13 
in the Ailantic is delineated, and distinguished by the name of An- 
tillia.. A full account of this curious document, accompanied by a 
plate, is to be found in the! Memeires of the French National 
Institute for the year £806; and the writer considers it as fwrnish- 
ing satisfactory proof, that the Atlantic had been navigated before 
the successful voyage of Columbus.+ 
The inference which I draw from these multiplied testimonies is 
this: that the ancients had some knowledge of the existence of a 
transatlantic continent ; and that the passages I have adduced from 
their writings have been viewed in the same light by many mo- 
dern authors, who have had recourse to them for different purposes. 
And let it be observed, that I do not contend for the existence of 
any thing more than a traditionary knowledge, which was sufficient 
for the poet Seneca to have founded upon’ it the passage referred 
to. This gives a fair and decisive answer to the infidel challenge, 
which is as uncalled for as it is impious. The sentiments, put in 
the mouth of the Chorus, are those suited to the age of the author, 
not that of the heroes of the drama; and it is universally admitted, 
that the conversion of tradition into prediction, or fable into fact, is 
among the most striking embellishments of dramatic or epic poetry. 
Thus we perceive, that an examination of the sources, whence Se- 
neca derived his knowledge, evinces that his supposed prediction 
and its wonderful accomplishment do not weaken the argument in 
favour of the Christian religion, so justly drawn from the accom- 
plishment of prophecy which it exhibits. Nay, we may add, 
that it is corroborated by exhibiting the weakness of the objec- 
tion ; for we have shown, that this passage contains a prediction 
not founded on inspiration but on previous knowledge. Why do 
+ See also Letters from the North of Italy—Let. L. 
