Old Hampshire Mapped

Blome's Geography

there will alwaies be left an impression of uncertainty in the minds of men: When Stones and other Durable Monuments, have long ago yielded to antiquity; and are consumed in the silent grave of oblivion, how can any one reasonably expect Records, and the fading Writings of mens hands should so long out-live their Ancestors, where natures and tempers are so frail, and brittle, that they are ready (by one accident or other) to dye as soon as they have received their being?

Greeks inhabited here before the Romans.

St. Hyrom upon his quaeries on Genefes, proves out of Greek Authors, that the Grecians dwelt a long way by the Sea Coast of Europe, even as far as this Isle; and Athenaeus proves by sufficient testimony, that the Greeks were here before the Romans; also that Phyleus Taurominetes dwelt in Britain, in the year CLX. before Julius Caesars arrival; but in what manner, or upon what tearms these people came hither, Authors are silent.

The present Inhabitants.

As to the present Inhabitants, they are for the most part of a comely feature, and of an excellent constitution: in their demeanour, courteous, pleasant, and bountiful; of nature gentle, and not given to strife, or quarrels, without provoked thereunto by injuries or affronts: In matters of War they are courageous and of undaunted spirits, which hath been sufficiently manifested at home and abroad, both by Land and Sea; in advice of Councel, sound and speedy; and without austentation, the English may be held no wayes inferiours to any Nation in the World, either for Ingenuity, Elegancy of Stile, the Knowledge of Arts and Sciences; the Secrets of Nature, or what else belongeth to the compleating of a Gentleman. And as for the Women, they are of a good disposition, of a ready wit and apprehension, good Housewives, and generally handsomer then in other Countreys, which makes them to be so much esteemed, that England is tearmed the Womans Paradise.

Much adicted to fine Apparel.

The People are generally now adays much more adicted to serve their backs then their bellies, greatly coveting fine and costly Apparel, and laying aside the good hospitality used in former dayes.

Their Sports and Recreations.

They are generally given to Sports and Recreations, to which end they have their Parks, and other places which afford them Game both for Hawk and Hound: They have also Horse-races, Bowling, Fishing, and Fowling; and for more Domestick recreations, the Tennis-Court, Playhouses, Fencing, riding the Great Horse, Cock-fighting, Musick, Dancing, Billiards, Cards, Dice, Tables, Chests, &c. And for the meaner sort of people (besides some of these aforesaid) those that are more robustical, as Nine-pinns, Shovel-board, Stow-ball, Ringing of Bells, Wrestling, Bull-baiting, Bear-baiting, &c.

Its scituation.
Length and shortness of dayes.

Of these Isles there is one very large, comprehending two Kingdoms, viz. ENGLAND and SCOTLAND; and called by the name of Britania; another of a less extent, and called IRELAND, which formerly was known by the name of HIVERNIA; with a great many small Isles of less note, which are dispersed up and down in their Seas. And these Isles are scituated between the 9th and 23th degrees of Longitude, and the 50th and 59th of Latitude; making the longest day, which is on the 11th of June, to be about 17 hours, and the shortest, which is on the 11th of Decemb. not to exceed 7 hours; at which time the Sun entreth the sign Capricorn, and every day mounting higher in the Zodiac, approching the Horizon, darts forth his refreshing beams upon us, which doth occasion not only length of dayes, but production of Fruits, Herbs, Plants, &c.

The seasons of the year.

The year is divided into four Seasons, viz. Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter. The Spring Quarter, or Vernal Equinox, beginneth when / the