wrote about the year 1200, in his book on Ireland, thought proper, in obedience to the reigning fashion, to entitle it De Mirabilibus Hibernia. There is also a MS. in the Bodleian library, with the title of De Mirabilibus Anglia. And at length appeared a compilation with the more comprehensive title of Mirabilia Hibernia, Anglia, et Orientis ; which is among the MSS. in the Royal library. The Polyhistor of Solinus, in many MSS. has likewise the title of De Mirabilibus Mundi; and we have even De Mirabilibus Veteris et Novi Testamenti. It appears, that the passion for visiting the Holy Land did not cease among us, till late in the reign of Henry the Eighth. Warton mentions one William Wey, Fellow of Eton College, who celebrated Mass, cum cantu organico, at Jerusalem in the year 1472; and cites an Itinerary under the title of "The Pilgrimage of Sir Richard Torkington, Parson of Mulberton in Norfolk, to Jerusalem, An. 1517," as extant in the Bodleian Library. These infatuations are interesting chiefly as they enable us to trace the history of human credulity; but they also exhibit to the philosopher a proof, that feelings of wonderment must precede curiosity, by which the faculties are expanded and perfected. Thus, the idle visions we have been contemplating eventually gave birth to a spirit of rational inquiry into the topographical state of foreign countries, which produced commerce, and those other valuable improvements which spring from the friendly intercourse of nations, TREVISA.-THE POLYCHRONICON. THE translation of the Polychronicon, by Trevisa, is the first prose chronicle in the English language, and is among the earliest prose compositions. It may possibly be equal in bulk to all which existed before it: for in 1248, it is stated by Mr. Ritson, from John of Glastenbury, that no more than four books in English, (and those upon religious subjects,) were found in the library of Glastenbury-abbey, one of the most extensive in the kingdom. Leland also, when he ransacked the monastic and other li braries in the reign of Henry VIII. found only two or three books written in English. This Chronicle was compiled in Latin, by Ralph Higden, a benedictine of St. Werberg's monastery, now the cathedral in Chester. Higden was born in the reign of Henry III. though in what year is unknown; but, as he is said to have died very aged, in the year 1363, if we assume even the last year of the reign of that prince, or 1272, for the time of his birth, his age will amount to no less than 91 years. By a comparison which has been made of |