網頁圖片
PDF
ePub 版
[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][graphic][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]

CS

410

P32

Vole.

MYERS AND CO., PRINTERS,

16, HART STREET, COVENT GARDEN.

ΤΟ

THE REV. FRANCIS ORPEN MORRIS,

VICAR OF NAFFERTON, CO. YORK,

THE EDITOR'S KIND AND EVER VALUED FRIEND,

THIS VOLUME OF

The Patrician

IS INSCRIBED,

WITH FEELINGS OF THE SINCEREST REGARD AND ESTEEM.

THE PATRICIAN.

PASSAGES IN THE LIFE OF SIR WALTER RALEIGH.

PART I.

BY THE AUTHOR OF "IMPRESSIONS AT HOME AND ABROAD."

DURHAM PLACE has long ceased to cast its broad shadow over the bosom of the Thames, and its existence is but remembered by the lover of antiquity, yet the memory of him who dwelt therein is green in our souls— for this was the abode of Sir Walter Raleigh. The palace was no mean specimen of the dwellings of the nobility at the period to which we refer, when Queen Elizabeth encouraged hospitality amongst her lords, visiting them during her Progresses. Harrison, after enumerating her Palaces, says, "but what shall I need to take upon me to repeat all, and tell what houses Her Majesty hath? sith all is hers; and when it pleaseth her in the summer season to recreate herself abroad, and view the estate of the country, and hear the complaints of her poor commons, injured by her unjust officers, every noble's house is her palace, where she continueth during pleasure." This residence of Raleigh's had been a palace of Henry VIII., and was given by Mary to the see of Durham, whence called Durham Place, or Palace. For, as Pennant observes, “be it known to all whom it may concern, that the word is applicable only to the habitations of princes, and that it is with all the impropriety of vanity bestowed on the houses of those, who have luckily acquired money enough to pile on one another a greater quantity of stones or bricks than their neighbours. How many Parks have been formed within precincts where deer were never seen? How many houses misnamed Halls, which had never attached to them the privilege of a manor ?" This edifice was properly designated, however, having been the abode of princes. On the occasion of a great jousting in 1546, a superb feast was given here by the challengers of England, to the king, Henry VIII., and Anne of Cleves. "In this time

they not only feasted the king, queen, ladies, and all the court, but also they cheered all the knights and burgesses of the House of Parlement; and entertained the maior of London with the aldermen and wives at a dinner." On the death of Mary it became the property of Queen Elizabeth, who gave the use of it to Raleigh, and now, though in the hands of a subject, lacked but little of the splendour of royalty.

The evening of the 12th September, 1603, succeeded one of those intense warm days which linger on the verge of winter, recalling the joys of the summer time. Many a gay bark and pleasure-boat glided on the VOL. VI., NO. XXVII,

B

« 上一頁繼續 »