"avers from his perfonal knowledge of his family "and their circumftances, having been bred up in "it, and often heard his brother give this account "of him. He was religious according to the pre"tended purity of these times, but would frequently "allow himself to be merry with his officers, and by "his tenderness and generofity to the feamen had "fo endeared himself to them, that when he died they lamented his lofs as that of a common "father."

Instead of more teftimonies, his character may be properly concluded with one incident of his life, by which it appears how much the fpirit of Blake was fuperior to all private views. His brother, in the laft action with the Spaniards, having not done his duty, was at Blake's defire discarded, and the ship was given to another; yet was he not lefs regardful of him as a brother, for when he died he left him his eftate, knowing him well qualified to adorn or enjoy a private fortune, though he had found him unfit to serve his country in a public character, and had therefore not fuffered him to rob it.

[63]

SIR FRANCIS DRAKE *.

FR

RANCIS DRAKE was the fon of a clergyman in Devonshire, who being inclined to the doctrine of the Proteftants, at that time much op. pofed by Henry VIII. was obliged to fly from his place of refidence into Kent for refuge, from the perfecution raised against him, and thofe of the fame opinion, by the law of the fix articles.

How long he lived there, or how he was supported, was not known; nor have we any account of the first years of Sir Francis Drake's life, of any disposition to hazards and adventures which might have been discovered in his childhood, or of the education which qualified him for fuch wonderful attempts.

We are only informed, that he was put apprentice by his father to the mafter of a small veffel that traded to France and the Low Countries, under whom he probably learned the rudiments of navigation, and familiarifed himself to the dangers and hardships of

the fea.

But how few opportunities foever he might have in this part of his life for the exercise of his courage,

This Life was first printed in the Gentleman's Magazine for 1740.

he

he gave fo many proofs of diligence and fidelity, that his mafter dying unmarried left him his little veffel in reward of his fervices; a circumstance that deferves to be remembered, not only as it may illustrate the private character of this brave man, but as it may hint, to all those who may hereafter propofe his conduct for their imitation, That virtue is the furest foundation both of reputation and fortune, and that the first step to greatness is to be honeft.

If it were not improper to dwell longer on an incident at the first view fo inconfiderable, it might be added, That it deferves the reflection of those, who, when they are engaged in affairs not adequate to their abilities, pafs them over with a contemptuous neglect, and while they amuse themselves with chimerical schemes, and plans of future undertakings, fuffer every opportunity of smaller advantage to flip away as unworthy their regard. They may learn from the example of Drake, that diligence in employments of lefs confequence is the moft fuccefsful introduction to greater enterprizes.

After having followed for fome time his master's profeffion, he grew weary of fo narrow a province, and, having fold his little veffel, ventured his effects in the new trade to the Weft-Indies, which, having not been long difcovered, and very little frequented by the English till that time, were conceived fo much to abound in wealth, that no voyage thither could fail of being recompenfed-by great advantages. Nothing was talked of among the mercantile or adventurous part of mankind, but the beauty and riches of this new world. Fresh discoveries were frequently

made,

made, new countries and nations never heard of before were daily defcribed, and it may eafily be concluded that the relaters did not diminish the merit of their attempts, by fuppreffing or diminishing any circumstance that might produce wonder, or excite curiofity. Nor was their vanity only engaged in raifing admirers, but their interest likewise in procuring adventurers, who were indeed eafily gained by the hopes which naturally arise from new prospects, though through ignorance of the American feas, and by the malice of the Spaniards, who from the first discovery of those countries confidered every other nation that attempted to follow them as invaders of their rights, the best concerted designs often miscarried.

Among those who fuffered most from the Spanish injuftice, was Captain John Hawkins, who, having been admitted by the viceroy to traffick in the bay of Mexico, was, contrary to the ftipulation then made between them, and in violation of the peace between Spain and England, attacked without any declaration of hoftilities, and obliged, after an obstinate resistance, to retire with the lofs of four fhips, and a great number of his men, who were either deftroyed or carried into slavery.

In this voyage Drake had adventured almost all his fortune, which he in vain endeavoured to recover, both by his own private intereft, and by obtaining letters from Queen Elizabeth; for the Spaniards, deaf to all remonftrances, either vindicated the injuftice of the viceroy, or at leaft forbore to redress it.

Drake, thus oppressed and impoverished, retained at least his courage and his industry, that ardent fpirit that prompted him to adventures, and that indefaVOL. XII.

F

tigable

tigable patience that enabled him to furmount difficulties. He did not fit down idly to lament misfortunes which heaven had put it in his power to remedy, or to repine at poverty while the wealth of his enemies was to be gained. But having made two voyages to America for the fake of gaining intelligence of the state of the Spanish fettlements, and acquainted himself with the feas and coafts, he determined on a third expedition of more importance, by which the Spaniards fhould find how imprudently they always act who injure and infult a brave man.

On the 24th of May 1572, Francis Drake set fail from Plymouth in the Pafcha of feventy tons, accompanied by the Swan of twenty-five tons, commanded by his brother John Drake, having in both the veffels feventy-three men and boys, with a year's provifion, and fuch artillery and ammunition as was neceffary for his undertaking, which, however incredible it may appear to such as confider rather his force than his fortitude, was no lefs than to make reprisals upon the most powerful nation in the world.

The wind continuing favourable, they entered June 29, between Guadalupe and Dominica, and on July 6th saw the highland of Santa Martha; then conti- nuing their courfe, after having been becalmed for fome time, they arrived at Port Pheasant, fo named by Drake in a former voyage to the Eaft of Nombre de Dios. Here he propofed to build his pinnaces, which he had brought in pieces ready framed from Plymouth, and was going afhore, with a few men unarmed, but, difcovering a fmoak at a distance, ordered the other boat to follow him with a greater force.

Then