XIV INTRODUCTION. 



and it also appeared in Dutch, in the collection of 

 P. van der Aa, in 1727. 1 



The English translation of Acosta, which is reprinted 

 in the present volume, was first published in London 

 in 1604. On the title-page only the initials of the 

 translator are given &quot; E. G.&quot; But it has been ascer 

 tained that this was Edward Grimston, a writer and 

 translator of note, during the reigns of Elizabeth and 

 James I. Edward Grimston belonged to an Essex 

 family, which sprung originally from the Grimstons of 

 Grimston Garth, in Yorkshire. Edward served in the 

 wars, was made prisoner at Calais in 1558, and after 

 wards escaped from the Bastille. Besides translating 

 Acosta, he wrote a history of France, and a general 

 history of the Netherlands. The latter work, published 

 in London in 1609, is a translation of the History of 

 Jean Francois le Petit (Dordrecht, 1601), with addi 

 tions from the manuscripts of Sir Koger Williams, and 

 brought down to 1608. Edward Grimston, who is 

 said to have lived to the age of ninety-eight, was the 

 grandfather of Sir Harbottle Grimston of Bradfield, a 

 well-known politician during the civil wars, and an 

 cestor of the present Earl of Verulam. 



Grimston s translation of Acosta is, on the whole, 

 creditable and trustworthy. There are some omissions, 

 and occasional blunders, especially as regards proper 



1 Ontdekking -van West Indien vlijtig ondersogt, aangeteekend door 

 J. D A. op sign Reys Togl derwaarts gedaan. Anno 1592 en ver- 

 volgens . . . uyt het Spaans vertaald. 



In P. van der Aa. De AanmerJcensivaardigste Zee en Landreizen 

 der Portugeezen, etc. Deel 8. (1727, fol.) 



