SIR FRANCIS DRAKE.

Ar the close of the eighteenth century, there stood on the borders of Devon and Cornwall, not far from Tavistock, a cottage of considerable antiquity and high historical interest. At the time of the Reformation in England, this cottage was inhabited by a man named Drake, who was the father of nine sons. Drake would seem to have been a clergyman by profession, though it has not been clearly proved that such was the case. But it does appear that on religious subjects, he was prepared to hold fast his opinions at some personal inconvenience; and that, during the persecutions consequent on the "six articles act," he was under the necessity of escaping from Devonshire and taking refuge in Kent.

Francis Drake, one of the sons of this worthy, was born in the cottage near Tavistock, about the year 1539, and was still in childhood when his father fled to Kent. At that time the circumstances of the Drake family must have been narrow; and, doubtless, the prospects of the nine young Drakes were sufficiently gloomy. But, ere long, matters in some slight degree brightened. After King Henry's death, the father emerged safely from his place of concealment at Upmore, on the Medway; and afterwards, perhaps in

consideration of his sufferings for conscience'

he was appointed to read prayers to the seamen of the King's navy.

Being one of a large family, without any of the advantages which wealth commands, young Drake did not enter upon life under the most brilliant auspices. In early boyhood he was sent to sea as an apprentice to the master of a little vessel engaged chiefly in the coasting trade, and held hard to business. But being a youth of an "aspiring vein," with courage to endure and determination to excel, Drake gradually won so high a place in the opinion of his master, that the worthy skipper, when dying, bequeathed his little bark to his meritorious apprentice.

Fortune having proved so far favourable, Drake began the world on his own account. It appears that, for the next few years, he made good use of his time, and that he gained much knowledge of maritime affairs. He had already undertaken voyages to France, to Zealand, and to the Spanish Main, and acquired considerable experience, when, in 1567, he joined Captain John Hawkins in an expedition to the New World.

It seems that in this enterprise of Hawkins the chief part of the cargo consisted of negroes caught in Africa and carried for sale to the Spanish Main. The voyage proved the reverse of prosperous. Though trading under the protection of a treaty between England and Spain, Hawkins, on reaching Rio de la Hacha, found that commerce was prohibited by the Spanish governor. Indignant at this, he stormed the town, and proceeded, in defiance of the authorities, to bargain with the natives. The Spaniards, however,

not relishing this mode of doing business, determined on strong measures. Accordingly, the Viceroy of Mexico, having decoyed the English squadron into the port of San Juan de Ulloa, set several of the ships on fire, killed many of the seamen, took others as prisoners, tortured them cruelly to discover their ulterior designs; and even went so far as to hand over two of them to the Inquisition to be burned alive.

Drake was fortunate enough to escape alive from this disaster. But everything that he had acquired in the way of property was gone. Not brooking his losses quietly, as another man might have done, he endeavoured by diplomatic means to obtain redress from the Spanish Government. All his efforts, however, proved futile; and, with an idea of righting himself, he consulted a divine as to what steps he might, as a Christian man, take in the way of retaliation.

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What," he asked, after stating his case, lawfully do under the circumstances?"

"Undoubtedly," answered the divine, "you may lawfully recover from the King of Spain, and repair your losses upon him wherever you can."

Fortified with this high authority, Drake purchased a ship, and to render himself perfectly acquainted with the coasts he intended to attack, made two preliminary voyages to the Spanish possessions in America. Having formed a plan of operations, he prepared for an expedition of a more important character, and sailed from England with the deliberate intention of making the Spaniards feel his vengeance.

It was not, however, with any formidable armament that Drake furnished himself, when leaving the shores of England to make war on that potent personage

known as Philip, King of Spain and the Indies. With one bark of seventy tons, under his own command, and with another of twenty-five tons, commanded by his brother John, and with a crew of seventy-five men, the English sea-captain fared forth to attack the possessions of the most powerful of European monarchs. In a small way, however, Drake was well prepared. On board he had a year's provisions, as much ammunition and artillery as he judged necessary for the expedition, and three pinnaces in pieces, but ready framed, and in a condition to be put rapidly together whenever required.

All arrangements having been made, Drake, availing himself of the first fair wind, sailed from the shores of England. About Midsummer, 1572, the high land of America appeared in sight; and he began to scent the gold as the bloodhound does the fugitive. Directing his course to the east of Nombre de Dios, at that time the depôt of the treasure brought from Peru, he landed at Port Pleasant, put together his pinnaces, and prepared for operations.

While affairs were at this stage, Drake was unexpectedly reinforced. A trader from England, with some forty men on board, happened to reach Port Pleasant; and the skipper, after hearing Drake's designs, consented to take part in the enterprise and share the danger. With this accession of force, which at the time must have been welcome, Drake put to sea.

After a short voyage, the little fleet approache‹ Nombre de Dios. It was night, however, and Dra} › resolved on keeping close to the shore, and refrainin; from any attack on the town till the break of day. But

learning that his crew were alarming each other about the strength of the place and the number of the inhabitants, he perceived that delay would be dangerous. No sooner, therefore, did the moon rise, than he ordered his men to their oars, and intimated his purpose of at once proceeding to business.

The attempt on Nombre de Dios proved easier than had been anticipated. Drake and his hardy comrades effected a landing without encountering the slightest opposition. But scarcely were the adventurers in possession of the quay, when an alarm was given, and the town in commotion. Drums beat; bells rang; and the populace shouted. Drake, however, was undismayed. Rapidly forming his slender force into two columns, he caused his trumpets to sound, and dauntlessly pressed forward. At first, nobody appeared to oppose the entrance of the seamen into the town; but on reaching the market-place, they were saluted with a volley of shot. Almost ere this hasty fire took effect, the adventurers, bending their bows, scattered the Spaniards in all directions. Drake, however, was wounded in the leg; but though suffering severe pain, he concealed the fact, lest his men should make his wound a pretext for returning to their ships.

Having driven the Spaniards from the market-place, the English proceeded to inspect the town; and Drake, seizing one of the inhabitants, compelled him to show the way to the governor's house. Finding the door of this edifice open, the adventurers entered without ceremony; and, making their way to the rooms in which was deposited the silver carried from Panama by mules, they discovered bars piled up in such quantities as well nigh exceeded belief. At the sight of so much