Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1857-04-03
SIR. WALTER RALEIGH.

1t is at all times profitable to study the
lives of distinguished men; and we think
that brief biographical sketch OF Dir
Walter Raleigh man who furnished !
in his own person a more correct symbol
of the character and pursuits of that age
than perhaps any other individual; for he
was sailor, soldier, scholar, a states
man, a patriot, historian, and wit
will prove interesting as well as profta-
bic to our readers.
Walter Raleigh was born in Devon
shire, England, in the year 1902. He
was descended from an ancient family
and was educated at Oxford. AT the
age of seventeen he joined party of
volunteers on an expedition to France,
for the purpose of assisting the Protest
ant princes there. In that country he
served six campaigns. After he return
ed from France, he embarked in an ex-
petition under Sir Humphrey Gilbert,
his brother-in-law, to Newfoundland,
which had short time before been dis
covered by Cabot. The expedition,
however, was unsuccessful, and put back.
He then engaged in the Irish wars, where
he spent four seasons, and distinguished
himself under the Earl of OFmond for
his gallant conduct and military SKILL
He returned to England in the 30th year
of his age, and presented himself at the
Court of Elizabeth, which abounded with
cavaliers, distinguished for their Valor.
their wit and learning-and among them
young Raleigh, who had distinguished
himself by his military services, soon as
sumed a conspicuous place.
His first casual encounter with the
Queen was the occasion, on his part, o.
curious exhibition of galIantry, which
at once secured for him the royal favor
Her Majesty, while walking, came to {
wet and muddy spot-and hesitated tc
cross it, when Sir Walter, who stood near
took from his shoulders splendid man
tie, and threw it on the ground, owe
= which she passed. This act of gallantry
and the answer which he made to tn,
Queen, when she offered to furnish hin
with a new mantle, established himsel
in the good graces of his sovereign
But although he became an assiduou
courtier, be used the favor with whic
the Queen regarded him as means {
indulging an honorable and patriotic an
bition. In the following year he bui
and fitted out bark, for the purpose q
joining his brother at Newfoundland
but a contagious distemper having seize
upon his crew, he was compelled to re
turn again to port.
He afterwards dispatched two vesse
in search Of continent that was suppose
to exist between Florida and Newfount
land-which resulted in the discovery
the Carolinas. This country was calle
Virginia in honor of his royal mistres
He there established colony, and fount
ed the town of Raleigh. About the tin
of this discovery, a fortunate cooperate
with Davis resulted in the discovery
the straits which bear his name-in col
sequence of which Raleigh was create
he knight, and honors and emolumen
were heaped upon him. Soon after
was elected to Parliament from his II
tive town, Dudley.
1t was about this time that he int
duced tobacco into England-and won
wager Of the Queen by weighing t
smoke of the tobacco which he used
his pipe on one occasion. He weigh
the tobacco before it was reduced to as
es-and afterwards weighed the ashes
and the difference he Of coarse contend
was the weight of the smoke. 7
Queen, who lost her wager, said she b
often heard of men who turned gold il
smoke, but Raleigh was the first per:
she had known who had the power
- - turning smoke into gold.
One day, willie Raleigh was CONG
Gently smoking his pipe in his study
servant entered with mug of ale, v
was not aware of the use which was mi
Of tobacco. Seeing the smoke issu
from the mouth and nostrils of his m
ter, he, without ceremony, dashed the
, -. in his face-and ran out of the 70,
loudly exclaiming that his master was
Are
Raleigh took an active part in vari
ways in contributing to the defeat
overthrow of the great Spanish Arma
He joined the admiral with four sA