第1章

WEsailedfromPeru,wherewehadcontinuedbythespaceofonewholeyear,forChinaandJapan,bytheSouthSea,takingwithusvictualsfortwelvemonths;

andhadgoodwindsfromtheeast,thoughsoftandweak,forfivemonths’spaceandmore。Butthenthewindcameabout,andsettledinthewestformanydays,soaswecouldmakelittleornoway,andweresometimesinpurposetoturnback。

Butthenagaintherearosestrongandgreatwindsfromthesouth,withapointeast;whichcarriedusup,forallthatwecoulddo,towardthenorth:bywhichtimeourvictualsfailedus,thoughwehadmadegoodspareofthem。Sothatfind-

ingourselves,inthemidstofthegreatestwildernessofwatersintheworld,withoutvictual,wegaveourselvesforlostmen,andpreparedfordeath。YetwedidliftupourheartsandvoicestoGodabove,whoshowethHiswondersinthedeep;

beseechingHimofHismercythatasinthebeginningHedis-

coveredthefaceofthedeep,andbroughtforthdryland,soHewouldnowdiscoverlandtous,thatwemightnotperish。

Anditcametopassthatthenextdayabouteveningwesawwithinakenningbeforeus,towardthenorth,asitwerethickclouds,whichdidputusinsomehopeofland,knowinghowthatpartoftheSouthSeawasutterlyunknown,andmighthaveislandsorcontinentsthathithertowerenotcometolight。Whereforewebentourcoursethither,wherewesawtheappearanceofland,allthatnight;andinthedawningofnextdaywemightplainlydiscernthatitwasalandflattooursight,andfullofboscage,whichmadeitshowthemoredark。Andafteranhourandahalf’ssailing,weenteredintoagoodhaven,beingtheportofafaircity。Notgreat,indeed,butwellbuilt,andthatgaveapleasantviewfromthesea。

Andwethinkingeveryminutelongtillwewereonland,cameclosetotheshoreandofferedtoland。Butstraightwaywesawdiversofthepeople,withbatonsintheirhands,asitwereforbiddingustoland:yetwithoutanycriesorfierce-

ness,butonlyaswarningusoff,bysignsthattheymade。

Whereuponbeingnotalittlediscomfited,wewereadvisingwithourselveswhatweshoulddo。Duringwhichtimetheremadeforthtousasmallboat,withabouteightpersonsinit,whereofoneofthemhadinhishandatipstaffofayellowcane,tippedatbothendswithblue,whomadeaboardourship,withoutanyshowofdistrustatall。Andwhenhesawoneofournumberpresenthimselfsomewhataforetherest,hedrewforthalittlescrollofparchment(somewhatyellowerthanourparchment,andshiningliketheleavesofwriting-

tables,butotherwisesoftandflexible),anddeliveredittoourforemostman。InwhichscrollwerewritteninancientHe-

brew,andinancientGreek,andingoodLatinoftheschool,andinSpanishthesewords:\"Landyenot,noneofyou,andprovidetobegonefromthiscoastwithinsixteendays,exceptyouhavefurthertimegivenyou;meanwhile,ifyouwantfreshwater,orvictual,orhelpforyoursick,orthatyourshipneedethrepair,writedownyourwants,andyoushallhavethatwhichbelongethtomercy。\"Thisscrollwassignedwithastampofcherubim’swings,notspread,buthangingdown-

ward;andbythemacross。

Thisbeingdelivered,theofficerreturned,andleftonlyaservantwithustoreceiveouranswer。Consultinghereuponamongourselves,weweremuchperplexed。Thedenialoflanding,andhastywarningusaway,troubledusmuch:ontheotherside,tofindthatthepeoplehadlanguages,andweresofullofhumanity,didcomfortusnotalittle。Andaboveall,thesignofthecrosstothatinstrumentwastousagreatrejoic-

ing,andasitwereacertainpresageofgood。OuranswerwasintheSpanishtongue,\"Thatforourship,itwaswell;

forwehadrathermetwithcalmsandcontrarywinds,thananytempests。Foroursick,theyweremany,andinveryillcase;sothatiftheywerenotpermittedtoland,theyranindangeroftheirlives。\"Ourotherwantswesetdowninpar-

ticular,adding,\"Thatwehadsomelittlestoreofmerchandise,whichifitpleasedthemtodealfor,itmightsupplyourwants,withoutbeingchargeableuntothem。\"Weofferedsomere-

wardinpistoletsuntotheservant,andapieceofcrimsonvelvettobepresentedtotheofficer;buttheservanttookthemnot,norwouldscarcelookuponthem;andsoleftus,andwentbackinanotherlittleboatwhichwassentforhim。

Aboutthreehoursafterwehaddespatchedouranswer,therecametowardusaperson(asitseemed)ofaplace。Hehadonhimagownwithwidesleeves,ofakindofwaterchamolet,ofanexcellentazurecolor,farmoreglossythanours;hisunder-apparelwasgreen,andsowashishat,beingintheformofaturban,daintilymade,andnotsohugeastheTurkishturbans;andthelocksofhishaircamedownbelowthebrimsofit。Areverendmanwashetobehold。Hecameinaboat,giltinsomepartofit,withfourpersonsmoreonlyinthatboat;andwasfollowedbyanotherboat,whereinweresometwenty。Whenhewascomewithinaflight-shotofourship,signsweremadetousthatweshouldsendforthsometomeethimuponthewater,whichwepresentlydidinourship-boat,sendingtheprincipalmanamongstussaveone,andfourofournumberwithhim。Whenwewerecomewithinsixyardsoftheirboat,theycalledtoustostay,andnottoapproachfar-

ther,whichwedid。

Andthereupontheman,whomIbeforedescribed,stoodup,andwithaloudvoiceinSpanishasked,\"AreyeChris-

tians?\"Weanswered,\"Wewere;\"fearingtheless,becauseofthecrosswehadseeninthesubscription。Atwhichanswerthesaidpersonliftuphisrighthandtowardheaven,anddrewitsoftlytohismouth(whichisthegesturetheyuse,whentheythankGod),andthensaid:\"Ifyewillswear,allofyou,bythemeritsoftheSaviour,thatyearenopirates;norhaveshedblood,lawfullyorunlawfully,withinfortydayspast;youmayhavelicensetocomeonland。\"Wesaid,\"Wewereallreadytotakethatoath。\"Whereupononeofthosethatwerewithhim,being(asitseemed)anotary,madeanentryofthisact。Whichdone,anotheroftheattendantsofthegreatper-

son,whichwaswithhiminthesameboat,afterhislordhadspokenalittletohim,saidaloud:\"Mylordwouldhaveyouknowthatitisnotofpride,orgreatness,thathecomethnotaboardyourship;butforthatinyouransweryoudeclarethatyouhavemanysickamongstyou,hewaswarnedbytheconser-

vatorofhealthofthecitythatheshouldkeepadistance。\"

Webowedourselvestowardhimandanswered:\"Wewerehishumbleservants;andaccountedforgreathonorandsingularhumanitytowardus,thatwhichwasalreadydone;buthopedwellthatthenatureofthesicknessofourmenwasnotinfectious。\"

Sohereturned;andawhileaftercamethenotarytousaboardourship,holdinginhishandafruitofthatcountry,likeanorange,butofcolorbetweenorange-tawnyandscarlet,whichcastamostexcellentodor。Heusedit(asitseemed)

forapreservativeagainstinfection。Hegaveusouroath,\"BythenameofJesus,andHismerits,\"andaftertoldusthatthenextday,bysixoftheclockinthemorning,weshouldbesentto,andbroughttothestrangers’house(sohecalledit),whereweshouldbeaccommodatedofthings,bothforourwholeandforoursick。Soheleftus;andwhenweofferedhimsomepistolets,hesmiling,said,\"Hemustnotbetwicepaidforonelabor:\"meaning(asItakeit)thathehadsalarysufficientoftheStateforhisservice。For(asIafterlearned)

theycallanofficerthattakethrewardstwicepaid。

Thenextmorningearlytherecametousthesameofficerthatcametousatfirst,withhiscane,andtoldushecametoconductustothestrangers’house;andthathehadpre-

ventedthehour,becausewemighthavethewholedaybeforeusforourbusiness。\"For,\"saidhe,\"ifyouwillfollowmyadvice,thereshallfirstgowithmesomefewofyou,andseetheplace,andhowitmaybemadeconvenientforyou;andthenyoumaysendforyoursick,andtherestofyournum-

berwhichyewillbringonland。\"Wethankedhimandsaid,\"Thathiscarewhichhetookofdesolatestrangers,Godwouldreward。\"Andsosixofuswentonlandwithhim;andwhenwewereonland,hewentbeforeus,andturnedtousandsaid\"hewasbutourservantandourguide。\"Heledusthroughthreefairstreets;andallthewaywewentthereweregatheredsomepeopleonbothsides,standinginarow;butinsocivilafashion,asifithadbeen,nottowonderatus,buttowelcomeus;anddiversofthem,aswepassedbythem,puttheirarmsalittleabroad,whichistheirgesturewhentheybidanywelcome。

Thestrangers’houseisafairandspacioushouse,builtofbrick,ofsomewhatabluercolorthanourbrick;andwithhandsomewindows,someofglass,someofakindofcambricoiled。Hebroughtusfirstintoafairparlorabovestairs,andthenaskedus\"whatnumberofpersonswewere?andhowmanysick?\"Weanswered,\"Wewereinall(sickandwhole)

one-and-fiftypersons,whereofoursickwereseventeen。\"Hedesiredushavepatiencealittle,andtostaytillhecamebacktous,whichwasaboutanhourafter;andthenheledustoseethechamberswhichwereprovidedforus,beinginnum-

bernineteen。Theyhavingcastit(asitseemeth)thatfourofthosechambers,whichwerebetterthantherest,mightre-

ceivefouroftheprincipalmenofourcompany;andlodgethemalonebythemselves;andtheotherfifteenchambersweretolodgeus,twoandtwotogether。Thechamberswerehandsomeandcheerfulchambers,andfurnishedcivilly。Thenheledustoalonggallery,likeadorture,whereheshowedusallalongtheoneside(fortheothersidewasbutwallandwindow)seventeencells,veryneatones,havingpartitionsofcedarwood。Whichgalleryandcells,beinginallforty(manymorethanweneeded),wereinstitutedasaninfirmaryforsickpersons。Andhetolduswithal,thatasanyofoursickwaxedwell,hemightberemovedfromhiscelltoacham-

ber;forwhichpurposethereweresetforthtensparecham-

bers,besidesthenumberwespakeofbefore。

Thisdone,hebroughtusbacktotheparlor,andliftinguphiscanealittle(astheydowhentheygiveanychargeorcommand),saidtous:\"Yearetoknowthatthecustomofthelandrequireththatafterthisdayandto-morrow(whichwegiveyouforremovingyourpeoplefromyourship),youaretokeepwithindoorsforthreedays。Butletitnottroubleyou,nordonotthinkyourselvesrestrained,butratherlefttoyourrestandease。Youshallwantnothing;andtherearesixofourpeopleappointedtoattendyouforanybusinessyoumayhaveabroad。\"Wegavehimthankswithallaffectionandrespect,andsaid,\"Godsurelyismanifestedinthisland。\"

Weofferedhimalsotwentypistolets;buthesmiled,andonlysaid:\"What?Twicepaid!\"Andsoheleftus。Soonafterourdinnerwasservedin;whichwasrightgoodviands,bothforbreadandmeat:betterthananycollegiatedietthatIhaveknowninEurope。Wehadalsodrinkofthreesorts,allwhole-

someandgood:wineofthegrape;adrinkofgrain,suchasiswithusourale,butmoreclear;andakindofcidermadeofafruitofthatcountry,awonderfulpleasingandre-

freshingdrink。Besides,therewerebroughtintousgreatstoreofthosescarletorangesforoursick;which(theysaid)

wereanassuredremedyforsicknesstakenatsea。Therewasgivenusalsoaboxofsmallgrayorwhitishpills,whichtheywishedoursickshouldtake,oneofthepillseverynightbe-

foresleep;which(theysaid)wouldhastentheirrecovery。

Thenextday,afterthatourtroubleofcarriageandremov-

ingofourmenandgoodsoutofourshipwassomewhatsettledandquiet,Ithoughtgoodtocallourcompanyto-

gether,and,whentheywereassembled,saiduntothem:\"Mydearfriends,letusknowourselves,andhowitstandethwithus。Wearemencastonland,asJonaswasoutofthewhale’sbelly,whenwewereasburiedinthedeep;andnowweareonland,wearebutbetweendeathandlife,forwearebeyondboththeOldWorldandtheNew;andwhethereverweshallseeEurope,Godonlyknoweth。Itisakindofmiraclehathbroughtushither,anditmustbelittlelessthatshallbringushence。Thereforeinregardofourdeliverancepast,andourdangerpresentandtocome,letuslookuptoGod,andeverymanreformhisownways。Besides,wearecomehereamongaChristianpeople,fullofpietyandhumanity。Letusnotbringthatconfusionoffaceuponourselves,astoshowourvicesorunworthinessbeforethem。Yetthereismore,fortheyhavebycommandment(thoughinformofcourtesy)

cloistereduswithinthesewallsforthreedays;whoknowethwhetheritbenottotakesometasteofourmannersandcon-

ditions?Andiftheyfindthembad,tobanishusstraightway;

ifgood,togiveusfurthertime。Forthesementhattheyhavegivenusforattendance,maywithalhaveaneyeuponus。Therefore,forGod’slove,andaswelovethewealofoursoulsandbodies,letussobehaveourselvesaswemaybeatpeacewithGodandmayfindgraceintheeyesofthispeople。\"

Ourcompanywithonevoicethankedmeformygoodad-

monition,andpromisedmetolivesoberlyandcivilly,andwithoutgivinganytheleastoccasionofoffence。Sowespentourthreedaysjoyfully,andwithoutcare,inexpectationwhatwouldbedonewithuswhentheywereexpired。Duringwhichtime,wehadeveryhourjoyoftheamendmentofoursick,whothoughtthemselvescastintosomedivinepoolofhealing,theymendedsokindlyandsofast。

Themorrowafterourthreedayswerepast,therecametousanewman,thatwehadnotseenbefore,clothedinblueastheformerwas,savethathisturbanwaswhitewithasmallredcrossontop。Hehadalsoatippetoffinelinen。Athiscomingin,hedidbendtousalittle,andputhisarmsabroad。

Weofourpartssalutedhiminaverylowlyandsubmissivemanner;aslookingthatfromhimweshouldreceivesen-

tenceoflifeordeath。Hedesiredtospeakwithsomefewofus。Whereuponsixofusonlystayed,andtherestavoidedtheroom。Hesaid:\"Iambyoffice,governorofthishouseofstrangers,andbyvocation,IamaChristianpriest,andthereforeamcometoyoutoofferyoumyservice,bothasstrangersandchieflyasChristians。SomethingsImaytellyou,whichIthinkyouwillnotbeunwillingtohear。TheStatehathgivenyoulicensetostayonlandforthespaceofsixweeks;andletitnottroubleyouifyouroccasionsaskfurthertime,forthelawinthispointisnotprecise;andI

donotdoubtbutmyselfshallbeabletoobtainforyousuchfurthertimeasshallbeconvenient。Yeshallalsounderstandthatthestrangers’houseisatthistimerichandmuchafore-

hand;forithathlaiduprevenuethesethirty-sevenyears,forsolongitissinceanystrangerarrivedinthispart;andthere-

foretakeyenocare;theStatewilldefrayyouallthetimeyoustay。Neithershallyoustayonedaythelessforthat。

Asforanymerchandiseyouhavebrought,yeshallbewellused,andhaveyourreturn,eitherinmerchandiseoringoldandsilver,fortousitisallone。Andifyouhaveanyotherrequesttomake,hideitnot;foryeshallfindwewillnotmakeyourcountenancetofallbytheansweryeshallreceive。

OnlythisImusttellyou,thatnoneofyoumustgoaboveakaran[thatiswiththemamileandahalf]fromthewallsofthecity,withoutspecialleave。\"

Weanswered,afterwehadlookedawhileupononean-

other,admiringthisgraciousandparent-likeusage,thatwecouldnottellwhattosay,forwewantedwordstoexpressourthanks;andhisnoblefreeoffersleftusnothingtoask。Itseemedtousthatwehadbeforeusapictureofoursalvationinheaven;forwethatwereawhilesinceinthejawsofdeath,werenowbroughtintoaplacewherewefoundnothingbutconsolations。Forthecommandmentlaiduponus,wewouldnotfailtoobeyit,thoughitwasimpossiblebutourheartsshouldbeinflamedtotreadfurtheruponthishappyandholyground。Weaddedthatourtonguesshouldfirstcleavetotheroofsofourmouthsereweshouldforgeteitherthisreverendpersonorthiswholenation,inourprayers。Wealsomosthumblybesoughthimtoacceptofusashistrueservants,byasjustarightasevermenonearthwerebounden;layingandpresentingbothourpersonsandallwehadathisfeet。Hesaidhewasapriest,andlookedforapriest’sreward,whichwasourbrotherlyloveandthegoodofoursoulsandbodies。

Sohewentfromus,notwithouttearsoftendernessinhiseyes,andleftusalsoconfusedwithjoyandkindness,sayingamongourselvesthatwewerecomeintoalandofangels,whichdidappeartousdaily,andpreventuswithcomforts,whichwethoughtnotof,muchlessexpected。

Thenextday,abouttenoftheclock;thegovernorcametousagain,andaftersalutationssaidfamiliarlythathewascometovisitus,andcalledforachairandsathimdown;andwe,beingsometenofus(therestwereofthemeanersortorelsegoneabroad),satdownwithhim;andwhenweweresethebe-

ganthus:\"WeofthisislandofBensalem(forsotheycalleditintheirlanguage)havethis:thatbymeansofoursolitarysituation,andofthelawsofsecrecy,whichwehaveforourtravellers,andourrareadmissionofstrangers;weknowwellmostpartofthehabitableworld,andareourselvesunknown。

Thereforebecausehethatknowethleastisfittesttoaskques-

tionsitismorereason,fortheentertainmentofthetime,thatyeaskmequestions,thanthatIaskyou。\"Weanswered,thatwehumblythankedhimthathewouldgiveusleavesotodo。

Andthatweconceivedbythetastewehadalready,thattherewasnoworldlythingonearthmoreworthytobeknownthanthestateofthathappyland。Butaboveall,wesaid,sincethatweweremetfromtheseveralendsoftheworld,andhopedassuredlythatweshouldmeetonedayinthekingdomofheaven(forthatwewerebothpartsChristians),wedesiredtoknow(inrespectthatlandwassoremote,andsodividedbyvastandunknownseasfromthelandwhereourSaviourwalkedonearth)whowastheapostleofthatnation,andhowitwascon-

vertedtothefaith?Itappearedinhisfacethathetookgreatcontentmentinthisourquestion;hesaid:\"Yeknitmyhearttoyoubyaskingthisquestioninthefirstplace;foritshoweththatyoufirstseekthekingdomofheaven;andIshallgladly,andbriefly,satisfyyourdemand。

\"AbouttwentyyearsaftertheascensionofourSaviouritcametopass,thattherewasseenbythepeopleofRenfusa(acityupontheeasterncoastofourisland,withinsight,thenightwascloudyandcalm),asitmightbesomemileinthesea,agreatpillaroflight;notsharp,butinformofacolumn,orcyl-

inder,risingfromthesea,agreatwayuptowardheaven;andonthetopofitwasseenalargecrossoflight,morebrightandresplendentthanthebodyofthepillar。Uponwhichsostrangeaspectacle,thepeopleofthecitygatheredapacetogetheruponthesands,towonder;andsoafterputthemselvesintoanumberofsmallboatstogonearertothismarvelloussight。Butwhentheboatswerecomewithinaboutsixtyyardsofthepillar,theyfoundthemselvesallbound,andcouldgonofurther,yetsoastheymightmovetogoabout,butmightnotapproachnearer;

soastheboatsstoodallasinatheatre,beholdingthislight,asaheavenlysign。ItsofelloutthattherewasinoneoftheboatsoneofthewisemenoftheSocietyofSaloman’sHouse(whichhouse,orcollege,mygoodbrethren,istheveryeyeofthiskingdom),whohavingawhileattentivelyanddevoutlyviewedandcontemplatedthispillarandcross,felldownuponhisface;andthenraisedhimselfuponhisknees,andliftinguphishandstoheaven,madehisprayersinthismanner:

\"’LordGodofheavenandearth;thouhastvouchsafedofthygrace,tothoseofourordertoknowthyworksofcreation,andtruesecretsofthem;andtodiscern,asfarasappertainethtothegenerationsofmen,betweendivinemiracles,worksofnature,worksofartandimpostures,andillusionsofallsorts。

Idohereacknowledgeandtestifybeforethispeoplethatthethingwenowseebeforeoureyesisthyfinger,andatruemira-

cle。Andforasmuchaswelearninourbooksthatthouneverworkestmiracles,buttoadivineandexcellentend(forthelawsofnaturearethineownlaws,andthouexceedestthemnotbutupongreatcause),wemosthumblybeseechtheetoprosperthisgreatsign,andtogiveustheinterpretationanduseofitinmercy;whichthoudostinsomepartsecretlyprom-

ise,bysendingituntous。’

\"Whenhehadmadehisprayer,hepresentlyfoundtheboathewasinmovableandunbound;whereasalltherestremainedstillfast;andtakingthatforanassuranceofleavetoapproach,hecausedtheboattobesoftlyandwithsilencerowedtowardthepillar;buterehecamenearit,thepillarandcrossoflightbrokeup,andcastitselfabroad,asitwere,intoafirmamentofmanystars,whichalsovanishedsoonafter,andtherewasnoth-

inglefttobeseenbutasmallarkorchestofcedar,dryandnotwetatallwithwater,thoughitswam;andintheforeendofit,whichwastowardhim,grewasmallgreenbranchofpalm;

andwhenthewisemanhadtakenitwithallreverenceintohisboat,itopenedofitself,andtherewerefoundinitabookandaletter,bothwritteninfineparchment,andwrappedinsindonsoflinen。ThebookcontainedallthecanonicalbooksoftheOldandNewTestament,accordingasyouhavethem(forweknowwellwhatthechurcheswithyoureceive),andtheApoca-

lypseitself;andsomeotherbooksoftheNewTestament,whichwerenotatthattimewritten,wereneverthelessinthebook。Andfortheletter,itwasinthesewords:

\"’I,Bartholomew,aservantoftheHighest,andapostleofJesusChrist,waswarnedbyanangelthatappearedtomeinavisionofglory,thatIshouldcommitthisarktothefloodsofthesea。ThereforeIdotestifyanddeclareuntothatpeoplewhereGodshallordainthisarktocometoland,thatinthesamedayiscomeuntothemsalvationandpeace,andgood-willfromtheFather,andfromtheLordJesus。’

\"Therewasalsoinboththesewritings,aswellthebookastheletter,wroughtagreatmiracle,conformtothatoftheapos-

tles,intheoriginalgiftoftongues。Fortherebeingatthattime,inthisland,Hebrews,Persians,andIndians,besidesthenatives,everyonereaduponthebookandletter,asiftheyhadbeenwritteninhisownlanguage。Andthuswasthislandsavedfrominfidelity(astheremainoftheoldworldwasfromwater)byanark,throughtheapostolicalandmiraculousevan-

gelismofSt。Bartholomew。\"Andherehepaused,andames-

sengercameandcalledhimforthfromus。Sothiswasallthatpassedinthatconference。

Thenextdaythesamegovernorcameagaintousimmedi-

atelyafterdinner,andexcusedhimself,sayingthatthedaybe-

forehewascalledfromussomewhatabruptly,butnowhewouldmakeusamends,andspendtimewithus;ifweheldhiscompanyandconferenceagreeable。Weansweredthatwehelditsoagreeableandpleasingtous,asweforgotbothdan-

gerspast,andfearstocome,forthetimeweheardhimspeak;

andthatwethoughtanhourspentwithhimwasworthyearsofourformerlife。Hebowedhimselfalittletous,andafterweweresetagain,hesaid,\"Well,thequestionsareonyourpart。\"

Oneofournumbersaid,afteralittlepause,thattherewasamatterwewerenolessdesiroustoknowthanfearfultoask,lestwemightpresumetoofar。But,encouragedbyhisrarehumanitytowardus(thatcouldscarcethinkourselvesstran-

gers,beinghisvowedandprofessedservants),wewouldtakethehardnesstopropoundit;humblybeseechinghim,ifhethoughtitnotfittobeanswered,thathewouldpardonit,thoughherejectedit。Wesaid,wewellobservedthosehiswords,whichheformerlyspake,thatthishappyisland,wherewenowstood,wasknowntofew,andyetknewmostofthena-

tionsoftheworld,whichwefoundtobetrue,consideringtheyhadthelanguagesofEurope,andknewmuchofourStateandbusiness;andyetweinEurope(notwithstandingalltheremotediscoveriesandnavigationsofthislastage)neverheardanyoftheleastinklingorglimpseofthisisland。Thiswefoundwonderfulstrange;forthatallnationshaveinterknowledgeoneofanother,eitherbyvoyageintoforeignparts,orbystrangersthatcometothem;andthoughthetravellerintoaforeigncountrydothcommonlyknowmorebytheeyethanhethatstayethathomecanbyrelationofthetraveller;yetbothwayssufficetomakeamutualknowledge,insomedegree,onbothparts。Butforthisisland,weneverheardtellofanyshipoftheirsthathadbeenseentoarriveuponanyshoreofEu-

rope;no,norofeithertheEastorWestIndies,noryetofanyshipofanyotherpartoftheworld,thathadmadereturnforthem。Andyetthemarvelrestednotinthis。Forthesitua-

tionofit(ashislordshipsaid)inthesecretconclaveofsuchavastseamightcauseit。Butthen,thattheyshouldhaveknowledgeofthelanguages,books,affairs,ofthosethatliesuchadistancefromthem,itwasathingwecouldnottellwhattomakeof;forthatitseemedtousaconditionandproprietyofdivinepowersandbeings,tobehiddenandunseentoothers,andyettohaveothersopen,andasinalighttothem。

Atthisspeechthegovernorgaveagracioussmileandsaidthatwedidwelltoaskpardonforthisquestionwenowasked,forthatitimported,asifwethoughtthislandalandofmagi-

cians,thatsentforthspiritsoftheairintoallparts,tobringthemnewsandintelligenceofothercountries。Itwasan-

sweredbyusall,inallpossiblehumbleness,butyetwithacoun-

tenancetakingknowledge,thatweknewthathespakeitbutmerrily。Thatwewereaptenoughtothinktherewassome-

whatsupernaturalinthisisland,butyetratherasangelicalthanmagical。Buttolethislordshipknowtrulywhatitwasthatmadeustenderanddoubtfultoaskthisquestion,itwasnotanysuchconceit,butbecausewerememberedhehadgivenatouchinhisformerspeech,thatthislandhadlawsofsecrecytouchingstrangers。Tothishesaid,\"Yourememberitaright;andthereforeinthatIshallsaytoyou,Imustreservesomeparticulars,whichitisnotlawfulformetoreveal,buttherewillbeenoughlefttogiveyousatisfaction。

\"Youshallunderstand(thatwhichperhapsyouwillscarcethinkcredible)thatabout3,000yearsago,orsomewhatmore,thenavigationoftheworld(especiallyforremotevoyages)

wasgreaterthanatthisday。Donotthinkwithyourselves,thatIknownothowmuchitisincreasedwithyou,withinthesethreescoreyears;Iknowitwell,andyetIsay,greaterthenthannow;whetheritwas,thattheexampleoftheark,thatsavedtheremnantofmenfromtheuniversaldeluge,gavemenconfi-

dencetoventureuponthewaters,orwhatitwas;butsuchisthetruth。ThePhoenicians,andespeciallytheTyrians,hadgreatfleets;sohadtheCarthaginianstheircolony,whichisyetfartherwest。TowardtheeasttheshippingofEgypt,andofPalestine,waslikewisegreat。Chinaalso,andthegreatAt-

lantis(thatyoucallAmerica),whichhavenowbutjunksandcanoes,aboundedthenintallships。Thisisland(asappearethbyfaithfulregistersofthosetimes)hadthen1,500strongships,ofgreatcontent。Ofallthisthereiswithyousparingmemory,ornone;butwehavelargeknowledgethereof。

\"Atthattimethislandwasknownandfrequentedbytheshipsandvesselsofallthenationsbeforenamed。And(asitcomethtopass)theyhadmanytimesmenofothercountries,thatwerenosailors,thatcamewiththem;asPersians,Chal-

deans,Arabians,soasalmostallnationsofmightandfamere-

sortedhither;ofwhomwehavesomestirpsandlittletribeswithusatthisday。Andforourownships,theywentsundryvoyages,aswelltoyourstraits,whichyoucallthePillarsofHercules,astootherpartsintheAtlanticandMediterraneanseas;astoPaguin(whichisthesamewithCambalaine)andQuinzy,upontheOrientalseas,asfarastothebordersoftheEastTartary。

\"Atthesametime,andanageafterormore,theinhabitantsofthegreatAtlantisdidflourish。Forthoughthenarrationanddescriptionwhichismadebyagreatmanwithyou,thatthedescendantsofNeptuneplantedthere,andofthemagnifi-

centtemple,palace,city,andhill;andthemanifoldstreamsofgoodlynavigablerivers,whichassomanychainsenvironedthesamesiteandtemple;andtheseveraldegreesofascent,where-

bymendidclimbuptothesame,asifithadbeenaScalaCoeli;

beallpoeticalandfabulous;yetsomuchistrue,thatthesaidcountryofAtlantis,aswellthatofPeru,thencalledCoya,asthatofMexico,thennamedTyrambel,weremightyandproudkingdoms,inarms,shipping,andriches;somighty,asatonetime,oratleastwithinthespaceoftenyears,theybothmadetwogreatexpeditions;theyofTyrambelthroughtheAtlantictotheMediterraneanSea;andtheyofCoya,throughtheSouthSeauponthisourisland;andfortheformerofthese,whichwasintoEurope,thesameauthoramongyou,asitseemeth,hadsomerelationfromtheEgyptianpriest,whomheciteth。

Forassuredly,suchathingtherewas。ButwhetheritweretheancientAtheniansthathadthegloryoftherepulseandre-

sistanceofthoseforces,Icansaynothing;butcertainitistherenevercamebackeithershipormanfromthatvoyage。

NeitherhadtheothervoyageofthoseofCoyauponushadbet-

terfortune,iftheyhadnotmetwithenemiesofgreaterclem-

ency。FortheKingofthisisland,bynameAltabin,awisemanandagreatwarrior,knowingwellbothhisownstrengthandthatofhisenemies,handledthemattersoashecutofftheirlandforcesfromtheirships,andentoiledboththeirnavyandtheircampwithagreaterpowerthantheirs,bothbyseaandland;andcompelledthemtorenderthemselveswithoutstrikingastroke;andaftertheywereathismercy,contentinghimselfonlywiththeiroath,thattheyshouldnomorebeararmsagainsthim,dismissedthemallinsafety。

\"Butthedivinerevengeovertooknotlongafterthoseproudenterprises。Forwithinlessthanthespaceof100yearstheGreatAtlantiswasutterlylostanddestroyed;notbyagreatearthquake,asyourmansaith,forthatwholetractislittlesub-

jecttoearthquakes,butbyaparticulardeluge,orinundation;

thosecountrieshavingatthisdayfargreaterrivers,andfarhighermountainstopourdownwaters,thananypartoftheoldworld。Butitistruethatthesameinundationwasnotdeep,norpastfortyfoot,inmostplaces,fromtheground,sothatalthoughitdestroyedmanandbeastgenerally,yetsomefewwildinhabitantsofthewoodescaped。Birdsalsoweresavedbyflyingtothehightreesandwoods。Forasformen,althoughtheyhadbuildingsinmanyplaceshigherthanthedepthofthewater,yetthatinundation,thoughitwereshallow,hadalongcontinuance,wherebytheyofthevalethatwerenotdrownedperishedforwantoffood,andotherthingsnecessary。

SoasmarvelyounotatthethinpopulationofAmerica,norattherudenessandignoranceofthepeople;foryoumustaccountyourinhabitantsofAmericaasayoungpeople,youngerathou-

sandyearsattheleastthantherestoftheworld,forthattherewassomuchtimebetweentheuniversalfloodandtheirparticu-

larinundation。

\"Forthepoorremnantofhumanseedwhichremainedintheirmountains,peopledthecountryagainslowly,bylittleandlittle,andbeingsimpleandasavagepeople(notlikeNoahandhissons,whichwasthechieffamilyoftheearth),theywerenotabletoleaveletters,arts,andcivilitytotheirposterity;andhavinglikewiseintheirmountainoushabitationsbeenused,inrespectoftheextremecoldofthoseregions,toclothethem-

selveswiththeskinsoftigers,bears,andgreathairygoats,thattheyhaveinthoseparts;whenaftertheycamedownintothevalley,andfoundtheintolerableheatswhicharethere,andknewnomeansoflighterapparel,theywereforcedtobeginthecustomofgoingnaked,whichcontinuethatthisday。

Onlytheytakegreatprideanddelightinthefeathersofbirds,andthisalsotheytookfromthosetheirancestorsofthemoun-

tains,whowereinviteduntoit,bytheinfiniteflightofbirds,thatcameuptothehighgrounds,whilethewatersstoodbelow。

Soyousee,bythismainaccidentoftime,welostourtrafficwiththeAmericans,withwhomofallothers,inregardtheylaynearesttous,wehadmostcommerce。Asfortheotherpartsoftheworld,itismostmanifestthatintheagesfollow-

ing(whetheritwereinrespectofwars,orbyanaturalrevolu-

tionoftime)navigationdideverywheregreatlydecay,andspeciallyfarvoyages(theratherbytheuseofgalleys,andsuchvesselsascouldhardlybrooktheocean)werealtogetherleftandomitted。Sothen,thatpartofintercoursewhichcouldbefromothernationstosailtous,youseehowithathlongsinceceased;exceptitwerebysomerareaccident,asthisofyours。

Butnowofthecessationofthatotherpartofintercourse,whichmightbebyoursailingtoothernations,Imustyieldyousomeothercause。ButIcannotsayifIshallsaytruly,butourship-

ping,fornumber,strength,mariners,pilots,andallthingsthatappertaintonavigation,isasgreatasever;andthereforewhyweshouldsitathome,Ishallnowgiveyouanaccountbyitself;

anditwilldrawnearer,togiveyousatisfaction,toyourprin-

cipalquestion。

\"Therereignedinthisland,about1,900yearsago,aKing,whosememoryofallotherswemostadore;notsuperstitiously,butasadivineinstrument,thoughamortalman:hisnamewasSalomana;andweesteemhimasthelawgiverofournation。

ThisKinghadalargeheart,inscrutableforgood;andwaswhollybenttomakehiskingdomandpeoplehappy。He,there-

fore,takingintoconsiderationhowsufficientandsubstantivethislandwas,tomaintainitselfwithoutanyaidatalloftheforeigner;being5,000milesincircuit,andofrarefertilityofsoil,inthegreatestpartthereof;andfindingalsotheshippingofthiscountrymightbeplentifullysetonwork,bothbyfishingandbytransportationsfromporttoport,andlikewisebysail-

inguntosomesmallislandsthatarenotfarfromus,andareunderthecrownandlawsofthisState;andrecallingintohismemorythehappyandflourishingestatewhereinthislandthenwas,soasitmightbeathousandwaysalteredtotheworse,butscarceanyonewaytothebetter;thoughnothingwantedtohisnobleandheroicalintentions,butonly(asfarashumanfore-

sightmightreach)togiveperpetuitytothatwhichwasinhistimesohappilyestablished,thereforeamonghisotherfunda-

mentallawsofthiskingdomhedidordaintheinterdictsandprohibitionswhichwehavetouchingentranceofstrangers;

whichatthattime(thoughitwasafterthecalamityofAmer-

ica)wasfrequent;doubtingnoveltiesandcommixtureofman-

ners。Itistrue,thelikelawagainsttheadmissionofstrangerswithoutlicenseisanancientlawintheKingdomofChina,andyetcontinuedinuse。Butthereitisapoorthing;andhathmadethemacurious,ignorant,fearful,foolishnation。Butourlawgivermadehislawofanothertemper。Forfirst,hehathpreservedallpointsofhumanity,intakingorderandmak-

ingprovisionforthereliefofstrangersdistressed;whereofyouhavetasted。\"

Atwhichspeech(asreasonwas)weallroseupandbowedourselves。Hewenton:\"ThatKingalsostilldesiringtojoinhumanityandpolicytogether;andthinkingitagainsthumanitytodetainstrangershereagainsttheirwills,andagainstpolicythattheyshouldreturnanddiscovertheirknowl-

edgeofthisestate,hetookthiscourse;hedidordain,thatofthestrangersthatshouldbepermittedtoland,asmanyatalltimesmightdepartasmanyaswould;butasmanyaswouldstay,shouldhaveverygoodconditions,andmeanstolivefromtheState。Whereinhesawsofar,thatnowinsomanyagessincetheprohibition,wehavememorynotofoneshipthateverreturned,andbutofthirteenpersonsonly,atseveraltimes,thatchosetoreturninourbottoms。Whatthosefewthatreturnedmayhavereportedabroad,Iknownot。Butyoumustthink,whatsoevertheyhavesaid,couldbetakenwheretheycamebutforadream。Nowforourtravellingfromhenceintopartsabroad,ourlawgiverthoughtfitaltogethertorestrainit。SoisitnotinChina。FortheChinesesailwheretheywill,orcan;whichshoweth,thattheirlawofkeepingoutstrangersisalawofpusillanimityandfear。Butthisrestraintofourshathoneonlyexception,whichisadmirable;preservingthegoodwhichcomethbycommunicatingwithstrangers,andavoidingthehurt:andIwillnowopenittoyou。

\"AndhereIshallseemalittletodigress,butyouwillbyandbyfinditpertinent。Yeshallunderstand,mydearfriends,thatamongtheexcellentactsofthatKing,oneaboveallhaththepre-eminence。Itwastheerectionandinstitutionofanorder,orsociety,whichwecallSaloman’sHouse,thenoblestfoundation,aswethink,thateverwasupontheearth,andthelanternofthiskingdom。ItisdedicatedtothestudyoftheworksandcreaturesofGod。Somethinkitbeareththefound-

er’snamealittlecorrupted,asifitshouldbeSolomon’sHouse。

Buttherecordswriteitasitisspoken。SoasItakeittobedenominateoftheKingoftheHebrews,whichisfamouswithyou,andnostrangerstous;forwehavesomepartsofhisworkswhichwithyouarelost;namely,thatnaturalhistorywhichhewroteofallplants,fromthecedarofLibanustothemossthatgrowethoutofthewall;andofallthingsthathavelifeandmotion。ThismakethmethinkthatourKingfindinghimselftosymbolize,inmanythings,withthatKingoftheHebrews,whichlivedmanyyearsbeforehim,honoredhimwiththetitleofthisfoundation。AndIamtheratherinducedtobeofthisopinion,forthatIfindinancientrecords,thisorderorsocietyissometimescalledSolomon’sHouse,andsometimestheCollegeoftheSixDays’Works,wherebyIamsatisfiedthatourexcellentKinghadlearnedfromtheHebrewsthatGodhadcreatedtheworldandallthatthereiniswithinsixdays:

andthereforeheinstitutedthathouse,forthefindingoutofthetruenatureofallthings,wherebyGodmighthavethemoregloryintheworkmanshipofthem,andmenthemorefruitintheiruseofthem,didgiveitalsothatsecondname。

\"Butnowtocometoourpresentpurpose。WhentheKinghadforbiddentoallhispeoplenavigationintoanypartthatwasnotunderhiscrown,hemadeneverthelessthisordinance;

thateverytwelveyearsthereshouldbesetforthoutofthiskingdom,twoships,appointedtoseveralvoyages;thatineitheroftheseshipsthereshouldbeamissionofthreeofthefellowsorbrethrenofSaloman’sHouse,whoseerrandwasonlytogiveusknowledgeoftheaffairsandstateofthosecountriestowhichtheyweredesigned;andespeciallyofthesciences,arts,manufactures,andinventionsofalltheworld;andwithaltobringuntousbooks,instruments,andpatternsineverykind:

thattheships,aftertheyhadlandedthebrethren,shouldre-

turn;andthatthebrethrenshouldstayabroadtillthenewmis-