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latter of whom was again sent out on an expedition against Estland, which is situated between Frisland and Norway. After this he attacked and plundered seven other islands, which are named Talas, Broas, Iscant, Traus, Mimant, Dambere, and Bres, in the last of which he built a fort. In the following year, having fitted out three ships, he set sail in July towards the North, and arrived in Engroneland, where he found a monastery of predicant friars, dedicated to Saint Thomas, and situated close to a mountain, which threw out flames like Vesuvius and Etna.

There was besides in this place a fountain of hot water, with which the church of the monastery and the chambers of the friars were heated, and which was also brought into the kitchen so boiling hot, that no other fire was made use of for dressing their victuals; and by putting their bread into brass kettles without water, it became baked as well as if it had been in a heated oven. They had also little gardens, covered over during winter, which being watered with this water, were defended against the snow, and cold, which, in those parts, by reason of their situation so near the pole, is most severe; and by these means the friars produced flowers and fruits, and herbs of various sorts, just as well as in more temperate countries; so that the rude and savage people of those parts, seeing these supernatural effects, considered the friars as gods, and brought them presents of chickens, flesh, and other articles, and held them in the

greatest awe and respect. When the frosts and snows are severe, the friars heat their houses in this manner, and temper the heat or cold at pleasure. Their buildings are made of the stones which are thrown out like burning cinders from the mountain, and which by throwing water on them become excellent white lime; when cold and not dissolved with water, they shape them with iron tools and use them in their buildings.

Their winter is said to continue for nine months their food to consist of wild fowl and fish; for the warm water runneth into a capacious haven, which, on account of its heat, it preventeth from freezing, and in consequence of this there is such a concourse of sea-fowl and such abundance of fish, that both are easily taken in vast multitudes, and enable the friars to maintain a great number of people, whom they keep in constant employment, in constructing their houses, in taking sea-fowl and fish, and in a thousand other matters relating to the monastery.

The trade of these friars with Norway and the neighbouring islands is then described; and it is observed, that to this monastery of Saint Thomas resort the friars of Norway, of Sweden, and of other countries, but mostly from Iceland. The boats of the fishermen are described as being in shape like a weaver's shuttle, and made of the skins and bones of fishes.

This curious account of Engroneland or Greenland is given by Nicolo to his brother Carlo; and

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it appears that, during his residence at this monastery, being unused to such severity of weather, he fell sick, and died shortly after his return into Frisland. This Nicolo left behind him two sons in Venice, from one of whom was descended the celebrated Cardinal Zeno.

On the death of Nicolo, his brother Antonio succeeded to his property, and, unwillingly as it would seem, to all his dignities and honours, for he wished to return to his own country; but all his entreaties with Zichmni were unavailing; for Zichmni, " being a man of great courage and valour, had determined to make himself lord of the sea." At this time one of his fishermen returned to Frisland, after an absence of six and twenty years, and gave an account of his having been driven by a violent storm upon an island called Estotiland, about a thousand miles to the westward of Frisland. He related that the island was well peopled; that a man was brought to him who had likewise been shipwrecked, and who spoke Latin; that the island was nearly as large as Iceland, and more fertile, the people ingenious and skilled as artisans; that the prince had Latin books, but did not understand them; that they had gold and all manner of metals; that they raised corn, made beer, traded with Greenland, from whence they procured furs, brimstone, and pitch; that their buildings were made of stone; that they had extensive woods, of which they built ships, and

traded with a country to the southward called Drogio.

Zichmni, having heard this strange relation, which was confirmed by the crew who had come to Frisland with the fisherman, determined to set out with a great number of ships and men in search of these countries, and Antonio Zeno accompanied him on this expedition of discovery.

As they proceeded to the westward, the first point they fell in with was called Icaria, and beyond this they came to another country, whose temperature is said to have been inexpressibly mild and pleasant. To the haven in which they anchored they gave the name of Trin. In the interior were great multitudes of people, half wild, hiding themselves in caverns, of small stature, and very timid. Zichmni, finding this place to have a wholesome and pure air, a fruitful soil, and fair rivers, was so delighted with the country, that he determined to take possession of it and to build a city. But his people began to murmur and to express a desire to return, upon which he sent away Antonio to conduct back to Frisland all those who were unwilling to stay. They sailed for the space of twenty days to the eastward without seeing any land; then south-east five days, when they perceived the island of Neome, and, taking in fresh provisions, in three days more reached Frisland.

"What followed after the letter containing

this intelligence," observes the narrator, "I know not:" but from a piece of another letter of Antonio, it would appear that Zichmni built a town near the harbour on the island which he had discovered. The beginning of the letter he says

is as follows:

66

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Concerning those things that you desire to know of me, as of the men and their manners and customs, of the animals and neighbouring countries, I have set down particularly in a book, which, by the blessing of God, I will bring with me; wherein I have described the country, the monstrous fishes, the laws and customs of Frisland, Island, Estland, the kingdom of Norway, Estotiland, Drogio, together with the life of M. Nicolo, the knight our brother, with the discovery which he made, and the state of Engroneland. I have also written the life and acts of Zichmni, a prince as worthy of immortal memory as any that ever lived, for his great valour and singular humanity;. wherein I have described the discovery of Engroneland on both sides and the city which he built. Therefore I will speak no further hereof in this letter, hoping to be with you very shortly, and to satisfy you in sundry other things by word of mouth."

The letters containing the curious and interesting narrative of the adventures and discoveries of the two Zenos were written by Antonio to his brother Carlo; "and it grieveth me," says the

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