(that
could scarce think ourselves strangers, being his vowed and professed
servants,) we would take the hardiness to propound it: humbly
beseeching him, if he thought it not fit to be answered, that he would
pardon it, though he rejected it. We said; "We well observed those his
words, which he formerly spake, that this happy island, where we now
stood, was known to few, and yet knew most of the nations of the world;
which we found to be true, considering they had the languages of
Europe, and knew much of our state and business; and yet we in Europe,
(notwithstanding all the remote discoveries and 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 tend