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THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 2ND NOVEMBER, 1889. 869
"Ever since the sixteenth century a great deal has been written on the life and deeds of Colum bus, and no doubt difficulties exist in bringing anything new to bear on the subject. It is proposed, therefore, that the paper to be written should be of a comprehensive, synoptic, and concise character, without tedious and recondite details. Although there are numerous works respecting American travels and discoveries, there is not one that sufficiently demonstrates the marvellous efforts made by the nations of the Iberian Peninsula from the beginning of the fifteenth century for the acquirement and knowledge of hitherto unvisited portions of the planet in which we live.
"In this work there is a growing interest which, putting aside various mythical voyages, such as those of Doria and Vivaldi, and others, began at the epoch when Gil Eannes doubled Cape Bojador, discovered Guge, and concluded at the period when Elcano circumnavigated the globe.
"The quing point of all these voyages of discovery was when Columbus first hoisted the European flag the soil of the New World. a deed which led to the knowledge of the whole globe, to the advancement of the Christian religion, and to the general wealth of all nations.
"No doubt the actors in these glorious achievements were inspired by diverse sentiments, some by the thirst for renown or wealth, others by the desire to eclipse the feats of the ancient. Greeks and Komans. But the subject to be treated of is the vas significance of this discovery of Columbus, the centenary of which it is proposed to celebrate, without in the least detracting from the deeds of Barto- lomé Dias, Con Pizarro, and others, bringing into due notice the civilizing power Portugal has brought to bend the crowning act of Spain when she for the first time braved the unknown Atlantic and reumnavigated the globe.
"The programme for this paper, thus vaguely sketched, should contain, in a compendious intro- duction, accounts of travels and geographical advances made up to the time of the settlement of the Infante Don Ebrique of Portugal in Sagres, concluding with an ample treatise on the changes and benefits wrought on civilization by our united efforts as regards commerce, the policy of nations, the extension of learning, &c.
"The vastness of the subject necessitates that the paper should be a highly finished work of art, not so much from the richness of diction, but rather from the general arrangement and neatness of style; for its nobility and beauty should spring from the simplicity of the phraseology, and from a just appreciation and careful judgment.
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Any unablished paper, written ad hoc, in Spanish, Portuguese, English, German, French, or Italian, may enter into the Competition.
"The Tribunal to award the prize will be composed of two members of the Royal Academy of History, of one member of each of the Royal Spanish Academies, and of various others.
"The Diplomatic Representative of each Power will also form part of the Tribunal; he will for- ward, to take pain the Competition, any work of his countrymen, or present any person that Power may designåte.
"The Tribunal will select a President, and all decisions will be made, by means of voting, by all the members composing it.
"The works presented for competition should be neatly bound, written legibly on good paper, the name of the author not being mentioned, and marked with a motto; but the author should write his name and address in a folder sheet, on the exterior of which he should repeat the same motto and the first sentence of his book. Those folded sheets belonging to works that receive no prizes will be burnt unopened.
"Although it is difficult to assign the exact dimensions of the works entered for competition, they should not exceed two volumes of 500 pages, of the same size and of the same type as those of the complete works of Cervantes, by Rivadeneyra, 1863-64. Still, if desired, another volume, containing documents, maps, &c., may be added.
"In order that the Jury may have time to examine and vote, the competing works should be sent to the Secretary of the Royal Academy of History before the 1st January, 1892.
"One prize of 1,2001. (30,000 pesetas) will be given, together with a second one of 6007. (15,000 pesetas).
"In addition to these rewards, each of these two authors will be given 500 copies of the edition of his book.
"The Centenary Commission will decide how inany copies of the edition of these works are to be published, and to whom they are to be presented.
"The authors will preserve full rights over their works, and will be able to have them reprinted, translated, &c. But the Commission, nevertheless, retains the right of having either or both of the prize works, should they be in a foreign language, translated into Spanish.
"The above is published by the Commission for the information of the public and of the Govern- ments of the persons who may desire to take part in the Competition.
The Programme is signed: "Duke of VERAGUA, Vice-President.
"Madrid, June 19, 1889."
"J. VALERA,} "J. RIAÑO,
Secretaries.
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