50 DISCOVERIES OP THE PORTUGUESE. 
to which the Portuguese nation had entered. 
Yet, into the most splendid of human enterprises, 
there usually enters some odd and capricious 
mixture. The glory of the Portuguese name, 
the discovery of new worlds, even the opening of 
the sources of golden wealth, were all considered 
as subordinate to the higher aim of discovering the 
abode of a person, who was known in Europe un- 
der the uncouth appellation of Piaster John. 
The origin of this mysterious name, which formed 
the guiding star to the Portuguese in their career 
of discovery, is somewhat difficult to trace. It at- 
tached itself originally to the centre of Asia, where 
it was reported by the early travellers, particularly 
by Rubruquis, that a Christian monarch of that 
name actually resided. The report probably arosQ 
from a confused rumour of the Grand Lama, 
or priest-sovereign of Thibet. The search ac- 
cordingly, in that direction, proved altogether 
fruitless. At length it was rumoured very confi- 
dently, that, on the eastern coast of Africa, there 
did exist a Christian sovereign, whose dominions 
stretched far into the interior. Thenceforth it 
appeared no longer doubtful, that this was the 
real Prester John, and that the search had hitherto 
been made in a wrong direction. The maps of 
Ptolemy, then the sole guide of geographical in- 
quirers, were spread out ; and, on viewing in 
them the general aspect of the continent, it was 
