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"of the strangers that should be permitted to land, as many, at all times, might depart as would; but as many as would stay, should have very good condi❝tions, and means to live, from the state. Wherein

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" he saw so far, that now in so many ages since the prohibition, we have memory, not of one ship that ever returned, and but of thirteen persons only, at "several times, that chose to return in our bottoms. "What those few that returned may have reported " abroad I know not: but you must think, whatso"ever they have said, could be taken where they "came but for a dream. Now for our travelling from "hence into parts abroad, our lawgiver thought fit "altogether to restrain it. So is it not in China. For "the Chineses sail where they will or can; which sheweth, that their law of keeping out strangers is a " law of pusillanimity and fear. But this restraint of ours hath one only exception, which is admirable; preserving the good which cometh by communicating with strangers, and avoiding the hurt; and " I will now open it to you. And here I shall seem " a little to digress, but you will by and by find it per"tinent. Ye shall understand, my dear friends, that

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amongst the excellent acts of that king, one above "all hath the pre-eminence. It was the erection and

institution of an order or society which we call So"lomon's House; the noblest foundation, as we think, "that ever was upon the earth, and the lanthorn of "this kingdom. It is dedicated to the study of the "works and creatures of God. Some think it beareth

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"the founder's name a little corrupted, as if it should "be Solomona's House. But the records write it as it "is spoken. So as I take it to be denominate of the King of the Hebrews, which is famous with you, and no stranger to us; for we have some parts of "his works, which with you are lost; namely, that Natural History which he wrote of all plants, from the cedar of Libanus, to the moss that groweth out of the wall; and of all things that have life and "motion. This maketh me think, that our king finding "himself to symbolize in many things with that king

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"of the Hebrews, which lived many years before "him, honoured him with the title of this founda❝tion. And I am the rather induced to be of this

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opinion, for that I find in ancient records this order or society is sometimes called Solomon's House, and "sometimes the college of the six days works;

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whereby I am satisfied, that our excellent king had "learned from the Hebrews, that God had created the "world, and all that therein is, within six days; and "therefore he instituting that house for the finding "out of the true nature of all things, whereby God might have the more glory in the workmanship of "them, and men the more fruit in the use of them, "did give it also that second name. But now to

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come to our present purpose. When the king had "forbidden to all his people navigation into any part, "that was not under his crown, he made nevertheless "this ordinance; that every twelve years there should "be set forth, out of this kingdom, two ships appointed to several voyages; that in either of these ships there should be a mission of three of the fel"lows or brethren of Solomon's House; whose errand "was only to give us knowledge of the affairs and "state of those countries to which they were de"signed; and especially of the sciences, arts, manu"factures, and inventions of all the world; and "withal to bring unto us books, instruments, and pat"terns in every kind: that the ships, after they had "landed the brethren, should return; and that the bre"thren should stay abroad till the new mission. "These ships are not otherwise fraught, than with "store of victuals, and good quantity of treasure to "remain with the brethren, for the buying of such "things, and rewarding of such persons, as they "should think fit. Now for me to tell you how the "vulgar sort of mariners are contained from being dis"covered at land; and how they that must be put on "shore for any time, colour themselves under the "names of other nations; and to what places these " voyages have been designed; and what places of "rendezvous are appointed for the new missions; and

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"the like circumstances of the practique; I may not "do it: neither is it much to your desire. But thus you see we maintain a trade, not for gold, silver, or jewels; nor for silks; nor for spices; nor any other "commodity of matter; but only for God's first crea“ture, which was light: to have light, I say, of the growth of all parts of the world." And when he had said this, he was silent; and so were we all. For indeed we were all astonished to hear so strange things so probably told. And he perceiving that we were willing to say somewhat, but had it not ready, in great courtesy took us off, and descended to ask us questions of our voyage and fortunes, and in the end concluded, that we might do well to think with ourselves, what time of stay we would demand of the state; and bade us not to scant ourselves; for he would procure such time as we desired. Whereupon we all rose up, and presented ourselves to kiss the skirt of his tippét, but he would not suffer us; and so took his leave: But when it came once amongst our people, that the state used to offer conditions to strangers that would stay, we had work enough to get any of our men to look to our ship; and to keep them from going presently to the governor to crave conditions. But with much ado we refrained them, till we might agree what course to take.

We took ourselves now for free men, seeing there was no danger of our utter perdition; and lived most joyfully, going abroad and seeing what was to be seen in the city and places adjacent within our tedder; and obtaining acquaintance with many of the city, not of the meanest quality; at whose hands we found such humanity, and such a freedom and desire to take strangers as it were into their bosom, as was enough to make us forget all that was dear to us in our own countries and continually we met with many things, right worthy of observation and relation; as indeed, if there be a mirror in the world worthy to hold mens eyes, it is that country. One day there were two of our company bidden to a feast of the family, as they call it. A most natural, pious, and reverend custom

it is, shewing that nation to be compounded of all goodness. This is the manner of it. It is granted to any man, that shall live to see thirty persons descended of his body alive together, and all above three years old, to make this feast, which is done at the cost of the state. The father of the family, whom they call the Tirsan, two days before the feast, taketh to him three of such friends as he liketh to choose; and is assisted also by the governor of the city, or place, where the feast is celebrated; and all the persons of the family of both sexes are summoned to attend him. These two days the Tirsan sitteth in consultation concerning the good estate of the family. There, if there be any discord or suits between any of the family, they are compounded and appeased. There, if any of the family be distressed or decayed, order is taken for their relief, and competent means to live.. There, if any be subject to vice, or take ill courses, they are reproved and censured. So likewise direction is given touching marriages, and the courses of life which any of them should take, with divers other the like orders and advices. The governor assisteth, to the end to put in execution, by his public authority, the decrees and orders of the Tirsan, if they should be disobeyed; though that seldom needeth; such reverence and obedience they give to the order of nature. The Tirsan doth also then ever choose one man from amongst his sons, to live in the house with him: who is called ever after the Son of the Vine. The reason will hereafter appear. On the feast-day, the father, or Tirsan, cometh forth after divine service into a large room where the feast is celebrated; which room hath an half pace at the upper end. Against the wall, in the middle of the half pace, is a chair placed for him, with a table and carpet before it. Over the chair is a state made round or oval, and it is of ivy; an ivy somewhat whiter than ours, like the leaf of a silver asp, but more shining; for it is green all winter. And the state is curiously wrought with silver and silk of divers colours, broiding or binding in the ivy; and is ever of the work of some of

the daughters of the family; and veiled over at the top with a fine net of silk and silver. But the (substance of it is true ivy; whereof, after it is taken down, the friends of the family are desirous to have some leaf or sprig to keep. The Tirsan cometh forth with all his generation or lineage, the males before him, and the females following him; and if there be a mother, from whose body the whole lineage is descended, there is a traverse placed in a loft above on the right hand of the chair, with a privy door, and a carved window of glass, leaded with gold and blue; where she sitteth, but is not seen. When the Tirsan is come forth, he sitteth down in the chair; and all the lineage place themselves against the wall, both at his back, and upon the return of the half pace, in order of their years, without difference of sex, and stand upon their feet. When he is set, the room being always full of company, but well kept, and without disorder; after some pause there cometh in from the lower end of the room a taratan, which is as much as an herald, and on either side of him two young lads; whereof one carrieth a scroll of their shining yellow parchment; and the other a cluster of grapes of gold, with a long foot or stalk. The herald and children are clothed with mantles of sea-water green sattin; but the herald's mantle is streamed with gold, and hath a train. Then the herald with three curtesies, or rather inclinations, cometh up as far as the half pace; and there first taketh into his hand the scroll. This scroll is the king's charter, containing gift of revenue, and many privileges, exemptions, and points of honour, granted to the father of the family; and is ever stiled and directed, "To such an one, our "well-beloved friend and creditor:" which is a title proper only to this case. For they say, the king is debtor to no man, but for propagation of his subjects. The seal set to the king's charter, is the king's image, imbossed or moulded in gold; and though such charters be expedited of course, and as of right, yet they are varied by discretion, according to the number and dignity of the family. This charter the herald readeth