Before the Verticity and Use of the Compass, the _Portuguese_ Navigations had extended no farther than Cape _Non_, (it was their _ne plus ultra_,) and therefore so called; distress of Weather, indeed, had drove some Coasters to _Porto Santo_, and _Madera_, before any certain Method of steering was invented; but after the Needle was seen thus inspired, Navigation every Year improved under the great Incouragements of _Henry, Alphonsus_, and _John_ II. Kings of _Portugal_, in Part of the 14th and in the 15th Century. King _Alphonsus_ was not so much at leasure as his Predecessor, to pursue these Discoveries, but having seen the Advantages accrued to _Portugal_ by them, and that the Pope had confirmed the perpetual Donation of all they should discover between Cape _Bajadore_ and _India_, inclusively, he resolved not to neglect the proper Assistance, and farmed the Profits that did or might ensue to one _Bernard Gomez_, a Citizen of _Lisbon_, who was every Voyage obliged to discover 100 Leagues, still farther on: And about the Year 1470 made these Islands, the only Places (of all the considerable and large Colonies they had in _Africa_,) that do now remain to that Crown. St. _Thome_ is the principal of the three, whose Governour is stiled Captain General of the Islands, and from whom the other at _Princes_ receives his Commission, tho' nominated by the Court of _Portugal_: It is a Bishoprick with a great many secular Clergy who appear to have neither Learning nor Devotion, as may be judged by several of them being Negroes: One of the Chief of them, invited us to hear Mass, as a Diversion to pass Time away, where he, and his inferior Brethren acted such affected Gestures and Strains of Voice, as shewed to their Dishonour, they had no other Aim than pleasing us; and what I think was still worse, it was not without a View of Interest; for as these Clergy are the chief Traders, they stoop to pitiful and scandalous Methods for ingratiating themselves: They and the Government, on this trading Account, maintain as great Harmony, being ever jealous of each other, and practising little deceitful Arts to monopolize what Strangers have to offer for sale, whether Toys or Cloaths, which of all Sorts are ever Commodious with the _Portuguese_, in all Parts of the World; an ordinary Suit of Black will sell for seven or eight Pound; a Turnstile Wig of four Shillings, for a Moidore; a Watch of forty Shillings, for six Pound, _&c_.