1876. J 
The Cradle of Civilisation . 
445 
has placed the site of this region in the Atlantic to the 
West of Africa, and a modern geologist has even — on very 
strong grounds — suggested that it formed the lowlands of a 
continent of which the West Indies are the more moun- 
tainous parts now alone remaining above the sea-level. 
Nothing, however, will satisfy Dr. Ottema but that Atlantis 
was a north-western prolongation of Holland. To one im- 
portant point he makes no reference. Greek tradition repre- 
sents the inhabitants of Atlantis as organising a vast 
expedition for the subjugation of the countries bordering on 
the Mediterranean, but as being repulsed by the Athenians. 
In the “ Qera Linda Book 5 ’ the Frieslanders are always re- 
presented as coming on friendly errands. The story of the 
disappearance of Aldland, Atland, or, if the reader will, 
Atlantis, is highly interesting, and may be made to serve as 
a crucial test for the authenticity of the entire book. We 
shall therefore quote in full : — 
“ Before the bad time came our country was the most 
beautiful in the world. The sun rose higher, and there was 
seldom frost. The trees and shrubs produced various fruits 
which are now lost. In the fields we had not only barley, 
oats, and rye, but wheat which shone like gold, and which 
could be baked in the sun’s rays. The years were not 
counted, for one was as happy as another. 
“ On one side we were bounded by Wr-alda’s Sea, on 
which no one but us might or could sail ; on the other side 
we were hedged in by the broad Twisldand (Germany), 
through which the Finda people dared not come, on account 
of the thick forests and the wild beasts. 
“ Eastwards our boundary went to the extremity of the 
East Sea,* and westward to the Mediterranean Sea ; so 
that, besides the small rivers, we had twelve large rivers 
given us by Wr-alda, to keep our land moist and show our 
seafaring men the way to the sea. The banks of these 
rivers were at one time entirely inhabited by our people, as 
well as the banks of the Rhine from one end to another. 
Opposite Denmark and Jutland we had colonies, and a 
Burgtmaagd (probably in Norway and Sweden). Thence we 
obtained copper and iron, as well as tar and pitch, and some 
other necessaries. Opposite to us we had Britain, formerly 
Westland, with her tin-mines. 
“ Britain was the land of the exiles, who, with the help 
of their Burgtmaagd, had gone away to save their lives ; 
but in order that they might not come back they were 
* Doubtless the Baltic, still called Ost*see— East Sea— by the Germans. 
