hopes of the nation, in this excellent and amiable prince, on a sudden cut short. To Sir Walter we may consider his loss of the widest extent imaginable; as well from the real esteem which the knight has manifested for his character, as from the future prospects which the prince's patronage afforded him. The two following passages in Sir Walter's History of the World, may convey some idea of his feelings on the occasion.

Of the art of war by sea, I had written a treatise for the Lord Henry prince of Wales; a subject, to my knowledge, never handled by any man ancient or modern. But God hath spared me the labour of finishing it by his loss; by the loss of that brave prince, of which, like an eclipse of the sun, we shall find the effects hereafter. Impossible it is, to equal words and sorrows; I will therefore leave him in the hands of God that hath him-curæ leves loquuntur, ingentes stupent. (Lib. v, c. i, § 6.)

Lastly, whereas this book, by the title it hath, calls itself the First part of the General History of the World, implying a second and third volume, which I also intended, and have hewn out; beside many other discouragements persuading my silence, it hath pleased God to take that glorious prince out of the world to whom they were directed. Whose unspeakable, and never-enough lamented loss, hath taught me to say with Job, versa est in luctum cithera mea, et organum meum in vocem flentium. (Conclusion.)

d How true was this prediction!

The death of Cecil, which happened six months earlier than that of the prince, had probably given rise in Sir Walter to new hopes of regaining his freedom, which would naturally be materially discouraged by the latter event. Yet, although his remaining influence was insufficient to procure his

lease till after the disgrace of Car (now earl of Somerset) for the murder of Sir Thomas Overbury, he had, in 1614, the liberty of the Tower allowed him. 1614. That year had however previously been embittered to him by his son Walter being obliged to fly the kingdom, on account of a duel in which he had been engaged with a Mr. Tyrwhit, a dependent of the lord high treasurer. It is also to be distinguished for the first publication of Sir Walter's History of the World.f

Money, the most powerful agent on these occasions, at last effected what the strongest patronage could not accomplish. Car had now paid the penalty of his crimes, and Villiers was the rising favourite. £1500 presented to Sir William S. John, and Sir Edward Villiers, procured their influence with the nephew of the latter, and the king's consent to the enlargement of Sir Walter. The following letter has been preserved, written by the knight to the favourite on the day of his release.

Birch's Life of Ralegh, p. 65.

f Camden's Annals of King James.

* Observations on Saunderson's History, p. 10.

Ꭰ Ꭺ

SIR WALTER RALEGH TO VILLIERS, AFTERWARD DUKE
OF BUCKINGHAM.

'SIR-You have, by your mediation, put me again into the world. I can but acknowledge it; for, to pay any part of your favour by any service of mine, as yet it is not in my power. If it succeed well, a good part of the honour shall be yours; and if I do not also make it profitable unto you, I shall shew myself exceeding ungrateful. In the meanwhile, and till God discover the success, I beseech you to reckon me among the number of your faithful servants, though the least able,

W. RALEGH."

Thus did Sir Walter, on the 17th of Marchi 1616. 1615-16, after a cruel imprisonment of more than 12 years duration, obtain at last his freedom, by bribery and a change of favourites. In regard to his fellow-sufferers-Lord Grey died in the Tower in 1614; and Lord Cobham survived Sir Walter about three months, dying, as Camden informs us, miserable and poor.1

1 Copied by Oldys from the original in the library of James West, esquire. See his Life of Ralegh, p. 192.

i Birch's Life of Ralegh, p. 65. Camden, in his Annals of King James, fixes the date three days later.

k Dugdale's Baronage.

1 Ann. K. James, 1619. In Ralegh's Prerogative of Parliaments, is a curious passage relative to Cobham's property, and Cecil's management in general of the crown-revenues. See Dr. Birch's Works of Ralegh, I, 200.

1

CHAPTER VIII.

Anecdote....Sir Walter's correspondence with Guiana. His letter to Winwood....He prepares for a new voyage...Spanish politics....Gondomar....His practices ----Buckingham's letter----Ralegh is offered a pardon- - - - Dissuaded by Bacon....His fleet for Guiana. ---Fourth voyage thither....His letter thence to his wife. ---The death of his son Walter....He finds himself betrayed....His letters to Winwood and his wife from St. Christophers-- -- His apology for the voyage, and address to Lord Carew.

WHEN Ralegh saw Somerset brought to the tower, and himself released, he is reported to have said, the whole history of the world had not the like precedent, of a king's prisoner to purchase freedom, and his bosom favourite to have the halter, except in scripiure, in the case of Mordecai and Haman. Upon hearing which, we are told the king replied, Ralegh might die in that deceit ; which we shall find proved too true, for Somerset was pardoned and Ralegh executed.

Under every difficulty of persecution and imprisonment, Guiana still strongly prevailed in the

a Saunderson's History of King James, &c.

mind of Sir Walter. The intermediate voyages of Messrs. Leigh and Harcourt, the former in 1604, the latter in 1609, had contributed little to the progress of the enterprise; while the royal concurrence which they obtained, proved that King James was well satisfied as to the claims he had in that country. At least every second year during his imprisonment, Sir Walter was at the charge of sending thither, to keep up the hopes of relief against the new encroachments and cruelties of the Spaniards; and some years previously to his release, he had proposed an expedition to Guiana if he could obtain his freedom. The death of Cecil, and the subsequent advancement of Sir Ralph Winwood, no friend to the Spanish interest, as secretary of state, improved probably his hopes of success. The following letter, addressed to Sir Ralph by Ralegh on the occasion, bears date in a copy of it in the Harleian Collection, July 1615.

SIR WALTER RALEGH TO SECRETARY WINWOOD.

HONOURED SIR-I was lately persuaded by two gentlemen, my ancient friends, to acquaint your honour with some offers of mine, made heretofore for a journey to Guiana; who were of opi

b See his Apology in this chapter.

© N°. XXXIX, Sec. 41, p. 342. See also Dr. Birch's Works of Ralegh, 11, p. 362.