The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1874-11-28
LAND OF HEROES

And in the Epic ocean found a world" HAYLEY.
ALAND OF HEROES.
Human nature in the early history of Portugali is seen in
its most favorable colors without the aid Of fable or the exag-
geTsIiOns OF romance, an heroic age is held up TO our emula-
historic sister to emulate. "-CLaIks's Prog Mar. Discovery.
When we contemplate Portugal during the
fifteenth, and the early part of the sixteenth
centuries, we behold only heroes among her
Princes and her people ~. We see everywhere
heroic purpose followed by heroic action. What
ever high minded chiefs conceived "a brave peo-
pie were ever ready to execute. Large souled
men in every rank, sought useful ends by noble
ways. High honor and a passionate loyalty and
patriotism governed a nation, which in all its
action sought to make toll sacred and sacrifice
glorious. And this grand spirit of an illustrious
race found a full expression in the inspired utter
ances of q hero and n poet, who has glorifed,-
not the old topics,-the brutalities OF war,-but
the enterprise Of benefeent ommerc and pro-
gress with the most delightful graces of poesy.
THE GLORY OF PORTUGAL.
Camoens is the chief glory of his country.
Without the e~ffusion of his soul, the lustre of her
bright days would be greatly paled. He is her
mellihuent voice, and the twiner of her garlands,
to celebrate and to decorate her heroes. lie re-
deems a fallen nation in the opinion Of the world,
and EFFORTS our love where otherwise our scOrn
might arise. His character ennobles his race,
and must touch the heart of every lover of his
kind. lie has spoken to the heart of man with
wonderful power and tenderness and although
he may not be numbered among the greatest of
poets,-yet he lived the most poetic life of all
those who ever charmed the world with song.
His verse springs from the inspiration Of poetic
experience, and his impassioned expression hardly
shows forth the imprisoned phases of his ex-
istence. His genius like that of many another
noble soul had its chief nurture,-nay indeed it's
birth, in the tender influences of a pure and
mighty love. And this must be spoken of in all
it's sweetness and sorrow for though the pur-
pose of this writing is speak of heroic deed, of
grand maritime adventure, and Of the noblest
movements Of human progress,-yet the tender
ness rs well as the hardihood of the story must
be told, because true power is blended with the
lies at the very foundation of enduring and hene-
fcent empire,
THE KINGDOM or THE HEART.
During the heroic age of the Portuguese, the
constancy and purity of the passion of love was
everywhere beautifully illustrated. A great
Prince, the idol of a people, would never desecrate
a ehaste and holy memory of love by any irregu-
lar Joy (2). king styled the just crowned when
he came to a throne, the bones of her whom he
had loved in his obscure days. (3) And champ
ions of Portugal go to distant lands to defend the
honor of insulted ladies. az Constancy in love
and in the faithful care of all the sacred relations
of domestic life, were the chief virtues of a peo-
pie, who were appointed by Providence to lead
the world in true progress. They saw a day
when the honor of a pure sentiment was higher
than that which might be accorded to n display OF
power. Like the spirit of the Imperial Lady of
England, who would honor a beautiful ex-
preston of happy human love in all its most sa-
cred relations, as much as she would the produc-
ton Of a submarine cable, or any mechanism of
pre-eminent marvel and power; (5) such was the
Spirit of Lusitania in the days when she was pure
and brave,-and when he,-happy in cherishing
the s~anctities of domestic love, at the same time
led her lines of power around the world.
From that period uhe death of Count Henry to the
deaIh Of Pedro the Just, the title Of Hero was equally merited
by the sovereigns and the subjects of Portugal: Yet no English
writer Of eminence has hitherto illustrated a subject Of SO
much importance TO a maritime kingdom. as the rise and fall
of this commercial power" CLGrkes Progress Of Mari
time Discovery.
2 Prince Henry the lnustrous.
3 Pedro the Just and inez de Castro
I The twelve champions, Magricio and his companions who
went to England, on the invitation Of the Duke Of Gaunt, 10
defend the honor Of English ladies ia a tourney, as celebrated
in Canto VI Of the Lusiad.
5 IL is said Of Her Majesty Queen Victoria, that when she
conferred upon Tennyson the honors OF Poet Laureate
she was chiefly induced 10 do 80, on account Of his exquisite
little poem that illustrates faithful love and domestic con-
stancy, the " MIXERS DaughIer.- This appreciation Of the
Sovereign Of the pure, undying and tender love that makes
the home. Is in harmony with the spirit Of a people whose
soldiers when in the CTimea, and before facing the carnage Of q
Laurie" a song Of home,-Eth overlooking iears,-and so
proving BY their emotion thar the tendeT-heaTted are ever
among the bravest and have the drmest grip 10 hold fast 20
The lines OF power. This incident IA described BY bayard Tay-
Tor who from the days Of = Views afooi," 70 his late beautiful
poem " Lars" has been the delight Of American readers