open and declare the matter, that he might plainly enough appear to report, not things which he had learned of others only by hearsay, but with his own eyes presently seen and thoroughly viewed, and wherein he had no small time been conversant and abiding. A man truly in mine opinion, as touching the knowledge of regions, peoples, and worldly experience, much passing, yea, even the very famous and renowned traveller Ulysses; and indeed such a one as for the space of these eight hundred years past I think nature into the world brought not forth his like: in comparison of whom Vespucius may be thought to have seen nothing. Moreover, whereas we be wont more effectually and pithily to declare and express things that we have seen than which we have but only heard, there was besides that in this man a certain peculiar grace and singular dexterity to describe and set forth a matter withal. Yet the selfsame things, as oft as I behold and consider them drawn and painted out with Master More's pencil, I am therewith so moved, so delighted, so inflamed, and so rapt, that sometimes, methinks, I am presently conversant even in the island of Utopia. And I promise you I can scant believe that Raphael himself, by all that five years' space that he was in Utopia abiding, saw there

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so much as here in Master More's description is to be seen and perceived. Which description with so many wonders and miraculous things is replenished that I stand in great doubt whereat first and chiefly to muse or marvel: whether at the excellency of his perfect and sure memory, which could wellnigh word by word rehearse so many things once only heard: or else at his singular prudence who so well and wittily marked and bore away all the original causes and fountains (to the vulgar people commonly most unknown) whereof both issueth and springeth the mortal confusion and decay of a commonwealth, and also the advancement and wealthy state of the same may rise and grow, or else at the efficacy and pith of his words which in so fine a Latin style, with such force of eloquence, hath couched together and comprised so many and divers matters; especially being a man continually encumbered with so many busy and troublesome cares, both public and private, as he is. Howbeit all these things cause you little marvel (right honourable Buslyde) for that you are familiarly and thoroughly acquainted with the notable, yea, almost divine, wit of the man. But now to proceed to other matters, I surely know nothing needful nor requisite to be adjoined unto his writings:

Only a metre of four verses written in the Utopian

tongue which, after Master More's departure, Hythloday by chance shewed me. That have I caused to be added thereto, with the Alphabet of the same nation, and have also garnished the margin of the book with certain notes. For, as touching the situation of the Island, that is to say, in what part of the world Utopia standeth the ignorance and lack whereof not a little troubleth and grieveth Master More, indeed Raphael left not that unspoken of. Howbeit with very few words he lightly touched it, incidently by the way passing it over as meaning of likelihood to keep and reserve that to another place. And the same, I wot not how, by a certain evil and unlucky chance escaped us both. For when Raphael was speaking thereof, one of Master More's servants came to him and whispered in his ear. Wherefore I, being then of purpose more earnestly addict to hear, one of the company by reason of cold (taken I think a shipboard), coughed out so loud that he took from my hearing certain of his words. But I will never stint nor rest until I have got the full and exact knowledge hereof: insomuch that I will be able perfectly to instruct you not only in the longitude or true meridian of the island, but in the just latitude thereof, that is to say in the sublevation or height of the pole in that region, if our friend

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Hythloday be in safety and alive. For we hear very uncertain news of him. Some report that he died in his journey homeward. Some again affirm that he returned into his country, but partly for that he could not away with the fashions of his country folk, and partly for that his mind and his affection was altogether set and fixed upon Utopia, they say that he hath taken his voyage thitherward again. Now as touching this, that the name of this island is nowhere found among the old and ancient cosmographers, this doubt Hythloday himself very well dissolved. For why, it is possible enough (quod he) that the name which it had in old time was afterward changed, or else that they never had knowledge of this island: forasmuch as now in our time divers lands be found which to the old geographers were unknown. Howbeit what needeth it in this behalf to fortify the matter with arguments, seeing Master More is author hereof sufficient? But whereas he doubteth of the edition or imprinting of the book, indeed herein I both commend and also acknowledge the man's modesty. Howbeit unto me it seemeth a work most unworthy to be long suppressed, and most worthy to go abroad into the hands of men, yea, and under the title of your name to be published to the world, either because the

singular endowments and qualities of Master More be to no man better known than to you, or else because no man is more fit and meet than you with good counsels to further and advance the Commonwealth, wherein you have many years already continued and travailed with great glory and commendation, both of wisdom and knowledge and also of integrity and uprightness. Thus, O liberal supporter of good learning and flower of this our time, I bid you most heartily well to fare. At Antwerp, 1516, the first day of November.