navigations of this last age), never heard of the least inkling or
glimpse of this island. This we found wonderful strange; for that all
nations have inter-knowledge one of another, either by voyage into
foreign parts, or by strangers that come to them: and though the
traveller into a foreign country, doth commonly know more by the eye,
than he that stayeth at home can by relation of the traveller; yet
both ways suffice to make a mutual knowledge, in some degree, on both
parts. But for this island, we never heard tell of any ship of theirs
that had been seen to arrive upon any shore of Europe; nor of either
the East or West Indies; nor yet of any ship of any other part of the
world, that had made return from them. And yet the marvel rested not
in this. For the situation of it (as his lordship said) in the secret
conclave' of such a vast sea might cause it. But then, that they
should have knowledge of the languages, books, affairs, of those that
lie such a distance from them, it was a thing we could not tell what
to make of; for that it seemed to us a conditioner and propriety of
divine powers and beings, to be hidden and unseen to others, and yet
to have others open and as in a light to them."

At this speech the Governor gave a gracious smile, and said; "That we
did well to ask pardon for this question we now asked: for that it
imported, as if we thought this land, a land of magicians, that sent
forth spirits of the air into all parts, to bring them news and
intelligence of other countries." It was answered by us all, in all
possible humbleness, but yet with a countenance taking knowledge, that
we knew that he spake it but merrily, "That we were apt enough to
think there was somewhat supernatural in this island; but yet rather
as angelical than magical. But to let his lordship know truly what it
was that made us tender and doubtful to ask this question, it was not
any such conceit," but because we remembered, he had given a touch in