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The concluding passage of the chapter on the "suitableness of the climate to English bodies, for health and sickness," presents a pleasing character of the author; and contains, in a few words, its substantial recommendation, which the experience of two centuries has not proved to be deceitful.

"The last argument to confirm the healthfulness of the country, shall be from mine own experience, who although in England I was brought up tenderly under the careful hatching of my dearest friends, yet scarce could I be acquainted with health, having been let blood six times for the pleurisy before I went; likewise being assailed with other weakening diseases. But being planted in that new soil and healthful air, which was more correspondent to my nature (I speak it with praise to the merciful God), though my occasions have been to pass through heat and cold, wet and dry, by sea and land, in winter and summer, day by day, for four years together, yet scarce did I know what belonged to a day's sickness."-p. 10.

Treating of the agriculture of the country, he says:

"There is such plenty of grass and feeding, that there is no want of winter-fodder till December, at which time men begin to house their milch cattle and calves: Some, notwithstanding the cold of the winter, have their young cattle without doors, giving them meat at morning and evening. For the more upland grounds, there be different kinds, in some places clay, some gravel, some a red sand; all which are covered with a black mould, in some places above a foot deep, in other places not so deep."

"For the natural soil, I prefer it before the county of Surrey, or Middlesex, which, if they were not enriched with continual manurings, would be less fertile than the meanest ground in New England; wherefore it is neither impossible, nor much improbable, that upon improvements the soil may be as good in time as in England. And whereas some gather the ground to be nought, and soon out of heart, because Plymouth men remove from their old habitations,-I answer, they do no more remove from their habitation than the citizen which hath one house in the city, and another in the country, for his pleasure, health, and profit. For although they have taken new plots of ground, and built houses upon them, yet do they retain their old houses still, and repair to them every Sabbath day; neither do they esteem their old lots worse than when they first took them what if they do not plant on them every year? I hope it is no ill husbandry to rest the land, nor is always that the worst that is sometimes fallow. If any man doubt of the goodness of the ground, let him comfort himself with the cheapness of it; such bad land in England, I am sure will bring in store of good money. This ground is in some places of a soft mould, and easy to plough; in other places, so tough and hard that I have seen ten oxen toiled, their iron chain broken, and their shares and coulters strained; but after the first breaking up, it is so easy that two oxen and a horse may plough it: there hath as good English corn

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grown there as could be desired; especially rye, and oats, and barley: there hath been no great trial as yet of wheat and beans; only this much I affirm, that these two grains grow well in gardens-therefore it is not improbable, but when they can gather seed of that which is sown in the country, it may grow as well as any other; but commonly the seed that cometh out of England is heated at sea, and therefore cannot thrive at land.”—p. 13.

After describing, at some length, the natural evils of the country, such as noxious animals and reptiles, the chapter upon this head concludes with a passage, which is particularly useful for the consideration of those who, at any time, devote themselves to the subject of colonization.

"Thus have you heard (says our author) of the worst of the country but some, peradventure, may say no, and reply, that they have heard that the people have been often driven to great wants and extremities. To which I answer: it is true that some have lived for a certain time with a little bread, others without any; yet all this argues nothing against the country in itself, but condemns the folly and improvidence of such as would venture into so rude and unmanaged a country, without so much provisions as should have comfortably maintained them in health and strength, till, by their labours, they had brought the land to yield his fruit. I have myself heard some say, that they heard it was a rich land, a brave country, but when they came there, they could see nothing but a few canvas booths and old houses,supposing at the first to have found walled towns, fortifications, and corn fields, as if towns could have built themselves, or corn fields have grown of themselves, without the husbandry of man. These men, missing of their expectations, returned home and railed against the country. Others may object that of late time there hath been great want; I deny it not; but look to the original, and tell me from whence it came. The root of their want sprung up in England, for many hundreds hearing of the plenty of the country, were so much their own foes and country's hindrance, as to come without provision, which made things both dear and scant: wherefore let none blame the country so much, as condemn the indiscreetness of such as will needs run themselves upon hardship. And I dare further assure any that will carry provision enough for a year and a half, shall not need to fear want, if he either be industrious himself, or have industrious agents to manage his estate and affairs. And whereas many do disparage the land, saying, a man cannot live without labour: in that they more disparage and discredit themselves, in giving the world occasion to take notice of their dronish disposition, that would live of the sweat of another man's brow: surely they were much deceived, or else ill informed, that ventured thither in hope to live in plenty and idleness, both at a time; and it is as much pity as he that can work and will not, should eat, as it is pity that he that would work and cannot, should fast. I condemn not such, therefore, as are now there, and are not able to work; but I advise, for the future, those men that are of weak

constitutions to keep at home, if their estates cannot maintain servants. For all New England must be workers in some kind. And whereas it hath been formerly reported, that boys of ten or twelve years of age might do much more than get their living: that cannot be, for he must have more than a boy's head, and no less than a man's strength, that intends to live comfortably; and he that hath understanding and industry, with a stock of an hundred pounds, shall live better there, than he shall do here, off twenty pounds per annum. But many, I know, will say, If it be thus, how comes it to pass, then, that they are so poor? To which I answer, that they are poor but in comparison; compare them with the rich merchants or great landed men in England, and then, I know, they will seem poor. There is no probability they should be exceeding rich, because none of such great estate went over yet; besides, a man of estate must first scatter before he gather; he must lay out monies for transporting of servants, and cattle, and goods -for houses, and fences, and gardens, &c. This may make his purse seem light, and to the eye of others seem a leaking in his estate, whereas disbursements are for his future enrichments; for he being once well seated and quietly settled, his increase comes in double; and howsoever they are accounted poor, they are well contented, and look not so much at abundance, as a competence. So little is the poverty of the country, that I am persuaded if many in England which are constrained to beg their bread were there, they would live better than many do here that have money to buy it. Furthermore, when corn is scarce, yet may they have either fish or flesh for their labour; and surely that place is not miserably poor to them that are there, where four eggs may be had for a penny, and a quart of new milk at the same rate: where butter is sixpence a pound, and Cheshire cheese at fivepence, sure Middlesex affords London no better pennyworths. What though there be no such plenty as to cry these things in the streets, yet every day affords these pennyworths to those that need them, in most places-I dare not say in all. Can they be very poor, where for four thousand soules, there are fifteen hundred head of cattle, besides four thousand goats, and swine innumerable. In an ill sheep year, I have known mutton as dear in Old England, and dearer than goat's flesh is in New England, which is altogether as good, if fancy be set aside." pp. 47, 48, 49.

We shall conclude our notice of this work, with presenting to our readers, for the sake of the remarks which follow it, the greater part of the chapter of advice-" What provision is to be made for a journey at sea, and what to carry for use at land."

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Many, peradventure, at the looking over of these relations, may have inclinations or resolution for the voyage, to whom I wish all prosperity in their undertakings; although I will use no forcive arguments to persuade any, but leave them to the relation: yet, by way of advice, I would commend to them a few lines from the pen of experience. And because the way to New England is over sea, it will not be amiss to give you directions what is most necessary to be carried.

Many, I suppose, know as well, or better than myself; yet all do not: to those my directions tend, although every man have ship-provisions allowed him for his five pound, which is salt beef, pork, salt fish, butter, cheese, pease, pottage, water-gruel, and such kind of victuals, with good biscuits, and six-shilling beer: yet will it be necessary to carry some comfortable refreshing of fresh victuals,-as, first, for such as have ability, some conserves, and good claret wine, to burn at sea; or you may have it by some of your vintners or wine-coopers burned here, and put up into vessels, which will keep much better than other burnt wine, is a very comfortable thing for the stomach, or such as are sea-sick: sallad oil likewise; prunes are good to be stewed; sugar for many things, white biscuits, and eggs and bacon, rice, poultry, and some wether sheep to kill aboard the ship, and fine flour-baked meats will keep about a week or nine days at sea; juice of lemons, well put up, is good either to prevent or cure the scurvy. Here it must not be forgotten to carry small skillets, or pipkins, and small frying-pans, to dress their victuals in at sea. For bedding, so it be easy, and cleanly, and warm, it is no matter how old or coarse it be, for the use of the sea; and so likewise for apparel, the oldest clothes be the fittest, with a long coarse coat, to keep better things from the pitched ropes and planks. Whosoever shall put to sea in a stout and well-conditioned ship, having an honest master, and loving seamen, shall not need to fear, but he shall find as good content at sea as at land.

"For the health of passengers, it hath been observed, that of six hundred souls, not above three or four have died at sea. It is probable, in such a company, more might have died either by sickness or casualties, if they had staid at home. For women, I see not but that they do as well as men, and young children as well as either, having their healths as well at sea as at land. Many likewise which have come with such foul bodies to sea, as did make their days uncomfortable at land, have been so purged and clarified at sea, that they have been more healthful for after-times; their weak appetites being turned to good stomachs, not only desiring, but likewise digesting such victuals as the sea affords. Secondly, for directions for the country: it is not to be feared but that men of good estates may do well there, always provided, that they go well accommodated with servants, in which I would not wish them to take over many; ten or twelve lusty servants being able to manage an estate of two or three thousand pounds. It is not the multiplicity of many bad servants (which presently eat a man out of house and harbour, as lamentable experience hath made manifest), but the industry of the faithful and diligent labourer, that enricheth the careful master; so that he that hath many dronish servants shall soon be poor, and he that hath an industrious family, shall as soon be rich.

"Now for the encouragement of his men, he must not do as many have done, (more through ignorance than desire), carry many mouths and no meat; but rather much meat for a few mouths. Want of due maintenance produceth nothing but a grumbling spirit, with a sluggish idleness; whereas those servants which be well provided for, go through their employments with speed and cheerfulness. For meal, it will be

requisite to carry a hogshead and a half, for every one that is a labourer, to keep him till he may receive the fruit of his own labours, which will be a year and a half after his arrival, if he land in May or June. He must likewise carry malt, beer, butter, cheese, some pease, good wines, vinegar, strong waters, &c. Whosoever transports more of these than he himself useth, his over-plus being sold, will yield as much profit as any other staple commodity. Every man likewise must carry over good store of apparel; for if he come to buy it there, he shall find it dearer than in England. Woollen cloth is a very good commodity, and linen better, as Holland, lockram, flaxen, hempen, calico, stuffs, linsey-wolsies, and blue calico, green baize for housewives' aprons, hats, boots, shoes, good Irish stockings, which if they be good are much more serviceable than knit ones; all kind of grocery wares, as sugar, prunes, raisins, currants, honey, nutmegs, cloves, &c.; soap, candles, and lamps, &c.; all manner of household stuff is very good trade there, as pewter and brass, but great iron pots be preferred before brass for the use of that country; warming-pans and stewing-pans be of necessary use and good traffic there; all manner of iron wares, as all manner of nails for houses, and all manner of spikes for building of boats, ships, and fishing-stages; all manner of tools for workmen; hoes for planters, broad and narrow for setting and wadding; with axes, both broad and pitching axes; all manner of augers, piercing bits, whip saws, two-handed saws, froes, both for the riving of pales and lathes, rings for beetles' heads, and iron wedges, though all these be made in the country, (there being divers blacksmiths), yet being a heavy commodity, and taking but a little stowage, it is cheaper to carry such commodities out of England. Glass ought not to be forgotten of any that desire to benefit themselves or the country; if it be well loaded, and carefully packed up, I know no commodity better for portage or sale. Here, likewise, must not be forgotten all utensils for the sea, as barbels, splitting-knives, leads, and cod-hooks and lines, mackarelhooks and lines, shark-hooks, seans, or bass nets, large and strong herring-nets, &c. Such as would eat fowl, must not forget their sixfoot guns, their good powder and shot of all sorts; a great round shot called Bastable-shot, is the best, being made of a blacker lead than ordinary shot. Furthermore, good pooldavies, to make sails for boats, roads and anchors for boats and pinnaces, be good; sea coal, iron, lead, and mill-stones, flints, ordnances, and whatsoever a man can conceive is good for the country, that will lie as ballast, he cannot be a loser by it. And lest I should forget a thing of so great importance, no man must neglect to provide for himself, or those belonging to him, his ammunition for the defence of himself and the country. For there is no man there that bears a head, but that bears military arms; even boys of fourteen years of age are practised with men in military discipline, every three weeks. Whosoever shall carry over drums and English colours, pattesons, halberds, pikes, muskets, bandeleras with swords, shall not needs to fear good gain for them, such things being wanting in the country: likewise, whatsoever shall be needful for fortification of holds and castles, whereby the common enemy may be kept out in future times, is much desired. They as yet have had no

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