NO. 41.— 1890.] KEBELION DE CEYLAN, 



589 



Before he arrived there had been an interregnum between 

 the two Governorships of a year and a half, under the ad- 

 ministration of the Bishop of Cochin, Don Fray Luis de Brito. 

 Thirty years before he had governed India for the first 

 time, and afterwards being President of the India Council 

 in Portugal, and assisting the government of the States for 

 many years, he acquired great knowledge in negotiation ; so 

 that he governed them for the second time with great" 

 prudence and foresight. 



It appeared to the Count de Linares, in all the gallantry 

 of his soul, that it was obligatory for him to show the 

 princes of the East, at the beginning of his government, 

 the sharpness of his sword by following up conquests and 

 continuing wars, under the pretext of making the arms 

 of Portugal appear formidable to her enemies, when they were 

 thought most fallen, and to restore to them that ancient 

 renown which had built up and preserved her Empire until 

 then. Many most discreet and careful persons thought this 

 resolution a wise one, making it appear that the whole suc- 

 cess of the government depended on the fame he acquired 

 in the beginning, since the other contingencies which may 

 happen depend upon it : but there were not wanting others 

 who condemned it as somewhat hasty, considering the state 

 of the Spanish Monarchy, which was almost in its death's 

 throes by the number of losses and public calamities, and 

 the expectation of greater evils ; although they thought it 

 prudent that in the districts where war was inevitable it was 

 right to make it for the ultimate ends of peace ; and our 

 forces in India being only an appearance, without substance, 

 the faith and reputation of the Portuguese so many times 

 trampled down, and the sacraments profaned, which the infidels 

 had once venerated. For knowing whence came our power 

 it would be wise to encourage industry and to dissemble ; 

 because sometimes it was necessary to allow of toleration, for by 

 it alone, both in time of prosperity and of adversity, can States 

 be governed so far away from king's reliefs, with possessions 

 so scattered apart and far distant : much more so if the 



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