Index will be given to the entire series of volumes, so arranged as to form a regular Gazetteer of the whole world. In every article which has been adopted into this work, the original and accessory sources of all the materials shall be distinctly indicated. Notes of explanation will be given, wherever necessary; and, as many of these are drawn from various sources, the names of the authors from whom they are adopted shall always be acknowledged: Such notes as are marked by the letter E. are by the Editor of the work.

Owing to the indispensable nature of this work, it makes no positive claim to the character of an original composition, in the strict acceptation of that term; and he, therefore, who has undertaken the care of its collection and arrangement, assumes no higher title than that of Editor. In the discharge of that duty, however, the labour which he has necessarily bestowed, though always pleasing, has often been considerable, and sometimes arduous; and he trusts that the plan of the work, which is altogether original, will be found appropriately adapted to the end in view, and that the execution may appear not inadequate to the high importance of the subject. Without imputation of arrogance, he may be permitted to assert, that he has exerted the most unremitting attention and industry, in the collection, selection, and preparation of the several portions of the whole work, and in the arrangement and distribution of its parts. He has the satisfaction to add, that all his efforts have been seconded with the utmost readiness and liberality by the Proprietor of the work, who has spared no trouble, and withheld no expense, in procuring and supplying the necessary materials.

It is with much grateful satisfaction, that the Editor has to acknowledge his high obligations to the Curators and Librarians of the Edinburgh public libraries, belonging to the Faculty of Advocates, the University, and the Writers to his Majesty's Signet, for the communication of many valuable and scarce materials. Nor ought he to withhold his tribute of gratitude, on this occasion, from the liberal spirit of a private individual, the Reverend Henry White of Lichfield, who has most obligingly offered the use of his valuable Collection of Voyages and Travels, and other curious and scarce works connected with the subject, for assisting towards the perfection of this publication.

Having thus briefly announced the nature, plan, and object of the present work, of which this first Volume is now before the public, it only remains to say, that the Editor and Proprietor, each in his particular department, are resolved to exert their utmost endeavours, that nothing may be omitted which can contribute to render the work deserving of public approbation and extensive patronage.

CONTENTS OF VOLUME I.

PREFACE.

GENERAL PLAN OF THE WORK.

PART I.

Voyages and Travels of Discovery, from the Era of Alfred, King of England, in the Ninth Century, to the Era of Don Henry, Prince of Portugal, at the commencement of the Fifteenth Century.

CHAPTER I.

Discoveries in the time of Alfred, King of England, in the Ninth Century of the Christian Era.

Section I.

Discovery of Iceland by the Norwegians, in the Ninth Century

Section II.

Voyages of Ohthere to the White Sea and the Baltic, in the Ninth Century

Section III.

Remarks on the situation of Sciringes-heal and Haethum, by J. R. Forster

Section IV.

Voyage of Wulfstein in the Baltic, as related to King Alfred

Section IV. [1]

[1] By error of the press, Sect, IV. has been numerically repeated.

Voyage of Sighelm to India, in the reign of Alfred, King of

Section V.

Travels of John Erigena to Athens, in the Ninth-Century

Section VI.

Geography of the known World, in the Ninth Century, as described by King Alfred

Section VII.

VII. Travels of Andrew Leucander, in the Eleventh Century

Section VIII.

Voyage of Swanus to Jerusalem, in 1052

Section IX.

Voyage of three Ambassadors from England to Constantinople, about 1056

Section X.

Pilgrimage of Alured to Jerusalem, in 1058

Section XI.

Pilgrimage of Ingulphus to Jerusalem, in 1064

CHAPTER II.

Original Discovery of Greenland by the Icelanders, in the Ninth Century

CHAPTER III.

Early Discovery of Winland, or America, by the Icelanders, about the year 1001

CHAPTER IV.

Travels of two Mahometans into India and China, in the Ninth Century

CHAPTER V.

Travels of Rabbi Benjamin from Spain to China, in the Twelfth Century

CHAPTER VI.

Travels of an Englishman in Tartary, in 1243