NO. 41. — 1890.] BEBELION DE CEYLAN. 



483 



wedding, which was 1607,<ona coasting expedition. He joined 

 it as a gentleman-at-arms ; but he fell dangerously ill of a 

 malignant fever, and returned home, where he wasted three 

 years of ill-health, with little enjoyment, a close prisoner, 

 and with new ties preventing him following up his wishes ; 

 for by this time he was father of two sons. But the spirit's 

 yearnings are stronger than all worldly considerations, and 

 nobody could prevent Constantino de Sa from going to 

 Mazagan to serve as a Fr outer o with distinction and renown. 

 He chose that post as being one of the three that Portugal 

 held in Barbary, the most exposed to hostile incursions, and 

 entered it in the year 1612, when Henrique Correa de Sylva 

 was Governor ; and giving satisfaction in the way he con- 

 ducted himself, and the anxiety he showed to emulate 

 his superiors, he returned home after two years and a half's 

 service in that command : then he went to court to try for 

 promotion. He received neither reward nor thanks for his 

 services in Africa — the way the Kings of Portugal commonly 

 treated the Fronteros, to whom they owed so much for 

 the service to which they were appointed. Neither were 

 fulfilled the many promises he had had made him in 

 satisfaction for the great and signal services of his grand- 

 father and other members of the family, of whom Con- 

 stantino de Sa was the heir, although the personal effects 

 were not many, yet what was owing to him by inheritance 

 was sufficient to make him a creditor to his king. For 

 every engagement and claim the prince is bound to satisfy 

 subjects for the services they inherit from their ancestors, 

 just as if they were still living, since they represent them 

 personally. Also the king, by the contract he makes with 

 those who serve him, makes himself liable to give remunera- 

 tion, and remains a debtor of the reward to the successors ; 

 inasmuch that it is necessary for the Republic of which 

 he is Chief and Administrator to insure its safety and to 

 increase its power that all services should be paid for, and 

 rewarded, according to merit and not according to fortune, 

 and which does not require personal service from the heirs. 



