La Martiniere (Pierre Martin de) A New Voyage into the Northern Countries...of the Norwegians, …

La Martiniere (Pierre Martin de) A New Voyage into the Northern Countries...of the Norwegians, Laponians, Kilops, Borandians, Siberians, Samojedes, Zemblians, and Islanders, first edition, lacking initial blank leaf, some marginal browning, modern calf, [Wing L204], 12mo, Printed for John Starkey, 1674. ⁂ Rare account of travels to the arctic regions by a French surgeon. His father died when he was young and he left home and became a battlefield surgeon's assistant in various campaigns during the Thirty Years War. At the age of 12 he was captured by pirates until liberated by the Knights of Malta four years later. Of the Laplanders he writes: "Every house has belonging to it a great black Cat, of which they make great accompt, talking and discoursing to it as it were a rational Creature. They do nothing but they first communicate with their Cat, as believing she assists them highly in all their enterprizes. Every night they go out of their Cabanes to consult their dear puss, nor can they expect a blessing upon their sports either Hunting, Fishing, Fouling, &c. unless their good Angel goes along with them..."