MENDEZ PINTO, FERDINAND, was born at Monte-
mor-o-velho in Portugal, and was at first servant to a
Portuguese gentleman. In expectation of making a
fortune, he embarked for India in 1537. His vessel
being taken by the Turks on his passage, he was car-
ried to Mocka, and sold to a Greek renegade, and
afterwards to a Jew, in whose possession he continued
till he was redeemed by the governor of Ormus, a Por-
tuguese fort. The governor procured him an oppor-
tunity of going out to India, agreeable to his first de-
sign. During a residence of twenty-one years in that
country, he was witness to very important transactions,
and experienced many singular adventures. He re-
turned to Portugal in 1558, where he enjoyed the re-
ward of his labours, after having been thirteen times a slave and sixteen times sold. A very curious account of his travels was written by himself, and published at Lisbon, A. D. 1614, in folio. This work was translated into French by Bernard Fiquier, a Portuguese gentleman, and printed at Paris 1654, in 4to. It is written in a very interesting manner, and in a style more elegant than might have been expected from a man whose whole life was spent in the camp and in slavery. It elucidates a great variety of particulars relating to the geography, history, and manners of the inhabitants of China, Japan, Pegu, Siam, Achem, Java, &c. Many of his facts appeared fabulous, but their truth has been since ascertained. M. de Surgi compiled an interesting history from the most singular facts in Mendez Pinto's relation, which he published in the Vicissitudes de la Fortune, Paris, 2 vols. 8vo.