he cast upon him was no less than that of being a direct founder and doctor of a school of atheism, and striving to make young gentlemen converts to the principles of it. The bow from which this arrow is shot, is of itself nearly sufficient to cause that it should miss its mark. The fact is, however, here noticed in its chronological order, principally with a view to elucidate an observation made by Lord Chiefjustice Popham at Ralegh's trial in 1603; and the subject will be resumed in the last chapter.

m

In the meantime, Sir Walter's endeavours to recover the royal favour, after his late disgrace, seem speedily to have been crowned with considerable success. He entertained the hope of being included in a list of privy-counsellors expected to be made in Jannuary 1593-4; and Dr. Coldwell, bishop of Salisbury, 1594. having sometime previously alienated the castle and manor of Sherborne in Dorsetshire to the crown, Sir Walter obtained it of her Majesty." Coker, in his Survey of that county, informs us the feof-farm of it (Sherborne) Queen Elizabeth granted to Sir Walter Ralegh; who began very fairly to build the castle. But altering his purpose, he built, in a park adjoining to it, out of the ground, a most fine house; which he beautified with orchards, gardens, and groves, of much variety and great delight. So that, whether that you

n

Birch's Mems. Eliz. I, 151.

'Isacke's Exeter, and Steven's Addition to Dugdale's Monasticon, I, 495.

consider the pleasantness of the seat, the goodness of the soil, or the other delicacies belonging unto it, it rests unparalleled by any in these parts.

Among the Talbot papers, in a letter from Mr. Anthony Ashley to Lord Shrewsbury, dated September 8, 1594, we read Sir Walter Ralegh is in good hope to return into grace, and is now purposely at London, which giveth cause of discontentment to some other.P

In this year also, (1594) was born Sir Walter Ralegh's eldest son, named Walter after his father.

I conclude the present chapter with a letter from the knight to the queen, and another to Cecil; also with some farther specimens of poetry ascribed to him, for which species of amusement he had pro bably little leisure after this time. No date is affixed to the letter to the queen, which is now first published; the contents of it, however, sufficiently prove, that it was written at a period when Sir Walter laboured under her displeasure.

SIR WALTER RALEGH TO QUEEN ELIZABETH.

I presumed to present your Majesty with a paper, containing the dangers which might grow by the Spanish faction in Scotland; how it pleased your Majesty to accept thereof I know not. I have

P Talbot-papers, I, 222, and Lodge's Illustrations of Brit. Hist 4to, 1791, III, 67.

"See Oldy's Life of Ralegh, p. 145.

since heard, that divers ill-disposed have a purpose to speak of succession. If the same be suppressed. I am glad of it; yet, fearing the worst, I set down some reasons to prove the motive merely vain, dangerous, and unnecessary. And because I durst not

myself speak in any matter without warrant, I have sent your Majesty these arguments, which may perchance put others in mind of somewhat not impertinent; and who, being graced by your Majesty's favour, may, if need require, use them among others more worthy. Without glory I speak it, that I durst either by writing or speech satisfy the world in that point, and in every part of their foolish conceits, which, for shortness of time, I could not so amply insert. This being upon one hour's warning, but one hour's work, I humbly beseech your Majesty not to acquaint any withal, unless occasion be offered to use them. Your Majesty may perchance speak hereof to those seeming my great friends, but I find poor effects of that or any other supposed amity; for your Majesty having left me, I am left all alone in the world, and am sorry that ever I was at all. What I have done is out of zeal and love, and not by any encouragement; for I am only forgotten in all rights, and in all affairs; and mine enemies have their wills and desires over me. There are many other things concerning your Majesty's present service, which methinks are not, as they ought, remembered; and the times pass away unmeasured, of which more profit might be taken.

But I fear I have already presumed too much, which love stronger than reason hath encouraged; for my errors are eternal, and those of others mortal, and my labours thankless, I mean unacceptable, for that too belongeth not to vassals. If your Majesty pardon it, it is more than too great a reward. And so most humbly embracing and admiring the memory of the celestial beauties (which with the people is denied me to view) I pray God your Majesty may be eternal in joys and happiness.

Your Majesty's most humble slave,

W. R."

For the Queen's most ex

cellent Majesty.'

BIR WALTER RALEGH TO SIR ROBERT CECIL.

'SIR,-I am very sorry for Mr. Wilkinson and the rest that I hear are lost in the river of Burdens; but for my part I was resolved of the success beforehand, and so much I told Wilkinson before his departure. Of this Irish combination her Majesty shall find it remembered to herself not long since; but the Trojan soothsayer cast his spear against the wooden horse, but was not believed. I did also presume to speak somewhat how to prevent this purpose, and I think it not overhard to be yet done; and if I had by any chance been acquainted with the Lord Burgh's instructions, I would have

"Dr. Birch's Collections in Brit. Mus. No. 4160, 77.

put you in mind to have won the earl of Argyle rather than all the rest of Scotland; for by him this fire must be only maintained in Ulstell. But for me to speak of the one or the other, I know my labours are prejudicate, and I cannot hereafter deserve either thanks or acceptance. Less than that number of men appointed, I take it, will serve the turn, if the garrisons be placed aright to impeach the assemblies, and some small pinnaces ordered to lie between Cautirr's and Odonell's country; but herein the order of the time hath most power. There be also others in Ireland that lie in wait, not suspected, which I most fear, and others most able and fit to make them neglected and discouraged; which small matters would have hardened to great purpose, as the time will better witness. I had been able myself to have raised two or three bands of English well armed, till I was driven to relinquish and recall my people, of which the loss shall not be alone to me, howsoever I am tumbled down the hill by every practice.

"We are so busied and dandled in these French wars, which are endless, as we forget the defence next the heart. Her Majesty hath good cause to remember, that a million hath been spent in Ireland not many years since. A better kingdom might have been purchased at a less price, and that same defended with as many pence if good order had been taken. But the question now may be, whether for so great expence the estate be not less assured than OL. I.

K