AN APPROBATION OF LEO'S HISTORY BY RICHARD HAKLUYT AND OTHERS

Summary

Being mooued to publish mine opinion as touching this present Historie of Iohn Leo; I do hold and affirme it to be the verie best, the most particular, and methodicall, that euer was written, or at least that hath come to light, concerning the countries, peoples, and affairs of Africa. For which cause, and knowing well the sufficiencie of the translator, my selfe was the first and onely man that perswaded him to take it in hand. Wherein how diligently and faithfully he hath done his part, and how he hath enlarged and graced this Geographicall historie out of others, the best ancient and moderne writers, by adding a description of all those African maine lands and isles, and other matters verie notable, which Iohn Leo himselfe hath omitted: I referre to the consideration of all iudiciall and indifferent Readers.

Vnto this approbation of master Richard Hakluyt, I holde it not altogither amisse to adioine the testimonies of certaine moderne writers, the most approoued and famous for their skill in Geographie and historie, which they haue also purposely set downe in commendation of this author of ours Iohn Leo.

First therefore master Iohn Baptista Ramusius, Secretarie to the State of Venice, and a man of singular Judgement and diligence in these matters, in his epistle Dedicatorie before the third edition of his first volume of voiages, speaking of the manifold difficulties which he vnderwent to bring the important discourses therein, to light, writteth vnto learned Fracastorius in manner following.