[28] The hospital order of St John of God was originally founded by a Portuguese soldier (named Joan), who at the age of forty years devoted himself, as a religious duty, to the care of sick persons.  He began a hospital in his own house at Granada (1540), and his bishop permitted him and his associates to wear a habit.  After his death (1550) similar hospitals were formed in Spain, and even spread to Italy.  In 1585 all these were organized into an order, with constitutions, under the papal sanction; this order is still in existence, and has establishments in many countries.  It did not reach the Philippines until 1649.

[29] Fray Diego Aduarte, Bishop of Nueva Segovia, wrote to the king (July 7, 1606), as follows:  “Your Majesty possesses here a royal hospital which is one of the most necessary and useful things in this country for the welfare and care of the poor soldiers and others who serve your Majesty.  Although the income which it has is small, it would be sufficient aid, with the many alms given by the citizens who are well to do, if there were some one who could distribute it well and take it in charge as his own affair.  It is a most necessary thing for its good government and maintenance that your Majesty should send four or five brethren of the order called Juan de Dios, with the authority of your Majesty and his Holiness, and with power to receive others.  For the institution is already founded and everything necessary supplied; and these brethren might come with the religious whom your Majesty sends here, either Franciscan or Dominican; or you might command that some of the excellent hospitallers who are settled in Nueva Espana should come to these islands, which would economize in expense and hasten their coming, and make it more certain.” [Endorsed:  “September 24, 1607.  Have the four brethren whom he mentions sent, and entrust the matter to Senor Don Francisco de Tejada, that he may arrange it with the elder brother of Anton Martin.  Have a copy sent to Senor Don Francisco.”]

[30] Evidently referring to Antonio, prior of Crato, pretender to the crown of Portugal (see Vol.  I, p. 355).  He died at Paris, August 25, 1595; and left six (illegitimate) children whom he commended to the care of Henri IV of France.  It is probable that the son mentioned in our text was Cristoval, his second son (born in 1564); he assumed the title of king of Portugal, and with this pretension might easily undertake to fight against Spain (as usurper of that crown), in aid of the Dutch.  Cristoval died at Paris June 3, 1638.

[31] Lancha:  a small vessel navigated with sails and oars; cf.  English “launch.” Barcoluengo:  an oblong boat with a long bow, its only mast being in the center.