BOLDNESS OF THE SUGGESTION. 221 



coasts of Europe ; to the north of the newly- 

 discovered continent of America ; or directly 

 across the Pole ; either of which would lead 

 through the heart of the Polar regions, and 

 through seas " encumbered with mountains of 

 ice, and where continued snows fell from the 

 skies." It was a bold experiment, especially 

 if we bear in mind the state of navigation of 

 those early days, and the inferiority of the ships 

 in use, compared with those of the present age ; 

 and many persons will, no doubt, agree with 

 Hakluyt, that the boldness of the mind which 

 first contemplated a voyage across those stormy, 

 and icy seas, falls little short of that which first 

 suggested the idea of bringing the ends of the 

 known world into communication with each 

 other. " Wil it not (observes Hakluyt) in all 

 posteritie be as great a renowne vnto our 

 English nation, to haue been the first dis- 

 couers of a sea beyond the North Cape (neuer 

 certainly knowen before) and of a conuenient 

 passage into the huge empire of Russia by the 

 Baie of S. Nicholas and the riuer of Duina ; 

 as for the Portugales to haue found a sea beyond 

 the Cape of Buona Espiranza ? .... or for the 

 Italians and Spaniards to haue discouered vn- 

 known landes so many hundred leagues west- 

 ward and south-westward of the Straits of 



A.I). 



1527. 



