SEVENTEENTH CENTURY.
465
should enjoy the benefit of bis valuable library, the collection of more than forty years, De Thou, by his will, forbade it to be ADld, but he bequeatlied. it to his sons for their use, and that of the literary world. Accordingly, after his death, in 1617, during the minority of his chil- dren, as well as afterwards, additions con- tinued to be made, until the death of James Augustus de Thou, his youngest son, in 1677; who dying greatly involved, this mag- nificent library was sold for payment of his debts. He had previously offered it for sale to the king of France for the use of the Dauphin, but his tender was declined. That the value of this collection has not been over- rated, will be sufficiently evident, when it is known that the family of De Thou, as well as the curators of his library, proceeded to the ex- pense of having one copy or more of every valuable work published m Europe, printed on particularly line paper made for the purpose ! And they sometimes selected the choicest leaves from two or three different copies or editions. It would seem that the president Menars pur- chased this library for less mon^ than the bind- ing of the books' had cost. Mr. Collinson, on the authority of Mr. Buckley, who published the splendid edition of De Thou's Universal Hiitortf,* says that theillustriousministerColbertpurcbased the manuscripts, which in the year 1730, were bought and deposited in the king's library at Pans. Many of the splendid volumes of De Thou's library are to be found in the British museum, the royal library at Paris, and other great public libraries ; where the richness of the binding easily point them out to the observant bibliographer. — Home.
1618. The Owlet Almanake, prognotlicaHng many strange accidents shall happen to this king- domof Great Brittaine ihisyear. London, 1618. 4to. With a wood cut.
A curious and humorous old pamphlet, in which every day of the month has its appropriate fortune annexed to it. — Gifford. Sold at the Gordonstoun sale for £3 \0s.
1618, Oct. 39. Upon this day was beheaded, in Old Palace-yard, London, sir Walter Raleigh, of whom it is not too much to say, that he was the most eminent man of the age in which he lived ; an age enlightened by his talents, and im- proved by his example. He was the fourth son of Walter Raleigh, esq., of Fardel, near Ply- mouth. He studied at Oriel college, Oxfura, for a short time, but, when only seventeen, was one of a hundred gentlemen whom queen Eliza- beth allowed to assist the protestants in France. He served afterwards in the Netherlands, under sir John Norris, in 1578 ; the next year he joined an unsuccessful expedition to America ; and distinguished himself, in 1580, in Ireland. His introduction to Elizabeth has already been noticed at page 443 ante, and from that time he rose rapidly in her favour, and was enriched by her witn places and lands. He availed himself
• See Notice of SMnnel Buckley, Feb. 18, i;34, pott.
of his court favour to obtain letters patent for discovering unknown countries, and took posses- sion of that part of America which is called Virginia, after the virgin queen.
Upon his return, he was returned to parliament for Devon.shire, and soon afterwards knighted. He was also favoured by a licence to sell wine throughout the kingdom ! He continued in favour, and engaged in various public employ- ments, both civil and military, till 1593, when he justly offended the queen by an intrigue with thedaughter of sir Nicholas Throgmorton. Both he and his partner in guilt were confined for several months, and, when set at liberty, for- bidden the court. He married her, however, and lived with her afterwards in the strictest conjugal affection. The next year he was en- tirely restored to favour, and enriched by his royal mistress with the manor of Sherborne, that had been alienated from the church.
In 1597, his enterprising spirit 'was gratified by two expeditions to Guiana, the first of which was conducted by himself, and by his being em- ployed at sea in active service against the Spaniards. On the fall of his rival, Essex, he disgraced himself by entreating sir Robert Cecil to show him no mercy. Though sir Robert took bis advice, there was no sincere friendship between him and Raleigh: and on the accession of James, the latter was stript of his preferments, and accused and condemned of high treason. After being kept for a month at Winchester, in daily expectation of death, he was reprieved and confined for some years in the Tower, where he composed many works. After twelve years' im- prisonment, he received a commission from the king to explore the gold mines of Guiana. The expedition was unsuccessful ; the Spanish monarcn enraged, by the burning of a town ; and, in spite of the just reasoning of Bacop, James had the meanness to have this great man executed in consequence of his former attainder. He entreated the spectators, that if any dis- ability of voice or dejection of countenance should appear in him, uiey would impute it to the disorder of his body (he was suffering from the ague), rather than to any dismayedness of mind. He confessed his grievous offences, and begged the prayers of all who heard him. Hav- ing fingered the axe, he said, smiling, to the sheriff, " this is a sharp medicine, but it is a sound cure for all diseases." The executioner knelt down and asked him forgiveness, which Raleigh, laying his hand upon his shoulder, granted. Then being asked which way he would lay himself on the block, he answered, " so the heart be right, it is no matter which way the head lies." After a little pause, he lifted up his hand, and his head was struck off at two blows, his body never shrinking nor moving.
" Authors are perplexed," says Wood, " under what topic to place him ; whether of statesman, seaman, soldier, chemist, or chronologer, for in all these he did excel; and it still remains a dispute whether the age he lived in was more obliged to his pen or liis sword, the one being
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