"Albion (the most ancient name of this Isle) containeth Englande and Scotlande: of the beginning (origin) of which name haue been sundrie opinios (opinions): One late feigned by him, which first prynted the Englishe Chronicle,1 wherein is neither similitude of trouth, reasone, nor honestie: I mean the fable of the fiftie doughters of Dioclesian, kyng of Syria, where neuer any other historic maketh mencion of a kyng of Syria, so named: Also that name is Greke, and no part of the language of Syria. Moreouer the coming of theim from Syria in a shippe or boate without any marynours (mariners) thorowe (through) the sea called Mediterraneum, into the occean, and so finally to finde this He, and to inhabit it, * * * * is both impossible, and much reproche to this noble Realme, to ascribe hir first name and habitation, to such inuention. Another opinion is (which hath a more honeste similitude) that it was named Albion, ab albis rupibus, of white rockes, because that unto them, that come by sea, the bankes and rockes of this He doe appeare whyte. Of this opinion I moste mervayle (marvel), because it is written of great learned men, First, Albion is no latin worde, nor hath the analogie, that is to saie, proportion or similitude of latine. For who hath founde this syllable on, at the ende of a latin woord. And if it should have bæn (been) so called for the whyte colour of the rockes, men would have called called it (I believe this to be a misprint) Alba, or Albus, or Album. In Italy were townes called Alba2 and in Asia a countrey called Albania, and neither of them took their beginning of whyte rockes, or walles, as ye may read in books of geographic: nor the water of the ryuer called Albis, semeth any whiter than other water. But if where auncient remembraunce of the beginning of thinges lacketh, it may be leeful for men to use their conjectures, than may myne be as well accepted as Plinies (although he incomparably excelled me in wisedome e doctrine) specially if it may appéer, that my coiecture (conjecture) shal approch more neere to the similitude of trouth. Wherfore I will also sett foorth mine opinion onely to the intent to exclude fables, lackyng eyther honestie or reasonable similitudes. Whan the Greekes began first to prosper, and their cities became populous, and wared puissaunt, they which trauailed on the seas, and also the yles in the seas called Hellespontus, Æigeum and Creticu (m), after that thei knewe perfectly the course of sailynge, and had founden thereby profyte, they by little and little attempted to serch and finde out the commodities of outwarde countrees: and like as Spaniardes and Portugalls haue late doone, they experienced to seeke out countries before unknown. And at laste passynge the streictes of Marrocke (Morocco) they entered into the great occean sea, where they fond (found) dyvers and many Iles. Among which they perceiuing this Ile to be not onely the greatest in circuite, but also most plenteouse of every necessary to man, the earth moste apte to bring forth," &c. The learned prelate goes on to enumerate the natural advantages of our country. He continues—"They wanderynge and reioysinge at their good and fortunate arrival, named this yle in Greeke Olbion, which in Englishe signifieth happy."

Foley Place.

AN ANTIQUARY

LINES

(For the Mirror.)

"Preach to the storm, or reason with despair, But tell not misery's son that life is fair"

H.K. WHITE.

I mark'd his eye—it beam'd with gladness, His ceaseless smile and joyous air, His infant soul had ne'er felt sadness, Nor kenn'd he yet but life was fair. His chubby cheek with genuine mirth Blown out—while all around him smiled, And fairy-land to him seemed earth, I envied him, unwitting child. I look'd again—his eye was flush'd With passion proud and deep delight, But often o'er his brow there gush'd A blackened cloud which made it night, But still the cloud would wear away, (His youthful cheek was red and rare,) And still his heart beat light and gay, Still did he fancy life was fair. Again I looked—another change— The darkened eye, the visage wan, Told me that sorrow had been there, Told me that time had made him man. His brow was overcast, and deep Had care, the demon, furrow'd there, I heard him sigh with anguish deep, "Oh! tell me not that life is fair."

COLBOURNE

BIRTHPLACE OF LOCKE

(To the Editor.)

The philosopher was born in the room lighted by the upper window on the right, in your Engraving No. 487. It is a small, plain apartment, having few indications of former respectability.

In the garden of Barley Wood, near Wrington, the residence of the religious and sentimental Hannah More, stands an urn commemorative of Locke, the gift of Mrs. Montague, with the following inscription:

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The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction. Volume 17, No. 488, May 7, 1831

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ORIGIN OF THE WORD ALBION

(To the Editor.)

AN ANTIQUARY

LINES

(For the Mirror.)

COLBOURNE

BIRTHPLACE OF LOCKE

(To the Editor.)

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