194</span> -watchful, and well supplied with artillery,—the -defenders successfully resisting the attacks persistently -made upon it for months. This stubborn resistance -paralysed the king’s power, and gave to Cromwell the -opportunity, of which he took full advantage, of remodelling -his army. The besieged town was surrounded, -as by a wall of fire. The suburbs were burned and -pillaged, and the outer houses of the town crumbled into -rubbish before the continuous shower of cannon balls. -The brave defenders suffered the pangs of famine, but -Blake’s zeal sustained their drooping courage and continued -resistance. One of his answers, during a parley, -to a repeated summons to surrender, was that he had -four pairs of boots left, and would eat three pairs of them -before he would give in. Another time, when threatened -that when the town surrendered, unless it surrendered -now, all but seven persons found in it would be put to -the sword, his reply was, that he wanted the names of -the seven, and their bodies would be sent out. He and -his brave comrades were almost in the last stage of -suffering and peril when Fairfax sent four regiments to -his relief, and the siege was raised on the 11th May -1645.</p> - -<p>The country around Taunton was terribly devastated, -and almost completely depopulated, and the spectacle -presented by the town inexpressibly shocking. This -remarkable siege, which lasted a year, attracted the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_196">196</span> -attention and admiration of foreign military critics, who -did Blake the honour of pronouncing Taunton the -modern Saguntum. Goring, the Royalist commander, -had sworn fiercely that he would take the town, or leave -his body in the trenches. He did neither, but beat a -sullen retreat.</p> - -<p>Blake’s victory was a great triumph for Parliament, -which voted him thanks, and a gift of £500. Although -elected to sit in Parliament for Taunton, and now -regarded as a distinguished national hero, he did not -attend Parliament, or put himself in the way of the popular -ovations that many would have courted rather than -avoided. It is believed that he had no sympathy with -the regicides, and reported, indeed, concerning his feelings -on this subject, that he would “as freely venture -his life to save the king as he had ventured it to -serve the Parliament.” He was a practical and a -moderate man, and a gentleman, and had only opposed -the king, because the king’s policy and conduct had -been, as he considered, unjust, and dangerous to Protestantism -and the State. With the king in prison, -and his cause defeated, Blake was satisfied.</p> - -<p>It was not desirable, Cromwell and his party probably -thought, that a man possessing, deservedly, such commanding -influence, of such independent mind, and holding -opinions so moderate, should be near the centre of -affairs or intrigues. Some such considerations may<span class="pagenum" id="Page_197">197</span> -have led to his being appointed to the chief naval -command. He possessed in an eminent degree the -higher qualities necessary in a naval commander, but -their cultivation was commenced at an unprecedentedly -late period in life. If he had commenced his nautical -training early, and continued it during the whole of his -life, he could scarcely have achieved higher fame than -he did, though his naval career began at fifty years of -age. He vacated his comparatively quiet post of -Governor of Taunton—his chief duties connected -probably with the rebuilding of the town—to assume -office as “General and Admiral at Sea,” a title afterwards -changed to “General of the Fleet,” and again to -“Admiral of the Fleet.”</p> - -<p>Blake’s career and history are unique; among its -greatest men, the world has rarely seen an accomplished -scholar, a famous general, and still more famous admiral, -with such a splendid record, united in one and the -same man. The scope of his powers, the strength of -his character, his wonderful ability to adapt himself to -his position and surroundings, the rapidity with which -he acquired knowledge,—in a word, his master mind, -were abundantly displayed in the command of a force, -that employed a language and conducted operations with -which he had been previously entirely unacquainted.</p> - -<p>It has been conjectured that the Blakes of Somersetshire -came originally from Northumberland, and that the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_198">198</span> -“forbears” of the Northumbrian Blakes, Blackes, or -Blaks, a Scandinavian name, hailed from Norway or -Denmark.</p> - -<p>Blake joined the fleet on the 18th April 1649, eight -months after the revolt of a part of the fleet to the -Royalists. His first expedition was against his old -adversary, Prince Rupert, who had also taken to the -sea, and whose exploits were not of a very dignified -character, consisting of picking up merchant ships in the -Channel, and conveying them to Kinsale harbour, on -the south coast of County Cork. Blake blockaded the -prince for a long time, but he contrived to escape, with -the loss of three ships, and made for Portugal, whither -Blake followed, and again blockaded him in the river -Tagus. Here Blake seized the Brazil fleet of the -King of Portugal, and afterwards pursued and harassed -Rupert, hither and thither, in the Mediterranean. Blake -destroyed the principal part of the prince’s fleet at -Carthagena, and Rupert escaped with three ships to the -West Indies. He had been sheltered for a time at -Toulon, which Blake avenged by taking several French -ships. This first cruise in the Mediterranean by Admiral -Blake was the beginning of our maritime influence and -ultimate ascendency in those important waters.</p> - -<p>The admiral’s maritime operations were watched with -lively interest at home, and the result of his first cruises -to Ireland, Portugal, and the Mediterranean was to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_199">199</span> -fairly inaugurate his naval fame. It had seasoned him -in his new profession, and made him every inch a -sailor. He very soon commanded the confidence of the -men,—became among them, indeed, an object of almost -affectionate adoration. The naval system of the time -stood greatly in need of reform, and no man could -have been found more capable and willing to effect -needed reforms than Blake. His care for the wellbeing -of the men, and his progressive reforms, commenced -at once with his going on board. It has been said -concerning him that “he was from first to last England’s -model seaman. Envy, hatred, and jealousy dogged the -steps of every other officer of the fleet.” The Council -of State conferred upon him almost unlimited powers, -which he exercised with masterly success, startling -officials and others by his bold and independent action, -and contempt for established routine and red-tape, -when they stood in the way of what he considered -the best means for attaining desired ends. With but -slender resources he performed extraordinary exploits. -He effectually suppressed Prince Rupert, and put an -end to his freebooting performances, and next directed -his attention to Sir John Grenville in the Scilly Isles, -and Sir George Cartaret in Jersey, who were seizing and -plundering homeward-bound traders. It had been an -axiom before Blake’s time that ships were not expected -to attack, and should not waste power in attacking,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_200">200</span> -castles. He had no respect for the restriction, and -brought down the strongholds that the piratical -Cavaliers had established in Scilly, Guernsey, and -Jersey. The unfortunate Cavaliers whom the civil -war had ruined, who had found refuge in these -islands, and occupation in plundering at sea, were thus -dispersed. For his services Blake was again thanked by -Parliament, and voted a thousand pounds. He was -also honoured with the appointment of Warden of the -Cinque Ports.</p> - -<p>In the year 1652, Blake had reached the age of -fifty-three, but was still young and inexperienced as -commander of a fleet. Able or otherwise, competent or -incompetent, he was forced into conflict with the most -thoroughly experienced, courageous, and competent -naval commander, and the most powerful navy of the -time—that of Holland. It had to be settled, whether -England or Holland was to be sovereign of the seas. -The foes that Blake had hitherto encountered at sea, -such as Prince Rupert, Grenville, and Cartaret, were -comparatively insignificant; he was now called upon -to defeat, or be defeated by, such redoubtable and -experienced naval commanders as Van Tromp, De Witt, -and De Ruyter. Van Tromp, who of the trio named -was Blake’s first antagonist, was the son of a famous sea-captain, -and had been afloat since he was ten years old.</p> - -<p>Blake’s first encounter with Van Tromp was caused<span class="pagenum" id="Page_201">201</span> -by an act of defiance on the part of the Dutch. During -the civil wars in England they had acquired great naval -power and commercial prosperity. They wished to -combat, therefore, the long maintained supremacy of the -English flag in the narrow seas, where foreigners were -accustomed to strike their colours on meeting our flag. -Van Tromp, with a fleet of forty-five men-of-war, appeared -in the Downs, where Blake was lying. Blake had only -twenty ships with him, but, on the approach of the -Dutch admiral’s ship, he fired three shots across his -bows, to require him to show the usual respect to the -flag, in seas considered to be under British dominion. -Van Tromp answered with a broadside, and hung out -the red flag as a signal for an engagement. Blake, in a -vehement passion, curling his whiskers, as he used to do -when angry, answered in kind, and for some time stood -alone in his flag-ship against the whole force of the -enemy, when, the rest of the squadron coming up, the -battle went on from four <span class="allsmcap">P.M.</span> till nine,—the Dutch then -retreating, and leaving two of their vessels in his hands.</p> - -<p>Blake continued to master the Channel. All pretence -of reserve being thrown away, in consequence of the late -engagement, he exerted all his power to harass the -enemy’s trade, and to fit out such vessels as had fallen -into his hand for immediate service against them. His -cruisers brought prizes into port almost daily during the -latter part of May and June. One day he received<span class="pagenum" id="Page_202">202</span> -intelligence that a Dutch fleet of twenty-six traders, -convoyed by three men-of-war, was coming up the -Channel. They were all captured, traders and convoy, -and the latter immediately manned and fitted for service. -In less than a month, to the surprise and ecstasy of the -Londoners, he had sent into the river more than forty -rich prizes, captured in open sea from their vigilant and -powerful enemy. The Dutch merchants were compelled -to abandon the Straits. Their argosies from the south -of Europe, and from the East and West Indies, had -either to run for safety into French ports, and send -their cargoes overland at an immense loss, or make the -long and dangerous voyage round by the north. This -brilliant success vivified the Council of State with new -life. Orders were given to strengthen Dover pier. -Forty sail were added by a vote to the fleet. At Blake’s -suggestion, six additional fire-ships were prepared. The -seamen’s wages were raised; and the vice-admirals of -all the maritime stations from Norfolk to Hampshire -were requested to summon together all mariners between -the ages of fifteen and twenty, young, ardent, docile, -and engage them in the State’s service. The Council -of State, of which Blake was a member, resolved that -the entire fleet should be raised to 250 sail and 14 fire-ships. -At the end of one month from the fight off Dover, -the energetic admiral could count with patriotic pride no -less than 105 vessels, carrying 3961 guns under his flag.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_203">203</span></p> - -<div id="il_28" class="figcenter" style="max-width: 32em;"> - <img src="images/i_219.jpg" width="2032" height="1300" alt="" /> - <div class="caption"><p>BATTLE BETWEEN BLAKE AND VAN TROMP,</p> - -<p><i>Off Dover, 10th December 1652.</i></p></div></div> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_205">205</span></p> - -<p>“The Dutch preparations for the campaign were also -made ‘on the grandest scale.’ In a few weeks their -renowned admiral, ripe in age, honours, and experience, -saw himself at the head of 120 sail of ships—a power -more than sufficient, in the opinion of every patriotic -Dutchman, to sweep the English navy from the face of -the earth.”</p> - -<p>Blake proceeded to the North Sea, in the <i>Resolution</i>, -of sixty-eight guns, accompanied by a squadron of -smaller vessels, to disperse the great herring fleet of the -Dutch. While in the North Sea on this service, Van -Tromp followed him with a large fleet; but a tremendous -storm scattered the Dutch forces, shattering on the rocks -some of the vessels, and dispersing the others, so that -the Dutch admiral had to return home to refit his vessels. -Blake had kept his fleet together under shelter of the -mainland of the Shetland Islands, and although he had -not escaped without serious injury to many ships, he -had not suffered nearly so much. He hung in the rear -of the disabled Dutch ships, ravaged the coasts of -Zealand, and reached Yarmouth with prizes and nine -hundred prisoners. Clamorous at a reverse in a fleet -from which victory had been expected, a Dutch mob -insulted Van Tromp, and, in a fit of disgust, he laid -down his commission, and retired into private life.</p> - -<p>We may note here Van Tromp’s career. At ten years -old, he was present in his father’s ship at the famous<span class="pagenum" id="Page_206">206</span> -battle fought against Spain under the walls of Gibraltar -in 1607. Shortly after that memorable event, he was -captured by an English cruiser, after a brisk engagement, -in which his father lost his life. Two years and a -half he was compelled to serve in the menial capacity of -cabin-boy on board the captor,—and thus were the seeds -of hatred to England and the English sown in his proud -and passionate heart. Once planted, this hatred grew -with his growth, and strengthened with his strength. -For a long time his life was passed on board fishing-boats -and merchantmen; but his nautical genius was -irresistible, and he fought his way through legions of -obstacles to high command. At thirty years old he was -confessedly the ablest navigator in Holland. More than -twenty years he had now commanded his country’s fleet -with success against Spain,—and had done more than -any other individual to humble the pride and reduce the -power of that extensive empire.</p> - -<p>The States-General of Holland associated De Ruyter -with De Witt in the supreme command of the Dutch -navy; Blake and Ayscue were associated in the command -of the force which was to meet the next attack to be -delivered by the Dutch against the English in English -waters. Meantime Blake, with characteristic judgment -and promptitude, delivered a blow in another direction. -He overhauled and defeated a French squadron on its -way to relieve Dunkirk from the siege of the Archduke<span class="pagenum" id="Page_207">207</span> -Leopold. Blake’s intervention was completely successful, -and ensured prevention of the use of Dunkirk by the -Dutch against the English, with the connivance of the -French Government. This prompt action on Blake’s -part was evidence of his genius and of his keen perception -as a commander, and of the confidence reposed in -him by the Commonwealth.</p> - -<p>Much more imposing events in Blake’s career than -any hitherto recorded were now pending. It had to be -determined whether the English or Dutch were to be -“Mistress of the Seas.” On the 28th September 1652, -the Dutch fleet were off the North Foreland under De -Witt, De Ruyter, and Evertsen. Blake, in the <i>Resolution</i>, -at about four o’clock in the afternoon, bore down upon -them, signalling the ships of his squadron to reserve their -fire for close quarters,—and a murderous fire it was at -close quarters till nightfall,—when the Dutch drew off, -but still fighting. Two of the Dutch ships went down -in the action, and two were carried, by boarding. Next -morning, De Witt would have continued the fight, but -De Ruyter and Evertsen refused to renew the action, -and the Dutch fleet, terribly cut up, went home. Blake -pursuing, was received with scorn and contempt; but -his return was hailed with enthusiasm by his grateful -countrymen.</p> - -<p>The States, with wonderful energy and rapidity, got -together another great fleet to sweep English waters<span class="pagenum" id="Page_208">208</span> -of any power that might dare to oppose it. It was -commanded by Van Tromp, De Ruyter, Evertsen, and -Floritz. Blake’s commission was renewed as General -and Admiral of the Fleet, with General Monk and -Colonel Deane as colleagues. Not anticipating a renewed -attack in force by the Dutch, Blake had -separated his force for a number of duties to different -destinations, and had only retained a fleet of thirty-seven -ships, including frigates, in the Channel. With -this small force he had to meet Van Tromp at the -head of a hundred Dutch men-of-war. Notwithstanding -the enormous disparity of force, Blake did not flinch, but -stood to his guns, and for once, as was not to be wondered -at, had the worst of the fight. In evidence that he -had swept the sea, Van Tromp cruised along the south -coast with a broom at his mast-head. Blake was dissatisfied -with the conduct of some of his commanders, -and asked to be relieved of his command. His proffered -resignation was not accepted; on the contrary, the -Council of State thanked him for his conduct in the -engagement. Blake’s own brother Benjamin had not -conducted himself to the admiral’s satisfaction, and he -was sent ashore,—no excuse he could offer availing to -avert the disgrace.</p> - -<p>In February 1653, Blake was again at sea with a fleet -of sixty ships, with Monk and Deane and a force of -soldiers on board. With him were Penn as vice-admiral,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_209">209</span> -and Lawson as rear-admiral. On the 18th, Van Tromp -was sighted near Cape de la Hogue; he was in charge -of a considerable convoy of merchantmen. As if eager -for the fray, he left them to windward, and bore down -upon the English. The leading ships of the English, -in which were the three admirals, were considerably -ahead of Monk and the main body of the fleet, for -whom, however, they did not wait. Van Tromp in the -<i>Brederode</i> passed on the weather-side of the <i>Triumph</i>, -into which he poured a broadside, which he repeated -from under the lee. The rearward ships of the English -fleet came up with all speed, and a terrific general action -ensued. The incessant roar of the guns was heard with -exciting interest on both sides of the Channel, proclaiming -the fierce struggle between the sea giants. -In the action itself and around it, startling evidence -abounded of its destructive character, and the resolute -purpose and fierce valour of the combatants on both -sides. Here, a ship on fire belching its towers of lurid -flame into the cold wintry sky; there, two opposing ships -crashing against each other; in another place, the wild -shouts of the boarders, making headlong charges, met, -repulsed, and renewed with varying fortune. The battle -commenced in the forenoon; Monk, with the white -division of the English fleet, came up at noon, and the -whole of the forces continued engaged during the remainder -of the day. The day’s action cost the bold and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_210">210</span> -bellicose Van Tromp eight of his ships by destruction or -capture. Sorely crippled and deeply wounded, but not -subdued, he retreated, only to look after the merchantmen -of his convoy that looked to him for protection. -Several of Blake’s fleet had been boarded, but recaptured; -one of his ships, the <i>Sampson</i>, had the captain and a -large number of the men killed; those who remained -were transferred to Blake’s own ship, the <i>Triumph</i>,—and -the <i>Sampson</i> was allowed to drift to leeward. The -<i>Triumph</i> and her crew suffered greatly in the action; -Ball the captain was killed, the men were mown down -at their guns, Blake himself was wounded in the leg, -and the decks ran red with blood. The long night was -spent in sending away, and otherwise caring for, the -wounded, and in preparing for a renewal of the conflict -on the morrow.</p> - -<p>Enclosing his convoy in such position as he thought -would best enable him to protect them, Van Tromp -sailed up channel with them in the morning with a light -breeze. Blake followed him up, and a running fight -was kept up throughout the second day, at the close of -which Van Tromp had lost five more of his ships, and -he retreated towards Boulogne. It was the Dutch -commander’s misfortune to be clogged by subordinates -who were unworthy to serve under such a courageous -leader. Some of his cowardly captains who advised -retreat were indignantly ordered to retire, and did so<span class="pagenum" id="Page_211">211</span> -during the night. On the morning of the third day, Blake -renewed the attack upon Van Tromp’s reduced forces,—the -gallant Dutchman suffering grave disadvantage -from the encumbrance of his convoy, as well as from -the demoralisation of a part at least of the officers and -men of the fleet. He endeavoured to send off the -merchantmen to Calais, but the wind was against them, -and the merchantmen and fighting ships got mixed up, -hindering his effective action. Blake, of course, made -legitimate use of his advantages, and, pressing him hard, -drove the defeated Dutch admiral—the broom no longer -at his mast-head—to take shelter with the remnant of -his fleet on the French coast. In the morning it was -found that Van Tromp had departed, carrying the -news of his own defeat. So ended this famous -battle, in which the English loss was great and grievous, -but that of the enemy much more disastrous. The -flag-ship <i>Triumph</i> suffered greatly in its encounters -with Van Tromp’s ship, the two commanding admirals -and their respective ships being much engaged in -close encounter with each other. Captain Ball of the -<i>Triumph</i> was shot dead; Mr. Sparrow, Blake’s secretary, -fell at his feet while taking his orders; a hundred of the -crew were killed, and about as many wounded; the -<i>Fairfax</i> had a hundred men killed, the <i>Vanguard</i> and -other ships also suffering severely. Van Tromp’s ship -was disabled, and the greater part of its officers slain.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_212">212</span> -Eight men-of-war and a large number of the Dutch -merchantmen fell into the hands of the English. The -Dutch loss in the three days’ engagement has been stated -at eleven men-of-war, thirty merchantmen, fifteen hundred -killed, and as many wounded. The English only lost -one ship, the <i>Sampson</i>, which, as stated, was allowed to -drift and founder, after the crew were taken off. Blake -made effective use of the soldiers on board, this being -one of the earliest occasions of the many upon which -the marines, as they are now called, have highly distinguished -themselves in action.</p> - -<p>Blake’s great victory caused much jubilation in London; -a national thanksgiving was appointed, and a Patriotic -Fund was formed for the benefit of the widows and -children of the men who had fallen in the conflict. -Blake remained for a time at St. Helen’s, refitting and -preparing for what might next happen in the way of a -Dutch attack. Learning that Van Tromp was again -preparing for sea, Blake proceeded to the Texel, where -he did not exactly flourish a broom in sight of the -enemy, but treated him with like provocation, without -effect, however; and he next proceeded with a small -squadron, with which he cruised for a time off the east -coast of Scotland, where he was on 20th April 1653, -when Cromwell came down to the House of Commons, -drove out the Rump Parliament, locked the door of the -House, and put the key in his pocket. Admiral Blake<span class="pagenum" id="Page_215">215</span> -did not personally figure as a politician in these important -State events. As a commander of the State forces, he -held that it was not his “business to mind State affairs, -but to keep foreigners from fooling us,” and he remained -afloat at his post.</p> - -<div id="il_29" class="figcenter" style="max-width: 23em;"> - <img src="images/i_229.jpg" width="1469" height="1800" alt="" /> - <div class="caption">ADMIRAL VAN TROMP.</div></div> - -<p>In June the Dutch again made a marine parade -in the Channel, with a hundred and twenty ships of -war, carrying four admirals. Admiral Lawson of the -blue squadron first fell in with them, and engaged De -Ruyter on the forenoon of the 2nd June. The ships of -both fleets came up promptly, and a desperate broadside -engagement at close quarters ensued. The fight was -continued to the close of the long summer day, and -after a few hours’ interval and some manœuvring, was -renewed with unabated fury in the morning. Blake, -who had joined the Channel fleet with his squadron from -the North, had with him his nephew, also a Robert Blake, -a young hero who distinguished himself by breaking the -Dutch line, amid the roaring cheers of the men of the -English fleet. Van Tromp was furious, and his men on -board the <i>Brederode</i> performed desperate feats of valour. -They boarded Admiral Penn’s ship, the <i>James</i>, but were -repulsed and followed to the <i>Brederode</i>, the sacred -quarter-deck of which was reached by the men of the -<i>James</i>. This was more than Van Tromp could stand, -and he threw a firebrand into the magazine, which blew -up the decks and effectually dispersed the boarders.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_216">216</span> -The Dutch admiral’s own life was saved as if by miracle, -but belief that he was killed brought the crisis of the -battle. The Dutch fleet broke into wild disorder, and -sheered off, each taking its own course, the English in -hot pursuit, sinking one after another of the fugitives. -Van Tromp got away, but his defeat was crushing and -final. The Dutch had eight men-of-war destroyed, eleven -captured, and a very heavy loss in officers and men. -The English ships were terribly battered and damaged, -but the loss in killed and wounded was much less than -that sustained by the enemy.</p> - -<p>Hard work, hard living, and high pressure conquered, -in their combined attack, on Admiral Blake’s health -and strength, and he was reluctantly compelled to go -ashore, ill with a complication of disorders, including -the sailor’s peculiar distemper, scurvy, fever, and -threatened dropsy. While the great commander was -thus disabled, and involuntarily off duty, it devolved -upon Admirals Penn and Lawson and General Monk -to conduct the last grand encounter with the naval power -of the Dutch Republic. Van Tromp, De Ruyter, and -Evertsen, were again the opposing commanders. Again -the battle lasted for three days, and again the English -were completely victorious, and achieved for England -the title, never since disputed, of being “Mistress of the -Seas.” On the last of these three days, the great Van -Tromp received a bullet in his heart, which, we feel sure,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_217">217</span> -caused him much less pain, than he would have suffered, -had he been spared to cherish the bitter memory of his -defeat.</p> - -<p>During his temporary retirement from the navy, -Admiral Blake attended in his place in Parliament, -transacted important business with the Navy Commissioners, -dined occasionally with Oliver Cromwell, and -gave energetically his personal attention and labours to -the important work of reform, not of the navy and its -administration,—in these he had already effected great -reforms,—but of other important public institutions. -He aspired, even, to “purging the churches of England of -ignorant, scandalous, and inefficient pastors.” Blake was -a man among ten thousand, and was doubtless equal to -the efficient discharge of even this delicate and difficult -duty. It may be noted that he was a great student of -the Bible, and regularly conducted the family devotions -in his own house.</p> - -<p>The naval supremacy that Admiral Blake had done so -much to achieve was not to remain inert or valueless. -Proud, priest-ridden Spain, the enemy of truth, righteousness, -and freedom of worship, had to be crippled and -humbled. A new naval force was created and organised -in 1654, and Blake, at the head of a fleet, sailed from -England, with sealed orders, towards the end of that -year. He first visited Cadiz, whence he sailed in pursuit -of the Duke of Guise, who was understood to have gone<span class="pagenum" id="Page_218">218</span> -to Naples with hostile intent. The duke was not there, -and Blake next proceeded to Leghorn, where he demanded -and obtained from the Grand Duke of Tuscany -a large sum of money as compensation to the owners of -ships, that had been sold there by the Princes Rupert and -Maurice. The admiral’s name and fame had preceded -him, and his irresistible power caused consternation -among the states bordering on the Mediterranean. -Having settled with the Duke of Tuscany, he next sent -in his account against the sovereign pontiff, Alexander -VII., for ships sold by the same princes, in ports under -the sovereignty of His Holiness. The admiral did not -object to foreign coin in payment, and accordingly -received on board the sixty-gun ship <i>George</i>, the sum of -twenty thousand pistoles, in whole or part payment of his -Roman account. He next sailed southwards, with the -desire of bringing the piratical powers of North Africa -to a better state of mind and behaviour. The Bey -of Tunis resisted Blake’s overtures, and left the admiral -the only alternative of battering his forts and burning all -the corsair ships he could get at, both of which he did. -He visited in succession Tripoli, Venice, Malta, and -Versailles, and was received at some places with honour,—at -others with fear and constrained hospitality. He -may be regarded as the pioneer, the first of the long line -of English admirals that entered with pride the noble -bay of Valetta, as an English possession. At Algiers he<span class="pagenum" id="Page_219">219</span> -ransomed, for a moderate sum, a number of Englishmen -who had fallen into the hands of the Algerine corsairs. -A cheery illustration of the good heart of the jolly tars -of the time was given while the squadron lay off Algiers. -A number of captives, pursued by Moors, swam from the -shore to the English ships, and were readily hauled on -board, and found to be Dutchmen. The English sailors -raised a subscription for them,—many of the men giving -a dollar out of their wages,—and the Dutchmen were -sent home happy and grateful.</p> - -<p>Admiral Blake next touched at Malaga, and reached -the Bay of Cadiz in June. By this time his ships were -getting much in need of overhauling and repair, and -stores were run out, particularly water, renewed supply -of which was often obtained with difficulty; and, most -distressing of all, the hero’s health and strength were -failing greatly, which naturally caused sore depression of -spirits. In a touching letter to Cromwell, dated -“Aboard the <i>George</i> in Cascaes Road, August 30, 1655,” -he writes, after stating some of the difficulties he was -encountering: “Our only comfort is that we have a -God to lean upon, although we walk in darkness and see -no light. I shall not trouble your Highness with any -complaints of myself, of the indisposition of my body or -the troubles of my mind; my many infirmities will one -day, I doubt not, plead for me, or against me, so that I -may be free of so great a burden, consoling myself meantime<span class="pagenum" id="Page_220">220</span> -in the Lord, and in the firm purpose of my heart -with all faithfulness and sincerity, to discharge the trust -while reposed in me.”</p> - -<p>Although sick and broken, and having well earned his -rest, his great heart quailed not nor failed. Cromwell -had lost a number of his principal commanders by death -or defection, and Blake honoured the draft upon such -powers as remained with him. He superintended the -operations in the dockyard and arsenal when ashore. -At the end of February 1656, he was again afloat in the -<i>Naseby</i>. He took on board as his colleague Edward -Montague, afterwards Earl of Sandwich. The departing -fleet sailed down channel, westward. In the waning -light of the bleak brief day, the grave, grand, and heroic -patriot took his last look of the hills and vales and rock-bound -shores of old England—the country that he had -served so well, and that was honoured in having such a -son.</p> - -<p>His first duty after leaving England was of a diplomatic -nature, being to effect, if possible, a satisfactory permanent -treaty with Portugal. He left a part of his squadron -to watch Cadiz, and came to an anchor with the remainder -of the fleet at the mouth of the Tagus. He -kept a lookout for the homeward-bound Spanish argosies, -and had his patience severely tried. The squadron -suffered greatly from a succession of violent gales. -Running short of provisions and water, the admiral<span class="pagenum" id="Page_221">221</span> -proceeded northwards to Portugal for supplies, leaving -the watching squadron of seven ships under the command -of Captain Stayner. They had not long parted company -ere the expected fleet was sighted—four splendid Spanish -galleons, and two Indian merchant ships, laden amongst -them with products rich and rare, in gold and silver, -pearls and gems, indigo, cochineal, tobacco, etc. It was -on the evening of 8th September that the homeward-bounds -caught sight of Stayner’s frigates, which they at -first mistook for a protecting guard that was to convoy -them into port in safety and glad triumph. They were -speedily undeceived by Stayner swooping down upon -them. They resisted desperately, and there were six -hours of hard fighting, in which heavy loss in life and -treasure was sustained. The treasure ships had on board -as passengers high dignitaries and members of some of -the proudest families of Spain and its possessions; one -of the ships plundered first, was afterwards the burning -tomb of a viceroy and his family who had sailed in it. -Montague took home the prizes. The treasure was -forwarded to London in thirty-eight heavily-laden -waggons, many of them freighted with gold and silver. -Under strong military escort, it passed along the streets -to the Tower, amid the ringing cheers of the crowd who -turned out to welcome its arrival.</p> - -<p>Blake, amid hardships and trials that he was now -ill fitted to stand against, kept faithfully his post off<span class="pagenum" id="Page_222">222</span> -Cadiz. In the spring of 1657 he made a run to -Tetuan, and gave a salutary word of warning to the -Barbary pirates, that had a restraining effect upon -these marauders. “From information received,” but -from what source is not communicated, Admiral Blake -had reason to believe that another bullion fleet had -crossed the Atlantic, and had taken shelter somewhere -about the Canary Islands: hither he repaired -with his squadron. It was even so, the silver fleet had -taken shelter in the strongly fortified harbour of Santa -Cruz, in the island of Teneriffe. The spacious harbour -is of horse-shoe shape, and was dominated by a strong -castle above the inner portion of the area, flanked on -each side by a series of forts, connected with earthworks, -available for musketry. The water was so deep -that the ships could lie close under the forts. The castle -and forts were well supplied with guns. The galleons -also had their broadsides turned to the narrow entrance -of the harbour. To an enemy the harbour entrance -seemed the veritable jaws of death. The governor -believed his position impregnable, and the precious fleet -in the harbour unassailable and absolutely secure. The -redoubtable admiral was prostrate from illness, but, with -indomitable spirit, he rose from his couch to preside at -a council of war. The plan of attack decided on was, -for the admiral to lead and direct the bombardment -of the castle and the forts, and for Captain Richard<span class="pagenum" id="Page_223">223</span> -Stayner to direct his force against the galleons. Blake -and Stayner had twenty-five ships between them. For -his second’s share in the action Blake chose the -innovation, as some authorities considered it, that he -had introduced, of attacking strong castles and forts -from the floating wooden walls of Old England. The -attacking ships were received by a tremendous simultaneous -volley from the whole of the guns of the castle, -the forts, and the galleys, that could be brought to bear -upon them.</p> - -<p>It was a battle of gunnery, of weight of metal, of -rapidity and precision of delivery. In these particulars -the English had the advantage. The forts were knocked -about the ears of the gunners that manned them, and -silenced one after another. That morning the ships’ -companies had prayers before breakfast, and the terrible -day’s work commenced immediately after. About noon, -Blake had disposed of the land forces so satisfactorily as -to be at liberty to assist Stayner in completing the destruction -of the galleons, which would have been brought -out and carried away as prizes, had this been possible. -About two o’clock the work of destruction had been -completed. Two of the Spanish ships went down in the -course of the attack, and the whole of the others were -burned. A favourable change in the wind carried the -victors out with flying colours, leaving the costly contents -and strong defences of the harbour utterly wrecked.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_224">224</span> -The English only sustained the almost incredibly small -loss of about fifty killed, and about three times that -number wounded. Of this action the historian Clarendon -says: “The whole action was so miraculous that all -men who knew the place wondered that any sober man, -with what courage soever endowed, would ever undertake -it; and they could hardly persuade themselves to -believe what they had done, whilst the Spaniards comforted -themselves with the belief that they were devils, -and not men, who had destroyed them in such a -manner.”</p> - -<p>This brilliant and daring feat of arms caused the -highest degree of admiration and delight at home. -Cromwell ordered a day of public thanksgiving for the -victory; a ring of the value of five hundred guineas was -voted to Blake by Parliament; and a gratuity of one -hundred pounds to the captain who had brought the -intelligence; thanks were also voted to the officers, -sailors, and soldiers who had been concerned in the -action.</p> - -<div id="il_30" class="figcenter" style="max-width: 38em;"> - <img src="images/i_241.jpg" width="2432" height="1581" alt="" /> - <div class="caption">THE DEATH OF ADMIRAL BLAKE.</div></div> - -<p>It was the great admiral’s last battle with mortal foes! -He was approaching to close quarters with “the last -great enemy.” On his way home he paid a visit to -Morocco, where he exercised his influence, in further -restraining the Sallee rovers, and in procuring the deliverance -of some of their Christian captives. He was -completely successful in his negotiations, and at last,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_227">227</span> -suffering much, wearied and worn-out, he turned his -prow towards “home.” Cromwell’s letter, the thanks -of Parliament, and the jewel of honour met him on -the way, but he was past saving by such solace. While -crossing the Bay of Biscay, his illness increased rapidly -without check. When England was sighted he was -dying, and while others were delighting in the vision -of the long-looked-for shores, his noble spirit passed -away. He died on board his ship, the <i>St. George</i>, on -the 17th August 1657, when he was just entering his -sixtieth year. “The <i>St. George</i>,” says Mr. Hepworth -Dixon in his <i>Life of Blake</i>, “rode with its precious -burden into the Sound; and just as it came into full -view of the eager thousands crowding the beach, the -pier-head, the walls of the citadel, or darting in countless -boats over the smooth waters between St. Nicholas and -the docks, ready to catch the first glimpse of the hero -of Santa Cruz, and salute him with a true English -welcome,—he, in his silent cabin, in the midst of his -lion-hearted comrades, now sobbing like little children, -yielded up his soul to God.”</p> - -<p>His body, embalmed, and enclosed in lead, was -carried by sea to Greenwich, where it lay in state for -several days. Thence the remains were conveyed in a -splendid barge to Westminster Abbey for interment. -The imposing river procession embraced a large number -of mourners of wide variety in rank and condition,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_228">228</span> -including his relations and servants, Cromwell’s Council, -the Commissioners of the Navy, admirals and generals, -the Lord Mayor and aldermen of London, and a large -number of persons of distinction, in their barges and -wherries,—the whole marshalled by the heralds at arms. -At Westminster, the body had a guard of honour of -several regiments of foot, and was landed amid salvoes -of artillery. The remains were deposited in a vault in -Henry Seventh’s Chapel. A few years later, after the -Restoration, Blake’s remains, among those of some -others, were rejected from the Abbey, and buried in -the Abbey yard, where they have since, it is believed, -remained undisturbed. “To their eternal infamy,” says -his biographer, “the Stuarts afterwards disturbed the -hero’s grave.... Blake had ever been for mild and -moderate councils. He had opposed the late king’s -trial.... The infamy belonged to Charles himself. -Good men looked aghast at such atrocity....” Blake -“had laid the foundations of our lasting influence in the -Mediterranean, and, in eight years of success, had made -England the first maritime power in Europe.”</p> - -<p>Blake exhibited a combination of high excellences of -character and disposition, and capabilities that are rarely -met with in one man. As a leader and commander he -was undauntedly brave, fertile in expedients, irresistible -in action. Anxious only for the glory and interest of his -country, he took no care for personal aggrandisement.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_229">229</span> -“His contempt for money, his impatience with the mere -vanities of power, were supreme. Bribery he abhorred -in all its shapes. He was frank and open to a fault; -his heart was ever in his hand, and his mind ever on his -lips. His honesty, modesty, generosity, sincerity, and -magnanimity were unimpeached. The care and interest -with which he looked to the wellbeing of his humblest -followers made him eminently popular in the fleet. He -was one of England’s simplest, truest, bravest captains, -one of her greatest naval heroes, and he was truly a knight -<i xml:lang="fr" lang="fr">sans peur et sans reproche</i>.”</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_230">230</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="toclink_230">GEORGE MONK, K.G.,<br /> - -<span class="subhead"><span class="smaller">DUKE OF ALBEMARLE.</span></span><br /> - -<span class="subhead">CHAPTER X. - -<span class="subhead">THE FRIEND OF CROMWELL, AND THE RESTORER OF CHARLES II.</span></span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="drop-cap"><span class="smcap1 al">Among</span> the distinguished heroes of the seventeenth -century, men born to command, and qualified -above their fellows, to achieve renown in the “profession -of arms,” as general in the army or as admiral of the -fleet, a foremost place has to be assigned to General and -Admiral Monk.</p> - -<p>George Monk, son of Sir Thomas Monk, was a scion -of an ancient and honourable family, that had even by -the female line been related to royalty, a pedigree being -in existence that shows a descent of the family from -Edward IV. The family were established at Potheridge, -Devonshire, where George was born on the 6th December -1608. His father’s means were very limited; and, having<span class="pagenum" id="Page_231">231</span> -no fortune to divide amongst his family, he designed -George for a soldier of fortune, and proceeded to equip -him with a “sword” with which to open “the world—his -oyster.” His education was intended to prepare -him for following the art of war. In his seventeenth -year he joined, as a volunteer, a fleet that sailed to -Cadiz with hostile intent, under the command of Lord -Wimbledon. Two years later he accompanied an unfortunate -expedition under Sir John Burroughs to the -Île de Rhé. His earliest experiences in warlike -adventure were the reverse of encouraging.</p> - -<p>Sir Thomas had intended his son George to be a -soldier rather than a sailor, but circumstances, that may -be glanced at, diverted the young man’s course. -Charles I., at the beginning of his reign, visited Plymouth -to inspect the naval preparations in progress in -view of an expected war with Spain. Sir Thomas -wished to pay his duty to the king, and took this -opportunity for carrying out his loyal purpose. His -financial affairs were in a most unsatisfactory condition. -So he sent a considerable present to the under-sheriff of -the county, who, in return, gave him a promise of -freedom from “molestation” while he paid his duty to -the king. The creditors of Sir Thomas, having heard -of this arrangement, sent a more considerable present to -this official, who unblushingly arrested the old gentleman -whom he had betrayed. George, his devoted and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_232">232</span> -plucky son, proceeded to Exeter to expostulate with the -sheriff, and procure, if possible, his father’s release. -He employed his rhetorical powers with much energy, -but scant patience. His arguments and appeals were -made in vain, and, finding that no redress was to be -obtained, he proceeded to give the sheriff a thorough -beating, and, without wasting time in leave-taking ceremonies, -escaped to Cadiz.</p> - -<p>Monk remained connected with the navy till 1628, -when he went to Holland, and served with valour under -the Earl of Oxford. He returned to England, and from -1641 did military duty in Ireland. In 1643, when the -disputes between Charles I. and the Parliament were at -their height, Monk was arrested by Fairfax, and imprisoned -in the Tower. The king sent to Monk from -Oxford a hundred pounds in gold as an expression of his -esteem; considering the king’s circumstances, the gift in -coin was certainly evidence of his generosity.</p> - -<div id="il_31" class="figcenter" style="max-width: 22em;"> - <img src="images/i_249.jpg" width="1397" height="2115" alt="" /> - <div class="caption">GENERAL MONK.</div></div> - -<p>Early in 1647, the royal cause being hopeless, Monk -obtained his liberty by accepting a commission to serve -under his relative Lord Lisle, who was appointed by -Parliament to the government of Ireland. He incurred -the displeasure of Parliament by entering into a treaty -with Owen O’Neile. This he had felt to be the only -means by which he could save the remnant of troops -left under his command, and preserve the interest of the -Parliament in the country. In 1650, Monk accepted a<span class="pagenum" id="Page_235">235</span> -commission to serve under Cromwell in Scotland. -These engagements seem to have been inconsistent in a -loyalist. He was only, it may be, keeping his hand in -as a combatant, until the king should “enjoy his own -again.” Leaving out of consideration his inconsistency, -it may be said with truth that, in Scotland Monk -rendered Cromwell most important service, by counsel -as well as action.</p> - -<p>The Dutch war gave occasion for removing Monk, now -a general, from his command in Scotland, to give him -employment on board the fleet. He was now forty-five -years of age, which seems an advanced period of life for -entering upon a profession, for which he had not been designed. -The case of Blake, who was older than Monk when -he changed from military to naval service, was similar. -Both of these distinguished commanders were capable of -playing, worthily and well, a variety of parts. At the -beginning of his career Monk had been connected with -the navy, although he had not had any experience -fitting him for high command. His remarkable natural -powers and strength of character had to make up for -slender experience.</p> - -<p>In May 1653 he was afloat, in joint command with -Admiral Deane, of a fleet that had been prepared for -conflict with the Dutch. Both of the admirals were on -board the <i>Resolution</i>. On the 2nd June they fell in -with the Dutch fleet, and immediately attacked them<span class="pagenum" id="Page_236">236</span> -with desperate vigour. The English fleet consisted of -ninety-five men-of-war and five fire-ships. The Dutch -fleet consisted of ninety-eight men-of-war and six fire-ships; -it was commanded by the famous Admirals De -Ruyter, De Witt, and Van Tromp.</p> - -<p>Early in the course of the action Admiral Deane was -killed by a chain shot.<a id="FNanchor_2" href="#Footnote_2" class="fnanchor">2</a> Monk was close by, and, with -admirable presence of mind, threw his cloak over the -mangled body of his colleague, the sight of which would -have had a dispiriting effect upon the crew. After a few -turns and encouraging the men in the action, he had the -body removed, quickly and quietly, to his cabin. No -intimation of the loss that had been sustained was made -to the fleet, and Monk, now sole commander, continued -the action with undiminished energy. The action, which -commenced at about eleven o’clock, was continued with -great fury till late at night. A forty-two gun ship of the -Dutch fleet was sunk, and another large ship, commanded -by Van Kelson, was blown up in the course of the action. -Admiral Blake arrived at night with a squadron of -eighteen ships.</p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a id="Footnote_2" href="#FNanchor_2" class="fnanchor">2</a> The invention of this murderous missile is attributed to the -Dutch Admiral De Witt.</p> - -</div> - -<p>Van Tromp would have avoided renewal of the conflict -next morning had his honour permitted, but it was forced -upon him. Fire was opened about eight o’clock, and the -battle raged with great fury till about noon, when the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_237">237</span> -Dutch fell into great confusion, and got away as well and -as fast as they could, escaping with difficulty to Zealand. -Six of the Dutch ships were sunk, two blown up, and -eleven taken. Six of their captains were made prisoners, -and upwards of fifteen hundred men. The English -had Admiral Deane and a captain killed, and a comparatively -small number of men, and did not lose a -single ship.</p> - -<p>The Dutch, undismayed by defeat, fitted a fresh fleet -of upwards of ninety ships, that were afloat ready for -renewed action in a few weeks. On the 29th July 1653, -the hostile fleets came in sight of each other. Monk, in -the <i>Resolution</i>, and a squadron of thirty ships, came up -with the Dutch fleet, and boldly charged and dashed -through their line. Darkness ended the action. The -following day was so foul and windy, and the sea ran so -high, that fighting would only have been wasting ammunition. -Sunday, 31st July, the weather being more calm, -witnessed a renewal of the deferred battle. The action -raged with terrible fury for about eight hours. De -Ruyter’s ship was so severely injured that it had to be -towed out of the fleet; the brave admiral, however, did -not leave with his ship, but went aboard another to -continue the action. The brave Van Tromp was shot -through the body. His fall was to his countrymen a -paralysing disaster, that seemed to take the heart out of -them, and utterly quench what was left of their drooping<span class="pagenum" id="Page_238">238</span> -spirit. The Dutch had only one flag left flying,—Van -Tromp killed,—all going against them! Again they -sought refuge behind the sandbanks on the coasts of -their country, whither the victors followed, as closely as -their knowledge of the navigation would permit. In the -pursuit of the flying foe, the lightest of the English ships -took the most prominent part. The Dutch admiral, -perceiving that they were only frigates that pursued him, -turned upon them, but heavier ships coming up, he was -not permitted to sink his tenacious tormentors, but had -his own ship captured before he reached the Texel.</p> - -<p>This battle was a terrible blow to the Dutch. Twenty-six -of their ships were burned or sunk. Five of their -captains were taken prisoners, and between four and five -thousand men killed. Such is the statement of the historian, -which should perhaps be taken with a deduction; -for the celerity with which the Dutch provided new fleets -and fresh crews, after such disastrous losses, was wonderful. -The English are reported to have lost two frigates—the -<i>Oak</i> and the <i>Hunter</i>, and had six captains and -about five hundred seamen killed. The Dutch Admiral De -Witt, in a report to the States, confesses to a heavy loss -in ships, and to his having been compelled to retreat, -for which he assigns two reasons—that the best of their -ships were much shattered, and that many of his officers -had behaved like poltroons, by “retiring out of the reach -of the enemy’s cannon, as well in this engagement as<span class="pagenum" id="Page_239">239</span> -formerly.” He adds, with conclusive force: “If they -had been hanged for behaving so before, they had not -had it in their power to have acted the same parts over -again.”</p> - -<p>In this important action a number of merchant ships -were engaged. To prevent their making concern, for the -safety of their owners’ ships and cargoes, their paramount -consideration, and a curb upon their fighting energy, -Monk astutely placed the captains in other ships than -those to which they were respectively attached. This -expedient fully justified itself in the result,—the merchant -ships and their captains behaving admirably. Monk also -issued orders at the beginning of the fight that quarter -was neither to be given nor taken. This order was not -given from wanton recklessness of life, but because -the taking of ships and conveying them to harbour -occupied much time, diverted needed strength, and -risked opportunities of advantage. There is no reason -to believe that General Monk was displeased with the -English crews taking about twelve hundred Dutchmen -out of the sea, while their ships were sinking. The “no -quarter” order was doubtless intended to apply to ships, -not men.</p> - -<p>General Monk exhibited, personally, unresting energy -and steadfast bravery, from first to last of the battle. -Of five Dutch admirals’ flags displayed at the commencement -of the action, Monk brought down three—those of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_240">240</span> -Van Tromp, Evertsen, and De Ruyter. Monk’s own -ship, the <i>Resolution</i>, was so shattered that it had to be -towed out of the line; all of the great ships, indeed, were -so leaky and unseaworthy as to compel them to give up, -lest they should sink, and return home for repair.</p> - -<p>Parliament, on the 8th August 1653, ordered gold -chains to be sent to Admirals Blake and Monk, in token -of appreciation of their services; also to Vice-Admiral -Penn and Rear-Admiral Lawson, and to the flag-officers, -and medals to the captains. The 25th of August was -appointed as a day of solemn thanksgiving. At a great -banquet in the city, Oliver Cromwell put the chain of -honour on Monk, with grave words of commendation for -his public services.</p> - -<p>The war had lasted two years, in which time the -English had taken from the Dutch seventeen hundred -prizes, valued at sixty-two million guilders, or six millions -sterling. The prizes taken by the Dutch did not amount -to a fourth, in number or value.</p> - -<p>A treaty of peace with Holland was made, 4th April -1654. Cromwell had declared himself Lord Protector, -and, feeling the weight of governing three kingdoms, he -sought out competent officers to share the labour with -him. General Monk was appointed to Scotland as a sort -of Lord Lieutenant, and commenced his duties in April -1654. He made his residence at the house of the -Countess of Buccleuch, at Dalkeith. He is said to have<span class="pagenum" id="Page_243">243</span> -governed the country more absolutely, than many of its -monarchs had done. His private life was quiet and -unostentatious,—husbandry and gardening being his chief -amusements.</p> - -<div id="il_32" class="figcenter" style="max-width: 31em;"> - <img src="images/i_257.jpg" width="1932" height="1484" alt="" /> - <div class="caption">DEFEAT OF THE DUTCH FLEET BY MONK.</div></div> - -<p>General Monk’s loyalty to Cromwell was doubted, -although his zeal for the Protectorate seemed more -effusive, during his tenure of office in Scotland, than it had -ever been before. He set a price upon the heads of the -principal Royalists in the North, and erected magazines -and garrisons for maintaining the Protectorate throughout -Scotland, and governed it absolutely, yet with much -wisdom,—the effects of his government conducing greatly -to the welfare of the Scottish nation. Certain Parliamentarians -plotted to take Monk’s life, as a traitor to their -cause. Oliver Cromwell himself suspected Monk’s <i xml:lang="fr" lang="fr">bonâ -fides</i>. A short time before his death, Cromwell wrote a -long letter to Monk, that ended with the following -remarkable postscript: “There be that tell me that -there is a certain cunning fellow in Scotland, called -George Monk, who is said to be in wait there, to introduce -Charles Stuart. I pray use your diligence to -apprehend him, and bring him up to me.”</p> - -<p>Cromwell died 3rd September 1658, and Monk at once -proclaimed his son Richard. Uncertain what turn the -public mind would take, he thought it prudent to affect -for the present attachment to the Protectorate carefully,—meanwhile, -securing his own power. Richard Cromwell’s<span class="pagenum" id="Page_244">244</span> -incapacity to rule soon showed itself, as Monk probably -foresaw. Monk possessed powerful influence in the -direction of public affairs, and employed it in promoting -the restoration of the king. There has been more than -one “Vicar of Bray” in the domestic and national -history of England, and the species will never probably -become extinct.</p> - -<p>General Monk’s adherence to the two opposing parties -in the State, Parliament and the Royalists; his service of -the two masters, Cromwell and King Charles; his motives, -and his talents, have been much discussed, and his -merits hotly disputed by historians and critics. Monk -has been credited with having been mainly instrumental -in initiating, promoting, and consummating the Restoration. -Up to this point in Monk’s career he had proved -himself a valiant and skilful captain in Ireland, a firm -and wise governor in Scotland, an able admiral in the -war with Holland, and it is not too much to claim for -him that he had proved himself to be also a profound -statesman.</p> - -<p>On the 23rd of May 1660, an English fleet brought -Charles II. and his court from Holland. The king -reached the Palace, Whitehall, on the 29th of the same -month. On resuming the kingly dignity, almost the -first use the king made of the royal prerogative was to -elevate Monk to the peerage, as Duke of Albemarle, -to invest him with the order of the Garter, and to appoint<span class="pagenum" id="Page_245">245</span> -him Vice-Admiral of England under James, Duke of -York.</p> - -<p>Passing over a few years, in which the Duke of -Albemarle was a prominent personage in the king’s -Government, we come to renewed war with Holland.</p> - -<p>The dissolute life and extravagant habits of the king -kept him in constant want of money, and to fill his -purse he did many mean things, amongst them, marrying -Catherine of Portugal, for her dowry of half a -million sterling. He also favoured the sale of Dunkirk -to the French king for the beggarly sum of five -thousand livres. He also plunged into a war with -Holland. The Duke of Albemarle and Prince Rupert -were associated in the command of the fleet that -had been equipped against the Dutch. They went -aboard in April 1666. Prince Rupert, with the -white squadron, was detached to go in quest of a -French contingent, reported to be hastening to join the -Dutch. The duke was left with a fleet of about sixty -sail. On the 1st June the Dutch fleet of about ninety -men-of-war came in sight. The duke called a council of -war, at which it was resolved that, notwithstanding their -manifest numerical inferiority, and that several of their -ships were not fully manned or ready, refusal to fight the -Dutch was not to be thought of,—and the fleet was -accordingly made ready to fall into line. The battle -lasted throughout the day, and notwithstanding their<span class="pagenum" id="Page_246">246</span> -greatly superior power the Dutch gained no important -or decided advantage. A furious battle was fought -between the flag-ships of Albemarle and De Ruyter, -the Dutch admiral, which was maintained with dogged -obstinacy for many hours,—but neither side could claim -a victory. Both of the ships were greatly crippled by its -adversary.</p> - -<p>The bravery and skilful handling of their ships by the -English commanders was above all praise, but their ships -were badly provisioned. King Charles, to his shame, -recked not that the lives of the bravest of his subjects -should be sacrificed, if he could indulge, unchecked, the -career of a Sybarite and profligate. It has been written -by the careful historian that—“The money voted by -Parliament for the war was squandered by the king in -his wicked pleasures; and ships leaky and badly rigged -were sent out to contend with the splendid fleets of -Holland.”</p> - -<p>Albemarle discreetly sought the decision of a council -of war before renewing the action on the second day. -What his own feeling was may be gathered from the -reported gist of the address he delivered to the assembled -commanders: “If we had dreaded the number of our -enemies we should have retreated yesterday; but though -we are inferior to them in number of ships, we are in -other things superior. Force gives them courage; let -us, if we need it, borrow resolution from the thoughts<span class="pagenum" id="Page_247">247</span> -of what we have formerly performed. Let our enemy -feel that, though our fleet is divided, our spirit is united. -At the worst it will be more honourable to die bravely -here on our own element than to be made spectacles to -the Dutch. To be overcome is the fortune of war, but -to fly is the fashion of cowards. Let us teach the world -that Englishmen had rather be acquainted with death -than with fear.”</p> - -<p>Much terrible damage was again done by the belligerents -to each other, but no decisive victory could be -claimed by either power. On the 3rd of June, the -duke, on a survey of the condition of his fleet, felt -compelled to burn three of his disabled ships. He sent -away, in the van, the ships that had suffered most, and, -covering them in the rear, drew off. On the 4th of June, -Albemarle’s spirits revived, and his strength was materially -increased by the arrival of Prince Rupert with his -squadron. Thus strengthened, he again sought the -enemy, and came up with them about eight in the -morning. Five times the English charged through the -enemy’s line, firing into them right and left. The conflict, -fiercely sustained on both sides, lasted till seven in -the evening, when, as if by tacit agreement or sheer -exhaustion, the wearied, worn-out warriors desisted from -their murderous activity.</p> - -<p>The loss was calamitous on both sides. Amongst -the brave officers who fell, mention must be made of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_248">248</span> -Sir William Berkeley, vice-admiral of the blue, whose -squadron led the van in the first day’s action. Towards -the close of the day, Sir William’s ship, the <i>Swiftsure</i>, a -second-rate, and two others were cut off from the English; -hemmed in and overwhelmed by greatly superior force, -Sir William fought desperately. The following account -of his gallant death-struggle is given by Lediard: -“Highly to be admired was the resolution of Vice-Admiral -Berkeley, who, though cut off from the line, -surrounded by his enemies, great numbers of his men -killed, his ship disabled and boarded on all sides, yet -continued fighting almost alone, killed several with his -own hand, and would accept of no quarter, till at -length, being shot in the throat by a musket ball, he -retired into the captain’s cabin, where he was found -dead, extended at his full length upon a table, and -almost covered with his own blood.” To their honour, -the Dutch treated the hero’s remains with the utmost -respect. The body was embalmed and deposited in -the chapel of the great church at the Hague by order -of the States, and a message was sent to King Charles -for his orders for the disposal of the remains. This -brave officer, a scion of an ancient and honourable -family, had not reached his twenty-seventh year.</p> - -<div id="il_33" class="figcenter" style="max-width: 38em;"> - <img src="images/i_265.jpg" width="2395" height="1447" alt="" /> - <div class="caption">SEA FIGHT WITH THE DUTCH.</div></div> - -<p>Another distinguished hero who fell in the action -was Sir Christopher Myngs, vice-admiral, who led the -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_251">251</span>van of Prince Rupert’s division on the fourth day of the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_249">249</span> -fight. Myngs also was a young officer of proved -vigilance, valour, and capacity. In this his last action, -while fighting with desperate bravery, he received a -musket ball in the throat. No persuasion could prevail -with him to retire to have it dressed or to leave the -quarter-deck; for nearly half an hour he held his finger -in the wound to stop the flow of blood. Another -musket ball in the neck, and the hero fell, and so -finished his gallant career.</p> - -<p>The Dutch claimed the victory, but admitted that if -the English were beaten, they deserved honour in their -defeat, and had proved incontestably their invincible -courage.</p> - -<p>On the 25th July 1666, the English fleet under -Albemarle and Prince Rupert, and the Dutch fleet -under Admirals Evertsen and De Ruyter, again came -into conflict; a long and bloody battle ended in a -complete and indisputable victory to the English. This -was the last great naval action in which Albemarle took -part. While he is taking the leading part in this -bloody drama on the high seas, king and people alike -want him urgently at home, for help and guidance in -a time of sore trouble, from an unprecedented calamity. -London is ablaze with the great fire; who among men has -heart, head, and hand, tender, clear, and strong, fitting -him to be a comforter, guide, and shield at such a time? -The king recalled Albemarle from his naval duties to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_252">252</span> -direct, deeply distressing, domestic affairs; the people wail -piteously, perhaps not wisely, “If the duke had been here, -London had not been burned.” Such was the confidence -reposed in his wisdom and strength.</p> - -<p>A vast amount of life and work had been crowded -into his years, and the great man was wearing out. In -1667 he wisely exerted himself in warding off renewal of -hostilities with the Dutch, and gave attention to his own -much neglected domestic affairs. On the 3rd January -1669, he died peacefully while sitting in his chair, aged -sixty-two years. By order of the king, his body lay in -state for some time at Somerset House, and was interred -in Westminster Abbey.</p> - -<p>George Monk was a man distinguished by great -personal valour. His zeal in the public service was -indefatigable. He was wise in counsel, fearless in battle; -as a commander a strict disciplinarian, but also the -stern enemy of oppression and tyranny, on the part of -naval and military officers. Few men have ever attained -to the influence and power he wielded, with less of -personal ambition.</p> - -<p>He was commanding in person, robust in constitution, -an early riser, and a hard worker; loyal, faithful, and -affectionate, in his public, social, and domestic relations.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_253">253</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="toclink_253">EDWARD MONTAGUE,<br /> - -<span class="subhead"><span class="smaller">EARL OF SANDWICH.</span></span><br /> - -<span class="subhead">CHAPTER XI. - -<span class="subhead">NAVAL CONFLICT BETWEEN THE ENGLISH AND THE -DUTCH.</span></span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="drop-cap"><span class="smcap1 b">Remarks,</span> by persons of mature age, are not uncommon, -in our time, upon the precocity of the -rising generation. It is alleged that we have no boys -and girls nowadays, that they are too forward, know -too much for their years, and are men and women before -their time. Edward Montague, afterwards Earl of -Sandwich, furnishes a notable illustration of precocity, in -his generation.</p> - -<p>Edward was the only surviving son of Sir Sidney -Montague, and was a grandson of Lord Montague of -Boughton, a staunch Royalist. Sir Sidney also adhered -firmly to Charles I., and submitted to expulsion from -the House of Commons, of which he was a member,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_254">254</span> -rather than subscribe to an oath of allegiance to the -Earl of Essex “to live and die with him,” in his conspiracy -against the king.</p> - -<p>Edward Montague was born 27th July 1625, the year -of Charles I.’s accession to the throne, and of his marriage -with Henrietta Maria, daughter of Henry IV., King of -France. Some years before he reached his majority, -young Montague entered the whirl of domestic and -State affairs. When only seventeen years of age he -married Jemima, daughter of Lord Crewe of Stene. -In the following year, 1643, he received a commission -from the Earl of Essex,—whom his father had refused to -support,—to raise a regiment of horse, to serve against -the king, to whom his father adhered. Such was the -influence at the command of the young chief, and the -ardour with which he entered upon the execution of his -commission, that in six weeks he was ready to take -the field at the head of his regiment, and he entered -immediately upon active service. He assisted at the -storming of Lincoln in May 1644, and also exhibited -great bravery, at the battle of Marston Moor, in the -July following. In 1645 he had a great deal of stirring -service, fighting at Naseby in July, and taking part in -the storming of Bridgewater. In September he commanded -a brigade in the attack on Bristol, and subscribed -the articles of the capitulation of that city by -Prince Rupert. With Colonel Hammond he was<span class="pagenum" id="Page_255">255</span> -deputed to carry the intelligence of this important -success, to the Parliament in London.</p> - -<p>While yet under age, so prominent a character was he -in connection with public affairs, as to be elected, or -more properly appointed, by those who had the power, -a member of Parliament for Huntingdonshire. It is -stated concerning his conduct as member of Parliament, -that the plottings and contests of parties were distasteful -to him, and that he shunned these,—as he did also -intrigues and cabals in the army. His opinions were -sought after and valued, and notwithstanding his youth, -he exercised considerable influence in the direction of -affairs. Cromwell affected to despise nobility and -family lineage, but he had a keen eye for the men -fitted to promote his objects, could fully appreciate their -value, and was skilful and effective in his methods of -attaching them to his person and cause. Montague -had rendered distinguished service, but he was a -supporter of a very different stamp from the ordinary -Roundheads,—and his allegiance was held by a more -uncertain tenure. His social and family relations probably -drew him in a different direction. Cromwell was -solicitous to have Montague fully committed to his -cause; he extolled his valour, discretion, and independence, -and snared him into a seat, at his Treasury board.</p> - -<p>Montague rendered effective service at the Treasury, -but was not in his element in the civil service, from<span class="pagenum" id="Page_256">256</span> -which he obtained release in 1656, when, at the request -of Admiral Blake, he was appointed, in conjunction -with that distinguished commander, to the command of -the fleet in the Mediterranean. Montague found great -discontent with the service, prevailing among the officers -of the fleet. Exercising patience and discretion with -the disaffected, he succeeded in allaying their discontent, -and the fleet sailed under the direction of its distinguished -commanders, who cherished magnificent -projects,—to be accomplished ere they returned to -England. One of these was to fall upon the Spanish -fleet in Cadiz harbour, which, however, on careful -survey, they concluded it would be foolhardy to attempt. -Another project designed was the reduction of Gibraltar. -Montague doubted the success of an attack by sea, and -decidedly favoured attack by a land force,—approaching -by the isthmus. However, the attack was not then -made, and, after cruising about for a time, the fleet -made for the opposite coast of Barbary, the intention of -the commanders being the chastisement of the Tripoli -and Salee rovers. Notwithstanding the terror that Blake -had inspired by a former visit, the pirates had become -as troublesome, daring, and destructive to traders as -they had been before.</p> - -<div id="il_34" class="figcenter" style="max-width: 21em;"> - <img src="images/i_273.jpg" width="1341" height="1988" alt="" /> - <div class="caption"><p>EARL OF SANDWICH—DUKE OF YORK.</p> - -<p>BATTLE OF SOUTHWOLD OR SOLE BAY.</p></div></div> - -<p>Montague had experience in his early life, as a -combatant, in successful land attacks, and seems to have -had a decided preference for that method, which he<span class="pagenum" id="Page_259">259</span> -again recommended in the conflict with the pirates, who -were doubtless difficult to get at,—and who were not to -be subdued by ordinary means. He was decidedly of -opinion that forcible possession should be taken of a -position on shore, as the best means of operating against -the pirates, and protecting our trade in the Levant. -Instructions from home, restricting rather than extending -the powers of the admirals, prevented Montague’s -design from being carried into effect.</p> - -<p>The fleet was ordered back to Cadiz, to give the -Spaniards an opportunity of engaging, if they would. -While the main body lay off Cadiz, three ships were -despatched to a bay along shore to take in fresh water, -and obtain what provisions they could. On this -expedition the detached squadron fell in with eight -galleons, returning from South America, and promptly -pounced upon them. One of the galleons was sunk, -another burned, two were forced ashore, and others taken, -on board of which were found treasure to the value of -six hundred thousand pounds. In writing to Secretary -Thurloe, Admiral Montague gives the following account -of the silver taken in the galleons: “There have been -some miscarriages by our ships that took the ships of -Spain; I judge the best way to improve mercies of this -kind is to look forward: however, that is my business at -this time. The silver they brought is on board this ship, -and in the vice-admiral: in the admiral we have five<span class="pagenum" id="Page_260">260</span> -hundred and fifty bars of silver, and boxes of plate, and -nine pieces of silver, not well refined, like sugar loaves. -In the vice-admiral there are a hundred and twenty-four -bars of silver, all of which we judge may produce nearly -two hundred thousand pounds. I hope that it will -make much more. In the galleons, also, there is a -space between the main-mast and the bulkhead of the -bread-room, not yet rummaged.”</p> - -<p>Montague was charged with instructions to bring the -treasure to England, and he requested that some trusty -persons might be sent to Portsmouth to receive the -silver. Great pains were taken to impress the public -with a sense of the magnitude of the prize. When the -silver reached London, it was placed in open carts and -ammunition waggons, and conveyed in a triumphal -procession through Southwark to the Tower to be -coined. To show their confidence in the people, a -guard of only ten soldiers accompanied the treasure. -The intention of these arrangements was fully realised, -and greatly increased Cromwell’s popularity. Montague -also, although he had really had nothing to do with the -actual capture of the treasure, but had only conveyed it -home in safety, became quite a popular hero. Cromwell -loaded him with praise, and Parliament thanked -him formally, through the Speaker.</p> - -<p>Montague was on the most intimate terms with -Cromwell, and held in high esteem by the Protector, but<span class="pagenum" id="Page_261">261</span> -he does not appear to have been cordially attached to -his public employment, or satisfied with the instructions -under which he was called to act.</p> - -<p>In 1657, Montague was appointed to the command of -a fleet in the Downs, the objects of which were—to keep -a strict watch upon the Dutch, and to carry on the war -with Spain. In his command of the fleet in the Downs -he found no opportunity for useful action, and he chafed -under the enforced stagnation; when called upon to act, -he was not satisfied as to the justice of following the -line the authorities wished him to take, or that it was -compatible with manly honesty and safety to himself. -His letters to Cromwell show the difficulties in which he -felt himself placed, and also that the Protector expected -him to follow his own course, although in doing so he -might be unable, after the event, to justify himself, by -official sanctions. A letter from Richard Cromwell to -Montague illustrates the policy of the Protector, and the -danger to which it exposed his admiral. He was -commanded in express terms to insist upon honour to -the flag, within the British seas, from all nations,—the -writer stating, at the same time, that he did not know -what were the limits of the British seas, and that the -admiral must execute his orders with caution,—as peace -or war might depend upon his acts. It was extremely -difficult to obey such equivocal instructions, without -incurring blame from one side or the other. Montague<span class="pagenum" id="Page_262">262</span> -displayed great sagacity and prudence in the discharge -of his delicate and difficult duties, but did not escape -bitter complaints from the Dutch, because of the -diligence he displayed in searching their vessels.</p> - -<p>In 1658 Denmark and Sweden were at war. The -Dutch believed it to be their interest to help Denmark; -Cromwell thought that the defeat of Sweden would be a -calamity to England,—and a powerful fleet was despatched -to the Baltic under the command of Admiral Montague, -with the avowed intention of negotiating an honourable -peace between the belligerents. In the midst of these -great events Oliver Cromwell died at Whitehall on the -3rd September 1658, and his son Richard was proclaimed -ruler in his stead.</p> - -<p>Although Montague was nominally in command of -the Baltic fleet, three commissioners had been sent to -conduct the negotiations, and control his actions. -Before he had left home, Montague had suffered -what seemed an unprovoked indignity, in being disjoined -from his regiment of horse. He had never -at any time, probably, been a very hearty Cromwellian,—and -this treatment operated sharply in -alienating him from the Parliamentary party. Montague -had powerful personal influence in the fleet. The -three commissioners—Colonel Algernon Sidney, Sir -Robert Heywood, and Mr. Thomas Boon—regarded him -as a disaffected subordinate, and the relations, between<span class="pagenum" id="Page_263">263</span> -the commissioners and the admiral commanding, were -the reverse of cordial. Montague’s colleagues were at -Copenhagen, when he determined upon decisive action. -He called a council of the flag-officers of the fleet, and, -submitting to them a plain statement of the impossibility -of doing anything for the honour of their country, by -remaining where they were;—not having any authority -to fight, and being therefore useless,—he suggested the -necessity of returning home, which want of provisions, -indeed, would soon compel them to do, as they had -scarcely enough left to carry them to England. There -was no dissent in the council, and the admiral at once -issued orders to weigh anchor, set all sail, and shape -course for England. Montague’s diplomatic colleagues -had the mortification of witnessing, from the shore, the -procession of the homeward-bound fleet. The rapidity -of the movement was fortunate, as these diplomats had -in their possession secret instructions to arrest Montague -on board his own ship, and to place the command of -the fleet in other hands. The worst they could do now -was to send a strongly condemnatory despatch to the -Parliament, charging Montague with treachery and -desertion. Without waiting for a summons, he -presented himself before Parliament, to give an account -of his conduct. He had the unanimous support of his -flag-officers, and presented such an unanswerable -vindication, that Parliament had to be content with<span class="pagenum" id="Page_264">264</span> -accepting his resignation, and letting him go. He -retired from public life and service for a time, to his -estate in the country.</p> - -<p>A time of turbulence and anarchy ensued, which -led to the restoration of Charles II. in the year 1660. -In full accord and friendship with General Monk, -Duke of Albemarle, Montague returned to the public -service, and resumed naval command. He went with -Monk to the Hague to bring over the king. After -completion of certain ceremonials at the Hague, -Montague conveyed the king to England,—the Duke of -York being Lord High Admiral under the restored royal -ruler. Two days after the king’s landing, he sent to -Montague, by Garter king at arms, the Garter, in -acknowledgment of his eminent services. He was also, -as soon as the court was established, created by letters -patent, Baron Montague of St. Neots, Viscount -Hitchinbroke in Huntingdon, and Earl of Sandwich in -Kent. He was sworn a member of the Privy Council, -appointed Master of the King’s Wardrobe, Admiral of -the Narrow Seas, and Lieutenant Admiral to the Duke of -York.</p> - -<div id="il_35" class="figcenter" style="max-width: 36em;"> - <img src="images/i_281.jpg" width="2288" height="1410" alt="" /> - <div class="caption">DUNKIRK.</div></div> - -<p>As Admiral of the Narrow Seas, the duty devolved -upon Lord Sandwich of conveying or escorting all persons -of distinction, passing between England and foreign -countries. He gave much attention to State affairs, and -was a constant attender at meetings of the Privy Council,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_267">267</span> -especially when questions of foreign policy were under -consideration, and, ere long, was regarded as one of the -king’s most capable and deservedly influential and trusted -advisers.</p> - -<p>An important question, in the settlement of which he -took a leading part, was the disposal of Dunkirk, which -had been taken by Cromwell from the Spaniards. The -Commonwealth being at an end, the Spaniards claimed -the restoration of the place; the question for the determination -of the Privy Council was whether Dunkirk -should be sold or kept. The matter caused lively and -protracted discussion, and has been treated very fully by -Clarendon, Burnet, and others. For advising or sanctioning -the sale or surrender of Dunkirk, some historians -have condemned, while others have defended, Lord -Sandwich.</p> - -<p>The Earl of Sandwich had courtly duties to perform in -his capacity of Admiral of the Narrow Seas. In September -1660, with a squadron of nine ships of war, he proceeded -to Helvoetsluys to bring over the Princess of Orange, the -king’s sister. When the fleet returned, the king and -the Duke of York went on board the <i>Resolution</i>, the -admiral’s ship, where they passed the night, and they -reviewed the squadron on the following day.</p> - -<p>In 1661 an imposing fleet was equipped, with the -several objects of bringing home the Infanta of Portugal -to be married to the king,—of securing Tangier against<span class="pagenum" id="Page_268">268</span> -the Moors,—and of punishing the Barbary and Algerine -pirates, who, since the death of Admiral Blake, and in -disregard of the terms which that powerful commander had -imposed upon them, had resumed their rapacious, destructive -attacks upon the merchant ships of England, as also -upon those of Holland and France. The fleet consisted -of eighteen men-of-war ships, and two fire-ships; it was -placed under the command of the Earl of Sandwich and -Sir John Lawson. The fleet sailed from the Downs on -the 19th June, and was before Algiers on the 29th July. -A council of war was held under the presidency of Lord -Sandwich, which determined to require—as an article in -any treaty with the Algerines—an undertaking that, for -the future, English ships were not to be liable to search, -upon any pretext whatever. Captain Spragge and Mr. -Brown, the English consul, were deputed to attempt -negotiation of a treaty with the Algerian Government, -who professed willingness to enter into a treaty, but -refused point-blank to give up their right of search, and -insolently followed up their refusal by opening fire upon -the fleet. The strength of the land batteries greatly preponderated -over the power of the fleet for either attack -or defence, and Lord Sandwich prudently withdrew from -range of the guns, but did not abandon the purpose of -crippling the pirates. Sir John Lawson was left with a -strong squadron to cruise in the Mediterranean, for the -protection of English merchantmen and the chastisement<span class="pagenum" id="Page_269">269</span> -of the pirates. Sir John swept as many of the pirates off -the seas as he could get at,—and at Algiers, Tripoli, and -Tunis, made such imposing demonstrations as compelled -the barbaric powers to renew their treaties with England. -At Algiers, however, he had much difficulty in arriving -at a satisfactory settlement. He obtained the release -there of one hundred and fifty slaves,—English, Irish, and -Scottish sailors, who had been captured by the pirates. -These men he sent home, with several captured ships, -but the Algerines stopped short at surrender of the goods -in the ships that had been captured. Lawson continued -hostilities, seized an Algerine corsair of thirty-four guns, -and sold the Turks and Moors by which it was manned -to the French admiral, who was then cruising in the -Mediterranean. Lawson was called home, and the duty -of suppressing the pirates taken up by his successor, Sir -Thomas Allen, who replaced him with twelve ships of -war, and, acting with great energy and skill, compelled -the Algerines to accept a satisfactory treaty. The Earl -of Sandwich, in accordance with his instructions, proceeded -to Tangier, of which he obtained possession from -the Queen Regent of Portugal,—as part of the dowry of -the Infanta, affianced to the King of England. After -manning Tangier with English soldiers, and settling -affairs, Lord Sandwich set sail for Lisbon, to take on -board the royal bride. His reception at Lisbon was all -that he could have desired; house, equipage, and appointments<span class="pagenum" id="Page_270">270</span> -on a scale befitting his dignity, as an ambassador -extraordinary to the queen. But the “business” entrusted -to him presented a most unsatisfactory aspect. The -dowry of the Infanta had been fixed, and his instructions -were explicit; he was to ask for no more, but to take no -less, than the sum that had been agreed upon, and to take -payment only in “hard cash.” Tangier had already been -secured, as part of the dowry, but the part to be paid in -specie was not forthcoming. The queen-mother pleaded -poverty, and asked for “time.” She averred that “the -straits and poverty of the kingdom were so great that -there could at this time be paid only one-half of the -queen’s portion; that the other half should infallibly -be paid within a year, with which she hoped the king, -her brother, would be satisfied; and that, for the better -doing it, she resolved to send back the ambassador, who -had brought so good a work, with God’s blessing, to -so good an end, with her daughter to the king.” The -situation was further awkward, in this, that it was proposed -to make the half payment in kind, not in cash—in -jewels, sugar, and other commodities. The earl had -no difficulty about taking off the young lady, but the -“goods” were a serious embarrassment; his royal master -he knew right well wanted cash badly, but he did not suppose -him to be solicitous about “goods consignments.” -The earl proved equal to the occasion. He distinctly -refused to accept goods of any kind, at any “quotation”<span class="pagenum" id="Page_271">271</span> -as regards price or value, but he would permit them to -be shipped,—to be received and accounted for by some -person in London, who should be appointed to transact -the business. This difficulty was got over, and the -goods were satisfactorily converted into cash, through the -instrumentality of Diego Silvas, a wealthy Jew of Amsterdam, -who accompanied the goods to London. Lord -Sandwich gave a receipt for any denomination of money -paid on account of the Infanta’s dowry, and took from the -queen-mother a special promise to pay the balance, -within the year following date of agreement. The Infanta -and her retinue were safely landed at Portsmouth in -May 1662.</p> - -<p>In the great naval conflict between the English and -the Dutch in 1664–65, the Earl of Sandwich highly distinguished -himself. The English fleet was made up of -114 men-of-war and frigates, 28 fire-ships and ketches, -and about 21,000 sailors and soldiers. It was divided -into three squadrons; the first, under the red flag, was -commanded by the Duke of York, and with him -Admirals Penn and Lawson; the white squadron was -commanded by Prince Rupert, and the blue squadron by -the Earl of Sandwich. The fleet arrived at the Texel -on the 28th April 1664, and cruised off the Dutch -coast for about a month. Towards the end of May the -Dutch fleet was descried near the Dogger Bank. -Accounts vary as to the strength of the Dutch fleet.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_272">272</span> -One careful historian puts it at 121 men-of-war, besides -fire-ships, yachts, etc. Other writers give lower estimates -of the strength of the fleet. It carried 4869 guns, and -upwards of 22,000 men. It was divided into seven -squadrons, commanded by valiant and skilful admirals, -some of them of the highest renown. They were, -Admirals Baron Opdam, Evertsen, Cortenaer, Stillingwerth, -Van Tromp, son of the famous old fighting -admiral, Cornelius Evertsen, and Schram.</p> - -<p>It was said that neither the king nor the Duke of -York approved the policy of this war, and it was believed -that influences were at work to diminish the zeal and -enthusiasm of the Dutch. De Witt, who was the ruling -spirit in the States, sent a letter to Opdam of a peremptory -character, ordering him to attack at once. Opdam and -his officers were agreed that the time was inopportune, -and would have delayed, for a brief space at least, until -the wind and other circumstances were more favourable, -but his orders were imperative, and he felt that his -honour demanded prompt action upon them. The -Dutch admiral came in sight of the English fleet not far -from Harwich, in the early morning of the 3rd June. -He bore down upon the duke’s ship with the intention -of boarding. At the commencement of the action the -English had the advantage in the weather-gage. The -two fleets charged through each other’s lines with great -fury and intrepidity. Critics have given the opinion that<span class="pagenum" id="Page_275">275</span> -the English, having the wind in their favour, ought to -have contented themselves with meeting the attack of -the enemy, without changing their relative position more -than could be avoided. For nine hours the onslaught -was terrible and sanguinary, without either party having -gained any decided advantage. About mid-day a brilliant -movement was executed by the Earl of Sandwich, that -greatly improved the prospects of the English. With his -blue squadron compactly arranged, Lord Sandwich broke -through the enemy’s centre, and threw the whole Dutch -fleet into confusion and dire disorder.</p> - -<div id="il_36" class="figcenter" style="max-width: 36em;"> - <img src="images/i_289.jpg" width="2286" height="1444" alt="" /> - <div class="caption">CASTLE OF TANGIERS.</div></div> - -<p>Opdam’s determination from the beginning of the fight, -to board the English admiral, had never slumbered. In -the midst of the consternation caused by the dashing -action of the Earl of Sandwich, Opdam, in the <i>Eendract</i>, -of eighty-four guns, was engaged in a fierce contest -with the Duke of York in the <i>Royal Charles</i>, of eighty -guns. The fight was close and deadly—yard-arm and -yard-arm. The Earl of Falmouth, Lord Muskerry, Mr. -Boyle, son of the Earl of Burlington, and a number of -others, the duke’s attendants, were killed by a chain-shot, -when quite near His Grace’s person. In this -terrific onslaught, either by accident or by a grenade -from the <i>Royal Charles</i>, the gun-room of the <i>Eendract</i>, -the Dutch admiral’s ship, was ignited, and the ship blown -up. Five hundred men perished in this terrible catastrophe, -including the noble and valiant Baron Opdam,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_276">276</span> -and a number of volunteers belonging to some of the -best families in Holland.</p> - -<p>The greatest confusion prevailed among the Dutch -ships; they fell foul of, and burned each other. The -whole Dutch fleet seemed to be ablaze, and the cries of -the wretched men perishing by fire and water were even -more frightful and hideous than the noise of the cannon. -The shelter of night permitted the shattered remnant of -the Dutch fleet to escape. Had the light held out a -little longer, the entire remainder of the armament -would have been captured or destroyed. In addition to -Opdam, Admirals Stillingwerth and Cortenaer were killed, -upwards of four thousand of the Dutchmen perished, -and two thousand were taken prisoners. Eighteen -of the largest Dutch ships were taken, and fourteen -more were sunk or burned. The English had one ship -taken, had two hundred and fifty men killed, and three -hundred and forty wounded. The fight lasted without -intermission from three o’clock in the morning, till seven -o’clock in the evening.</p> - -<p>The Duke of York was severely blamed by some -critics for his failure to secure the full advantages that -might have been gained by this decisive victory. -Clarendon says apologetically, that “the duke had -received so many blows on his own and the other ships, -that it was necessary to retire into port, where they -might be repaired.” Bishop Burnet’s account of the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_277">277</span> -duke’s conduct after the fight puts His Grace in an -unenviable light and position. Burnet, in his circumstantial -style of minute narration, says: “After the -flight of the Dutch vessels, the duke ordered all the -sail to be set on to overtake them. There was a council -of war called to concert the method of action, when -they should come up with them. In that council, Penn, -who commanded under the duke, happened to say that -they must prepare for hotter work, in the next engagement. -He knew well the courage of the Dutch was -never so high as when they were desperate.” Burnet -adds that “the Earl of Montague, a volunteer, one -of the duke’s court, said to me it was very visible, that -made an impression. All the duke’s domestics said -he had got honour enough,—why should he venture -a second time? The duchess had also given a strict -charge to the duke’s servants, to do all they could, to -hinder him from engaging too far. When matters were -settled, they went to sleep; and the duke ordered a call -to be given him, when they should get up to the Dutch -fleet. It is not known what passed between the duke -and Brounker, who was of his bed-chamber, and was -then in waiting; but he came to Penn, as from the -duke, and said the duke ordered sail to be slackened. -Penn was struck with the order, but did not go to -argue the matter with the duke himself, as he ought -to have done, but obeyed the order. When the duke<span class="pagenum" id="Page_278">278</span> -had slept, he, upon his waking, went out on the quarter-deck, -and seemed amazed to see the sails slackened, -and that thereby all hope of overtaking the Dutch was -lost. He questioned Penn upon it; Penn blamed -Brounker, who said nothing. The duke denied having -given any such order, but he neither punished Brounker -for carrying it, nor Penn for obeying it. He put -Brounker out of his service, but durst do no more, -because he was so strong in the king’s favour. Penn was -more in his favour after that than even before,—which -favour was continued to his son after him, though a -Quaker; and it was thought that all that favour was -shown to oblige him to keep the secret. Lord Montague -did believe “that the duke was struck, and that -he had no mind to engage again, and that Penn was -privately with him.” Other accounts of the affair have -been given,—but none of them are a satisfactory vindication -of the duke’s valour, or evidence that he followed -up his advantage, as a brave and capable commander -should have done.</p> - -<p>The fleet returned home, and was refitted with expedition, -and in less than a month was again ready for -sea. Sixty ships sailed from Southwold Bay on the 5th -July 1665, under the command of the Earl of Sandwich. -The fleet sailed northwards, and at Bergen engaged in a -series of tangled manœuvres and operations,—complicated -by the part necessarily taken by the Danish authorities.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_279">279</span> -In the course of his cruise, the earl, on the 4th September, -fell in with four Dutch East Indiamen and several -merchantmen in the North Sea. They were protected -by a strong convoy. Lord Sandwich promptly attacked -the Dutch, and, after a severe conflict, captured eight -of the Dutch men-of-war, two of the richest of the -East Indiamen, and several of the merchant ships;—the -others were scattered by the storm, and escaped. -On the 9th of September, four men-of-war, two fire-ships, -and thirty merchantmen, losing their courses in the fog, -joined the English fleet by mistake, and were all taken, -with upwards of a thousand prisoners. The Earl of -Sandwich brought home his fleet in triumph. The -contribution to the Treasury from this expedition was -most acceptable, and much needed to provide for further -costly naval operations, necessary to maintain England’s -“sovereignty of the seas.”</p> - -<p>The valiant Earl of Sandwich, like most other eminent -and successful men, had his enemies and detractors, -and foremost among these was Sir William Coventry, the -secretary to the Duke of York; “a sullen, ill-natured, -proud man, whose ambition had no limits, nor could -be contained within any.” He had prevented Prince -Rupert from being associated with Lord Sandwich in -the command of the fleet, not to favour the earl, but to -mortify the prince. Clarendon pronounced him a man -“who never paid a civility to any worthy man, but as it<span class="pagenum" id="Page_280">280</span> -was a disobligation to another, whom he cared less for.” -Without provocation he proceeded to pluck the earl of -the honours he had taken part in conferring upon him. -Coventry did his utmost to have the earl dismissed from -the service.</p> - -<p>In 1666 the Earl of Sandwich was appointed to an -office of great trust and dignity—Ambassador Extraordinary, -to mediate and negotiate a peace between -England and Spain and Portugal. He accomplished -his delicate mission with signal success, and in the -course of a year brought the complicated negotiations -to an amicable conclusion. He arrived at Madrid -on the 26th May 1666, and a treaty of forty articles -was signed, on the 13th May 1667. Having been -successful with Spain, he next proceeded to Lisbon, and -successfully arranged the conditions of a treaty with -Portugal, which was signed on the 13th February 1668.</p> - -<p>The Earl of Sandwich achieved a high reputation by -the manner in which he conducted these important -affairs of State. His despatches were pronounced -models of sound judgment, dignity, and patriotism,—remarkable -alike for accuracy of expression and honesty -of purpose. In Spain and Portugal he produced a -highly favourable impression, tending powerfully towards -the cultivation of friendly relations with England. The -king and the Duke of York sent Lord Sandwich -autograph letters complimenting him highly upon the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_281">281</span> -skill and success with which he had fulfilled his mission. -On his return to England he was received with marked -favour, and admitted to greater confidence at court than -he had ever, up to that time, enjoyed.</p> - -<p>The earl was, on the 3rd August 1670, sworn in -President of a newly-appointed Council in Trade and -Plantations, to whom the government of the Colonies -was entrusted. As Vice-Admiral, Privy Councillor, and -President of the Council of Trade, he had many -opportunities of rendering important public services. -He availed himself of these with great zeal, and -exercised his authority in the most impartial spirit. -He set his face against all factions, and in doing so, -made for himself some bitter enemies. The Cabal -did all they could to thwart and undermine him. He -introduced a new system into the navy, founding -promotion upon meritorious services. He was idolised -by the fleet, but hated by the hunters after rank, who -had no better claim to promotion than connection -or private interest.</p> - -<p>In 1672 war with the Dutch again broke out. The -interval that had elapsed, since the close of the former -hostilities, had been diligently employed by the Dutch -in refitting their navy, and they turned out a powerful -fleet of ships, improved in construction, well equipped, -and commanded by the distinguished Admiral De Ruyter. -The naval force of France acted in conjunction with<span class="pagenum" id="Page_282">282</span> -that of England. The Duke of York, although his -conduct in the former actions had been at least questionable, -again assumed the chief command of the English -fleet, in the red squadron which took the centre. The -Earl of Sandwich commanded the blue squadron, and -Count D’Estrées, the French vice-admiral, the white -squadron. A trustworthy writer has given the strength -of the united English and French fleets as sixty-five line -of battle ships, exclusive of frigates and all necessary -attendant vessels, making up the total force, including -the French contingent, to something above one hundred -sail. The Dutch fleet consisted of seventy-five large -ships, and forty frigates and fire-ships, commanded by -De Ruyter as chief, by Bancquert in the van, and Van -Ghent in the rear. These divisions corresponded with -those of the combined fleet.</p> - -<div id="il_37" class="figcenter" style="max-width: 31em;"> - <img src="images/i_299.jpg" width="1977" height="1293" alt="" /> - <div class="caption">ACTION BETWEEN THE EARL OF SANDWICH AND ADMIRAL DE RUYTER.</div></div> - -<p>After cruising about from the first week in May till -the 28th, the Dutch fleet was descried at break of day, -approaching with great speed. The utmost haste was -needed in the English fleet to prepare for battle; and -many of the ships had to cut their cables to get away -and form in order. The blue squadron, commanded by -the Earl of Sandwich, in his flag-ship the <i>Royal James</i>, -of one hundred guns, commenced the action by a hot -attack on the squadron of Van Ghent. The earl’s -object in his attack was partly to give the vessels of the -combined fleet time to form. In this he was completely<span class="pagenum" id="Page_285">285</span> -successful. Captain Brackel, in the <i>Great Holland</i>, made -a furious attack upon the <i>Royal James</i>, but got much -the worst of the fight, and was, with several others -of the Dutch men-of-war, disabled by their powerful -antagonist, which also sank three of the Dutch fire-ships. -The white squadron, under D’Estrées, the French -vice-admiral, withstood for a time the fierce onslaught -of the Dutch, but soon sheered off,—keeping aloof from -the engagement during the remainder of the day.</p> - -<p>The Duke of York and De Ruyter were warmly -engaged against each other for several hours. The -main-mast of the <i>St. Michael</i>, the duke’s ship, was shot -down, and it sustained such serious damage as to compel -him to change into the <i>Loyal London</i>. The most -desperate part of the battle was that in which the Earl -of Sandwich was engaged. Soon after he was attacked -by the <i>Great Holland</i>, which had grappled with him for -an hour and a half, when the whole of Van Ghent’s -squadron bore down upon him. He was completely -surrounded by Dutch men-of-war and fire-ships. In -the midst of this tremendous struggle Van Ghent fell. -The <i>Great Holland</i> was shattered, and became a wreck; -Brackel, the commander, was wounded, and almost all -the other officers were killed or wounded. In this -unequal contest, which had lasted for more than five -hours, the Earl of Sandwich defended his ship with the -most heroic and dauntless bravery, and—although he<span class="pagenum" id="Page_286">286</span> -had not received from the rest of the squadron the -support he had a right to claim and expect—he succeeded -in so far repulsing the enemy as to break through -their wall of fire, and continue his daring conflict with -them from the outer side. He carried on, against fearful -odds, the struggle for victory. In his desperate strait, -the vice-admiral, Sir Joseph Jordan, might have assisted -him, had the duke demanded his assistance, but he sailed -past, heedless of the condition of the wrecked flag-ship, -and the claims upon a brave comrade, its gallant commander. -When the earl saw Jordan pass unheeding, -he exclaimed, “There is nothing left for us now but to -defend the ship, to the last man.” The situation was -appalling. Of one thousand men on board the <i>Royal -James</i> at the commencement of the action, six hundred -lay dead upon the deck. The devastation continued,—men -dropped rapidly,—and the ship was so shattered -that it was impossible to carry her off. A fourth fire-ship -grappled the doomed <i>Royal James</i>, and accomplished -its mission of destruction. The gallant ship was -speedily in flames. The earl entreated his captain, Sir -Richard Haddock, his servants, and all who could, to -get into the boats and save themselves, which at last -they did. Haddock was afterwards taken out of the sea -alive, but severely wounded in the thigh. The attempts -to extinguish the fire by the few sailors who remained -on board were utterly vain, and about noon the <i>Royal<span class="pagenum" id="Page_287">287</span> -James</i> blew up, and all who had remained in the ship -perished, including the brave Earl of Sandwich and one -of his sons. The body of the earl was not recovered -till a fortnight after the terrible event. The following -announcement appeared in the <i>Gazette</i> of 10th June -<span class="locked">1672:—</span></p> - -<div class="blockquot"> -<p class="right"> -“<span class="smcap">Harwich</span>, <i>10th June</i>. -</p> - -<p>“This day the body of the Right Honourable -Edward, Earl of Sandwich, being, by the order -upon his coat, discovered floating on the sea by -one of His Majesty’s ketches, was taken up and -brought into this port, where Sir Charles Littleton, the -governor, receiving it, took immediate care for its embalming -and honourable disposing, till His Majesty’s -pleasure should be known concerning it; for the obtaining -of which His Majesty was attended at Whitehall the -next day by the master of the said vessel, who, by Sir -Charles Littleton’s order, was sent to present His -Majesty with the George found upon the body of the -said Earl, which remained, at the time of its taking up, -in every part unblemished, saving by some impression -made by the fire upon his face and breast; upon which -His Majesty, out of his great regard to the deservings of -the said Earl, and his unexampled performances in this -last act of his life, hath resolved to have his body -brought up to London; there at his charge, to receive -the rites of funeral due to his great quality and merits.”</p> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_288">288</span></p> - -<p>Reverting to the terrible contest, it is stated that the -battle raged with incessant fury from a little after seven -in the morning until nine o’clock in the evening. -Tremendous losses were sustained by both the English -and the Dutch, on whose side their admirals, Evertsen -and Van Ghent, with many of their chief officers, were -killed, and De Ruyter was wounded. The English also -lost many officers, besides the brave Earl of Sandwich,—and -vast numbers of men fell in both fleets. Victory -was claimed by both sides, but it seems to have been -gained by neither. They fought as long as a remnant -of fighting life and strength were left in either of them. -At the end of the dreadful day’s work the Dutch sailed -away, which does not look like victory. The English -did not pursue them, which looks also as if they had -had enough of it.</p> - -<p>The body of the deceased earl was conveyed from -Harwich to Deptford in one of the king’s yachts. The -<i>Gazette</i> of 4th July informs us that the body was at -Deptford on the 3rd July 1672, “laid in the most -solemn manner in a sumptuous barge, and conveyed to -Westminster Bridge,<a id="FNanchor_3" href="#Footnote_3" class="fnanchor">3</a> attended by the King’s barge, His -Royal Highness the Duke of York’s, as also with the -several barges of the nobility, Lord Mayor, and the -several companies of the city of London, adorned suitably -to the melancholy occasion, with trumpets and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_289">289</span> -other music that sounded the deepest notes. On passing -by the Tower, the great guns there were discharged, -as well as at Whitehall; and about five o’clock in the -evening, the body being taken out of the barge at Westminster -Bridge, there was a procession to the Abbey -church, with the greatest magnificence. Eight earls -were assistant to his son Edward, Earl of Sandwich, -chief mourner; and most of the nobility, and other -persons of quality in town, gave their assistance to his -interment.” In this order they proceeded through a -double line of the King’s Guards drawn up on each side -of the street, to the west end of the Abbey, where the -dean, prebends, and choir received them, and conducted -them into Henry Seventh’s Chapel, where the remains of -the Earl of Sandwich were most solemnly committed to, -the Duke of Albemarle’s vault,—which done, the officers -broke their white staffs, and Garter proclaimed the titles -of the most noble earl deceased. The great earl -perished in the prime of life, having only reached his -forty-seventh year.</p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a id="Footnote_3" href="#FNanchor_3" class="fnanchor">3</a> A causeway so called at that time.</p> - -</div> - -<p>The high character and noble qualities of the Earl of -Sandwich are so clearly revealed in his life, as to render -comment upon his character, or enumeration of his -qualities, superfluous. He took no share in intrigues, -either under the Commonwealth or the Monarchy, both -of which he served. His life was a continuous series of -public services. He was brave, wise, just, and generous,—the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_290">290</span> -advocate of no party. His highest ambition -was to be instrumental in promoting the prosperity of -his country, and maintaining its honour among the -nations.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_291">291</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="toclink_290">PRINCE RUPERT,<br /> - -<span class="subhead"><span class="smaller">NAVAL AND MILITARY COMMANDER.</span></span><br /> - -<span class="subhead">CHAPTER XII. - -<span class="subhead">THE DUTCH DISCOVER ENGLISH COURAGE TO BE -INVINCIBLE.</span></span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="drop-cap"><span class="smcap1 b">Some</span> heroes of the olden time played many parts, -which are in these later days assigned to distinct -and separate performers. The division of labour was -not then so well understood and appreciated,—and -specialists were more rare. Prince Rupert, like Blake, -his great antagonist, with whom he repeatedly came into -conflict upon land and at sea, distinguished himself -highly as a military as well as a naval commander. -He was, in addition, an accomplished chemist and -metallurgist, and in general scientific culture and attainments -much in advance of his age. Rupert was endowed -with a degree of native energy that swept aside temptations -to indulge in luxurious idleness, and made<span class="pagenum" id="Page_292">292</span> -effeminacy impossible. He was preternaturally restless, -active, and impetuous; so much so, as to have made -his name a proverbial adjective, expressive of these -qualities. This was illustrated in the case of a distinguished -deceased statesman, Earl Derby, who was -fitly pronounced “the Rupert of debate.”</p> - -<div id="il_38" class="figcenter" style="max-width: 34em;"> - <img src="images/i_309.jpg" width="2135" height="1395" alt="" /> - <div class="caption">PRINCE RUPERT AT EDGEHILL.</div></div> - -<p>Prince Rupert was the third son of Frederick, Elector -Palatine, King of Bohemia, and Princess Elizabeth, -eldest daughter of King James I., and sister of Charles I., -King of England,—to whom he was accordingly nephew. -He was born at Prague, 18th December 1619. He was -probably educated and trained, as most German princes -were then,—and have continued to be since,—with a view -to his following the profession of arms. In 1630 he was -a student at Leyden, and proved himself an apt scholar, -particularly in languages. Military studies, even as a -boy, he prosecuted with much zest. In 1633, a lad of -fourteen years, he was with the Prince of Orange at the -siege of Rheneberg, and served as a volunteer against the -Spaniards in the Prince’s Life Guards. In 1635 he was -at the English court, and in the following year took the -degree—or had it conferred upon him—of M.A. at -Oxford. In 1638 he was again at the Hague, and took -part in the siege of Breda, at which he exhibited his -characteristic reckless bravery. He was taken prisoner -by the Austrians, and was confined for three years at -Linz. Overtures were pressed upon him, which he<span class="pagenum" id="Page_295">295</span> -steadfastly resisted, to change his religion, and take -service under the emperor. In 1642 he was released, -and returned to the Hague, proceeding shortly afterwards -to England, where he was made Master of the -Horse, otherwise commander of the king’s cavalry, -when only twenty-three years of age. He joined the -king at Leicester in August 1642, and was present -at the raising of the royal standard at Nottingham. -He was about that time admitted to the dignity of -Knight of the Garter. He introduced important improvements -in cavalry movements and general military -administration. He displayed great activity and bravery, -in the actions at Worcester and Edgehill. He was -opposed in his march to London, and led valiantly in -some desperate fighting. In 1643 took Cirencester -for the king, but failed in his attempt to take Gloucester. -He had a number of stirring military actions and adventures -in different parts of the country, and amongst -them a conflict with John Hampden at Chalgrove on -the 18th June, in which the patriot was slain. Throughout -the war Rupert exhibited unwavering intrepidity. -In token of appreciation of his services, the king raised -him to the dignity of a peer of England, under the title -of Earl of Holderness and Duke of Cumberland, and -appointed him Generalissimo of the army. In the -course of events, during the contest between the king -and the Parliament, Rupert achieved some victories,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_296">296</span> -but sustained also many reverses, which culminated in -the defeat of the king’s forces, at the battle of Naseby. -Rupert was regarded with envy, jealousy, and dislike -by a large party of the courtiers, who intrigued against -him, and sought to diminish or destroy his influence. -The queen was also against him. From Naseby the -king and his shattered army fled to Bristol, which -Rupert engaged to hold for four months, but surrendered -in three weeks,—not from lack of bravery, but -from impatience, and inability to endure an inactive -life—he was as a caged lion. A contemporary critic -says of him that he was “the boldest <em>attaquer</em> in the -world for personal courage, but wanted the patience and -seasoned head to consult and advise for defence.” -Although impetuous and courageous to a fault, he was -not utterly reckless,—and his view of the situation, -estimate of forces, and calculation as to probabilities, -led him to counsel the king to endeavour to come to -terms with the Parliament.</p> - -<p>A brilliant incident in Rupert’s career, in which the -heroism of a noble lady shines resplendent, merits a brief -reference. Lathom House, the seat of the Earl of -Derby, was left in charge, during the absence of the earl -on public affairs, of his countess, Charlotte de la Tremouille. -The Parliamentary forces demanded possession, -which the countess promptly and uncompromisingly -resisted, although confronted with an army ten times the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_297">297</span> -strength of her garrison. The siege commenced on the -24th February 1644. The fortress was bombarded by -chain shot, bars of iron, stone balls of thirteen inches -diameter, weighing eighty pounds, and all sorts of terrible -missiles. The artillery of the assailants slackened for a -time, and the beleaguered garrison made a gallant sortie; -they slew thirty of the enemy, and took from them -“forty guns and a drum.” Although suffering great -privations, the answer of the countess to the repeated -demands to capitulate was, that they would never be -taken alive, but would burn the place and perish in the -flames rather than surrender. Prince Rupert and his -gallant cavalry arrived on the 27th May, put the besiegers -to the rout, and relieved the long-suffering, noble -countess and her gallant garrison.</p> - -<p>The civil war was virtually ended with the battle of -Naseby, June 14, 1645. Rupert applied to Parliament -for a pass to go abroad, which they would only grant -upon conditions that he could not accept. He was -taken prisoner by Sir Thomas Fairfax, the Parliamentary -commander. On the demand of the Parliament, Rupert -proceeded to France, where he was made a marshal in -the French army, and commenced at once active service. -He sustained a wound in the head at Armentières in -1647. Part of the English fleet, that had adhered to the -king, sailed to Holland, whither Rupert went also, to -commence his career as a naval commander. In conjunction<span class="pagenum" id="Page_298">298</span> -with the Prince of Wales, to whom part of the -Parliamentary fleet had revolted, he assumed the command -of the fleet; the sole command, very soon after, -devolved upon Prince Rupert.</p> - -<p>He set out upon a piratical expedition, inflicted considerable -injury upon English trade, and after relieving -Grenville at the Scilly Isles, sailed for the coast of -Ireland, with the desire to assist, if possible, the king’s -nearly hopeless cause. Rupert took the harbour and -fort of Kinsale, but not for use or according to his -own pleasure, for his old antagonist Blake was upon -him, with a powerful squadron, which the prince must -either engage or remain blocked up in Kinsale. With -his characteristic dashing bravery, he attempted to force -his way out of port, and did so, but at the loss of -the <i>Roebuck</i> and the <i>Black Prince</i>, two of Rupert’s best -ships, which were sunk in the encounter. Rupert sailed -for Portugal, and was well received by the king, but -Blake followed hard after him, and blockaded him in -the Tagus. Again the gallant Rupert broke through, -and sailed for the Mediterranean. He refitted at -Toulon, and did a good deal of not altogether unprofitable -piratical work in a cruise about Madeira, the -Canaries, the Azores, Cape de Verd, and the West -Indies. Blake, however, followed him whithersoever he -went, and attacked him on every opportunity. Rupert -was greatly overmatched, and his strength continuously<span class="pagenum" id="Page_299">299</span> -reduced. Having lost most of his ships, with the remainder -shattered and unfit for sea, at the close of 1652, -he took the remnant and such prizes as he had made, -and been able to keep, to Nantes, where he sold them, -and with the proceeds paid the wages of his faithful -crews, whom he discharged,—and then laid aside his -command as an admiral.</p> - -<p>Louis XIV. invited Rupert to Paris, and made him -Master of the Horse in the French army. The restless -energy of the prince prevented his settling,—and he -travelled in France for a time, returning to Paris in 1655. -About this time he took a turn of work in the laboratory, -and completed a series of experiments, in which he -succeeded in very greatly increasing the explosive force -of gunpowder. He prosecuted his studies and researches -in relation to other arts also, including mezzotint -engraving, of which he was the reputed inventor.</p> - -<p>On the restoration of Charles II. in May 1660, -Prince Rupert was sent for by the king, and appears to -have been connected with the court for a few years. In -1661 the prince, in company with a number of noblemen -and persons of rank and eminence, was called to -the Bar of the Inner Temple. In the following year -he was sworn as a member of the Privy Council, and -was also declared a Fellow of the Royal Society, which -was then founded, the king subscribing the statutes as -founder and patron.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_300">300</span></p> - -<p>In 1664, Prince Rupert was appointed admiral of a -fleet, that had been equipped to watch the movements of -the Dutch. He hoisted his flag on board the <i>Henrietta</i>, -and afterwards on the <i>Royal James</i>. He took part, as -admiral of the white, in the great sea-fight between the -English and Dutch fleets, off Lowestoft, in June 1665. -The English fleet was commanded by H.R.H. James, -Duke of York, afterwards James II., King of England; -the Dutch were commanded by Admirals Opdam and -Van Tromp. The English got the weather-gage of the -Dutch, and about three o’clock on a fine summer morning, -commenced the action, awaking the inhabitants of -Lowestoft by the thunder of their artillery. The contest -was desperate, victory trembling in the balance during -many hours. About noon the Earl of Sandwich came -up with a reinforcement, and fell upon the Dutch centre, -which threw them into the confusion that ended in their -defeat. The Duke of York in his flag-ship, the <i>Royal -Charles</i>, of eighty guns, and the Dutch Admiral Opdam -in the <i>Eendracht</i>, of eighty-four guns, were engaged closely, -ship to ship, yard-arm and yard-arm, when about noon -the <i>Eendracht</i> blew up with a tremendous explosion, -the disaster attributable, probably, to careless management -of the powder magazine, and distribution of the -ammunition. Admiral Opdam and five hundred men -perished; many of them were volunteers belonging to -some of the best families in Holland, with a number of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_303">303</span> -Frenchmen, whose lives were the price they paid for the -gratification of their curiosity to witness a sea-fight. -Only five of the crew escaped. The explosion was one -of a succession of misfortunes that befell the Dutch. -A number of their best ships ran foul of each other, and -were burnt by the English fire-ships. With a greatly -reduced fleet, the gallant Van Tromp doggedly continued -the unequal contest, and retreated fighting. The Duke -of York was much censured for his failure to pursue his -advantage, and terminate, at least for a time, the contest -with Holland, as some authorities thought he might have -done. This we have already referred to.</p> - -<div id="il_39" class="figcenter" style="max-width: 36em;"> - <img src="images/i_317.jpg" width="2293" height="1419" alt="" /> - <div class="caption">TOULON.</div></div> - -<p>The impetuosity that had characterised Rupert in his -earlier actions, and had detracted from the value of his -services, was now tempered and subdued, and made him -what he was not before, a safe commander. In the action -with Opdam’s fleet, the prince rendered most important -service, that encouraged the belief that he would achieve -high distinction as a naval commander. On the 24th -June, Prince Rupert again attacked the Dutch, pursued -them to their own coast, and blocked them up in their -harbours. Again, in the autumn of the same year, -having the sole command of the English fleet, Prince -Rupert, learning that the Dutch were endeavouring to -form a junction with a French squadron of forty sail, -followed them so closely into Boulogne Roads as to place -them in imminent danger. A violent storm compelled the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_304">304</span> -prince to return to St. Helen’s Bay, and prevented him -from following up his advantage. Sir Thomas Allen did -so shortly afterwards.</p> - -<p>Prince Rupert on his return was warmly welcomed by -the king and the nation, with whom he was becoming a -popular favourite. He was now associated with the -Duke of Albemarle in the command of the English navy.</p> - -<p>In the spring of 1666 the duke and Prince Rupert -were afloat with a fleet that had been equipped for -operations against the Dutch. It was unfortunate that -their power should have been divided, by detaching -Prince Rupert with a squadron, to look for the French -and thwart their naval operations. The duke had a fleet -of sixty ships. On the morning of the 1st of June he got -sight of the Dutch fleet, under Admirals Evertsen, De -Ruyter, and Van Tromp,<a id="FNanchor_4" href="#Footnote_4" class="fnanchor">4</a> which was found to consist of -ninety-one ships, many of them first-rates, with a number -and weight of guns greatly superior to those of the -English fleet. Lord Albemarle, without hesitation, gave -battle. The fight was carried on with desperate bravery -during the whole of that day, and resumed on the day -following. The action is described in our notice of -the Duke of Albemarle. Prince Rupert could find -no trace of any French fleet destined to assist the -Dutch, and returned to his home station. On the 3rd<span class="pagenum" id="Page_305">305</span> -June he came up with the Duke of Albemarle, whose -greatly overmatched squadrons had been so knocked -about and reduced, as to necessitate retreat, which he -conducted with great skill and undiminished courage. -In joining forces with the duke, a great misfortune -happened to Prince Rupert’s squadron. The <i>Royal -Prince</i>, commanded by Sir George Ayscough, the largest -and heaviest ship in the fleet, ran aground on the Galloper -Sands; being without hope of relief, it was surrendered, -and Ayscough, its commander, taken prisoner.</p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a id="Footnote_4" href="#FNanchor_4" class="fnanchor">4</a> Cornelius Van Tromp, second son of the great admiral killed -in 1653.</p> - -</div> - -<p>On the morning of the 4th June, the combined squadrons -of Albemarle and Rupert, although still greatly -inferior in power to the Dutch, started after them in -pursuit,—the Dutch being almost out of sight. About -eight in the morning they again commenced their -onslaught upon each other. Five times the English -fleet charged through the Dutch line, firing into it, right -and left. Rupert’s ship became disabled, and that of -Albemarle terribly shattered, and the injuries on both -sides were most disastrous. About seven in the evening -the hostile fleets drew off from each other,—their commanders -appearing to agree, tacitly, in thinking that they -had enough of it, for the present.</p> - -<p>This, which may be pronounced a drawn battle, has -been regarded as the most terrible action fought in this, -or perhaps in any other war. So the Dutch admirals also -considered it. De Witt says of it: “If the English were<span class="pagenum" id="Page_306">306</span> -beat, their defeat did them more honour than all their -former victories; all that the Dutch had discovered was, -that Englishmen might be killed, and English ships -might be burned, but English courage was invincible.” -It is not easy to say who were victors on the whole, and -what the losses were of the victors and the vanquished -respectively. Dutch historians compute our loss at -sixteen men-of-war, of which ten were sunk and six -taken. Our writers put the Dutch loss at fifteen men-of-war, -twenty-one captains, and five thousand men. The -Dutch themselves admit that they lost nine ships, and -had a prodigious number of men slain. Discounting -even the lowest estimates, it seems impossible to realise -the scenes that produced such ghastly results.</p> - -<p>Only a short breathing-time was taken by the combatants, -and a brief space for a hurried repair of damages. -Before the end of June the Dutch fleet was again at sea, -and was met by an English fleet of eighty men-of-war of -different sizes, and nineteen fire-ships, divided into three -squadrons. The command was again with the Duke of -Albemarle and Prince Rupert. The Dutch fleet of -eighty-eight men-of-war, and twenty fire-ships, was also -in three squadrons, commanded by Admirals De Ruyter, -John Evertsen, brother to the admiral who was killed in -a former engagement, and Cornelius Van Tromp.</p> - -<p>About noon the hostile fleets came into contact off -the North Foreland. Rupert and the duke, who were<span class="pagenum" id="Page_307">307</span> -in the same ship, made a desperate attack upon De -Ruyter’s ship, which was in the centre of the Dutch -fleet. After fighting for about three hours, their ship -had sustained such serious injuries as to force them to -betake themselves to another. The most dogged bravery -was displayed on both sides, but the English had the best -of the battle. The Dutch retreated. All that night -Prince Rupert and the duke followed in pursuit of De -Ruyter. When the gallant Dutchman found himself so -hard pressed, and his fleet in such imminent danger, he -is said to have cried in despair, “My God, what a wretch -am I! Is there not one of these thousands of bullets to -put me out of pain?” He reached, however, the shallow -coast of Holland, where the English could not follow -him. Prince Rupert sent a small shallop, with two small -guns on board, close up to De Ruyter’s ship,—the men -rowing it into position,—and opened fire upon the -admiral. A return shot proved convincing to the -assailants that this was too dangerous, and the shallop -was rowed back.</p> - -<p>This, it is stated, was the most decided and unquestioned -victory gained during the war. The Dutch -were completely defeated, and the two great admirals, De -Ruyter and Van Tromp, could only attempt their defence -by angry recriminations. The Dutch lost twenty ships -in the action; four of their admirals, and a great many -captains, and about four thousand men were killed, with<span class="pagenum" id="Page_308">308</span> -as many wounded. The English lost one ship burnt, -had three captains and about three hundred men killed.</p> - -<p>From 1666 till 1672 there was an interval of peace, -during which Prince Rupert applied himself to scientific -pursuits. On the death of the Earl of Sandwich in 1672, -Rupert was appointed to succeed him as Vice-Admiral -of England, and when the Duke of York shortly after -retired from command of the fleet, Prince Rupert was -appointed Lord High Admiral of England.</p> - -<p>Prince Rupert commenced his active duties with the -new dignity in April 1673. He effected an important -change in naval spirit and method. The Dutch had -hitherto come to us, Rupert went to them. The -Hollanders were rather surprised to find an English fleet -at their doors in the middle of May 1673. De Ruyter -was riding within the sands at Schonebeck, and occupied -a very advantageous position, from which it was desirable -he should be drawn. About nine in the morning of the -28th a squadron, consisting of thirty-five frigates and -thirteen fire-ships, were accordingly detached to lure the -enemy from his anchorage. The ruse was successful, -and the action commenced at noon. The advanced -detachment engaged Van Tromp, and the prince attacked -De Ruyter. The contest was obstinate, and the contending -ships inflicted tremendous punishment upon -each other. Van Tromp shifted his flag four times,—and -his English antagonists, Spragge and the Earl of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_311">311</span> -Ossory, had to do the like. Rupert, on his part, did all -that could be expected from a wise and valiant commander. -Towards the close of the battle, which lasted -till night, Rupert’s ship had taken in such quantities of -water as to throw out of use the lower tier of guns. The -Dutch retreated behind their sands, which averted what -would have been their defeat. In reporting on the -action to the Earl of Arlington, Prince Rupert writes: -“Had it not been for the shoals, we had driven them -into their harbours, and the king would have had a -better account of them.”</p> - -<div id="il_40" class="figcenter" style="max-width: 22em;"> - <img src="images/i_325.jpg" width="1359" height="2182" alt="" /> - <div class="caption"><p class="xsmall b1">W. THOMAS.</p> - -<p>ADRIAN DE RUYTER.</p></div></div> - -<p>With the advantage of recruiting immediately, being -at home,—the Dutch were again at sea at the beginning -of June. Suspicious that the enemy meant to take us -by surprise, Prince Rupert went on board the <i>Royal -Sovereign</i> on the evening of 3rd June, and watched -during the whole of the night. On the morning of the -4th the Dutch were seen bearing down upon our fleet. -Rupert, more than willing to meet them, ordered his -cables to be cut. The action lasted from about four in -the afternoon till dark, but no great damage was done, -and there was no fighting at close quarters. Between -ten and eleven at night the Dutch bore away to the -east.</p> - -<p>Considerably strengthened, the hostile fleets came -together again in August, when Prince Rupert encountered -De Ruyter for the third time. The French<span class="pagenum" id="Page_312">312</span> -were in this action our allies, but Rear-Admiral De -Martel was the only commander in the French contingent -that was, in honesty and earnestness, a combatant. -Rupert had to trust to himself, and to Sir Edward Spragge, -for such help as he might be able to get from him. -Against Prince Rupert and his squadron that occupied -the centre of the English line of battle, the attack was -concentrated. The English fleet consisted of about -sixty men-of-war, and the French of thirty. The Dutch -fleet had about seventy ships, but the numerical superiority -of Rupert’s force was illusory. With the exception of -De Martel, none of the French commanders rendered -any assistance,—they were mere spectators. They deserted -their own countryman,—the brave Martel,—and looked -on with craven stare as he bore unaided the combined -attack of five Dutch ships,—one of which he disabled, -and made the others sheer off. The contest was furious -and protracted, but indecisive. The conduct of Prince -Rupert throughout the action was resolute, courageous, -judicious, and worthy of the highest admiration. The -pusillanimity of the French, and the disobedience or -misconception of orders, on the part of his subordinate -admirals and commanders, prevented the action from -being a signal victory.</p> - -<p>Soon after this action Prince Rupert retired from -public life, although he did not resign his Admiralty -commission till 1679. The years of his retirement were<span class="pagenum" id="Page_313">313</span> -passed chiefly at Windsor Castle, his time being much -given to literary and scientific studies and pursuits. He -was an active member of the Board of Trade, and a -governor of the Hudson’s Bay Company. Reference -has already been made to his skill as an engraver, and to -his improvement in the composition of gunpowder. He -was the inventor of a method of treating plumbago,—converting -it into a tractable fluid. Amongst his other -inventions were the amalgam, named after him prince’s -metal, for sheathing ships; a screw applied to a quadrant -at sea, which prevented shifting, either from the unsteadiness -of the observer’s hands or from the ship’s motion; -a rapid discharging gun; an engine for raising water; an -improved method of blasting in mines; a quick and -accurate method of drawing in perspective.</p> - -<p>Prince Rupert died in his house in Spring Gardens, -London, on the 29th November 1682, in the sixty-third -year of his age. He was interred in the Chapel of -Henry VII., in Westminster Abbey, with the honour and -respect due to his rank and character.</p> - -<p>Throughout life he was eminently brave. He had -natural and acquired powers, that lifted him high above -the run of common men. He was thoroughly straightforward, -detested cabals and intrigues, and kept entirely -aloof from them, although he suffered from them,—especially -as a naval commander. He never meddled -with affairs of State or Cabinet or matters that were not<span class="pagenum" id="Page_314">314</span> -his business. In religion he was a steady Protestant; -to the State a zealous and faithful servant; to his king -a loyal and devoted subject. It is not too much -to say of him that he was an honest, wise, and brave -man.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_315">315</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="toclink_315">SIR EDWARD SPRAGGE,<br /> - -<span class="subhead"><span class="smaller">ONE BORN TO COMMAND.</span></span><br /> - -<span class="subhead">CHAPTER XIII. - -<span class="subhead">THE DUTCH AVOW SUCH FIERCE FIGHTING NEVER -TO HAVE BEEN SEEN.</span></span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="drop-cap"><span class="smcap1">Those</span> who are “born great” enjoy favourable -conditions for also achieving greatness, provided -they are possessed of the necessary qualifications. On -the other hand, there have been many instances of men -who have proved themselves “born to command,” whose -forebears have left no trace of their existence. The -naval heroes of the later half of the seventeenth century -belonged to all classes, princes of the blood royal, scions -of ancient and honourable houses, and many without any -early records. The brave Sir Edward Spragge belongs -to the last category.</p> - -<p>Sir Edward Spragge, in 1661, was captain of the <i>Portland</i>, -and afterwards, in succession, the <i>Dover</i>, the <i>Lion</i>,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_316">316</span> -the <i>Royal James</i>, and the <i>Triumph</i>, which he commanded -in the great battle with the Dutch off Lowestoft, -on the 3rd June 1665. The mighty Dutch fleet in this -battle comprised a hundred and three men-of-war, -eleven fire-ships, and seven yachts. It was in seven -squadrons, commanded by Admirals Opdam, Van -Tromp, John Evertsen, Cornelius Evertsen, Cortenaer, -Stillingwerth, and Schram. In this important action, -referred to in the sketch of Prince Rupert, Spragge -and Van Tromp made each other’s acquaintance as -antagonists. Amongst many devoted heroes on both -sides, Spragge distinguished himself highly by his conspicuous -bravery, which procured him the honour of -knighthood, conferred on the 24th June of the same -year.</p> - -<p>In 1666, Sir Edward was promoted rear-admiral -of the white, and again, vice-admiral of the blue. As -commander of the <i>Dreadnought</i>, he took a distinguished -part in the four days’ battle with the Dutch in June -1666,—his brave and skilful conduct attracting the -particular notice of the Duke of Albemarle. On the -24th July, Spragge, carrying his flag in the blue squadron, -again engaged Van Tromp; he completely disabled -Tromp’s vice-admiral, killed his rear-admiral, and -ruined the rigging of his ship,—thus contributing greatly -to the success of the action.</p> - -<p>In the following year Sir Edward was appointed to an<span class="pagenum" id="Page_317">317</span> -onerous duty, by the Duke of Albemarle—the defence -of the fort at Sheerness, threatened by the Dutch. On -the 10th June 1667, the Dutch attacked the fort. The -place was really incapable of effective resistance, its sole -defence consisting of a platform on which fifteen iron -guns were mounted. He bravely continued to resist for -a time the combined fierce attack of about thirty men-of-war. -Continued resistance, however, would have -resulted in the inevitable destruction of his gallant -garrison, and he skilfully made good his retreat.</p> - -<p>The appearance of the Dutch fleet in the Thames, and -the capture of Sheerness, created a panic in London and -in England generally, and brought many reproaches on -Charles II.,—stirring up remembrances of Cromwell and -the Commonwealth, under whose auspices the dignity -and honour of the country had always been maintained. -The fort of Sheerness was destroyed. The Dutch (who -had received very little damage), it was feared, might at -the next tide sail up the Thames, and extend their -hostilities even to London Bridge. Thirteen ships were -in consequence sunk at Northfleet and four at Blackwall; -platforms were raised in many places, and furnished -with artillery; the trained bands were called out, and -every place was in violent agitation.</p> - -<p>Spragge collected such naval force as he could, and -retreated up the Medway, with a squadron of five frigates, -seventeen fire-ships,—an extraordinary proportion!—and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_318">318</span> -a few tenders. He took his station near the battery at -Gillingham, opposite Upnor Castle, where he gave the -Dutch, under Admiral Van Ness, a very warm reception, -as they attempted to force their way up the river. The -Dutch retreated, and, after paying a hostile visit to -Harwich, returned again to the Medway, and on the -23rd July sailed up to near the Hope, where a squadron, -slightly reinforced, and placed under the command of -Sir Edward Spragge, awaited them. When the Dutch -came up, Sir Edward unfortunately had not arrived to -take the command, and the enemy were very near -snatching a victory. Hostilities were renewed on the -second day, under Sir Edward’s personal command. -The enemy were attacked with great vigour and effect, -and the Dutch sheered off, with Spragge in hot pursuit. -By dexterous management he contrived so to tow his -fire-ships as to burn twelve of the enemy’s, with an -expenditure of six of his own fire-ships. On the 25th, -at daylight, the Dutch had dropped down as far as the -buoy at the Nore. Sir Edward following them was -compelled by the tide coming up against him, to come -to an anchor at a point a little below Lee. At one -o’clock, the flood being spent, the Dutch fleet got under -way, and our squadron resumed pursuit. The fleets -opened fire upon each other, but at too great a -distance for the guns, such as they were at that period, -to be effective. On the 26th, Sir J. Jordan arrived<span class="pagenum" id="Page_321">321</span> -from Harwich with a reinforcement. He contrived to -pass the Dutch fleet, which lay between him and -Spragge, and joined in the attack upon the Dutch; -on the 27th the Dutch were out of sight, without -having given Sir Edward a chance of closing with -them. This was the last action in that war with the -Dutch.</p> - -<div id="il_41" class="figcenter" style="max-width: 30em;"> - <img src="images/i_335.jpg" width="1864" height="1285" alt="" /> - <div class="caption">THE DUTCH FLEET CAPTURES SHEERNESS.</div></div> - -<p>In 1668, Sir Edward was appointed an envoy to the -Constable of Castile, who had recently been made -Governor of the Spanish Netherlands. Sir Edward’s -function was to compliment the governor on his -appointment, and to complete further negotiations in -relation to certain State measures in which Sir Edward -was interested, and with which he was conversant. The -estimation in which Sir Edward was held may be -inferred from the following extract from a letter of -Lord Arlington to Sir William Temple. It is dated -London, December 11, 1668. “The bearer, Sir -Edward Spragge, is sent by His Majesty to the Constable -of Castile, to compliment His Excellency upon his -arrival in Flanders; where it is possible you may either -meet him, according to your late credential, or send to -him, in order to something in His Majesty’s service, I -thought I could not do less than, in a few lines, let you -know that he is a brave man, and hath long served His -Majesty faithfully (particularly with much gallantry in -the last Dutch wars); that you may on all occasions put<span class="pagenum" id="Page_322">322</span> -that value upon him which is his due, and which shall -be always acknowledged by,” etc. Sir Edward returned -to Whitehall from his embassy on the 29th of January -following.</p> - -<p>While the Dutch and English had been fighting each -other, they had given a golden opportunity, of which -an enemy common to both—the Algerine corsairs—had -taken full advantage. These pirates infested the -Mediterranean, and were the scourge of the traders of -Western Europe. Expeditions had been repeatedly sent -against them by both the English and the Dutch. They -had been often punished in skirmishing actions, and -cowed for a little while,—but never crushed. They -entered readily into treaties, binding them to better -behaviour, but broke the treaties, and their promises, -before the negotiators of the other part reached their -respective home ports. The merchants complained -loudly of their heavy losses at the hands of the corsairs, -and of the ruinous risks, incurred in the conduct of -foreign commerce. The king and his advisers, unable -to deny that the complaints were well grounded, selected -Sir Edward Spragge to command a squadron to be sent -against the pirates, in the hope that he would be -successful in his operations, and especially that he would -follow up and establish his success more effectively than -had been done hitherto. Sir Edward had the character -at court of possessing a sound judgment, resolute<span class="pagenum" id="Page_323">323</span> -purpose, daring courage, and withal a captivating -address, and the most polished manners.</p> - -<p>Sir Edward sailed from England in the spring of the -year 1671, with five frigates and three fire-ships, in the -expectation of being joined by other ships on the way, -so that he might have a fleet of about twelve sail in all. -Misfortunes befell the squadron on the way. The <i>Eagle</i> -fire-ship became disabled in a storm, and another ship -sprang her main-mast, and had to leave for repair. The -<i>Eagle</i> had such refitting as could be done, and the -squadron held on its way, and about May Day 1671, -entered the Bay of Boujeiah, or Bugia, in a brisk gale. -The intention was to fire the ships of the Algerines, -and a night attempt was made upon them by the men -and boats of the squadron, but was frustrated by the -premature lighting of the fire-ship that was to have -carried the flames into the midst of the Algerines. -They took alarm, and in haste unrigged their ships, and -for defence made a strong boom of the spars, lashed -together, and buoyed up with casks. The discharge of -a pistol by a drunken gunner set light to a second fire-ship, -which was destroyed, leaving only one more, the -<i>Little Victory</i>, which unfortunately drew too much water -to approach the part of the bay where the Algerines lay.</p> - -<p>On the 8th May 1671, a body of horse and foot -were seen on shore; they were an escort to a large -supply of ammunition, that had been sent from Algiers<span class="pagenum" id="Page_324">324</span> -for their ships. On its safe arrival, the Algerines fired -off their cannon, as a joyous salute. Sir Edward -Spragge, uncertain as to future reinforcements, concluded -that prompt energetic action was the most -hopeful course to pursue. He directed the <i>Little -Victory</i> to be lightened, so that she might not draw -above eight feet. About noon a fine breeze sprang -up, and the admiral gave the signal for the men-of-war -to draw into line, and bear into the bay. The -ships bore in as directed. The admiral came to an -anchor in four fathom water, and was a mark within -range for the castle guns, which directed their fire upon -him for two hours. His own pinnace and those of the -<i>Mary</i> and the <i>Dragon</i> were manned with crews told off -for the honourable and dangerous service of cutting the -boom, which they did gallantly, although not without -loss in killed and wounded. In the admiral’s pinnace -there were seven men killed, and all the rest wounded, -except Mr. Harman, who commanded. Lieutenant -Pierce, of the <i>Dragon</i>, with ten of his men, were -wounded, and one man killed. Lieutenant Pinn, of -the <i>Mary’s</i> boat, was wounded, and eight of his men -besides. The boom being cut, the fire-ship went in, -and, getting up athwart the bowsprits of the Algerine -ships,—the <i>Little Victory</i> being thoroughly well alight,—set -fire to, and destroyed the whole of the enemy’s ships. -Captain Harris, who commanded the fire-ship, his<span class="pagenum" id="Page_325">325</span> -master’s mate, a gunner, and one of the seamen, were -badly wounded, and the well-planned attack might have -failed in execution, but for the forethought of the -admiral in appointing a deputy commander to act in -case of need. This was Henry Williams, master’s mate, -who had formerly commanded the <i>Rose</i> fire-ship. As -deputy and acting commander, he performed admirably, -with unflinching courage, the duties thus devolving upon -him. The Algerine ships destroyed were—the <i>White -Horse</i>, the <i>Orange Tree</i>, the <i>Three Cypress Trees</i>, each -of thirty-four guns; the <i>Three Half Moons</i>, twenty-eight -guns; the <i>Pearl</i>, twenty-six guns; and the <i>Golden -Crown</i>, and <i>Half Moon</i>, each of twenty-four guns.</p> - -<p>This loss to the Algerines was almost irreparable. -These picked men-of-war ships had been specially selected -to fight Sir Edward Spragge. They were armed with the -best brass guns that could be brought together, taken -from their other ships. They were manned by about -nineteen hundred picked men, and commanded by their -most courageous and experienced admiral. Nearly four -hundred of the Algerines were killed. The castle and -town were greatly shattered, and a large number of -people in them killed and wounded. The personal -suffering was greatly aggravated from the surgeons’ -chests having been burned with the ships,—thus cutting -off the surgical aid and relief that might otherwise have -been given. In addition to the ships enumerated, there<span class="pagenum" id="Page_326">326</span> -were destroyed with them (of necessity, not willingly) a -Genoese ship, a small English prize, and a settee.</p> - -<p>In this memorable and important engagement, Sir -Edward Spragge had seventeen men killed and forty-one -wounded; a loss extraordinarily small, when it is -borne in mind that his fleet was exposed to the fire of -the guns of the fortress on land, as well as of the ships.</p> - -<p>The internationally interesting fact is worthy of mention -here, that in all our wars with the Algerines, the -Spaniards allowed us the free use of the harbour of -Port Mahon,—the English being regarded as the champions -of civilisation and the protectors of the commerce -of the Mediterranean. Sir Edward accordingly repaired to -the harbour of Port Mahon, and there refitted sufficiently -to enable him to bring his ships home. He returned -in triumph.</p> - -<p>In the subsequent Dutch wars Sir Edward Spragge -took a prominent part, and discharged his duties with -consummate skill and invincible courage. He acted as -vice-admiral of the red in the battle of Solebay, and -was afterwards appointed to succeed the Earl of Sandwich -as admiral of the blue. Between this time and the -war conducted by Prince Rupert, Sir Edward was sent -to France on an embassy, which he conducted with -sound judgment, to the entire satisfaction of the court.</p> - -<p>His Royal Highness the Duke of York having resolved -to resume command of the navy, the duty was<span class="pagenum" id="Page_327">327</span> -assigned to Sir Edward Spragge to make all necessary -preparations for his reception.</p> - -<p>At the Solebay fight, 28th May 1673, Sir Edward -Spragge took an active part, and distinguished himself -greatly. It is stated that when he received his appointment -from the king for this particular service, he promised -that he would bring to the king, Van Tromp, -dead or alive,—or lose his own life in the attempt. -Spragge’s contest with Van Tromp, ship to ship, lasted -for seven hours, in the course of which the gallant -Dutchman was so assailed by his antagonist as to be -compelled to shift from the <i>Golden Lion</i> into the <i>Prince</i>, -again into the <i>Amsterdam</i>, and yet again, into the <i>Comet</i>. -In this last ship, Spragge would have, in part at least, -redeemed his promise to the king, and have done his -adversary to death or captivity, but for Admiral De -Ruyter coming to his assistance. Sir Edward’s ship was -also so much damaged as to force him to shift into -another, and again into a third. Prince Rupert and -Spragge had had a quarrel, some time previous to this -action, and the breach had not been healed, but this did -not prevent the prince from bearing frank and honourable -testimony to Sir Edward’s bravery. In a letter to the Earl -of Arlington, he says: “Sir Edward Spragge did on his -side maintain the fight with so much courage and resolution, -that their whole body gave way to such a degree -that, had it not been for fear of the shoals, we had<span class="pagenum" id="Page_328">328</span> -driven them into their harbours.” Sir Edward had the -advantage of Van Tromp in this action; Dutch writers -admit the extraordinarily pertinacious bravery of Sir -Edward, and Van Tromp himself admits that he was -forced to retreat before it was dark.</p> - -<div id="il_42" class="figcenter" style="max-width: 22em;"> - <img src="images/i_345.jpg" width="1404" height="1989" alt="" /> - <div class="caption">ATTACKING A PIRATE OFF ALGIERS.</div></div> - -<p>A third battle was fought between these redoubtable -combatants on the 11th August 1673. Sir Edward, -with the blue squadron, was in the rear as the fleet -neared the enemy. He had engaged to keep closely in -company with Prince Rupert, but with lynx eye detecting -what he considered a provocation on the part of Van -Tromp, he laid his fore-topsail to the mast to wait for -him, and, having engaged his squadron, maintained a -hot contest for many hours, at a distance of several -leagues to leeward of the main body of the fleet. Sir -Edward, at the beginning of the action, fought on board -the <i>Royal Prince</i>; Van Tromp was in the <i>Golden Lion</i>. -It is recorded that Van Tromp avoided—and that -Spragge strove to get to—close quarters; however this -may be, after a terrible onslaught on each other for some -time, both of the flag-ships became so much disabled as -to compel the two admirals to change to other ships, -Sir Edward to the <i>St. George</i>, and Van Tromp to the -<i>Comet</i>. Having got on board these ships, the fight was -renewed with, if possible, increased fury, and with determination -on both sides to end it, with either death or -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_331">331</span>victory. Again the <i>St. George</i>, Sir Edward’s flag-ship, was<span class="pagenum" id="Page_330">330</span> -so battered that he was fain to leave it and take to the -<i>Royal Charles</i>. This movement, alas! resulted in a fatal -disaster. He had not been rowed many yards from the -<i>St. George</i> when a shot struck the boat. The crew made -every possible exertion to get back to the ship they had -just left, but failed to reach it, and thus this brave commander -perished miserably by drowning. Sir Edward -sank with the boat, and, when it rose again, he rose -with it, clutching it by the gunwale, with his head and -shoulders above water, but—dead. How deplorable -that this courageous commander should have been -conquered in a trial out of which the dusky, untutored -child of a South Sea Island savage would have come -in safety; the hero could fight from early morn till dewy -eve, could possess his soul in patience on the water for -voyages lasting many weeks, covering many leagues,—but -he could not swim a few yards.</p> - -<p>In the history of his own times, Bishop Parker thus -refers to the last gallant fight and death of Sir Edward -<span class="locked">Spragge:—</span></p> - -<p>“There was a remarkable fight between Spragge and -Van Tromp; for these, having mutually agreed to attack -each other, not out of hatred, but from a thirst of glory, -engaged with all the rage, or, as it were, the sport, of -war. They came so close to one another that, like an -army of foot, they fought, at once with their guns and -their swords. Almost at every turn, both of their ships,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_332">332</span> -though not sunk, were bored through,—their cannon -being discharged within common gunshot range; each -ship pierced the other as if they had fought with spears. -At length, after several ships had been shattered, as -Spragge was passing from one ship to another, the boat -was overturned by a chance shot, and that great man, -being unable to swim, was drowned, to the great grief of -even his generous enemy, who, after the death of Spragge, -could hardly hope to find an enemy equal to himself.” -The author of the <i>Life of De Ruyter</i>, referring to this -fierce conflict, says: “The Dutch avow the like never to -have been seen; their own two ships (the ships of Tromp -and Spragge) having, without touching a sail, strangely -endured the fury of three hours’ incessant battery.”</p> - -<p>It is difficult to get at anything approaching an adequate -conception of the horrible scenes of carnage that -must have been presented by this sanguinary conflict. -Some particulars respecting Sir Edward’s flag-ship, the -<i>Royal Prince</i>, with which he went into action, may assist -in forming an idea of the dreadful devastation. The -<i>Royal Prince</i> was a first-rate, of 1400 tons burthen, armed -with one hundred pieces of brass ordnance, and carrying -seven hundred and eighty men. She was well built, in -perfect condition in all respects, and as fine a ship as -any in either of the fleets. Before Sir Edward Spragge -left the <i>Royal Prince</i>, the masts had all been shot away, -most of the guns on the upper tier were disabled, four<span class="pagenum" id="Page_333">333</span> -hundred men had been killed, and the ship was almost -a helpless wreck. In this lamentable condition a large -Dutch man-of-war, with two fire-ships, bore down upon -the miserable object,—the Dutch commander resolving -to burn, sink, or capture the <i>Royal Prince</i>. The first -lieutenant, considering continued resistance hopeless, -ordered the colours to be struck, and bid the men shift -for themselves as they could. Richard Leake, the -heroic master gunner, could not accept any such finish to -the fray; he boldly took the command, ordered the -lieutenant to go below, sank the two fire-ships, compelled -the Dutch man-of-war to sheer off, and, wreck as it was, -brought the <i>Royal Prince</i> into port. This hero, father of -the famous Sir John Leake, was afterwards appointed -Keeper of Ordnance Stores, and Master Gunner of -England.</p> - -<p>Sir Edward Spragge was highly distinguished for skill -and bravery as a naval commander. To urbane and -polite manners he united a resolute and daring spirit. -He was beloved by his men, idolised by his friends, -feared yet honoured by his enemies. His achievements -in life commanded the enthusiastic admiration of his -countrymen; his death was universally mourned.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_334">334</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="toclink_334">SIR THOMAS ALLEN.<br /><br /> - -<span class="subhead">CHAPTER XIV. - -<span class="subhead">THE PROMOTED PRIVATEER.</span></span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="drop-cap"><span class="smcap1">The</span> martial and naval heroes of England have -been recruited from all classes, patrician and -plebeian, with a large contribution from the class intermediate, -to which Allen belonged. Some commanders -rendered eminent service, to each of the great parties -in the State, about the middle of the seventeenth -century, who contended for supreme power—the -Royalists and the Parliamentarians. Allen was not of -these; he and his family were always steadfast in their -adhesion to the royal cause. He is supposed to have -been the son of a merchant and shipowner of Lowestoft, -Suffolk. He rendered effective service as a privateer in -the North Sea, before receiving a commission in the -Royal Navy.</p> - -<p>At the Restoration, Allen was rewarded for his<span class="pagenum" id="Page_335">335</span> -fidelity, by being appointed to the command of the -<i>Dover</i>, which was one of the first of the ships commissioned -by the Duke of York. In the two following -years he was in succession appointed to the command of -the <i>Plymouth</i>, the <i>Foresight</i>, the <i>Lion</i>, and the <i>Rainbow</i>. -In 1663 he was appointed commodore and commander-in-chief -of the fleet in the Downs, and was allowed the -special distinction of flying the Union flag at his main-top,—the -<i>St. Andrew</i> being his flag-ship. In August -1664 he was appointed commander-in-chief in the Mediterranean, -in succession to the gallant Sir John Harman, -who was ordered home. He seems to have been entrusted -with diplomatic as well as naval functions, which may -be inferred from Pepys recording, in his <i>Diary</i>, under -date Nov. 28, 1664, “certain news of the peace made -by Captain Allen at Tangier.” Specific instructions -were given to him, however, to take in tow or destroy -any Dutch men-of-war he might fall in with, and -especially to capture their Smyrna fleet. He had a -squadron of seven ships, which he posted so as to -command the Straits of Gibraltar. His patience in -waiting was not greatly strained. The Dutch Smyrna -fleet—forty sail in all—hove in sight about the time -expected, the escort consisting of four men-of-war. -England had declared war against the Dutch States-General, -and Allen attacked—it was in spring of 1665—without -hesitation. The contest was obstinate; the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_336">336</span> -Dutch, as usual, brought the stoutest of their merchant -ships into the line of battle. Brackel, the Dutch commodore, -was killed; the line was broken; several of the -Dutch ships were sunk, and four of the richest were -captured, but one of these was so much damaged in -action that it foundered on the passage to England. Its -cargo was valued at more than £150,000. A portion of -the Dutch fleet took shelter in Cadiz, where they were -blockaded by Allen, until the state of his supplies compelled -his return to England, when the Dutchmen were -allowed to come out. This important victory was not -gained without loss on the part of the English, including -two ships, the <i>Phœnix</i> and the <i>Nonsuch</i>, which were so -much damaged as to become unmanageable; other two, -the <i>Advice</i> and the <i>Antelope</i>, were also much injured. -The Dutch men-of-war did a great deal of firing at -comparatively long range; Allen did not fire a shot, until -the antagonists were within pistol shot. The Dutch -commodore, Brackel, was killed in the action. The -fight was close in shore, and was watched by crowds of -Spaniards, who, it is stated, laughed to see the alacrity -with which the Dutch made for refuge. On his return -to England, Allen was made admiral of the blue, and -had also a special commission to act as vice-admiral of -the fleet, then under the command of the Earl of Sandwich. -On the 24th June 1665, the honour of knighthood -was conferred upon him. In the following year he was<span class="pagenum" id="Page_337">337</span> -appointed admiral of the white, and hoisted his flag on -board the <i>Royal James</i>, which Prince Rupert made his -flag-ship,—Allen remaining on board, however, as -captain of the fleet. The prince, with a squadron, proceeded -down the Channel on the lookout for a French -naval force, which was expected to join the Dutch. -Prince Rupert, in conjunction with Monk, Duke of -Albemarle, commanded the Channel fleet. While Prince -Rupert, with Sir Thomas Allen, were thus looking out for -the expected hostile French fleet, Albemarle, greatly out-numbered,—sixty -sail against ninety-one,—was engaged -with the splendid Dutch fleet, commanded by the three -famous admirals, De Ruyter, Evertsen, and Van Tromp. -The fight had lasted for three days, and would probably -have resulted in the defeat of Albemarle, but for the -timely arrival, 4th June, of Allen’s white squadron, which -compelled the Dutch to withdraw. On the 25th July -the hostile fleets again met, both eager to renew -hostilities. Sir Thomas Allen had the post of honour. -He led the van, and commenced the battle by a furious -attack on Admiral Evertsen, who commanded the Friesland -and Zealand squadrons. The carnage was awful, -and the Dutch loss crushing. Evertsen, chief in command -of the combined squadrons, was killed, as were -also his vice-admiral, De Vries, and his rear-admiral, -Koenders. The <i>Tolen</i>, commanded by Vice-Admiral -Banckart, was taken and burned, with another large man-of-war.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_338">338</span> -The defeat of the Dutch was decisive. Their -fugitive ships were pursued to the shores of Holland. -There was great rejoicing in London on receipt of the -news of the victory. On the 29th July the following -notice was read from the pulpit at Bow: “The Dutch -have been totally routed; fourteen ships taken, twenty-six -burnt and sunk, two flag-ships taken, and with them, -twelve hundred men,—six thousand men taken in all. -Our ships have blocked up the Zealanders in Flushing, -and ride before them top and top-gallant. The Dutch -fleet are got into the Texel, and we ride before the same. -The Lord Mayor ordered thanks—to be given this forenoon -throughout the city.” On the 18th September a -valuable prize fell into Allen’s hands in the Channel—a -French ship, quite new, and considered the finest in the -French navy, the <i>Ruby</i>, of fifty-four guns. De la Roche, -commander, mistook Allen’s white squadron for a -squadron of the French navy, and was captured before -he could make more than a faint show of resistance.</p> - -<div id="il_43" class="figcenter" style="max-width: 25em;"> - <img src="images/i_355.jpg" width="1543" height="1020" alt="" /> - <div class="caption">AN ALGERINE CORSAIR.</div></div> - -<p>The Duke of York, desirous to commemorate the -victories over the Dutch, commissioned Sir Peter Lely, -the court painter, to paint a portrait group embracing -the “flag men” and heroes of the fleet. The Duke of -York had himself commanded at the brilliant action off -Lowestoft on the 3rd June 1665, when the Dutch, under -Admirals Opdam and Van Tromp, sustained a total -defeat. The picture by Lely included the principal<span class="pagenum" id="Page_339">339</span> -naval commanders of the time;—and the number of -figures shows conclusively that the age was rich in naval -heroes. Among the subjects in this historical painting -are the Duke of York, Lord High Admiral; Prince -Rupert; George Monk, Duke of Albemarle; Montague,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_340">340</span> -Earl of Sandwich; Admirals Sir Thomas Allen, Sir -George Ayscough, Sir Thomas Teddiman, Sir Christopher -Myngs, Sir Joseph Jordan, Sir William Berkeley, -Sir John Harman, Sir William Penn, and Sir Jeremy Smith.</p> - -<p>In November 1666, Allen had the honour conferred -upon him of being elected an Elder Brother of the -Trinity.</p> - -<p>The Dutch war being apparently over, the naval -authorities were left at liberty to prosecute more civilising, -although not purely pacific, enterprises. In the -autumn of 1668, Allen sailed in command of a squadron -to repress the Algerine pirates, who had taken advantage -of the war to ply their nefarious occupation against -all such merchant ships as came in their way which -they considered worth rifling,—killing and destroying -with ready ferocity where they could not rob. Nationality -was with them no object. The Dutch suffered -as well as the English, and the whilom enemies were -united in seeking redress for their common grievance. -The Dutch sent a squadron under Admiral Van Ghent, -with the same object in view as England had, in sending -Allen. The united squadrons drove the corsairs on to -their own shores. Large numbers of English and Dutch -prisoners made slaves, who had formed the crews of -ships captured by the pirates, were released and exchanged -by Allen and Van Ghent.</p> - -<p>Ere he returned home, Allen visited Naples and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_341">341</span> -Florence, and was received with great honour at both -places. After paying these visits he returned to Algiers, -where he received fresh assurances that the terms of -the treaty for the suppression of piracy would be -scrupulously observed. He returned to England, but -as soon as he had left, the corsairs resumed their -depredations. Allen returned to Algiers, and inflicted -summary vengeance on the persons and property of the -pirates, destroying a large number of their vessels. In -1670 he was recalled at his own request, and on his -return home was appointed Comptroller of the Navy. In -1678, war with France appearing imminent, he was again -appointed to a command at sea. Happily, the occasion -for his active service did not arise, and he passed the few -closing years of his life at Somerleyton, an estate that -he had purchased near his native place. He lived -there in quiet privacy, respected by all who knew him, -in the enjoyment of what he had well earned—Peace -with honour.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_342">342</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="toclink_343">SIR JOHN HARMAN.<br /><br /> - -<span class="subhead">CHAPTER XV. - -<span class="subhead">“BOLD AS A LION, BUT ALSO WISE AND WARY.”</span></span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="drop-cap"><span class="smcap1 b">Of</span> the early life of this gallant commander there -are no records extant. It is known that in -1664 he commanded the <i>Gloucester</i>, of fifty-eight guns, -and in the following year the <i>Royal Charles</i>. He -received the honour of knighthood for his distinguished -services.</p> - -<p>In the action with the Dutch on the 1st June 1666, -Sir John Harman’s bravery was most conspicuous. He -led the van of the fleet under the Duke of Albemarle. -He boldly dashed into the centre of the Zealand -squadron, and was the object of a concentrated attack -by a number of their best ships. His ship, the <i>Henry</i>, -becoming disabled, Evertsen, the Dutch admiral, offered -Sir John quarter, which he bluntly and promptly refused, -saying, “It was not come to that—not yet.” Sir<span class="pagenum" id="Page_343">343</span> -John’s ship was grappled by a fire-ship on the starboard -quarter, and in great danger of being destroyed, and -probably would have been captured or burned but for -the heroic conduct of Lieutenant Thomas Lamming, who -swung himself into the fire-ship, and by the light of the -fire found the grappling-irons, cast them loose, and -swung back to his own ship.<a id="FNanchor_5" href="#Footnote_5" class="fnanchor">5</a> A second fire-ship was -sent against the <i>Henry</i>, and grappled on the larboard -quarter. This attack was more successful than that of -the assailant Lamming had cast loose. The sails of the -<i>Henry</i> caught fire, and a panic took possession of the -crew, a number of whom leaped overboard. With drawn -sword, Sir John Harman commanded the remainder of -the crew to their duty, and threatened with death the -first who should attempt to leave the ship or fail to -exert himself to put out the flames. The fire was got -under, but a third fire-ship was sent against the <i>Henry</i>. -Happily, before the fire-ship could get to close quarters, -a volley from the guns of the <i>Henry’s</i> lower deck was -so well directed as to sink it—while a broadside directed -against the Dutch flag-ship included in its terrible effects -the death of Evertsen, the brave admiral.</p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a id="Footnote_5" href="#FNanchor_5" class="fnanchor">5</a> For this gallant act, Lamming was promoted to the command -of the <i>Ruby</i>.</p> - -</div> - -<p>Harman did not escape severe personal injury in the -conflict. During the hottest part of the fight, some of -the burnt rigging fell upon him and broke his leg, but<span class="pagenum" id="Page_344">344</span> -he did not retire. He took the <i>Henry</i> into Harwich -for such repairs as could be effected in a few hours. -Notwithstanding his broken leg, he rejoined the fleet,—no -entreaties could dissuade him,—to take his part -in the continuation of the battle.</p> - -<p>Arriving at the scene of conflict, although eager for -action, Rupert and Albemarle, in consideration of his unfit -and suffering condition, absolutely forbade his pursuing -his determination, and insisted on his retiring for the rest -essential to his recovery.</p> - -<p>In March 1667, Sir John Harman sailed in command -of an expedition to the West Indies. His squadron -consisted of seven men-of-war and two fire-ships. He -had permission to carry the Union flag at the main-top -of his flag-ship, the <i>Lion</i>, of fifty-eight guns, as soon as -he got out of the Channel. At Barbadoes he added -four men-of-war to his squadron, and sailed thence to -Nevis, where he arrived on the 13th June. He learned -there that the French fleet, consisting of twenty-four men-of-war, -was at anchor under Martinique. This information -he laid before a council of war, and it was determined -to attack the French. When he came up with the -French, he found them so posted as to preclude the -possibility, with the wind as it was, of forcing them to -engage. Sir John was bold as a lion, but was also -wise and wary, and felt his responsibility for the lives -of his crews. On the 25th, the wind being favourable,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_345">345</span> -he attacked the French fleet, albeit double the strength -of his own. His success was complete. Eight of the -French fleet were soon on fire, a number of others were -sunk, and only three or four escaped.</p> - -<p>A curious circumstance is recorded concerning the -bearing of Sir John during this action. He had not -fully recovered from the accident he had sustained in -the preceding year, when he had his leg broken. He -was also suffering from a severe attack of gout, and was -very lame. On bearing in on the enemy’s fleet, he got -up, walked about, and gave orders, as if in perfect -health, till the fight was over, when he again became as -lame as before.</p> - -<p>He after this made a voyage to the Straits under Sir -Thomas Allen, and, although suffering much from -physical infirmities, conducted himself with characteristic -bravery and discretion. The spirited action at Solebay, -and the second battle in 1672, between Prince Rupert -and De Ruyter, in which Harman rendered most effective -service, were the last actions of importance in which -he was engaged. He had attained to the rank of admiral -of the blue when bodily infirmity compelled him to retire -reluctantly from the service.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_346">346</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="toclink_346">ADMIRAL BENBOW.<br /><br /> - -<span class="subhead">CHAPTER XVI. - -<span class="subhead">THE KING SAID, “WE MUST SPARE OUR BEAUX, AND -SEND HONEST BENBOW.”</span></span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="drop-cap"><span class="smcap1">John Benbow</span> is represented to have been born -at Shrewsbury about the middle of the seventeenth -century, and to have been apprenticed to a butcher, -but to have broken his indentures and joined the <i>Rupert</i>, -under Captain Herbert, in 1678. His first active service -was in connection with a small squadron sent to -redress the wrongs that had been sustained by English -merchants and the mercantile marine, and to suppress -the perpetrators—the pirates of Algiers, Tunis, and -Tripoli, that infested the Mediterranean.</p> - -<p>Benbow so conducted himself in action as to -secure the goodwill of his superior officer, Captain -Herbert (afterwards Earl of Torrington), and speedy -promotion. He was, in 1679, appointed master of the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_347">347</span> -<i>Nonsuch</i>. In 1681, Benbow had an experience that -was not pleasant. In conflict with an Algerine corsair, -the British ship <i>Adventure</i> got the worst, and had to -sheer off. The Algerine was taken in hand by the -<i>Nonsuch</i>, and captured. Some crowing and chaffing on -the part of the men of the <i>Nonsuch</i> at the expense of -the crew of the <i>Adventure</i>, led to Benbow being tried -by court-martial on the complaint of Captain Booth of -the <i>Adventure</i>. Benbow was sentenced to forfeit three -months’ pay (£12, 15s.), which was to be used for the -benefit of the wounded men of the <i>Adventure</i>. He -was also required to apologise to Captain Booth, which -he did, declaring that he had only repeated the words -of others, without any malicious intention.</p> - -<p>The <i>Nonsuch</i> was, shortly after the <i>Adventure</i> affair, -paid off, and Benbow next comes into view in connection -with a ship named after, and owned and commanded -by himself—the <i>Benbow</i> frigate. The merchants on -Change, among whom Benbow was well known and -highly esteemed, may have assisted him in the acquisition -of such a valuable property,—but, however this -may be, we find him in 1686 acting as sole owner and -responsible commander. In that year, in a passage to -Cadiz, a Salee rover, greatly an overmatch in number of -fighting men, attacked the <i>Benbow</i>, whose crew made a -valiant defence. The Moors boarded the <i>Benbow</i>, but -were beaten off, with the loss of thirteen of their number.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_348">348</span> -Captain Benbow ordered their heads to be cut off, and -thrown into a tub of salt pickle. On arriving at Cadiz, -he went ashore, followed by a negro servant carrying -the pickled heads in a sack. The tide waiters, spying -the sack, asked if he had “anything to declare,” that is, -anything subject to import duty. He answered, only -salt provisions for his own use, and affected indignation -that, well known as he was, he should be suspected of -running goods. The officers replied that they could not -grant him a dispensation from search, but the magistrates, -who were sitting close by, might do so if they -would. The party proceeded in formal order to the -custom-house, Captain Benbow leading,—the negro, with -the suspected contraband goods, following,—and the -revenue officers bringing up the rear. The magistrates -received Benbow with great civility, and assured him -that the custom-house officers had not exceeded their -duty in requiring him to show the contents of the sack, -and in conducting him hither. They politely asked him -to satisfy them, as he could do so easily. Benbow -answered, with real or assumed sternness, “I told you -they were salt provisions for my own use. Pompey, -show the gentlemen what you have got.” Whereupon -the negro, nothing loth, tumbled out the baker’s dozen -of Moors’ heads, to the astonishment of the Alcalde and -his colleagues, who were assured by Benbow that the -heads were quite at their service. An account of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_349">349</span> -Benbow’s valiant exploit in defeating, with his small -force, a number much larger of the fierce and ruthless -barbarians who were the scourge and terror of the seas, -was forwarded to the court of Madrid. Charles II., -then King of Spain, expressed a desire to see the bold -Benbow, whom he received with honour, presented -with a handsome testimonial of his respect, and entrusted -with a letter to King James of England, warmly recommending -Benbow, as worthy of the king’s confidence -and favour.</p> - -<p>The <i>Benbow</i> frigate was, it may be supposed, paid off, -or otherwise disposed of, and its late owner rejoined -the King’s Navy in 1689, as lieutenant in the <i>Elizabeth</i>, -of seventy guns. He was soon after appointed in succession, -as captain, to the <i>York</i>, the <i>Bonaventure</i>, and the -<i>Britannia</i>. His rapid promotion was probably, in part -at least, attributable to the influence exercised on his -behalf by his former commander, Herbert, now admiral, -and a high authority in naval affairs. It has been conjectured -that during the time of the Revolution, Benbow -was attached to the fleet under Admiral Herbert’s command, -and was its pilot, in landing William at Torbay.</p> - -<p>From the <i>Britannia</i> Captain Benbow was appointed -Master Attendant of Chatham Dockyard, and afterwards -to a like office in Deptford Royal Dockyard, which he -held for about six years. During this period, on several -occasions, he was told off for special service. In the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_350">350</span> -unfortunate action between the united English and -Dutch and the French fleets off Beachy Head, in June -1690, Captain Benbow, of the <i>Sovereign</i>, served under -the Earl of Torrington, commander-in-chief, as Master -of the fleet. Benbow’s evidence in the trial of Lord -Torrington by court-martial had great weight in leading -to his acquittal. Continuing master of the <i>Sovereign</i>, -Benbow again discharged the important duties of Master -of the fleet at the battles of La Hogue and Barfleur in -1692, under Admiral Russell. In acknowledgment of -the value of his special services as Master of the fleet, -his pay as Master while afloat was added to his pay for -his dockyard office.</p> - -<p>Benbow was next employed, 1693 to 1695, in the -command of flotillas of bomb vessels and fire-ships in -attacks upon St. Malo, Dunkirk, and other localities on -the French coast. At Dunkirk he saved the Virginia -and West Indian fleets from falling into the hands of -the French privateers, and for this service received the -thanks of the merchants. He was by this time so well -known as to be sometimes referred to as “the famous -Captain Benbow.” So well satisfied were the Admiralty -authorities with his services, as to order that he should -be paid as rear-admiral during the time he had been -employed on the French coast, as a reward for his good -service. In 1696 he was promoted to the substantial -rank of rear-admiral. After cruising service, directed to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_353">353</span> -the protection of English and Dutch traders, he was -appointed, in 1697, commander-in-chief of the king’s -ships in the West Indies, with special orders to suppress -the pirates. By a threat to blockade Carthagena, he -obtained the restoration of two English merchant ships, -which the governor had detained to form part of a projected -expedition against the ill-fated Scottish colony at -Darien. Benbow’s action stopped the intended raid.</p> - -<div id="il_44" class="figcenter" style="max-width: 23em;"> - <img src="images/i_367.jpg" width="1432" height="2105" alt="" /> - <div class="caption">ADMIRAL BENBOW.</div></div> - -<p>In 1700 the admiral returned to England, and was -for a time in command in the Downs, and served for -some months as vice-admiral of the blue in the grand -fleet under Admiral Sir George Rooke. In 1701 it was -again thought necessary to send a strong squadron to -promote and protect the national interests in the West -Indies. Benbow was proposed by the ministry, but the -king claimed for him that he had only just returned, -and had been subjected to great difficulties in his West -Indian command, and that it was but fair that some -other officer should have a turn. Several officers were -named and consulted, but they all with one consent -made excuse—“health,” “family affairs,” etc. “Well, -then,” said the king, in conference with his ministers, -“we must spare our <i xml:lang="fr" lang="fr">beaux</i>, and send honest Benbow.” -Asked if he was willing to go, Benbow answered bluntly -that he did not understand such compliments as were -paid to him; it was not for him to choose his station. -If His Majesty thought fit to send him to the East or<span class="pagenum" id="Page_354">354</span> -West Indies, or anywhere else, it was for him to cheerfully -obey orders. He sailed with his new command in -September 1701, with ten ships,—Sir George Rooke, -admiral of the fleet, convoying him as far as Scilly with -a strong squadron. For action in the West Indies, the -French were also making extensive preparations. A -squadron, consisting of five ships of the line and several -large vessels, laden with arms and ammunition, sailed -from Brest in April 1701, under the command of the -Marquis de Coetlogon. Count de Chateau Renaud also -sailed with fourteen ships of the line and sixteen frigates, -and in addition to these, M. du Casse, Governor of St. -Domingo, sailed also with a squadron, Admiral Benbow -the while having received no fresh supplies or reinforcements, -and being in danger apparently of being utterly -crushed by the superior power of his enemies. He -had made on arrival wise and skilful dispositions and -arrangements for securing our own trade and crippling -the enemy. The French saw with amazement the -defeat of the schemes they had been able to mature -from the possession of earlier intelligence of intended -war. Even after the arrival of Marquis Coetlogon, the -French had to confine themselves to acting on the -defensive, and found all their grand projects for attacking -Jamaica and the Leeward Islands entirely frustrated. -The Dutch accounts of the state of affairs at the time -state that, notwithstanding all the bluster of the French,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_355">355</span> -Admiral Benbow, with a small squadron, remained -master of the seas, taking many prizes, giving all -possible support to the private trade carried on by the -English on the Spanish coasts.</p> - -<p>The situation changed for the worse for Benbow and -his small fleet. Renaud, he learned, had arrived at -Martinique with a squadron much stronger than his own. -This had been joined by the squadron of Coetlogon -from Havannah. The inhabitants of Barbadoes and -Jamaica were excessively alarmed by the approach of a -hostile fleet, which the English had no force capable of -resisting.</p> - -<p>Notwithstanding most of his ships being short of their -complements of men, Admiral Benbow concluded it to -be his best course under the circumstances to put to sea -and cruise between Jamaica and Hispaniola. He sailed -with this intention on the 8th May 1702, and was joined -about this time by Rear-Admiral Whetstone. In cruising -on the coast of St. Domingo, he received news of the -French fleet having gone to Carthagena and Porto Bello. -On the 19th August he sighted it near Santa Marta. It -consisted of four ships of from sixty to seventy guns, -one of thirty guns, and four frigates, all under the -command of M. du Casse. The English force consisted -of seven ships of from fifty to seventy guns, but the -ships were much scattered, and their commanders -showed no disposition to close up for action. Late in<span class="pagenum" id="Page_356">356</span> -the afternoon there was a scrambling action that was -closed by nightfall. Admiral Benbow, in the <i>Breda</i>, of -seventy guns, closely followed by Captain Walton in the -<i>Ruby</i>, of fifty guns, kept company with the enemy -through the night, and was well up with them at daybreak, -but the other English ships kept aloof during the -whole day. The 21st and three following days brought -no more worthy resolution to the captains of the English -squadron. Walton of the <i>Ruby</i>, only, and Vincent of -the <i>Falmouth</i>, supported the admiral in his persistent -and resolute attempts to bring Du Casse to action, and -for some time these three sustained the fire of the -whole French squadron, while the other ships held -aloof. The <i>Ruby</i> was disabled on the 23rd, and ordered -to make the best of her way to Port Royal. For five -days, against such overpowering odds, brave Benbow -maintained the desperate conflict, sustained by the -devoted loyalty and unflinching courage of his officers -and men. On the 24th the brave commander had his -right leg shattered by a chain shot. After the surgical -operation below, the lion-hearted hero had himself -carried up again to the quarter-deck to direct the continued -action. Captain Kirby, of the <i>Defence</i>, came -on board, and urged the hopelessness of the conflict -and chase. All the other captains being summoned, -eagerly expressed their concurrence with Captain Kirby, -and reduced their finding to writing. The morally and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_357">357</span> -physically depressed, shattered, and exhausted commander -could contend no longer or further, and was -thus compelled to return to Jamaica. A noble letter -from his late enemy, Du Casse, would have been enough -as a suggestion for inquiry into the conduct of the -captains of his squadron. It was as <span class="locked">follows:—</span></p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>“<span class="smcap">Sir</span>,—I had little hopes on Monday last but to have -supped in your cabin; but it pleased God to order it -otherwise. I am thankful for it. As for those cowardly -captains who deserted you, hang them up, for, by ——, -they deserve it.—Yours,</p> - -<p class="right"> -<span class="smcap">Du Casse</span>.”<a id="FNanchor_6" href="#Footnote_6" class="fnanchor">6</a> -</p> -</div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a id="Footnote_6" href="#FNanchor_6" class="fnanchor">6</a> Campbell’s <i>Lives of the Admirals</i>, vol. iii. p. 524.</p> - -</div> - -<p>At Jamaica a court-martial was assembled by order of -Admiral Benbow. Captains Kirby of the <i>Defence</i>, and -Wade of the <i>Greenwich</i>, were condemned to be shot; -and Captain Constable of the <i>Windsor</i> to be cashiered. -Captain Vincent of the <i>Falmouth</i>, and Captain Fogg of -the flag-ship, who had signed the protest, were sentenced -to suspension during the sovereign’s pleasure. Kirby -and Wade were shot on board the <i>Bristol</i> in Plymouth -Sound, 16th April 1703.</p> - -<p>Benbow was careful to secure such promotion and -advantage as was in his power to the officers who had -supported him in the engagement, as well as to bring -the deserters to justice. He had a leg amputated after -the action; fever supervened, and he died in Jamaica,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_358">358</span> -after about a month’s painful illness, sustained with much -fortitude, on the 4th November 1702, and was buried in -St. Andrew’s Church, Kingston. His portrait, by Sir -Godfrey Kneller, is in the Painted Hall, Greenwich.</p> - -<p>Benbow’s bravery has not, we believe, been questioned, -but his tact and temper were not, some of his -critics have alleged, of as good quality as his courage, -and the disaffection of his subordinates in the action -with Du Casse has been attributed to defects in this -direction.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_359">359</span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak" id="toclink_359">SIR CLOUDESLEY SHOVEL.<br /><br /> - -<span class="subhead">CHAPTER XVII. - -<span class="subhead">THE SHOEMAKER WHO ROSE TO BE REAR-ADMIRAL -OF ENGLAND.</span></span></h2> -</div> - -<p class="drop-cap"><span class="smcap1">Cloudesley Shovel</span> was born at or near -Cley, a small town on the north coast of Norfolk, -about the year 1650. At that time Cley, which -is about ten miles west from Cromer, had a good -harbour, and a considerable shipping trade; but the -harbour has been since silted up, and the rising generation -of the place in this age are not brought so directly -into contact with ships and maritime affairs as young -Shovel, who was named Cloudesley in homage to a rich -relative from whom the family had great expectations, -which were not realised.</p> - -<p>The boy was sent to learn the art and craft of shoe-making -and mending, which did not accord with his -inclination, and, from which he ran away,—and, offering<span class="pagenum" id="Page_360">360</span> -his services to Sir John Narborough, was accepted -by that famous seaman, and served as his cabin-boy. -Sir John had himself commenced his naval career as -cabin-boy to Sir Christopher Myngs, and probably took -kindly to the runaway youngster, from that fellow-feeling -which makes one wondrous kind. The lad -showed great affection and respect to Sir John, who had -him thoroughly instructed in navigation and other -branches of useful knowledge. He proved an apt and -diligent pupil, and became in due time an able and -thoroughly capable seaman.</p> - -<p>Sir John Narborough was the ever-ready and generous -patron of merit, and had sufficient influence to obtain -for his apprentice a lieutenant’s commission. Shovel -served in this rank at the close of the second Dutch war.</p> - -<div id="il_45" class="figcenter" style="max-width: 22em;"> - <img src="images/i_377.jpg" width="1366" height="2177" alt="" /> - <div class="caption">SIR CLOUDESLEY SHOVEL.</div></div> - -<p>The pirates of Algiers and Tripoli greatly harassed the -traders of our own and other countries with the Levant, -and a squadron was sent out in 1675, under the command -of Sir John Narborough, to chastise their insolence, -and, if possible, put an end to their predacious practices. -Sir John found the corsairs in great force, and ready to -give him a warm reception. The Algerines and the -Tripolines combined in their defence, had their war ships -in position, protected by the guns of the fort. Sir John -had been instructed to try negotiation in preference to -force, and, in view of the strength of the confederates, -thought it might be well to at least attempt to obtain<span class="pagenum" id="Page_363">363</span> -treaty promises of amendment by diplomacy, although -he had little hope of a satisfactory result from this -method. He despatched Lieutenant Shovel to the Dey -of Tripoli as his representative. The Dey, despising the -youthful ambassador, treated his message with contempt, -which Shovel duly reported to his commander. He was -sent back with a second message, and was received with -even greater discourtesy than on the first occasion. He -bore all patiently, however; appearing to be quite cool -and unobservant, at the same time noting the number -and disposition of the pirate ships. Returning to Sir -John, he duly reported the insolent reception he had -received, and added to the report a strong recommendation -that a night attack should be made upon -the enemy, with the object of burning their ships, -stating his readiness to conduct the expedition. His -recommendation was adopted, and at midnight on the -4th March, Lieutenant Shovel at the head of the boats -of the English fleet, well manned, and well supplied -with inflammable materials, put off, with muffled oars, -from their own ships, and, stealthily approaching the -pirates, boarded and set them on fire,—leaving them a -blaze to light them back to their own vessels. This -brilliant service Shovel accomplished without suffering -the loss of a single man on the English side. The corsairs -destroyed included the <i>White Eagle</i> of fifty guns, -the <i>Mirror</i> of thirty-six guns, the <i>Sancta Clara</i> of twenty-four<span class="pagenum" id="Page_364">364</span> -guns, and another ship of twenty guns, besides -smaller vessels. The Tripolines were struck with amazement -by this successful action, and sued for peace. When -an attempt to treat was made, however, they refused -to accede to the proposed terms, so far as regarded -making good the losses that had been sustained by the -English. Sir John cannonaded the town, but produced -little effect. He drew off to a place about twenty leagues -distant, where he destroyed a vast magazine of timber, -stored for shipbuilding, but still failed to reduce the -pirates, and sailed to Malta, whence, after staying a -short time, he returned suddenly, and renewed his -attack with so much spirit and success that the enemy -were glad to conclude a peace on the terms that Sir John -had proposed. Shortly after this, a number of the corsairs’ -ships that had been at sea plying their nefarious -vocation, returned to port. They repudiated his treaty -and deposed the Dey for having made it, and continued -the perpetration of their lawless practices. Again Sir -John returned, this time with a force of eight frigates, -which arriving before Tripoli, commenced a vigorous -cannonade, and so battered the place as to make the -inhabitants eagerly sue for peace. Peace was, for the -time, concluded, and the authors of the late disturbances -were brought to punishment. Lieutenant Shovel took a -leading part in these actions.</p> - -<p>In 1676, Shovel, whose conduct was warmly reported<span class="pagenum" id="Page_365">365</span> -upon and commended by Sir John Narborough, was -given the command of the <i>Sapphire</i>, and not long after -of a larger ship, the <i>James Galley</i>, in which he continued -till the death of Charles II.</p> - -<p>Captain Shovel was not a pronounced politician, but -such leaning as he had was in the opposite direction to -the Jacobite side. King James thought it to his interest, -doubtless, to conciliate and employ such an able commander, -and appointed him to the command of the <i>Dover</i>, -which he held when the Revolution took place in 1688. -He closed heartily with the new Government, to which -he rendered active and successful service, that brought -him rapid promotion. He was in the first naval action -in this reign, the battle of Bantry Bay, in 1689, in which -he commanded the <i>Edgar</i>. In this action his valour and -activity were so conspicuous as to lead the king to confer -upon him the honour of knighthood. During the winter -of 1689 he was employed in cruising on the coast of -Ireland, to prevent the enemy from landing recruits. -Here he received advice that several ships of war, French -and Irish, were in Dublin Bay, where, at low water, they -lay on the sands. Sir Cloudesley immediately stood for -the bay, in which he noticed an English ship of good -size, a French man-of-war, and several other ships filled -with soldiers. These forces were not sufficient to deter -Sir Cloudesley, who determined to destroy the ships, in -sight of King James’s capital and of a powerful garrison.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_366">366</span> -He left the flag-ship, and went on board the <i>Monmouth</i> -yacht. At a little more than half-flood, with the <i>Monmouth</i>, -two hoys belonging to men-of-war, a ketch, and -the pinnaces, he passed over the bar with dashing -bravery. The Irish fleet cut their cables, and sailed as -close in shore as the sands would permit, and fired a few -shots at the threatening force, calling also for assistance -from the Dublin garrison. Sir Cloudesley, despite the -fire of the ships, and the shower of bullets from King -James’s militia, pressed forward, and as soon as he was -near enough, signalled the fire-ship to advance. The -soldiers deserted the largest ship, and those on board -the others ran them aground. Sir Cloudesley ordered -the boarding of the largest ship, the <i>Pelican</i>, of twenty -guns, and directed her load to be lightened, which was -done, and the ship was towed away, to the confusion of -the witnesses ashore. The <i>Pelican</i> was the largest man-of-war -then in King James’s possession. It had been -taken by the Scots the previous year from the French, -on the occasion of their having conducted forces to the -assistance of the Highlanders, then in rebellion. In -turning out of the bay, the wind, which had veered, drove -one of the hoys aground. At the lowest ebb the hoy was -upon dry ground; thousands of people crowded the -strand, King James and his guards amongst them. -Cloudesley’s crews remained in their boats, ready for any -encounter. The Irish battalions discharged a volley or two,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_367">367</span> -which were warmly returned. As soon as the rising tide -permitted, the English left the bay with their prize, very -much to the chagrin of King James and his adherents.</p> - -<p>In June 1690, Sir Cloudesley was appointed to convey -King William and his army to Ireland. In this service -he had command of five men-of-war, six yachts, and -a large number of transport vessels. Unfavourable -weather was encountered, but the landing of the whole -force at Carrickfergus, on the 14th June, was successfully -accomplished. The king was so highly pleased with the -skill and dexterity displayed by Sir Cloudesley in this -difficult transport service, as to promote him to be rear-admiral -of the blue, and he delivered the commission -with his own hands.</p> - -<p>On the 10th July the king received information that -the enemy intended to send a fleet of frigates into St. -George’s Channel to burn the transport ships, and Shovel -was ordered to cruise off Scilly, or in such other station -as he should think best for frustrating this design, and -to send scouts east and west to gain intelligence respecting -the movements of the French fleet. Nothing remarkable -came of this cruise. The remainder of 1690 was -spent by Sir Cloudesley chiefly in cruising, till he was -appointed to join Sir George Rooke’s squadron, which -escorted the king to Holland in January 1691. All the -services of Sir Cloudesley were not alike brilliant, but all -were well intended, and his courage and sincerity were<span class="pagenum" id="Page_368">368</span> -never questioned. His promotion by the king, in the -spring of 1692, to be rear-admiral of the red, gave general -satisfaction. On his return from Holland in that year, Sir -Cloudesley joined Admiral Russel with the grand fleet, -and had a great share in the danger, and a deserved -share in the glory attaching to the famous naval battle -off La Hogue.</p> - -<p>The combined fleet sailed from Spithead on the 18th -May 1692. Admiral Russel, in the red squadron, had -his flag on board the <i>Britannia</i> of 100 guns; his vice -and rear admirals were Sir Ralph Delaval in the <i>Royal -Sovereign</i> and Sir Cloudesley Shovel in the <i>London</i>, each -of 100 guns. The blue squadron was commanded by -Sir John Ashby in the <i>Victory</i> of 100 guns; his vice-admiral -was Sir George Rooke in the <i>Windsor Castle</i> -of 90 guns, and his rear-admiral, Richard Carter, in the -<i>Albemarle</i> of 90 guns. The English fleet comprised 63 -ships carrying 4504 guns and 27,725 men, to which was -united a Dutch fleet of 36 ships under Admiral Allemonde, -carrying 2494 guns and 12,950 men. Total, 99 -ships, 6998 guns, 40,675 men. The French fleet consisted -of 63 ships of war, of which 55 carried from 104 -to 60 guns each, and 8 from 58 to 50 guns each. In -addition the French had 7 smaller vessels, 26 ships <i xml:lang="fr" lang="fr">armée -en flute</i>, and 14 others; in all, 110 vessels. The design of -the French was the restoration of James to the English -throne.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_369">369</span></p> - -<div id="il_46" class="figcenter" style="max-width: 37em;"> - <img src="images/i_385.jpg" width="2320" height="1206" alt="" /> - <div class="caption">CARRICKFERGUS CASTLE.</div></div> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_371">371</span></p> - -<p>On the 18th May the fleet sailed from Spithead, the -most powerful, probably, that had ever assembled in the -reign of the wooden walls of England. On the morning -of the 19th the French fleet was sighted to the westward. -At 8 <span class="allsmcap">A.M.</span> the line of battle was formed, the Dutch in the -van, Admiral Russel in the centre, and Sir John Ashby -in the rear. At 11.30 the French flag-ship, the <i>Soleil -Royal</i> of 104 guns, opened fire upon the English admiral’s -flag-ship, the <i>Britannia</i>. The light air of wind having -died away, the rear division was prevented from closing -with the enemy; the red division bore accordingly the -brunt of the battle. The <i>Soleil Royal</i> was so shattered as -to have to cease firing, and was towed out of the action. -About noon a dense fog came on, and the firing consequently -ceased. The fog continued till the evening, and -the weather being calm, the ships drifted with the tide, -and got considerably mixed, friends and foes, so as to -make firing dangerous as touching unintentional billets -for the bullets. The rear of the English fleet became -partially engaged from about 7 till 9.30 <span class="allsmcap">P.M.</span> After the -day’s action the allied fleet stood to the north-west, and -on the following day proceeded in chase of the enemy. -The ships that escaped capture or destruction took refuge -in the harbour of La Hogue, which gave the name to -the glorious action. Sixteen French sail of the line -were captured or destroyed by the English. In the -action on the 19th, and the subsequent pursuit of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_372">372</span> -the defeated enemy, Sir Cloudesley’s activity and -valour were conspicuous; his ship fought in superb -style, and he was entitled to the principal share of -such credit as attached to burning the French ships -of war.</p> - -<p>The next notable action in which Sir Cloudesley took -part was one of the few that have detracted from -England’s glory and renown as “mistress of the seas.” -In the battle of Beachy Head the glory was appropriated -by the Dutch; if shame attached to any party in the -contest it was to the English; but for mismanagement or -failure Sir Cloudesley was in no degree responsible. He -was responsible for the handling and fighting of the -ships under his command, but had to take the orders of -his admiral for the plan of action. In June 1690 the -French fleet, under the Count de Tourville, embracing -seventy-eight men-of-war, chiefly of large size, and carrying -an aggregate of four thousand seven hundred guns, -with twenty-two fire-ships, sailed from Brest, with the -intention of creating a diversion in favour of King -James, and, with this view, made a descent upon the -coast of Sussex. Intelligence having reached Spithead -of the enemy’s approach, the British fleet, under the -Earl of Torrington, put to sea on the 21st June, and -soon came in sight of the French. The English were -joined by a Dutch squadron of twenty-two large ships, -under Vice-Admiral Evertsen. On the 30th, at daylight,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_373">373</span> -Admiral Torrington signalled to bear up in line abreast; -and the Dutch in the van bore down with their characteristic -bravery, and did not bring to until closely -engaged with the French van at about 9 <span class="allsmcap">A.M.</span> The blue -squadron, following the example of their allies, gallantly -attacked the rear of the French; but the centre, under -the command of Lord Torrington, hung back, and did -not close with the enemy. The French, taking advantage -of the backwardness of the red division, kept their -wind, and, passing through the wide opening in the line, -completely cut off the Dutch squadron, that still, however, -kept up the fight with dogged bravery. The fight -lasted throughout the day, and at 5 <span class="allsmcap">P.M.</span> the allied fleets -anchored, but at 9 weighed anchor, and retreated eastward. -One English ship, and three of the Dutch ships, -were destroyed or sunk. The Earl of Torrington was -tried by court-martial for his conduct of this action, and -acquitted.</p> - -<p>In September 1694, Sir Cloudesley sailed with a -frigate squadron for an attack on Dunkirk. Commodore -Benbow was in command of the smaller ships of the -squadron, and had with him a Mr. Meesters, and a number -of infernal machines invented by him; he had also -a number of Dutch pilots. On the 12th September, the -fleet, consisting of thirteen English and Dutch men-of-war -ships, two mortar vessels, and seventeen machines, -and small craft, arrived before Dunkirk, and on the 13th<span class="pagenum" id="Page_374">374</span> -commenced the attack with the boats, and two of the -machines, which were to be directed by the engineer, -assisted by the pilots. The first machine took fire before -it had reached near enough to damage the enemy, and -the second machine was caught by piles the French had -driven to obstruct the approach. Sir Cloudesley found -Dunkirk too strong for the appliances at present at his -command. He sailed for Calais, which he shelled, and -destroyed a large number of houses. He was interrupted -in this occupation by a gale of wind, and returned with -his fleet to the Downs.</p> - -<p>In 1703, Sir Cloudesley was sent on special service to -Vigo, to look after and bring home the spoil of the -French and Spanish fleets that fell to Sir George Rooke -in the previous year. In this action, seven French ships, -with 334 guns and 2030 men, were burnt and otherwise -destroyed, and ten ships were taken by the English and -Dutch, the total loss of the French being seventeen -ships, carrying 960 guns and 5832 men, and, in addition, -some Spanish galleys. Sir Cloudesley, left in charge -of the prizes, succeeded in rescuing a large portion of -the treasure from the sunken galleons, and recovered -the <i>Dartmouth</i>, a fifty-gun ship, that had been captured -in the previous war. He also took out of some of -the French ships, which were lying aground severely -damaged, fifty brass guns, and a larger number of guns -from the shore defence. Before leaving the port (Vigo),<span class="pagenum" id="Page_375">375</span> -he completed the destruction of every ship he could not -tow away.</p> - -<p>In 1704, Sir Cloudesley served under Sir George -Rooke in the Mediterranean, and in 1705 was promoted -to be Rear-Admiral of England, and shortly afterwards -made Commander-in-chief of the British fleets. -In 1705 he co-operated with the Earl of Peterborough in -taking Barcelona.</p> - -<p>Sir Cloudesley, having determined to open the passage -of the bar, where the French were strongly entrenched, -directed Sir John Norris, with four English and one -Dutch ship, to sail into the river. They advanced to -within musket-shot of the enemy’s works. He opened -a well-directed fire, and the cavalry, with the greater -portion of the infantry, taken by surprise, and quite -unprepared for the sudden attack, quitted the camp. Sir -Cloudesley, noticing this, ordered Sir John to land with -the sailors and marines, and attack the French in flank. -This service was effectively performed, and the French -fled in confusion from the entrenchments, clearing the -way for the Duke of Savoy, our ally, who passed up -the river without meeting with any resistance.</p> - -<p>On the 17th July 1707 an attempt was made upon -Toulon by the combined English and Dutch forces, -assisted by the fleet under the command of Sir Cloudesley -Shovel. A hundred guns were landed from the ships -for the batteries, with seamen to serve them; Sir Thomas<span class="pagenum" id="Page_376">376</span> -Dilkes also bombarded the town from the fleet; but -the attack did not prevail, and the attacking forces -withdrew, not without having inflicted heavy damage -and loss upon the French; eight of their largest ships -were burnt; several magazines, and more than a hundred -houses, were destroyed. Sir Cloudesley was greatly -annoyed and disappointed by the partial failure of this -expedition, and departed for England upon his last -and fatal voyage. He left a squadron to blockade -Toulon, under the command of Sir Thomas Dilkes.</p> - -<p>The fleet had got so near home as the Scilly Isles, -when, in the night of 22nd October 1707, Sir Cloudesley’s -ship, the <i>Association</i>, and two others, struck the rocks -known as “The Bishop and his Clerks.” Not a soul -of the eight hundred on board with Sir Cloudesley -was saved. The catastrophe was seen from on board -the <i>St. George</i>. The <i>Association</i> went down in less -than five minutes after striking the rock. Sir George -Byng, in the <i>St. Anne</i>, had a very narrow escape. With -Sir Cloudesley, on board the flag-ship, were his two -stepsons, sons of Lady Shovel and Sir John Narborough, -his brother James, Mr. Trelawney, eldest son of the -Bishop of Winchester, and other persons of distinction. -Sir Cloudesley’s body was cast ashore, and recovered -next day. His remains were deposited, with the honourable -and solemn ceremony due to his worth, in Westminster -Abbey.</p> - -<p class="p2 center"><span class="smaller">PRINTED BY MORRISON AND GIBB LIMITED, EDINBURGH</span></p> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div id="ads"><div class="chapter center"> -<h2 class=" vspace nobold"> -<span class="small">JAMES NISBET & CO.’S</span><br /> - -<span class="large gesperrt sans">SELECT LIST OF BOOKS</span></h2> - -<p class="vspace"> -<span class="smaller">SUITABLE FOR</span><br /> - -PRESENTS AND PRIZES,<br /> - -<span class="smaller">BY</span><br /> - -WELL-KNOWN AND POPULAR WRITERS.</p> - -<hr class="narrow" /> - -<p class="p2 center">Profusely Illustrated and handsomely Bound in Cloth.</p> - -<hr class="narrow" /> - -<p class="p2 center"><i>A Complete List will be forwarded post free on</i> -<i>application to the Publishers.</i></p> - -<p class="p2 center wspace">21 BERNERS STREET,<br /> -LONDON, W. -</p> -</div> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p class="newpage p4 center"> -<b>Works by Mrs. MARSHALL.</b> -</p> -</div> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>“Readers who value culture and refinement, but, above all, seek for truth -and unction, will recommend her tales, especially for young ladies.”—<i>Churchman.</i></p> -</div> - -<p class="center"> -<b>Price Six Shillings. 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BALLANTYNE. -</p> - -<p class="smaller">“The fathers, mothers, guardians, uncles, and aunts who wish to find an -acceptable present for a healthy-minded boy cannot possibly go wrong if they -buy a book with Mr. Ballantyne’s name on the title-page.”—<i>Academy.</i></p> - -<p class="p2 center"> -<b>With Illustrations. Extra crown 8vo. 3s. 6d. each.</b> -</p> - -<div class="blockquot hang"> - -<p>THE WALRUS HUNTERS: A Tale of Esquimaux Land.</p> - -<p>THE HOT SWAMP: A Romance of Old Albion.</p> - -<p>THE BUFFALO RUNNERS: A Tale of the Red River -Plains.</p> - -<p>CHARLIE TO THE RESCUE! A Tale of the Sea and -the Rockies.</p> - -<p>BIG OTTER.</p> - -<p>BLOWN TO BITS; or, The Lonely Man of Rakata. 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Crown 8vo. 1s.</p> -</div> - -<hr class="narrow" /> - -<p class="p2 center vspace larger"> -<b>MR. R. M. BALLANTYNE’S</b><br /> - -MISCELLANY of ENTERTAINING and<br /> -INSTRUCTIVE TALES.<br /> - -With Illustrations. 1s. each.<br /> - -<i>Also in a Handsome Cloth Case, Price 20s.</i> -</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p class="smaller">The “<b>Athenæum</b>” says:—“There is no more practical way of -communicating elementary information than that which has been -adopted in this series. When we see contained in 124 small pages -(as in <i>Fast in the Ice</i>) such information as a man of fair education -should possess about icebergs, northern lights, Esquimaux, musk-oxen, -bears, walruses, &c., together with all the ordinary incidents -of an Arctic voyage woven into a clear connected narrative, we must -admit that a good work has been done, and that the author deserves -the gratitude of those for whom the books are especially designed, -and also of young people of all classes.”</p> -</div> - -<div class="blockquot hang"> - -<p>FIGHTING THE WHALES; or, Doings and Dangers on -a Fishing Cruise.</p> - -<p>AWAY IN THE WILDERNESS; or, Life among the Red -Indians and Fur Traders of North America.</p> - -<p>FAST IN THE ICE; or, Adventures in the Polar -Regions.</p> - -<p>CHASING THE SUN; or, Rambles in Norway.</p> - -<p>SUNK AT SEA; or, The Adventures of Wandering Will -in the Pacific.</p> - -<p>LOST IN THE FOREST; or, Wandering Will’s Adventures -in South America.</p> - -<p>OVER THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS; or, Wandering Will -in the Land of the Red Skin.</p> - -<p>SAVED BY THE LIFEBOAT; or, A Tale of Wreck and -Rescue on the Coast.</p> - -<p>THE CANNIBAL ISLANDS; or, Captain Cook’s Adventures -in the South Seas.</p> - -<p>HUNTING THE LIONS; or, The Land of the Negro.</p> - -<p>DIGGING FOR GOLD; or, Adventures in California.</p> - -<p>UP IN THE CLOUDS; or, Balloon Voyages.</p> - -<p>THE BATTLE AND THE BREEZE; or, The Fights and -Fancies of a British Tar.</p> - -<p>THE PIONEERS: A Tale of the Western Wilderness.</p> - -<p>THE STORY OF THE ROCK.</p> - -<p>WRECKED, BUT NOT RUINED.</p> - -<p>THE THOROGOOD FAMILY.</p> - -<p>THE LIVELY POLL: A Tale of the North Sea.</p> -</div> - -<hr class="narrow" /> - -<p class="p2 center larger vspace"> -<b>THE HALF-HOUR LIBRARY OF TRAVEL,</b><br /> -<b>NATURE, AND SCIENCE.</b></p> - -<p class="smaller center"><i>In attractive binding, and containing nearly 100 Illustrations in</i><br /> -<i>each volume. 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