A paradox. Prooving, that the inhabitants of the isle called Madagascar, or St. Laurence, (in temporall things) are the happiest people in the world. Whereunto is prefixed a ... description of that island: the ... climate, and condition of the inhabitants, and their speciall affection to the English ... With most probable arguments of a hopefull and fit plantation of a colony there, in respect of the fruitfulnesse of the soyle, the benignity of the ayre, and the relieving of our English ships, both to and from the East Indies
A 1640 London pamphlet by Walter Hamond, published by N. Butter, arguing in playful paradox that the people of Madagascar are the happiest in the world and urging an English colony there for ships bound to the East Indies. The three pictures are decorative woodcut printers' ornaments: a leafy frieze with birds and figures, a strapwork band with grotesque heads and scrolls, and a large initial I flanked by mermaid-like women among foliage. A designer could draw on their dense, hand-cut scroll work and framed capital letter for historical borders and display type.
