[76] In the old time, when prisoners were conveyed from Newgate to
Tyburn, they stopped about midway at the "Old Hospital," at St.
Giles's-in-the-fields, "and," says Stow, "were presented with a
great bowl of ale, thereof to drink at their pleasure, as to be
their last refreshment in this life."
[77] Rawleigh's love of dress is conspicuous in the early portraits
of him we possess, and particularly so in the one engraved by Lodge.
[78] The general impression was so much in disfavour of this
judicial murder, that James thought it politic to publish an 8vo
pamphlet, in 1618, entitled, "A Declaration of the Demeanor and
Cariage of Sir Walter Raleigh, Knight, as well in his Voyage, as in
and sithence his Returne: and of the true motives and inducements
which occasioned his Maiestie to proceed in doing justice upon him,
as hath beene done." It takes the whole question apologetically of
the licence given him to Guiana, "as his Majestie's honour was in a
manner engaged, not to deny unto his people the adventure and hope
of such great riches" as the mines of that island might yield. It
afterwards details his proceedings there, which are declared
criminal, dangerous to his Majesty's allies, and an abuse of his
commission. It ends by defending his execution, "because he could
not by law be judicially called in question, for that his former
attainder of treason is the highest and last worke of the law
(whereby hee was _civiliter mortuus_) his Maiestie was enforced
(except attainders should become priviledges for all subsequent
offences) to resolve to have him executed upon his former
attainder."
[79] The chief particulars in this narrative are drawn from two
manuscript letters of the day, in the Sloane Collection, under their
respective dates, Nov. 3, 1618, Larkin to Sir Thos. Pickering; Oct.
13, 1618, Chamberlain's letters.