ONE THOUSAND FAMOUS THINGS 91

They Who Were About to Die

WE who remember Drake and Oxenham, Cavendish and Raleigh,
have forgotten names as illustrious, deeds as valiant, and voy-
ages as momentous, which were sent out by the merchant adventurers
of London.

We remember how Sir Hugh Willoughby, sent out to find the
North-east Passage round Siberia, dropped down the river on his
way. It was only three days before the death of the young King
Edward the Sixth. The ships were hung with streamers as they
passed Greenwich Palace ; the dying king was brought out to see
the little fleet sail out ; salutes were fired, the flag was dropped to
bid farewell.

The Admiral about to die saluted his King about to die.

Yet three days and Edward lay still and quiet in death. Yet six
months and the gallant Willoughby sat still and quiet in death. He
sat in his cabin in his arm-chair, with his papers before him, frozen to
death ; and so he was found. Sir Walter Besant

The Fallen Friend

nnHOUGH raised to the summit of power from a low origin, he be-
JL trayed no insolence or contempt towards his inferiors and was
grateful to remember all the obligations which, during his more
humble fortune, he had owed to anyone. He had served as a private
in the Italian wars when he received some good offices from a mer-
chant who had entirely forgotten his person as well as the service
which he had rendered him.

Cromwell in his grandeur happened at London to cast his eye on
his benefactor now reduced to poverty by misfortune. He immedi-
ately sent for him, reminded him of their ancient friendship, and
by his grateful assistance reinstated him in his former prosperity
and opulence, David Hume on Thomas Cromwell

When She Smiled

vy /HEN she smiled it was a pure sunshine that anyone chose to bask
YV in ^ they could ; but anon came a storm and the thunder fell
in wondrous manner on all alike. Queen Elizabeth by her godson,

Sir John Harington

The Great Man's Little House

between Sir Nicholas Bacon and Queen Elizabeth at
v> Gorhambury : My Lord, what a little house you have gotten.
Madam, my house is well, but it is you that have made me too
great for my house.