A PARADOX. Proving, That the Inhabitants of the Isle called MADAGASCAR. OR St. LAURENCE, (In Temporal things) are the happiest People in the World.  
Whereunto is prefixed, a brief and true Description of that Island: The Nature of the Climate, and condition of the Inhabitants, and their special affection to the English above other Nations.  
With most probable Arguments of a hopeful and fit Plantation of a Colony there, in respect of the fruitfulness of the Soil, the benignity of the Air, and the relieving of our English Ships, both to and from the East-Indies.  
By WA: HAMOND.  
LONDON, Printed for NATHANIEL BUTTER. 1640.   

The Preface.  
TO the end that the Reader may have the better understanding of this following discourse, I will here as a preparative set down briefly, plainly, and truly, the description of this Island so far as my weak capacity shall enable me; having been there divers times in the Honourable East India Companies Service: And once resident there Four Months together. In which time I observed all such principal passages as fallen within the Circle of my Condition, according to my ability.   

A DESCRIPTION OF MADAGASCAR.  
MAdagascar, otherwise called St. Laurence: Is situate on the South side of the Aequator; and extendeth itself from 12. degrees to 26. degrees of South Latitude: 60 English miles make a degree, and by this account the Island is 840. miles in Length, and 240. in Breadth; yet the Breadth must be taken on the South-west side, because by North and East it contracts itself into a lesser compass, containing in Length 14. deg. or 280. Leagues, in Breadth about 80. Leagues; and is esteemed the greatest known, Island in the World. It is thus bounded; on the West side lie the Kingdoms of Sofala, Mosambique, and all the main Land of Africa: On the East the Land of Mascaravoes, or, as it is now styled Mauritius, On the North, is the Island of Comero, and on the South, the main Ocean.  
The whole Island itself, seemeth on the East side to be a Plain and Champion Country. On the West it is more mountainous; full of Navigable River's, and excellent harbours for shipping; the principal whereof, best known to the English, is the Bay of Augustine, in 23 degrees of Latitude, under the Tropic of Capricorn, where most commonly all the ships, bound for India touch; making it their first Port to winter and refresh and cure their sick men, the air being so good that in the space of 7. or 8. days (which is the time of their longest stay) they are perfectly recovered.  
If any where, the Proverb, Terra bona, gens mala, may be here applied: The Inhabitants are a sluggish and slothful people, they will neither plant, nor sow, yet live plentifully by the fat of the Soil, which though untilled and unmanured, yields all necessaries for life, even to superfluity.  
Nature will not be exceeded, or out done by Art; what our Northern Geoponicks labour for, by cultivating the earth, by planting and transplanting, by engraffing and inoculating, groweth here naturally. The Woods abound with excellent Timber, trees of divers kinds, all unknown to us, except the Tamarind; whereof we sawed some into Planks, which carried between 3, and 4, foot diameter; and one other sort, which, for the resemblance, and use, we called Box. And which is most to be admired, there is none that beareth not fruit serving for food for the Creatures, according to their several kinds. Oranges and Lemons they have in abundance, and a kind of Palmito, called by the Portugals, Corodima●, which is said to be admirable virtuous, and not unproperly, the Inhabitants feeding on it in stead of Bread▪ the lower grounds especially towards the Sea side, being full of them. Of Trees yielding most excellent sweet Gums, there are many; whereof one for colour and consistence, resembleth Sang: Draconis: and being cast on the Coals, smells like Benjamin.  
It might easily have transcended my belief, had I not seen it: and now reporting it I might be thought to use a Traveller's authority, were not many surviving in this Kingdom, to confirm it. There is a Tree, which we named the Flesh-tree; because being cut whilst it groweth, it bleedeth a certain Sapp, or Liquor, like unto blood: the inward part thereof is soft and tender, even like musculous flesh.  
The Plains afford excellent Pasturage; as may appear by the largeness of their Cattle. Their Rivers are plentifully stored with Fish, and Fowl of all kinds. Cattle they have in such abundance, that the Inhabitants seem all of them to be Graziers: they being their chiefest livelihood. Their Oxen are large, as ours in England: having betwixt their shoulders a great Bunch of flesh, weighing 20 or 30. Pound; and these they willingly sell for small prizes: but their Kine (except they be old, or barren) they do not easily part withal, keeping them for breeding: and their milk is their chiefest food. Sheep they have great store, and those very large; having long hanging-eares like a Bloodhound; their tails are long and fat: and though their flesh for sweetness, and taste, may stand in some comparison with our English Mutton, yet for the perfect condition of this Creature, they cannot stand with ours in competition; ours yielding us yearly a golden fleece, the staple commodity, Wool; theirs being hairy, like Deer, yielding no fit materials for clothing. Of Goats likewise they have in abundance; all wild kinds of Cattle being at home, and suckled as by hand, lose their wild nature, and become exceeding tame: wild Hogs they have in the woods, whereof we killed some; but for beasts of prey, as Lions, Tigers, Woolves, and the like, we saw none, neither do I believe there are any, because their Cattle graze freely up and down the plains continually without any annoyance. The chiefest enemy they have, is the Crocodile, whereof there are many in the rivers, which sometimes meet with them, yet might easily be destroyed, had the Inhabitants either will, or skill to do it.  
For look upon the people, and you might justly wonder to see Barbarism civilised: we beyond expectation, found them very affable, courteous, and just in their dealings, and lived among them about four months, with that familiarity and friendship, as if we had been all of one Nation, and their Country had been our own. At our first coming a shore, when they saw us set up our Tents, and placed a couple of Falcons, for the security of our men, they conceived that we came thither to inhabit; and presently their King or, Governor, by name, Andicapela, came to our Captain, with a retinue 
Captain ●eddall.  of 100 of his people, or there abouts, to offer him their Country and service; humbly beseeching him, that he would take them, their wives and children, and cattle under his protection, and they would serve and obey him as their King: especially petitioning that he would defend them from their enemies the Massagoces, with whom they have mortal wars.  
Their dress is but little differing from adam's in his innocency, for both men and women go naked, as a token and conscientious check of deformity by sin; they wear a small piece of Cotton-cloth, of their own making, to cover their privities, so that the sexes are hardly known one from another, especially the young men from the women, but only by the plaiting of their hair.  
They know not any political government, (yet as man by nature is a sociable creature) they live in Tribes or families together, for we never saw above 2 or 300 that lived together in one place, having all things common, except their wives; of whom they are very jealous. They choose one among them whom they obey as their Pater familias, or master of their household, who hath the disposing of all their substance (which is their Cattle) no one daring to sell any of them without his leave, who likewise (as I have oft observed) when any beast is killed, divideth it amongst them by a Geometrical proportion according to the number of their family. By his order also they remove their stations from place to place, as he shall direct them, in a willing obedience, not disputing about the conveniency but conform their wills to his prescriptions. These several Tribes have wars one with another, which commonly is for pasturage and watering places for their cattle; the captives they take they sell for small prices (cheaper than their beasts) to the Portugals which come thither once a year for that purpose. They tell us of a great King that liveth up in the Mountains, but they can relate but little of him in particular, because they dare not travel so far for fear of their enemies. Their weapons are Darts, and Lances; in the managing whereof they are very expert. Bows and Arrows they know not: and as for Guns, the report of a Musket, will make an hundred of them flee. Their fight is thus ordered; (we saw them skirmish before us to make us sport) they divided themselves one from another a good distance, and so betwixt running and leaping, they traverse their ground with a terrible noise: they throw their Darts one at another, at their best advantage; and so swiftly retiring backwards, they catch their enemy's Darts and Lances, and return them again. Whether it was their coveting of our supposed jewels, or their confidence in our friendship which led them to it, I know not: At our first coming, we bought up most of their Lances and Darts, for a few Beads; and so utterly disarmed them: for although the Men do nothing else but make Darts; yet for want of Tools they cannot make one in 10. days: so that for a month's space we could not see 20 Darts amongst them.  
Their riches and bravery, consisteth in Beads, or in such baubles, which they can hang about them; accounting all other things impediments to them. Gold and silver they contemn, as being too burdensome unto them; and not so useful as Iron: yet I have seen some of them wear little hoops of Gold and Copper together about their arms: which shows that they have gold in their Country; and it is certain that they have Pepper, Cloves, and Nutmegs growing there, because when we showed them, they knew them; and made signs to us that they grew in the Island, though far up, whither they durst not go. One of our men having a dried Limon, by chance showed it them, and the next day they brought us abundance of very large and fair ones.  
In the time of our being there, we coasted toward the North about 10 leagues, where we entered into a spacious river, as broad as the Thames at Gravesend, where the people, by their gesture and behaviour, expressed much joy to see us, and invited us a shore: we were no sooner landed but at least 100 of them came to bid us welcome, calling us friends and brethren; and carried us to see their Town, the way was through a great wood, which consisted most of Tamarind and Palmito trees, which having passed, we discovered a most excellent Champion country, equal to any which I have seen in the world, for pasture and herbage. At the corner of the wood was their Town, their houses being nothing but a few Booths made of Boughs under the Trees, to shadow them from the Sun; where with songs and dances they entertained us; giving us milk, and their women bringing their children to us to stroke and dandle them in our arms: Here we stayed till it grew late, and then went to our Boat, many of them bearing us company. By this passage we perceived the cunning of Audrapela, that he would not suffer any to sell us Cattle, but himself: for if any strangers came down to trade with us (as divers times they did, bringing great droves of Cattle with them) then would he cunningly seek to persuade us from trading with them; making signs that they were his, and our enemies, Man-eaters, and the like: but when he saw our resolution to go over the River unto them: (for they durst not come without his permission,) then would he make the price himself, and give them what he listed: and yet we bought their fattest Oxen for 5. or 6. Aggat-beads; which in India cost not much above 12d. and every day they brought us down such store, that we might have bought 100 in a day.  
The light of reason hath taught them some religion, and in part we might perceive some points of Mahometisme among them, being thought to have crept in by reason of their near neighbourhood with the Moors, with whom they agree in circumcision, and abstinence from Swine's flesh, though in other things they are most miserable Idolaters. For we perceived in every one of their Towns, or Stations, where they lived, certain Images, rudely carved, sprinkled over with blood and fat, which we judged to be offered to the Idol, when they killed a beast. Their Priests, at our first coming, came unto us; one of them having a book in his hand of sheepskins, somewhat like our Parchment; read unto us a great while, what we understood not, and then delivered the book into our hands; every letter, or Character, expressing the form of some creature, best known unto them; As of a Cow, a Sheep, a Bird, a Fish, and the like, like Egyptian Hieroglyphics, and we in requital showed them one of ours; which when they had well viewed, and turned it over and over, they gave it us again to read, whereat they gave a great deal of attention, although they understood not what was said.  
Concerning the commodities and riches of this Island, (which every man is willing to hearken after) I may truly asfirme, that for wealth and riches, no Island in the world can be preferred before it. As for Gold, Silver, Pearl, and precious Gems, questionless the Island is plentifully stored with them. And of Iron there is abundance, which necessity hath taught them to melt out of the hard rocks, to arm themselves against their enemies; and for their superfluous things, which are less necessary, No doubt but all the commodities of India, do either grow there naturally already, or may be soon planted there. What abundance of treasure is yearly transported out of Europe into India only for leavs and blossoms of trees; I mean for Indigo and cloth of cotton-wool, whereof the first (for aught I know) may grow there already; or if not, it may easily be brought thither; and Cotton it groweth there naturally. But for those that prefer a present profit before the future; I do affirm upon my trial and experience, that great quantities of Aloes, the best in the World may be made there in a short time; If there were good vent for it: for proof whereof, some of our men, by my direction preserved the juice of that herb, drying it only in the Sun, without any other Art; which within 3 or 4 days they had gathered and made above 50 pound: the which was sold in London at greater Rates, then that which came from Soccotore; and by the Druggist's preferred before it.  
These premises considered, with what facility might a Plantation be here settled: and how honourable it would be for our Nation? and how commodious for all Christendom? There are but two discouragements which may dissuade the transporting of a Colony hither: the condition of the Natives; and the Passage: but they are a People with whom for the space of 30 or 40. years, we have had Commerce: and are therefore acquainted with our civil customs, and peaceable demeanours: and being now no strangers unto us, are willing to put themselves under our protection: And the Passage, wherein lieth the greatest difficulty, is ordinarily performed in 4▪ month's: and that in a most peaceable and quiet Sea, if a fit season be chosen. Such is the experience of our Seamen, by reason of their Annual trading into those parts. And then for the honour of our Nation by settling a Colony in those parts: how soon might the Trade of India be diverted thither▪ especially the Trade of Indigo? which if it grow not there naturally, the Seed may be brought and manured there; and workmen brought from India to instruct our people in the Art of making it.  
If we did but consider, upon what ticklish terms our Commerce with the Magullans stands at this present, with the lives and goods of our Merchants and people that live there amongst them, how their lives and goods lie: being at their devotion, how often they have imprisoned and chained our Merchants? seized upon their goods? ransacked their houses? threatened and terrified them with their Chabuck or Whips, upon every slight occasion? (whereof I have had some experience) we would make more account of this Island.  
And then it would be a general Commodity and benefit for all ships that shall hereafter pass into India: as first for the revictualling of them with Flesh▪ Tallow, Butter, Cheese and the like; their Beef being salted and ordered as it ought, may be preserved six months sweet and good, as those that have made trial thereof can testify. Where likewise provision may be made of Clapboards for Cask, Sheathing boards, Planks, and the like. And lastly, no Christian Prince can pretend any title or claim thereunto. The King of Portugal had long since planted upon it (as the Portugals themselves report) but for fear of weakening his Forts and Forces upon the Main of India. And the King of Spain hath too many Irons in the fire already, to oppose our people there, where they may enjoy the first fruits of a most plentiful Harvest, which is better than the glean of America.   

A PARADOX. PROVING That the Inhabitants of the Island called MADAGASCAR, or St. LAURENCE, (in Temporal things) are the happiest People in the world.  
(* ⁎ *)  
By Walter Hamond.   

A PARADOX: PROVING The Inhabitants of the Island called Madagascar, or St. Laurence (in things temporal) to be the happiest People in the World.  
I Confess (worthy Sir) that I have undertaken an Argument, which at the first sight, will seem to most Men, Idle and Impertinent, although I might answer for my excuse; that I was therefore idle, because I would not be idle; for it may be objected unto me: Will you take upon you to prefer this poor, naked, and simple Ignorant people before the rich Gallant, understanding men of Europe. These are naked, we are clothed. These are poor and miserable, we are rich and wealthy. These are simple Innocents', we have hearing and Experience of many things, wherein they are altogether ignorant.  
All this I confess to be true, yet let us examine their defects which are supposed to consist in their Nakedness, Poverty, and Simplicity: As for their Nakedness, 
Their Nakedness defended.  I hold them therefore happy, as approaching nearest to the greatest perfection of Mankind. For Adam in the state of Innocency was Naked, Sin and Apparel entered both together, those Fig-leaves being sowed together for a veil, or covering to hide his filthiness, and deformities, as his vaine-heart conceived from the Eye of Heaven: For as a Painter, or statuary having limmed a curious Piece, or carved a goodly Image, doth take a great delight in the sight of it, as of his Masterpiece; For if it should by some accident become spotted, or blemished, he will delight no more in the beholding of it, but is ashamed of his work every time he looks upon it, and will therefore-eyther cast it aside, or hide and cover it out of his sight.  
So, when this admirable piece of work, this perfection of Nature, this Masterpiece, this Epitome of the World, this Image of the Deiry, Man: was spotted and blemished by sin, it grieved the Almighty, to see his Image so defaced in him, who therefore did clothe him, as it were to hide and cover him out of his sight.  
Apparel is but like unto so many Plasters, and Roulers, to cover our sores and deformities, or like Masking suits wherein we act, not what we are, but what we seem to be, it is the outside that deceives us, and by a juggling trick makes us take that for a brave man which is a piece of shreds, a mere thing of the Tailors fashioning.  
For Example, put the Spruce Gallant into a Contemptible habit, and what is he then? A poor miserable wretch in the world's opinion, which judgeth by the outward appearance, and so esteemeth him. But the same man he was? No, he is a ragged Rogue, a tattered Knave? Again, put such a Rogue, or Knave into the Acoutrements of a Gallant, let him be Scarlified and Beverized, let his Jupoon be Carbonadoed to discover his Damask Purpoint, or his embroidered Camise: arm his side with steel, his heels with Iron, and his head with Feather; and then like Nebuchadnezar his Image, every man is ready to adore him. As will it please your worship, to command me any service: I will wait upon your worship, 'tis right as your worship says. And all this while we reverence nothing but a suit of clothes, which these happy People happy in this want, judiciously contemn. Apparel to them is a Burden, an impediment, a very Disease, they care not for it, they count it as an unnecessary bundle and know that it would make them Dull, Heavy, and Effeminate. They prefer the good Constructure of the Limbs, and lineaments of the Body which they have by Nature, before all our artificial Bombasted patches. We wonder at them how they can go Naked; but they wonder more at us, how we can endure to go packed up in a fardel of Clouts sewed together. We are bound up in Prison, whilst they are free, and at liberty, we are stifled up in our sweat, and stink, whilst the Exhalations of their vapours, offends them not. Nor doth the coldness of the Air hurt their naked Bodies, more than it doth our naked faces; it was our evil Custom that clothed us, and their Innocency and freedom of Nature that keeps them naked.  
For an instance of the premises I will only call to your remembrance, the behaviour of the Rassee, or Governor Andrapela; at that time when he, with his followers, were invited by Captain Weddell aboard the 
Aboard the Charles then riding in Augustine Bay.  Ship, the Captain seeing him naked, did judge it to be rather by a forced necessity, than a free Election, and caused a Suit of his own Apparel to be given him, which he knew not what to do with when he had it, being told, that they would defend him, and keep him warm, he said that he had no need of them, & that they would be but a trouble to him. For said he, I can pierce them through with my Lance. At last with much ado they were put on; but their putting on, put him into such a fear and agony as if they had been so many Fetters and Manacles laid upon him. He looked as if he had been ashamed of himself, earnestly entreating the Captain that he might be set ashore, expressing in his countenance a great deal of grief and discontent, to be as he thought so discourteously dealt withal. The Barge being manned, I went ashore with him, to observe his behaviour; and can testify that he no sooner set foot on land, but suddenly he threw away his Suit, flinging his Doublet into one place, his Hose into another, and at last he tore his shirt from his back, as if it had been poisoned with the blood of Nessus the Centaur, and then fetching two or three frisks, he expressed a great deal of joy, that he was freed from that bondage and Imprisonment.  
As for ourselves, we are compelled (so miserable and poor we are,) to be beholding to the unreasonable creatures for our raiment, robbing one of his Skin, another of his Wool, another of his Hair; nay not so much as the poor Worm, do escape us, whose very excrements we take to cover us withal, while they in the mean time are nothing beholding unto us? Was nature a Mother to them, and a Stepdame to us? No, but as a kind, and loving mother, she hath sufficiently provided for us. It is our own Luxuxious Effeminacy, that hath stripped us out of our natural simplicity, and clothed us with the rags of Dissimulation, Let us consider the natural beauties of all the Plants, fruits, and flowers, they have no Artificial coverings, yet they so far exceed Man in Beauty, and Magnificience (the lily in particular, Truth, itself hath spoken it,) that Solomon, in all his Royalty was not clothed like one of them.  
The greatest and sole Monarch of the world Adam, was clothed but with the Skins of dead Beasts, which Divines hold was to put him in mind of his mortality, but now the height of Apparel is grown to that excess, that not the Skins of the cattle, or the other commodities accrueing, but the soil of a whole Lordship, is scarce sufficient to clothe us. Now the Tailor is become the best surveyour, Euclid might have spared his pains in Geometry, he can measure all our Lands by his Yard-wand. And what are the effects of this monstrous pride in Apparel, but the Ruin of many noble Families, the decay of Hospitality, the ushering in of Oppression, Bribery, and Extortion, Theft, Murder, Cozening and deceit, and in the end Beggary, or which is worse, a death with Ignominy.  
Now for Pride, such is the Happiness of these people, that they know not what it means, here is no man that respecteth another the better for his Outside, but for his inward virtue, and natural Endowmens'. If he have but a Clout to cover his privities, he thinks himself sufficiently Apparelled.  
Concerning their Poverty. I do confess indeed, 
Their Poverty defended.  that to be poor, is to be miserable, contemptible, and wretched, a very abject of men, a reproach to his kindred, and a shame to his friends, but if you admit this definition of poverty which I dare aver to be a true one. (Poverty is a want of all necessaries useful for this present life,) and if I can prove that they want no necessary thing for the use of this present life, I hope there is no man that will judge them poor, but will pronounce us poor, who are always complaining of want, and them rich, which in their imagined poverty express no token of discontent.  
True it is, that they have not so many superfluous things as we have, and therein are they happy. When Diogenes came by chance into a Fair, and saw so many toys and babbles to be sold, he broke out into these words.  
Oh, how happy am I, that have no want of any of these things; and upon a time to show how despicable unnecessary things are, he shrew away his Dish, because he saw another lap water out of the hollow of his hand.  
These People know, that Nature is contented with a little, and that it is not th●se outward things, which make the Possessor, any thing the better. They know that the inordinate desire of riches is the Root of all mischief, a Raging famished Beast, that will not be satisfied, a bottomless Gulf that cannot be filled, a very Dropsy, wherein by desire of drink a man may sooner break his Bowels then quench his Thirst.  
They know that they are gotten with Labour, Anxiety, and Care, kept with continual fear, Suspicion, and Watchfulness, and lost with extreme Grief, and Despair.  
As for Gold, the Soul of the World (as I may call it, for it giveth Life, Motion, and Action to all.) These people know it not, or do they know it, they regard it not, at least I am sure they value it not. Happy people unto whom the desire of Gold hath not yet arrived; But it may be objected here▪ that although they respect not Gold, yet they are covetous of Red Beads. 'tis true, they affect them as Ornaments, not as encumbrances; for whilst we lie as it were chained and manacled in golden Fetters, they adorn themselves with them as with jewels, only here is the difference, they covet red Stones, and we desire a refined Earth almost of the same colour? We think them fools, because they give us an Ox for a few Beads; but they account us greater fools to part with such jewels, for so small a value, for opinion of men not their virtue, that makes them to be dear or of small price.  
Those red Beads, which peradventure we value but at sixpences, they may rate at six pounds. But suppose that they should see us give the price of twenty Oxen bought at the dearest Market in Europe, for one white Stone of the same bigness; would not they laugh at our extreme folly; and yet when it is bought 
A Gourd▪ This I have tried by offering them a Diamond and a red Bead, and they have taken the Bead and refused the Diamond.  they will not give you a Calabas of milk for it, though there is no more virtue in the one than there is in the other; yet the offensive condition of the Diamond is notoriously exceeding the Cornelian, for the powder of the Diamond taken inwardly is almost mortal poison, and corrodes the stomach, as learned Physicians have observed, who never could accuse the undervalewed Cornelian of such a venomous quality.  
The Golden Age, so much celebrated by ancient Writers, was not so called, from the Estimation, or predomination that Gold had in the Hearts of men, for in that sense as one said wittily.  
Aurea Saturni redierunt saecula nam nunc.  
Auro venit honos conciliatur Amor.  
This may be truly called the Age of Gold,  
For it both honour, love, and Friends are sold.  
But from the Contemps thereof; then Love and Concord flourished, than Rapine, Theft, Extortion and Oppression were not known, which happy Age these people do at this present enjoy. But when men began to dive into the Bowels of the Earth to make descents as it were down into Hell to fetch this glittering Oar, from the habitations of Devils, and 〈…〉 trial Goblins, with it came up Contention, Deceit Lying, Swearing, Theft, Murder, and all the seven Capital sins; as Pride, Covetousness; Wrath, Gluttony, and the rest, so that we must needs confess that it had been happy for us, if Gold had never been known.  
For the attaining whereof, what labours, what sorrow, and what dangers do we endure? We are contented daily to expose ourselves, to a thousand perils, to suffer a thousand injuries, in hope to enjoy it; and yet scarce one in a thousand, attaineth to the end of his labour.  
For this do we suffer a voluntary Exile from our 
Miseries of Sea faring men  native Country, for this are we contented to be imprisoned in a nasty Ship, to expose our lives to the tempestuous fury of the merciless Elemenes, and to expose our bodies to the rage of the Enemy's thundering Ordinance, where through Heat, Cold, Hunger, Thirst, Watching, ill Lodging, bad Diet, infected Air, and a thousand other inconveniences, we not only endanger our Lives every minute, but sometimes lose them.  
But grant that we do escape all these perils, and obtain in some measure what we have so dear purchased, it will be so confessed, there is more care and danger in the keeping of them, then in the attaining of them.  
For this do Thiefs lie in wait to rob us, friends to entrap us, and our enemies to betray us; Nay, suppose we do escape all these outward casualties, our inward vices, our disordered affections, and our evil Concupiscences, do all threaten to ruin us.  
The consideration hereof, caused the Lady Catherine, 
Dowager to K. Henry 8.  (who out of her own experience, had tried both fortunes) that if it were put to her choice, to suffer the extremity of fortune in Prosperity or Adversity: She would choose adversity; because the former was never without Danger, nor the latter without Comfort.  
From their Poverty, I come in the last place to speak 
Their Simplicity defended.  of their Simplicity, (which as the simple uncompounded and unmixed Elements are purest) is an argument if not of their freedom from Corruption, yet that it doth not tyrannize over them, and that they enjoy the happiest-condition which Mankind can live in; out of doubt had our first Parents been contented with that Simplicity of estate, they were at the first created in, and not have been so curious in the knowledge of forbidden Mysteries, they had not purchased the wrath of God upon themselves and their posterity.  
But let us see wherein their ignorance and Simplicity doth consist, It may be objected, that they are Ignorant of the use of the creatures which was have attained to, and of many Arts that we profess, and that they are simple in all their actions.  
For first, their Houses are but simple sheds made with a few boughs heaped together (in comparison of which) and are stately Palaces.  
Their Diet is gross and ill cooked that they eat, their meat half raw and badly dressed; whereas our Tables are furnished plentifully with sundry delicacies, curiously dressed by the Art of Cookery, and that with great variety.  
That their Drink is water simply which is common to them and their Beasts alike, whilst we are served with all kind of pleasant Wines, and other artificial aromatic▪ Drinks.  
That their Simplicity appeareth in their ignorance of many Sciences, wherein the well being of a Commonwealth doth consist; as the Art of Navigation, by means whereof, we are able to visit the remotest parts of the World, to transport our own Commodities to them, and to import theirs to the enriching of ourselves; as also, that they know not Military Art, nor the use of Powder and Shot: all which are evidences of their stupid Ignorance, both in these and all other Sciences.  
What an heat do these small Coals cast? What 
Answer to the former allegations.  a terrible show do th●se poor Antiques make, they are just like the Pageants or the Gally-foists upon the Lord Mayor's day; deface their Paintings, rip of the Canvasse, thou wilt find nothing in them, but a few rotten sticks in the one, and a trimmed Dungboate of the other.  
Let us compare them together by the square of Reason, and we shall find their defects in these things, to be a main testimony of their Happiness, and on the contrary, our excess herein the cause of our misery, and wretchedness.  
And first for their Buildings, they are such as best 
Their Buildings.  suit with their free Estate and condition, using them but as Tabernacles for the present, and changing them according to the quality of the Season, and goodness of the Soil. We may commend the wisdom of the Stork, and Swallow for this cause.  
These men fear not the opression of a covetous Landlord, nor the danger of a cracked title, his quarters racked rend, rends not his sleep, nor takes he care for the renewing of his old Lease, the breaking in of Thiefs he fears not; for he hath nothing to lose, and the surprise of Enemies he regards not; for if they be not strong enough for encounter, they can suddenly remove themselves to a place of more security.  
I have seen a Town, consisting of above one hundred Families, and all of them busied about their several employments. Some about their Cattle, some making of Lances, and Darts, and some weawing of Cotton, to make their Aprons, when upon a sudden, suspecting us as Enemies, in the space of half an hour, they have planted and removed their dwellings.  
The women carrying their implements for dressing their food, and their young Infants; Their Children 
The cause of their removal was the coming ashore, of one with a Fowling piece, to kill Fowl for the Captain.  driving away the Cattle, and the rest of their People as a guard unto them, with their Darts, and Lances, some in Front, some in Flank, and the rest in the Rear; when again we having understood the cause of their departure, with a little persuasion, they returned and suddenly replanted themselves, and every man quietly settled himself to his business as before, without any noise, tumult, or uproar, all which was done in the space of an hour.  
Whereas we like so many wild Beasts can hardly be forced out of our Dens, except Famine, Sword, or Fire do compel us. And then, Oh what lamentation, what Exclamation, and grievous Complaints do we make.  
Yet what are our Houses, but so many strong Prisons, wherein the Owner lies bound in several actions of Debt, which I forbear to particularise, and although he walk abroad sometimes, he doth but trail his fetters after him, and is bound to keep within the Rule.  
He must endure discomodity of evil Neighbours, the unhealthfulnesse of the Situation, which these happy People can avoid at their pleasure without much pother or turmoil.  
And lastly, suppose that one of our Houses should take fire, by accident or otherwise, then what passion? What Rage? What ungoverned fury do we fall into? Oh I am undone for ever, Oh I have lost that Chest, that Box of writings, that Casket of jewels, out alas! I am undone; what shall▪ I do? Nay, we are so far out of ourselves, and transported with fury, that as if the black Chambers of death was not to be found otherwise, we sometimes lay violent hands upon ourselves, and increase the danger of an eternal Death to prevent a temporal Dereliction.  
Whereas, on the contrary, if any of their Houses happen to be on fire, he is not moved at all with it, but can patiently stand by and warm himself at the flame, and say, here is a good fire, I find much comfort by it. This is the last benefit my House can do me, and in this point they are happier than we are.  

Their DIET.  
AS for their food, it may be objected, that it is but course and simple: for defence whereof, I might answer, that it is therefore the more healthful, and agreeable to Nature, who is best pleased with meats of simple qualities. But it is further objected, that it is sluttishly dressed, transeous and loathsome. How know we that? Because we love it not, is it therefore unwholesome? One man loveth no Fish, an other no Cheese, another no Flesh; which are not only hurtful, but poison to their constitutions. Should we therefore infer, that Fish, Cheese or Flesh, are poison? such judges are we of their food, which best agreeth with their constitutions, and preserveth them in health, strength and vigour; for they eat not, but for Necessity, knowing no other sauce than the Lacedaemonian sauce, Hunger; eating rather for preservation of life, than delight or luxury: whilst we in our Diet are so voluptuous, that we even dig our graves with our teeth, (as the French proverb hath it) the whole world being scarce sufficient to make a Bacchanalian sacrifice for that Deity, the Belly: France, Spain, Italy, the Indies, yea and the Molluqes must be ransacked, to make sauce for our meat; whilst we impoverish the land, air and water, to in rich a private Table. Thus we live, as if we were born to no other end, but by Gluttony and surfeiting to oppose Nature, dull the spirits, subvert the animal faculties, and heap upon ourselves an innumerable company of diseases, it being a maxim amongst our European Physicians, that Gluttony hath killed more than the sword. Whereas to the contrary, such is the Temperance of these people, that I can scarce see one sick or diseased among them.  
Now for Wine, the cherisher of the heart, the expeller of cares and sorrows, the reviver of the spirits, and the infuser of valour and courage, these 
Discommodities of Wine.  people know it not: and herein I esteem them (what ever our Epicures think) most happy. For when I consider the dangerous effects thereof, as namely, how it confoundeth our Reason, disturbeth our Senses, dulleth our Understanding, consumeth our Memory, depraveth our judgement, and finally transformeth us from men to beasts. I know not whether I should bewail our own miserable condition, or applaud their happy estate.  
Heretofore in our country of England, all foreign Wines were sold in Apothecaries shops, for the relief of the sick, weak and aged; then Physicians walked on foot, for the service of God's people: but when it once came to be sold publicly in Taverns, than they road on horseback like Princes; the excess of Wine being a main upholder of theirs: thence proceed Fevers, Convulsions, Epilepsies, Vertigo's, Lethargies, Gouts, and all Exotique diseases, unknown to our Ancestors.  
Besides, what horrible and execrable actions hath it not perpetrated? what sacrileges? what rapes? what murders have not been committed by the excess of Wine? The examples of this kind are 
As the Turkish Emperor, and all the Eastern Princes.  infinite, and the consideration thereof moved some Kings and Princes to prohibit, and lay great mulcts and penalties upon them which used it, though with moderation; knowing that it transporteth men into all unjust actions, and transformeth them into beasts.  
Where to the contrary, water produceth no evil effects; for it assuageth thirst, refresheth the spirits, abateth choler, quickeneth the senses, and temperately doth humect and moisten the inward parts of the body. And had not the distemperature of our parents, our evil education, and our natural corruptions prevailed against us, we might have enjoyed the like happiness which these people possess.  
And may not their ignorance in the Art of Navigation, be deservedly accounted an happiness. Certainly by this means they are not contaminated with the vices and evil customs of strangers: when we have derived to ourselves, with our commerce with foreign Nations, with their wares and commodities, their vices and evil conditions; as our drunkenness and rudeness from the Germans; our fashions and factions from the French; our insolence from the Spaniards; our Machivillianisme from the Italians; our levity and inconstancy from the Greeks; our usury and extortion from the jews; our Atheism and impiety from the Turks and 
As the Pocks, brought into England by the first discovery of America.  Moors; and our voluptuous luxury from the Persians and Indians; which perhaps might have passed without censure by natural men, had not we been infected by this means with some diseases of the body, as well as corruption of the soul. Besides, to balance the account, what are our ships fraught 
As the Chinese, who will suffer no stranger to come into their country.  withal, but with toys and vanities, which we might well be without, and serve but as fomenta luxuriosa, stirrers up of Pride, luxury and wantonness; for which cause only, some Nations are forbidden to have any commerce or traffic with strangers, left they should be infected with their vices and evil customs.  
Besides, those happy people have no need of any foreign commodity, Nature having sufficiently supplied their necessities, wherewith they remain contented. But it is we that are in want, and are compelled like famished Wolves, to range the world about for our living, to the hazard both of our souls and bodies; the one by the corruption of the Air, the other by the corruption of Religion.   

Their ARMS.  
AS for their ignorance in the Military profession, though they be not trained up in the practice of those Arms our Moderns have lately invented, they retain the use of those Weapons which have been in use from all Antiquity, I mean the Lance and Dart, wherein they have attained to such perfection, that therein I believe no Nation in the World doth equal, I am sure cannot exceed them. But you will say, they want desensive Armour, and places of strength, and retirement. It is true, they have no other Armour than their own valour; nor Forts, but fortitude and courage; who, like the Parthians, fight flying, making their retreat as dangerous to the Enemy, as their first encounter.  
And lastly, for the use of powder and shot, and the managing of great Ordnance, whereof they are altogether ignorant. Herein they are happy also above all other Nations; it being one of the most damnable inventions that ever was forged in the Devil's Conclave: against the fury whereof, neither the courage of the valiant, nor the strength of the mighty can prevail; so that Hercules himself, whom the Poets falsely, or Samson, whom the Scriptures truly deliver for the strongest of men, were living in these times, a child might kill them with a Pistol. Let us examine the invention, state, and progress of this pernicious and cruel Engine.  
All Writers do agree, that a Germane Monk was 
Pareus, lib. 1. in Praef.  the first inventor of the materials thereof; and, as it is thought, not without the Devil, to show his hatred to Mankind: the first invention was but rude and simple, but Time and the wickedness of men, have added to the first project, even to the mounting them upon wheels, that they might be the eafier transported, and run (as it were) to the Ruin of Mankind. From hence hath proceeded these Monsters, of Canons, and double Canons, and Culverings, these furious Basilisks, and murderers, those fiery Falcons and Sakers: wherein it seems the inventors knew well what they did, when they imposed on them the names of Snakes, Serpents, and ravenous Birds; the very names of them being terrible, and apt to beget in us a horror and detestation of them. I forbear to speak of lesser Engines, but of greater danger; as the Dag and Pistol, which may be concealed in a man's pocket, wherewith many have been treacherously slain without any prevention. Out of this miserable and cruel Magazine have issued these Mines, countermines, Firepots, Firepikes, Oranges, Granado's, Hedgehogs, Petards, and the like; a most cursed invention, wherein the malice of man to man is grown to that height, whom we ought to love as our Brother; that such as can invent the most wicked, cruel and execrable project to destroy men withal, is held the most worthy to receive the greatest honour, respect and reward: and now, if ever, it may truly be said, Homo homini Demon; one man is a Devil to another.  
All inventions, as they are but the imitations of Nature, do ever fall short of the pattern; but in this they have exceeded Nature. Take it thus briefly: the Thunder and Lightning which these Salmonians would imitate, doth transcend the other in fury and violence; for the Thunderbolt, as natural and accidental, falleth sometimes on a a tree, mountain, a tower, seldom on a man: but this infernal Engine, guided by the malice of man, aims only at man, to whose destruction it is wholly directed. There are some countries, that by reason of the coldness of the climate, as Russia, Tartary, Greenland, at certain seasons of the year, as in the depth of Winter, and the midst of Summer, are exempt from Thunder. But no country or season can privilege the Inhabitants from the fury of this pernicious Engine. The Thunderbolt, by the means of the lightning, and noise in the air, giveth some warning to men, to avoid the ensuing danger; but this thundereth in striking, and striketh in thunder, sending the mortal Bullet, as soon into our bowels, as the sound into our ears. Therefore we have good reason to detest the Author of this so pernicious and damnable an invention.  
And here I cease not, presuming to advise Kings and Princes (this being but a Paradox) in the use of the instrument: (for I know it to be as well defensive as offensive) but magnifying the mercies of GOD towards this people, whose simplicity hath herein made them more happy than our too dear bought knowledge hath advantaged us.    
FINIS.