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A wonder beyond expectation
Pepys, i, 74, B.L., three woodcuts, five columns.
The "Wonder," which was registered for publication on January 2, 1632 (Arber's Transcript, iv, 268), is summarized from a thirty-five page pamphlet that was "Printed by R.Y. for Iohn Partridge" in 1631 under the title of Gods Power and Providence: Shewed, In The Miracv-lous Preservation and Deliverance of eight Englishmen, left by mischance in Greenland Anno 1630. nine moneths and twelve dayes___Faithfully reported by
Edward Pellkam, one of the eight men aforesaid. As also with a Map of Green-Land (British Museum, C. 59. g. 17). The pamphlet was also summarized in 1631 by John Rous in his Diary (ed. Camden Society, pp. 63-65), and is reprinted in Churchill's Voyages, volume 11.
In his preface Pellham says: "If the first in inhabiting of a Countrey by a Princes Subiects (which is the King of Spaines best title to his Indyes) doth take possession of it for their Soveraigne: Then is Green-land by a second right taken livery and Seisin of, for his Majesties use; his Subiects being the first that ever did (and I beleeve the last that ever will) inhabite there." He declares that his experience was in every particular more remarkable than that of "the Dutch-mens hard Winter in nova Zembla" in 1 596. Coming to his story, Pellham tells how he and his companions left London on May 1, 1630, in the ship The Salutation of London in the service of the Worshipful Company of Muscovie Merchants. Arriving at Greenland on June 11, the eight men were sent ashore to kill venison. They killed fourteen deer, but during their absence the winds and ice-drifts drove the Salutation away. As another English boat was known to be operating at Green Harbour, the eight men, loaded down with venison, set out for that place but arrived after the ship had sailed. Making the best of the matter, they settled down to a life that is described almost in Robinson Crusoe style. On May 25, 1631, two ships from Hull came to their port, and were followed three days later by the London fleet. At the end of the hunting season, on August 20, the rescued men and the fleet sailed for London.
The tune is named from a ballad called "The wonderful example of God shewed upon Jasper Coningham, a Gentleman born in Scotland, who was of oppinion that there was neither God, nor Divell, Heaven nor Hell. To the Tune of O neighbour Robert'''' {Roxburghe Ballads, in, 104). In MS. Rawlinson Poet. 185, fol. 21, is preserved "A Pleasant new
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