*eit met by a large patty of ladies and damiels, who have die government of the Uland. They wçeivcd the French lords with joy, and led them to the interior part of the ifiand, which is very beautiful, to amufe and enjoy themfelvcs. Some lay, who pretend to be acquainted with thé ftate of this ifland, and infill upon it, that fairies and nymphs inhabit it, and that frequently merchants from Venice or Genoa, who have been forced by ftrefs of weather to make fome ftay there, have feen the appearances of them, and have had the truth of thefc reports confirmed.. The count de Nevcrs and his friends were very happy with the dames of Cephalonia, for they en-tertained them gaily, telling them their arrival fad been matter of joy to them, from their being Jtaights of honour and renown, for in general they had nô other vifitors but merchants. I may be afked, if this ifiand be folely in* habited by women. I anfwer no j but women have Che fcvemigpity of it: they, however, employ (hemfelves in needle and other works \ and make fuch fine cloths of filk, that none others can be compared to them; The men of the ifland, being ignorant, am employed to carry abroad theft wûffe% wherever they fhall think to have thfr grcaeoft profit* but the women remain at home* - The mm honour the fair fex for their works* and bceaufc they have always a fufficiency qf wca)^ Thf ftate of the ifland is fuch, that 'm one dare approach it, to commit any injury, for whoever Jhpuld attempt it would pçrifh, m has B4 v 1