the useful is shown in the practical applications of the discoveries
made by the scholars of Solomon's House. Nor does the interest of the
work stop here. It contains much, both in its political and in its
scientific ideals, that we have as yet by no means achieved, but which
contain valuable elements of suggestion and stimulus for the future.

THE NEW ATLANTIS

We sailed from Peru, (where we had continued for the space of one whole
year) for China and Japan, by the South Sea; taking with us victuals
for twelve months; and had good winds from the east, though soft and
weak, for five months space, and more. But the wind came about, and
settled in the west for many days, so as we could make little or no
way, and were sometime in purpose to turn back. But then again there
arose strong and great winds from the south, with a point east, which
carried us up (for all that we could do) towards the north; by which
time our victuals failed us, though we had made good spare of them. So
that finding ourselves, in the midst of the greatest wilderness of
waters in the world, without victuals, we gave ourselves for lost men
and prepared for death. Yet we did lift up our hearts and voices to
God above, who showeth his wonders in the deep, beseeching him of his
mercy, that as in the beginning he discovered the face of the deep, and
brought forth dry land, so he would now discover land to us, that we
might not perish.

And it came to pass that the next day about evening we saw within a
kenning before us, towards the north, as it were thick clouds, which
did put us in some hope of land; knowing how that part of the South Sea
was utterly unknown; and might have islands, or continents, that
hitherto were not come to light. Wherefore we bent our course thither,
where we saw the appearance of land, all that night; and in the dawning
of the next day, we might plainly discern that it was a land; flat to
our sight, and full of boscage; which made it show the more dark. And
after an hour and a half's sailing, we entered into a good haven, being
the port of a fair city; not great indeed, but well built, and that
gave a pleasant view from the sea: and we thinking every minute long,
till we were on land, came close to the shore, and offered to land.
But straightways we saw divers of the people, with bastons in their
hands (as it were) forbidding us to land; yet without any cries of
fierceness, but only as warning us off, by signs