[135] Paris MS., “a squall at night.” _Lisbon Ac. note._ I read this
“do norte” from the north, and not “de noite.”
[136] It is easily seen that this note does not belong to the
_Roteiro_, and that it was added by the copyist: we have already
noticed the difference which there is between it and another
similar note of the Paris MS. It seems that the person who wrote
it made some mistake, owing to there having been many gentlemen
of the name of Menezes at that time in India.... D. Henrique de
Menezes succeeded Vasco da Gama, in 1524, as Governor of India,
and therefore could not be the D. Amrique de Menezes who came to
the kingdom in 1524, as the note says. This deserving Governor
died at Cananor on the day of the Purification of 1526. _Lisbon
Ac. note._
[137] Son Seigneur osservatissime.
[138] Charles V was elected Emperor the 28th June, 1519.
[139] Chiericato. Milan edition.
[140] Clement VII (Medici) was elected Pontiff in 1523, and died in
1534.
[141] Monterosi. Milan edition.
[142] The Milan edition attributes this desire to the Pope.
[143] Fortunes.
[144] Jonq.
[145] Estrenque, made of esparta.
[146] Bonnette = stun sail, formerly added below the square sail.
[147] Groupade.
[148] Milan edition adds here, _formerly_.
[149] 1519.
[150] Garbin and Libeccio.
[151] South-east.
[152] Donnassent à travers.
[153] La grande gabbe.
[154] N’avoyent point de fondement.
[155] In reality this bird swallows the fish which it forces the
fishing bird to disgorge.
[156] The Milan edition has “flesh of the Anta, like that of a cow”;
and a note says the anta is the tapir.
[157] Haim.
[158] Aigueillette, same as esquillette.
[159] Coffin.
[160] Naveau, for navette.
[161] Le jour de Saincte Lucie aux auantz de Noël.
[162] Par zenit.
[163] Or of Lespere.
[164] Rabotent.
[165] Papegaulx.
[166] Fabre’s French printed edition, and the Italian edition of 1536,
both _include_ the women and children:—
“Quasi tous tant homes que femmes que enfants ont trois pertuis
en la levre dembas,” etc. “Tutti gli huomini donne et fanciulli
hanno tre buchi.” etc.
[167] Tané.
[168] De petites chattes maymounes.
[169] Leur lombric sur leschine.
[170] Milan edition calls it wood of Brasile.
[171] Musser.
*–*: This passage is from MS. No. 68, the Regent Louisa’s copy,
for whom it appears to have been adapted; that in No. 5650, and
in Amoretti and Fabre’s editions, is less fit for publication:
the words from * to [171] are omitted in No. 68.
[172] The 1536 edition omits the story of the girl, and instead says:—
“Nella prima costa di terra che ariuammo, ad alcune femine
schiave che haueuamo leuate ne le naui d’altri paesi, & erano
grauide vennero le doglie del parto, per il che loro sole si
uscirono di naue, & smontorono in terra, & partorito che hebbero
con li figluoli in braccio se ne ritornarono subito in nave.”
Fabre says:—
“En la première coste que passerent aulcunes esclaves enfanterent
et quant estoient en traveil se mirent hors du basteau et après
retournerent au basteau et nourrirent leurs enfans.”
This story is improbable, as women were not allowed to come on
board ship. Fabre then relates the story of the young girl.
[173] Canibali.
[174] Solis.
[175] “Contremont.”
[176] Falkner (1774, Hereford) in his account of Patagonia, says he saw
men among the Puelches seven feet six inches high.
[177] “Combien.”
[178] The guanaco, a kind of Lama.
[179] “Empanées.”
[180] “Besongnes.”
[181] “Brasse.”
[182] “Sayon.”
[183] “Bragues marinieres.”
[184] “Bouffer”, to be angry, also to blow, to puff.
[185] Setebos, though represented by the Spaniards as a demon, would,
no doubt, be the Patagonian name of the Deity. Shakespeare has
twice brought in Setebos in the _Tempest_, as invoked by Caliban.
There can be no doubt of his having got the name of Setebos from
the account of Magellan’s voyage.
[186] “Carvalho.”
[187] “Escouppetes.”
[188] “Collère.”
[189] “Et lient leur membre dedans le corps pour le très grand froid.”
[190] On account of their large feet.
[191] “Egiptiens.”
[192] Coffin.
[193] Milan edition calls him “vehadore”, overseer or purveyor.
[194] “Contador.” Milan edition.
[195] “Quesada.”
[196] Maximilian, the Transylvanian, relates that when Gomez abandoned
Magellan in the Straits, he returned by this spot and picked up
these two men.
[197] “Capres,” mussels or oysters; the Milan edition adds, that they
were not eatable.
[198] “Connins.”
[199] “Plus petites assez que les notres:” “assai piu piccoli”. Milan
edition.
[200] “Scameux.”
[201] The MS. is thus divided, but without numbers to the chapters.
[202] “Et quasi autant de largeur moins de demye lieue.”
[203] “La mer paisible.”
[204] “Surgir.”
[205] “De mettre les proysses en terre.”
[206] Martin Behaim, who lived at Fayal and Nuremberg. A globe was
constructed at Nuremberg under the instructions of Martin Behaim
in 1492, and given by him to the town of Nuremberg. This globe
disproves the idea that Martin Behaim or his maps had indicated
to Magellan any straits, for the whole continent of America is
absent from it.
[207] “Trauerse.”
[208] “Chevaucher.”
[209] “Entrer à sec.”
[210] “Canton.”
[211] (“Comme abandonnans.”)
[212] “Souspecon.”
[213] His name was Estevan Gomez.
[214] Cousin.
[215] “A la fin.”
[216] “Apium dulce.”
[217] Golondrina in Spanish, a swallow.
[218] In the Milan edition “Barba”, the beard.
[219] “Flairer, odorat,” to smell.
[220] A parrot, not in the Milan edition.
[221] “Lapis lazuli”, in the Milan edition “Gemma”.
[222] In the Milan edition “nieve”, snow.
[223] In the Milan edition “coprire, couvrir”.
[224] An ostrich, not in the Milan edition.
[225] Not in the Milan edition.
[226] Food, the root used as bread.
[227] This passage is not quite clear:—“Quand il me veyt escripre ces
noms après luy demandant des aultres il mentendoit auecq la plume
en main.”
[228] The printed edition of Milan has: “ammalato dell’ infermità di
cui mori.”
[229] “Antena magiore.”
[230] “Sartia.”
[231] “Segature de asse.” “Segature di tavole.” Milan.
[232] “Escu, mezzo-ducato.” Milan edition.
[233] Effects of scurvy. Gama’s seamen suffered in the same way, after
passing the Cape of Good Hope.
[234] “Nous allasmes en ung goulfe.”
[235] “En tirant au vent haustral.” For these islands, see the log book
of Francisco Albo.
[236] The Milan edition has here: “According to the reckoning we made
with the chain astern.”
[237] “Aulcunesfoys a lorce on autrement.”
[238] The Milan edition has here the words: “All round the earth,”
which makes the meaning clearer.
[239] “Car on y veoit plusieurs estoilles petites congregées ensemble
qui sont en guise de deux nuées ung peu separées l’une de
l’autre, et ung peu obfusquées.” The Magellanic clouds.
[240] “Au milieu desquelles sont deux estelles non trop grandes ne
moult reluysantes, et petitement se mouvent.” The Milan edition
has: “Due stulle molto grande e rilucenti, che hanno poco moto.”
[241] “Nostre calamite ung peu tiroit toujours a son pol arctique.
Neantmoins navoit point tant de force comme de son coste et sa
bande.” Milan edition has: “La nostra calamita volgeasi sempre al
polo artico, deviando però alcun poco dal punto del settentrione.”
[242] “Goulfe, in mezzo al mare.”
[243] “Le captaine-general demanda a tous les pillotz allant tousiours
a la voyle par quel chemyn nauigant on puntuast es cartes.
Lesquelz tous respondirent par sa voye punctuellement donnée.
Et il respondit quilz punctuoyent faulsement (chose qui estoit
ainsi), et quil conuenoit auister laigueille du nauiguer porce
que ne recepuoit tant de force comme de sa part.” The Milan
edition has: “Cïo ben sapeva il nostro capitano generale, e
perciò, quando ci trovanno veleggiando in mezzo al mare, egli
domando a tutti i piloti, ai quali già indicato aveva il punto
a cui doveano tendere, per qual cammino puntassero nelle loro
carte; risposer tutti, che puntavano al luogo da lui ordinato:
ed egli disse che puntavano falso; e che conveniva ajutare l’ago
calamitato, il quale in tal posizione non era attrato con tanta
forza, quanto lo è dalla sua parte, cioè nell’ emisfero boreale.”
[244] “Et sont tres justes l’une avecques laultre.” Milan: “Ed
esattamente disposte in forma di croce.” Dante may have heard of
the S. Cross through Marco Polo.
[245] “Du vent de midy.”
[246] “Le mydy.”
[247] “Vers le leuant”; it should be “ponant.”
[248] Cattigara. Cape Comorin, in 8 deg. 27 min. N. latitude.
[249] The Milan edition has seventy.
[250] “La volte du vent de maestral.”
[251] The Milan edition has here: “Which did not fail to cause
compassion.”
[252] The Milan edition has for “I believe”, “certainly”.
[253] Bananas, or plantains.
[254] Stores.
[255] “Nattes.”
[256] “Baston.”
[257] Milan edition, “fusiniere”: boats named after Fusine, from which
people are ferried to Venice.
[258] For paddles.
[259] Now called Samar, in the Philippine group.
[260] Instead of these words the Milan edition has: “Which later we
learned was named Humunù.” Amoretti says this island is situated
near Cape Guigan of the Island of Samar.
[261] Amoretti presumes this sow was brought from the Ladrones.
Desbrosses, t. 11, p. 55.
[262] “Congé.”
[263] “Apparant.” Milan edition, “principale”.
[264] “Apparant.” Milan edition, “ornati”.
[265] The Milan edition adds here: “We learned that the island which
they came from was named Zuluan, and it is a small island.”
[266] Milan: “Sociable.”
[267] Arrak.
[268] Bananas. The Milan edition has: “More than a palm in length.”
[269] Cocoa-nuts.
[270] “Verdeur.”
[271] Here the Milan edition adds: “And reduced it to flour.”
[272] Milan edition has: “Takes the consistency of honey.”
[273] Milan edition has: “Thick as butter.”
[274] Here the Milan edition adds: “But its trunk, without being
smooth, is less knotty.”
[275] Milan edition has: “We were told that one of these trees lasts,”
etc.
[276] *–* Here omitted in Milan edition.
[277] “Matia.”
[278] “Aquade des bons signes.”
[279] This word is not in the Milan edition, nor in the Tagal
Dictionary.
[280] “Picquetez”, not in Ste. Palaye’s Glossary.
[281] “Tanez.”
[282] “Giongioli.”
[283] “Fascines,” “faxina.” “Foscine,” Milan edition.
[284] Milan edition: “Like our rizali.”
[285] “Chambre des munitions.” “Mezza de guarnigione.” Milan edition.
[286] “Ponnant et le garbin.”
[287] Malay.
[288] “Aez = ais.” Milan edition: “Tavola.”
[289] “Sporta”, Milan edition: “basket.”
[290] “Intimate friends,” Tagal Dictionary.
[291] The Milan edition represents the King as making the request, and
the captain-general consenting to it.
[292] The Milan edition adds here: “At each mouthful we drank a cup
of wine, and whatever remained in the cup, though that rarely
happened, was put into another vase.”
[293] “Brouet.” “Brodo,” Milan edition.
[294] It will be seen further on that these brothers were kings or
lords of two cities on the coast of Mindanao, of which one was
named Butuan, the other Calagan. The first place retains its
name, the other is named Caragua. The King of Butuan was also
King of the Island of Massaua, between Mindanao and Samar. Note,
Milan edition.
[295] The Milan edition adds here: “On each of his teeth he had three
spots of gold, so that his teeth appeared to be bound with gold.”
[296] Massaua.
[297] Milan edition: “Siagu.”
[298] “Pourpoints.”
[299] Ceylon is the island of Leyte, and Zzubu is Sebu. Milan edition.
[300] “Malle adventure.”
[301] If Massaua is the island Limassava of Bellin’s map, it is in 9
deg. 40 min. N. latitude, but in 190 deg. W. longitude from the
line of demarcation. Note, Milan edition.
[302] “Gatighan.” Milan edition.
[303] “Pipistrelli.” Milan edition.
[304] “Bien une brassée.”
[305] “Haulsent.”
[306] “Massava.”
[307] “Illecques.”
[308] “Nourry.” Milan edition: “Un suo allievo.”
[309] Siam.
[310] “Cata Raja chita.” Milan edition.
[311] That is the hereditary prince.
[312] “Bariselle.” Milan edition: “Bargello maggiore.”.
[313] The usage of drinking through a tube was also observed by Van
Noort among these peoples. Note, Milan edition.
[314] “Gens de bon temps.”
[315] “Pardeça;” that is to say, “Par de ça la Loire,” or “Langue
d’oil.” Languedoc was called “Par de la.” The Milan edition
describes the scales as a wooden pole suspended in the middle,
with a basin suspended by three cords at one end, and a cord at
the other end with a weight equal to the basin to which weights
are attached.
[316] “Sonnent de zampogne.”
[317] Perhaps this should be Sulin. _Vide_ Marsden, _Malay Dictionary_.
[318] Lagan, a largo sea snail. _Tagal Dictionary._
[319] The Milan edition says he was before named Raja Humabon.
[320] After the death of Magellan the image of the Infant Jesus was
preserved as an idol until the year 1598, in which the Spaniards
returned to that place with missionaries, who, having found it,
not only placed it in veneration, but gave to the city which
they founded there the name of City of Jesus, which it still
preserves. Note of Milan edition.
[321] Here ends the translation made from the French MS.; what follows
is from the Milan edition.
[322] “Si” is a prefix of honour to a proper name.
[323] Spear, like a partisan, but larger. French MS. of Nancy.
[324] The text of this appeal has been given by M. Denis in the
_Univers Pittoresque_, from the MS. of Nancy, now of Sir Thomas
Phillipps’ library.
[325] “Compadre.”
[326] See Note, p. 95.
[327] This island is still named Bohol.
[328] Panilongon, now called Panlao.
[329] Mindanao. The French edition of the year IX calls it “Butuan”.
[330] A river which comes into the Bay of Kipit.
[331] Probably two hours after nightfall.
[332] See p. 78.
[333] Luçon.
[334] The author speaks of this nation further on.
[335] Borneo.
[336] This paragraph is not in Amoretti’s edition, and is taken from
the French edition of 1802.
[337] Borneo.
[338] That is to say, “To move against the stream on account of the
contrary currents.” Note to Amoretti’s edition.
[339] Ramusio has five leagues, but the Milan MS. has fifty, which is
the real distance.
[340] This number seems exaggerated. Now it has only two or three
thousand houses. _Hist. Générale des Voyages_, tom. xv, p. 138.
Note, Milan edition.
[341] They do likewise now at high tide. Note, Milan edition.
[342] “Cherita-tulis,” writers of narratives.
[343] The Portuguese introduced Christianity into this country, which
lasted till 1590. Now the Gentiles have been obliged to abandon
the sea-coast, and have retired to the mountains. _Sonnerat_,
Note of Milan edition.
[344] Here some details are omitted, which, with the whole of this
paragraph, have been written by Pigafetta, because he was an
Italian, and not a Spaniard or Portuguese, in which case he would
have been better informed.
[345] An error natural enough in an Italian.
[346] Brass or bronze. Note, Milan edition.
[347] “Pitis”, small coin, 600 to a dollar at Achin.
[348] The Milan edition has added to the text, “_which project outside_
for a counterpoise”; and supposes this refers to an outrigger.
Junks have no outriggers; prahus have projecting gunwales, which
widen the deck.
[349] This latitude is that of the northern point of Borneo; the
longitude is much diminished, as usual. Pigafetta has taken care
to mark in his map of the island of Borneo, his voyage of fifty
leagues from the point to the port, and has placed Laöe at the
southern point of the island. Note, Milan edition.
[350] Now named Balaba. Note, Milan edition.
[351] The Babi-rusa, or hog deer.
[352] “Picciulo.”
[353] Other travellers have seen similar leaves, and being more versed
in natural history than our Pigafetta, soon knew that the motion
of these leaves came from the insect which lived inside. (_Hist.
Gén. des Voy._, tom. XV, p. 58.) Note, Milan edition.
[354] In the isle of Mindanao.
[355] Islets.
[356] Sulu.
[357] Now named Basilan.
[358] Mindanao.
[359] From this probably comes the word “Cinnamomum”.
[360] This receipt was recently attributed, in some newspaper
paragraph, to the Battas of Sumatra, 1874.
[361] Cape Benaian is the most northern cape of the island, and has
still the same name. Note, Milan edition.
[362] The islands here mentioned belong to that group in which modern
geographers reckon Kararotan, Linop, and Cabrocana; after which
is found Sanghir, the beautiful island of the author: others
name it Sanguil. This island has many islets to the S.W., which
Pigafetta mentions later. Cabiu, Cabalussu, Limpang, and Nussa,
are mentioned in the list of islands which in 1682 belonged to
the King of Ternate. Note, Milan edition.
[363] In the list of islands belonging to the King of Ternate, are
found Karkitang, Para, Sangaluhan, Siau.
[364] Pangazara, Talaut, and Mahono, are in the above quoted list.
[365] Tidore.
[366] A testoon was worth half a ducat. Note, Milan edition.
[367] When the Portuguese, Brito, was sent to govern the Moluccas in
1511, this Raja Abuleis lived, and he names him Raja Beglif.
Note, Milan edition.
[368] “Chechil” or “Cachil”, a title.
[369] A hundredweight.
[370] Pedro Alfonso de Lorosa.
[371] The northern cape at the mouth of the Rio de la Plata.
[372] Gilolo.
[373] The Dutch observed later that this does not happen. Note, Milan
edition.
[374] This refers to the dress of men at arms of the period, which was
not decent.
[375] Perhaps these are what the Malays use for pens.
[376] Chingké, Chinese for “odorous nails”.
[377] “Subhan”, or giving praise.
[378] “A furia.”
[379] S. Barbara is the patroness of powder magazines, which on board
French ships are called Sainte Barbe.
[380] “Frixeto,” “_nastro_” or “_settuccia_,” “_ribbon_,” is so called
now in Genoese. Note, Milan edition.
[381] Marcello, a coin struck at Venice by the Doge Nicolò Marcello in
1473, of silver, weighing as much as a sequin, and worth about
sixpence. Note, Milan edition.
[382] “Verzi.”
[383] Yucatan.
[384] Or minister.
[385] A kind of Ananas. Note, Milan edition.
[386] The longitude is wrong, as usual. Note, Milan edition.
[387] The volcanoes of Ternate and Machian, which caused such havoc in
the last century by their explosions, did not then emit flames or
smoke, since Pigafetta would not have omitted to mention them.
[388] Laboan, an islet considered now as part of Bachian. Note, Milan
edition.
[389] “Xulla” of Robert’s Atlas, and “Xoula” of the Dutch. Note, Milan
edition.
[390] Comparing this with what the author writes a little further
on, there is another proof that he took down the names of
the islands, and laid down their positions, as he thought he
understood the pilots who spoke a language which he little
understood. He here notes ten islands, and he has drawn six
without names to the North of Sulach, where other geographers
also lay down a few islets; but of these ten, Tenetum, Kalairuru,
Mandan, and Benaia, are again named and drawn further on; and
Leytimor is a peninsula attached to Amboina. Note, Milan edition.
[391] The jack fruit, called Nangka throughout the Malay seas.
[392] Amboina. Pigafetta appears to refer to the large island of Ceram.
Note, Milan edition.
[393] The Milan MS. says “longitude”, which must be an error of the
scribe. Note, Milan edition.
[394] Solor.
[395] “Cornioli.”
[396] Strabo (_Geogr._, lib. XV).
[397] The Italian method of reckoning time.
[398] Luzon.
[399] Bomare says that those who cut sandal wood fall ill from the
miasma exhaled by the wood. Note, Milan edition.
[400] A note to the Milan edition suggests that it was too early in the
century for this to be the Frank disease, and that it must have
been leprosy. This is more probable.
[401] Ende, or Flores.
[402] Majapahit.
[403] Gresik.
[404] Surabaya.
[405] “Campong anghin,” the place of wind.
[406] Sanscrit and Malay, a griffin.
[407] Pigafetta has confounded rhubarb with the decayed wood of a tree
found in Siam, which, when burnt, gives a very sweet perfume, and
which sells at a high price.
[408] Cochin.
[409] Kwantung or Canton.
[410] “Satu orang,” one man.
[411] “Anjing,” a dog.
[412] “Pokoh bisi,” club of iron.
[413] “Panah,” a bow.
[414] “Tombak,” a lance.
[415] “Harimau,” a tiger; not a lion. All these words are Malay, the
language in which the whole of this information must have been
conveyed to Pigafetta.
[416] “Laut Kidol,” Javanese, the Southern Ocean.
[417] See statement of Herrera, p. 175.
[418] Francis I.
[419] Now the declination of the ecliptic, which answers to the poles
of the eighth sphere of Pigafetta, is 23 deg. 28 min. 30 sec.
Note, Milan edition.
[420] Supposing that the surface of the globe under the equator were
half land and half sea, and then giving to each league three and
a half miles, we should have 22,050 miles for the circumference
of the earth: a measure very little differing from that which
results from giving to each degree at the equator sixty Italian
miles, by which the circumference is 21,600 miles. Note, Milan
edition.
[421] The guard stars are β and γ of Ursa Minor, which form a triangle
with the pole and pole star; now γ of the belt of Cassiopeia is
used. Note, Milan edition.
[422] This means the arm of the instrument used; it might be the
meteoroscope of Regiomontano, which had a cross in the middle: or
an astrolabe like it; or the common astrolabe with a dioptron, or
mediclino, as Pigafetta calls it, placed on the equator. Note,
Milan edition.
[423] That is the meridian line from the pole to the equator. Note,
Milan edition.
[424] Though the radius of the circle which the pole star goes round
is now little more than a degree and a half, in the time of
Pigafetta it was 3 deg. 17 min. 37 sec., so that if he reckoned
it at 3 deg. 30 min. it is wonderful that he should have made
so small an error, notwithstanding the imperfection of his
instruments. Note, Milan edition.
[425] These three methods are probably those which, according to
Castañeda, Faleiro taught to Magellan. Note, Milan edition.
[426] That is to say, the knot where the orbit of the moon cuts the
ecliptic. Note, Milan edition.
[427] The fleur-de-lys placed at the north.
[428] That is, where it coincides with the meridian and begins to
deviate or vary. Note, Milan edition.
[429] That is, varies east or west.
[430] Or of midday.
[431] I do not find any mention of the _mediclino_ in any writer of the
times near that of Pigafetta who have treated of the astrolabe,
such as Regiomontanus, Appianus, Gimma Frisius, Danti, Clavius,
etc.; but from what our author says here and elsewhere, it
appears that the mediclino is that movable rule, fixed on the
centre of the astrolabe, which turns round it, and is named
sometimes albidade, or dioptron, or traguardo, or linea di
fiducia. Note, Milan edition.
[432] Amoretti, in his introduction to this Treatise of Navigation,
in the Milan edition, observes that Pigafetta was misled by a
false theory when he supposes that there is in the heavens a
point in repose to which the magnetic needle tends, but that the
exact direction of the magnetic needle coincided, or at least
approximated, to the meridian of the isle of Ferro, which is
not now the case; and that in some other places the variations
of the compass had been observed to correspond with that of the
longitude. By the table of variations of the compass published by
Lambert in the Ephemerides of Berlin (_Astronomische Jahrbuch_)
for the year 1779, it is seen by an easy calculation that at
the beginning of the sixteenth century the magnetic equator or
zero of deviation was very near the isle of Tenerife. Now it
is further off, and the distance increases. M. de Bougainville
found there the deviation to the west to be 14 deg. 41 min.; and
Staunton, the companion of Lord Macartney, found it to be 17 deg.
35 min.
[433] We have two astrolabes in our museum constructed with several
plates: one is of brass, and another of card, for more easy
manipulation. Note, Milan edition.
[434] “Traguardo,” level or traverser.
[435] “Rosa dei venti.”
[436] Or flag, as appears from the drawing.
[437] It was written in French. See Introduction.
[438] “Tenistitan,” Ramusio.
[439] Gulf of Siam.
[440] Cape Verde Islands.