1583. SIR HUMPHREY GILBERT. 105 



celebrated Sir Walter Raleigh, who was thus half 

 brother to Sir Humphrey. He was educated at 

 Eton, from \\ hence he w^as sent to Oxford, where 

 he was distinguished for his talents in an age fruit- 

 ful in great men. He served in Ireland w^ith 

 much credit, and was made President of Munster, 

 in which situation he conducted himself wdth 

 firmness and address. He may truly be styled 

 " the father of w estern plantation ;" and Prince 

 bestows on him the following eulogium : — " He 

 was an excellent hydrographer, and no less skil- 

 ful mathematician ; of an high and daring spirit, 

 though not equally favoured of fortune ; yet the 

 laro*e volume of his virtues may be read in his 

 noble enterprizes ; the great design whereof was 

 to discover the remote countries of America, and 

 to bring off those salvages from their diabolical 

 superstitions, to the embracing the gospel of our 

 Lord and Saviour Christ ; for which, his zeal de- 

 serves an eternal remembrance."* 



JOHN DAVIS — First Voyage, 1585. 



The merchants of London and of the west 

 country being satisfied " of the likelyhood of the 

 disco verie of the north-west passage," and that 

 the former adventurers had been diverted from 



* Princess Worthies of Devon ^ p. 417. 



