Arms, for they are the people of the next Towns: but their Weapons
to stop people are to charge them in the Kings Name; which disobeyed,
is so Severely punished; that none dare resist. These Watches are but
as Sentinels to give notice; for in case of War and Danger the King
sends Commanders and Souldiers to ly here. But of this enough. These
things being more proper to be related, when we come to discourse of
the Policy and Strength of the Kingdom.

[The difference of the Seasons in this Country.] The one part of
this Island differs very much from the other, both in respect of the
Seasons and the Soyl. For when the Westwardly Winds blow, then it
rains on the West side of the Island: and that is the season for them
to till their grounds. And at the same time on the East side is very
fair and dry weather, and the time of their Harvest. On the contrary,
when the East Winds blow, it is Tilling time for those that inhabit
the East Parts, and Harvest to those on the West. So that Harvest is
here in one part or other all the Year long. These Rains and this dry
weather do part themselves about the middle of the Land; as oftentimes
I have seen, being on the one side of a Mountain called Cauragas hirg,
rainy and wet weather, and as soon as I came on the other, dry, and
so exceeding hot, that I could scarcely walk on the ground, being,
as the manner there is, barefoot.

[What parts have most Rain.] It rains far more in the High-Lands of
Conde Uda, then in the Low-Lands beneath the Hills. The North End of
this Island is much subject to dry weather. I have known it for five
or six Years together so dry, (having no Rains, and there is no other
means of water but that; being but three Springs of running water,
that I know, or ever heard of) that they could not plow nor sow,
and scarcely could dig Wells deep enough to get water to drink, and
when they got it, its tast was brackish. At which time in other Parts
there wanted not Rain; Whither the Northern People were forced to come
to buy food. Let thus much suffice to have spoken of the Countreys,
Soyl and Nature of this Island in general. I will proceed to speak
of the Cities and Towns of it, together with some other Remarkable
Matters there-unto belonging.

CHAP. II.

Concerning the Chief Cities and Towns of this Island.

[The most Eminent Cities are Five.] In this Island are several Places,
where, they say, formerly stood Cities; and still retain the Name,
tho litt