240 HISTORY OF 



water, and at another free. The country round 

 the Isle of Ely, in the times of Bede, about a 

 thousand years ago, was one of the most delight- 

 ful spots in the whole kingdom. It was not only 

 richly cultivated, and produced all the necessaries 

 of life, but grapes also that afforded excellent 

 wine. The accounts of that time are copious in 

 the description of its verdure and fertility ; its 

 rich pastures, covered with flowers and herbage ; 

 its beautiful shades, and wholesome air. But the 

 sea breaking in upon the land, overwhelmed the 

 whole country, took possession of the soil, and 

 totally destroyed one of the most fertile valleys in 

 the world. Its air, from being dry and healthful, 

 from that time became most unwholesome, and 

 clogged with vapours ; and the small part of the 

 country that, by being higher than the rest, 

 escaped the deluge, was soon rendered uninha- 

 bitable, from its noxious vapours. Thus this 

 country continued under water for some centu- 

 ries ; till, at last, the sea, by the same caprice 

 which had prompted its invasions, began to aban- 

 don the earth in like manner. It has continued 

 for some ages to relinquish its former conquests ; 

 and although the inhabitants can neither boast 

 the longevity, nor the luxuries of their former 

 pre-occupants, yet they find ample means of sub- 

 sistence ; and if they happen to survive the first 

 years of their residence there, they are often 

 known to arrive at a good old age. 



But although history be silent as to many other 

 inundations of the like kind, where the sea has 

 overflowed the country, and afterwards retired, 



