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VIII. Copy of an Original Manuscript entitled "Instructionns for every Centioner to observe duringe the continuance of the Frenche Fleet uppon this Cost untill knowlege shal be had of ther dispercement, given by Sir George Carye, Captein, this fyrst of September, 1586^[1]."Communicated by Sir William Musgrave, Bart. F.R.S. and F.A.S.

 

Read Feb. 16, 1797.

 

"IMPRIMIS, that all the beacons, especially thos of the est and west forlands be dubled, garded with such watchmen as shal be of judgment and discretionn, uppon the fyrst occasion of ap-

1. The subsequent extract from Strype's Annals, A. D. 1586, contains the history of this event.

   "The queen this year had enemies on all hands of her, and continual apprehension of invasion, especially from Spain, now that the queen had taken the people of the Low Countries under her protection. And to secure herself by sea sir Francis Drake was sent out with forty gallies, for defence and offence, and did notable execution, which our historians mention: and of this sir George Carew, governor of the Isle of Wight, gave intelligence from thence unto the earl of Sussex, lord lieutenant of the county of Southampton, upon, occasion of the strong report that came to court, that they were all up in that Isle of Wight, which, as things then stood abroad, inclined men to believe. Whence the said lord lieutenant dispatched a letter to the said governor for information, which was answered on the day following, June 8, in the negative. He observes, however, that "the beacons of Ride should be well watched, to advertise his lordship upon any occasion whatsoever," and goes on as follows with further intelligence of the dangers on that side of the kingdom: "That it might please his lordship