PREFACE TO THE 



unto their Westerne discoveries ; yea, to be their chiefe 

 loads-man and Pilot ? Sithens therefore these two worthy- 

 Nations had those bright lampes of learning (I meane the 

 most ancient and best Philosophers, Historiographers and 

 Geographers) to shewe them light ; and the load-starre of 

 experience (to wit those great exploits and voyages layed 

 up in store and recorded) whereby to shape their course : 

 what great attempt might they not presume to undertake ? 

 But alas our English nation, at the first setting foorth for 

 their Northeasterne discovery, were either altogether des- 

 titute of such cleare lights and inducements, or if they 

 had any inkling at all, it was as misty as they found the 

 Northren seas, and so obscure and ambiguous, that it was 

 meet rather to deterre them, then to give them encourage- 

 ment. 



But besides the foresaid uncertaintie, into what dangers 

 and difficulties they plunged themselves. Animus memi- 

 nisse horret, I tremble to recount. For first they were to 

 expose themselves unto the rigour of the sterne and un- 

 couth Northren seas, and to make triall of the swelling 

 waves and boistrous winds which there commonly do 

 surge and blow : then were they to saile by the ragged and 

 perilous coast of Norway, to frequent the unhaunted 

 shoares of Finmark, to double the dreadfull and misty 

 North cape, to beare with Willoughbies land, to run along 

 within kenning of the Countreys of Lapland and Corelia, 

 and as it were to open and unlocke the seven-fold mouth 

 of Duina. Moreover, in their Northeasterly Navigations, 

 upon the seas and by the coasts of Condora, Colgoieve, 

 Petzora, Joughoria, Samoedia, Nova Zembla, &c. and 

 their passing and returne through the streits of Vaigatz, 

 unto what drifts of snow and mountaines of yce even in 

 June, July, and August, unto what hideous overfals, uncer- 

 taine currents, darke mistes and fogs, and divers other 

 fearefull inconveniences they were subject and in danger 

 of, I wish you rather to learne out of the voyages of sir 

 Hugh Willoughbie, Stephen Burrough, Arthur Pet and 

 the rest, then to expect in this place an endlesse catalogue 



xlii 



