The floating island, or, A new discovery relating the strange adventure on a late voyage from Lambethana to Villa Franca, alias Ramallia, to the eastward of Terra del Templo, by three ships, viz. the Pay-naught, the Excuse, the Least-in-sight, under the conduct of Captain Robert Owe-much, describing the nature of the inhabitants, their religion, laws and customs / published by Franck Careless, one of the discoverers.

To the Reader.

READER.

LEt me beg thee not to cavil with the name of this en∣suing Treatise, since the nature of it is not to reflect on any perticular person; and therefore it is expected that you will be less offended at any thing herein contained, than at the late Theatrical Entertainments, which are the severe Anatomies of these licentious Times, and the harsh characters of the follies of some Janties, who (one would think) should be deterred from the Commission of them, if for no other reason than to avoyd the hard censure of this o're critical Age.

It is well observed by the Remarker of the Humours and Conversation of the Town, that all are content to be taken in pieces at a Playhouse, and to be exhibited for divertisement on the Stage. I hope these my Reflections may be accompanied with as little exception, or displeasure My intent herein was not grounded on private revenge, occasioned by any animosity to one or more persons, but following the just Laws of Writing, I have insisted on those errours and fopperies, which may convey insiru∣ction and admonition to others. I have only lasht the debauchery of a Fop-Jaunty Suburbian; it being indeed a shame the City should be made by every Cap'ring Fancy, the continual Subject of insufferable abuses.

I will step ere long into the Country, aed observe what vices are there most predominant, whether they are communicated from us to them, or have their derivation from their own sourses and Fontinels. I question whether there be among them that In∣nocence in affairs and pastime, which is pretended; but that under every Hedge and little Village, Vice and Vanity walk as bare faced as in Holborn, Strand, &c. But I only promise you this Description with this proviso, that you like my present Discovery. It was pen'd last long Vacation, when all I had to do, was to hide my self from the Inquisition of my cruel Credi∣tors; for which purpose I lodg'd in Ram-alley for the benefit of

the Temple Walks, which I call the Rum Stampers under the Blowers, and for the daily converse of such as were equally indigent and indebted as my self: In which place to divert my self and boon associates, I formed this supposed Voyage from Lambeth to the Bridge on one side, and back again the other, re∣counting all remarkables between the two Shores; the one where∣of (on the City side) I call the Christian, on Southwark side the Turkish or Barbarian.

Towards Cape-verd (or Greens-wharse near Chairing∣cross) I have somewhat sharply censur'd the idle humors of some; but I protest none but such who deserve the severest censure: Men that are so onely in appearance, and Gentlemen by their gaudy apparel; who having little to live on but their shifts, im∣ploy all the time they can spare from Drinking and Whoring, in racking their Wits to indulge their sensuality by any means whatever. Coming to Ramallia (which I call Villa Franca, because there is a place so named in the Indies, which is a San∣ctuary to all persons whatsoever) I say coming thither under the pretence of describing the nature of the Inhabitants of that famous Kingdom, (which is now different from what it was) I give an account of the Condition of a poor Debtor, and what shifts he is forced to use to preserve his Liberty.

As for their Laws (which I have comprehended in some few cases) I hope none will cavil at, since they were never intend∣ed to be cavil'd with; and he that shall put himself under the administration of them, shall (I hope) reap loud laughter, in∣stead of long vexation: in short, if this meets with a total dis∣like, very shortly I shall endeavour to please you better,

Farewell.