SOME RECENT REVISIONS OF PLYMOUTH HISTORY. 371 
SOME RECENT REVISIONS OF PLYMOUTH 
HISTORY. 
ABSTRACT OP LECTURE BY REV. ERSKINE RISK, M.A. 
(Read December 20th, 1883.) 
Our long-accepted notions of the verdict of contemporary history 
and tradition having recently received some rough shocks with 
respect to the part attributed to Sir Francis Drake as the donor of 
the water, which he is admitted to have brought into Plymouth, I 
have to pass in review some six points in regard to which this 
" new departure " has taken place. In this abstract of my paper I 
will first enumerate these points, and make such remarks as may 
suffice for the elucidation of my meaning in regard to each. 
1st, then, we have the assertion that the Plymouth leat is new 
only for the few miles of its course between Roborough and Ply- 
mouth, and for the remainder of the watercourse, between Roborough 
and the principal Head Weir at Sheepstor, is simply a utilisation of 
a pre-existing Warleigh Mill Leat. 
2nd, We have the statement that Drake had nothing at all to 
do with Drake's Island, and the " curious " enquiry is proposed, 
when the name of the island was changed from St. Nicholas to 
Drake's. 
3rd, We have the conversion of Drake from the generous donor 
into the mercenary contractor. 
4th, We have the implied contrast between Sir John Hawkins, 
who is set forth as most nearly the typical Englishman of all the 
Elizabethan galaxy, and Sir Francis Drake, who has generally been 
deemed the hero most clearly entitled to that honour. 
5th, We have the statement that the Plymouth Haven referred to 
in the Water Act of 1854 was simply the town harbour of Sutton 
Pool ; all reference to the Rode or place of refuge for shipping near 
Oreston, and the general haven extending past Drake's Island to 
