THE LAKE There now only remains the geography of our country to be treated of before the history is commenced.

Now the most striking difference between the country as we know it and as it was known to the ancients is the existence of the great Lake in the centre of the island.

From the Red Rocks (by the Severn) hither, the most direct route a galley can follow is considered to be about 200 miles in length, and it is a journey which often takes a week even for a vessel well manned, because the course, as it turns round the islands, faces so many points of the compass, and therefore the oarsmen are sure to have to labour in the teeth of the wind, no matter which way it blows.
Many parts are still unexplored, and scarce anything known of their extent, even by repute.

Until Felix Aquila's time, the greater portion, indeed, had not even a name.

Each community was well acquainted with the bay before its own city, and with the route to the next, but beyond that they were ignorant, and had no desire to learn.