My latest book auction win arrived today and is a 1639 improved copy of Peter Heylyn's impressive work 'A Little Description Of The Great World', also known as 'Microcosmus', which was first published in 1621. This was much expanded (along with many maps) in his huge 'Cosmographie' of 1652, a copy of which I bought last year and is one of my most treasured books.
Microcosmus is a fascinating view of the world (along with spectacular errors...California is depicted as an island for example) as it was then known and gives a wonderful insight into the thinking of the early 17th century.
Here is what he has to say about Virginia which I thought might be interesting for folk to read. For some reason is listed under the heading Mexicana and not America. Maybe some historian of America might enlighten me as to why that is.
All spelling are as per the book. Many placenames I had to look up on Google!
Virginia, called by the natives Apalchen, hath on the East, Mare Del Noort; on the West wee yet know not what limit; on the North, Norumbega; and on the South, Florida. It is so fruitfull, that two acres of land will returne 400 bushels of corne. There is said to be rich veines of Allum, Pitch, Tar, Rozen, Turpentine, store of Cedar, Grapes, Oyle, plenty of sweet Gummes, Dies, Timber trees, mynes of Iron and Copper; and abundance of Fruit, Fishes, Beasts, Fowle, and of that herbe and graine which they call maize.
The people are of indifferent stature. They use to paint their bodies with the pictures of Serpents, and other ugly beasts; and are cloathed in a loose mantle made of Deeres Skinne, and weare an apron of the same before their nakednesse. They worship all things, and them onely which are able to hurt them: as fire, water, lightning, thunder, &c.
There is but one entrance into this Country by Sea, which is at the mouth of a very goodly bay; the Capes on both sides being called Cape Henry, and Cape Charles, are after some sort fortified. It is watred by the river Quibequesson, and Apanawapeske. The chiefe Townes are [1] Kequoughton, 2 James Towne, 3 Dalefeguist. It was discovered by the English at the directions and charges of Sr. Walter Raleigh, anno. 1584: and in honour of our Virgin Queene, was called Virginia. The English have divers times gone thither to inhabit; some, not liking the Countrey, returned homewards, others abiding there still, and were not long since a pretty number of men, women, and children, but now the number is much diminished; the barbarous people having in the yeare 1622 , slaine treacherously about 300 of them. The Northerne part of this Virginia, being better discovered than the other, is called New-England: full of good new Towns and Forts, & is likely to prove an happy plantation.
Regards,
Jay.
Microcosmus is a fascinating view of the world (along with spectacular errors...California is depicted as an island for example) as it was then known and gives a wonderful insight into the thinking of the early 17th century.
Here is what he has to say about Virginia which I thought might be interesting for folk to read. For some reason is listed under the heading Mexicana and not America. Maybe some historian of America might enlighten me as to why that is.
All spelling are as per the book. Many placenames I had to look up on Google!
Virginia, called by the natives Apalchen, hath on the East, Mare Del Noort; on the West wee yet know not what limit; on the North, Norumbega; and on the South, Florida. It is so fruitfull, that two acres of land will returne 400 bushels of corne. There is said to be rich veines of Allum, Pitch, Tar, Rozen, Turpentine, store of Cedar, Grapes, Oyle, plenty of sweet Gummes, Dies, Timber trees, mynes of Iron and Copper; and abundance of Fruit, Fishes, Beasts, Fowle, and of that herbe and graine which they call maize.
The people are of indifferent stature. They use to paint their bodies with the pictures of Serpents, and other ugly beasts; and are cloathed in a loose mantle made of Deeres Skinne, and weare an apron of the same before their nakednesse. They worship all things, and them onely which are able to hurt them: as fire, water, lightning, thunder, &c.
There is but one entrance into this Country by Sea, which is at the mouth of a very goodly bay; the Capes on both sides being called Cape Henry, and Cape Charles, are after some sort fortified. It is watred by the river Quibequesson, and Apanawapeske. The chiefe Townes are [1] Kequoughton, 2 James Towne, 3 Dalefeguist. It was discovered by the English at the directions and charges of Sr. Walter Raleigh, anno. 1584: and in honour of our Virgin Queene, was called Virginia. The English have divers times gone thither to inhabit; some, not liking the Countrey, returned homewards, others abiding there still, and were not long since a pretty number of men, women, and children, but now the number is much diminished; the barbarous people having in the yeare 1622 , slaine treacherously about 300 of them. The Northerne part of this Virginia, being better discovered than the other, is called New-England: full of good new Towns and Forts, & is likely to prove an happy plantation.
Regards,
Jay.
