1 69 1.] FIRST EXPLOKATIONS. 49 



sight of this Lovely Isle, call'd to mind the famous Lignon,^ 

 and those several enchanted Places, so agreeably describ'd 

 by Mr. d' Urfi in his Eomance ; But our Thoughts were im- 

 mediately carry'd away by other Contemplations. AVe 

 admir'd the secret and wonderful Ways of Providence, 

 which, after having permitted us to be ruin'd at home, had 

 brought us thence by many ]\Iiracles, and now dry'd up all 

 our Tears, by the sight of the Earthly Paradise it presented 

 to our view ; where, if we wou'd, w^e might be rich, free and 

 happy ; if contemning vain Riches, we wou'd employ the 

 peaceable Life that was offer'd to us, to glorifie God and save 

 our Souls. 



We were all of us more busy'd with these sweet Medita- 

 tions, than possess'd with Transports of Joy, when the Boat 

 was put out again, and we were ask'd who wou'd go ashoar ? 

 Upon which every one rose up hastily, tho' there was not 

 one but was sick. All my Companions got into the Boaij 

 but seeing it was full, I made no great haste after them. I 

 was older by much than any of them, and consequently more 

 Master of my self ; and being full of I know not what, 

 mixtures of Grief and Joy, I spent the rest of the Day in' 

 profound Silence. - ■ . 



In the Evening the Captain return 'd, and told me Wonders 

 of the Country, which he exaggerated much beyond the 

 Truth, as I had time enough to discover. He talk'd to.nl6 

 of Animals and Emits that were never seen in that Island. 

 'Tis true, he brought back several sorts of great and good 

 Birds : I experienc'd the Truth of that by making an agree- 



1 A small stream in the dej^artmeut of Loire, which, taking its r7se' 

 in the hills of Forez, flows through Been and by the family chateau of 

 the celebrated d'Urfe (who has there placed the scene of his roirance 

 PAstree), and enters the river Loire near Feurs. It is not surprising to 

 find Leguat quoting this romance, first published in the reign of Hanr. 

 IV, for it continued a popular book down to the days of J. J. RousJseau 

 (born in 1712), with whom it was a favourite volume during his yoath. 

 (I^ote in Eugene MuUer's version of LegucWs Voyage, p. 60.) 



E 



