SIR WALTER RALEIGH. 
147 
by Stukeley, in spite of his having taken a bribe in money and 
jewels, Raleigh was sent to the Tower on the 9th of August. 
Gondomar now clamoured loudly for his execution, and James 
actually proposed sending Raleigh to Madrid, there to be dealt with 
as the Spanish King should think proper. Gondomar, however, 
did not close with this enticing proposal ; he said he would be 
quite satisfied to have Ealeigh beheaded in England. Raleigh was 
accordingly beheaded in Old Palace Yard, on the verdict given 
against him fifteen years before. His execution was appointed for 
the Lord Mayor's day, when it was hoped that the show usual on 
that occasion might prove sufficiently attractive to prevent any 
inconvenient manifestation of sympathy among the populace. 
Nevertheless, a very large crowd did assemble to witness the basest 
and meanest of the many base and mean actions for which James 
is accountable ; but, as Raleigh remarked, the denseness of the 
crowd did not affect him, since for him a place was sure to be 
reserved. Having vindicated his character in an animated speech, 
he submitted himself to his fate with unaffected cheerfulness, amid 
the most intense sympathy of all beholders. 
In Raleigh's death England lost a man whose greatness was 
eminently characteristic of the greatness of his country. He pos- 
sessed in a superlative degree those qualities which enable us to 
subdue and to rule over subject races, to overrun the globe, and 
to render the English name honoured and respected. He was a 
great man and a true patriot. 
