Dr. Plott, in his account, and Lord Monboddo, _Origin and Progress of
Language_, refer to the _Travels of Herbert_ (17th century), lib. iii.
cap. ult., for a full history of this supposed discovery. They derived
it from Meredyth ap Rhys, Gatty Owen, and Cynfyn ap Gronow, A.D.
1478-80. See also _Atheneaum_, Aug. 19. 1848.--Professor Elton's address
at the meeting of the British Association, on this and the earlier
Icelandic discovery.
The belief in the story has been lately renewed. See _Archæologia
Cambrens_, 4. 65., and _L'Acadie_, by Sir J.E. Alexander, 1849. I will
only observe that in Dr. Plott's account, Madoc was directed by the
_best compass_, and this in 1170! See M'Culloch's _Dictionary of
Commerce_.