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THe Ocean Islands are scattered in the British Sea like so many Pearls to a∣dorn the Imperial Diadem, and are first, the Orcades, or Isles of Orkney, thirty two in number. The chief of which is Pomonia, which abounds in Mines of Tinn and Lead:
The next Hethy; and the other (there be∣ing only three of them of note) Shethland bearing Fruit-Trees of strange kinds. Es∣pecially those whose Blossoms dropping into the Warter become Flying Birds.
The next are the Islands of the Hebrides, in number forty four; the chief whereof is Illa, abounding with store of Venison. And Jona, famous for the Sepulchers of the Scottish Kings; as likewise Mulla, where the Redshanks inhabit, once so fearful to England; the rest are of little note.
The Islands called the Sorlings are one hundred forty five: The Principal are Ar∣math, Agnes, Samson, and Scilly, after which name all the rest are called. The Inhabi∣tants thereof Trade in Fishery, sow Corn, and addict themselves to Manufacture.
The Isle of Man, is a square Island, be∣ing ten Miles in Length, and as many in Breadth; the growth of it is Flax, Hemp, Oats, Barly, and Wheat, having store of Cattle and other Merchandise brought in thither by Shipping; the chief Towns are Ballacury, Russin, or Chasteltown.
The Isle of Anglesey, is accounted a Shire of Wales; and by some called the Mother of Wales, being twenty four Miles in Length, and seventeen Miles over; Fruitful
it is, even beyond report, in Corn, Fruits, Cattle, Fowl, and Fish; improved by se∣veral Profitable Manufactures: The Inha∣bitants making great store of Butter and Cheese, and send out of it yearly three thousand Head of Cattle: It's chief Town is Beaumaris, very Commodious for Ship∣ping.
Jersey is a fair Island, in Compass twenty Miles, peopled with Industrious Inhabi∣tants, yearly improving their Commodi∣dities and vending them to good advan∣tage. Trading with England and France especially, famous for the many fine Or∣chards and Gardens: the chief Towns and places of Traffick being St. Mallo, and St. Hillary; the former being nightly Guard∣ed without the Walls. From this Island twenty Miles distant is Guernsey, Sur∣rounded with spacious Harbours; and in every part Fertile, stored with Cattle, and lying Commodious for Shipping, Facing the Coast of France; and hath for it's chief Town St. Peters.
The last of the Isles Surrounding Bri∣tain, is the famous Isle of Wight, which is twenty Miles long, and twelve over, and abounds with all things wherewith England is stored, divided from Ports∣mouth but by an Arm of the Sea, lying
most Commodious for the Reception of Shipping; and for it's chief Towns has Yarmouth, New-Port, and Bra∣dring.
And thus much for the Islands of the Sea, surrounding Britain: And now I shall only take a short Survey of some things further appertaining to the Trade of Britain, and so Lanch into the Ocean, and take a view of the remotest Parts of the World, especially such as are Traded to by the English. What more remains, is an account of such Com∣modities of English-growth and Manufa∣cture, as are Exported, being Staple Commodities, and the common Cargo of outward bound Vessels.