but to make my Voyage as profitable as it was pleaſant, for could I have brought with me but a few of theſe, they would have been of more Value than all we could hope for in a thouſand Wrecks; but they were ſo cloſely wedg'd in, and ſo ſtrongly cemented by Time, that they were not to be unfaſtenned. I ſaw ſeveral Chains, Carcanets, and Rings, of all manner of precious Stones, finely cut, and ſet after our manner; which, I ſuppoſe, had been the Prize of the Winds and Waves: theſe were hanging looſely on the Jaſper Walls, by Strings made of Ruſhes, which I might eaſily have taken down, but as I had edged myſelf within half a Foot reach of them, I was unfortunately drawn back, thro' your Want of Line. In my Return, I ſaw ſeveral comely Mermen, and beautiful Mermaids, the Inhabitants of this bliſsful Realm, ſwiftly deſcending towards it; but they ſeemed frighted at my Appearance, and glided at a Diſtance from me, taking me, no doubt, for ſome monstrous and new-created Species.
Here
