496 JOURNAL OF THE PLYMOUTH INSTITUTION. 
distance all their predecessors. Not only do they say that by 
Drake’s 
Patriotic exertions the noble undertaking was entirely executed 
at his own cost; and various mills were also erected on different 
parts of the stream [a winding channel of nearly twenty-four miles 
in length] for the use of the town at his expense ; 
But they further aver that 
In the reign of Queen Elizabeth, a new charter was granted to the 
town, through the solicitations of the famous Sir Francis Drake. 
This I think the most marvellous Drake “fact” of all. That 
we find the town paid £220 for the charter is nothing ;* but what 
must have been Drake’s interest in Plymouth when he took the 
trouble to solicit the renewal of its charter five years after he was 
dead ! 
After this supreme effort it is hardly worth while to follow 
“ tradition ” further—for it only repeats itself. It is quite a small 
matter by comparison that B. R. Haydont+ credits Drake with vest- 
ing the water in the Mayor and Commonalty, and that elsewhere 
we find that the completeness of the “inauguration” provided for 
the “ gradual flow of the stream,” which makes the Plymouth Leat 
even more remarkable in its physical characteristics than the 
wonderful waters of Robert Montgomery, which, according to him, 
‘¢ Meander level with their fount.” 
As “ Perambulator” humourously comments, ‘‘ Whether the water 
was dammed back to keep pace with their worships, or whether 
their worships galloped along in double quick time to keep pace 
with the water, neither record nor tradition hands down to us.” { 
We may, however, note what Barrow has to say in speaking of 
the obligations which Plymothians 
Can never forget . . . they owe to Sir Francis Drake. . . . This 
work could only at this time have been conceived and accomplished 
by a man of his talents and ability, and in the short period of four 
winter months. The channel from the river Mew to the town is 
said to be twenty-five miles, but is reduced by the course pursued 
to eighteen miles, § 
* It was “purchased” of Matthew Boyes for £170, having been by his 
“meanes and industrie” renewed ; and the town had spent £50 on the suit 
before. t Vide ‘‘Sketch,” Naval Chronicle, 1808. 
£ Op. cit. vol. iv. p. 159. § Life of Drake, pp. 418-419. 
