them richly freighted with treasure and valuable stores. In proceeding along the coast to the northward, this fleet separated in a violent gale of wind, and the admiral, with his four ships, put into a harbour to the northward. When, however, he reached the Downs, in July, 1594, he had the satisfaction to hear that all the others had safely arrived at their respective destinations.

Captain Lancaster's First Voyage to India on the Establishment of the East India Company.— About the end of the year 1600, the merchants of London first began seriously to consider, of what great advantage it would be to the wealth and prosperity of England, if a trade on a large scale were opened with India by the way of the Cape of Good Hope; but it was deemed impossible, on account of the length of the voyage, and the large sum of money requisite for the purchase of a cargo, for individuals singly to undertake it. At a meeting, therefore, of the citizens and aldermen of London, with others, to the number of more than two hundred persons, it was resolved to petition the Queen, requesting that, for the increase of trade, the improvement of navigation, and the wealth and honour of England, her Majesty would be graciously pleased to establish an East India Company to be endowed with certain privileges.

Elizabeth lent a willing ear to a petition, which entirely concurred with the favourite object of her

whole reign-the extension of navigation and commerce, which she justly considered to be the great source, from which the supply of seamen for her navy was to be derived. She therefore constituted

them a body corporate by the title of " The Governour and Company of Merchants of London trading into the East Indies." The first governor and four and twenty directors were mentioned by name in the charter; and power was vested in the Company to elect a deputy-governor, and also to elect a governor, a deputy-governor, and four and twenty directors, yearly, for the future. What their other privileges were, it is not necessary here to state; what they now are is well known and duly appreciated.

For the first voyage, under the new charter, there were fitted out five ships. These were-the Dragon, admiral, 600 tons; Hector, vice-admiral, 300; Ascension, 200; Swan, 200; Guest, victualler, 130; carrying in the whole 450 men, with ammunition and victuals; in the latter were included provision for twenty merchant-passengers. In money and goods, they carried out to the value of seven and twenty thousand pounds. On the 13th of February, 1601, they departed from Woolwich, under the command and direction of Captain James Lancaster, admiral. This gallant seaman was therefore the first Englishman who opened the way round the Cape of Good Hope, and made himself acquainted with the trade of India.

Soon after passing the line, the crews were so reduced by extreme sickness, that the merchants were obliged to take their turns at the helms. They therefore deemed it expedient to put into Saldanha Bay, where they procured cattle from the natives, having by this time lost by death 150 of their men. Leaving this when refreshed, they doubled the Cape on the 1st of November. On the 25th of December they anchored in the Bay of Antongil, where they procured oranges, lemons, rice, peas, and beans, poultry, and oxen. On the 5th of June they anchored in the road of Achen. From hence Lancaster sent a message to the city where the King resided, announcing that he had a letter from Queen Elizabeth, and asking an audience, which was granted. The King, who very well knew the Queen's fame and power, and had heard of the overthrow of the Spanish Armada, gave to the English a splendid banquet. On delivering the Queen's letter and presents, the King expressed his great satisfaction, and appointed his chief ministers to treat with him on business. The privileges granted were such as the admiral wished, and all the points being arranged "to our own contentment and the great advantage of our nation," the merchants set about providing a cargo of pepper for the ships, and one or two of them remained at Achen to conduct the Company's trade, under the protection of the King.

In sailing from Achen down the strait of Malacca, they fell in with a ship of 900 tons, having 600 persons on board. She was from Bengal, and had on board a very valuable cargo. They took her as a prize, and carried her back to Achen, and made the King a very handsome present out of her cargo. The admiral now gave orders to take on board all the spices and other valuable goods, and to make ready for proceeding to Bantam. On taking leave, the King gave him a letter, with some valuable presents, for his Queen, among which was a ring with a large ruby; and the admiral himself was also presented with a ring of the same kind.

On the 9th of November they departed from Achen with three ships for Bantam in Java; the Susan having gone before to purchase pepper. On the 15th of December they anchored three leagues from Bantam, on the northern coast of Java. The next day they entered the road of Bantam, when the vice-admiral landed, to certify their arrival to the King, and to desire his safe conduct. The King sent back one of his nobles with the vice-admiral, to bid the admiral welcome, and conduct him to court. The Queen's letter and a present of plate were received with great satisfaction; and a trade was allowed with all the freedom they could desire, and with as much safety, as if they were in their own country. During their stay at Bantam the viceadmiral, Captain John Middleton, died.

By the 10th of February, 1602, they had completed their lading of pepper and other commodities, and were ready to sail homewards; leaving here a sufficient number of men and factors to manage the concerns of the Company. Lancaster landed to take leave of the King, and to return thanks for the favours and privileges vouchsafed to the English nation in his dominions. His Majesty presented him with a letter and a present of fair bezoar stones for the Queen of England, and for himself a stone of the same kind, and a curious Javanese dagger. On the 20th of February, Lancaster set sail for England, and arrived on the 5th of June at St. Helena, where he remained a month to refresh the people and repair the vessels. On the 11th of September, 1602, they all arrived safe in

the Downs.

Thus did Captain (now Sir James) Lancaster obtain the honourable distinction of being the first man, who opened the door to the commerce of England with the opulent, populous, and extensive kingdoms of the East-a commerce which, growing from year to year in magnitude and value, has been the means of acquiring, for Great Britain, an empire of ten times the extent and population of that little insular kingdom which obtained it, and to whose rule and authority its millions of natives have become subject, not voluntarily, it is true, nor without many a severe struggle; yet it