description of scenery and phænomena of nature, have been so extensively commented on in the notes, that I almost fear incurring the reproach of having overburdened the text. My chief object was to prove, from circumstances which fell within my own experience, the general correctness of Ralegh's descriptions, and to exculpate him from ungenerous reproaches.

The existence of two interesting documents in the British Museum, which have not before been published, rendered it desirable to seize the present opportunity of bringing them before the public. Of these documents, which were productions of Ralegh at two remarkable periods of his life, the first is entitled "Of the Voyage for Guiana," and was probably penned in the year 1596; the other is his autograph journal of that voyage, the ultimate result of which was his death on the scaffold. An interval of more than twenty years lies between these two documents; and it appeared to me that, to publish them without filling up the intermediate chasm by a rapid sketch of the chief incidents of Ralegh's life during that period, would be like attempting to illustrate the geological structure of an extensive district by specimens of the rocks composing its mere extremities.

I assume the reader to be acquainted with the chief

events of Ralegh's life; but as the connecting links of those events may have escaped his memory, the Introduction will be welcome. The biographical sketch accompanying the 'Discoverie of Guiana,' and the two Documents just mentioned, form together a complete though succinct account, in the compilation of which I have spared no pains or research.

In the composition of the biographical sketch, I have brought into view Ralegh's merits as the founder of the British colonial empire, and have devoted more space to this subject than I had originally intended; it however appeared to me of paramount importance, in forming an opinion of the motives of this remarkable man. I do not deny that I am strongly biased in favour of Ralegh, but this partiality has not blinded me to his numerous failings; on the contrary, it has induced me to judge his character with more strictness than I should have done if not conscious of such a leaning.

It remains only to say a few words on the Map which accompanies this Work. Where pages of letterpress are required to explain the configuration of a coast, the course of a river or the situation of a place, a single glance at a map will convey to the mind's eye relative local positions, however complex, better than any verbal description. It was gratifying to find

that my proposition to illustrate Sir Walter Ralegh's journey up the Orinoco by a Map met with the approbation of the Council of the Hakluyt Society. This map is laid down in a great measure from personal observations made during eight years' rambles through Guiana; the northern part of it has been chiefly constructed from Colonel Codazzi's Atlas of Venezuela. Where I have been able to identify the places, rivers and islands mentioned in Ralegh's narrative, by inspecting ancient maps or otherwise, the name used by Ralegh has been added to the present one, in a style of printing which renders its discrimination easy.

Surbiton, Surrey,
May, 1848.

R. H. S.

INTRODUCTION.

THE reign of Queen Elizabeth presents one of the most interesting periods in the history of England. If we contemplate the master-spirits of that time, distinguished in literature, in enterprize, or in the new projects of colonization, as heroes or as politicians, we must acknowledge that the close of the sixteenth century offers the brightest examples, singly and collectively. The age of Shakespeare and Spenser, in itself of an interest unparalleled in literature, exhibits at the same time statesmen like the Cecils and Walsingham, heroes like Essex, Drake, and Howard, who triumphantly established the claim of England to be the mistress of the ocean; and Spain, who had hitherto aspired to that distinction, was humbled by the victories of the English fleets under their command. It was during this period that England founded her first colonies in America; indeed the discoveries which each successive year brought to light, render that reign remarkably distinguished for maritime expeditions and colonization. From whatever side we view this pleasing picture of England's fame, one