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
appoint The Officers of State are eight in number viz. the Lord High-Chancellor Lord High-Treasurer Lord-President of the Council Lord Secretary of State Lord Treasurer-Deputy Lord Register Lord-Advocate and Lord Justice Clerk The Administration of Justice in Civil Affairs is lodg'd in the Lords of the Session who are Fifteen in number whereof One is President and to those are join'd some Noblemen under the Name of extraordinary Lords of the Session This Court is esteemed one of the most August and Learned Judicatories in Europe From it there lies no Appeal but to the Parliament which is now made up of the Peers the Commissioners of Counties and those of Free Burroughs The King's Person is always represented in Parliament by some Nobleman who bears the Title of Lord High-Commissioner The Distribution of Justice in Criminal Matters is commited to the Court of Justice which is compos'd of the Lord Justice General the Lord Justice Clerk and five or six other Lords of the Session who in this Bench are call'd Commissioners of Justiciary Over and above these two Supreme Courts of Justice there are a great many Subordinate Judicatories both for Civil and Criminal Affairs through the Kingdom as Sheriff Courts Courts of Regality and the like The Royal Arms of this Kingdom together with those of England and Ireland as they compose the Ensigns Armorial of the Monarch of Great Britain shall be particularly express'd when we come to England The Inhabitants of this Country excepting a few who still adhere to the Church of Rome and an inconsiderable number of Quakers are all of the Reform'd Religion yet with considerable Variation among themselves in some private Opinions and various Points of Church Discipline However the numerous Professors thereof are very sincere in their Principles and do generally practise conformable to their Professions No Christian Society in the World doth excel them for their exact Observation of the Sabbath day and few can equal them for their singular Strictness and Impartiality in punishing Scandals But lamentable are their Distractions of late in Matters relating to Ecclesiastical Polity and how fatal such Heats and Divisions both in this and the Neighbouring Kingdom may prove at last is alas but too well known to all thinking Persons among us The smallest Privateer belonging either to Brest or S. Malo's may easily Attack Board and Sink the Royal Britannia her self if she chance only to Spring a Leak under Water when her whole Crew are at Blows between Decks The Christian Faith according to the best Accounts was planted in this Country during the Reign of Dioclesian for by reason of that violent Persecution he rais'd in the Church many Christians are said to have fled from the Continent into the Isle of Great Britain and particularly as an Ancient Author expresly testifieth into that Part thereof In quam Romana Arma nunquam penetrârunt which without all doubt is Scotland especially the Northern Parts of that Country they being still possess'd by the Scots and never subject to the Roman Power St Rule or Regulus is said to have brought over with him the Arm or as some affirm the Lig of St. Andrew the Apostle and to have buried it in that place where now the City of St. Andrews stands These first Propagators of Christianity seem to have been a kind of Monks who afterwards by the beneficence of the first Christian Kings of Scotland came into the Seats and Possessions of the Pagan Druides a sort of Religious Votaries to the Heathen Gods and had their principal Residence or rather Monasteries in the Islands of Man and Jona and passed under the Name of Culdees ENGLAND bu Rob t. Morden ENGLAND  d. m. Situated between 12 00 of Long. its greatest Length from N. to S. is about 320 Miles 20 00 between 50 00 of Latit Breadth from E. to W. is about 290 Miles 55 50 Being divided into Six Circuits viz. Western Circuit Chief Town Salisbury Oxford Circuit Oxford Home Circuit Canterbury Northfolk Circuit Norwich Midland Circuit Lincoln North Circuit York Western-Circuit contains Cornwall Chief Town Launceston W. to E. Devonshire Exeter Dorsetshire Dorchester Hampshire Winchester Sommâ—rsetshire Bristol N. of Dorsetshire Wiltshire Salisbury Oxford Circuit contains Barkshire Redding N. of Hampshire Oxfordshire Oxford E. to W. Glocestershire Glocester Monmouthshire Monmouth Herefordshire Hereford S. to N. E. Worcestershire Worcester Staffordshire Stafford Shropshire Shrewsbury W. of Staffordshire Home-Circuit contains Essex Colchester E. to W. Hartfordshire Hartford Kent Canterbury E. to W. Surry Southwark Sussex Chichester South of Surry 〈◊〉 Norfolk-Circuit contains Norfolk Norwich E. to S. W. Suffolk Ipswich Cambridgeshire Cambridge Huntingtonshire Huntington Bedfordshire Bedford Buckinghamshire Buckingham Midland Circuit contains Lincolnshire Chief Town Lincoln E. to W. Nottinghamshire Nottingham Derbyshire Derby Rutlandshire Okeham E. to W. Leicestershire Leicester Warwickshire Warwick Northamptonshire Northampton S. of Leicestershire Warwickshire North. Circuit contains Yorkshire York S. to N. Durham Idem Northumberland Newcastle Lancashire Lancaster S. to N. Westmorland Appleby Cumberland Carlisle To England we here subjoin the Principality of Wales divided into Four Circuits each Circuit comprehending Three Counties vix 1. Those of Denbighshire Chief Town Denbigh N. to S. Flintshire St. Asaph Montgomeryshire Montgomery 2. Those of Anglesey Beaumaris N. to S. E. Carnarvenshire Carnarven Mâ—rionethshire Harlech 3. Those of Cardiganshire Cardigan N. to S. Carmarthènshire Carmarthen Pembrokeshire Pembrook 4. Those of Radnorshire Radnor N. to S. W. Brecknokshire Brecknock Glamorganshire Cardiff Besides the Six Circuits of England containing Thirty eight Counties and these Four of Wales comprehending Twelve there remain as yet two Counties unmentioned and which are not ordinarily reduc'd to any of these Circuits viz. Middlesex and Cheshire the first because of its Vicinity to London and the other as being a County-Palatine having its own Judges and Counsellors peculiar to it self These Two Counties with the Thirty eight abovemention'd in England and Twelve in Wales make Fifty two in all But since England and Wales are Two distinct Sovereignties one being a Kingdom and the other a Principality we shall seperately Treat of them both Therefore ENGLAND THIS Country the Ancient Anglia which with the rest of the Island made up the Renown'd Britannia or Albion is term'd by the Italians Inghilterra by the Spaniards Inglatierra by the French Angleterre by the Germans Engel-land and by the Natives England which Name is deriv'd from the Angles a People of Lower Saxony who Conquer'd the greatest Part of this Country and divided the same into Seven different Kingdoms But Egbert descended from the Angles having united this divided Nation and being the first Monarch of England after the Saxon Heptarchy ordered by special Edict above 800 Years after the Incarnation that the whole Kingdom should be term'd Engle-lond which Title in process of time hath turn'd into the present Name of England The Air of this Country is far more Mild Sweet and Temperate than
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
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.
Immoralities which abound among us For if we strictly enquire into the source of these foul and loathsome Streams especially in those whom Fortune hath rais'd above the common level we may readily find that they mainly flow from that detestable Habit of Idleness in which the generality of such Persons are bred up during their youthful Days and to which they wholly give up themselves when arriv'd to more riper Years By which means they 're expos'd to a thousand Temptations and continually lie open to the grand Adversary of Souls For the remeding of this great Evil 't is highly to be wisht that such Persons would daily imploy a few of their many spare Hours that now lie heavy upon their Hands in some proper diverting Study which carries along with it both Profit and Pleasure as its constant Attendants Now such a Study is undoubtedly that of History a Study that 's particularly proper for a Gentleman and adorns him with the best Accomplishments a Study that begets Experience without Gray Hairs and makes a Man wise at the Toil and Charge of others If it be objected that many have made attempts at the same and that without Success Most certain it is I own and the reason is ready at hand namely their Omission of a needful Preliminary Study viz. That of GEOGRAPHY which with some small taste of Chronology may be deservedly term'd The Eyes and Feet of History and ought to be acquir'd by our Historian either in his younger Days or at least in the first place On which account I 've drawn up the following Treatise adapting it chiefly to the younger Sort of our Nobility and Gentry by the help of which they may quickly acquire such an Idea of all remarkable Countries as to fit 'em sufficiently for turning over any Modern History whatsoever This one stept in Education of Youth were preferable methinks to a Seven Years Drudgery in the dry Study of bare Words and a Second Apprenticeship that 's usually spent in a Phantastick Improvement of the Mind with many useless Speculations And I may be bold to say That to exercise the Thoughts in such a manner as this or to be but tollerably accomplish'd in these diverting Studies would vastly transcend most of those other Accomplishments and Diversions so much in Vogue among our Gentry at present And 't is highly probable that such a Method as this might more effectually check the Growth of Vice among 'em than the most elaborate Moral Discourse that can be fram'd the very Title of such Composures being enough many times to fright them from the perusal whereas a moderate Application of Mind to the aforesaid Studies would insensibly wean the Thoughts of some from the reigning Impieties of the Age and in others it might ev'n happily prevent an early acquaintance with Vice in general And thus you see the Design Method and Substance of the whole Treatise one Word now concerning this Edition and I have done The kind Reception of my first Essay and its ready Admittance into many of our Publick Schools gave me fresh Encouragement to send it abroad again and that in a much better Dress than formerly being now as Compleat as the Nature of the Subject and Bigness of the Volume will permit So considerable indeed are those Improvements made in this Impression that the Book is in effect New I have cast it in another Mould and 't is now above twice as big as the former the First Part except the last Section being intirely added and above two Thirds of the Second I have not indeed augmented the number of Maps because the Analytical Tables of this Tract are design'd for particular Sheet Maps whether English French or Dutch and are not to be read with those here inserted which though very good of their kind yet being of so small a Scale they 're more for Ornament than Use How far this Treatise in the whole doth answer its proposed End and how much this Impression is preferable to the former I intirely leave to the Reader 's Judgment to determine This being all I think necessary to premise concerning the following Composure I shall no longer detain the Reader by way of Preface concluding the same with the Words of the Poet Vive vale Si quid novisti rectius istis Candidus imperti si non his utere mecum Q. Hor. Epist Lib. 1. The CONTENTS THE following Treatise being divided into Two Parts whereof The First gives a General View of the Terraqueous Globe Second a Particular View PART I. Giving a General View Comprehend Sect. I. Containing 38 Georaphical Definitions From Page 1 to 15 Sect. II. Containing 48 Geographical Problems 15 to 32 Sect. III. Containing 41 Geographical Theorems 32 to 37 Sect. IV. Containing 39 Geographical Paradoxes 37 to 43 Sect. V. Concerning Land and Water 43 to 59 PART II. Giving a Particular View Comprehends CHAP. I. Of EUROPE Sect. I. Concerning Scandinavia Sweden 63 Denmark 67 Norway 70 Sect. II. Moscovia 73 Sect. III. France 79 Sect. IV. Germany Upper Holland 108 Flanders 112 Upper Germany 114 Sect. V. Poland 125 Sect. VI. Spain and Portugal 133 Sect. VII Italy 145 Sect. VIII Turky in Europe partilarly Hungary 170 Greece 172 Tartary 177 Danubian Provinces 178 Sect IX European Islands particularly Britain Scotland 186 England 197 Wales 208 Ireland 211 CHAP. II. Of ASIA Sect. I. Concerning Tartary Page 238 Sect. II. China 241 Sect. III. India 247 Sect. IV. Persia 256 Sect. V. Turky in Asia 260 Sect. VI. The Asiatick Islands 282 CHAP. III. Of AFRICA Sect. I. Concerning Egypt 294 Sect. II. Barbary 298 Sect. III. Bildulgerid 303 Sect. IV. Zaara or the Desert 305 Sect. V. Negroeland 307 Sect. VI. Guinea 310 Sect. VII Nubia 313 Sect. VIII Ethiopia 315 Sect. IX African Islands 325 CHAP. IV. Of AMERICA Sect. I. Concerning New Spain 334 Sect. II. Nova Granada 338 Sect. III. Florida 340 Sect. IV. Terra Canadensis 342 Sect. V. Terra Arctica 357 Sect. VI. Terra Firma 358 Sect. VII Peru 361 Sect. VIII Amazonia 365 Sect. IX Brasil 367 Sect. X. Chili 371 Sect. XI Paraguay 373 Sect. XII Terra Mageilanica 375 Sect. XIII Terra Antarctica Ibid. Sect. XIV The American Islands 376 APPENDIX 391 A NEW MAP of y c WORLD by Rob t Morden Modern Geography PART 1. Comprehending a GENERAL VIEW OF THE Terraqueous GLOBE INTRODUCTION IN taking a General View of the Terraqueous Globe we shall observe the following Method 1. We shall Illustrate by way either of Definition Description or Derivation all those Terms that are any ways necessary for the right understanding of the aforesaid Globe as also the Analytical Tables of the following Treatise 2. We shall set down in due Order and Method all those pleasant Problems or delightful Operations performable by the Artificial Globe together with the manner of their performance 3. We shall subjoin divers plain Geographical Theorems or self-evident Truths clearly deducible from the foregoing Problems 4. We shall advance
demonstrated by the Terrestrial Globe That it is not above Twenty four hours Sailing from the River of Thames in England to the City of Messina in Sicily at a certain time of the Year providing there be a brisk North Wind a light Frigat and an Azimuth Compass These are the chief Paradoxical Positions in matters of Geography which mainly depend on a thorough Knowledge of the Globe and though it is highly probable that they 'll appear to some as the greatest of Fables yet we may boldly affirm That they 're not only equally certain with the aforesaid Theorems but also we are well-assur'd that there 's no Mathematical Demonstration of Euclid more infallibly true in its self than is every one of them However we think it not fit to pull off the Vizor or expose those masked Truths to publick View since to endeavour the unmasking of them may prove a private Diversion both pleasant and profitable to the Ingenious Reader at his more vacant Hours we hastning in the mean time to the last Thing propos'd viz. SECT V. Concerning Land and Water THE Surface of the Terraqueous Globe to which we intirely restrict our selves both here and in the following Part of this Treatise being always considered by Geographers as a Supersicies compos'd of Land and Water as its sole constituent Parts and these Parts being subdivided page 13. as followeth viz. Land into Continents Isthmus Islands Promontories Peninsula's Mountains Water into Oceans Straits Seas Lakes Gulfs Rivers Of all these separately and in their Order Therefore §. 1. Of CONTINENTS Commonly reckon'd Four viz. those of Europe Africa Asia America Europe North Scandinavia found from W. to E. Muscovia or Russia Middle France found from W. to E. Germany Poland South Spain found from W. to E. Italy Turky in Europe Asia North comprehending the vast Body of Tartary South China found from E. to W. India Persia Turky in Asia Africa Egypt found from N. to S. Barbary Bildulgerid Zaara or the Desert Land of the Negroes Guinea Nubia Ethiopia Interior Exterior America North Mexico or New Spain from S. to N. New Mexico or Nova Granada Florida Terra Canadensis Terra Arctica South Terra Firma from N. to S. Peru Land of the Amazons Brasil Chyli Paraguay Terra Magellanica Terra Antarctica §. 2. Of ISLANDS They belong either to Europe Africa Asia America Europe The Scandinavian Islands Lying in the N. and Baltick-Sea The Island of Ice-land W. of Scandinavia The Britannick Islands N. of France The Azores W. of Spain The Mediterranean Islands S. of Europe Asia The Japan Islands E. of China The Philippin S. W. of Japan The Isles des Larrons E. of the Philippin The Moloccoes S. of the Philippin The Islands of the Sund W. of the Moluccoes Ceylon and the Maldives W. of the Isles of Sund. Africa more Remarkable Madagascar E. of Ethiopia The Isles of Cape Verde W. of Negroland The Canary Islands W. of Bildulgerid The Madera W. of Barbary Less Remarkable The Isles of Comore N. W. of Madagascar St. Thomas's Island W. of Ethiopia Lat. 00 The Princess Island W. of Ethiopia Lat. 3. St. Helena S. W. of St. Thomas Isle of Ascention N. E. of St. Helena America North are California W. of Nova Granada Newfoundland E. of Terra Canadensis Middle are the Antilles Greater Cuba E. of New Spain Jamaica Hispaniola Port-rito Lesser Caribees S. E. of the greater Antilles Lucayes S. E. of Florida Sotovento N. of Terra Firma Bermudas E. of Florida South is Terra del Fuogo S. of Terra Magellanica §. 3. Of PENINSULA's Europe Juitland adjacent to Germany Morea Greece Taurica Chersonesus Little Tartary Asia Peninsula Indiae intra Gangem the Continent of Asia extra Gangem the Continent Mallaca or Chersonese d'or Peninsula Indiae intra Gangem In Africa is none but Africa it self the W. of Asia America Mexico or North America South America Peru or South America North §. 4. Of ISTHMUS In Europe are the Isthmus of Corinth joining Morea to Greece Taurica Chersonesus Taurica Chersonesus to Little Tartary In Asia is the Isthmus of Malacca Malacca to Penins Indiae intra Gangem In Africa is the Isthmus of Swez Africa to Asia In America is the Isthmus of Panama Mexico and Peru. §. 5. Of PROMONTORIES or CAPES In Europe Cape Nord Extending from The Northmost part of Norway Cape la Hogue The N. of France The Lands-End The S. W. of England The Lizard The S. The Start The S. Cape de Finisterra The W. of Spain Cape de Rocca The W. Cape St. Vincent The W. Asia Cape Ningpo The E. of China Cape Comorin Penins Indiae inter Gangem Cape Razalgate S. E. part of Arabia Africa Cape Spartel The W. of Barbary Cape Verde The W. of Negroeland Cape of Good Hope The S. of Ethiopia exterior Cape of Guardifeu The N. E. part of Ethiopia exterior America Cape de Florida The S. of Florida Cape de Coriente The W. of New Spain Cape Froward The S. of Terra Magellanica Cape Hoorn The S. of Terra del Fuogo Cape de S. Augustine The E. of Brasil §. 6. Of MOUNTAINS Remarkable Mountains in Europe The Dolfrine Hills To be seen Between Sweden and Norway Boglowy In the Souther part of Moscovia Hyperborean Mountains In the Norther part The Sevennes In the South part of France Auvergne The Vauge In Lorraine Fitshtelberge In circulating Bohemia Schwartzwaldin In the S. of Germany viz. Suabia The Carpathean Mount In the South parts of Poland The Pyrenaean Hills Between Spain and France The Alps Between Italy and France Germany The Appenine Hills Dividing Italy into East West Vesuvius à Vulcano In the Kingdom of Naples Balkan In the N. of Macedon The Holy Mount In the E. of Macedon Lacha Between Thessaly and Macedon The Grampion Hills In Scotland viz. S. of the River Dee The Cheviot Hills Between Scotland and England Malvern Hills In England viz. Worcestershire The Peake In England viz. Darbyshire Snowdon In Wales viz. Carnarvenshire Plinlimmon In Wales viz. Cardiganshire Knock Patrick In Ireland viz. in the C. Limerick Stromboli à Vulcano In a little Island W. of Naples Aetna à Vulcano In the Island of Sicily Remarkable Mountains in Asia Imaus To be seen In Tartary Caucasus Between Tartary Mogul's Empire Sardonix On the N. of Penin intra Gangem Guaco In Peninsula Indiae intra Gangem Taurus reaching from E. to W. of all Asia Adam's Pike In the Island of Ceylon Africa Montes Lybici Between Zaara and Egypt Atlas In the W. of Barbary Bildulgerid Basili In the N. of the Abyssine Empire Amara Under the Eq. in the same Empire Montes Lunae Between Abyssine Empire Monomotapa Tenerife In the Island of Tenerife America The Apalachin Hills Between Florida Terra Canadensis The Andes In S. America running from S. to N §. 7. Of OCEANS Europ The Hyperborean Ocean Enclosing Europe in the North. The vast Western West Asia Tartarean Ocean Asia on the North. China East Indian South
Orleanois and that at Clermont in Auvergne whose Waters are of a Petrifying Nature and likewise another nigh to the City of Mans which maketh Silver look exactly like Gold 2 Observable Mountains particularly those nigh to Rhodes in Guienne call'd the Mountains of Cansac which burn whenever it Rains 3. Some hideous Subterranean Holes or Passages as that in the Forrest of S. Aubin du Cormier in Bretaign through which flows a mighty Torrent of Water and another near Nions in Dauphine from which proceedeth a violent Wind. These are the chief Rarities in France both Natural and Artificial especially the latter As for Artificial ones of a modern date this Country affordeth several particularly that famous Canal of Languedoc and splendid Palace of Versailles with divers magnificent Buildings especially Churches but these are either too well known to need or too numerous to admit of any particular Relation here The Archbishopricks of France are these following viz. Lions whose Archbishop is Count and Primate of France Sens Primate of France and Germany Paris Duke and Peer of the Realm Reims Duke and Peer and Legat of the Holy See Rouen Primate of Normandy As also those Yours Bourdeaux Narbonne Vienne Burges Auch Arles Bezancon Alby Tholouse Aix Embrun The respective Suffragans of these Archbishops are as followeth Lions Autun Langres Wacon Chasion Sens. Trois Auxerre Nevers Paris Chartres Orleans Meaux Reims Soissont Laon Chaalons Noijon Beauvais Amiens Senlis Boulogn Alby Castres Mende Rodez Cahors Vahors Narbonne Carcassâ—nr Aleâ— Beziers Agde Lodove Montpellier Nismes Usetz S. Pons Perpignan Rouen Bayeux Euâ—eux Auranchet Seez Lisâ—ux Coutances Bourdeauz Poictiers Saintes Angoulesm Perigueux Agen Condom Sarlat Rochelle Lucon Arles Marseilles Orange S. Paul de 3. Chateaux Toulon Tours Mans Anger 's Rennes Nantes Cournouaille Vannes S. Malo S. Brieu Treguier S. Pol de Leon Dole Auch Acquis Aire Bazas Bayonne Comminges Conserans Lectoure Mescar Oleron Tarbes Aix Apt Riez Frejus Gap Sisteron Vienne Valence Die Grenoble Viviers Maurienne Bourges Clermont Limoges S. Flour le Puy Tulle Tholouse Pamiers Mirepoix Montauban Lavour S. Papaul Lombez Rieux Bezanc Belley Basil in Switz Lausanne in Switz Embrun Digne Glandeve Vence Senez Grace Nice in Savoy Universities belonging to this Kingdom are establisht at these Cities following Paris Anger 's Reims Perpignan Bourdeaux Caen Valence Douay Poictiers Montpellier Aix Dole Orleans Cahors Avignon Friburge Bourges Nantes Pont a'mauson Orange The French are generally a Civil Quick and Active sort of People but extreamly given to Talking especially those of the Female Sex who nevertheless are not only very pleasing in discourse but also of a graceful and winning deportment This People is thus characteriz'd by some That they are Aiery Amorous full of Action and above all things Contentious being so universally given to Law-fuits and that even among nearest Relations that Lawyers Judges and other Officers of Justice are observ'd to be the richest Body of the Kingdom excepting the Churchmen Many of this Country in matters of Learning are bless'd with a clear Conception and ready Expression and of late they have advanc'd the Republick of Letters to a very considerable height this Age having produc'd several of that Nation and even some of the Female Sex who are now famous through all the Learned World for their singular Parts The French Language compos'd chiefly of the Latin together with several German and Gothick words intermixt being lately much refin'd by the Royal Academy at Paris is so admir'd for its elegancy and sweetness that it hath wonderfully spread it self abroad in the world and is now become the chief Tongue that 's commonly us'd in most Princes Courts of Europe Pater-Noster in the same runs thus Nôtre pére qui es aux Cieux Ton Nom soit sanctifié Ton Regne vienne Ta Volonté soit faite en Ia Terre comme aâ— Ciel Donne nous aujourdhuy nôtre pain quotidien Pardonne nous nos offences comme nous pardonnons a' ceux qui nous ont offencez Et ne nous induit point en tentation mais delivre nous du mal Amen This Kingdom being formerly a part of the Roman Empire was in process of time over-run by Franks Goths and Burgundians especially the first by whom was rais'd a Monarchy which continuing in the Succession of Kings of three several Races viz. the Morovignian Carlovinian and Capetine is now as great as any in Christendom and at present subject to one Sovereign entitl'd the Most Christian King and eldest Son of the Church whose Government is Monarchical and Crown hereditary in his Heirs Male all Females being excluded by the Salique Law The whole Kingdom being divided into 12 Governments over each of them is set a Governor styl'd the King's Licutenant-General or Super-Intendant having the like Power as the Lords Lieutenants of England formerly had in their several Counties For the better management of the publick Affairs and Administration of Justice in all parts of this Kingdom here are establisht a great many Courts of Judicatory particularly these following viz. Parliaments Chambers of Accounts Courts of Aides Presidial Courts Generalities Elections c. I. Parliaments the highest and supream Courts of the Nation were Fifteen in number reckoning the late Conquests and held at the Cities of Paris Tholouse Rouen Grenoble Bourdeaux Dijon Aix Vannes Pau Mets Besancon Tourney Perpignan Arras and Brisac These Parliaments according to their respective business are divided into several Chambers especially that of Paris which hath no less than Ten. viz. 1. The Grand Chamber where the Peers of the Realm being accus'd of any Crime are usually Try'd 2. The Tournelle Civile where they take cognizance of such Civil Causes as exceed a thousand Livres in value 3. The Tournelle Criminelle where Appeals from Inferior Courts in Criminal Matters are heard and discuss'd Besides these three there are five Chambers of Inquest where Depositions of Witnesses are set down and Causes thereupon determin'd being almost the same with our Bill and Answer in Chancery and Exchequer And lastly There are two Chambers of Request where Causes of Priviledg'd Persons are heard and discuss'd II. Chambers of Accounts where Accounts of the Treasury are examin'd and Homage and Vassalage due from the Royal Feifs are receiv'd Treaties of Peace and Grants made by the King and such like are recorded These Chambers are 12 in number and held at the Cities of Paris Rouen Dijon Nantes Montpelier Grenoble Aix Pau Blois Liste Aire and Dole III. Courts of Aides where all Causes relating to the King's Revenue particularly Aides Tailles Gabells are determin'd and that without any appeal to a higher Judicatory These Courts are in number Eight and held at these 8 Cities of Paris Montpelier Rouen Clermont Montferrand Bourdeaux Aix Grenoble and Dijon IV. Presidial Courts compos'd of several Judges where Civil Causes in matters of smaller importance as also Appeals made from Subaltern Justices in Villages are
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
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
David numbred in his time no less than 1300000 fighting Men besides the Tribes of Levi and Benjamin But alas such were the crying Sins of its Inhabitants that it not only spew'd them out as it had done those who dwelt before them But the Almighty being highly provok'd by their many and repeated Abominations hath turn'd that fruitful Land into barrenness for the wickedness of them who dwelt therein For such is the dismal State of this Country at present that besides the Turkish Yoke under which it groans the greatest part thereof is not only laid waste but even where duly manur'd 't is generally observ'd that the Soil is not near so fertil as formerly The longest Day in the Northmost part of this Country is about 14 Hours ¼ the shortest in the Southmost is about 10 Hours and the Nights proportionably Such is the mean and depauperated State of this Country at present that we may now reckon it destitute of all Commodities for the Merchant its Inhabitants now-a-days being mere Strangers to all manner of Commerce In its flourishing Condition under the Kings of Judah and Israel the People thereof did indeed manage a very considerable Trade abroad and that chiefly by the two famous Emporiums of Tyre and Sydon abovemention'd besides the Ships of Tarshish which Solomon sent yearly to the Land of Ophir and so noted were these two Maritime Cities of old for Merchandizing that the Evangelical Prophet Isaiah 23. 8. denouncing the overthrow of Tyre calls it The Crowning City whose Merchants are Princes and whose Traffickers are the Honourable of the Earth And Verse 3. he termeth Sydon a Mart of Nations But so fully accomplisht is the Prophetical Denounciation against 'em both and so low and despicable is their Condition at present that I heartily wish all flourishing Cities of Christendom might be so wise as seriously to reflect on the same and to take timely warning by them especially considering that most of our Populous and Trading Cities are now such Dens of Iniquity that their Inhabitants may justly dread That 't will be more tollerable for Tyre and Sydon in the day of judgment than fâ—r them In the Southern Parts of Palestine is Asphaltis or Asphaltites so term'd from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. Bitumen that noted Lake of Judaea where the abominable Cities of Sodom and Gomorrah formerly stood otherways call'd the Dead Sea and remarkable at present for abundance of Sulphurous Vapours which still ascend in so great a measure that no Bird is able to fly from one side of the Lake to the other 'T is also observable for good store of Apples growing near its Banks which appear very lovely to the Eye but being toucht and cut up prove mere naught being nothing else but a heap of nauseous Matter 2. Nigh to the place of the Ancient Sarepta are many Caves and Apartments hewen out of the firm Rock which some vainly imagine to have been the Habitation of Men in the Golden Age before Cities in these Parts of the World were well-known But others with greater shew of probability take 'em for the Caves of the Sidonians mention'd in the Book of Joshua under the Name of Mearah 3 Not far from the once noted City of Tyre are several large square Cisterns which still go by the Name of Solomon's among the Christians of that Country but why so call'd they can give no other reason than bare Tradition 4. At St John d' Acre the Ancient Ptolemais are yet to be seen the Ruins of a Palace which acknowledgeth Richard I. King of England for its Founder and the Lion pissant is still visible upon some of the Stones 5. On Mount Carmel are some Remains of a Monastry of Carmelite Fryers with a Temple dedicated to the Blessed Virgin and under it is a private Cell or Cave which Travellers alledge to be the ancient residing Place of the Prophet Elias On the same Mountain are found a great many Stones that have the lively Impression of Fishes Bones upon ' em As also abundance of petrifi'd Fruit particularly Plumbs or Stones of that resemblance 6. Not far from the Brook Cedron stands a part of the Pillar of Absalom which he erected in his life-time out of an ardent desire to Eternize his Name and nigh to it is a great heap of small Stones which daily encreaseth because either Jew or Mahometan passing by seldom fails to throw one at the same and that out of abhorrency of the Son's Rebellion against the Father 7. In the Mountains of Judah is a remarkable Spring where Philip is said to have baptiz'd the Ethiopian Eunuch whereupon 't is call'd by the Name of The Ethiopian Fountain and hath a Church adjacent erected 't is probable out of Devotion in Honour of the Place and Memory of that Fact Yet by the by 't would seem that this were not the place of the Ethiopian's Baptism because those rocky and declining Mountains are hardly passable on Horse-back much less in a Chariot 8. Nigh to the asoresaid Fountain is a considerable Cave where 't is reported St. John the Baptist did live from the seventh Year of his Age till he appear'd in the Wilderness of Judaea as the promis'd Elias 9. At Bethlehem is the goodly Temple of the Nativity erected by St. Helena Mother of Constantine the Great who call'd it St. Mary's of Bethlehem 'T is now possess'd by the Franciscans of Jerusalem and is still intire having many Chappels and Altars but those little frequented except it be upon extraordinary Occasions 10. In the Mountains of Juda are the Remains of an Ancient Church built by St. Helena and dedicated to St. John the Baptist and that in the place where Zachary the Prophet was born And nigh to it where the Blessed Virgin did Visit her Cousin Elizabeth is a Grotto in which 't is said that the Body of Elizabeth lies interr'd 11. Upon the left hand in going out of the City of Jerusalem by the Gate of Joppa is Mount Sion on whose top are still to be seen the Ruins of the Tower of David which was once a Building of wonderful Strength and admirable Beauty 12. Upon Mount Calvary is the stately Temple of the Holy Sepulchre built by the aforesaid Virtuous St. Helena and hitherto visited by Multitudes of Christians who slock to it from all Parts of the World either out of Devotion or Curiosity It 's divided into a vast multitude of Appartments containing many Chappels and Altars which for the most part receive their Names from some remarkable Circumstance of our Saviour's Passion besides those peculiar to Christians of different Nations at Jerusalem particularly the Abyssines Armenians Georgians Cophtes Jacobites Maronites c and at the entry of one of those Chappels is the Sepulchre of Godfrey of Boulogn on one hand and that of his Brother Baldwin's on the other But Lastly In and about Jerusalem besides the Observables abovemention'd are these following Particulars viz a Mosque erected in
their worldly Estate for that noble Undertaking which might probably be less subject to Abuses than erecting and endowing of Hospitals Alms-houses and such like that in process of time such a stock of Money might be settl'd in a sure Fund as yearly to afford a desirable Competency to a continued Set of Men who should be found sussiciently able and willing to labour in that most Christian Design §. 6. New York THIS Country discover'd Anno 1608. by Mr. Hudson is term'd by the Italians Yorke Nouella by the Spaniards Nuevo York by the French Nouvelle Yorke by the Germans New Yorke and by the English New York so call'd from the then Duke of York for it being sold by Mr. Hudson to the Dutch without leave from his Master the King of England and they keeping Possession thereof under the Name of New Netherland till the Year 1664. 't was then reduc'd to the English Crown whereupon King Charles the II. by special Writ made his Royal Brother the Duke of York Proprietor of it from whom as aforesaid it derives its Name The Air of this Country is commonly reputed to be much the same with that of New England The opposite Place of the Globe to New York is that part of the East-Indian Ocean lying between 120 and 130 Degrees of Longitude with 40 and 42 Degrees of South Latitude The Soil of this Country as also Long Island is by general Relation so rich that one Bushel of European Wheat doth ordinarily produce an hundred in many places It aboundeth likeways with most sorts of English Grain Herbs and Fruits and produceth excellent Tobacco as also Melons Pumpkins c. The length of the Days and Nights in this Country is the same as in the Kingdom of Naples they both lying under the same Parallels of Latitude The chief Commodities of this Country are Tobacco Bever Otter Ratoon Deer and Elk-Skins and other costly Furs for which the English and Dutch trade with the Natives In divers Parts of New York especially those nigh unto and upon the Banks of the River Connecticut grows a sort of Snake-Weed whose Root is much esteem'd off for the Biting of the Rattle-Snake Being pulveriz'd it hath an excellent Fragrant Smell and a good Aromatick Taste but seems different from the Serpentaria of the Shops Archbishopricks Bishopricks Universities None The Natives of this Country especially those of Long Island are by mortal Diseases and frequent Wars among themselves reduc'd to a small number Some of 'em are now serviceable to the English and the rest spend their time commonly in Hunting Fowling and Fishing especially the Men who remove from place to place and leave their Wives for Tilling the Ground and Planting the Corn. They 're much given of late to Drinking and frequently intoxicate themselves with strong European Liquors The Inhabitants of this Country being English and a few Dutch do use the Languages peculiar to their respective Countries The Natives speak a very unpleasant Dialect of the Indian Tongue The Natives of this Country are govern'd by their peculiar Sachems who are said to advise with their chief Councellors in Matters of Importance but still to pronounce the definitive Sentence themselves which their People commonly receive with great Applause The English here residing are subject unto and rul'd by their own Governor authorized and sent over by His Majesty the King of Great Britain The English here residing are much the same in Point of Religion with those here in England But the Natives are still in the dark and addicted to the blackest Idolative the generality of 'em being said to Worship the Devil under the Name of Monetto to whom they frequently address themselves with a kind of Magical Rites and their Priests call'd Pawaws do act as so many Conjurers §. 7. New Jersey THIS Country discover'd by the English under the Conduct of the two Cabots Anno 1497. and lately divided into East and West Jersey is term'd by the Italians Jerscia Nouella by the Spaniards Nuevo Jersey by the French Nouvelle Jersey by the Germans Neu Jerseii and by the English New Jersey so call'd from the Island Jersey in the British Channel but why so term'd is somewhat dubious The Air of this Country is esteem'd abundantly healthful to breath in and agreeable enough to English Constitutions as sufficiently appears from the long Experience of many Planters The opposite Place of the Globe to New Jersey is that part of the vast Indian Ocean lying between 120 and 130 Degrees of Longitude with 39 and 41 Degrees of Southern Latitude The Soil is not every where the same being in some Parts extraordinary good and in others very indifferent But 't is generally believ'd to prove much better after the felling of the Timber and clearing the Ground in which the Colony begins now to make a good Progress The length of the Days and Nights in this Country is the same as in the South of Italy they both lying under the same Parallels of Latitude The chief Commodities exported hence for England are Whale-Oyl Whale-Fins Bever Monkey Ratoon and Martin-Skins As also Beef Pork Corn Butter and Cheese to the adjacent Islands As the principal Observables of New Jersey we may reckon some rare Plants growing in divers Parts of that Country and easily found by the curious Botanist if only at the pains to make a search proportionable to his Curiosity Here also is that huge Creature call'd the Moose of whose Skin they make excellent Buff. Archbishopricks Bishopricks Universities None The Natives of this Country fewer in number than in most of the adjacent Colonies are generally reckon'd a very simple and innocent sort of People and many of 'em are now become very serviceable to the Planters The English here residing are much the same in Manners with those in England All that can be said of the Language of the Natives of this Country is in general that 't is one of the many different Dialects of the Indian Tongue Those of the Plantation retain and use their own Language This Country being divided into a certain number of Shares or Proprieties out of each Propriety is Annually chosen a Freeholder by the Inhabitants thereof These Freeholders meet at a certain time of the Year as a General Assembly or compleat Representative Body of the whole Colony In that Assembly together with the Governor or his Deputy is lodg'd the Legislative Power in making or repealing of Laws relating to the whole Province but still with this Restriction that they no ways infringe that Liberty of Conscience at first establisht and that by an irrevocable Fundamental Constitution never to be alter'd by any subsequent Law whatsoever No Tax or Subsidy Rates or Services are to be impos'd upon the People but by and with the Consent of their Representatives in that Assembly The English here residing are of different
Sorsaparilla Turmerick Snakes-Root c. What chiefly deserves the Epithet of Rare in Carolina is a certain Herb which goes by the Name of the Country and remarkable for its long red Root which draws upon Paper good red Lines but answers not in Dying Archbishopricks Bishopricks Universities None The Natives of this Country being naturally Men of good Courage and for a long time at Wars among themselves are mightily diminish'd in their Number by what they were But those remaining are generally Persons of a good agreeable Temper and maintain a firm Friendship with our Colony The English here residing are the same in Manners with those here in England The Natives have a particular Jargon of their own which sounds very harsh to the Ear and seems to Strangers extreamly hard if not impossible to be acquir'd The English use their own Language King Charles II. having granted Carolina by Letters-Patent in Propriety to George Duke of Albemarle Edward Earl of Clarendon c. by those Letters the Laws of England were to be always in force in this Country only the Lords Proprietors are impower'd together with the Consent of the Inhabitants to make or repeal such By-Laws as shall from time to time be thought expedient for the better governing of the whole Colony The English here residing are of many and different Perswasions in Matters of Religion there being a Liberty of Conscience allow'd by the very Constitution of their Government The Natives have as yet no reveal'd Knowledge of the True God but follow the vain Imaginations of their own Minds however they are said to acknowledge one Supreme Being whom they Worship under the Name of Okee and to him their Priests do frequently Sacrifice but they believe that he takes no care of Human Affairs committing them to lesser Deities They acknowledge also a Transmigration of Souls and a Future State of Happiness after this Life SCET. V. Concerning Terra Arctica UNDER the Title of Terra Arctica we comprehend all those Northern Countries lying either intirely or mostly within the Arctick Polar Circle The chief of which are these following viz. Greenland Nova Zembla New Denmark Spitsberge Terra de Jesso New North Wales Of these we know little more as yet than their bare Names I am very sensible That in treating of them yea and that individual Part of the Earth exactly under the North Pole some Writers are pleas'd to speak as particularly as if they were discoursing of the Fifty two Counties of England But leaving such Gentlemen to divert themselves with their own Chimera's and leaving these Countries to the better Discovery of Future Ages I pass on to the various Divisions of South America chusing rather to say nothing of the aforesaid unknown Countries than to relate things of them that are satisfactory neither to my self nor the Reader being willing to have due regard to that excellent Saying of the Roman Orator Quam bellum est velle confiteri potius nescire guod Nescias quam ista effutientem nauseare atque ipsum sibi displicere Cic. de Nat. Deor. Lib. 1. Now followeth SECT VI. Concerning Terra Firma  d. m. Situated between 297 30 of Long. It s greatest Length from E to W. is about 1260 Miles 330 00 between 03 20 of Latit Breadth from S. to N. is about 480 Miles 11 30 Being divided into East the River Orinoque call'd Guiana West the River Orinoque term'd Castello del Oro. East comprehands the Provinces of Caribana Chief Town Moreshego N. to S. Guiana Manboa West comprehends the Provinces of Panama or Terra Firma Panama From W. to E. Carthagena Idem St Martha Idem Rio de la hacha Idem Venezula Idem Andaluzia Comane Paria Maluregvara From E. to W. Granada St. Fe de Bagota Popayan St. Fe de Antiochia THIS Country discover'd by the Spaniards and Conquer'd Anno 15 14. is term'd by the Italians Terra Firma by the Spaniards Tierra Firma by the French Terre Ferme by the Germans Het vast Land and by the English Terra Firma so call'd by the Discoverers thereof as being one Part of the Firm Land or Main Continent at which the Spaniards first touch'd in their Western Discoveries The Air of this Country is extreamly hot yet generally accounted very wholesome save in the Northmost Parts adjacent to the Isthmus of Panama where the Ground is full of Lakes and Marishes which by their ascending Vapours do render the Air very gross and consequently less wholesome to breath in The opposite Place of the Globe to Terra Firma is that part of the East-Indian Ocean lying between 107 and 150 Degrees of Longitude with 3 Degrees of North and 11 Degrees of Southern Latitude This Country lying mostly in the first North Climate is said to be blessed with an excellent Soil producing great plenty of Corn and Fruits where duly manur'd It mightily abounds in Venison Fish and Fowl A great part of it is planted with Cotton and others are very productive of Sugars and Tobacco Here are also very considerable Mines of Gold Silver Brass c. many precious Stones and in several places good fishing of Pearls The longest Day in the Northmost Part of this Country is 12 Hours ½ the shortest in the Southmost is 12 Hours or thereabouts and the Nights proportionably The chief Commodities of this Country are Gold Silver and other Metals Balsam Rozin Gums Long Pepper Emeralds Saphires Jasper c. Upon the Coast of Terra Firma nigh Surinam is frequently seen and sometimes taken that Fish usually call'd by Mariners the Old Wife but otherways the Square Acarauna so term'd from his Figure being almost a compleat Quadratum 2. In several Parts of Guiana are certain Trees call'd Totock remarkable for their Fruit which is of so great a bulk and withal so hard that People can't with safety walk among 'em when the Fruit is ripe being in danger every moment to have their Brains knockt out 3. In one of the Branches of Orenoque River is such a hideous Cataract that the Water falling down makes as loud a Noise as if a thousand Bells were knock'd one against another Vid. Heylin's Cosmog last Edition page 1086. 4. On the top of a high Mountain call'd Cowob is a considerable Lake according to the Report of the Natives and that well-stockt with most sorts of Fishes 5 In some Rivers of Guiana is a certain little Fish about the bigness of a Smelt and remarkable for having four Eyes two on each side one above the other and in Swiming 't is observ'd to keep the uppermost two above and the other two under Water 6. In the Island of Trinidado near the Coast of Terra Firma is a remarkable Fountain of Pitch which boileth out of the Earth in great abundance and is exported thence to various places in these Parts of the World 7. Near C. Brea on the Continent is another Fountain of Pitchy Substance much us'd
sorts of our English Grain and those Parts possess'd by the French produce some plenty of Vines This Island is sufficiently stockt with Deer Hares Otters Foxes c. Here also is abundance of Land and Water-Fowl but above all things its Coasts are surrounded with incredible multitudes of Cod-Fish The length of the days and Nights in New-found-Land is the same as in the Southmost parts of England and Northern of France they all lying under the same Parallels of Latitude The Commodities of this Island are principally Furs Whale-Oyl and Cod-Fish especially the latter whereof there is such plenty that the Fishing and bringing of them to Europe particularly the Streights is now grown to a settl'd and very advantageous Trade Nothing here deserves the Epithet of Rare unless we reckon that prodigious large Bank of Sand upon the South-East of the Island about 300 miles in length and upwards of 75 in breadth where broadest remarkable for those vast multitudes of Bacalaos or Cod-Fish and Peer John which are taken in great numbers by divers European Nations who yearly resort hither for that end So thick do those Fishes sometimes swarm upon this Bank that they retard the passage of Ships sailing over the same Archbishopricks Bishopricks Universities None The Natives of this Island are for the Plurality of 'em Persons of a middle Stature broad-face'd and those of the Masculine Sex are usually beardless They generally colour their Faces with Oker and for Cloathing use Skins of Wild Beasts They live by ten or twelve Families together in poor Cabbins made of Poles in form of our Arbours and cover'd with Skins They ordinarily imploy themselves in Hunting as most of the other Americans usually do The English and French here residing are much the same with those in Europe All that can be said of the Language here commonly us'd among the Natives is that 't is a certain Dialect of the Indian Tongue which prevails among all the Indian Inhabitants with little variation of Accent in the various Parts of the Island The Europeans here residing do still retain the maternal Language of the respective Countries from whence they came In the Year 1623. Sir George Calvert Principal Secretary of State having obtain'd a Patent for a Part of Newfoundland erected the same into a Province call'd Avalon and therein settl'd a Plantation which after him was enjoy'd by his Son Caecilius Lord Baltimore This Island was set upon and master'd by the French in the late tedious War but speedily retaken by the English who are now in full Possession of what they formerly enjoy'd The Natives of this Island upon its first discovery were found to acknowledge a Supreme Being whom they own'd as the Creator of all things but err'd extremely in their Apprehensions about the manner of the Creation alledging that Men and Women were at first made of a certain number of Arrows stuck fast in the Ground They generally believe the Immortality of the Soul and that the Dead go into a far Country there to make merry as they think with their Friends §. 3. Cuba THIS Island discovered by the Spaniards Anno 1494. is term'd by the Italians Spaniards French Germans and English Cuba Which Name is the same it had when first discover'd being so call'd by the Natives and neighbouring Islanders what may be the Etymology of that Indian Appellation we know not The Air of this Island considering its small Latitude is very temperate being mightily qualifi'd by Vapours that daily ascend from the Earth The opposite Place of the Globe to Cuba is that part of the East-Iudian Ocean lying between 110 and 120 Degrees of Longitude with 20 and 23 Degrees of South Latitude This Island lying in the same Climate with the Northern Part of New Spain is not so fertil in Grain as Wood being generally cover'd over with Trees some of which do drop the purest Rozin Here is great plenty of Fish and Flesh and in some Parts are divers kinds of excellent Fruits The length of the Days and Nights in Cuba is much the same as in the North of New Spain they both lying under the same Parallels of Latitude The chief Commodities of this Island are Gold Ginger Cassia Mastick Aloes Cinamon Sugar c. The most remarkable thing in this Island is a noted Bituminous Fountain out of which there flows a sort of Pitchy Substance commonly us'd for calking of Ships Here also is a Valley full of Flint-Stones of different sizes and those by nature so round that they may serve as Bullets for most sorts of Cannons Vid. Heylin's Cosmog page 1079. In this Island is one Bishoprick viz. that of St. Jago Suffragan to the Archbishop of St. Domingo in Hispaniola The Inhabitants of this Island being for the most part Spaniards are the same in Manners with those on the Continent The Spaniards here residing do still retain and commonly use the Spanish Tongue This Island was formerly govern'd by certain Caciques or Captains but is now wholly subject to the King of Spain who still keeps a particular Governor in it whose ordinary Residence is in that Great and Populous City Havana The Spaniards here residing are of the same Religion with that establish'd and universally profess'd in Spain §. 4. Jamaica THIS Island first discovered by Columbus in his Second Voyage to America and brought into Possession of the English by Penn and Venables in the time of Oliver Cremwell is term'd Jamaica by the Italians Spaniards French Germans and English It was at first call'd St. Jago by Columbus which Name was afterwards chang'd into that of Jamaica after King James then Duke of York when it had been subjected for some time to the Crown of England The Air of this Island is more temperate than in most of the neighbouring Islands the Heat thereof being much allay'd by fresh Easterly Breezes that blow in the Day-time and the frequent Showers that fall in the Night Hurricanes and Earthquakes so frequent in the Caribbees are seldom heard of here whereupon we may justly impute that terrible Earthquake Anno 1693. rather to a Moral than a Natural Cause viz. the many and horrid Abominations abounding among the Inhabitants whith without doubt did loudly call for Judgements from Heaven The opposite Place of the Globe to Jamaica is part of the East-Indian Ocean lying between 110 and 120 Degrees of Longitude with 17 and 20 Degrees of South Latitude The Soil of this Island is extraordinary rich and fertil producing great quantity of Corn Herbs and Fruits abounding also in Sugar Cotton Tobacco various kinds of Spices with divers sorts of Physical Drugs and Gums as Sumach Guiacum Aloes Benjamin Sarsaparilla c. The large and pleasant Fields appear constantly Green and Springing they being well stockt with variety of Trees and Plants which are never disrob'd of their Summer-Liveries Here likeways are
several Rivulets and those affording many excellent Fish especially Tortoise The length of the Days and Nights in Jamaica is the same as in the middle Provinces of New Spain they both lying under the same Parallels of Latitude The chief Commodities of this Island are Cocao Sugar Indico Cotton Tobacco Hides Copper Piemento or Jamaica-Pepper Tortoise-Shells Wood for Dyers and several sorts of Drugs c. This Island is furnish'd with some Springs of Mineral-Waters particularly two whereof one is Sulphurous and the other Salt but both approved of for the common Distempers of the place 2 In divers Parts of Jamaica grows that Fruit call'd the Machinel Apple which is very beautiful to the Eye of a pleasant Smell and Taste yet Mortal if eaten whence some term it the Eve-Apple 3 Here are many Shiningflies a king of Cantharides appearing of a green Colour in the Day-time but shining in the Night with such a Lustre that one may see to Read by their light 4. Of all Creatures belonging to this Island the most remarkable is the Allegator that destructive Animal commonly harbouring in or near to Rivers and large Land-Ponds Although he be a very big Creature and about ten fifteen or twenty Foot in length yet he 's hatcht of an Egg not larger than that of a Turkey His Back being full of hard Scales is impenetrable whereupon 't is a difficult matter to kill him unless he receive a Wound in the Eye or Belly He is an Amphibious Animal and to enable him either to Walk upon dry Ground or Swim in the Water Nature hath furnisht him both with Feet and Fins In moving on the Land he 's very swift providing his Course be streight forward but extremely slow in turning and therefore easily avoided Lastly In Jamaica are produc'd some rare Plants much regarded by the Inquisitive Botanist But for a particular Account of them and all others found both in this and several of the Caribbee Islands I refer the Reader to a curious Catalogue publish'd some Years ago by that great Promoter of Natural Knowledge the Ingenious Dr. Sloane Archbishopricks Bishopricks Universities None The Inhabitants of this Island being English are much the same in Manners with those in the Kingdom of England only with this difference that the generality of 'em is somewhat more vitiously enclin'd a thing too common in most of our Western Plantations This Island being intirely inhabited by English they retain and still use their own Native Language Jamaica is wholly subject to the Crown of England and rul'd by a particular Governor sent thither by His Majesty the King of Great Britain The Laws by which they 're govern'd are as near as can be to those of England Here they have several Courts of Judicatory for hearing and determining of all Causes between Man and Man and for the better Assistance of the Governor he is furnisht with his Council to consult with when occasion requires The Inhabitants of this Island are of the same Religion with that publickly posess'd and by Law establisht in England excepting the Negroe-Slaves who both here and in other Islands of the English Plantations are still kept in woful Ignorance which is undoubtedly a grievous Scandal to our Holy Profession in general and an abominable Shame to their respective Masters in particular But let such Masters know that the time is coming when the now despised Souls of those toiling Slaves will certainly be requir'd at their Hands §. 5. Hispaniola THIS Island discover'd by Columbus Anno 1492. is term'd by the Spaniards Espaniola by the French Espagnole by the Italians Germans and English Hispaniola so call'd by the first Planters therein viz. the Spaniards as a Diminutive of their own Country The Air of this Island is much inferior to that in Jamaica being much infested with morning Heats which would be intollerable were they not allayed by some cooling Breezes in the Afternoon The opposite Place of the Globe to Hispaniola is that part of the East-Indian Ocean lying between 120 and 130 Degrees of Longitude with 17 and 21 Degrees of South Latitude This Island is bless'd with an extraordinary rich and fertil Soil The Trees and Meadows in it are still so green that we may truly say it enjoys a continual Spring Herbs and Fruits are said to ripen in eighteen Days and so rich and fruitful is the Native Turf that of several Grain the common Increase is an hundred-fold Here is abundance of Palm-Trees of a prodigious height and bigness in whose Body an Incision being made near the Root from thence doth flow a Liquor usually call'd Palm-Wine which being kept for some time fermenteth and becomes very strong These Trees are also term'd Cabbage-Trees because their Tops resemble European Cabbage and is commonly us'd as such by the Spaniards Here is also great plenty of Sugar-Canes and some rich Mines of Gold The length of the Days and Nights in Hispaniola is the same as in the middle Provinces of New Spain they both lying under the same Parallels of Latitude The chief Commodities of this Island are Cattle Hides Cassia Sugar Ginger Cocheneel Guiacum c. In this Island is some store of Genipa-Trees whose Fruit about the bigness of a Man's two Fists being press'd before thorow Ripe affords a Juice as black as Ink and fit to write with all did it not disappear intirely in nine or ten Days 2. Here grows another Tree call'd Mananilla or Dwarf Apple-Tree whose Fruit is of so venemous a quality that if any Person eat thereof he 's instantly seiz'd with an unquenchable Thirst and dies raving Mad in a short time 3. Of the many Insects belonging to this Island the Glow-worm term'd by the Spaniards Cochinillas is most remarkable and that chiefly for two little Specks on its Head which by Night give so much Light that if a Person lay three or four of those Creatures together he may see to read the smallest Print 4 In Hispaniola are Spiders about the bigness of an ordinary Hens Egg having Legs as long as Sea-Crabs of a middle size They are hairy all over and have four black Teeth like Rabbets and commonly bite very sharply but are not venemous 5 Most remarkable of all Creatures in this Island is the Cayman commonly reckon'd the Crocodile of Hispaniola which being an Animal of a prodigious bigness is much noted for his rare subtilty in catching his Prey for lying upon a River-side he so gathereth his Body together that in form he resembles exactly the large Trunk of an old Tree In which Posture he continues till Cattle or other Creatures come to the River to drink when to their great surprize he suddenly springs up and assaults them And to enhaunce the Wonder this strange Creature is said to use yet a more strange Stratagem to effect his end for Travellers generally affirm of him That before he lays himself as aforesaid upon the River-side he
Regiments of Horse and 〈◊〉 of Foot always in â—â—â—diness upon a call The Laws by which this Island are govern'd except some By-Acts which immediately concern the Plantation are the same with those of England The Island bâ—ing divided into four Circuits in each of them is establish'd an Inferior Court of Judicatory for hearing all manner of Civil Causes From which Courts Appeals may be made to the Supreme Court and for due Administration of Justice in Criminal Matters here are yearly held five Sessions When there appears a real Necessity of making new Laws which must never contradict those of England or abrogating old ones the Governor calls an Assembly for that end This Assembly resembles in some manner our English Parliament for the Governor being reckon'd Supreme those of his Council are as so many Peers and two Burgesses chosen out of each Parish represent the Body of the People The English here residing make Profession of the same Religion with that generally own'd and by Law establish'd in England As for the Negroe-Slaves their Lot hath hitherto been and still is to serve such Christian Masters who sufficiently declare what Zeal they have for their Conversion by unkindly using a Serious Divine some time ago when only proposing to endeavour the same §. 8. The Lucayes THE Lucayes so call'd from Lucayone the biggest of 'em all are those several Islands lying North of Cuba and Hispaniola They belong mostly to the Spaniards and the chief of them Are those of Bahama Extended from the E. of Tegesta in Florida to the N. of Hispaniola Lucayone aliter New Providence Cignateo Eleutheria Guanahani St. Salvador Yuma Samana Maiaguana Of these Islands Bahama may be reckon'd the most remarkable and that chiefly for the famous rapid Channel between that Island and the Main through which the Spanish Fleets usually pass in their return from Mexico to Europe A Passage equally fatal to the Spaniard as fortunate to the English Fatal to the former for some dreadful Shipwracks sustain'd therein and fortunate to the latter for vast quantities of Plate recover'd by skilful Divers This Island is also observable for several uncommon Insects found upon it particularly the Bahama-Spider already mention'd Pags 341. § 9. The Sotovento THE Sotovento Islands are those lying along the Northern Coast of Terra Firma They belong mostly to the Spaniards and receiv'd the Title Sotovento quasi sub vento from them because they appear to the Leeward of their Fleet coming down before the Wind to enter the Gulf of Mexico The chief of such Islands Are those of Trinidada Found from E. to W. Margarita Tortuga Orchilla Rocca Bonayrc Curacao Oruba Trinidada term'd by the Natives Samsonate is observable for being a noted place of Bartery between the Inhabitants of New Spain and those of Peru. And Margarita is much frequented upon the account of Pearl Fishery from whence it derives its Name The rest are not of any great moment § 10 Bermudas THIS little Cluster of Islands lying about five hundred Leagues East of Florida is term'd by the Italians Bermuda by the French Bermudes by the Spaniards Germans and English Bermudas So call'd from one John Bermudas a Spaniard who made the first Discovery of them They are otherways term'd the Summer Islands from S r. George Summers an Englishman who suffer'd Shipwrack near to them Anno 1609. The Air of these Islands is reckon'd extraordinary healthful to breath in the Sky being almost always Serene and Smiling But when overcast at any time then they 're sure of a terrible Tempest attended with frightful Claps of Thunder and Flashes of Lightning So healthful are these Islands to breath in that their Inhabitants now in number about four or five thousand are seldom visited with Sickness and generally arrive to a good old Age. The opposite Place of the Globe to Bermudas is that part of the vast East-Indian Ocean lying between 134 and 138 Degrees of Longitude with 32 and 35 Degrees of South Latitude The Soil of these Islands is extraordinary fertil yielding the Labourer two Crops every Year which they commonly reap in the Months of July and December Of so rich a Mould is the Arable Ground in this Island that it affords neither Sand Flints Peebles nor Stones so hard as are fit to grind Knives They are well furnisht with variety of Fruits Roots Fish and Fowl together with great store of Hogs and excellent sweet-scented Cedar The length of the Days and Nights in Bermudas is the same as in the Northmost Parts of Florida they both lying under the same Parallels of Latitude The chief Commodities of these Islands are Oranges Cochineel Tobacco Cedar-Wood some Pearls and Amber-Gris in considerable quantity c. Observable are these Islands for nourishing no venemous Creature none such being found upon them nor able to live if brought thither Here indeed are many Spiders but those no ways poisonous and very remarkable for their Webs having the resemblance of Raw-Silk and woven so strong that little Birds are sometimes entangled in them 2. If Wells are dug in Bermudas above the Surface of the surrounding Ocean the Water is sweet and fresh but lower then salt or breckish and all of them have some sensible Flux and Reflux with the Sea 3. Upon the Coast of these Islands is sometimes taken that remarkable Fish term'd the File-Fish being so call'd from a part of his Back-Bone which hath the exact resemblance of a File Archbishopricks Bishopricks Universities None The Inhabitants of these Islands being English are much the same in Manners and Way of living with those here in England What was said of the Inhabitants of Bermudas in respect of Manners the same may be affirm'd of them in Point of Language These Islands being wholly subject and of right belonging to the Crown of England are rul'd by a particular Governor appointed and sent thither by the King of England The Religion here establisht and publickly profess'd is the Protestant according to the Reformation of the Church of England §. 11. Terra del Fuogo THIS is a large Triangular Island or as some think several lying on the South part of America and separated from the main Continent by the Streights of Magellan It 's call'd by the Name of Terra del Fuogo because it seems the first Discoverers thereof did observe some considerable Vulcano's upon it Out Knowledge of this Island and its Inhabitants is at best but very uncertain almost every new Adventurer in these Parts of the World giving us a new Relation of Things Whosoever therefore desires a certain or satisfactory Account must defer his Enquiry to the better Discovery of After-times And so much for America and its Islands AN APPENDIX Comprehending A brief Account of the European Plantations in Asia Africk and America As also some Reasonable Proposals for the Propagation of the Blessed Gospel in all Pagan Countries IN running over the