PORTTJCrESE DISCOVERIES. 49 



mours arrived of the Ch'ristian kinof of Abyssinia, he was 

 concluded to be the real Prester ilohn. His dominions 

 being reported to stretch far inland, and as the b^adth of 

 the African continent was very imperfectly understood, the 

 conclusion was formed, that a mission from the western 

 coast might easily reach his capital. What were the pre- 

 cise expectations fonned from an intercourse with this per- 

 sonage does not fully appear ; but it seems to have been 

 thoroughly rooted in the minds of the Portuguese, that 

 they would be raised to a matchless height of glory and 

 felicity, if they could by any means arrive at the court of 

 Preeter John. The principal instruction given to all offi- 

 cers employed in African service was, that, in every quarter 

 and by every means, they should endeavour to effect this 

 grand discovery. They accordingly never failed to put the 

 question to all the wanderers of the desert, and to every 

 caravan that came from the interior; but in vain — the 

 name of Prester John had never been heard. The Portu- 

 guese then besought the natives, at all events, into what- 

 ever region their journeys might lead them, studiously to 

 inquire if Prester John was there, or if any one knew 

 where he was to be found ; and, on the promise of a 

 splendid reward in case of success, this was readily under- 

 taken. 



In 1446, Diniz Fernandez discovered Cape Verd, and in 

 the following year Lancelot entered the Senegal. The 

 Portuguese found in this neighbourhood fertile and popu- 

 lous regions, that promised to reward their exertions much 

 more effectually than the visionary name after which they 

 had so eagerly inquired. A circumstance occurred, also, 

 most convenient for monarchs who contemplate an exten- 

 sion of dominion. Bemoy, a prince of the Jaloff nation, 

 came to Arguin, complaining that he had been driven from 

 the throne, and entreating the aid of the Portuguese to 

 restore to him his crown, which he w^as willing to wear as 

 their ally, and even as their vassal. Bemoy was received 

 with open arms, and conveyed to Jjisbon. Here he expe- 

 rienced a brilliant reception, and his visit was celebrated 

 by all the festal exhibitions peculiar to that age, — bull- 

 fights, puppet-shows, and even feats of dogs. On this oc- 

 casion Bemoy made a display of the agility of his native 

 attendants, who, on foot, kept pace with the swiftest horses, 

 £ 



