DISTINGUISHED REGIONS,

once having received their name from the

DISPERSED SONS OF NOAH BY A HEBREW

WORD.

A large decorative historiated woodcut initial 'A' set within a square frame. The letter is adorned with floral vine motifs and topped with a scallop shell. Two nude cherubs or putti are depicted flanking the letter, one on each side, looking inward.

Before I approach the matter itself, I wish to convey in a few words why I value so highly the description of geography original: "Chorographia" set down in the history of the world by Moses original: "Moses", so that I desire it to be confirmed by the writings of the heathens, rather than the other way around. I certainly persuade myself that it is the most truthful history, one that is handed down nakedly and most simply, without deceit or any show of words, which is derived from nothing except truth itself, God, and the most ancient monuments, which expects from no mortal man any reward or favor, which is deterred by the authority of no one from proclaiming the truth itself, and which dwells nowhere on the praise of its own author or of mortals, but perpetually on celebrating the benefit of the First Cause toward men, when it touches equally upon the virtues and vices of men, and hides nothing, if a prince, and a wise and holy man, and one who fears no mortal and is led by no one's grace, describes it, and in short, which is commendable for no superfluity of eloquence, but only for the truth that is perpetually consistent with itself.