reat actions reflect back so bright a lustre on the reign which had
furnished to him the most glorious occasions of distinguishing himself
in the service of his country, must not be dismissed from the scene in
silence.

The character of Francis Drake was remarkable not alone for those
constitutional qualities of valor, industry, capacity and enterprise,
which the history of his exploits would necessarily lead us to infer,
but for virtues founded on principle and reflection which render it in a
high degree the object of respect and moral approbation. It is true that
his aggressions on the Spanish settlements were originally founded on a
vague notion of reprisals, equally irreconcilable to public law and
private equity. But with the exception of this error,--which may find
considerable palliation in the deficient education of the man, the
prevalent opinions of the day, and the peculiar animosity against Philip
II. cherished in the bosom of every protestant Englishman,--the conduct
of Drake appears to demand almost unqualified commendation. It was by
sobriety, by diligence in the concerns of his employers, and by a tried
integrity, that he early raised himself from the humble station of an
ordinary seaman to the command of a vessel. When placed in authority
over others, he showed himself humane and considerate; his treatment of
his prisoners was exemplary, his veracity unimpeached, his private life
religiously pure and spotless. In the division of the rich booty which
often rewarded his valor and his toils, he was liberal towards his crews
and scrupulously just to the owners of his vessels; and in the
appropriation of his own share of wealth, he displayed that munificence
towards the public, of which, since the days of Roman glory, history has
recorded so few examples.

With the profits of one of his earliest voyages, in which he captured
the town of Venta Cruz and made prize of a string of fifty mules laden
with silver, he fitted out three stout frigates and sailed with them to
Ireland, where he served as a volunteer under Walter earl of Essex, and
performed many brilliant actions. After the capture of a rich Spanish
carrack at the Terceras in 1587, he undertook at his own expense to
bring to the town of Plymouth, which he represented in parliament, a
supply of spring water, of which necessary article it suffered a great
deficiency; this he accomplished by means of a canal or aqueduct above
twenty miles in length.

Dra