In the revival of interest in the exploits of sixteenth
century discovery the Spaniards have cut such a fine and grandiose figure that the Portuguese have not yet received their due share of attention. Their story is a parallel one, and Professor Prestage, in his scholarly and dignified little book on Afonso de Albuquerque (Standard Printing Works, 21-23 Market Street, Watford, 5s.), does something to restore the balance. Although not one of the very first to reach India by sea in search of the spices of the East, Albuquerque made the title which King Manoel had adopted—" Lord of the Conquest, Navigation and Commerce of Ethiopia, Arabia, Persia and India "—something more solid than a boast. Albuquerque was a courageous, hot-tempered, loyal man, continually hampered by the jealousy and treachery of his colleagues, by the autocracy and ingratitude of his king, and by the lack of money, men and arms. It is the same old story that one met in Mexico : cities put to the sack in the name of God, and one sect played off against the other. But whatever verdict history and ethics may compromise upon, Albuquerque won Goa, the pivot of trade in the Indian Ocean, had the vision to attempt colonization, and became the governor of India. Professor Prestage's little study is particularly valuable, as the vast amount of material from which it is drawn is almost entirely in Portuguese and is but scantily translated into English. One hopes that he will strike out on the larger venture that is awaiting him.
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