AD. THE ENGLISH VOYAGES 



1592. 



the proper & accustomed fare of our country, especially 

 of flesh, fish, butter being long time kept without salt : 

 also concerning white-meats, want of corne, drinking of 

 water, and such like : in most places of Island (for 

 there be many of our countrimen also, who, after the 

 maner of the Danes and Germans so farre foorth as 

 ought in a meane to sufllice chast and temperate minds, 

 although we have not any great varitie of sauce, being 

 destitute of Apothecaries shops, are of ability to furnish 

 their table, and to live moderately) we confesse it to 

 Want of salt be even so : namely that the foresaid kinds of victuals 

 in Island. ^^^ used in most places without the seasoning of salt. 

 And I wil further adde, that the very same meats, 

 which certaine strangers abhorre so much as to name, 

 yet strangers themselves, when they are among us do 

 use to eat them with delight. For albeit for the most 

 part we have no corne, nor meale, nor yet salt the 

 provocation of gluttony, for the seasoning of our 

 The Islanders victuals, is common to us all : yet notwithstanding 

 meanes of pre- almighty God of his goodnesse hath taught our men 



'Zl7ef without ^^^° ^^^ ^^7'. ^^^ ^^^Y should handle, and keepe in 



salt. Store those things which belong to the sustentation of 



life, to the end it may appeare, that God in nourishing 



and susteining of us Islanders, is not tyed to bread and 



salt. 



But whereas strangers boast that all their victuals 

 are more pleasant and wholesome : yet we denie that 

 to be a sufficient reason, why they should upbraid us 

 in regard of ours : neither do we thinke God to be a 

 debter unto our deinty mouthes : but rather we give 

 him thanks with our whole hearts, that he vouchsafeth 

 without this delicate and nice fare, which is esteemed 

 to be so pleasant and wholesome, to grant even unto 

 the men of our countrey many yeeres, and a good age 

 as also constant health, and flourishing strength of body ; 

 all which we account to be signes of wholesome and 

 convenient nourishment, and of a perfect constitution. 

 Besides, our wits are not altogether so grosse and barren. 



