these religious services he partook heartily of the breakfast prepared for him, smoked a pipe of tobacco, as his custom was, and drank a cup of sack. Being asked if he liked it, he replied, "Ay, 'tis good drink, if a man might tarry by it." He then withdrew to arrange his dress, which was a plain but rich mourning suit of black satin and velvet.

As the hour of nine drew near, he was led to the place of execution in the Old Palace Yard. A large crowd had assembled to witness the heroism of his death, and among them many nobles and knights who were his friends. As he ascended the scaffold he saluted them gracefully, and proclamation for silence being made, he addressed them in a short speech, vindicating the various passages of his life, and especially that touching the death of the Earl of Essex, and expressing his Christian hope in the article of death.* He

* [See an account of the last hours of Sir Walter Raleigh, in a letter from Thomas Lakin to Sir Thomas Puckering. The letter is dated Nov. 3d, 1618, and may be found in Cayley, Appendix xvii. He says, "His end was, by the general report of all that were present, very Christianlike, and so full of resolu tion as moved all men to pity and wonder." His last address is termed "a most grave, Christian, and elegant discourse." He adds, "he seemed as free from all manner of apprehension as if he had been come thither rather to be a spectator than a sufferer; nay, the beholders seemed much more sensible than did he."-H.]

then embraced his friends and took leave of them. Having put off his gown and doublet, he asked to see the axe, and, having taken it, he passed his finger lightly along the edge, saying, "Tis a sharp remedy, but a sound cure for all diseases." Then, having finished his devotions, he laid his head upon the block, and being told to place himself so that his face might look towards the east, he said, "No matter how the head lie so the heart be right." After a brief interval, in which the motion of his lips showed him to be engaged in prayer, he gave the signal. The execu tioner hesitating, he slightly raised his head, and said, "What dost thou fear? Strike, man !!! At two blows the head was severed from the body, "which never shrunk or altered its position." His relics were given to his now desolate widow. Thus passed away one of earth's bright spirits; sometimes fitful, always brilliant, and at the last serene.]

END OF VOL. I.

(