no story to tell, and betrayed plainly their addiction to strong drink. There was waggery in the City even at that early day. "They were able to answer nothing to the purpose, being indeed more acquainted (as one there merily and openly said) to toss pots, than to learn the states and dispositions of people."*

The command of the expedition was an object of high ambition. Amongst those who pressed "very earnestly" for the post was Sir Hugh Willoughby, "a most valiant gentleman and well borne." He came recommended by a high reputation for "skill in the services of war," and it seems to have been thought no slight recommendation that he was of tall and commanding stature. The choice finally fell on him.

In command of one of the ships, and with the title of PilotMajor, was Richard Chancellor. He had been bred up in the household of Henry Sydney, father of Sir Philip Sydney. His character and merits, coupled with his brilliant success on this occasion, and subsequent untimely fate, seem to have made a deep impression on his contemporaries. He not only proved a skilful and intrepid seaman, but his remarks on the customs, religion, laws and manners of the countries visited, show him to have possessed a cultivated intellect, as well as great shrewdness and powers of observation. He would seem to have attracted the attention and enjoyed the friendship of Cabot; for Eden (Decades, fol. 357), in adverting to one of the phenomena of the ocean, mentions that the fact he relates was communicated to him by Chancellor, who derived it from Cabot. His was the only ship that succeeded in doubling the North Cape, and making her way to Russia.

"For the government of other ships although divers men seemed willing, and made offers of themselves thereunto, yet by a common consent one Richard Chanceler, a man of great estimation for many good parts of wit in him, was elected, in whom alone great hope for the performance of this business rested. This man was brought up by one Master Henry Sidney, a noble young gentleman and very much beloved of King Edward."

The master of Chancellor's ship was Stephen Burrough,

• Hakluyt, vol. i. p. 445.

afterwards Chief Pilot of England, and of high rank in the navy. There was, also, on board his ship, apparently as a common seaman, William Burrows,* afterwards Comptroller of the Navy and author of a work on navigation, and who in after years conducted a squadron to the same quarter.† thur Pet, also, whose name is associated with a subsequent voyage, was in the same ship.‡

Some obscurity has been occasioned by confounding this memorable enterprise with another, entirely distinct and to a different quarter. Thus there is found in Strypes the following passage:

"In this month of May did the King grant letters of commendation, or safe conduct, for the three ships that were enterprising that noble adventure of seeking for a passage into the Eastern parts of the world, through the unknown and dangerous seas of the North. Of this expedition Sebastian Gabato, an excellent mariner of Bristow, but of Italian parentage, was a great mover, to whom the King, as a gratuity, had given 200 pounds. For this voyage, in February last, the King lent two ships, the Primrose and the Moon, a pinnace, to Barns, Lord Maior of London, Garrett, one of the Sheriffs, York and Windham, adventurers, binding themselves to deliver to the King two ships of the like burden, and good condition, in Midsummer, anno 1554. Sir Hugh Willoughby, a brave knight, was the chief Captain in this enterprise: to whom the King granted a passport to go beyond the seas, with four servants, forty pounds in money, his chain, &c,"

Campbell (Lives of the Admirals, vol. i. p. 319) says,

"The accounts we have of this matter differ widely; but as I observe there is a variation in the dates of a whole year, so I am apt to believe, that there must have been two distinct undertakings; one under the immediate protection of the court which did not take effect; and the other by a joint stock of the merchants, which did. Of the first, because it is little taken notice of, I will speak particularly here; for the other will come in properly in my account of Sir Hugh Willoughby. When, therefore, this matter was first proposed, the King lent two ships, the Primrose and the Moon, to Barnes, Lord Mayor of London, Mr Garret, one of the Sheriffs, and Mr York, and Mr Wyndham, two of the adventurers, giving bond to the King to deliver two ships of like burden, and in as good condition, at Midsommer, 1554.”

Thus has the Maritime History of England been written! The vessels in question made part of the Expedition to Guinea,

Hakluyt, vol. i. p. 233 † Ibid. vol. i. p. 401.

Ibid. vol. i. p. 233.

§ Historical Memorials, vol. ii. p. 402.

of which an account was given, at length, by Richard Eden (Decades, fol. 345).

"In the yeare of oure Lorde MLIII. the XII day of August, sayled from Porchemouth two goodly shyppes the Primrose and the Lion, with a Pynnesse cauled the Moon, being all well furnysshed," &c.

It seems that the enterprise was frustrated by the misconduct of "Captayne Wyndham." The persons spoken of as having given bond to the King, were members of the company of merchant adventurers.* The expedition to Guinea, thus obscured by Strype, Campbell, and succeeding writers, is that of which Eden, against the remonstrances of his Publishers, inserted an account, consenting to swell his volume, "that sum memorie thereof might remayne to our posteritie, if eyther iniquitie of tyme, consumynge all things, or ignorance creepyng in by barbarousness and contempte of knowledge should hereafter bury in oblivion so worthy attempts!" (fol. 343.)

Hakluyt, vol. i. p. 269.

CHAP XXX.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR SIR HUGH WILLOUGHBY.

THE instructions prepared by Cabot for the government of this Expedition, have been justly regarded as a model, and as reflecting the highest credit on his sagacity, good sense, and comprehensive knowledge. They relate not only to the conduct to be observed in reference to the great object in view, but descend to minute suggestions, drawn from his long experience, for the interior arrangements and discipline. They are called "Ordinances, Instructions, and Advertisements of, and for the direction of the intended voyage for Cathay, compiled, made, and delivered by the right worshipful M. Sebastian Cabota, Esq. Governour of the Mysterie and Companie of the Merchants Adventurers for the discoverie of Regions, Dominions, Islands, and places unknowen, the 9th day of May, in the yere of our Lord God 1553, and in the 7th yere of the reigne of our most dread sovereigne Lord, Edward VI., by the grace of God, King of England, France, and Ireland, defender of the faith and of the Church of England and Ireland, in earth supreme head."*

They were made up in the form of a Book which was ordered to be publicly read once every week, "to the intent that every man may the better remember his oath, conscience, duty and charge." These instructions are too voluminous to be here introduced, but a few extracts, while they indicate the cast of Cabot's mind, must fill us with renewed regret that all the records of such a man's own labours should have been unfortunately lost to us:

• Hakluyt, vol. i. p. 226.

“7. Item, that the merchants, and other skilful persons in writing shall daily write, describe, and put in mémorie the navigation of each day and night, with the points, and observations of the lands, tides, elements, altitude of the sunne, course of the moon and starres, and the same so noted by the order of the Master and Pilot of every ship to be put in writing, the Captaine-Generall assembling the masters together once every weeke (if winde and weather shall serve) to conferre all the observations, and notes of the said ships, to the intent it may appeare wherein the notes do agree, and wherein they dissent, and upon good debatement, deliberation, and conclusion determined, to put the same into a common leger, to remain of record for the company: the like order to be kept in proportioning of the Cardes, Astrolabes, and other instruments prepared for the voyage, at the charge of the Companie."

"27. Item, the names of the people of every Island, are to be taken in writing, with the commodities and incommodities of the same, their natures, qualities, and dispositions, the site of the same, and what things they are most desirous of, and what commodities they will most willingly depart with, and what metals they have in hils, mountains, streames, or rivers, in, or under the earth."

Attention to moral and religious duties is strictly enjoined.

"12. Item, that no blaspheming of God, or detestable swearing be used in any ship, nor communication of ribaldrie, filthy tales, or ungodly talke to be suffered in the company of any ship, neither dicing, tabling, nor other divelish games to be frequented, whereby ensueth not onely povertie to the players, but also strife, variance, brauling, fighting, and oftentimes murther, to the utter destruction of the parties, and provoking of God's most just wrath, and sworde of vengeance. These, and all such like pestilences, and contagions of vices, and sinnes to be eschewed, and the offenders once monished, and not reforming, to be punished at the discretion of the captaine and masters, as appertaineth."+

"13. Item, that morning and evening prayer, with other common services ap pointed by the King's Majestie, and lawes of this realme, to be read and saide in every ship daily by the minister in the admirall, and the marchant or some other person learned in other ships, and the Bible or paraphrases to be read devoutly and Christianly to God's honour, and for his grace to be obtained, and had by hum. ble and heartie praier of the navigants accordingly."§

There is much good sense in the following hints:

"22. Item, not to disclose to any nation the state of our religion, but to passe it over in silence, without any declaration of it, seeming to bear with such laws and rights as the place hath where you shall arrive."I

"23. Item, for as much as our people and shippe may appear unto them strange and wonderous, and theirs also to ours; it is to be considered, how they may be used, learning much of their natures and dispositions, by some one such person, as you may first either allure, or take to be brought aboord your ships, and there to

Hakluyt, vol. i. p. 226.

+ Ibid. vol. i. p. 227.

Ibid. vol. i. p. 228.

† Ibid. p. 228.
§ Ibid.