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-