WEsailedfromPeru，wherewehadcontinuedbythespaceofonewholeyear，forChinaandJapan，bytheSouthSea，takingwithusvictualsfortwelvemonths；
andhadgoodwindsfromtheeast，thoughsoftandweak，forfivemonths’spaceandmore。Butthenthewindcameabout，andsettledinthewestformanydays，soaswecouldmakelittleornoway，andweresometimesinpurposetoturnback。
Butthenagaintherearosestrongandgreatwindsfromthesouth，withapointeast；whichcarriedusup，forallthatwecoulddo，towardthenorth：bywhichtimeourvictualsfailedus，thoughwehadmadegoodspareofthem。Sothatfind-
ingourselves，inthemidstofthegreatestwildernessofwatersintheworld，withoutvictual，wegaveourselvesforlostmen，andpreparedfordeath。YetwedidliftupourheartsandvoicestoGodabove，whoshowethHiswondersinthedeep；
beseechingHimofHismercythatasinthebeginningHedis-
coveredthefaceofthedeep，andbroughtforthdryland，soHewouldnowdiscoverlandtous，thatwemightnotperish。
Anditcametopassthatthenextdayabouteveningwesawwithinakenningbeforeus，towardthenorth，asitwerethickclouds，whichdidputusinsomehopeofland，knowinghowthatpartoftheSouthSeawasutterlyunknown，andmighthaveislandsorcontinentsthathithertowerenotcometolight。Whereforewebentourcoursethither，wherewesawtheappearanceofland，allthatnight；andinthedawningofnextdaywemightplainlydiscernthatitwasalandflattooursight，andfullofboscage，whichmadeitshowthemoredark。Andafteranhourandahalf’ssailing，weenteredintoagoodhaven，beingtheportofafaircity。Notgreat，indeed，butwellbuilt，andthatgaveapleasantviewfromthesea。
Andwethinkingeveryminutelongtillwewereonland，cameclosetotheshoreandofferedtoland。Butstraightwaywesawdiversofthepeople，withbatonsintheirhands，asitwereforbiddingustoland：yetwithoutanycriesorfierce-
ness，butonlyaswarningusoff，bysignsthattheymade。
Whereuponbeingnotalittlediscomfited，wewereadvisingwithourselveswhatweshoulddo。Duringwhichtimetheremadeforthtousasmallboat，withabouteightpersonsinit，whereofoneofthemhadinhishandatipstaffofayellowcane，tippedatbothendswithblue，whomadeaboardourship，withoutanyshowofdistrustatall。Andwhenhesawoneofournumberpresenthimselfsomewhataforetherest，hedrewforthalittlescrollofparchment（somewhatyellowerthanourparchment，andshiningliketheleavesofwriting-
tables，butotherwisesoftandflexible），anddeliveredittoourforemostman。InwhichscrollwerewritteninancientHe-
brew，andinancientGreek，andingoodLatinoftheschool，andinSpanishthesewords："Landyenot，noneofyou，andprovidetobegonefromthiscoastwithinsixteendays，exceptyouhavefurthertimegivenyou；meanwhile，ifyouwantfreshwater，orvictual，orhelpforyoursick，orthatyourshipneedethrepair，writedownyourwants，andyoushallhavethatwhichbelongethtomercy。"Thisscrollwassignedwithastampofcherubim’swings，notspread，buthangingdown-
ward；andbythemacross。
Thisbeingdelivered，theofficerreturned，andleftonlyaservantwithustoreceiveouranswer。Consultinghereuponamongourselves，weweremuchperplexed。Thedenialoflanding，andhastywarningusaway，troubledusmuch：ontheotherside，tofindthatthepeoplehadlanguages，andweresofullofhumanity，didcomfortusnotalittle。Andaboveall，thesignofthecrosstothatinstrumentwastousagreatrejoic-
ing，andasitwereacertainpresageofgood。OuranswerwasintheSpanishtongue，"Thatforourship，itwaswell；
forwehadrathermetwithcalmsandcontrarywinds，thananytempests。Foroursick，theyweremany，andinveryillcase；sothatiftheywerenotpermittedtoland，theyranindangeroftheirlives。"Ourotherwantswesetdowninpar-
ticular，adding，"Thatwehadsomelittlestoreofmerchandise，whichifitpleasedthemtodealfor，itmightsupplyourwants，withoutbeingchargeableuntothem。"Weofferedsomere-
wardinpistoletsuntotheservant，andapieceofcrimsonvelvettobepresentedtotheofficer；buttheservanttookthemnot，norwouldscarcelookuponthem；andsoleftus，andwentbackinanotherlittleboatwhichwassentforhim。
Aboutthreehoursafterwehaddespatchedouranswer，therecametowardusaperson（asitseemed）ofaplace。Hehadonhimagownwithwidesleeves，ofakindofwaterchamolet，ofanexcellentazurecolor，farmoreglossythanours；hisunder-apparelwasgreen，andsowashishat，beingintheformofaturban，daintilymade，andnotsohugeastheTurkishturbans；andthelocksofhishaircamedownbelowthebrimsofit。Areverendmanwashetobehold。Hecameinaboat，giltinsomepartofit，withfourpersonsmoreonlyinthatboat；andwasfollowedbyanotherboat，whereinweresometwenty。Whenhewascomewithinaflight-shotofourship，signsweremadetousthatweshouldsendforthsometomeethimuponthewater，whichwepresentlydidinourship-boat，sendingtheprincipalmanamongstussaveone，andfourofournumberwithhim。Whenwewerecomewithinsixyardsoftheirboat，theycalledtoustostay，andnottoapproachfar-
ther，whichwedid。
Andthereupontheman，whomIbeforedescribed，stoodup，andwithaloudvoiceinSpanishasked，"AreyeChris-
tians？"Weanswered，"Wewere；"fearingtheless，becauseofthecrosswehadseeninthesubscription。Atwhichanswerthesaidpersonliftuphisrighthandtowardheaven，anddrewitsoftlytohismouth（whichisthegesturetheyuse，whentheythankGod），andthensaid："Ifyewillswear，allofyou，bythemeritsoftheSaviour，thatyearenopirates；norhaveshedblood，lawfullyorunlawfully，withinfortydayspast；youmayhavelicensetocomeonland。"Wesaid，"Wewereallreadytotakethatoath。"Whereupononeofthosethatwerewithhim，being（asitseemed）anotary，madeanentryofthisact。Whichdone，anotheroftheattendantsofthegreatper-
son，whichwaswithhiminthesameboat，afterhislordhadspokenalittletohim，saidaloud："Mylordwouldhaveyouknowthatitisnotofpride，orgreatness，thathecomethnotaboardyourship；butforthatinyouransweryoudeclarethatyouhavemanysickamongstyou，hewaswarnedbytheconser-
vatorofhealthofthecitythatheshouldkeepadistance。"
Webowedourselvestowardhimandanswered："Wewerehishumbleservants；andaccountedforgreathonorandsingularhumanitytowardus，thatwhichwasalreadydone；buthopedwellthatthenatureofthesicknessofourmenwasnotinfectious。"
Sohereturned；andawhileaftercamethenotarytousaboardourship，holdinginhishandafruitofthatcountry，likeanorange，butofcolorbetweenorange-tawnyandscarlet，whichcastamostexcellentodor。Heusedit（asitseemed）
forapreservativeagainstinfection。Hegaveusouroath，"BythenameofJesus，andHismerits，"andaftertoldusthatthenextday，bysixoftheclockinthemorning，weshouldbesentto，andbroughttothestrangers’house（sohecalledit），whereweshouldbeaccommodatedofthings，bothforourwholeandforoursick。Soheleftus；andwhenweofferedhimsomepistolets，hesmiling，said，"Hemustnotbetwicepaidforonelabor："meaning（asItakeit）thathehadsalarysufficientoftheStateforhisservice。For（asIafterlearned）
theycallanofficerthattakethrewardstwicepaid。
Thenextmorningearlytherecametousthesameofficerthatcametousatfirst，withhiscane，andtoldushecametoconductustothestrangers’house；andthathehadpre-
ventedthehour，becausewemighthavethewholedaybeforeusforourbusiness。"For，"saidhe，"ifyouwillfollowmyadvice，thereshallfirstgowithmesomefewofyou，andseetheplace，andhowitmaybemadeconvenientforyou；andthenyoumaysendforyoursick，andtherestofyournum-
berwhichyewillbringonland。"Wethankedhimandsaid，"Thathiscarewhichhetookofdesolatestrangers，Godwouldreward。"Andsosixofuswentonlandwithhim；andwhenwewereonland，hewentbeforeus，andturnedtousandsaid"hewasbutourservantandourguide。"Heledusthroughthreefairstreets；andallthewaywewentthereweregatheredsomepeopleonbothsides，standinginarow；butinsocivilafashion，asifithadbeen，nottowonderatus，buttowelcomeus；anddiversofthem，aswepassedbythem，puttheirarmsalittleabroad，whichistheirgesturewhentheybidanywelcome。
Thestrangers’houseisafairandspacioushouse，builtofbrick，ofsomewhatabluercolorthanourbrick；andwithhandsomewindows，someofglass，someofakindofcambricoiled。Hebroughtusfirstintoafairparlorabovestairs，andthenaskedus"whatnumberofpersonswewere？andhowmanysick？"Weanswered，"Wewereinall（sickandwhole）
one-and-fiftypersons，whereofoursickwereseventeen。"Hedesiredushavepatiencealittle，andtostaytillhecamebacktous，whichwasaboutanhourafter；andthenheledustoseethechamberswhichwereprovidedforus，beinginnum-
bernineteen。Theyhavingcastit（asitseemeth）thatfourofthosechambers，whichwerebetterthantherest，mightre-
ceivefouroftheprincipalmenofourcompany；andlodgethemalonebythemselves；andtheotherfifteenchambersweretolodgeus，twoandtwotogether。Thechamberswerehandsomeandcheerfulchambers，andfurnishedcivilly。Thenheledustoalonggallery，likeadorture，whereheshowedusallalongtheoneside（fortheothersidewasbutwallandwindow）seventeencells，veryneatones，havingpartitionsofcedarwood。Whichgalleryandcells，beinginallforty（manymorethanweneeded），wereinstitutedasaninfirmaryforsickpersons。Andhetolduswithal，thatasanyofoursickwaxedwell，hemightberemovedfromhiscelltoacham-
ber；forwhichpurposethereweresetforthtensparecham-
bers，besidesthenumberwespakeofbefore。
Thisdone，hebroughtusbacktotheparlor，andliftinguphiscanealittle（astheydowhentheygiveanychargeorcommand），saidtous："Yearetoknowthatthecustomofthelandrequireththatafterthisdayandto-morrow（whichwegiveyouforremovingyourpeoplefromyourship），youaretokeepwithindoorsforthreedays。Butletitnottroubleyou，nordonotthinkyourselvesrestrained，butratherlefttoyourrestandease。Youshallwantnothing；andtherearesixofourpeopleappointedtoattendyouforanybusinessyoumayhaveabroad。"Wegavehimthankswithallaffectionandrespect，andsaid，"Godsurelyismanifestedinthisland。"
Weofferedhimalsotwentypistolets；buthesmiled，andonlysaid："What？Twicepaid！"Andsoheleftus。Soonafterourdinnerwasservedin；whichwasrightgoodviands，bothforbreadandmeat：betterthananycollegiatedietthatIhaveknowninEurope。Wehadalsodrinkofthreesorts，allwhole-
someandgood：wineofthegrape；adrinkofgrain，suchasiswithusourale，butmoreclear；andakindofcidermadeofafruitofthatcountry，awonderfulpleasingandre-
freshingdrink。Besides，therewerebroughtintousgreatstoreofthosescarletorangesforoursick；which（theysaid）
wereanassuredremedyforsicknesstakenatsea。Therewasgivenusalsoaboxofsmallgrayorwhitishpills，whichtheywishedoursickshouldtake，oneofthepillseverynightbe-
foresleep；which（theysaid）wouldhastentheirrecovery。
Thenextday，afterthatourtroubleofcarriageandremov-
ingofourmenandgoodsoutofourshipwassomewhatsettledandquiet，Ithoughtgoodtocallourcompanyto-
gether，and，whentheywereassembled，saiduntothem："Mydearfriends，letusknowourselves，andhowitstandethwithus。Wearemencastonland，asJonaswasoutofthewhale’sbelly，whenwewereasburiedinthedeep；andnowweareonland，wearebutbetweendeathandlife，forwearebeyondboththeOldWorldandtheNew；andwhethereverweshallseeEurope，Godonlyknoweth。Itisakindofmiraclehathbroughtushither，anditmustbelittlelessthatshallbringushence。Thereforeinregardofourdeliverancepast，andourdangerpresentandtocome，letuslookuptoGod，andeverymanreformhisownways。Besides，wearecomehereamongaChristianpeople，fullofpietyandhumanity。Letusnotbringthatconfusionoffaceuponourselves，astoshowourvicesorunworthinessbeforethem。Yetthereismore，fortheyhavebycommandment（thoughinformofcourtesy）
cloistereduswithinthesewallsforthreedays；whoknowethwhetheritbenottotakesometasteofourmannersandcon-
ditions？Andiftheyfindthembad，tobanishusstraightway；
ifgood，togiveusfurthertime。Forthesementhattheyhavegivenusforattendance，maywithalhaveaneyeuponus。Therefore，forGod’slove，andaswelovethewealofoursoulsandbodies，letussobehaveourselvesaswemaybeatpeacewithGodandmayfindgraceintheeyesofthispeople。"
Ourcompanywithonevoicethankedmeformygoodad-
monition，andpromisedmetolivesoberlyandcivilly，andwithoutgivinganytheleastoccasionofoffence。Sowespentourthreedaysjoyfully，andwithoutcare，inexpectationwhatwouldbedonewithuswhentheywereexpired。Duringwhichtime，wehadeveryhourjoyoftheamendmentofoursick，whothoughtthemselvescastintosomedivinepoolofhealing，theymendedsokindlyandsofast。
Themorrowafterourthreedayswerepast，therecametousanewman，thatwehadnotseenbefore，clothedinblueastheformerwas，savethathisturbanwaswhitewithasmallredcrossontop。Hehadalsoatippetoffinelinen。Athiscomingin，hedidbendtousalittle，andputhisarmsabroad。
Weofourpartssalutedhiminaverylowlyandsubmissivemanner；aslookingthatfromhimweshouldreceivesen-
tenceoflifeordeath。Hedesiredtospeakwithsomefewofus。Whereuponsixofusonlystayed，andtherestavoidedtheroom。Hesaid："Iambyoffice，governorofthishouseofstrangers，andbyvocation，IamaChristianpriest，andthereforeamcometoyoutoofferyoumyservice，bothasstrangersandchieflyasChristians。SomethingsImaytellyou，whichIthinkyouwillnotbeunwillingtohear。TheStatehathgivenyoulicensetostayonlandforthespaceofsixweeks；andletitnottroubleyouifyouroccasionsaskfurthertime，forthelawinthispointisnotprecise；andI
donotdoubtbutmyselfshallbeabletoobtainforyousuchfurthertimeasshallbeconvenient。Yeshallalsounderstandthatthestrangers’houseisatthistimerichandmuchafore-
hand；forithathlaiduprevenuethesethirty-sevenyears，forsolongitissinceanystrangerarrivedinthispart；andthere-
foretakeyenocare；theStatewilldefrayyouallthetimeyoustay。Neithershallyoustayonedaythelessforthat。
Asforanymerchandiseyouhavebrought，yeshallbewellused，andhaveyourreturn，eitherinmerchandiseoringoldandsilver，fortousitisallone。Andifyouhaveanyotherrequesttomake，hideitnot；foryeshallfindwewillnotmakeyourcountenancetofallbytheansweryeshallreceive。
OnlythisImusttellyou，thatnoneofyoumustgoaboveakaran[thatiswiththemamileandahalf]fromthewallsofthecity，withoutspecialleave。"
Weanswered，afterwehadlookedawhileupononean-
other，admiringthisgraciousandparent-likeusage，thatwecouldnottellwhattosay，forwewantedwordstoexpressourthanks；andhisnoblefreeoffersleftusnothingtoask。Itseemedtousthatwehadbeforeusapictureofoursalvationinheaven；forwethatwereawhilesinceinthejawsofdeath，werenowbroughtintoaplacewherewefoundnothingbutconsolations。Forthecommandmentlaiduponus，wewouldnotfailtoobeyit，thoughitwasimpossiblebutourheartsshouldbeinflamedtotreadfurtheruponthishappyandholyground。Weaddedthatourtonguesshouldfirstcleavetotheroofsofourmouthsereweshouldforgeteitherthisreverendpersonorthiswholenation，inourprayers。Wealsomosthumblybesoughthimtoacceptofusashistrueservants，byasjustarightasevermenonearthwerebounden；layingandpresentingbothourpersonsandallwehadathisfeet。Hesaidhewasapriest，andlookedforapriest’sreward，whichwasourbrotherlyloveandthegoodofoursoulsandbodies。
Sohewentfromus，notwithouttearsoftendernessinhiseyes，andleftusalsoconfusedwithjoyandkindness，sayingamongourselvesthatwewerecomeintoalandofangels，whichdidappeartousdaily，andpreventuswithcomforts，whichwethoughtnotof，muchlessexpected。
Thenextday，abouttenoftheclock；thegovernorcametousagain，andaftersalutationssaidfamiliarlythathewascometovisitus，andcalledforachairandsathimdown；andwe，beingsometenofus（therestwereofthemeanersortorelsegoneabroad），satdownwithhim；andwhenweweresethebe-
ganthus："WeofthisislandofBensalem（forsotheycalleditintheirlanguage）havethis：thatbymeansofoursolitarysituation，andofthelawsofsecrecy，whichwehaveforourtravellers，andourrareadmissionofstrangers；weknowwellmostpartofthehabitableworld，andareourselvesunknown。
Thereforebecausehethatknowethleastisfittesttoaskques-
tionsitismorereason，fortheentertainmentofthetime，thatyeaskmequestions，thanthatIaskyou。"Weanswered，thatwehumblythankedhimthathewouldgiveusleavesotodo。
Andthatweconceivedbythetastewehadalready，thattherewasnoworldlythingonearthmoreworthytobeknownthanthestateofthathappyland。Butaboveall，wesaid，sincethatweweremetfromtheseveralendsoftheworld，andhopedassuredlythatweshouldmeetonedayinthekingdomofheaven（forthatwewerebothpartsChristians），wedesiredtoknow（inrespectthatlandwassoremote，andsodividedbyvastandunknownseasfromthelandwhereourSaviourwalkedonearth）whowastheapostleofthatnation，andhowitwascon-
vertedtothefaith？Itappearedinhisfacethathetookgreatcontentmentinthisourquestion；hesaid："Yeknitmyhearttoyoubyaskingthisquestioninthefirstplace；foritshoweththatyoufirstseekthekingdomofheaven；andIshallgladly，andbriefly，satisfyyourdemand。
"AbouttwentyyearsaftertheascensionofourSaviouritcametopass，thattherewasseenbythepeopleofRenfusa（acityupontheeasterncoastofourisland，withinsight，thenightwascloudyandcalm），asitmightbesomemileinthesea，agreatpillaroflight；notsharp，butinformofacolumn，orcyl-
inder，risingfromthesea，agreatwayuptowardheaven；andonthetopofitwasseenalargecrossoflight，morebrightandresplendentthanthebodyofthepillar。Uponwhichsostrangeaspectacle，thepeopleofthecitygatheredapacetogetheruponthesands，towonder；andsoafterputthemselvesintoanumberofsmallboatstogonearertothismarvelloussight。Butwhentheboatswerecomewithinaboutsixtyyardsofthepillar，theyfoundthemselvesallbound，andcouldgonofurther，yetsoastheymightmovetogoabout，butmightnotapproachnearer；
soastheboatsstoodallasinatheatre，beholdingthislight，asaheavenlysign。ItsofelloutthattherewasinoneoftheboatsoneofthewisemenoftheSocietyofSaloman’sHouse（whichhouse，orcollege，mygoodbrethren，istheveryeyeofthiskingdom），whohavingawhileattentivelyanddevoutlyviewedandcontemplatedthispillarandcross，felldownuponhisface；andthenraisedhimselfuponhisknees，andliftinguphishandstoheaven，madehisprayersinthismanner：
"’LordGodofheavenandearth；thouhastvouchsafedofthygrace，tothoseofourordertoknowthyworksofcreation，andtruesecretsofthem；andtodiscern，asfarasappertainethtothegenerationsofmen，betweendivinemiracles，worksofnature，worksofartandimpostures，andillusionsofallsorts。
Idohereacknowledgeandtestifybeforethispeoplethatthethingwenowseebeforeoureyesisthyfinger，andatruemira-
cle。Andforasmuchaswelearninourbooksthatthouneverworkestmiracles，buttoadivineandexcellentend（forthelawsofnaturearethineownlaws，andthouexceedestthemnotbutupongreatcause），wemosthumblybeseechtheetoprosperthisgreatsign，andtogiveustheinterpretationanduseofitinmercy；whichthoudostinsomepartsecretlyprom-
ise，bysendingituntous。’
"Whenhehadmadehisprayer，hepresentlyfoundtheboathewasinmovableandunbound；whereasalltherestremainedstillfast；andtakingthatforanassuranceofleavetoapproach，hecausedtheboattobesoftlyandwithsilencerowedtowardthepillar；buterehecamenearit，thepillarandcrossoflightbrokeup，andcastitselfabroad，asitwere，intoafirmamentofmanystars，whichalsovanishedsoonafter，andtherewasnoth-
inglefttobeseenbutasmallarkorchestofcedar，dryandnotwetatallwithwater，thoughitswam；andintheforeendofit，whichwastowardhim，grewasmallgreenbranchofpalm；
andwhenthewisemanhadtakenitwithallreverenceintohisboat，itopenedofitself，andtherewerefoundinitabookandaletter，bothwritteninfineparchment，andwrappedinsindonsoflinen。ThebookcontainedallthecanonicalbooksoftheOldandNewTestament，accordingasyouhavethem（forweknowwellwhatthechurcheswithyoureceive），andtheApoca-
lypseitself；andsomeotherbooksoftheNewTestament，whichwerenotatthattimewritten，wereneverthelessinthebook。Andfortheletter，itwasinthesewords：
"’I，Bartholomew，aservantoftheHighest，andapostleofJesusChrist，waswarnedbyanangelthatappearedtomeinavisionofglory，thatIshouldcommitthisarktothefloodsofthesea。ThereforeIdotestifyanddeclareuntothatpeoplewhereGodshallordainthisarktocometoland，thatinthesamedayiscomeuntothemsalvationandpeace，andgood-willfromtheFather，andfromtheLordJesus。’
"Therewasalsoinboththesewritings，aswellthebookastheletter，wroughtagreatmiracle，conformtothatoftheapos-
tles，intheoriginalgiftoftongues。Fortherebeingatthattime，inthisland，Hebrews，Persians，andIndians，besidesthenatives，everyonereaduponthebookandletter，asiftheyhadbeenwritteninhisownlanguage。Andthuswasthislandsavedfrominfidelity（astheremainoftheoldworldwasfromwater）byanark，throughtheapostolicalandmiraculousevan-
gelismofSt。Bartholomew。"Andherehepaused，andames-
sengercameandcalledhimforthfromus。Sothiswasallthatpassedinthatconference。
Thenextdaythesamegovernorcameagaintousimmedi-
atelyafterdinner，andexcusedhimself，sayingthatthedaybe-
forehewascalledfromussomewhatabruptly，butnowhewouldmakeusamends，andspendtimewithus；ifweheldhiscompanyandconferenceagreeable。Weansweredthatwehelditsoagreeableandpleasingtous，asweforgotbothdan-
gerspast，andfearstocome，forthetimeweheardhimspeak；
andthatwethoughtanhourspentwithhimwasworthyearsofourformerlife。Hebowedhimselfalittletous，andafterweweresetagain，hesaid，"Well，thequestionsareonyourpart。"
Oneofournumbersaid，afteralittlepause，thattherewasamatterwewerenolessdesiroustoknowthanfearfultoask，lestwemightpresumetoofar。But，encouragedbyhisrarehumanitytowardus（thatcouldscarcethinkourselvesstran-
gers，beinghisvowedandprofessedservants），wewouldtakethehardnesstopropoundit；humblybeseechinghim，ifhethoughtitnotfittobeanswered，thathewouldpardonit，thoughherejectedit。Wesaid，wewellobservedthosehiswords，whichheformerlyspake，thatthishappyisland，wherewenowstood，wasknowntofew，andyetknewmostofthena-
tionsoftheworld，whichwefoundtobetrue，consideringtheyhadthelanguagesofEurope，andknewmuchofourStateandbusiness；andyetweinEurope（notwithstandingalltheremotediscoveriesandnavigationsofthislastage）neverheardanyoftheleastinklingorglimpseofthisisland。Thiswefoundwonderfulstrange；forthatallnationshaveinterknowledgeoneofanother，eitherbyvoyageintoforeignparts，orbystrangersthatcometothem；andthoughthetravellerintoaforeigncountrydothcommonlyknowmorebytheeyethanhethatstayethathomecanbyrelationofthetraveller；yetbothwayssufficetomakeamutualknowledge，insomedegree，onbothparts。Butforthisisland，weneverheardtellofanyshipoftheirsthathadbeenseentoarriveuponanyshoreofEu-
rope；no，norofeithertheEastorWestIndies，noryetofanyshipofanyotherpartoftheworld，thathadmadereturnforthem。Andyetthemarvelrestednotinthis。Forthesitua-
tionofit（ashislordshipsaid）inthesecretconclaveofsuchavastseamightcauseit。Butthen，thattheyshouldhaveknowledgeofthelanguages，books，affairs，ofthosethatliesuchadistancefromthem，itwasathingwecouldnottellwhattomakeof；forthatitseemedtousaconditionandproprietyofdivinepowersandbeings，tobehiddenandunseentoothers，andyettohaveothersopen，andasinalighttothem。
Atthisspeechthegovernorgaveagracioussmileandsaidthatwedidwelltoaskpardonforthisquestionwenowasked，forthatitimported，asifwethoughtthislandalandofmagi-
cians，thatsentforthspiritsoftheairintoallparts，tobringthemnewsandintelligenceofothercountries。Itwasan-
sweredbyusall，inallpossiblehumbleness，butyetwithacoun-
tenancetakingknowledge，thatweknewthathespakeitbutmerrily。Thatwewereaptenoughtothinktherewassome-
whatsupernaturalinthisisland，butyetratherasangelicalthanmagical。Buttolethislordshipknowtrulywhatitwasthatmadeustenderanddoubtfultoaskthisquestion，itwasnotanysuchconceit，butbecausewerememberedhehadgivenatouchinhisformerspeech，thatthislandhadlawsofsecrecytouchingstrangers。Tothishesaid，"Yourememberitaright；andthereforeinthatIshallsaytoyou，Imustreservesomeparticulars，whichitisnotlawfulformetoreveal，buttherewillbeenoughlefttogiveyousatisfaction。
"Youshallunderstand（thatwhichperhapsyouwillscarcethinkcredible）thatabout3，000yearsago，orsomewhatmore，thenavigationoftheworld（especiallyforremotevoyages）
wasgreaterthanatthisday。Donotthinkwithyourselves，thatIknownothowmuchitisincreasedwithyou，withinthesethreescoreyears；Iknowitwell，andyetIsay，greaterthenthannow；whetheritwas，thattheexampleoftheark，thatsavedtheremnantofmenfromtheuniversaldeluge，gavemenconfi-
dencetoventureuponthewaters，orwhatitwas；butsuchisthetruth。ThePhoenicians，andespeciallytheTyrians，hadgreatfleets；sohadtheCarthaginianstheircolony，whichisyetfartherwest。TowardtheeasttheshippingofEgypt，andofPalestine，waslikewisegreat。Chinaalso，andthegreatAt-
lantis（thatyoucallAmerica），whichhavenowbutjunksandcanoes，aboundedthenintallships。Thisisland（asappearethbyfaithfulregistersofthosetimes）hadthen1，500strongships，ofgreatcontent。Ofallthisthereiswithyousparingmemory，ornone；butwehavelargeknowledgethereof。
"Atthattimethislandwasknownandfrequentedbytheshipsandvesselsofallthenationsbeforenamed。And（asitcomethtopass）theyhadmanytimesmenofothercountries，thatwerenosailors，thatcamewiththem；asPersians，Chal-
deans，Arabians，soasalmostallnationsofmightandfamere-
sortedhither；ofwhomwehavesomestirpsandlittletribeswithusatthisday。Andforourownships，theywentsundryvoyages，aswelltoyourstraits，whichyoucallthePillarsofHercules，astootherpartsintheAtlanticandMediterraneanseas；astoPaguin（whichisthesamewithCambalaine）andQuinzy，upontheOrientalseas，asfarastothebordersoftheEastTartary。
"Atthesametime，andanageafterormore，theinhabitantsofthegreatAtlantisdidflourish。Forthoughthenarrationanddescriptionwhichismadebyagreatmanwithyou，thatthedescendantsofNeptuneplantedthere，andofthemagnifi-
centtemple，palace，city，andhill；andthemanifoldstreamsofgoodlynavigablerivers，whichassomanychainsenvironedthesamesiteandtemple；andtheseveraldegreesofascent，where-
bymendidclimbuptothesame，asifithadbeenaScalaCoeli；
beallpoeticalandfabulous；yetsomuchistrue，thatthesaidcountryofAtlantis，aswellthatofPeru，thencalledCoya，asthatofMexico，thennamedTyrambel，weremightyandproudkingdoms，inarms，shipping，andriches；somighty，asatonetime，oratleastwithinthespaceoftenyears，theybothmadetwogreatexpeditions；theyofTyrambelthroughtheAtlantictotheMediterraneanSea；andtheyofCoya，throughtheSouthSeauponthisourisland；andfortheformerofthese，whichwasintoEurope，thesameauthoramongyou，asitseemeth，hadsomerelationfromtheEgyptianpriest，whomheciteth。
Forassuredly，suchathingtherewas。ButwhetheritweretheancientAtheniansthathadthegloryoftherepulseandre-
sistanceofthoseforces，Icansaynothing；butcertainitistherenevercamebackeithershipormanfromthatvoyage。
NeitherhadtheothervoyageofthoseofCoyauponushadbet-
terfortune，iftheyhadnotmetwithenemiesofgreaterclem-
ency。FortheKingofthisisland，bynameAltabin，awisemanandagreatwarrior，knowingwellbothhisownstrengthandthatofhisenemies，handledthemattersoashecutofftheirlandforcesfromtheirships，andentoiledboththeirnavyandtheircampwithagreaterpowerthantheirs，bothbyseaandland；andcompelledthemtorenderthemselveswithoutstrikingastroke；andaftertheywereathismercy，contentinghimselfonlywiththeiroath，thattheyshouldnomorebeararmsagainsthim，dismissedthemallinsafety。
"Butthedivinerevengeovertooknotlongafterthoseproudenterprises。Forwithinlessthanthespaceof100yearstheGreatAtlantiswasutterlylostanddestroyed；notbyagreatearthquake，asyourmansaith，forthatwholetractislittlesub-
jecttoearthquakes，butbyaparticulardeluge，orinundation；
thosecountrieshavingatthisdayfargreaterrivers，andfarhighermountainstopourdownwaters，thananypartoftheoldworld。Butitistruethatthesameinundationwasnotdeep，norpastfortyfoot，inmostplaces，fromtheground，sothatalthoughitdestroyedmanandbeastgenerally，yetsomefewwildinhabitantsofthewoodescaped。Birdsalsoweresavedbyflyingtothehightreesandwoods。Forasformen，althoughtheyhadbuildingsinmanyplaceshigherthanthedepthofthewater，yetthatinundation，thoughitwereshallow，hadalongcontinuance，wherebytheyofthevalethatwerenotdrownedperishedforwantoffood，andotherthingsnecessary。
SoasmarvelyounotatthethinpopulationofAmerica，norattherudenessandignoranceofthepeople；foryoumustaccountyourinhabitantsofAmericaasayoungpeople，youngerathou-
sandyearsattheleastthantherestoftheworld，forthattherewassomuchtimebetweentheuniversalfloodandtheirparticu-
larinundation。
"Forthepoorremnantofhumanseedwhichremainedintheirmountains，peopledthecountryagainslowly，bylittleandlittle，andbeingsimpleandasavagepeople（notlikeNoahandhissons，whichwasthechieffamilyoftheearth），theywerenotabletoleaveletters，arts，andcivilitytotheirposterity；andhavinglikewiseintheirmountainoushabitationsbeenused，inrespectoftheextremecoldofthoseregions，toclothethem-
selveswiththeskinsoftigers，bears，andgreathairygoats，thattheyhaveinthoseparts；whenaftertheycamedownintothevalley，andfoundtheintolerableheatswhicharethere，andknewnomeansoflighterapparel，theywereforcedtobeginthecustomofgoingnaked，whichcontinuethatthisday。
Onlytheytakegreatprideanddelightinthefeathersofbirds，andthisalsotheytookfromthosetheirancestorsofthemoun-
tains，whowereinviteduntoit，bytheinfiniteflightofbirds，thatcameuptothehighgrounds，whilethewatersstoodbelow。
Soyousee，bythismainaccidentoftime，welostourtrafficwiththeAmericans，withwhomofallothers，inregardtheylaynearesttous，wehadmostcommerce。Asfortheotherpartsoftheworld，itismostmanifestthatintheagesfollow-
ing（whetheritwereinrespectofwars，orbyanaturalrevolu-
tionoftime）navigationdideverywheregreatlydecay，andspeciallyfarvoyages（theratherbytheuseofgalleys，andsuchvesselsascouldhardlybrooktheocean）werealtogetherleftandomitted。Sothen，thatpartofintercoursewhichcouldbefromothernationstosailtous，youseehowithathlongsinceceased；exceptitwerebysomerareaccident，asthisofyours。
Butnowofthecessationofthatotherpartofintercourse，whichmightbebyoursailingtoothernations，Imustyieldyousomeothercause。ButIcannotsayifIshallsaytruly，butourship-
ping，fornumber，strength，mariners，pilots，andallthingsthatappertaintonavigation，isasgreatasever；andthereforewhyweshouldsitathome，Ishallnowgiveyouanaccountbyitself；
anditwilldrawnearer，togiveyousatisfaction，toyourprin-
cipalquestion。
"Therereignedinthisland，about1，900yearsago，aKing，whosememoryofallotherswemostadore；notsuperstitiously，butasadivineinstrument，thoughamortalman：hisnamewasSalomana；andweesteemhimasthelawgiverofournation。
ThisKinghadalargeheart，inscrutableforgood；andwaswhollybenttomakehiskingdomandpeoplehappy。He，there-
fore，takingintoconsiderationhowsufficientandsubstantivethislandwas，tomaintainitselfwithoutanyaidatalloftheforeigner；being5，000milesincircuit，andofrarefertilityofsoil，inthegreatestpartthereof；andfindingalsotheshippingofthiscountrymightbeplentifullysetonwork，bothbyfishingandbytransportationsfromporttoport，andlikewisebysail-
inguntosomesmallislandsthatarenotfarfromus，andareunderthecrownandlawsofthisState；andrecallingintohismemorythehappyandflourishingestatewhereinthislandthenwas，soasitmightbeathousandwaysalteredtotheworse，butscarceanyonewaytothebetter；thoughnothingwantedtohisnobleandheroicalintentions，butonly（asfarashumanfore-
sightmightreach）togiveperpetuitytothatwhichwasinhistimesohappilyestablished，thereforeamonghisotherfunda-
mentallawsofthiskingdomhedidordaintheinterdictsandprohibitionswhichwehavetouchingentranceofstrangers；
whichatthattime（thoughitwasafterthecalamityofAmer-
ica）wasfrequent；doubtingnoveltiesandcommixtureofman-
ners。Itistrue，thelikelawagainsttheadmissionofstrangerswithoutlicenseisanancientlawintheKingdomofChina，andyetcontinuedinuse。Butthereitisapoorthing；andhathmadethemacurious，ignorant，fearful，foolishnation。Butourlawgivermadehislawofanothertemper。Forfirst，hehathpreservedallpointsofhumanity，intakingorderandmak-
ingprovisionforthereliefofstrangersdistressed；whereofyouhavetasted。"
Atwhichspeech（asreasonwas）weallroseupandbowedourselves。Hewenton："ThatKingalsostilldesiringtojoinhumanityandpolicytogether；andthinkingitagainsthumanitytodetainstrangershereagainsttheirwills，andagainstpolicythattheyshouldreturnanddiscovertheirknowl-
edgeofthisestate，hetookthiscourse；hedidordain，thatofthestrangersthatshouldbepermittedtoland，asmanyatalltimesmightdepartasmanyaswould；butasmanyaswouldstay，shouldhaveverygoodconditions，andmeanstolivefromtheState。Whereinhesawsofar，thatnowinsomanyagessincetheprohibition，wehavememorynotofoneshipthateverreturned，andbutofthirteenpersonsonly，atseveraltimes，thatchosetoreturninourbottoms。Whatthosefewthatreturnedmayhavereportedabroad，Iknownot。Butyoumustthink，whatsoevertheyhavesaid，couldbetakenwheretheycamebutforadream。Nowforourtravellingfromhenceintopartsabroad，ourlawgiverthoughtfitaltogethertorestrainit。SoisitnotinChina。FortheChinesesailwheretheywill，orcan；whichshoweth，thattheirlawofkeepingoutstrangersisalawofpusillanimityandfear。Butthisrestraintofourshathoneonlyexception，whichisadmirable；preservingthegoodwhichcomethbycommunicatingwithstrangers，andavoidingthehurt：andIwillnowopenittoyou。
"AndhereIshallseemalittletodigress，butyouwillbyandbyfinditpertinent。Yeshallunderstand，mydearfriends，thatamongtheexcellentactsofthatKing，oneaboveallhaththepre-eminence。Itwastheerectionandinstitutionofanorder，orsociety，whichwecallSaloman’sHouse，thenoblestfoundation，aswethink，thateverwasupontheearth，andthelanternofthiskingdom。ItisdedicatedtothestudyoftheworksandcreaturesofGod。Somethinkitbeareththefound-
er’snamealittlecorrupted，asifitshouldbeSolomon’sHouse。
Buttherecordswriteitasitisspoken。SoasItakeittobedenominateoftheKingoftheHebrews，whichisfamouswithyou，andnostrangerstous；forwehavesomepartsofhisworkswhichwithyouarelost；namely，thatnaturalhistorywhichhewroteofallplants，fromthecedarofLibanustothemossthatgrowethoutofthewall；andofallthingsthathavelifeandmotion。ThismakethmethinkthatourKingfindinghimselftosymbolize，inmanythings，withthatKingoftheHebrews，whichlivedmanyyearsbeforehim，honoredhimwiththetitleofthisfoundation。AndIamtheratherinducedtobeofthisopinion，forthatIfindinancientrecords，thisorderorsocietyissometimescalledSolomon’sHouse，andsometimestheCollegeoftheSixDays’Works，wherebyIamsatisfiedthatourexcellentKinghadlearnedfromtheHebrewsthatGodhadcreatedtheworldandallthatthereiniswithinsixdays：
andthereforeheinstitutedthathouse，forthefindingoutofthetruenatureofallthings，wherebyGodmighthavethemoregloryintheworkmanshipofthem，andmenthemorefruitintheiruseofthem，didgiveitalsothatsecondname。
"Butnowtocometoourpresentpurpose。WhentheKinghadforbiddentoallhispeoplenavigationintoanypartthatwasnotunderhiscrown，hemadeneverthelessthisordinance；
thateverytwelveyearsthereshouldbesetforthoutofthiskingdom，twoships，appointedtoseveralvoyages；thatineitheroftheseshipsthereshouldbeamissionofthreeofthefellowsorbrethrenofSaloman’sHouse，whoseerrandwasonlytogiveusknowledgeoftheaffairsandstateofthosecountriestowhichtheyweredesigned；andespeciallyofthesciences，arts，manufactures，andinventionsofalltheworld；andwithaltobringuntousbooks，instruments，andpatternsineverykind：
thattheships，aftertheyhadlandedthebrethren，shouldre-
turn；andthatthebrethrenshouldstayabroadtillthenewmis-