WELCH (Sidney R.).— PORTUGUESE RULE AND SPANISH CROWN IN SOUTH AFRICAN. 1581-1640. […]. Juta & Co., Ltd. […] Cape Town and Johannesburg. 1950. In-8.º gr.. de VI-634 págs. E.
Obra com interesse para a história do período colonial português na África do Sul durante o período Filipino.
“Though the Portuguese had a series of Spanish kings during the years covered by this volume, the existence of a foreign king was hardly noticeable in South Africa and the other colonies of the East. These remained entirely Portuguese in their administration and laws. Some of the greatest od the Portuguese viceroys and governors flourished during these years. The drawbacks of the new order were felt mainly in Europe.
“That two nations which were also separate states, could prosper for sixty years under one king, was due to the inusual member of moral links that united the peoples of Portugal and Spain. They had the same ancient Christianity, many fine qualities common to both, a great Latin tradition os culture which they shared, and a singular analogy of language. But the foreign king in Portugal was a muffled vexation, which silently fretted even these real bonds of union. Each king seemed to become less of a Portuguese, making that link weaker by degrees, until it snapped.
“This story has a topical interest to-day; when the two nations are again linked together, but as equals, by the Iberian Pact of March 1939, further strengthened by agreements during the second worldwar. This has consolidated the Iberian Peninsula in a manner perfectly conformable to the feelings and interests of both countries. It is also calculated to be a substantial contribution to the peace of Europe, so tragically mauled otherwise to-day. This friendship and understanding between the sister nations free them from the danger of being chained to the chariot of any of the belligerent nations. […]”.
Encadernação dos editores. Discretamente assinado no verso do frontispício.