History (or the Chronicles) of Wales; and at different times, various publications have been made to prove the tradition well founded. But all that we are justi fied in saying about it is, that there is such a tradition. Another pretension to an early discovery of the American continent has been set up, founded on an alleged map and narrative of two brothers of the name of Zeno of Venice; but it seems even less valid than those already mentioned. The following is Mr. Ir ving’s statement of this claim :* “Nicolo Zeno, a noble Venetian, is said to have made a voyage to the north in 1380, in a vessel fitted out at his own cost, intending to visit England and Flanders; but meeting with a terrible tempest, was driven for many days he knew not whither, until he was cast away upon Frise- land, an island much in dispute among geographers, but supposed to be the archipelago of the Ferroe islands. The shipwrecked voyagers were assailed by the natives; but rescued by Zichmni, a Prince of the islands, lying on the south side of Friseland, and duke of another district lying over against Scotland. Zeno entered into the service of this prince, and aided him in conquering Friseland, and other northern islands. He was soon joined by his brother Antonio Zeno, who remained fourteen years in those coun tries. “ During his residence in Friseland, Antonio Zeno wrote to his brother Carlo, in Venice, giving an account of a re port brought by a certain fisherman, about aland to the westward. According to the tale of this mariner, he had been one of a party who sailed from Friseland about twen ty-six years before, in four fishing boats. Being overtaken by a mighty tempest, they were driven about the sea for
