[1] This letter has no date, but must have been very early in the
    sixteenth century, probably in 1504, from the circumstance to which it
    alludes at its commencement.  Although said to be from Spain, there
    is every reason to suppose it was written from Lisbon, as we find
    Portugal frequently considered as in Spain, which it actually is in
    the most extensive geographical sense.—­E.

[2] This, as formerly observed, alludes to the Mameluk sultan of Egypt,
    through whose dominions the trade between India and Europe was
    entirely carried on before this era.  This treaty of peace and alliance
    between Portugal and Calicut, may possibly have been proposed at this
    period, but certainly was not then agreed to; as there were long wars
    with the zamorin before his power was reduced under the influence and
    dominion of the Portuguese.—­E.

[3] This is rather an anachronism, as at this period the Portuguese had
    no fortress on the Red Sea.

[4] The Castor of the text was probably musk, and its amber ambergris. 
    —­E.

[5] This alludes to the misfortune of Vincente Sodre and his squadron,
    already more distinctly related in the preceding chapter.—­E.

[6] The expression of the original, ex centenario lucro quadrugenarium,
    is not easily understood:  It is here translated a quarter part of the
    return cargo, conformably with the regulations of Don Henry for the
    trade of Guinea, as already stated in Vol.  I. p. 204, from which the
    present were probably copied.—­E.

[7] It is difficult to guess what bay, and who may be the king of the
    Chaldeans here alluded to.  Perhaps the town of Sofala, the emporium of
    the gold trade of Eastern Africa, which was ruled by an Arabian prince
    or sheik.  By the idolaters in the text, are apparently meant the
    Negroes of the interior, where the gold came from by way of Sofala.—­E.

[8] This alludes to the Maldives and Lakedives.—­E.

SECTION III.

Letter from Peter Pasquali, orator of the Venetian republic at the court of the king of Portugal, to his brothers dwelling in Lisbon[1].

Beloved brothers!  I formerly wrote you by Peter Verzo the carrier, informing you of all the news of this place; and now write again by Bartholomew Marquesi, the uncle of Dominic Benedicto of Florence, that you may be informed of our affairs, and may be assured of our desire to write whenever an opportunity offers.  Know, therefore, that the vessel which was sent out last year towards the north by the king of Portugal under the command of Caspar Corterato, has now returned.  He reports having discovered a continent about 2000 miles from hence, in a direction between the north-west and the west, hitherto utterly unknown.  He is