n minerall of
coals, tinne, lead, copper, not without gold and silver,
abundant in pasture, replenished with cattel, both tame and
wilde (for it hath more parks than all Europe besides),
plentifully wooded, provided with all complete provisions of
war, beautified with many populous cities, faire boroughs,
good towns, and well-built villages, strong munitions,
magnificent palaces of the prince, stately houses of the
nobilitie, frequent hospitals, beautiful churches, faire
colledges, as well in the other places as in the two
Vniversities." _Remains_, p. 12. edit. 1637.

How far Camden was indebted to the following curious
description of our country, written in the time of Edward
vj, (of which I shall modernize the orthography,) the reader
will judge for himself. The running title of the work is
"_The Debate between the_ [French and English] _Heralds_,"
8vo., printed in the bl. lett. (In the possession of Mr.
Heber.)

"We have all manner of grains, and fruits, and more plenty
than you; for, thanked be God, England is a fruitful and
plenteous region, so that we have some fruits whereof you
have few; as _wardeines_, quinces, peaches, medlers,
chesnuts, and other delicious fruits; serving for all
seasons of the year; and so plenty of pears and apples that,
in the west parts of England and Sussex, they make perry and
cider, and in such abundance that they convey part over the
sea, where, by the Monsieurs of France, it is coveted for
their beverage and drinks."--_Sign. L._ iiij. rev.

"We have in Cornwall and Devonshire (God be honoured) the
richest mines of silver and tin that may be, also in Ireland
mines of silver, in Derbyshire mines of lead, alabaster,
marble, black and white. In Sussex, Yorkshire, and Durham,
mines of iron, coal, slate, and freestone; and in every
shire of England, generally quarries of hard stone, chalk,
and flint: these be commodities honorable and not feigned,
being of such estimation that France, nor other realms, may
well forbear; and as for saltpetre, there is sufficient made
in England to furnish our turn for the wars. Also we have
hot fountains or bathes, which you nor no other realms
christened have."--_Sign. L._ v. rev. If ancient GILDAS
speak the truth, Great Britain was no contemptible place