A prospect of the most famous parts of the vvorld Viz. Asia, 3 Affrica, 5 Europe, 7 America. 9 With these kingdomes therein contained. Grecia, 11 Roman Empire, 13 Germanie, 15 Bohemia, 17 France, 19 Belgia, 21 Spaine, 23 Italie, 25 Hungarie, 27 Denmarke, 29 Poland, 31 Persia, 33 Turkish Empire, 35 Kingdome of China, 37 Tartaria, 39 Sommer Ilands, 41 Civill Warres, in England, Wales, and Ireland. You shall find placed in the beginning of the second booke marked with these [3 asterisks in triangle formation] and (5) together with all the provinces, counties, and shires, contained in that large theator of Great Brittaines empire. / Performed by John Speed.

¶ The Description of AMERICA.

AMERICA must yeeld her selfe to the last place of my division. She is styled commonly the new World in respect of what was knowne in Ptolemi••s time. And this name imports glory enough that she singly can equalize the title of World, and a larger World then can be made up by the other three, if we rec∣kon in the Territories not yet fully discovered, and therefore in∣deed deserve not each to it selfe a severall Description.

(2) And since she hath enough upon due right to preferre her worth, there will be no need of that counterfeit gloze of ancientrie, which many pretend in the search of her originall. Some there are that upon their own bare conjecture pronounce her as old as the story of our Antipodes: others as Solomons voy∣age for Gold into the land of Ophir. In briefe, my line will reach but 132. years backward, to the time of Christopher Columbus a Genoaie: before him I read of none, that durst arrogate to him∣selfe any certaine knowledge of those parts, unlesse a bragging Spaniard without a name or note of description. There are a sort of ungratefull ones, that commonly debase them most that de∣serve of them best: and judge it a thing worthy their hate, to be out-gone in any faire action, though it redound to their owne profit. Pardon my zeale to truth; it warmes my style against those robbers, in the behalfe of so honourable a man: They are no petty theeves that would steale from one his immortalitie: as what lesse could he deserve, that gave us the knowledge of another world, and laid the way open for the entrance of the Gospel, to the saving (as we hope) many millions of soules?

(3) His lights were little beside his own projecting wit, excel∣lent skill in Astronomy and Navigation: by which he fully per∣swades himself of some lands, that must needs lye in that portion of circle, which should make up the world into a Globe, & with∣all saw, there could be no distemper either of heat or cold, that could make it lesse habitable or fruitfull, then those places of the old world, which lay under the same Climates, and had the like respect to the heavens. These indeed were good rationall per∣swasions, but the difficultie would have daunted a mean spirit, & dasht not the action onely, but the very thought. His resolution was confirmed; and his purpose well digested to himselfe in the yeare 1486. and put into practise about sixe yeares after.

(4) When the gappe was once opened many rushed in, and in a short space discovered a large Territorie. Americus Vesputi∣us got ground upon the Continent, and gave it that name. Fer∣dinando Magellanus found out the South-Sea-limits: and first attempted the compasse of the word that way. Our owne He∣roicks, Sir Francis Drake, Noble Candish, tract him in his Dis∣coveries, and added of their owne. Northward Forbisher and Davis, put faire for a passage round from the East side of the Continent, from the West Willoughby and Burroughs.

(5) Let their severall endeavours give you the parts of her division: The Regions contained in this Westerne Hemisphere, under the name of the New world or America, in the largest sense are foure. (1) America propria. (2) The Ilands. 3 Terra Septentrionalis incognita. (4) Terra Australis incognita or Terra Magellanica.

(6) America propria, with her Ilands are the first, and were first discovered: She is divided from the old world by the At∣lantick Ocean on her East, and on her West, with the pacifique Sea, or Mare del Zur North, and South she hath the Terrae incog∣nitae, and so possesseth to her selfe almost the whole Hemisphere. What lyeth beyond her toward each Pole from the Aequator appeares as yet but as waste ground in our Maps: for the expe∣rience of our Travellers have not reached so farre, as to search fully into the Commodities of the Countries, or nature of their Inhabitants. Yet questionlesse there are many, and may hereafter yeeld as much profit as any other.

(7) Of the qualitie of this Region in generall we can speake but little. For by reason of her length and bredth, she lyeth at such severall distance in respect of the heavens, that she admits indeed all variety almost, either of plenty or want, which we have hitherto found in Asia, Africa, or Europe. Here admirable for the fertilitie of soyle; Then againe as barren: here tem∣perate, there scorching hot, else-where as extreame cold. Some Regions watered with dainty rivers: others again infested with perpetuall drouth. Some Plaines, some Hils, some Woods, some Mines, and what not in some tract or other within the compasse of America? yet nothing almost common to the whole but Barbarisme of manners, Idolatry in Religion, and sottish ignorance, such as hardly distinguisheth them from brutes: else they would not have taken reasonable men to be immortall Gods, as at first they did: yet what either God was or immorta∣litie, they knew no more then instinct of nature gave them, one∣ly a confused thought they had of some place or other (God knows where) behinde some Hill, or where the blessed resided after their death. And from thence they supposed the Spaniards came at their first arrivall. But it was not long before the Tyrants cudgelled their simplicitie, and by their crueltie appeared to them rather Devils from hell, then Saints from heaven.

(8) Yet still the In-land Countries retaine for the most part their inbred blindnesse: and worship the Sunne, Moone, and Starres, and they have their other Spirits, which they call their Zemes, and adore them in Images made of Cotten-wooll, which oft-times by the delusion of Satan seeme to move, and utter an hideous noyse, that workes in these poore Idolat••rs a great awe, lest they should harme them.

(9) The rest of their Customes are answerable to their Re∣ligion, beastly. They goe naked, and are very lustfull people without distinction of sexe. In many places they are Anthropo∣phagi, and prey upon each other like Wolves. They labour not much to sustaine themselves: but are rather content to take what the earth can yeeld without Tillage. This in generall.

(10) Time hath not given way to many divisions of this A∣merica. I find one onely in the best Authors: and that it seemes Nature marked out to their hands; For she hath severed the Continent into two Peninsulae; The one lieth Northward from the Aequinoctiall, and is called Mexicana. The oth••r for the most part Southward toward the Magellanick straights, and is called Peruviana. Each of them are subdivided into their Provinces.

(11) Mexicana is the first, and her bounds on the East and West are the Atlantick Ocean, and Mare del Zur. By the first it is severed from Europe: and by the last from the Regions of Chi∣na and Tartaria in Asia: and is distant not above 250. miles, if we measure the passage at the shortest cut. On the South it hath the Peninsall Peruviana: and Northward we are not sure whe∣ther Sea or Land. It comprehends in compasse 13000. miles. The qualitie of the Inhabitants, and the riches of her soyle shall appeare in her severall Provinces, which are numbred thus: (1) Nova Hispania or Mexicana propria. (2) Quivira. (3) Ni∣carugua. (4) Iacutan. (5) Florida. (6) Virginia. (7) Norum∣bega. (8) Nova Francia. (9) Terra laboratoris or C••rterialis. (10) Estotilandia.

(12) Nova Hispania, or Mexicana propria is the largest Pro∣vince of this North part of America, and gave the name Mexi∣cana to the whole Peninsula, which her selfe received from her chief Citie Mexico. Her bounds Southward is the Istthmus that joynes the Continents. Northward the same with the Peninsu∣laes; on the West Calformia or Mar Veriniglio, and on the East Incutan. It was first possest by the Spaniard 1518. But it cost them much bloud to intitle their Kings Hispaniarum reges. It is an excellent Countrey, full of all varietie almost in every kinde usuall with us, and exceeds in rarities full of wonder. There is one tree which they dresse like our Vine, and order it so, that it yeelds them almost all usefull necessaries. The leaves serve them in stead of Paper, and of the Vine barke, they make Flaxe Man∣tles, Mattes, Shooes, Girdle, and Cordage: She hath in her foure principall Regions of note: (1) Nova Galitia found out by Nunnus Gusmannus 1530. Her Cities are Compostella, now a Bishops Sea, Sancte Esprite, and Guadalaiara. The Inhabitants liv••d at large heretofore without any government. But since the Spaniard came, they have endured incredible servitude, and cru∣eltie. (2) Mechnacan a fertile Region, the Inhabitants comely and witty. Her chiefe Cities, Sl••s••nse the place of their native Kings, Pascuar and Valudolit, the Bishops See. (3) Mexico or T••mistian, which containes in it the Citie of Mexico, in com∣passe sixe miles, the seat of an Arch-Duke: and the Spanish Vice∣roy: and in it is an Vniversitie, a Printing-house, and a Mint for coynage. Other Cities there are, Tescuvo and Angelorum Civi∣thy. (4) Ganstecan lying open on the East neer Mare del Nort. It is but barren, and the people poore, but cunning. The Spaniards have here two Colonies, Panuco and S^t. Iames in the vallies.

(13) Quivira bordereth upon the West of the Continent towards Tartarie: It is temperate and fertile. But her chiefe ri∣ches is the Kine, which feed them with their flesh, and cloath them with their Hides. Her Provinces are Cibola and Nova Al∣bion. The last was discovered by our Noble Sir Francis Drake, and voluntarily yeelded to the protection of our admired Queen of England, Elizabeth.

(14) Nicarugua on the South-east of Nova Hispania, had a kind of settled Common-wealth before they knew Christianity, and is reported to have a tree that withereth at a mans touch. The chiefe Cities are now Granado, and Leo a Bishops See.

(15) Incutan is situated over against the Ile Cuba upon the East of the Peninsula. The people adored the Crosse before they heard of Christ. The Countrey is indifferent fertile: though that indeed as in all other places of this new World hath proved worse for the Inhabitants. For it hath drawne upon them their forraine Invadour.

(16) Florida lyeth neere the Gulfe of Mexico, and borders upon the Mare del Nort. A pleasant Region it is, and was dis∣covered

[illustration] map of America

[illustration]

AMERICA with those known parts in that vnknowne worlde both people and manner of buildings Discribed and inlarged by I.S. Ano. 1626

by our English under Sebastion Cubbot 1497. but left for the Spaniard to possesse, which for a while he did: and after him the French, but neither in quiet. For they warred upon each other, till they left neither of them men enough to hold it. The French built the City called Ara Carobina. The Spanish Est He∣vens, and S^t. Matthews, and planted there three Forts, S^t. Iames, S^t. Philip, S^t. Augustine, which was burnt by Sir Francis Drake 1586. but recovered againe.

(17) Virginia carries in her name the happie memory of our Elizabeth. On the East it hath Mare del Nort, on th•• North Norumbega, Florida, on the South and Westward, the bounds are not yet set. It was first entred by Sir Walter Raleigh 1584. and some at that time left there to discover the Countrey till more were sent, but they perished before the second supply. Since there have beene many Colonies planted out of England, which have there manured the ground, and returned good Commodities to the Adventurers. For indeed it is a rich Coun∣trey, in Fruit, Trees, Beasts, Fish, Fowle, Mines of Iron and Cop∣per, Veines of Pitch, Allum, and Tarre, Rozen, Gummes, Dies, Timber, &c. The Plantation went on with good successe till the yeare 1622. And then by the treachery of the Inhabitants there murdered neere upon three hundred of our men. The Natives are very vile people, horrible Idolaters, adore the creature which they most feare, and hate them which keepe them not in awe: they were kindly intreated by our English, and invited by all friendly means to Christianity. The North parts are most inha∣bited by our men, and is therefore called New England. It hath but one entrance by Sea at a faire Bay. Her Capes are called Cape Henry, and Cape Charles. The chiefe Towns are Ianus Towne, Regnougton, and Balesguift.

(18) Norumbega on the North of Virginia, lyeth toward the Mare del Nort, and is a very fertile Region. It is inhabited by the Spanish and French. The Seas are shallow, and indanger many ships. So full of Fish, that the Boates cannot have free passage, saith Maginus.

(19) Nova Francia is farther Northward from Norumbega: a barren Countrey, and the people barbarous; some Ant••ropo∣phagi. A few French there are besides the Natives.

(20) Terra Laboratoris or Conterialis, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 more Northward upon the sea coast, and is divided from Norumbega by the River Lanada. It reacheth into the sea in form of a Peninsula. The men are barbarous, live in Caves, run swiftly, and are good Archers. The chiefe places are Breste, Cabo Marzo, and South Maria.

(21) Escotiland the last Province of the Northerne Peninsula still creeps by the edge of the Atlantick: and on the North hath the straights called Fretum Daveissii an English-man, who this way attempted the Northwest unto Cathai and C••ina. And in regard it was adventured in the name of our Queene, the Promontorie is called Elizabeths Fore-land: and the sea run∣ning by it is likewise named ••orbishers Straights, from another of our worthy Countrey-men, that was interested before in the same service. This Region is held to be the first discovered of the New World. The North of it is still unknowne. It yeelds plentie of Gold, but is extreme cold. The people ingenious and good Artificers in most kinds, they are cloathed with beasts Hydes: and are skilled to make themselves Boates of sea Caloes skins, which they venture into the main sea without danger.

(22) Peninsula Peruviana, is the South tract of America from the Isthmus to the Magellanick Straights. The same seas are the bounds upon the East and West, which were of the o∣ther Mexicana, by which she is divided from Africa on the East, and on the West at a large distance from the most Southern Ilands of Asia. The compasse of it is 17000. miles. From North to South there runnes a continued course of high Mountaines, whose tops the very Fowles of the ayre cannot reach by flight. And from thence descend many admirable Rivers, among which Maragno and Argente•••• are most famous. The one for his extent, and the other for his plenty of silver. The Countrey is exceeding rich, but the people differ not much from the worst of beasts. They devoure mans flesh, filthy wormes, and what else comes in their way. The chiefest Provinces are numbred thus; (1) Castella Aurea. (2) Guiana. (3) Peru. (4) Bra¦sile. (5) Chile.

(23) Castella Aurea is the first, named from her plenty of Gold. She lieth part in the Isthmus. The rest is the Northerne tract of P••ru: (1) Castella del ore in the very Isthmus, which is by some measured to be seventeene miles in bredth, by others twelve, the Merchandize sent from Spaine is unladen a•• Nombre de Dios, and conveyed crosse the Isthmus by land to Panamais: from thence shipped againe for the Northwest of Peru: Neere these parts was an admirable atchievement performed by our valiant Countrey-man Iohn Oxenham, who by the direction of Moores skilled in the Countrey, went to the Land of Pearles, and tooke from the Spaniards an incredible weight of gold and silver. (2) Nova Andalusia Southward from Castella del ore. The chiefe Townes are Tocoio and Sancta Espritta. (3) Nova Granata a rich Region with Mines of Gold and Silver, part of it lyeth under the Aequinoctiall. And this is S^t. Foy, one of the Arch-bishops Sees. (4) Cartagena a fruitfull Countrey, which yeelded (when time was) to our still renowned Sir Francis Drake, store of prize, and 240. pieces of Ordnance.

(24) Guiana is the second Province of the Peninsale Peru Maria, situated just under the Aequinoctiall. On the North it hath the maine River Oronoque or Raliana from Sir Walter Ra∣leigh, who went further then any before him into the Countrey. This River is Navigable by report above 1000. miles. On the South it hath like wise another great River of the Peninsula cal∣led Maragnon, which exceeds the former, and is Navigable 600. miles in length. In this Province stands the largest Citie of A∣merica called el Dor••do or the guilded Citie: For indeed there is plenty of Gold: The length as it is spoke by some Travellers, will exceed beliefe. The second memorable Town is S^t. Thome: not so much for her owne worth, as the dysasterous Fortunes of Sir Walter Raleigh: who there first lost his eldest sonne, and after returned home with that ill successe, as it cost him his own life.

(25) Peru the third in ranke, yet by name it seems to be the chiefest Province of this Southerne tract. It is contained almost betwixt the Aequator and the Tropick of Capricorne. On the North it hath Castella del oro, on the South Chila, on the West Mare del Zur, and on the East the mountains of Peru. It is a very rich Countrey, aboundeth with gold and silver, little esteemed among the Inhabitants. For by report the Spaniard ordinarily shooed their Horses with gold: Another great Commoditie is Tobacco, a toy to play withall, but yeelds a great revenew to the King of Spaine. In this Province stands Lima the Arch-Bi∣shops See and place of residency for the Viceroy Cusco, where the native Kings of Peru had wont to keepe their Court. The Inha∣bitants are strange Idolaters, and worship a black Sheep, Ser∣pents, and other ugly Creatures.

(26) Brasile on the North hath the great River Maragnon, and on the South and West Argenteus, on the East Mare del Nort. The Longitude from North to South is accounted 1500, the bredth 500. the compasse about 3000. The Inhabitants are rude, live for the most part in the bodies of trees. They swimme excellently, & are able to keep under the water for a long space. Their chiefe commodities are Sugar and Brasile wood. The peo∣ple are covered with naturall haire, cruel, lascivious, false, and what not? In this Region is an hearb called Viva, which if you touch it, it will shoot up, as a Dasie in the night, and will not open till the partie that injured it be out of sight. Here are few Towns of note, Saint Anna, Equitum, Ascensio, Pernanbuco.

(27) Chile is the last of the Peninsula, and on the North hath Peru, on the West the Mare del Zur, on the South the Magel∣lanick Straights, on the East the Virginian Ocean. She hath her name from her extreame cold temper, in so much that many are frozen to death, and hardened like marble. It is a rich Countrey as wel for gold as other commodities of worth. The Rivers are fed with Snow that fals from the tops of high mountains. The people are of large stature, and very valiant. The chiefe City is Saint Iames, where a Colony of Spaniards keep hold.

And thus we are travelled from the Basis to the very Pyris, at the South America. The utmost point of it is called Caput victo∣ria from Magellanus Ship. The rest must be performed by Sea. Our best course will be from the East Atlantick Ocean round by the Magellanick Straights into the Pacifick Sea. For within this compasse lyeth all the Ilands that belong to this new World, and those were my second part in the generall division of the whole Hemisphere.

(28) The Ilands of America in the Atlantick Ocean are (1) Margarita not farre from Castella del oro. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 very barren in provision for victuals, but exceeds in plenty of precious stones of the greatest value: And so doth her neighbour. (2) Cubagna. (3) Trinidado stored with Tobacco. (4) Bacalaes over against Terra Laboratoris. (5) Boriquen Northward from Guiana; Her principall Cities are S^t. Iolas and Port Rico, ruined by our Earle of Cumberland 1••97. (6) Iamaica spoyled by the Spaniards cru∣elty of most of her Natives: Insomuch that the mothers strang∣led their babes in their wombe to prevent their servitude under so hard a Master as the Spanish Governour. (7) Laba a rich Ile. In this there is a Bishops Sea called S^t. Ingo. (8) Lucaiae insulae in number 4••0. and is best commended for the beauty of her wo∣men. (9) Barmudae many in number; discovered by Sir Thomas Summ••rs, and thence have the name of Summer Islands, possest by a plantation of English, and agreeth well with their temper. (••0) Hispaniola or Haitie the first that was described by Columbus in the beginning of his attempt: An excellent Iland for temper of ayre, fertilitie of soyle, rich Mines, Amber, Suger, and Roots medicinall. One of the chiefe Townes in Domingo, ransackt by Sir Francis Drake 1585. The rest are S^t. Isabella, S^t. Thome, S^t. Iolius, &c. (11) ••here are a rank of Ilands neer the Basis of the South America, that are called Insulae Caralum or Canibalorum, part of them are Canibals and wild people: yet they yeeld com∣modities especially the Guiacum or lignum Sanctum.

(19) The Ilands of America on the West in the Pacifick Sea are not many of much account. (1) The chiefe is Califormia, an Iland of about 500. leagues from the North Cape, Mendocino to the South, S. Lucas, which enters a little within the Tropick of Cancer. (2) Insulae Salomonis, supposed by some to be the Land of Ophir. (3) Insulae Latronum, named from the Natives theft, who stole Magellanus Cockboat when he first entred it.