fit to Advertise the Reader, without entering upon the Advantage he will reap by perusing this Relation; because, if he is well affected, all I can say for it will be superfluous; and if otherwise inclin'd, tho' I endeavour to set him right, he will never conceive it. [Kings of the Moluccos.] Among the fourteen most potent Princes, who Lord it over the Archipelago of the Molucco Islands, under the Title of Kings, those of Ternate and Tydore boast of a Divine Original; such Liberty to be vain do Men take upon them, or so much do they ascribe to obscure Antiquity. [A Fable of their Original.] There is an ancient Tradition among those People, look'd upon as Sacred, That they were once Govern'd by a most Ancient Prince, called Bicocigara, who sailing along the Coast of Rachian, perceiv'd that among some craggy Rocks there were grown up abundance of Rotas, so they call a sort of solid Canes, which, when small, they make use of instead of Ropes. He lik'd them, and order'd they should be cut down, and brought into his Vessel. His Subjects going to fulfil his Orders, and having search'd all the place, return'd to their Master, desiring he would look again, least his Eyes deceiv'd him, for they could meet with no such Canes. Bicocigara, who saw them distinctly from his Boat, was positive with his incredulous People, and order'd them again to be brought; but to decide the matter, went himself Ashore, where immediatly they appeared to them all. He commanded them to be cut down, and as they went about it, Blood ran from the Canes that were cut. Being astonish'd at that Prodigy, he discover'd close to the Roots of them four Eggs, which look'd like a Snakes Eggs, and at the same time heard a Voice, proceeding from the hollow of the Canes cut down, which said, Keep those Eggs; for from them shall come four excellent Governours. He took up those fatal Eggs, with Religious Respect, and carry'd them home, where they were kept in the best place of his House. In a short time, from the four Yolks proceeded four Rational Chickens, being three Men, and one Woman, who afterwards Reign'd, the first of them Bachian, the second in Butan, and the third over the Islands call'd Papuas, lying East from the Moluccos. The Woman was Marry'd to Prince Loloda, who gave Name to the Country of Batochina, not far from the great Boconora. This Fable has gain'd such Reputation, that they honour Bicocigara as a Hero, worship the Rocks, and adore the Eggs. The truth of it is, that the cunning Man, by this prodigious Superstition, Sanctify'd his own Race, and gain'd Kingdoms, and Respect for his four Children. So Greece feign'd, or beleiv'd, that Leda Conceiving of the Adulterous Swan brought forth the Eggs, from which came Castor, Pollux, and Helena. Fortune, when she raises Men to a high pitch, perswades those she designs to Crown, to lay the Foundation of their Majesty on Fables, resembling true Misteries, so to perswade the Multitude that they are somewhat Divine, and to