The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1855-08-15

| ana showed hllnseit TO be rare scholar
a philosopher, historian, and poet.
AT length, he was released, but not
formally pardoned. He found himself
poor-iorsaken by his old friends, and
still prosecuted by his foes. Yet bis grea,
Courageous heart did not fail. He under.
took new voyage to Guiana-King
James granting him commission, in the
hope of his bringing back much treasure.
But through treachery, and the folly ol
James himself in revealing the secret ol
the expedition to the Spanish Minister
Raleigh suffered disastrous defeat. In
al unequal fight with the Spanish forces,
he lost his beloved esJesttsou. Return.
ing almost heartbroken to England, Sir
Walter was again arrested and commit
ted to the Tower.
A set Of wicked old Judges who only
cared 10 decide as the King wished, and
forgot that God would judge them, de-
clded that the sentence of death pro-
nounccd upon him fifteen years ago, was
still in force, and should be executed. Sir
Walter defended himself with wonderful
eloquemcc, but it was Of no use-hc was
again condemned, and the very next day
was lei to the scaffold. He died grandy
as brave soldier, but meekIy as a true
christian. After addressing the multitude,
he took the axe from the hcadsman, and
felt its edge, saying, "Tis sharp mcdi-
cine, hut sure cure for all ills" He
laid his head upon the block, as calmly
as though it were pillow, and commend
cd his soul to God, as sereney as though
saying his nightly prayer. The heads
man was so touched with reverence and
pity, that he hestated to 10 his dreadful
duty. Seeing this, Sir Walter said
"Strike, man, strike Y And he struck.
When that noble Mad. growb gray in
toll and study, care and hardship, rolled
upon the scatiold, a dismal groan went up
from the crowd. Only selfish and amb-
tious courtiers had envied and hated
ltaleigh-the people had always loved
and honored him, and many there were
that wcpt for him that day, and prayed
that his soul might rest in God. -
On the night before his execution, Sir
Walter Raleigh wrote very affecting let
ESter 10 his beloved wife, with some portions
Of which l will close this history:
"Yoa shall receive. my dear wife, nv
l&t words in these my last lines nv
love send you that You may keep it
when | am dead, and my counsel that
you may remember it when / am no
more.
g. would not, with my will, present
you sorrows, dear. Bess let them 90 to
the grave with me and be buried in the
dust And seeing that it is not the will
Of God that shall see you any more,
bear my destruction patiently and with a
heart like yourself
First, | send you all the thanks that
my heart can conceive or my words ex-
press, for your many labors and cares for
me which, though they have not taken
effect as you wished, my debt to you i:
not the less but pay it, | never shall in
this world.
Secondly, I beseech you for the love
you bear me living, do not hide yoursel
many days, but by your labors seek tc
help the miserable fortunes of your pool
child. y =
"To what friend to direct you, know
not-for mine have left me in the true
time Of trial. Mos, sorry am that be
ing thus surprised by death, l can leave
you no better estate; God hath prevented
all my determinations-that great God
who worketh all in all, and If you car
live free from want, care for no more, fol
the rest is vanity; love God.--in Him yor
shall find true and endless comfort. Teacl
your son also TO serve God whilst lie j:
young, that the fear of God may grow ur
in him; then will God be an husband tc
you, and father to him an husband
and a father that can never be taken
from you.
"Dear wife, beseech. you, pay all poor
men y Remember your poor
child for his fathers sake, who loved 70,
in his happiest estate. sued for my
life, but it was for you ard yours that
desired it: for know it dear wife, you
child IS The son Of true man, who, in hi
own respect, despiseth death, and his mis-
shap n,and ugly forms.
| az cannot write much; God know
how hardly steal this time when al
sleep; and it is also time for me to sepa
rate my thoughts from the world.
"Beg my dead body, which living wa
denied you, and either lay It in .Sher
bourne, or in Exeter Church, by my fi,he
and mother.
"I can say no more; time and dealt
call me away. The everlasting God
/ powerful, infinite, and inscrutable .-Got
Almighty, who is goodness itself, the tru,
light and life, Keep you and yours, anc
have mercy on me, and forgive my per
secutors. and false accuscrs. and send N
to meet in bis glorions kingdom. N,
dear wife, farewell; bless my boy. pra,
for me, and let my true God hold yol
both in his arms. Yours that was, bu
now not my own, M
/ !" WALTER RALEIGH"