National Geographic Magazine/Volume 1/Number 3/International Literary Contest to be held at Madrid, Spain
(Translated by Mr. R. L. Lerch.)
INTERNATIONAL LITERARY CONTEST
Program.
The work for which a prize is offered is to be a prose essay, a true historic picture giving a just estimate of the grandeur of the occasion to be celebrated.
So much has been written on this subject since the opening of the XVIth century that it would seem difficult to say anything new and good. Perhaps the details, perhaps the circumstances in the life and acts of Columbus are worthy of no little research; but already the Royal Academy of History is engaged in the erudite and diligent task of bringing together and publishing the un-edited or little known papers bearing on this question.
The book required by this contest must be of a different nature: it must be comprehensive and synoptic, and must be sufficiently concise without being either obscure or dry.
Although there is an abundance of histories of America, of voyages and discoveries, of geographic science, and of the establishment of Europeans in remote regions of the earth, there is no book that sets forth as it can be done the combined efforts of the nations of the Iberian peninsula, who, since the commencement of the XVth century, have, with a fixity of purpose and marvelous tenacity, in almost a single century of silent efforts brought about the exploration of vast continents and islands, traversed seas never before cut by Christian prows, and in emulous strife obtained almost a complete knowledge of the planet on which we live.
There is a growing interest and manifest unity in all those more important events; not to mention the circumstantial evidence borne by the charts of 1375 and the semi-fabulous voyages, such as that of Doria y Vivaldi and others less apocryphal though isolated and barren of results, like that of Ferrer, begun in 1434, when Gil Eannes doubled Cape Bojador, discovered Guinea, and dispelled the terror inspired by the unknown ocean, and ended in 1522 with Elcano's arrival at Sanlucar after circumnavigating the globe.
In all this activity very little occurs by chance. The progressive series of geographic discoveries, due to persistent premeditation and not to accident, was inaugurated at Sagres by the Infante D. Enrique and his illustrious pilot Jaime de Mallorca.
Well might Pedro Nuñes exclaim that from that time forth until the form and size of the terraqueous globe were thoroughly known, the most to be obtained would not be firmly established, "unless our mariners sailed away better instructed and provided with better instruments and rules of Astronomy and Geography than the things with which cosmographers supplied them."
The culmination in the progress of that beautiful history falls on the 12th of October, 1492, when Columbus was the first European to set foot upon the intertropical shores of the New World. But this act, considered apart from its intrinsic value, as purely the individual inspiration of a mariner and the generous enthusiasm of a patron Queen, derives a higher value when regarded as part of a summation of efforts, a grand development of an idea, a purpose to explore and know the whole globe, to spread the name and the law of Christ together with the civilization of Europe, and to reap a harvest of gold, spices, and all the riches of which costly samples and exaggerated reports were furnished by the traffic of the Venetians, Genoese and Catalonians, who in turn got them from Mussulmans.
Doubtless the moving cause, whose gorgeous banner so many men of our peninsula followed, was clothed in great sentiments, good or bad; their hearts were filled with religious fervor, thirst for glory, ambition, Christian love, cupidity, curiosity, and violent dissatisfaction (even during the Renaissance), to seek and undergo real adventures that should surpass the vain, fruitless, and fanciful adventures of chivalry; and to make voyages and conquests eclipsing those of the Greeks and Romans, many of which, recorded in classic histories and fables, were now disinterred by the learned.
What must be described is the complete picture in all its sumptuousness so that its magnificent meaning may stand out distinctly, without which the conviction would be lacking that the studies, voyages, and happy audacity of Bartolomé Diaz, Gama, Alburquerque, Cabral, Balboa, Magallanes, Cortes, Pizarro, Orellana, and a host of others, do not dim the glory of the hero whose centennary is to be celebrated, even though it heighten and add greater luster to the work of civilization begun by Portugal. . . .
The book here vaguely outlined must also contain a compendious introduction, notices of voyages, ideas, and geographic progress up to the date of D. Enrique's establishment at Sagres, and an epilogue or conclusion of greater extent, in which are examined and weighed the changes and progress that our subject has made, collectively, in the civilization of the world—in the commerce, economics and politics of the peoples, in regard to the broad field opened to the intelligent activity of Europe, over which it could spread and dominate; the abundance of data, sunken hopes, and more secure basis lent to the studious and wise for the extension of our knowledge of Nature, the unraveling of her laws, and penetration of her mysteries.
The vast, elevated argument of the book requires it be a finished work of art, not in fullness and richness of diction, but in plan and order, in sobriety and unity of style, whose nobility and beauty must lie in simplicity of phrase, correctness of judgment and richness of thought.
There may enter into this contest any unpublished work written to this end in Spanish, Portuguese, English, German, French or Italian.
The tribunal that is to award the prize will be composed of two members of the R. Acad. of History, and one member from each of the Spanish R. Academies of Moral Sciences and Politics, and Exact and Natural Sciences—all to be chosen by the Academies themselves.
Furthermore, there will be included in the tribunal the diplomatic representative of every power whose subject or subjects wish to enter the contest, which is to be done through said representative or some person duly appointed to act in his place. The tribunal will elect its presiding officer and will decide on the best works by an absolute majority of all the jurors who take part in the vote.
Each work submitted in this contest must be neatly copied, in legible writing, on good paper, without the author's name but with a quotation to identify him afterwards.
Each author will inclose a separate folded sheet on whose exterior is written the quotation he has chosen and the opening sentence of his work; within, he will write his name and residence.
The folded sheets corresponding to the works that did not get a prize will be burnt publicly without being opened.
Though it is difficult to set a limit as to size, the works should not have more reading matter than is contained in two volumes of the shape and size of the complete works of Cervantes issued by Rivadeneyra in 1863-4.
If the plan or purpose of any of the works require it, there may be added another volume of documents, maps, or other illustrations.
As it will take time to examine and judge the works, they should be sent to the Secretary of the R. Acad. of Hist. prior to January 1, 1892.
There will be first prize of 30,000 pesetas ($5,790) and a second of 15,000 pesetas ($2,895).
Besides this, each of the two successful authors will receive 500 copies of the printed edition of his work.
It rests with the Centennial Commission to determine the number of copies in the edition of each of the two prize works, and what disposition is to be made of the copies that are not given to the authors.
These (the authors) keep the right to re-print and to sell their works, and to translate them into other tongues.
The Commission, however, will have the right, if either or both prize works are in a foreign tongue, to have them translated and published in Castilian.
The Commission affix their seal to the preceding directions for the information of the public and government of those persons who desire to participate in the contest.
Madrid, June 19, 1889.