"(June 8, 1632) Right Honorable. I have received a copy of a letter sent by my lord Balfour, directed to his Lordship, myself and others for seizing until his Majesty's use St Patrick's Purgatory..."
"When we were within half a bow-shot of the said island of the Purgatory I saw a bird blacker than coal take flight ; it had not a single plume or feather on its back..."
"It is almost incredible what crowds visit this island annually, during the months of June, July, and August—it being no unusual thing to see from 900 to 1000 persons of both sexes upon it at one and the same time..."