EXPEDITION OF HAWKINS TO THE WEST INDIES.
The parentage and early life of Francis Drake-His sea-education-Voyage to the West Indies with his friend Captain John Hawkins-Treachery of the Spaniards and disasters in that voyage-Narrative of Miles PhilipsLetter from Hawkins to Cecil-Narrative of Job Horton.
AMONG the number of distinguished characters which the reign of Queen Elizabeth produced, the name of SIR FRANCIS DRAKE must always hold a prominent place. Born of humblė parents, and thrown upon the world, in early youth, as a common seaman, by honest industry, by perseverance and resolution in overcoming difficulties, and by unflinching courage, he gradually rose to the highest rank in the Naval Service, and to the honour of knighthood bestowed by the Sovereign; an honour which, in that illustrious reign, was the reward of distinguished merit only.
"This Drake," says Camden, "(to relate no more than what I have heard from himself) was born of mean parentage in Devonshire, and had Francis Russell (afterwards Earl of Bedford) for his godfather, who, according to the custom, gave him his Christian name. Whilst he was yet a child, his father, Edmund Drake, embracing the Protestant doctrine, was called in question by the law of the Six Articles made by Henry VIII. against the Protestants, fled his country, and withdrew himself into Kent "—" for," says Prince, in his Worthies of Devon,' "the sting of Popery still remained in England, though the teeth thereof were knocked out, and the Pope's supremacy abolished."