NOBLE ADVENTURERS. 291 



that it was no greater." In England, a solemn thanksgiving was celebrated at St. Paul's, 

 where the Spanish ensigns which had been taken were displayed, and the , same flags were 

 shown on London Bridge the following day, it being Southwark Fair. Many of the arms 

 and instruments of torture taken are still to be seen in the Tower. Another great 

 thanksgiving-day was celebrated on the anniversary of the queen's accession, and one 

 of great solemnity, two days later, throughout the realm. On the Sunday following, the 

 queen went "as in public, but Christian triumph/' to St. Paul's, in a chariot "made in 

 the form of a throne with four pillars," and drawn by four white horses ; alighting from 

 which at the west door, she knelt and " audibly praised God, acknowledging Him her only 

 Defender, who had thus delivered the land from the rage of the enemy." Her Privy 

 Council, the nobility, the French ambassador, the -judges, and the heralds, accompanied 

 her. The streets were hung with blue cloth and flags, "the several companies, in their 

 liveries, being drawn up both sides of the way, with their banners in becoming and gallant 

 order." Thus ended this most serious attempt at the invasion of England. 



CHAPTER XVI. 

 THE HISTORY OF SHIPS AND SHIPPING INTEUESTS [continued] . 



Noble Adventurers The Earl of Cumberland as a Pirate Rich Prizes Action with the Madrede Dios Capture of the Great 

 Carrack A Cargo worth 150,000 Burning of the Cinco C/tagros But Fifteen saved out of Eleven Hundred Souls The 

 Scourge of Malice Establishment of the Slave Trade Sir John Hawkins' Ventures High-handed Proceedings The 

 Spaniards forced to Purchase A Fleet of Slavers Hawkins sanctioned by " Good Queen Bess "Joins in a Negro War 

 A Disastrous Voyage Sir Francis Drake His First Loss The Treasure at Nombre de Dios Drake's First Sight of 

 the Pacific Tons of Silver Captured John Oxenham's Voyage The First Englishman on the Pacific His Disasters 

 and Death Drake's Voyage Round the World Blood-letting at the Equator Arrival at Port Julian Trouble with the 

 Natives Execution of a Mutineer Passage of the Straits of Magellan Vessels separated in a Gale-Loss of the 

 Marigold Tragic Fate of Eight Men Drake Driven to Cape Horn Proceedings at Valparaiso Prizes taken- Capture 

 of the great Treasure Ship Drake's Resolve to change his Course Home Vessel refitted at Nicaragua Stay in the 

 Bay-of San Francisco The Natives worship the English Grand Reception at Tcrnate Drake's Ship nearly wrecked 

 Return to England Honours accorded Drake His Character and Influence Sir Humphrey Gilbert's Disasters and 

 Death Raleigh's Virginia Settlements. 



THE spirit of adventure, fostered by the grand discoveries which were constantly being 

 made, the rich returns derived from trading expeditions, and from the pillage of our 

 enemies, was at its zenith in the reign of Queen Elizabeth. Nor was it confined to mere 

 soldiers of fortune, for we find distinguished noblemen of ample fortunes taking to the 

 seas as though their daily bread depended thereupon. Among these naval adventurers 

 " there was no one," says Southey, " who took to the seas so much in the spirit of a 

 northern sea king as the Earl of Cumberland." He had borne his part in the defeat of 

 the Armada, while still a young man, and the queen was so well satisfied with him, that 

 she gave him a commission to go the same year to the Spanish coast as general, lending 

 him the Golden Lion, one of the ships royal, he victualling and furnishing it at his own 

 expense. After some fighting he took a prize, but soon after had to cut away his 

 mainmast in a storm, and return to England. "His spirit remaining-, nevertheless, higher 

 than the winds, and more resolutely by storms compact and united in itself," we find him 



