It is proper to remark here that the collection of Astley
was published in 1745, sixty-seven years ago. - E.]
This may suffice to support the credit of the observations of latitude
as made by Don Juan, till new and better ones can be made, which we are
not to expect in haste, as European ships now seldom sail any farther
into the Red Sea than Mokha or Zabid, for which reason this journal
is the more to be prized. In other respects it is full of variety; and
if some parts of it be dry and unamusing, these make amends by their
usefulness to geographers and navigators, while other parts are
calculated to instruct and give pleasure on other accounts. - Astley.
* * * * *
So far the foregoing introduction is taken from Astleys collection. In
our edition of the Journal of Don Juan de Castro, we have used the
earliest known copy as given by Purchas, Vol. II. p. 1122-1148, under the
title of A Rutter or Journal of Don John of Castro, of the Voyage which
the Portugals made from India to Zoes, &c. and here abbreviated.
The original of which is reported to have been bought by Sir Walter
Raleigh, at sixtie pounds, and by him caused to be done into English
out of the Portugal.
Of this Journal Purchas gives the following account in a marginal note,
which is inserted in his own words:
