and that our King's dominions may in nothing be inferiour to any other nation, we have had an inchanted island, upon the North of Ireland, long talk't of. And, indeed, when I went first into the Kingdom of Ireland to live, and heard those many stories, which were common in every man's mouth, concerning the island of O-Brazile, (as they called it) which multitudes reported often to be seen upon the Coast of Ulster in that kingdom; yet I lookt upon it as a perfect romance, and many times laught the reporters to scorn: though many sober and religious persons, wou'd constantly affirm, that in bright days (especially in summer time) they could perfectly see a very large absolute Island; but after long looking at it, it would disappear. And sometimes one friend and neighbor, wou'd one call another to behold it, until there would be a considerable number together; every one of which wou'd not be persuaded but that they perfectly saw it, and some of them have made towards it with boats; but when they have come to the place where they thought it was, they have found nothing. And many old people in the countrey, wou'd tell many old probable stories, how it came first to be inchanted. I confess there were (in those days) two things made me little to wonder:

"1. How it came to be inserted into many of our both ancient and modern maps (as you or any man may find it is) by the name of O-Brazile.

"2. The other is, what moved your cousen (that you know, died but within these 4 or 5 years at Glasslough) who was a wise man, and a great Scholar, to put himself to the charges and trouble (in the late king's time) to take out a * patent for it, whensoever it should be gained: certainly he, and those that counselled him to it, lookt upon it as some inchanted (if any such thing there be) kingdom or island, that, in time, might be

*There is nothing more certain than that a patent was taken out for it in the late king's days.

recovered. And since the happy restoration of his majesty that now reigns, many reports have been, that it hath been disinchanted or taken, yea in the time of the sitting of the last parliament in Dublin (in the year 1663) one coming out of Ulster, assured the house of Commons (whereof he was a member) that the inchantment was broken, and it gained; but it proved not so, and about two years after, a certain Quaker pretended that he had a revelation from Heaven, that he was the man ordained to take it, with a new ship built by his inspiration, &c. and in order thereunto, he built a vessell, but what became of him, or his enterprize, I never heard; it seems the full time was not then come. I assure you (dear cousen) I was not then so unwilling to believe it as now I am certain of it from very good hands, but whether (in the original) it have been a trick of Rome, one of the works and mysteries of Babylon, I cannot say, neither dare I dispute, but this I am sure of, that the time, or inchantment (or what you please to call it) is now out and the island fully discovered, or taken, and the manner, briefly thus:

"There is one Captain John Nisbet, who lived formerly at Lisneskey, in the County of Fermanagh; this man left Lisneskey 7 or 8 years since, and came to live at Killebegs in the Barony of Boylagh and Bannagh, in the County of Dunnegall in Ulster, (a corporation you know right well). This man, Captain Nisbet, since he came to Killebegs hath fraught out several vessels to France and Holland, &c. with such merchandize as that countrey afforded. And in September last he fraught out a vessel of about 70 Tuns, laden with butter, tallow and hides, for France, which was to bring back French wines, which vessel being returning, and near the coasts of Ireland (as they thought) upon the 2nd of this instant March 1674, after a most clear frosty night, in the morning about the time of sun rising, of a sudden, there fell a most terrible thick mist of fog, upon sea, round about them; which continued the space of about

the

three hours, and then cleared up again, very bright. But when

the mist was vanisht, they found themselves upon a certain coast, close by the shore; and of a sudden also, a very high wind, driving them still nearer to the land. When the Master, and the rest with him (who were but 8 persons in all, viz. James Mac Donnel the Master, Alexander Johnson Skipper, James Ross, carpenter, and 5 mariners) saw themselves so near an unknown shore, and cou'd not imagine what place it should be; for though they knew most of the shores of Ireland and Scotland, yet they cou'd not possibly give any guess where they then were. Finding themselves therefore so near land, and some little rocks not far off them, the master gave orders to sound what water they had; and finding it not 3 fathoms, they thought it was the best course to strike sails and drop an anchor (which accordingly they did) until they might inform themselves where they were. And having cast anchor, they resolved to set 4 of their 8 men ashore, to see if they cou'd learn where they were; and how to get off: which, after they had taken down their boat, they did. The persons that were to goe, were the carpenter James Ross, and 3 mariners, who took with them swords and pistols. Presently after landing, they past through a little wood, and within less than an English mile, in a most pleasant green valley (wherein were many cattle, horses and sheep feeding) they saw a very strong-like castle appearing, unto which they repaired, and called, thinking to find some that might direct them where they were, and what to do, but after they had long knockt, and saw nor heard any creature (not so much as a dog) answer, they concluded it was some waste place, and therefore left it, and going further up a most pleasant green hill, they saw multitudes of black rabbets, about a mile from the castle: but when they came to the height thereof, look which way they pleased, they cou'd see neither man, woman, child nor house, at last, having ranged 2 or 3 hours about the country, and lighting of none to enquire of, they returned again to their boat, and told their fellows aboard what success they had had; whereupon their fellows

calling for the boat, resolved to come ashore also, all but one mariner; which they did, and dividing themselves into two parts, one part took to the right-hand shore, the other to the left; both parties wandering up and down, until 4 of the clock in the afternoon, but neither of them saw any people to enquire of; but much cattle, dear, rabbets, &c. but afar off in the countrey, they saw great woods, into which they dare not venture so that both parties returned again to their boat. At last the weather being very cold and drawing towards night, finding abundance of old dry wood, in the side of the above named little wood, near unto the shore, they resolved to make a great fire, against a great old oak, that was fallen down with age; and in order thereunto, some brought wood, and some others struck fire; at last, having made a rouzing fire, and sitting warming themselves, discoursing and taking tobacco; of a sudden they heard a most terrible hideous noise, towards that place; especially where they saw the old castle, and almost all over the Island, which did so terrify and amaze them, that they presently left their fire, took their boat, and went all aboard as fast as they cou'd, where they continued in great fear all night, yet neither could nor durst stir out to sea, because when they sounded again, they had not 2 fathoms of water, and the wind directly against them.

"The next morning, as soon as the sun was risen, they saw a very ancient grave gentleman and 10 men following him bareheaded (as if his servants) coming towards the shore where the ship lay, and being come close to the water side, the old gentleman calling to the master (in the old Scotch language) who with the rest stood upon the deck, askt him, from whence they came? whither they were bound, and with what they were laden? the master answered, they came from France, were laden with French wines, with which they were bound to Killybegs, in the Co. of Dunegall in Ireland, if it pleased God to give them leave, then the old gentleman askt them, how they came thither, and whether they knew where they were?

or how to get forth? the master told him that before the great fog fell upon them yesterday, they thought they were near the Coast of Ireland but where they now where, or how to get off, he knew not in the least. Then the grave gentleman told them, if they would please to come ashore again, they should be courteously entertained, told where they were, well rewarded, and guided to their own coast. Then the master askt whether they should have no wrong or harm done to themselves nor vessel if they came ashore? the old man promised they should not, whereupon the master and the rest seeing no arms with them, resolved six of them shou'd come ashore well armed.

"As soon as they were landed, the old gentleman embraced them one by one; telling them, they were the most happy sight that island had seen some hundred of years, that the island was called O-Brazile; that his ancestors were sometimes princes of it, telling them also, that he and several other persons of quality by the malicious diabolical art of a great Negromancer, had been tyrannically shut up in the castle they knockt at yesterday, in which several of their progenitors had ended their miserable days; and the whole Island a receptacle of furies, made (to mortals) unservicable, and invisible until now that the cursed time was expired, which (saith he) continued until the last day of the last month, but 3 or 4 days since, being askt why none answered in the castle yesterday, when the mariners knockt so long, he answered, that though the wicked time was expired, and that now the island was visible and any might come upon it, yet he and the rest had neither power to answer any that spoke to them, nor free themselves from imprisonment, until fire was kindled upon the island by some good Christians: being askt, whether it was now absolutely free, and wou'd never be inchanted again? he told them it was now absolutely free, and shou'd never be troubled again, but all the powers of darkness, when they heard that hideous noise were finally departed.

"After which words he led them towards the said castle