of thinges lacketh, it may be leeful for men to use their conjectures,
than may myne be as well accepted as Plinies (although he incomparably
excelled me in wisedome e doctrine) specially if it may appéer, that
my coiecture (conjecture) shal approch more neere to the similitude
of trouth. Wherfore I will also sett foorth mine opinion onely to
the intent to exclude fables, lackyng eyther honestie or reasonable
similitudes. Whan the Greekes began first to prosper, and their cities
became populous, and wared puissaunt, they which trauailed on the seas,
and also the yles in the seas called _Hellespontus, Æigeum and Creticu_
(m), after that thei knewe perfectly the course of sailynge, and had
founden thereby profyte, they by little and little attempted to serch
and finde out the commodities of outwarde countrees: and like as
Spaniardes and Portugalls haue late doone, they experienced to seeke out
countries before unknown. And at laste passynge the streictes of
Marrocke (Morocco) they entered into the great occean sea, where they
fond (found) dyvers and many Iles. Among which they perceiuing this Ile
to be not onely the greatest in circuite, but also most plenteouse of
every necessary to man, the earth moste apte to bring forth," &c. The
learned prelate goes on to enumerate the natural advantages of our
country. He continues--"They wanderynge and reioysinge at their good and
fortunate arrival, named this yle in Greeke _Olbion_, which in Englishe
signifieth happy."

_Foley Place._

AN ANTIQUARY.

[1] Holinshed.

[2] Alba, the city of Romulus, the founder of Rome, was called so