Rider's Almanac (1682, scilicet)--'Since tobacco brought into England
by Sir Walter Raleigh, 99 yeares, the custome whereof is now the
greatest of all others and amounts to yearly ...'
[786]Mr. Michael Weekes of the Royall Societie assures me, out of the
custome-house bookes, that the custome of tobacco over all England is
400,000 _li._ per annum.
[787]Mr. Weekes, register[788] of the Royal Society and an officer of
the custome-house, does assure me that the customes of tobacco over
all England is four hundred thousand pounds per annum.
<_Personal characteristics._>
[789]He was a tall, handsome, and bold man: but his naeve was that he
was damnable proud. Old Sir Robert Harley of Brampton-Brian Castle, who
knew him, would say 'twas a great question who was the proudest, Sir
Walter, or Sir Thomas Overbury, but the difference that was, was judged
on Sir Thomas' side.
[790]His beard turnd up naturally.--I have heard my grandmother say
that when she was young, they were wont to talke of this rebus, viz.,
The enemie to the stomack[791], and the word of disgrace[792],
Is the name[793] of the gentleman with a bold face.
[794]Old Sir Thomas Malett, one of the justices of the King's Bench
tempore Caroli I et II, knew Sir Walter; and I have heard him say that,
notwithstanding his so great mastership in style and his conversation
with the learnedst and politest persons, yet he spake broad Devonshire
to his dyeing day. His voice was small, as likewise were my
schoolfellowes', his grandnephewes[795].
[796]Sir Walter Ralegh was a great chymist; and amongst some MSS.
reciepts, I have seen some secrets from him. He studyed most in his
sea-voyages, where he carried always a trunke of bookes along with him,
and had nothing to divert him.
[797]Memorandum:--he made an excellent cordiall, good in feavers, etc.;
Mr. Robert Boyle haz the recipe, and makes it and does great cures by
it.
[798]A person so much immerst in action all along and in fabrication of
his owne fortunes, (till his confinement in the Tower) could have but
little time to study, but what he could spare in the morning. He was no
slug; without doubt, had a wonderfull waking spirit, and great judgment
to guide it.
<_His residences._>
Durham-house was a noble palace; after he came to his greatnes he lived
there, or in some apartment of it. I well remember his study, which
was a little turret that looked into and over the Thames, and had the
prospect which is pleasant perhaps as any in the world, and which not
only refreshes the eie-sight but cheeres the spirits, and (to speake my
mind) I beleeve enlarges an ingeniose man's thoughts.
Shirburne castle, parke, mannor, etc., did belong (and still ought
to belong) to the church of Sarum. 'Twas aliened in ... time (quaere
bishop of Sarum) to ...; then ...; then Sir W. R. begged <it> as a bôn
from queen Elizabeth: where he built a delicate lodge in the park, of
brick, not big, but very convenient for the bignes, a place to retire
from the Court in summer time, and to contemplate, etc. Upon his
attainder, 'twas begged by the favorite Carr, earl of Somerset, who
forfeited it (I thinke) about the poysoning of Sir Thomas Overbury.
Then John, earl of Bristowe, had it given him for his good service in
the ambassade in Spaine, and added two wings to Sir Walter Ralegh's
lodge. In short and indeed 'tis a most sweet and pleasant place and
site as any in the West, perhaps none like it.
<_His acquaintance._>
In his youth his companions were boysterous blades, but generally
those that had witt; except otherwise uppon designe to gett them
engaged for him,--e.g. Sir Charles Snell, of Kington Saint Michael in
North Wilts, my good neighbour, an honest young gentleman but kept a
perpetuall sott, he engaged him to build a ship (the Angel Gabriel) for
the designe for Guiana, which cost him the mannor of Yatton-Keynell,
the farme at Easton-Piers, Thornhill, and the church-lease of Bishops
Cannings; which ship, upon Sir Walter Raleigh's attainder, was
forfeited. No question he had other such young....
From Dr. John Pell:--In his youthfull time, was one Charles Chester,
that often kept company with his acquaintance; he was a bold
impertenent fellowe, and they could never be at quiet for him; a
perpetuall talker, and made a noyse like a drumme in a roome. So one
time at a taverne Sir W. R. beates him and seales up his mouth (i.e.
his upper and neather beard) with hard wax. From him Ben Johnson takes
his Carlo Buffono (i.e. 'jester') in _Every Man out of his Humour_.
[799]He was a second to the earle of Oxford in a duell. Was acquainted
and accepted with all the hero's of our nation in his time.
Sir Walter Long, of Dracot (grandfather to this old Sir James Long)
maried a daughter of Sir John Thynne, by which meanes, and their
consimility of disposition, there was a very conjunct friendship
between the two brothers (Sir Carew and Sir Walter) and him; and old
John Long, who then wayted on Sir W. Long, being one time in the
Privy-Garden with his master, saw the earle of Nottingham wipe the dust
from Sir Walter R.'s shoes with his cloake, in compliment.
<_Portraits of him._>
In the great parlour at Downton, at Mr. Ralegh's, is a good piece (an
originall) of Sir W. in a white sattin doublet, all embrodered with
rich pearles, and a mighty rich chaine of great pearles about his neck,
and the old servants have told me that the pearles were neer as big as
the painted ones.
He had a most remarkeable aspect, an exceeding[800] high forehead,
long-faced, and sour eie-lidded, a kind of pigge-eie.
* * * * *
N.B.--At ... an obscure taverne, in Drury-lane (a bayliff's), is a good
picture of this worthy, and also of others of his time; taken upon
some execution (I suppose) formerly.
<_Miscellaneous anecdotes._>
[801]I have heard old major Cosh say that Sir W. Raleigh did not care
to goe on the Thames in a wherry boate: he would rather goe round about
over London bridg.
[802]My old friend James Harrington, esq. [Oceana] was well acquainted
with Sir Benjamin Ruddyer, who was an acquaintance of Sir Walter
Ralegh's. He told Mr. J. H. that Sir Walter Ralegh being invited to
dinner to some great person where his son was to goe with him, he
sayd to his son 'Thou art expected to-day at dinner to goe along with
me, but thou art such a quarrelsome[803], affronting ...[804], that
I am ashamed to have such a beare in my company.' Mr. Walter humbled
himselfe to his father, and promised he would behave himselfe mighty
mannerly. So away they went (and Sir Benjamin, I think, with them). He
sate next to his father and was very demure at least halfe dinner time.
Then sayd he, 'I, this morning, not having the feare of God before my
eies but by the instigation of the devill, went[805]....' Sir Walter
being strangely surprized and putt out of his countenance at so great
a table, gives his son a damned blow over the face. His son, as rude
as he was, would not strike his father, but strikes over the face the
gentleman that sate next to him and sayd 'Box about: 'twill come to my
father anon.' 'Tis now a common-used proverb.
[806]He loved[807] ... one of the mayds of honor[LXXI.].... She proved
with child and I doubt not but this hero tooke care of them both, as
also that the product was more then an ordinary mortall[808].
[LXXI.] Quaere J. Ball, who? 'Twas his first lady.
[809]'Twas Sir Walter Ralegh's epigram on Robert Cecil, earle of
Salisbury, who died in a ditch 3 or 4 miles west from Marleborough,
returning from Bathe to London, which was printed in an 8vo booke about
1656 (perhaps one of Mr. Osborne's):--
Here lies Robert, our shepherd whilere,
Who once in a quarter our fleeces did sheer:
For his oblation to Pan his manner was thus,
He first gave a trifle, then offred up us.
* * * * *
In spight of the tarbox he dyed of the shabbo.
--This I had from old Sir Thomas Malett, one of the Judges of the
King's Bench, who knew Sir Walter Ralegh, and did remember these
passages.
<_Raleigh in James I's reign._>
[810]I have now forgott (vide History) whether Sir Walter was not for
the putting of Mary, queen of Scotts, to death; I thinke, yea. But,
besides that, at a consultation at Whitehall, after queen Elizabeth's
death, how matters[811] were to be ordered and what ought to be donne,
Sir Walter Raleigh declared his opinion, 'twas the wisest way for
them to keep the government[812] in their owne hands, and sett up a
commonwealth, and not be subject to a needy beggerly nation. It seemes
there were some of this caball[813] who kept not this so secret but
that it came to king James's eare; who at ... (vide _Chronicle_) where
the English noblesse mett and recieved him, being told upon their
presentment to his majesty their names, when Sir Walter Raleigh's name
was told ('Ralegh') said the king 'On my soule, mon, I have heard
_rawly_ of thee.'--He was such a person (every way) that (as King
Charles I sayes of the lord Strafford) a prince would rather be afrayd
of then ashamed of. He had that awfulnes and ascendency in his aspect
over other mortalls, that the king....
It was a most stately sight, the glory of that reception of his
majesty, where the nobility and gentry were in exceeding rich
equippage, having enjoyed a long peace under the most excellent of
queens; and the company[814] was so exceeding numerous that their
obedience[815] carried a secret dread with it. King James did not
inwardly like it, and with an inward envy sayd that, though so and so
(as before), he doubted not but he should have been able on his owne
strength (should the English have kept him out) been able to have
dealt with them, and get his right. [LXXII.]Sayd Sir Walter Raleigh to
him, 'Would to God that had been put to the tryall.' 'Why doe you wish
that?' sayd the king.--'Because,' said Sir Walter, 'that then you would
have knowne your friends from your foes.' But that reason of Sir Walter
was never forgotten nor forgiven.
[LXXII.] From Dr. Whistler.
[816]He was _praefectus_ ( ...[817]) of Jarsey (Caesaria).
[818]Old major[LXXIII.] Stansby of ..., Hants, a most intimate friend
and neighbour and coetanean of the late earle of Southampton (Lord
Treasurer), told me from his friend, the earle, that as to the plott
and businesse (vide _Chronicle_) about the lord Cobham, etc., he being
then governor of Jersey[819], would not fully, or etc., doe things
unles[820] they would goe to his island and there advise and resolve
about it; and that really and indeed Sir Walter's purpose was when he
had them there, to have betrayed them and the plott, and to have then
delivered-up to the king and made his peace.
[LXXIII.] Quaere Sir R. Henley, if not colonel.
As for his noble design in Guiana, vide the printed bookes. Vide a
Latin voyage which John, lord Vaughan, showed me, where is mention of
captaine North (brother to the lord North) who went with Sir Walter,
where is a large account of these matters. Mr. Edmund Wyld knew
him[821] and sayes he was a learned and sober gentleman and good
mathematician, but if you happened to speake of Guiana he would be
strangely passionate and say 'twas 'the blessedst countrey under the
sun,' etc., reflecting on the spoyling that brave designe.
[822]Vide de illo in Capt. North, pag.[823] 18 b.
[824]When he was attached by the officer about the businesse which cost
him his head, he was carryed in a whery[825], I thinke only with two
men. King James was wont to say that he was a coward to be so taken and
conveyed, for els he might easily have made his escape from so slight a
guard.
<_His imprisonment, death, and burial._>
He was prisoner in the Tower ... (quaere) yeares; quaere where his
lodgeings were?
He there (besides his compiling his _History of the World_) studyed
chymistry. The earle of Northumberland was prisoner at the same time,
who was the patrone to Mr. ... Harriot and Mr. Warner, two of the best
mathematicians then in the world, as also Mr. Hues (<who wrote> _de
Globis_). Serjeant Hoskins (the poet) was a prisoner there too.
I heard my cosen Whitney say that he saw him in the Tower. He had a
velvet cap laced, and a rich gowne, and trunke hose.
[826]He was scandalizd with atheisme; but he was a bold man, and would
venture at discourse which was unpleasant to the church-men. I remember
<the> first lord[827] Scudamour sayd ''twas basely sayd of Sir W. R.,
to talke of _the anagramme of Dog_.' In his speech on the scaffold, I
heard my cosen Whitney say (and I thinke 'tis printed) that he spake
not one word of Christ, but of the great and incomprehensible God,
with much zeale and adoration, so that he concluded he was an a-christ,
not an atheist.
He tooke[LXXIV.] a pipe of tobacco a little before he went to the
scaffold, which some formall persons were scandalized at, but I thinke
'twas well and properly donne, to settle his spirits.
[LXXIV.] <recorded by> J. Stowe, I thinke.
I remember I heard old father ... Symonds (è Societate Jesu) say,
that ..., a father, was at his execution[828], and that to his
knowledge he dyed with a lye in his mouth: I have now forgott what
'twas. The time of his execution was contrived to be on my Lord Mayer's
day (viz. the day after St. Simon and Jude) 1618, that the pageants
and fine shewes might drawe away[829] the people from beholding the
tragoedie of one of the gallants worthies that ever England bred.
Buryed privately under the high alter at St. Margaret's church, in
Westminster, on ... (vide Register); in which grave (or neer) lies
James Harrington, esq., author of _Oceana_.
Mr. Elias Ashmole told me that his son Carew Ralegh told him he had his
father's skull; that some yeares since, upon digging-up the grave, his
skull and neck-bone being viewed, they found the bone[830] of his neck
lapped over so, that he could not have been hanged. Quaere Sir John
Elowys for the skull, who married Mr. Carew Ralegh's daughter and heire.
[831]Sir W. Raleigh--Baker's _Chronicle_, p. 441--'A scaffold
was erected in the Old Palace Yard, upon which, after 14 yeares
reprivement, his head was cutt off. At which time such abundance of
bloud issued from his veines that shewed he had stock of nature enough
left to have continued him many yeares in life though now above 3-score
yeares old, if it had not been taken away by the hand of violence.
And this was the end of the great Sir Walter Raleigh, great sometimes
in the favour of queen Elizabeth, and (next to Sir Francis Drake) the
great scourge and hate of the Spaniard; who had many things to be
commended in his life, but none more than his constancy at his death,
which he tooke with so undaunted a resolution that one might percieve
he had a certain expectation of a better life after it, so far he was
from holding those atheisticall opinions, an aspersion whereof some had
cast upon him.'
[832]In the register of St. Margaret's, Westminster, in the moneth of
October, Sir Walter Raleigh is entred, and is the last of that moneth,
but no dayes of the moneth are sett downe, so that he being beheaded on
the Lord Mayer's day, was buryed the.... He was buryed as soon as you
are removed from the top of the steps towards the altar, not under the
altar.--from Elias Ashmole, esq.
_On Sir Walter Rawleigh._
Here lieth, hidden in this pitt,
The wonder of the world for witt.
It to small purpose did him serve;
His witt could not his life preserve.
Hee living was belov'd of none,
Yet in his death all did him moane[LXXV.].
Heaven hath his soule, the world his fame,
The grave his corps, Stukley his shame.
[LXXV.] Horat. ep. 1, lib. 2:--Extinctus amabitur _idem_.
This I found among the papers of my honoured friend and neighbour
Thomas Tyndale, esq., obiit ... 167-, aet. 85. This Stukely was....
<_His writings._>
[833]At the end of the _History of the World_ (vide last folio, _Hist.
World_), he laments the death of the most noble and most hopefull
prince Henry,[834] whose great favourite he was, and who, had he
survived his father, would quickly have enlarged him, with rewards of
honour. So upon the prince's death ends his first part of his _History
of the World_, with a gallant eulogie of him, and concludes[835],
_Versa est in luctum cithara mea; et cantus[836] meus in vocem
flentium_.
He had[LXXVI.] an apparatus for the second part, which he, in
discontent, burn't, and sayd, 'If I am not worthy of the world, the
world is not worthy of my workes.'
[LXXVI.] From his grand-nephews my school-fellowes.
[837]His booke sold very slowly at first, and the bookeseller
complayned of it, and told him that he should be a looser by it, which
put Sir W. into a passion; and sayd that since the world did not
understand it, they should not have his second part, which he tooke and
threw into the fire, and burnt before his face.
Mr. Elias Ashmole saies that Degore Whear in his _Praelectiones
Hyemales_ gives him an admirable encomium, and preferres him before all
other historians.
[838]Verses W. R. before Spencer's F. Queen.
[839]He was somtimes a poet, not often[840].--Before Spencer's Faery Q.
is a good copie of verses, which begins thus:--
Methinkes I see the grave wher Laura lay;
at the bottome W. R.: which, 36 yeares since, I was told were his.
[841]_Scripsit._
A dialogue between a Privy Councellor and a Justice of Peace.
The father's advice to his son.
Historie of the World.
Maximes of State.
History of William the Conqueror--Thomas Gale hath it.
Edmund Wyld, esq., hath his[842] (a manuscript) ☞ 'A tryall of oares
and indications of metalls and mines.'
[843]E<dmund> W<yld>, esq., hath his MSS. of mines and trialls of
mineralls--quod vide.
Vide Mr. Coniers[LXXVII.], apothecary, for Sir Walter Raleigh's
examination (the originall).
[LXXVII.] 'Take a catalogue of the MSS. of Mr. Conyers, apothecary, at
the White Lyon in Fleet Street.'--Memo. in MS. Aubr. 8, fol. 6ᵛ.
<_His friends._>
[844]His intimate acquaintance and friends were:--
...[845], earle of Oxford.
Sir Francis Vere.
Sir Horatio Vere.
Sir Francis Drake.
Nicholas Hill.
<Thomas> Cavendish.
Mr. Thomas Hariot.
Sir Walter Long, of Dracot in Wilts.
Cavaliero Surff,
etc.
Ben: Johnson.
When Serjeant Hoskyns was a prisoner in the Tower, he was Sir Walter's
Aristarchus.
<_Copy of a letter by him._>
[846]A copie[LXXVIII.] of Sir W. Ralegh's letter, sent to Mr. Duke, in
Devon, writt with his owne hand.
[LXXVIII.] I thinke I sent the originall to Anthony Wood.