DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.20917#0018
10
ROCHESTER.
not to render them interesting, as shewing what
a British fleet was from 1600 to 162,0, or more
properly what it ought to have been *.
i( Moil: excellent Prince,
" Having formerly discoursed of a maritimal
voyage, and the pasfages and accidents therein, I
think it not impertinent, nor differing from my
purpose, to second the same with some necessary
relations concerning the Royal Navy, with the
services and osfices thereunto belonging ; for, as
the posltion and excellency of our shipping is
great and remarkable, so the imperfections and
defect of the same, by the use and daily experi-
ence of late years, have been found to be diver*
and inconvenient. And therefore, for the due
reformation thereof, many things are necessarily
and particularly to be spoken of and considered,
in their order. In regard wherefore, I will first
begin with the osfices; and therein crave pardon,
if, in speaking plainly and truly, in a matter of
so great importance, I do set alide all private
respects and particularity; for, in that which
concerns the service and benefit of my prince and
country, I will say with Cicero, " Nil mihi cha-
rms ;" and, therefore, not justly to be taxed with
any presumption for meddling in matters wherein
* Harl. MS. 4133.
I have
ROCHESTER.
not to render them interesting, as shewing what
a British fleet was from 1600 to 162,0, or more
properly what it ought to have been *.
i( Moil: excellent Prince,
" Having formerly discoursed of a maritimal
voyage, and the pasfages and accidents therein, I
think it not impertinent, nor differing from my
purpose, to second the same with some necessary
relations concerning the Royal Navy, with the
services and osfices thereunto belonging ; for, as
the posltion and excellency of our shipping is
great and remarkable, so the imperfections and
defect of the same, by the use and daily experi-
ence of late years, have been found to be diver*
and inconvenient. And therefore, for the due
reformation thereof, many things are necessarily
and particularly to be spoken of and considered,
in their order. In regard wherefore, I will first
begin with the osfices; and therein crave pardon,
if, in speaking plainly and truly, in a matter of
so great importance, I do set alide all private
respects and particularity; for, in that which
concerns the service and benefit of my prince and
country, I will say with Cicero, " Nil mihi cha-
rms ;" and, therefore, not justly to be taxed with
any presumption for meddling in matters wherein
* Harl. MS. 4133.
I have