Rivulets 14. At Glassenbury in Somersetshire are several ancient Pyramids mention'd by William of Malmsbury with imperfect Inscriptions but why when and by whom erected is meerly conjectural 15. In the Cathedral of Exeter is an Organ which is reckon'd the largest of any in England the greatest Pipe belonging to it being fifteen Inches Diameter which is more by two than the celebrated Organ of Ulm. 16. In Dover-Castle is an old Table hung up which imports that Julius Caesar landed upon that Part of the English Coast Lastly In the County of Surry is the English Anas or the River Mole which loseth it self under Ground and ariseth again at some considerable distance as doth also Recall in the North-Riding of Yorkshire Cambden page 155 and 754. To these Rarities abovemention'd I might here add some Stupendious Fabricks in this Kingdom which may be fitly term'd Art's Master-Pieces But to descend to particulars would swell this Paragraph to a disproportionable bigness Archbishopricks in this Kingdom are Two viz. those of Canterbury and York The Archbishop of Canterbury hath the Precedency of York and is stil'd Primate of all England the other being also Primate of England but not of all England A Controversy hotly debated between these two Archiepiscopal Sees but at last determin'd in favour of the former Bishopricks in this Kingdom including Wales are those of London Chichester Carlisle Durham Salisbury Exeter Winchester Worcester Chester Bath and Wells Lincoln Bristol Oxford St. Asaph Norwich Bangor St. Davids Glocester Rochester Peterborough Hereford Eli Landaff Litchfield and Coventry In point of Place after the two Archbishops followeth the Bishop of London next to him the Bishop of Durham 3dly the Bishop of Winchester and then all the rest according to the Seniority of their Consecration Universities of this Kingdom are those famous Seats of the Muses or two Eyes of England term'd Oxford and Cambridge which for magnificent Buildings rich Endowments ample Priviledges as also number of Students Libraries and learned Men are inferior to none or rather not to be parallel'd by any in the World The Names of the respective Colleges and Halls in each of these Universities the most of which do surpass many of our Foreign Universities are as followeth In Oxford are In Cambridge are University Magdalen Peterhouse Baliol Brazen-Nose Clare-Hall Merton Corpus Christi Bennet or Corpus Christi Oriel Christ-Church Pembroke-Hall Exeter Trinity Trinity-Hall Queen's St. John's Gonvil and Caius New-College Jesus King's College Lincoln Wadham Queen's College All-Souls Pembroke Catherine-Hall Jesus-College Halls are Seven viz. Christ-College St. John's College Glocester Alban Magdalen-College St. Edmund St. Mary Trinity-College Magdalen New-Inn Emanuel-College Hart Sidney-Sussex The English being originally a mixture of divers Northern and Southern Nations do still retain in their Humour a just Mean betwixt those two Extreams for the dull Saturnine Genius of the one and the hot Mercurial Temper of the other meeting in their Constitutions render them Ingenious and Active yet Solid and Persovering which nourisht under a sutable Liberty inspires a Courage both generous and lasting This happy temperament of Spirit wherewith this People is endu'd doth eminently appear to the World by that mighty Inclination they always had and still have both to Arms and Arts and that wonderful Progress they have hitherto made in each of them For the matchless Valour and Bravery the singular Prudence and Conduct of the English Nation both by Sea and Land is so universally known and hath been so frequently manifested in most Parts of the World that many Potent States and Kingdoms have felt the Dint of their Sword and been constrain'd to yield to the Force of their Arms. They have also so effectually appli'd themselves to all sorts of Ingenious Literature since the happy Days of our Reformation and are advanc'd to such a Pitch of True and Solid Learning that they may justly claim a true Title to the Empire of Human Knowledge Finally their manner of Writing whether for Solidity of Matter Force of Argument or Elegancy of Stile is indeed so transcendently Excellent that no Nation hath yet surpass'd the English and none can justly pretend to equal them The English Language being a mixture of the old Saxon and Norman one a Dialect of the Teutonic and the other of the French having also some Tincture of the Ancient British Roman and Danish Tongues is much refin'd of late and now deservedly reckon'd as Copious Expressive and Manly a Tongue as any in Europe Harangues in this Language are capable of all the delightful Flowers of Rhetorick and lively Strains of the truest Eloquence nothing inferior to the most fluent Orations pronounc'd of old by the best of the Roman Orators In a word 't is a Language that 's rightly calculated for the Masculine Genius of those who own it Pater-Noster in the English Tongue runs thus Our Father which art in Heaven c. The Kingdom of England is a famous Ancient and Hereditary Monarchy a Monarchy which can seldom admit of any Inter-regnum and therefore is free from many Misfortunes to which Elective Kingdoms are subject yea such a Monarchy in the Words of that Worthy Gentlemen Dr. Chamberlain Author of the Present State of England as that by the necessary subordinate Concurrence of the Lords and Commons in making and repealing of Statutes or Acts of Parliament it hath the main Advantages of an Aristocracy and Democracy and yet free from the Disadvantages and Evils of either In short 't is a Monarchy continues the aforesaid Author as by most admirable Temperament affords very much to the Industry Liberty and Happiness of the Subject and reserves enough for the Majesty and Prerogative of any King who will own his People as Subjects not as Slaves Chief Persons of this Realm after the King and Princes of the Blood are the Great Officers of the Crown who are commonly reckon'd Nine in number viz. 1. Lord High-Steward of England an Officer indeed so great or whose Power was esteem'd so exorbitant that it hath been discontinued ever since the Days of John of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster his Son Henry of Bullingbrook being the last who had a State of Inheritance in that High Office and is now confert'd by the King upon some of the Chief Peers only pro illa vice as upon occasion of the Crowning of a New King or the Arraignment of a Peer of the Realm for Treason Felony or such like 2 The Lord High-Chancellor whose Office is to keep the King 's Great Seal to moderate the Rigor of the Law in judging according to Equity and not according to the Common Law He also disposeth of all Ecclesiastical Benesices in the King's Gift if valued under 20 l. a Year in the King's Book In case there be no Chancellor then the Lord Keeper is the same in Authority Power Precedence only different in Patent 3 The Lord High Treasurer whose Office as being Praefectus Aerarii
is to take charge of all the King's Revenue kept in the Exchequer as also to check all Officers imploi'd in collecting the same and such like This Office is frequently executed by several Persons conjunctly in Commission term'd Lords of the Treasury as at present 4. The Lord President of the Council whose Office is to attend upon the King and Summons the Council to propose business at Council-Table and Report the several Transactions of the Board 5. The Lord Privy-Seal whose Office is to pass all Charters and Grants of the King and Pardons sign'd by the King before they come to the Great Seal of England as also divers other Matters of smaller moment which do not pass the Great Seal But this Seal is never to be affixt to any Grant without good warrant under the King's Privy-Signet nor even with such Warrant if the thing granted be against Law or Custom until the King be first acquinted therewith 6. The Lord Great Chamberlain of England whose Office is to bring the King's Shirt Coif and Wearing Cloaths on the Coronation-day to put on the King's Apparel that Morning to carry at the Coronation the Coif Gloves and Linnen which are to be us'd by the King on that Occasion likeways the Sword and Scabard as also the Gold to be offer'd by the King together with the Robe Royal and Crown to Undress and Attire the King with his Royal Robes to serve the King that Day with Water for to wash his Hands before and after Dinner 7. The Lord High Constable of England an Officer whose Power is so great that 't was thought inconvenient to lodge the same in any Subject since the Year 1521. and is now conferr'd on some of the chiefest Peers pro re nata as upon occasion of Coronations or Solemn Tryals by Combat 8. The Earl Marshal of England whose Office is to take cognizance of all Matters of War and Arms to determine Contracts concerning Deeds of Arms out of the Realm upon Land and Matters touching Wars within the Realm which the Common Law cannot determine 9. The Lord High admiral of England whose Trust and Honour is so great that this Office hath been usually given either to some of the King 's younger Sons near Kinsmen or one of the chiefest Peers of the Realm To him is committed the Management of all Maritime Affairs the Government of the King's Navy a decisive Power in all Causes Maritime as well Civil as Criminal He also Commissionates Vice-Admirals Reer-Admirals Sea-Captains c. and enjoys a number of Priviledges too many here to be mention'd This Office is commonly executed by several Persons conjunctly in Commission term'd Lords of the Admiralty as at present After the Officers of the Crown we might here subjoin the various Courts of Judicatory establisht in this Kingdom especially the High Court of Parliament which is Supreme to all others and to whom all last Appeals are made I might here likeways mention all the Subordinate Courts of this Realm particularly that of the King's-Bâ—nch the Court of Common Pleas the High Court of Chancery the Exchequer and the Court of the Dutchy of Lancaster c. as also the Ecclesiastical Courts in Subordination to the Archbishop of Canterbury as the Court of Arches the Court of Audience the Prerogative Court the Court of Faculties and that of Peculiars But to declare the Nature and Constitution the ample Privileges and manner of Procedure in each of them would far exceed the narrow Bounds of an Abstract I shall not therefore descend to particulars only adding to this Paragraph that besides these various Courts above-mention'd the King consulting the ease and welfare of the Subject Administers Justice by his Itinerate Judges and that in their yearly Circuits through the Kingdom and for the better governing of and keeping the King's Peace in particular Counties Hundreds Cities Burroughs and Villiages of this Realm Counties have their respective Lord Lieutenants Sheriffs and Justices of the Peace Hundreds their Bailiffs High-Constables and Petty-Constables Cities their Mayor Aldermen Sheriffs c. Burroughs and Towns incorporate have either a Mayor or two Bailiffs or a Portrive who in Power are the same with Mayor and Sheriffs and during their Offices are Justices of the Peace within their own Liberties And lastly Villiages are in Subjection to the Lord of the Mannor under whom is the Constable or Headborough to keep the Peace apprehend Offenders and bring them before the Justice Of such an admirable Constitution is the English Government that no Nation whatsoever can justly pretend to such a Model and no People in the World may live more happy if they please so that it may be justly affirm'd of them what the Poet saith in another Case only with change of Persons O fortunatos nimium sua si bona norint Anglicanos The Ensigns Imperial of the Monarch of Great Britain are in the first place Azure Three Flower-de-Luces Or the Royal Arms of France quartered with the Imperial Ensings of England which are Gules Three Lyons passant Gardant in Pale Or. In the second place within a double tressure Counter flowr'd de lys Or a Lyon Rampant Gules for the Royal Arms of Scotland In the third place Azure and Irish Harp Or string'd Argent for the Royal Ensigns of Ireland In the fourth place as in the first These Ensigns Armoral are quartered after a new manner since the late Revolution the English Arms being put before the French and the whole charg'd with an Escutcheon of the House of Nassau which is Azure Semi-billets a Lyon Rampant Or Languid and Armed Gules all within the Garter the chief Ensign of that most Noble Order above the same an Helmet answerable to King William's Sovereign Jurisdiction upon the same a rich Mantle of Cloath of Gold doubled Ermin adorn'd with an Imperial Crown and surmounted for a Crest by a Lyon passant Gardent Or Crowned as the former and an Unicorn Argent Gorged with a Crown thereto a Chain affixt passing between his Forelegs and reflex'd over his Back Or both standing upon a Compartment plac'd underneath and in the Table of that Compartment is express'd the King of England's Motto which is Dieu mon Droit but of late Jâ— Maintiendray The Inhabitants of this Country are for the most part of the true Reform'd Religion publickly profess'd and carefully taught in its choicest Purity In Reforming of which they were not so hurri'd by popular Fury and Faction as in other Nations but proceeded in a more Prudent Regular and Christian Method resolving to separate no farther from the Church of Rome than she had separated from the Truth embracing that excellent Advice of the Prophet Jer. 6. 16. Stand ye in the ways and see and ask for the old paths where is the good way and walk therein So that the Reform'd Church of England is a true Mean or middle Way betwixt those two Extreams of Supperstition and Phanaticism both equally to be avoided The Doctrine of
which Church thus refin'd is briefly summ'd up in the 39 Articles and Book of Homilies and her Discipline and Worship are to be seen in the Liturgy and Book of Canons All which being seriously weigh'd and consider'd by a judicious and impartial Mind it may be found that this National Church is for certain the exactest of all the Reformed Churches and comes nearest to the Primitive Pattern of any in Christendom For her Doctrine is intirely built upon the Prophets and Apostles according to the Explication of the Ancient Fathers her Government rightly considered is truly Apostolical her Liturgy is a notable extract of the best of the Primitive Forms her Ceremonies are few in number but such as tend to Decency and true Devotion In a word The Church of England doth firmly hold and maintain the whole Body of the truly Catholick Faith and none other according to Holy Scripture and the Four first General Councils so that her Sons may truly say in the Words of an Eminent Luminary of the Ancient Church In ea Regula incedimus quam Ecclesia ab Apostolis Apostoli à Christo Christus à Deo accepit At present all Sects and Parties are tollerated and it 's truly as Melancholly to consider as 't is hard to determine whether our Heats and Divisions on one hand or Open Prophaneness and Irreligion on the other be most predominant In the mean time this is most certain that they 're both equally to be lamented the necessary Consequence of them both being most dismal and dangerous in the end But that it may please the Almighty to grant to all Nations Unity Peace and Concord is the daily and fervent Prayer of the Church of Christ and the hearty wish and desire of every true Son thereof The Christian Faith is thought to have been planted in England tempore ut scimus summo Tiberii Caesaris according to Ancient Gildas but afterwards more universally receiv'd Anno 180. it being then openly profess'd by Publick Authority under King Lucius who is said to have been the first Christian King in the World yet several doubt whether there was ever such a Man in the World In general this is certain that Christianity was propagated here in the earliest Ages of the Church WALES THIS Country the Seat of the Ancient Britains term'd by the Italians Wallia by the Spaniards Gales by the French Galles by the Germans Walles and by the English Wales so call'd as some imagine from Idwallo Son to Cadwallader who retir'd into this Country with the remaining Britains But others do rather think that as the Britains derive their Pedigree from the Gauls so they also retain the Name this Country being still term'd by the French Galles which using W for G according to the Saxon Custom agrees pretty well with the present Title The Air of this Country is much the same as in those Counties of England which lie under the same Parallel of Latitude The opposite Place of the Globe to Wales is that Part of the vast Pacifick Ocean between 190 and 200 Degrees of Longitude with 56 and 60 Degrees of South Latitude The Soil of this Country it lying in the 9th North Climate is generally very Mountainous yet some of its Vallies are abundantly fertil producing great plenty of Corn and others are very fit for Pasturage It 's likeways well stor'd with large Quarries of Free Stone as also several Mines of Lead-Oar and Coles The longest Day in the Northmost Parts is about 16 Hours ½ the shortest in the Southmost 7 Hours ¾ and the Nights proportionably The chief Commodities of this Country are Cattle Butter Cheese Welch Friezes Cottons Bays Herrings Hides Calve-Skins Honey Wax and such like In several Parts of this Principality especially Denbighshire are still to be seen the Remains of that famous Wall commonly call'd King Offa's Dâ—ke made by Offa the Mercian as a Boundary between the Saxons and Britains 2. At a small Village call'd Newton in Glamorganshire is a remarkable Spring nigh the Sea which Ebbs and Flows contrary to the Sea 3. In the same County as also Câ—ermardâ—nshire are several Ancient Sepulchral Monuments and divers noted Stone Pillars with observable Inscriptions upon them 3. In Brecknockshire are some other remarkable Pillars particularly that call'd Maen y Morynuiâ—n or the Maiden-stone near the Town of Brecknock Another at Pentre Yskythrog in Lhan St. Aeâ—ed Parish And a third in Form of a Cross in Vaenor Parish 4. In Glamorganshire are the Remains of Kaer Phyli Castle taken by some for the Buliaeum Silurum which are generally reckon'd the noblest Ruins of Ancient Architecture of any in Britain 5 In Monmouthshire are many Roman Aitars dug up with variety of Inscriptions upon ' em For all these Inscripons abovementiond Vid. Camden 's Britannia late Edition from page 613 to 620. as also from 623 to 628 with page 593 594 600 601 605. But if the curious Reader would see the chief Rarities of Wales at one view let him consult the aforesaid Author page 697. where he will find the Remarkables of this Principality represented in Sculpture particularly these following viz. a curious carved Pillar call'd Maen-y-Chwyan on Mostyn Mountain in Flintshire Two remarkable Pillars at Kaer Phyli Castle in Glamorganshire An Alabaster Statue found near Porth-Shini-Kran in Monâ—â—outhshire And finally some Roman Armour and Medals with variety of Coins both Roman and British dug up at several times in several Parts of Wales Archbishopricks in this Principality None Bishopricks 4. viz. those of Bangor Landaff S. Asaph S. Davids already mention'd Universities None The Welch are a People generally reputed very faithful and loving to one another in a strange Country as also to Strangers in their own The Commons for the most part are extraordinary Simple and Ignorant but their Gentry are esteem'd both Brave and Hospitable They 're universally inclin'd to a Cholerick Temper and extravagantly value themselves on their Pedigrees and Families The Welsh being the Off-spring of the Ancient Britains do still retain their Primitive Language which yet remains freer from a mixture of exotick Words than any Modern Tongue in Europe a Language which hath nothing to recommend it to Strangers it being both hard to pronounce and unpleasant to the Ear by reason of its vast multitude of Consonants Their Pater-Noster runs thus Ein Tad yr hwn wyt yn y nefoedd sancteidier dy enw Deued dy deyrmas bid dy ewyll s ar yddâ—iar megis y mac yn y nefoedd dyro i ni heddyw ein bara beunyddiol a maddeu i ni ein dyledion fel y maddewn ni i'n dyledwyr ac nar arwain mi brofe diageth eithr gwared in rhag drwg Amen This Principality was anciently govern'd by its own King or Kings there being frequently one for South and another for North Wales and sometimes no less than five did claim a Regal Power but was fully Conquer'd Anno 1282.
by Edward I. who having then a Son brought forth by his Queen at Caernarven Castle in Wales and finding the Welch extreamly averse against a Foreign Governor proferr'd them the young Child a Native of their own to be their Lord and Master to which they readily yielded and accordingly swore Obedience to him since which time the King of England's Eldest Son is stil'd Prince of Wales and all Writs in that Principality are issued out in his Name The Arms of the Prince of Wales differ from those of England only by the Addition of a Label of three Points But the proper and peculiar Divice commonly though corruptedly call d the Princes Arms is a Coronet beautifi'd with three Ostrich Feathers with this Inscription round Ich dien i. e. I serve alluding to that of the Apostle The Heir while he is a Child differeth not from a Servant The Inhabitans of this Country at least the most Intelligent of 'em are of the Reform'd Religion according to the Platform of the Church of England but many of the meaner sort are so grosly ignorant in Religious Matters that they differ nothing from mere Heathens For the remedying of which the late incomparable Mr Gouge was at no small Pains and Charge in Preaching the Blessed Gospel to them and procuring and distributing among them some considerable number of Bibles and Books of Devotion in their Language which noble Design was afterwards reviv'd and further'd by the famous Robert Boyle Esq and several other well disposs'd Persons particularly that much lamented Eminent Divine Dr. Anthony Horneck and we are willing to hope that the same will be kept still on foot and happily promoted by the Aid and Encouragement of some serious Christians amongst us The Christian Faith is said to have been planted in this Country towards the end of the Second Century IRELAND By Rob. Morden IRELAND  d. m. Situated between â—â— â—0 of Long. its greatest Length from S. to N. is about 265 Miles 12 10 between 51 00 of Latit Breadth from E. to W. is about 150 Miles 55 25 Divided into the Provinces of Leinster Ch. Town Dublin Ulster Londonderry Connaught Galloway Munster Limerick Leinster contains Louth County Chief Town Drogheda from N. to S. Dublin Idem Wicklow Idem Wexford Idem Longford Idem from N. to S. Meath County Molingar King's County Philipstone Queen's County Mari-burrow Kilkenny Idem Kildare Idem E. of K. County Caterlagh Idem Kilkenny Ulster contains Down-County Down from E. to S. W. Armagh Armagh Monogon Idem Caven Idem Antrim Carrickfergus from E. to S. W. Londonderry Idem Tirone County Duagannon Fermanath Inniskilling Dunnagal Idem W. of Londonderry Conn cont Letrim Idem from N. to S. Roscomon Athlon Galloway Idem Maio County Maio Westward Slego Idem Munster cont Tipperary Clonmel N. to S. Waterford Idem  Clare County Idem N. to S. Limerick Idem  Cork County Idem  Kerry Dingle Westward  THIS Country the Britannia Parva of Ptolomy mention'd by other Ancient Writers under the Names of Jertia Juverna Iris c and by Modern Authors Hibernia is term'd by the Italians Irlanda by the Spaniards Irlanda by the French Irlande by the Germans Yrland and by the English Ireland so call'd as some imagine ab hiberno aere from the Winter-like Air but rather according to others from Erinland which in the Irish Tongue signifieth a Western Land The Air of this Country is almost of the same Nature with that of those Parts of Britain which lie under the same Parallel only different in this that in several places of this Kingdom 't is of a more gross and impure Temper by reason of the many Lakes and Marishes which send up such a quantity of Vapours and thereby so corrupt the whole Mass of Air as to occasion Fluxes Rheums and such like Distempers to which the Inhabitants are frequently subject The opposite Place of the Globe to Ireland is that part of the Pacifick Ocean lying between 180 and 200 Degrees of Longitude with 53 and 56 Degrees of South Latitude The Soil of this Country it lying in the 9th and 10th North Climate is abundantly fertil but naturally more fit for Grass and Pasturage than Tillage Much of this Kingdom is still overgrown with Woods or incumbred with vast Bogs and unwholesome Marishes yeilding neither Profit nor Pleasure to the Inhabitants but not near so much as formerly there being a great deal of Wood cut down and many large Marishes drain'd in this Age and the Ground imploy'd for various sorts of Grain which it produceth in great plenty The longest Day in the Northmost Part of this Country is about 17 Hours â— 4 â—he 〈◊〉 in the Southmost 7 Hours ¾ and the Nights proportionably The chief Commodities of this Country are Cattle Hides Tallow Butter Cheese Honey Wax Salt Hemâ— Linnen Cloath Pipe-Staves Wooll Friezes c. About eight Miles North-East from Colrain in the County of Antrim is that Miracle whether of Art or Nature I shall not dispute commonly call'd the Giants Cawsway which runs from the bottom of a high Hill into the Sea none can tell how far It s length at Low Water is about 600 Feet the breadth where broadest 240 and 120 in the narrowest 't is very unequal in height being in some places 36 Feet from the level of the Strand and in others only 15. It consists of many thousands of Pillars perpendicular to the Plain of the Horizon and all of different Shapes and Sizes but most of 'em Pentagonal or Hexâ—gonal yet all irregularly plac'd A particular Draught and Description of this wonderful Cawsway with an Essay proving the same to be rather the Work of Nature than Art Vid. Philosoph Transact N. 212 and 222. 2 In the Province of Ulster is the famous Lough Neagh hitherto noted for its rare petrifying Quality but upon due Examination 't is found that the said Quality ought to be ascrib'd to the Soil of the Ground adjacent to that Lake rather than to the Water of the Lake it self 3 In several Parts of this Kingdom are sometimes dug up Horns of a prodigious bigness one Pair lately found being ten Feet and ten Inches from the Tip of the right Horn to the Tip of the left which gives occasion to apprehend that the great American Deer call'd the Moose was formerly common in this Island As for that excellent Quality of Ireland in nourishing no Venomous Creature the same is so notoriously known that I need say nothing of it Archbishopricks in this Kingdom are Four viz those of Armagh Dublin Cassil and Tuam The Archbishop of Armagh being Primate of all Ireland Bishopricks in this Kingdom are those of Meath Limerick Ardfert and Aghado Clonfert Kildare Elphin Ossory Waterford Rapho Leighlin and Ferns Cork and Ross Derry Kilaloe Cloyne Kilmore and Ardagh Killala Clogher Drommore Down and Conner Here is only one University viz. That of Dublin The
of Man THIS Island call'd Monoeda by Ptolomy and by Pliny Mondbia enjoys a very cold and sharp Air being expos'd on every side to the bleak piercing Winds from the Sea Its Soil oweth much of its Fertility to the Care and Industry of the Husbandman The Inhabitants a mixture of English Scots and Irish commonly call'd Mankâ—-men have in general a very good Character The ordinary sort of People retain much of the Irish in their Language and way of Living but those of better Rank strive to imitate the English In this they 're peculiarly happy that all litigious Proceedings are banish'd from among 'em all Differences being speedily determin'd by certain Judges call'd Deemsters and that without Writings or Fees If the Case be found very intricate then 't is referr'd to twelve Men whom they term the Keyes of the Island This Island with the Advowson of the Bishoprick belongs to the Earls of Derby who are commonly stil'd Lords of Man though Kings in effect they having all kind of Civil Power and Jurisdiction over the Inhabitants but still under the Fief and Sovereignty of the Crown of England §. 5. Anglesey THIS Island the celebrated Mona of the Romans and Ancient Seat of the Druides is bless'd with a very fruitful Soil producing most sorts of Grain especially Wheat in such abundance that the Welsh commonly term it Môn mam Gymry i. e. Môn the Nursery of Wales because that Principality is frequently suppli'd from thence in unseasonable Years 'T is commonly reckon'd as one of the Counties of North-Wales and acknowledgeth Subjection to the Crown of England §. 6. The Isle of Wight THIS Island term'd by Ptolomy 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and by the Romans Vecta Vectis or Victesis enjoys a pure healthful Air and is generally reckon'd a very pleasant and fruitful Spot of Ground 'T was once honour'd as the Isle of Man with the Title of Kingdom for Henry Beauchamp Earl of Warwick was Crown'd King of Wight by Henry VI. Anno 1445. but that Title died with himself about two Years after and 't is now reckon'd only a Part of Hampshire and is govern'd in like manner as other of the Lesser Islands §. 7. Jersey Garnsey and Alderney THESE Islands are all of William the Conqueror's Inheritance and Dukedom of Normandy that now remains in Possession of the English Crown Their Soil is sufficiently rich producing in great abundance both Corn and Fruits especially Apples of which they make plenty of Syder and the Air is so healthful to breath in that the Inhabitants have little or no use for Physicians among ' em They chiefly imploy themselves in Agriculture and Knitting of Stockings and during War with France they 're much given to Privateering It 's observable of Garnsey that no venomous Creature can live in it and that the Natives generally look younger by ten Years than they really are These Islands being annext to the English Crown Anno 1108. by Henry I have to their great Honour continued firm in their Allegiance to England ever since that time notwithstanding of several attempts made upon them by the French And so much for the Lesser Britannick Islands But if the Reader desires a larger Account of 'em let him consult the late Edition of Cambden's Britannia from page 1049 to 1116. inclusively Having thus particularly survey'd the Britannick Islands both Greater and Lesser proceed we now according to our propos'd Method to the Second Part of this Section which is to take a View of all other Islands belonging to Europe whether they lie on the North West or South of the main Continent Therefore II. Of all other European Islands European Islands being situated on the North of Europe West South On the North are the Scandinavian Islands West are The Isle of Ice-land The Britannick of which already The Azores South are those in the Mediterranean Sea Of which in their Order §. 1. The Scandinavian Islands Such Islands are those belonging to Sweden Denmark Norway To Sweden are chiefly those of Rugen Chief Town Bergen W to N. E. Bornholn Rottomby Oeland Borkholm Gothland Wishby Oesal Arnsberg Dago Dageroot Aland Castleholm Northward To Denmark are chiefly those of Zealand Chief Town Copenhagen Capital of all Funen Odensee W. to E. Langland Ruthkoping Laland Naxkow Falster Nykoping Mina Stegâ— Fâ—meren Borge S. W. of Laland Aisâ—n Sonderborg Funen To Norway are chiefly those of Carmen Lying W. of Sâ—avanger S. to N. Hiteren W. of Dronthem Sanien Adjacent to Wardhus Suroy Adjacent Of all these Islands Zealand is the most remarkable and that only for the City of Copenhagen as being the Seat Royal of the Kings of Denmark § 2. The Isle of Ice-land THIS Island taken by some for the much controverted Thule of the Ancients is term'd by the Italians Islanda by the Spaniards Tierra elada by the French Islande by the Germans Island and by the English Ice-land so call'd from the abundance of Ice wherewith 't is environed for the greatest part of the Year By reason of the frozen Ocean surrounding this Island and the great quantity of Snow wherewith 't is mostly cover'd the Air must of necessity be very sharp and piercing yet abundantly healthful to breath in especially to those who are accustomed with that cold Climate The opposite Place of the Globe to Ice-land is that part of the vast Antarctick Ocean lying between 180 and 190 Degrees of Longitude with 60 and 70 Degrees of South Latitude Considering only the Situation of Ice-land it lying in the 18th 19th 20th and 21st North Climate we may easily imagine the Soil is none of the best In some Parts where the Ground is level there are indeed several Meadows very good for Pasture but elsewhere the Island is encumbred either with vast Deserts barren Mountains or formidable Rocks So destitute of Grain is it that the poor Inhabitants grind and make Bread of dri'd Fish-bones In the Northern Parts they have the Sun for one Month without Setting and want him intirely another according as he approacheth the Two Tropicks From this cold and barren Island are yearly exported Fish Whale-Oyl Tallow Hides Brimstone and White Foxes Skins which the Natives barter with Strangers for Necessaries of Humane Life Notwithstanding this Island doâ—â— lie in so cold a Climate yet in it are divers hot and scalding Fountains with Hecla a terrible Valcano which though always covered with Snow up to the very Top doth frequently Vomit forth Fire and Sulphurous Matter in great abundance and that sometimes with such a terrible roaring that the loudest Claps of Thunder are hardly so formidable In the Western Parts of the Island is a Lake of a petrifying Nature and towards the middle another which commonly sends up such a pestilentious Vapour as frequently kills Birds that endeavour to fly over it Some also write of Lakes on the Tops of Mountains and those well-stor'd with Salmons In this Island are two Danish Bishopricks viz. those of Schalholt
and 157 Degrees of Longitude with 12 and 37 Degrees of North Latitude The Soil of this Country it lying in the 2d 3d 4th and 5th South Climate is esteem'd to be very fertil in most places producing abundance of Corn Wine Fruits and Herbs and here also are several considerable Mines The longest Day in the Northmost Parts is about 13 Hours the shortest in the Southmost is 10 Hours ½ and the Nights proportionably The chief Commodities of this Country at least the Product thereof are reckon'd to be some Gold Silver Brass Iron Sugars Amethists c. Upon Rio de la Plata are frequently seen and sometimes kill'd divers kinds of Serpents of a prodigious bigness 2. Towards the Northern Parts of Paraguay is a certain Champaign Country about six Leagues square which is all over-spread with an excellent sort of Salt and that to a considerable height 3. In the Western Parts of Tucoman is a prodigious high and large Mountain which for its wonderful Glistering in a clear Sun-shine-day is call'd the Chrystal Mountain Under it is extended a hideous Cave-passage through which doth glide a considerable Current of Water with so many windings and turnings that from the time of its entry under the Mountain to its issuing forth on the other side is almost the space of twenty four or thirty Hours according to the Computation of the Portugueses who were so adventurous as to make the Experiment and that by hazarding their Persons upon a Roft made of Canes Vid. Purchas his Pilgrims Part 4. Lib. 6. Here is one Spanish Archbishoprick viz. that of Rio de la Plata To the Archbishoprick of Rio de la Plata are several Suffragans viz those of St. Jago de Lestero Assumption Panama Paraguay As for Universities here are none The Paraguayans though Persons of very big and tall Bodies are nevertheless reported to be very nimble and much given to Running They are said to be somewhat Laborious and less Savage than many others of the adjacent Nations yet a little enclin'd to a revengeful Humour against those who chance to wrong them All we can learn of the Language mostly in use among the Natives is in general that 't is a very harsh and unpleasant Jargon as the Plurality of the Indian Tongues are The Spaniards here residing do commonly use their own Language The Natives of this Country according to our latest Accounts are in a great part subject to their own Captains or Caciques whom they chuse among themselves and under whose Conduct they go out to War A considerable Part of this Country doth belong to the King of Spain who ordinarily keepeth one Governor at St. Jago in Tucoman and another at Assumption in Rio de la Plata both of 'em being answerable to the Vice-Roy of Peru. The Natives of this Country are generally gross Idolaters yet 't is reported of 'em that they 're more capable of learning our Arts and Religion than most of the other Americans And some speak of a Tradition spread among 'em importing that certain Priests shall come into their Country and instruct them of a new Religion whereby they shall be most happy in another World The Spaniards here residing are as in Spain rigid Papists SECT XII Concerning Terra Magellanica THIS Southmost Part of the Continent of South America call'd also Regio Patagonum derives its Title from Ferdinand Magellan a Portuguize who made the first Discovery thereof Anno 1519. as also of that famous Streight which still bears his Name he being the first for ought we know that ever pass'd through the same Many things equally frivolous as ridiculous are related of this Country and its Inhabitants with which I shall neither trouble my self nor the Reader but proceed to SECT XIII Concerning Terra Antarctica BY Terra Antarctica we understand all those unknown and slenderly discover'd Countries towards the Southern Parts of the Globe the chief of which do bear the Names of New Guinea New Zealand New Holland and which may comprehend these and all the rest Terra Australis incognita Which Southern Countries though they belong not to the Continent of America yet we chuse to mention 'em in this place since the Southmost Part of the Continent of South America doth extend it self farther towards the South than any Part or Headland of the old Continent What was said of the Northmost Countries Sect. 5. under the Title of Terra Arctica viz. that our knowledge of them did reach little farther than their bare Names so the same may be affirm'd of those that bear the Title of Terra Antarctica Leaving them therefore to the better Discovery of Future Ages we pass on to SECT XIV Concerning the American Islands Reduc'd page 45. to three Classes North viz. those of California Newfound-Land Middle viz. the Antilles Greater Cuba Jamaica Hispamola Port-rico Lesser Caribees Lucayes Sotovento Bermudas South viz. the Island of Terra del Fuogo Of which Islands distinctly and in their order Therefore §. 1. California THIS Island was formerly esteem'd a Peninsula but now found to be intirely surrounded with Water It s North part was discovered by Sir Francis Drake Anno 1577. and by him call'd New Albion where erecting a Pillar he â—â—stâ—ed thereon the Arms of England The Inland parts thereof were afterwards search'd into and being found to be only a dry barren cold Country Europeans were discourag'd from sending Colonies to the same so that it still remains in the hands of the Natives And there being nothing remarkable relating either to them or it we shall proceed to § 2. New-found Land THIS Island discovered first by the two Cabots at the charge of Henry the 7th of England Anno 1497. but more particularly by Thorn and Eliot of Bristol Anno 1527. and the English Title thereto being renew'd in the name of Queen Elizabeth Anno 1583. a Colony was settl'd therein about 30 years afterwards is term'd by the Italians Terra Novella by the Spaniards Tierra Nueva by the French Terre Neuve by the Germans Newfunden Land and by the English Newfound Land the derivation of which Name is sufficiently express'd in the Name it self Notwithstanding this Island is situated between the Parallels that pass through the Southern part of England and Northern of France yet the Air thereof doth extreamly differ from that in either of these Countries it being subject to a greater excess of heat in the Summer and more pinching cold in the Winter than commonly happens in them The opposite place of the Globe to New found-land is that part of Terra Australis incognita between 140 and 150 degrees of Longitude with 45 and 53 degrees of South Latitude This Island for the most part is overspread with Woods which are but slowly cut down because the Country is very thinly inhabited Where the Ground is already clear'd the Soil is not altogether despicable affording variety of Roots and several