50 DISCOVERIES OF THE PORTUGUESE. 
into which the Portuguese nation had entered. 
Yet, into the most splendid of human enterprises, 
there usually enters some odd and capricious mix- 
ture. 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 Prester 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 
attached itself originally to the centre of Asia, 
where it was reported by the early travellers, par- 
ticularly by Rubruquis, that a Christian monarch 
of that name actually resided. The report appears 
to have been founded on the nominal conversion 
of a Tartar Prince, by missionaries belonging to 
the sect of the Nestorians. The search accord- 
ingly, in that direction, proved altogether fruitless. 
At length it was rumoured very confidently, 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 inquirers, were 
spread out ; and, on viewing in them the general 
