Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1849-07-26
The Sailor Prelate.

the SpanlardS III the South Seas. lie anch-
ored at Deptford, and Queen Elizabeth
honored the brave admiral by dining on
board his ship. After the banquet, her
majesty conferred the honor Of knighlhood
os her entertainer, and inquired of him
whether he wished to name any captain IN
his fleet as peculiarly distinguished tor
valor
$50 pleas your majesty" said Drake,
''many there are in every ship who have
borne themselves right bravely,. as the sub
iects of their gracious mistress should but
one there is who merits praise above all,
for by his steady daring alone three goodly
galleons were taken. He stood himself at
the guns until Wet ry was declared, al
though finger of his right hand was shot
off, and he had received various grlevous
wounds. His name is William Lyon, COM
mander Of the Albion"
"Lct him be introduced into our pres.
ence," said the Queen "we love to look
on il brave man."
Sir Francis bowed, gave the necessary
directions, and after a brief delay Captain
Lyoa was ushered into the royal presence.
He was good-featured fnely-formed man,
with the blunt, frank bearing Of a British
sailor; in the present instance slightly
dashed by consciousness of his position.
Her majesty received him with that kindly
manner which she knew so well how to
combine with dignity-a species of king
craft" which seldom fails to secure for
sovereigns the warm love of their people.
She asked him several questions touching
the late expedition, which he answered in
a sensible, respectable manner; and the
Queen dismissed him, saying, "You deserve
to rise, Captain Lyon; and we now pledge
our royal word that you shall have the frs
vacancy that offers" She then gave hin
her hand TO kiss, and the gallant seaman
retired.
About three months afterwards as tho
Queen on state day was giving audience
to her mobiles, Captain William Lyon pre-
scented himself and Craved an interview
with her majesty. Good Queen Bess, a
mong whose faults Indifference to the want
and wishes of her subjects could not b.
classed, willingly granted his request, an
smiled as she asked him to make known hi
wishes.
"Pieas your majesty, come" he sait
to remind you OF your gracious PROMISE
You SAID should have the first vacanc
that offered; and | have just heard that tn
See of Cork, III the south OF Ireland,
vacant by the demise Of the bishop there
fore | hope your majesty will give it me
aud fulfil your royal word"
"Gramercy," said the Queen, "Ihis
taking US al our word with witness Ho
say you my lord" she continued, tnrnin
to the Earl Of Essex, who stood beside th
throne would brave sailor, think vol
answer for bishop il our trouLlous kim
= dom of Ireland "
: "If Captain Lyons clerkly skill, please
your majesty, be equal to so grave.a charg
= his worth and valor (of which | have hear
much) will. doubt not, render hin worth
: Of your Grace favor"
Besides" chimed in the Captan,
, undoubtedly as though he stood on his ow
, quarterback, "her majesty promised me II
E, first Uacancy; and God forbid she shnu
be the frs of her royal house who was wor;
g than the word of her llps!'
: A less absolute sovereign than EIizabe
; might probably have been offended at the
: blunt words, and have dismissed the u
a lucky speaker with scant ceremony; b
:. thoroughly secure in power, she liked
h reign in her peoples hearts, and besid
: she had the rough old Tudor love for wor
/, of truth and deeds OF boldness; thereto
i right royal burst of laughter proceed,
: from the throne, echoed BY the attenda
n courters; and when the Queens merl
r mcnt had subsided, she graCicusy diSnis
: ed Captain Lyon, with the assurance tn
. his request should meet with due attentio
An inquiry into the seaman's qualification
$ was accordingly instituted and the result
! 10 his moral character being perfectly sat
!, factory, and the fact of his having receive
6 tolerable literary education being eSta
:, lished, the Queen was graciously pleas,
: to grant his request; and William Lyt
e was duly consecrated Bishop of Cork, CT
d yne, and Ross.
e Elizabeth said to him on the occasio
'r Il trust, Master Lyon, you will take
'e good care Of the church as you have do
% Of the state" and indeed, contrary to
lie reasonable expectation, he did make M
A. excellent preatc-carefully extending
~ patronage to the most exemplary men, a
b. laborlng with unwcarled zeal to promote
r, interests of the diocese. He built the pr
~ ent Episcopal palace, situated near the
y thedral and over the mantel-piecc in
Id dining-room hangs his portrait, very fin,
10 painted. He is represented in his naval
ct form, aud his right hand is minus the fou
finger.
&c Bishop Lyon enjoyed his elevation
w twenty-five years, with reputation to hi
lie self and benefit to his diocese. He nev
n attempted to preach but once-on the oc,
he sion of the Queens death When Il
in melancholy event occurred, he thought
a his duty to pay his last honors to his 70
Up mistress, and accordingly assembled the p
he pit in Chrst-Church, in the city of Cork
in After giving good discourse on the unc
in tainty f life, and the great and ama
ey gu !itIes OF the Queen, he concluded
the following Characteristic IL
ne the So who feel this loss deplore with me
of the melancholy occasion; but If there
a any that hear me LAS perhaps there may
he who have secretly longed for this eve
er ey have now got their wish, and the de
as do them good with it /"
Of The remains of Bishop Lyon have
It. Gently been discovered by some workm