For the wider public, the appreciation of O Marquês de Pombal e a sua época [The Marquis de Pombal and his time] was due to Fidelino de Figueiredo in Revista de História (no. 1, January-March 1912). This journal played an active role in criticising cultural and educational policy and in defending documentary heritage. The writer asked: ‘What is the author ’ s conception of H istory? We believe that he does not adhere to any system but rather endeavours, without obsession, to sift out what is true in each one . This is why, in his search for the causes, Mr Lucio de Azevedo points to the most varied determinants, from economic causes, such as the crisis in Grão Pará and Maranhão, which resulted in the establishment of the famous company; intellectual causes, such as when he links the minister ’ s behaviour, so unusually progressive, to the transformation that took place in him during his stay in England; to simple personal causes, as when he explains the division of factions out of spite and resentment or the simple displeasure that the minister ’ s absorbing character produced in everyone. And because Mr Lucio de Azevedo is a supremely orientated spirit, with a solid historical education combined with a vast knowledge of life and people, he is not carried away by his enthusiasm for the Marquis, nor does he go in for absolute statements. That is why he always corrects his assertions carefully and with good reason. ’ This presentation was followed by Lúcio d’A zevedo ’ s first article in issue no. 2 of the periodical – ‘Estudos para a historia dos christãos novos em Portugal’ [Studies for the history of New Christians in Portugal] , which was followed by others with the same title, works on Portuguese Jews in the dispersion, those dedicated to Father António Vieira and other articles. In the meantime, the periodical died out, but J. Lúcio de Azevedo published the work he had been preparing over the years: Historia dos Cristãos Novos Portugueses [History of the New Christians in Portugal] .

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