( *015 ) 
in the memory of Man, fince it began to raife its Head 
above the Ocean, there being ieveral old People here 
alive, who can remember when there appeared nothing 
of it but a waft and barren Sand; and that only at 
Low-Water too, when for the fpace of a few Hours it 
(hewed its Head, and then was buried again till the 
next Tides Retreat : thus fucceflively it liv’d and died 
until the Year 1666, when it began to maintain its 
ground againft the infult of the Waves ; about which 
time it began to be refcued wholly from future dan- 
ger, by the Care and Induftry of Colonel who 
having, as 1 am imform’d, a Leafe or Gift of it from 
the Crown, did raiie Banks about the rifing Grounds 
of it, and fo defending it from the Encroachments of 
the Water, it became Firm and Solid 5 and in a Ihort time 
afforded good Pafturage for Sheep and other Cartel. 
The Expences at firft to improve it to what it is, 
muft needs have been very confiderable ; it being en- 
compar’d with high Banks, and deep Canals for re- 
ceiving and difcharging the Liquid Element, which 
every now and then nocwithftanding threatens to re*pof* 
fefs it felf of its ancient Hereditament, but hitherto in 
vain; for I now acquaint you of its prefent Safety. 
This Ifland is now about 9 Miles in Circumference, 
within the Banks, which Teem to render it impregna- 
ble againft all future attacks of the Sea, and is of a 
very fat and fertile Soil, affords good Graft, Corn and 
Hay, and is repleniihed with numerous flocks of Sheep, 
which are of a larger Size and finer Wool than thofe 
in Holdernefsi from which it is divided by about two 
Miles in Water ; and from Lincolnjhire by about four, k 
is ftor’d with vaft numbers of Rabits, that feem innu- 
merable, they appearing through all Parts in prodigious 
Swarms; their Skins are counted the fincrt in England, 
of a dark Moufe Colour, Shagg’d, and foft as iilk. 
1 here 
