Page:Lisbon and Cintra, Inchbold, 1907.djvu/78

Rh the interior. After the earthquake D. José I made it his chief residence. The garden laid out in the conventional box-bordered walks of the period's imitation of Versailles has a pleasing effect from the palace windows.

This whole locality is historic ground. It was from this strand of old Belem, then called Restello, that Vasco da Gama set out to discover the maritime route to India. In 1486 a great tempest had driven Bartholomeo Diaz beyond the Cape of Good Hope, but for want of provisions he was unable to profit by the opportunity, and the terrible promontory still remained an unsurmountable barrier to fresh discovery. D. Manuel, always fortunate in his enterprises, equipped four vessels in order to make a new attempt, and gave the command to Vasco da Gama. Before their departure the King surrounded by his court gave them audience, doing honour to the self-sacrificing venture of the brave sailors. On the morn of embarkation Vasco da Gama and his crews went in procession to the little hermitage chapel built by Prince Henry the Navigator on the strand at Restello. Preceded by the priest, they walked to make their farewell orisons, barefoot, bareheaded, every one carrying a lighted taper in the hand. Crowds of people conducted them to the port where, after receiving absolution, the great Captain and his sailors embarked on July 8, 1497, in number 170 men. The voyage lasted two years and several months, fifty-five only out of the 170 returning. Many an hour of hope deferred, eager expectation and dreaming had King Manuel spent in watching for the sails of these galleons from Cintra heights, the fort terraces at Cascaes, and the strand at Restello, before they finally entered the port of Lisbon in September, 1499.

Vasco da Gama was given a triumphal entry into the city, rewarded with a pension, and created admiral of 54