IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) r^j" 1.0 I.I 1.25 2.5 150 "^^ ^ I4£ IIIIIIO 1.4 1= 1.6 VI ^P: '/ Photographic Sciences Corporation ^ 4 NS§ \ :\ v \ ^ ^.y///// //.//// /J /// ^//^ ^ / / /////r/ ' ^o///r • ,.,,/ ,../ '/. i~.i \ > r r ..V V I ! -^ . i c I . Jl. '^ ^i;Ai !. ■«»»?- ' ■^ «\ .-•-V ■•«cV -l^'' \ T/n •X? -••Ift- i^:^ V j^i .'^^ v/W: ^^ '■••«■"■■■.:■ ..r i-3??- ■apyu ^*J8^ife' "■'H-v WITH Tift-je.. THE' KAATERSKILL EDITION. LIFE AND WORKS OF •^if: ■■II:- WASHINGTON IRVING, EMBRACING THE FOLLOWING VOLUMES: THE LIFE AND VOYAGES OF CHRlSTOPIIEli COLUMDUS.— ASTORIA : OR, AXEC- DOTES OF AN EXTERPRISE BEYOXD THE ROCKY MOUXTAIXS.— TOUR ON THE PRAIRIES.— ADBOTSEORD.—XEWSTEAD AnilEY.—UFE OF MAHOMET AND HIS Si'CCESSORS.—LIFE OF OLIVER GOLDSMITH. — BOXXEVILLE'S ADVENTURES IN THE FAR WEST.— THE CRAYON PAPERS, AND MOORISH CHRONICLES. TWO VOLUMES IN ONE. COMPLETE AND UNABRIDGED. SECOND SERIES. WITH SIXTEEN FULL-PAGE ILI.r?TR.\TIONS PRINTED IN COLORS FROM PESIGXS MADE EXPRESSLY rOR THIS EDITION BV JOSEPH LAfBER. \E\V YORK POLLARD & MOSS. PUBLISHERS, i" JOHN STREET, •/,. />////>. -•. t*'.i .?.vo Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year iS=i,by POLLARD \- MOSS. In tnc Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. 6'C^. // CONTENTS. voLUMi'. riiRi:i:. COLUMBUS. Preface BOOK I. Chap. I.— ninh, Parentage, and early Life of rolunibiis ....... Ci!,vi', 11.— Karlv V'nyaRcs of Columbus . Cii AT, III.— l'ri);,'rc'ss (jf Discovery under Prince llci\iy of PurlUfral CiiAi'. iV. — Residence of Columbus at Lirfhon. — Ideas conctTninjj Islands in tlic Ocean CllAl'. v. — Grounds on which Columluis found- ed his Belief of the cxisicncc of Undiscovered Lands in the West ...... Cii\r. V'l. — Correspondence of Columbus with Paulo Toscanelli. — Events in Portugal rela- tive to Discoveries. — Proposition of (>oluni- Inistothe Portuguese Court. — Departure from Portugal IJOOK II. Chai'. I. — Proceedings of Columbus after Icav- iriU Portugal. — Ilis Applications in Spain. — Characters of lerdinand am' Isabella Ciiai'. 1 1. — Columbus at the Court of Spain Chai', III. — Columbus before the Council of Salamanca ....... Ciiai'. IV. — Further Applications at the Court of Castile. — Columbus follows the Court in its Campaigns ....... Chap. V. — Columbus at the Convent of La Ra- bida CiiA!'. VI.— Application to the Court at the time of tlie Surrender of Granada .... CllAl'. VII. — .\rrangemeiit with the S;)anish Sove- reigns. — Preparations for the Expedition at the Port of Palor. C;iiAi'. \'I1I.— Columbus at the Port of Palos. — Preparations for the Voyage of Discovery BOOK III. r.\r.E I J Departure of Columbus on his first First Chap. I \''iyai;e Chap. II. — Continuation of the Voyage Notice of the Variation of the Needle Chap. Ill — Continuation of the X'oyage. — Vari- ous Terrors of the Seamen . . Chap. IV. — Continuation of the Vovagc.— Dis- covery of Land ...... LOOK IV. CitAP. I.— First Landing of Columbus in the New World Chap. II. — Cruise among the Bahaina Islands . Chap. Ill, — Discovery and Coasting of t^uba Chap IV. — Further t'oasiiug of Cuba Chap. V. — Search after tiie su|i;iosed Island of Ii.ibe(|ue. — Desertion of the Pinta . f^HAP. \'l. — Discovery of Ilispaniola Chap. VII. — (,"o:is;ing of Ilispaniola Chap. VUI. Shipvv-reck 8 9 10 12 lO 2t 23 24 29 30 32 33 35 37 39 -14 45 CI r - 5^ FAOB Chap. IX. — Transactions with the Natives . 57 Chap. X. - Huilding of the Fortress of La .S'avi- dad 59 Chai'. .\ I. ^Regulation of the Fortress of La Navidad. — Departure of Columbus lor Spain . 60 BOOK V. Chap. I. Coasting towards the Eastern End of Ilispaniola. — .Meeting with Piii/un. — .Affair v.'ith the Natives at the (iulf of Sa(ii.it\a . . 62 Chap. II. — Return Voyage. — Violent Storms. — .Arrival at the A /.ores 04 Chap. Ill — Transactions at the Island of St. .>Iaiy's . . 66 Ch.\p. I\'. — .Arrival at Portugal. — Visit to the (^ourt 67 Chap. V. — Reception of Columbus at Palos . (») Chap. \'I. — Reception of Ci4iimbus by thu Spanish Court at Harrelona . . . .70 Chap. VI 1. — Sojourn ol Coin mbu'; at H.ircelona. — Attenlicms paid him by the Sovereigns ami Courtiers ........ 73 Chap. VI 11. —Papal Bull of Partition.— P. epara- tions Icir a Second \'oyagc (,l (.'oliur.bus . 73 Chap. i.\. — Diplomatic Negotiations b>nveen the Courts of Spain and Poitugal with resi>ect to the New Discoveries ..... 76 Chap. .\. — Furilier iiieparaiions for the Second X'oyage. — Character of .Alonso de Ojeda. — Dilferencc of Columbus with Sori-i an4 Fon- scci 77 BOOK VI. Ch \p. I. — Departure of Columbus on his Second Voyage. — Discovery of the Caribbee Islands . Jq Chap. II. — Transactions at the Island of C-uada- loupc .'...... 80 Chap. III. — (.bruise among tha "^aribbec Islands 32 Chap IV. — .\rrival at the Ilaiborof La Navid id. — Di'juster of the Fortress . . . . Sj Chai'. \'. — TraiisactiiiTis with the Natives. Sus- picious Conduct of (jiiacan.'.'.iri . . . £fi Chai'. \'1. — Founding of the City of Lsabella. — .Maladies of the Spaniards . . . 8S Chap. \"I1. — Expedition of .Alon/o dc Ojeda to Explore the Interior of the Inland. — Dispatch ot the Ships to Spain Sq Chap \'III. - I) sconlenis at IsaLella. — .Mutiny of Denial Dia dc Pisa 51 Ch.vp. I.\. — Expedition of Columbus to the .Mountains of Cibao ,, ... 9:2 Chap. .\. — Excursion of Juan do I.iixan among the .Mountains. — Custom-^ .-'.nd ClKiiactcristics of the .Natives. — C.jliunln'.s return;; to Isa- bcil.i . ....... r)' Ci:.\p. .\l— Ariival of r.duiiibusat Isabella.— Sickni'-;s of the C'olonv . . . . ■ 0? CiiAP. .\ 1 1 --Distribution o\vered to (Xaniine into his Conduct ...... CllAr. 1 1. — Arrival of Hobadilla al San Domingo. His violent Assumption ol the Coinni.inJ . CllAl'. III.- Columbus sum moneil to appear be- fore liob.idilla CllAl'. I v. — (,'olunibus and his Urolheis arrested and sent to Sjiain in Chains .... BOOK XIV. Cii\r. I. — Scns.ilion in Spain on the arriv.il of Columbus in Irons. — His .Appear.ince at Court C|i\r. II. (.'oii;em|iorary \'oyages ol Dis- covcry ........ CllAl'. III. — .N'iihiilas de Ovanilo appointed to supersede Hobadilla ..... CllAl'. 1\'. — Proposition of Columbus iilalive to the Recovery of the Ilo'v SepuUliri; . CllAl'. V. — Prep.irations of Columbus for a rouilh Voyage of Discovery ... BOOK XV. CllAr. I. — Departure of Colunibiison his Fourth X'ovage. — Refused .-Xdiuission to the Haibor of S.m Domingo. — Ex[josed to a violent Tem- l"=t CllAl'. II. — Voyage along the Coast of Ilon- diir.is . . ...... CllAl'. III. — Voyage along the Moscpiito Coast, and Transactions al Cariari .... Cii.M'. IV. — \'oyai;e along Coast Rica. — Specu- lations concerning the Isthmus at Wragiia CllAl'. v. — Discovery of Puerto liello and I'l Reticle. — Cohinibus abandons the search alter the Straight CllAl'. \'l. — Kcturn to \'eragua. — The Adclan- tado exidores the Country . . . . CllAl'. \'II. — Commencenient of a Settlement on the river Helen. — Conspiracy of the N.itives. — K.xpetliiion of the Adelantado to suiprise (jiiibian ........ CllAl'. VIII. — Disasters of the Setllen:ent CllAl'. I.\. — Distress of the Admiral on board ol his Ship. — ritimate Relief ol the Seiilement . CilAl'. X. — -Departure from the Coast ol Verauua. — Arrival at Jam.iica. — Slraiiding of the Ships BOOK XVI. CllAr. I. — .Arrangement of Diego Mendez with tile Caciipies for Sii|)plies of Provisions. — Sent to San Domingo by Columbus in quest of Re- lief CiiAi'. II. Mutiny of Porras . . . . ("11 \r. HI. — Scarcity of Provisions. — Stralaprm of Columbus to obtain Supplies from the Na- tives CllAl'. IV. — Mission of Diego de Escobar to the Admiral ........ CllAl'. V. — Vovagc of Diego Mendez and Har- lliolomew I'iesco in a Canoe to Hispaniola . CllAl'. \T. — Overlures of Columbus to il.e Muti- neers. — H.itile of the Adelantado wiili Porras and his Followers if)i) J71 173 173 176 177 I7'J 1.S2 1S3 1S5 i?7 I Si, lO'j 192 103 196 19 j 199 201 202 205 2J7 203 209 O T - S ClIA I ol. i '^:; Cii\ ClIA 1. CllAl mi Cl I'll 111 CllAl i •f C()Nti:nts. tiiii.il wiih tlio S|i.nii . 157 i({iiufnts Willi • t'y) II niid Ilis Fill. i| llic ki'lit'ls . 163 I Si|ii,i(lion liis Fourth I the Ihiiljor violent Tcni- . 1S3 asi of IIoii- . 1S7 s(niito Conft, . . 1S9 \irn. — Spccu- I \\ rn^ua . liv niinlioiu'd in this Wuik l.uve into mo lerii Ciiiieniv No. .\ I \.- I'ri'sicr Ii'lin . X\— Marco Polo NX I. -The Work of Mar.o XXII. — Sir lohii MaiuliMlIc XXIII.— Tlic /ones . XXIV. — 01 iIk' Atalantis ot I .N .\ \'. — I hr Iniaf;iiiaty Islaiii in . ....... .NX VI. — The Island of ihc Srvcn Cilies No. .\ .WII. — Disiiivi'M 111 the Ul.ind ol .Madeira Nil. XXVIII.-l.asC.tsis No. XXIX. — IVicr Marnr . . . . No. .\X\.-()viedo . ' No. .\ .N .\ I — Ciir.i d(! I.os P.ilai-ios No. .K.N.XII. — " .NaviRationo ili-l Uo dil Isiilc (• Pacsi' Niiovanii'iite I " Navi;;alio Christopliori Coloiidji." No. .X.X.N I II.— .\ntoiiio de Ilcrrcia . .No. .\ .X.X l\'. — Hisliop Fonsei a .No. .N.N.W. — (Jl ihf situation of the Ternstii.i Paradise .No. .\.\Xyi.— WillofCohimbiis Nil. X.N.WII. — Signature uf Columbus iMil.'i PAi.k 2M 2'7 No. No. No. No. No. No (h No. :.ito 1.1 Si. liran- If Casiiglia itiovate. 2(>\ 2().» 204 2fi7 2(lS 2'.) 2(10 270 27^ 272 274 270 27'' 27S 270 270 2i)0 a:-i 2S5 ASTORIA. Introiuctio.n', CHAPTER III. CHAPTER I. Dbjcrts of Ametican enterprise — S"U\ hiintinjj and fur tr.idiiif,' — iheir eflert on colonization - early French Canadian settlers — Oitowa and Huron hunters — an Indian tradini; ciini) — couriers des hois, or rangers of the woods — their roaiiiinij life— their revels and excesses — licensed traders — missionaries — tradinj.; posts — primitive French Canadian men liani — his establishment and dependants — Hritish ("a- nadian fur merchant — orij;in of the .Norih- west Company — its consliliilion — its in- ternal trade — a candidate for the company --privations in the wilderness — northwest clerks — northwest partners — a northwest nabob — feudal notions in the forest — the lords of the lakes — Fort William — its parlianuntarv hall and baiKiueting room — was sailing in the wil- derness, ....,,.. 30: CHAPTER II. Rise of the Mackinaw Company — attempt of the .American Kovornment to counteract foreign inllucnce over the Indian tribes — lohn lacol) Astor — his birth-plarc — his arrival in the L'nited Slates — what hrsi turned his attention to the fur trade — his character, enterprises, and success — his communications with the .Vmeri- c. in government— origin of the American Fur Company 305 Fur trade in the Pacific — .Nmeriran coasting voy- ai^cs — Russian onter[irises— discoverv of the. Columbia River — Car\er's project to found a settlement there — M.ickciizii's expedition — Lewis and Clarke's journey arross the Rocky Mounlains -- Mr. .Asior's grand coniiuercial scheme -- his correspondence on the subject with Mr. lerterson — his negotiations witli the .Northwest Company — his steps to carry his scheme into etlect, ...... 307 CHAPTER IV. Two expeditions set on foot— the Tonquin and her crew — Captain Thorn, his character — the partners and clerks - - Canadian vovageurs, their habits, employments, diess. chaiacter, songs — e.\pedition of a Canadian boat and its crew by land and water — arrival at .New V :rk -preparations lor a sea vo\age — northwest braggarts — underhand precautions — letter of instructions, 31a CHAPTER V. Sailing of the Tompiin — a rigid commandi-r and a reckless crew — landsmen on shipboard — fre^h water sailors at sea — lubber nests — ship fare — a Labrador veteran — lilerary clerks — curious travellers — Robinson Crusoe's Island — ipiarter-deck fjuarrels — Falkl.ind Islands — a wild goose 1 hase — Port Egmont — epitapli hunting — Old Mortality — penguin shouting - fONTICNTS. 313 3'5 319 321 ^fioriimcn Icfi in the Inrrh — .t h.irl pull luiilici alirri .itiuii» — utrival nt Owylii'i;, , CIIAPrr.U VI. Ovvliic - S,itiil«lr|i Nl.iiiilcrs - • lliilr tiaiiliiiil l.ileiit> - r.iiii;Mliiii.iali- liis ii.ivy Ins ih';;ii|i,i. lions — views of Mr. .\slor wilh ri'si.ii 1 lu llii; S.iiidwicli Isl.iii'ls l\.ii.ik.ilpdrtion into the interior shoies of the Columhia — Mount Coflin — Indian Sepulchre ■ the land of spirits — Columliian valley Van- couver's Point- — falls and rapids — a great fishing mart— the village of Wish-ram— dill'er- cnce between tishinj; Indians and huntin).; Indians — elh'cts of h.ibits of trade on the In- dian charactei — pobt established al the Dakin- agan 323 CIIAPTLR XI. Alarm at Astoria — rumor of Indian hostilities — preparations for defence — tragical late of the ToiKiuin, ........ 326 CHAPTER XII. Gloom at Astoria — an ingenious stratagem — the .smallpox chief— launching of the Dolly -an arrival — a Canadian trapper — a freeman of the forest— an Iroipiois hut 'or — winter on the Columbia — festivities of N nv Year, . . 329 CHAPTER XIII. Expedition by land — Wilson P. Hunt — his char- acter — Uonald M'Kenzic — recruiting service among the voyagcurs — a bark canoe — cli.ipel of St. Anne — votive ofl'erings — pious carousals — a ragged regiment — Mackinaw — picture of a Uadin^; post — frolicking voyageurs — swells rAr.i and dwaaccrcr!! — Indlart foxcombi — n mnn o( tlie tiodh — jorkeyshJI) (if Voyageurs— im tliracy of gold-weight ol a fi.itlitr .Mr. I\am^dy Crooks— his characicr— liii riski« anionK thu Indi.ins l.iH warning concerning the Siuux and HIackleel rnd>aikalioii of reciuits--| .irt- iim scenes between biolhers, ck» ;iMii>iit( iliu ilti|{ (III: SluilX rtciiui"* — I .iri. c»u!tiii», wivci, 33' ipiil.iiion— \ Y pi)p\ii.iiion— r iii'j>»'ii(l,iiils — M.iiiuil l,i«n — liuliaiis--l\cii. ii>i,'s of Mr. L't alteration iir.do roads — land of dan- eurs — Indian ■ a council of -tlic pipe of 343 rilAPTI R .\I.\. f^„, Thp srcat lund of ihe Missouri— Trook* and M'Lellan meet willi two of their Indian op. poneiil* w.inlon oulran" of a white man the LMU»e of Indian liosidilies-danKers and pre- cautions .111 Indian w.ir party -- dan^'Muus sinialiDii >>l .Mr, Hunt— a Irieinlly em aiiminenl — U.isiini; .ind d.ini-inK— appro. i< li ol .\l.inu(l Lua and Ins patty — a uriiii nieeliny lielwecii old iiv.d* I'ltirc Uorion in a fury— a burstlof cliivalrv 3-1'^ CII.M'TKR NX. Fcituron of ihc wilderness— herds of biifl'.ilo — antelopes-' ilieir varielies and habits Jidin I)ay — his bunling straiaBeni — interview with three Arickaras — ncnotiatuins benvei n the riv.il pal lies — the I. ell-handed and Iho Ili^f Man. nvi) .Vrickara thiefs— .\rick;ua villnne — its iidi.iliii.inis— ccietiionials on landini!— a council Indue — grand conlcrence— s|iee(h of Lisa — ne(;otiation for horser. — shrewd sny- gestion of (iiay Lyes, an .Atii.kara chief— cncauipnient of the trading paities, . . 350 CH.\PTF.R X.\I. An Indian horse fair — love of the Indians for horses sreiies in the Arickara village — Indian hospitality — duties of Iiulian women— ({anic liabits of the men— their indolence — love of gossiping; — rumors of luikin>{ enemies scouts— an alatm--a sallying forth — Indian dogs — return of a Iiorse-siealina party — an In- dian depniition— fresh alarms return of a successful war party — dress of the Arirkiras — Indi.m toilet — triumphal entry of the war Jiarly — meetinns of relations and friends — ndian sensibility— meeting of a wounded wniriur and his mother -festivities and lamen- tations, 352 CIlAPrr.R X.N II. Wilderness of the Far West — ;;reat American desert — parched seasons — Mlack Hills — Rocky Mountains — wandering and prf^datory hordes— speculations on what may be the future population — apprehended dangers — a plot to desert — Rose the interpreter — his sin- ister character — departure from tho Arickara village, 335 CHAPTER XXIIL Summer weather of the prairies — purity of the atmosphere — Canadians on the march— sick- ness in the camp — Hig River — vuli»ar nomen- clature — suKJ-'eslions about the original In- dian names — camp of (^hcyennes — tr.tde for horses — character of the Cheyemies — their horsemanship — historical anecdotes of tlie tribe, 357 CHAPTER XXIV. New distribution of horses — secret information of treason in the camp — Rose the interpreter — his perf.ilious character — his plots— anec- dotes ol the Crow Indians — notorious horse- stealers — some account of Rose — a desperado of the frontier, ... . . 33S CHAPTER XXV. Subslilule for fuel on the prairies — fossil tree? — fierceness of llie bullaloes when in heat— llireo hunters inissiniLt — sij;nal fires and smokes — uneasiness conccrniiiR the lost men — a plan to foresiall a rogue — new arrangement with Rose — return of t!ic wanderers, . . . 359 rilAPTF.R XXVI. The niack Moiiniain!i--haiinl» of pinlalorv In dians' llieir wild and broken appearaini— siipersiiiion concerninK them -ilui'idei spmigi rintfiil.ir noisis m the inouni.iins sirivt mines-hiiUlcii ii<' mures iiioiiiil.nnt in l.ibor - -siieniihi e.xpl.inaiion- imp.i>.'.,iMe diii.is— ■ bl.ick tailed deei — the biKlmin 01 alis.diia — prospect Irom a Infiy Ini^in - pl.iin with lieidn ol liuff.ilo^disianl peaks ol the Roi ky Moiin* t.liiis — .ilarnis in the r.imp -n.ic ks oi n\\//\y bears — dan>{eri)iis n.iliiie ol this .iiiini.il--.ii|. veniiires ol Wiili.ini (aiinuii and John Day with gtuiily bears, rAni 360 CHAPTER XXVII. Indian trail- ron;'h nioiini.iiii travi lliii;,'--«uirer. iniis lioiii hun;;er and lhii'>l Pouilei Rivei — name iii abiiiid.iii e — .1 hliiiler-. p,lladl^e - inount.on pe.ik seen at a ^'e.il disi.iia e--ono of the II14 Horn chain- - l\oi k \ .Mniiiitains — e.xleiit appeal. mce-lieiyhl -the yii.it .\iiieii» . cm deseit -■ various cliai.u lei isin . ol ilia moiinl.iiiis- Indi.in siipeislilions loncrtning them - land of souls- towns ol llie lieu and gencrou* spirits — happy huiiiinf{ gri.unds, . 363 CHAPrER XXVII'. Refiionof the Crow Indi.ins — scouts on the lof)k- out--visit from a crew of h.iid ii'leis — a Ciow camp- presents to the Crow c hiel--ti iru.nniiik,' — Crow bullies — Rose anion).; his Iiulian friends — parting willi llie t'lows — peiple.xi- lies among the momiiains — inoie ol llio Crows — C(|uebtrian childien -- si aich alter stragglers, 364 CHAPTER XXIX. Mountain glens — wandering band of savages — anecdotes of Shoshonies and I'lallie.iils-root diggers — their solitary luri.ii.g habits — gnomes of the mountains — Wind River — scarcity of food— alteration of loiite — the Pdot Knobs or Tetons — branch of the Colorado — hunting camp 5t.5 CliAI'TER XXX. .\ plentiful hunting camp — Slioshonie hunters-- lloback's River -- Mad River - - oik .iinpnient near the Pilot Knobs — a consult.ilioii prepa- rations lor a perilous voy.ige 3(^7 CHAPTER XXXI. •A consultation whether to proreel 1 y land or water — preparations b^r boat-luiildiiii; — an • x- ploriiig i'arty — a party of tiappers di t.iched — two Snake visitors — their repoit concerning the fiver — confirmed by the exfjloting p.irty --Mad River abandoned— arriv.il .U Henrys Fort — detachment of Robinson, Hoback .-inii Re/.ncr to irap--Mr. Miller resolves to ac- company them — their depariuie, . . . 368 CHAPTER XXXII. Scantv fare -a mendicant Snake— embarkation on Henry River — joy of the vo\aL;i-iirs--.iriival at Snake River — rapids and breakeis— begin- ning of misfortunes — Snake eiH.inipnients - parlcv with a savage — a second disaster — loss of a boatman — the Caldron Linn, . . . 37Q CHAPTER XXXIII. Gloomy council — exploring panic — disroiirag- iiig reports — disastrous experiment — del.nli- nients in ijiiest of succor — cac'nes, how inado — re:urn u( one of the detachments — unsuc- VIU CONTEXTS. ccssfiil— fiirtlur disappointments — the Devil's Scuttle Ilulc 372 C HA ITER XXXIV. Delcrminatiori of tlie |iariy '-J pronod on foot — drc'irv (iisLTIs liclwccii Snake River and the ('oliimhia--(lisii iliiition of fllecls pri'i •iraliny to a in.iri:l> -clivision of tin: party — rii);>,'cd Diarcli alonir tin: r ^cr — wild and hrokcn scene- rv— SliDsliDiiics — alarm of a Snake encamp- mint — interi Diirsi; willi tlic Snakes — li-irsc- dealing — value of a tin kettle — snUirint^s from tliirsi — alioi.se reclaimed— fortitude of an In- dj.in woman — scarcilv of food — dof>'s tiesli a dainiy— news of Mr. Crooks and his party — fjandnl travi llinu amoii},' the mountains— snow- siorms— .1 dreary mountain prospect — a bi- voiiar dniinj; a wintry night — return to the river bank, 374 CII.M'TER XXXV. An nnexiicrted meeting — navij^ation in a skin canoe- strariiic fe.irs of sulFcMng men — liaid- ships of .Ml. (^rooks and his comrades — lid- inyi; of MLellan — a rc^ro^jade match — a wil- hnv rafl--e.\lreiiie siiHeni'.j; of some of the party--illness of Mr. (brooks — imp.ilience of some ot the men — necessity of leaving the lag- gards behind, 377 Cn.\PTER XXXVI. Mr. Hunt overtakes the advancei — abhorrence of drunkenness^anecdote ot Conicomly, 366 CHAPTER XLI. S;iring arrangements at Astoria — various expedi- tions set out — the Long Narrows — pillering Indians — thievish tribe at Wish-ram — jiortage at the falls — portage by moonlight — an attack, a rout, and a robtjery — Indian cure for cow- ardice—a parley and compromise— the dis- patch larty turn back — meet Cro(d;sand John Day — their sullerings — Indian perlidy — airival at Astoria, . . . . . . . 3S3 CHAPTER XLH. Comprehensive views — to supply ihc Russian fill ' sl.iblishniijiit an agent sent 10 Russia — • project of an annual ship the Heaver lilted out — her C(|uipinent and crew— insiructions to the captain — the Sandwich Islands — rumors of the fate of the Tonquin — preraulions on leach- ing the mouth of the Columbia, . . . 3'jl ciiapti;r xlih. Active operations at .\sloria — various expedi- tions htted out — Robert Stuart and a party destined for New Yen k— singular conduct of John Day — his late — piratical [lass and h.i/.ard- oiis portage — rattlesnakes — their abhorrence ol tobacco — arrival among the Wallah-Wallahs — ]nirchase ol hcjrses— dejiaitute ol Stuart and his band for the mountains. I yj- CIIAPTER XLIV. Rome of Mr. Stuart — dreary wilds— thirsty travel- ling a grove and stre.inilct — the Blue Moun- tains--a fertile plain with rivulets— Mil phur spring — route a!ong»Sn,ike River--riiiiiois of white men — the Snake and his horse — a Snake guide — a midnight decampment — unex['ecled meeting with old comrades — story of trapjiers' hardships — Salmon Kails — a great lisliery — mode of spearing salmon — arrival at the ("al- droii I.inn — slate of the caches — new tesrjiution of the tluee Keiilurky trappers, , , . 2')4 CHAE'TER XI.V. The Snake River deserts — scanty fare — bewil- dered travellers — prowling Indi.ans — a giant Crow chiel — i bully rebuked — Ir.dian signals -smoke on Ihc mountains — .M;icl River — an alarm — an Indian foray — a scamper— a rude Indian joke — a sharp-shooter balked of his shot, ......... 3g3 CHAPTER XLVI. Travellers nnliorsed — |)Cileslrian (ireiiaiations — l^rving spies — bonfire of bagj;agi---a man h on foot — raiting a river — the wounded elk — Indian tr;l Hen 111' call fori alij mah imr all I CONTENTS. !x St — fdrcsis ami iwcriiig vine — ale west of tliu L'l.iUirc — S(jil of 3S5 Astoria — their causes of dc- ;cnipl of lii'ards [ions — iDodf of lie cust and idn-money — the bringing home ol the bndi — a managing (.ither-in-l.iw— arri'.al of .Mr. Hunt at .\stotia, ........ 4i'j chai'Ti:r lvh. Vovage of the Hciver to New Aichangel — a Riis- . siaii governor — loystering riiie-the tyranny of the table — hard drinking b.irgains- -vovage to Kanischalka — se.il-c. itch ing estabiislimeiit at St. Paul's— storms at sea — .Mi. Hunt left at the Sandwich Islands-— transactions of the Heaver at C.inton — return ol Mr. Hum to .As- loiia, 420 CIIAPIKR LVIII. Arrangements among the partners — Mr. Hunt sails in the .Albatross — arrives a' the .Manpies.is — newsof the frigate Phoebe — .Mr. Hunt [iro- ceeds to the Sandwich Islands — voyage of the Lark — her shipwreck transactions with the itives of the Saiidwieh islands — toiiducl of CIIAPIKR LIX. Kur Compaiiv — war between the V iiileil Stales Arrival of M'Tavisli at Astoria — conduct of h id C real iritian — instructions to Capiani foil. negotiations o f M'l). d Sowleoflhe Heaver— fitting out of the Laik — new.s of the airival of Mr. Sluait, . 411 M' lavish — bargain lor till! Iranskrol .Astoria doubts entertained of the lovallvot .MTJoii- 424 CIIAI'TKR Lll. iJaiiks of til \",i -Walhi ■departure o r David Smart for the (Jakiiiag.m Mr. Clarke's ^^ route up Ltnvis River — Chipiiiinish, or Pick ed- I no>e Indi.ins their character.'appeaiance, and 'i habits thi(;vish habits- l.iying up of the boats — post at Pointed Heart and Sp okan Rivers — , his route up the Camoeniini — bands chapti:r lx. .Arrival of a strange s.iil — agitation at .Astoria- warlike oiler of Comcoinlv — Astoria taki possession o f by the Hritish — indignation of M'Ki of t ravelling Ind lans — ex pedition R dveiitutes of wandering voya- tlie caciie geurs an I liappers, ciiapti;r Lii. Dcpaitiire nf Mr. Hunt in the Heaver — prerai: tionsat the lactorv— detachment to the WalLi Comcouily at the conduct of his son in-law, 425 ciiapti;r lxl Arrival of the brig Pedlir ;it .\sioria^breaking up ol the establishment — dep.irtuie 412 jf th e conipany — tragn. story told by the sipiaw of PieriL Dorioii — fate> of i\eed .and his companions -attempts of Mr. .Astor to leiiew his enterprise — di.'appointiiient — cjiicluding observations and lelleciions 42; III lit M'Ki appreh — air.iirs at SI giooiiiv arrival of i.ihapt.in — news of war >f .M'Doiigal — delerniination to .Ib.indoa Astoria — departure o( .M'Kenzie for the inn the lullians of \V meetni;; at the inination of the wint ir— adventure at the rai>ids — \ isil tc I'-n-raiii — a perilous siluation- ai'1'i;ndi.\. Draught of a petition to (.'ongresS, sent by Mr. .Astor III 1S12, . . . . . . 430 Letter from Mr. (jallatin to Mr. Astor, . 430 g Willi .M'Tavisli an'' his partv — arrival Shaliaptan plunde.ed cailies— deter- Not i ic<'S of the piesmit .-^i 'te ol the 1 iir Tr.idi chirily extracted (lom an article jmblished in lim.iii s iiiiin.i for I-. eriug partners not to le.ive laiy, 1-34, the coiiniiv— .arrival ol C;iarke among the .\i Perces the all'air of the .silver goblet— ham Height ol the Rocky 'ilountaiiis, Suggestions with resjiect to the Indian tribes, atiJ the protection of oin trade, , , , 431 4.) J 433 CONTENTS. A TOUR ON THE PRAIRIES. INTRODVCTIOV. TAGE • 437 CHAPTER I. The Pawnee hunting t^roinuls — travelhng compan- ions — a commissioner — a virtuoso — a fceker of aiiventures — a Gil lUasofthe frontier — a young man's anticiijations of pleasure, . . . 437 CHAPTER II. Anticipations clisappointcd — new plans — prepara- tions to join an exi)loring party — dcpartine from Eort (liljson — fording; of tlic Verdigris — an Indian cavalier, 4jS CHAPTER HI. An Indian agency — rillcnicn — Osages, Creeks, trap- pers, dogs, horses, half-breeds — Deatte, the Imntsman, 439 CHAPTER IV. The departure, 440 CHAPTER V. Frontier scenes — aEj^urgus of the border— Lynch's law — the danger of linding a hurse — the young Osage, t CHAPTER VI. Trail of the Osage hunters — dcpartine of the Count and his parly — a descried war camp — a vagrant dog — the encampment, ..... CHAPTER VII. News of the rangers — the Count and his Indian fcjuire — halt in the woods — woodland scene — (.)sage village — ( )sagc visitt)rs at our evening camp 443 44' 442 CHAPTER VIII. The honey camp, A bee hunt. CHAPTER I.\. CHAPTER X. 44S 445 Amusements in the camp — consultations — hunters' fare an 454 CHAPTER XV, The search for the elk — Pawnee stories, . CHAPTER XVI. A sick camp — the m.i: vh — the disabled horse — old Ryan and the stragglers — symptoms of change of weather and change of humors, . . . 456 CHAPTER XVII. Thunder-storm on the prairies — the storm encamp- ment — night scene — Indian stories — a frightened horse, 457 CHAPTER XVIII. A grand prairie — Cliff Castle — buffalo tracks — deer hunted by wolves— Cross Timber, . . . 45S CHAPTER XIX. Hunters' anticipations — the rugged ford — a wild horse 459 CHAPTER XX. Tlie camp of the wild horse — hunters' stories — habits of the wild horse — the half-breed and his prize — a horse chase — a wild spirit tamed, . . . 461 CHAPTER XXI. The fording of the Red Fork- — the dreary forests of the "Cross Timber " — l)uffalo ! . , . 4G2 CHAPTER XXH. The alarm camp, . 463 CHAPTER XXHI. I'lCarer dam — buffalo and horse tracks — a Pawnee trail — wiltl lior-,es — the young hunter and the be.ar — change of route, . ..... 465 CHAPTER XXIV. Scarcity of bread — rencTntrc with buffaloes — wild turkeys — fall of a bulfalo bull, . , . 467 CHAPTER XXV. Ringing the wild horse, ..... 467 CHAPTER XXVI. Fording of the North Fork — dreary scenery of the Cross Timber — scamper of horses in tlie night — ( )sage war party — eliocts of a pcac! harangue — buffalo— wild horse, . . .... 469 CHAPTER XXVH. Foul weather encampment — anecdotes of bear hunt- ing — Indian notions a!)ont omens — scruples re- specting the dead, ...... 470 CHAPTER XXVIII. .\ secret expedition — deer bleating — magic balls, . 472 CHAPTER XXIX. The grand prairie — a bulTalo hunt, . , , 473 CHAPTER XXX. \ comrade lo^t — a searcli for the camp— the com- mi-sioner, tiie wild horse, and the buffalo — a wolf serenade, 476 Ah Ar< CONTEXTS. 3. XVI. disabled liorse— old |)toms of change of ^» • . . 456 ^VII, the storm ciicimp- ories— a frightened CHAPTER XXXr, A hunt for a lost comrade, . CHAPTER XXXH. A republic of prairie dogs, . • PAGE ■ 477 47S CHAPTER XXXIII. A council in the camp— reasons for facing home- ward— horses lost— departure with a detachment SI rAGE on the homeward route— swamp— wild horse—' camp scenes by night— the owl, harbinger of dawn, 479 CHAPTER XXXIV. Old Creek encampment— scarcity of provisions— oad weather— weary mardiing-a hunter's bridge, 4S1 CHAPTER XXXV. A look-out for I.ind-hard travelling and hun-ry iiiltmg— a frontier farmhouse— arrival at the '-"ir- "'"" " . 4S2 457 4SS 459 :viii. ufTalo tracks— deer 'er, . *vIX. ged ford— a wild • • • 2rs' stories— habits Wg •d and Jiis prize — a '^ 'i • . . 461 -■ i e dreary forests of NEWSTEAD ABBEY. Historical Notice, . Arrival at the Abbey, . The Abbey Garden, Plough Monday, . Old Servants, Superstitions of tlie Abbey, *CII. :iii. . 462 • 4O3 •racks— a Pawnee uucr and tlic boar i Abuotsfokd, • 4C5 :rv. 1 bufT;\!oes— wild ■ 4C7 :v. . 467 VI. y scenery of tlie s in tJK- night — -at-: harangue — . 469 'II. tcsof berirhunt- iis — scruples re- . 470 III. •magic balls, . 473 • 473 I'AGP 4S5 4S7 4S9 491 492 493 Annesley Hall, . . , . The Lake, . Robin Hood and Sherwood Forest, The Rook Cell, . . . '. Tlie Little Wliite Lady, '. [ ABBOTSFORD. PAGB 495 501 501 504 505 TAGK amp— the com- buiT.iIo— a wolf • . 476 PREFACE. I Betno at Bordeaux, in the winter of 1825-6, I received a letter from Mr. Alexander Everett, Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States at Madrid, informing me of a work then in the press, edited hy Don Martin Fernandez de Navarrcte, Secretary of the Royal Academy of History, etc., etc., containing a collection of documents relative to tile voyages of Columbus, among which were many of a highly important nature, recently dis- covered. Mr. Everett, at the same time, expressed an opinion that a version of the work into English, by one of our own country, would be peculiarly desirable. I concurred with him in the opinion ; and, having for some time intended a visit to Madrid, I shortly afterward set off for that capital, with an idea of undertaking, while there, the translation of the work. Soon after my arrival, the publication of M. Navarrete made its appearance. I found it to contain many documents, hitherto unknown, which threw additional lights on the discovery of the New World, and which reflected the greatest credit on the industry and activity of the learned editor. Still the whole presented rather a mass of rich materials for history, than a history itself. And invaluable as such stores may be to the labo- rious inquirer, the sight of disconnected papers and official documents is apt to be repulsive to the general reader, who seeks for clear and continued narrative. These circumstances made me hesi- tate in my proposed undertaking ; yet the subject was of so interesting and national a kind, that I could not willingly abandon it. On considering the matter more maturely, I perceived that, although there were many books, in various languages, relative to Columbus, they all contained limited and incomplete accounts of his lile and voyages ; while numerous valuable tracts on the subject existed only in manuscript or in the form of letters, journals, and public muni- ments. It appeared to me that a hi.story, faithfully digested from these various materials, was a de- sideratum in literature, and would be a more sat- isfactory occupation to myself, and a more accept- able work to my country, than the translation I had contemplated. I was encouraged to undertake such a work, by the great facilities which I found within my reach at Madrid. I was resident under the roof of the Irving's Lire of Columbut. (j American Consul, O. Rich, Esq., one of the most indefatigable bibliographers in Europe, who, for several years, had made particular researches after every document relative to the early history of America. In his extensive and curious library, I found one of the best collections extant of Span- ish colonial history, containing many documents for which I might search elsewhere in vain. This he put at my absolute command, with a frankness and unreserve seldom to be met with among the possessors of such rare and valuable works ; and his library has been my main resource throughout the whole of my labors. I found also the Royal Library of Madrid, and the library of the Jesuits' College of .San Isidro, two noble and extensive collections, open to ac- cess, and conducted with great order and liber- ality. From Don Martin Fernandez de Navarrete, who communicated various valuable and curious pieces of information, discovered in the course of his researches, I received the most obliging assistance ; nor can I refrain from testifying my admiration of the self-sustained zeal of iliat es- timable man, one of the last veterans of .Spanish literature, who is almost alone, yet indefatigable in his labors, in a country where, at present, liter- ary exertion meets with but little excitement or reward. I must acknov.'ledge, also, the liberality of the Duke of Veraguas, the descendant and rejjresent- ative of Columbus, who submitted the archives of his family to my inspection, and took a personal interest in cxhit)iting the treasures they contained. Nor, lastly, must I omit my deep obligations to my excellent friend Don Antonio de Uguina, treasurer of the Prince Francisco, a gentleman of talents and erudition, and particularly versed in the history of his country and its dependencies. To his unwearied investigations, and silent and unavowed contributions, the world is indebted for much of the accurate information, recently im- parted, on points of early colonial history. In the possession of this gentleman are most of the papers of his deceased friend, the late historian Munos, who was cut off in the midst of his val- uable labors. These, and various other docu- ments, have been imparted to me by Don Antonio, with a kindness and urbanity which greatly ii> creased, yet lightened the obligation. PREFACE. With these, and other aids incidentally afforded me by my local situation, 1 have endeavored, to the best of my abilities, and making the most of the time which I could allow myself during a so- journ in a foreign country, to construct this his- tory. I have diligently collated all the works that 1 could find relative to my subject, in print and manuscript ; comparing them, as far as in my power, with original documents, those sure lights of historic research ; endeavoring to ascertain the truth amid those contradictions which will inevi- tably occur, where several persons have recorded the same facts, viewing them from different points, and under the influence of different interests and feelings. In the execution of this work I have avoided in- dulging in mere speculations or general reflec- tions, excepting such as rose naturally out of the subject, preferring to give a minute and circum- stantial narrative, omitting no particular that ap|)eare: I'l THE LIFE AND VOYAGES or CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS Venient annU SzcuIa %en%, quihns, ( )ccanus Vincula rerum laxet, ct Ingcni Patcat telliiH, Typhisqiie novos Dctcgat Orbes ncc sit tcrris Ultima Thule. Shneca: Affdfa, AUTHOR'S REVISED EDITION. BOOK I. Whethf.R in old times, lipyonci the reach of his- tory or tradition, and in some remote period of civili/iation, when, as some imafrine, the arts may have flourished to a ilej^ree unknown to those whom we term the Ancients, there existed an in- tercourse between tlio opposite sliorcs of the At- lantic ; whellierthe K;j:yptian legend, narrated by I'lato, resjH'ctinfj the island of Atalanlis was in- deed no faille, but the obscure tradition of some vast country, enj^ulfed by one of those mighty convulsions of our j;lo!)e, which have left traces of the ocean on the summits of lofty mountains, must ever remain matters of vacfue and visionary speculation. As far as authenticated history ex- tends, nothin}^ was known of terra firma, and the islands of the western hemisphere, until their dis- covery toward the close of the lifteenth century. A wanderinjr bark may occasionally have lost sifjht of the landmarks ot the old continents, and been driven by tempests across the wilderness of waters long before the invention of the compass, but never returned to reveal the secrets of the ocean. And though, from time to time, some document has lloaled to the shores of the old world, giving t:) its v.ondcring inhabitants evi- dences of land far beyond their waterv hori/on ; yet no one ventured to spread a sail, and seek that land enveloped in mystery and peril. Or if the legends of the Scandin.ivian voyagers be correct, and their mysterious \"inland was the coast of Labrador, or the shore of Newfoundland, they harl but transient glimpses of the new world, leading to no certain or permanent knowledge, and in a little time lost again to mankind.* Certain it is that at tlie beginning of the fifteenth centurv, when the most intelligent minds were seeking in every direction for the scattered lights of geo- * See illustrations in Appendi.x at the end of this work, article " Scandinavian Discoveries," graphical knowledge, a profound ignorance pre- vailed among the learned as to the western re- gions of the Atlantic ; its vast waters were re- garded with awe and wonder, seeming to bound the world as with a chaos, into which conjecture could not penetrate, and enterprise feared to ad- venture. We need no greater proofs of tiiis than the description given of the .\tlaiitic by Xerif al lulrisi, surnamed the Nubian, an eminent Ara- bian writer, whose countrymen, vvere the boldest navigators of the middle ages, and possessed all tliat was then known of geograjihy. " The ocean," he observes, " encircles the ul- timate bounds of the inhabited earth, and all be- yonrl it is unknown. No one has been able to veritv anything concerning it, on account of its flitlicult and perilous navigation, its great obscu- rity, its ]irofound depth, and frequent tempests ; through fear of its mighty fishes, and its haughty winds ; yet there are many islands in it, some [Kopled, others uninhai)ited. There is no mar- iner who dares to enter into its deep waters ; or if anv have done so, they have merely kept along its coasts, fearful of departing from them. The waves of this ocean, although they roll as high as mountains, yet maintain theiTiselves without bieaking ; for if they broke, it would be impossi- ble for ship to plough them."* It is the object ot the following work, to relate the deeds and fortunes ot the mariner who first had the judgment to divine, and tlie intrepidity to br.ive the mysteries of this perilous deep ; and who, by his hardy genius, his inflexible constancy, and his heroic courage, brought the ends of the earth into communication with each other. The nar- rative ot his troubled life is the link which connects the history of the old world with that of the new. * Description of Spain, by Xerif al Edrisi ; Conde's Spanish translation. Madrid, 1799. LIFE AND VOYAGES OF COI.UMUUS. 1.11 CHAPTKR I. BIRTH, PARFNTAOr., AND EARLY I.IFK OF CUI.U.MHL'S. Christoi'IIF.r Coi.UMiirs, or Colombo, as the ntime is written in Italian,* was Ixirn in the city of (lenoa, about In* yiar 1435- "'" was the son of Dominico Coloniljo, a wool comiier, and Su- sannah Fontanarossa, his witc, and it wouki seem that his ancestor, had toilowed the same handi- craft for several j,'ener.itions in (ienoa. Attempts have been made to prove him of illustrious de- scent, and several nolile houses have laid claim to him since his name has become so renowned as to confer rather than receive distinction. It is possible some of ihem may be in the rij;lu, for the feu Is in Italy in those ajjes had broken down any Columbus in early lite, is common to boys of en- terprising spirit and lively imagination brought U|) in maritime cities ; to whom the sea is the high road to .-ulventure and the region ot ro- mance. Cieiioa, too, walled in and straitened on the land side by rugged mount. lins, yielded but little scope lor enterprise on shore, while an opu- lent and widely extended commerce, visiting' every country, .and a roving ni.irine, battling in every sea, naturally led torih her children upon the waves, as their propitious element. Many, too, were induced to emigrate by the violent tac- tions whiih r.iged within the bosom of the citv, and often dyed its streets with blood. A histori- an of Cieiio.i laments this proneness of its youth to w.mder. They go, said he, with the intention of returning when they shall have actjuired the means ot living comfortably and honorably in their native |)lace ; but we know from long expe- rience, that ot twenty who thus depart scarce two return ; either dying abroad, or taking to them- selves foreign wives, or being loath to expose them- selves to the tempest of civil discords which dis- tract the republic! The strong passion for geographical knowledge, also, felt In' Columbus in early lite, and which in- spired his aiier career, was incident to the age in which he lived. Geographical discovery was the brilliant path of light which was forever to dis- tinguish the tlfteeiiih century. During a long night of monkish bigotry and false learning, geo- graphy, with the other sciences, had been lost to the Eurojiean nations. Fortunately it had not been lost to mankind : it had taken refuge in the bosom of Africa. While the jjedantic scnoolmen of the cloisters were wasting time and talent, and confounding erudition by idle reveries and sophist- ical dialectics, the Arabian sages, assembled at .Sen.iar, were taking the measurement ot a degree of latitude, :ind calculating the circumference of the earth, on the vast i)lains of Meso|)otamia. True knowledge, thus happily preserved, was now making its way back to F^urope. The revi- val of science accompanied the revival of letters. Among the \arious authors which the awakening zeal for ancient literature had once more brought into notice, were I'liny, Pomponius Mela, and Strabo. From these was regained a fund of geo- graphical knowledge, which had long faded from the public mind. Curiosity was aroused to pur- sue this forgotten path, thus suddeidy reopened. A translation of the work of IHolemy had been made into Latin, at the commencement of the century, by Emanuel Chrysoleras, a noble and learned Greek, and had thus been rentlered more familiar to the Italian students. Another transla- tion had followed, by James Angel de Scarpiaria, of which fair and beautiful coi)ies became com- * Letter to the Castilian Sovereigns, 1501. f Foglieta, Istoria de Genova, lib. ii. 4 LIFE AND VOYAGES OF COLUMBUS. 7 of a man likf Co. had a v.ist etlcit on ii(| to have Iktii |prim ipally ••n^amMl on tin- Mediterranean and u|) the I.ev.tnt ; sunietitnes in foiiiiiiereial voya^'e-. ; sometimes in the warlike ronlests between the Italian slates ; sometimes in |)iinis and predatory expeditions a|,Minst the Inti- (lels. 1 listorians liavi' made liim in 1474 eaptain of se\'eial (ienoese ships, in the service ot Louis XI. ol France, and I'ndan^jerin^j the peace between that country and Sp.iin by runniiijr down and capturiM;,' Spanish \'essels at sea, on his own re- sponsibility, as a reprisal for an irruption ot the Spaniards into Koussillon.* A^ain, m 1475, he is represent'-d as brushinj^ with his Cieiioise s<|iiadron in rultliii^f bravado b) a \'enetian li.et statioiie- bon w.is not the lortuitous result ot a desperati' adventure, liut w.is undert.ikeii in a spirit ot lili- eral curiosity, and in the pursuit ot huiioral)lt: turiunu. CUAI'TKK Iir. I'ROilKKSS Ol' DISCOVKKV fNDI-.R I'KINCK IIKNRY ot I'okllUl.M,. Till-: career of modern discovery li.id com- menced shortly before the lime ot Columbus, ami at the period ol which we are trealiiij; was prose- cuted w ith ^reat activity by l'oriui,Ml. Some have .Utributed Its ori^fin to a nnn.intic incident in lliu toiirieeiuh ( eiitury. An l'!n>,disliman ot the n.inif ot .M.ich.im, llyin),f to 1" ranee with a l.idy ot whom lie was enamoieii, w.is driven t.ir out ol si^lit ot land by stress ot weather, and alter wanderiii;; about the hi),di seas, arrived at .111 unknown ami uniiihabiieil isl.iiid, covered with beautdiil loresis, which was .ilterward called .M.ideir.i. * Others h.i\e treated this iccouht as a table, and have pronounced the Caii.iries to be the tlr.st Iruits ol modern discovery. 'I'his famous ^{rou|), the For- tunate Islands of the ancitnts, in which liny pl.iced iheir ;; irdeii ol the I k-sperides, and wheiu c I'lolemy commenced to count the l(ni;;iiude, hail been lonn' lost to the world. There are vajfue ac- counts, it is true, ot 'heir having' received cisu.,! visits, at wide' intervals, durinjr the obscure .i^es, from the wandering,' b.irk of some .Arabian, .Nor- man, or Cienoese .idvenlurer ; but all this w.is in- volved in uncert.iiiuy, and led to no benetlcial re- sult. It was not until the fourteenth century th.it they were efleclually rediscovered, and restin-ed to mankind. I'roin thai time they were occasion- ally visited by the h.irdy iiavi;,Mlors ol various countries. The (greatest benetit |)ro(hlced by their discovery was, th.it the Ireipieiu expeditions m.idc to them emboldened mariners I'l venture tar U|)(m the Atlantic, and familiarized ihem, in some de- cree, to its dan^rers. The j;r, 111(1 impulse to discovery was not ffiveii by chance, but was the deeply meditated effort ol one master mind. This was I'rince Henry of I'ortu^^U, son of John the First, surnamed the Aveiif^er, and I'hilippa, of Lancaster, sister of Henry the I'ourlh (jl Fn^fland. The character of this illustrious 111, 111, Irom whose enterprises the );eiiiusol Columbus took excitement, deserves par- ticular mention. Havini,' accompanied his father into Africa, in an exiiedilion a;;-,iinst the Moors ;it Ceuta he re- ceived much intormation concerning; the coast ot (lUinea, and oilier re^nons in the interior, hitherto unknown to Europeans, and conceived an idea * See illustrations, article '' Discovery of Ma- deira."' I LIFK AND VOYAOKS OF COIA'MIUS. 11 by Fernando ol IiIh ^.il : an cnj,M^;f(l in llii: con- tit- bail |>rfvii!usly re- u^al. (n t.K t, (III re- u kin),'ilnm, \sf shall nttr|iriscs in wliiili it ii|)li' .uiratiiDHs lur a III iiur.'tiiits ; and \se his first visit to Lis< rt'sull ot a dtspcrate u-i\ in a sjiirit nt lib- lursuit ot hoiiiirable iir. SDI K PKINrr. IIINRY lAI,. (lisrovcry iiad cuni- nu' lit L'lilunilius, and V tnatiuj; was prose- 'iiriuijal. Sdini' have iiaiuic iiiiidc'it in the ^'lishinaii (it the name with a lady nt wluim •n l,ir nut (it si^;ht uf and alter w.imlerin;; at an iiiiUnown ami uith beauntul lorests, 1 Madeira.* Others is a table, and have ) In- tlu: first triiits ot pious j;r(iup, the Fnr- •nts, in which tluy ksperides, and wlieiu e It the lon^ilude, hail 'I'here are va>{Ue ac- liviii)^ received casu.il 1^ the iibsiurc .lue"*. Slime Arabian, Nnr- ; but all this was iii- 1 to no beiieliri.d n- irleeiith I'cntury that i\i'red, and restored • they were occasion- i\i;4.itiirs ot various lit produced by their lit expeditions made to venture tar uixm I them, in some de- bvery was not j^iveii |y meditated ellort o! lis Triiice Henry oi •"ir:it, surnanied the l-ancaster, sister of The character ot ■lose enterprises the pment, deserves par- llher into Africa, in Tiors at Ceuta he re- lernin'r the coast ot Ihe interior, hitherto conceived an idea I'' Discovery of Ma- ■I tliat important diHrovrrics were to l)e made liy navl;,'.Hlll^,' aloaj,' Ihe western mast ot Atrn a. < )n returning lo i'ortu^jal, tins idea became his rullll^{ thou^jhi. \\ iihilr.iwm^ from tie tumult ot a court Id a countrv nticat in the Al^'arves, ne.ir Sa^'res, in the nei^diborhood ot Cain- St. \ inceiit, and in tult view of tlie ocean, be drew .iround him men rmiiunt in s( icnce, and prosecuted the study ot those br.iiuhes of knowledge (diinected witli the maritime arts. He was an aide mathematician, and made himself master ot all the astrononiy known to i!ie Arabi.ms ot Spain. On stiUiMii'.; Ihe works of the ancients, he found what lie > onsidered abund.int proo's that Atric.i was ciri iiiiin.ivi^Mtile. laidoxus ot Cy/icus w.is g.iid to lia\c s.ided from tlie Ked Sea into the oce.m, and to li.ive contiiuieil on to (libraltar; and Haniio the L'artli.i^ini.in, s.lllin^; from (iibral- t.ir with a fleet ut si.xty ships, and following; the Atrii ,111 coast, was said to h.ive .e.iched the .shores ot .Arabia.* It is true these V(ly.l^;es h.id been discreclited by sever.il .im lent writers, ;iiid the possibility ot circumn.ivij,Mlinj,r Atric.i, .itter liein^' for a ion;; time admitted by ;,'eo;;r.iiihers, was denied by I tipp.ircbus, who considered e.i(h se.i shut up .iiid land-bound in its peculiar b.isin ; and lh.it .\lrica was a continent ((intinuin^fonw.ird to the south pole, and surroiindiiiL; the Indian Sea, so ai to j'lin Asia lieyond the ( i.iiij^'es. 'I'his opin- ion h '(I been ii lopted by I'loleniy, whose works, in the time ot i'riiice Henry, were the hi).;hest au- thority in K''";;i''P''y ""-■ I'rinie, however, ilun;; to the ancient belief, th.it Africa w.is circumiiavi- ffalile, ;ind found his oiiinioii s.inctioned by vari- ous learned men ot more modern date. 'I'o settle this (pies'.ion, and aihieve the circumn.ivi^fation ot .Atric.i, w.is an object worthy tlie .imliition ot a prince, iind his mind was tired with the idea ot the vast lunelits that would .arise to his country should it be accomplished by I'ortu^fuese enter- |irise. ihe li.ili.ms, or I.oinb.irds. .is they were c.illed in tlie north ol lairope, had lon;^ monopoli/ed the tr.ide of .Asia. 'I'hey had lormed commercial es- tablishments .It Coiistaiitinoiile and in the illack Sea, where they received the rich produce ot the S|)ice Isl.iiids, lyin^f near the e(|U.itor ; and the silks, the ;;iims, the perfumes, the precious stones, and other Insurious conimodilies of Il),'ypt and souihern Asia, and distributed them over the whole ot iMirope. The ri'iuiblics of X'enice and (ienoa rose to opulence and power in conse(|Uence Of this trade. 'I'hey h.id laclories in the most re- mole p.iris, even in the frozen re^jioiis of Moscovy and Norway. Their merchams emul.iled the niairnificence of princes. All lairope was tribu- tary to their commerce. Yet this trade had to p.iss tlirou);!) v.irious iiuerme(li.ite hands, subject to the (leLiys and ch.irtfes of interna! .iavij,'ation, and the tedious and uncertain jo'irneys of the car.ivan. I'dr a lon^r time the merchandise of India was conveyed by the (lull of I'ersi.i, die l.u- phrates, the Indus, and the Oxus, to the Caspian an.l the Mediterranean seas ; thence to take a new destination tor the various marts ot Europe. Alter the Soldan of l'j.;ypt had conquered the Aiatis, and restored trade to its ancient channel, it W.IS still alteiuled with jjreat cost and delay, its precious commodities had to be conveyed by the Red Sea ; thence on the backs of camels to the banks ot the Nile, whence they were trans- ported lo Kgypt to meet the Italian merchants. * See illustrations, article " Circumnavigation of Africa by die Ancients." TluM, while the opulent trafllrof ihe K.i^t wad rn- j;rosse(l liy itiese .idvenluioiis moiiopolisl'i, the price ot every .irlule w.is i nil. meed by the jjre.it expense ot tr.insporl.ilioii. It W.IS the ;;r.ind idci of I'muc Henry, by cir- cunin.iv i;,Mlin;; Africa to open .idireit .md e.isy route to the source ot this i oniinen c, to turn it in a >;iilden tide upon liis (ountry. He was, how- ever, before the a),'e in tliou;;lit, .md h.id lo coun- teract i^jnor.inie .ind |iiiiudi( c, .iiid tn endure tlic didays to whii li vivid ,iiid peiietr.ilin^ tninds art? subjected, from the l.irdy i n-oper.itioiis of the dull and the doubltul. Ttie n.iv ij;.ition ot the Atl.mtic was yet in its inl.incy. M.iriners lonkeil with dis- trust upon a liiiisterous ex|i.inse, wliii h appe.ireij lo h.ive no oppipsite shore, .'Hid te.ired lo venture out ot si^^lu ot tlie l.indm.irks. livery liold lie. id- land, and far-stretchiii;,' promontory w.is i\ wall to b.ir their pro^jress. 1 hey crept tiiiioroiisly alon>j the il.irbary slior( s, and llioii;;ht ihev had accom- |)lished a wdiideilul expedition when they had ventured a tew (Kurees beyoinl the Straits of (lib- r.iltar. Cape N'mi w.is lonj^ the limit of their (hir- ing ; they liesit.ited to double its rocky point, beaten by winds .md vv.ives, and thre.iteiiinj{ lo thrust them forth upon the '''inbi;; (l(c|). Independent ot these v,i;;iie fears, lliey had others, s.iiii tioiied by philosdphy itself. Tluy still thou^fht that the earth, at the e(|ii,itor, w.is ;;irt|led by a torrid /one, over w hii h the sun held his ver- tical and hery course, se|i.ir.ainvj tin- hi inispheres bv a rej^ion ot im|)assive heal. I Icy f.mcieil C.ipe I'lojador the uiiiKist bound, iry nt secure en- terjirise. and had a superstitious belitt that who- ever doubled it would never return.* They looked with dism.iy ujion the r.ipid currents of its iiei;,diliorhood, and the turious surt which beats uiion its arid coast. They ini.i;,dncd that lieyond it l.iy the tri;;litlul re;;ioii ot the torrid /one, scorched liy a bla/in^'' sun ; ,i re;;ioii ot lire, where the very waves, which beat upon the shores, boiled under the intoler.ible fervor ol the heavens. 1 o dispel these errors, .md to ;;ive a scope to navi;;ation, equ.il to the ;;raiiileur ot Ids desi).;iis, I'rince Henry established a naval college, and erected .ill observatory at .S.1|,m'cs, and he invited thither the mosl eminent prolessorsot the n.uuical faculties ; appointinj^ as president J.iliies of M.il- lorca, a man learned in ii.iv i;;ation, and skilful in makiii);' charts and instrumeiiis. 'fill-' elfrcts of this est.ililishiiieiU were soon ap- |);irent. All that w.is known rel.itivc to f^co^jra- |iliy and nav i^Mtioii w.is ;;.ilhered to;,^ether and rcduied lo system. A v.ist im]n-(ivclileiit to(d< pl.ice in maps. 'I'lie ( (inip.iss was .dso liroii;r|it into niori' ^^ciieral use, especially anion;,' the I'or- tu;;uese, rciideriii;,'' tlii^ mariner liM.-e bold and venturous, by eii.-iblin;;- him to iiavij^.ite in tliu mo-.t ;;liiomy day and in the darkest iiiijht. I-ai- cour.i;rcd by these advanta;;es, ;ind stimulated by the munificeiice of I'rince Henry, the l'ortu;;uese marine became si;;n,di/:ed tor the li.u'dihood ot its eiiter]irise.s .md the extent of its discoveries. Cape 15oj.idor wms doiible 1 ; the rcj^ion of the tro])ics peiietr.ited, :iiid divested of its fancied ter- rors ; the greater part of the Afric.m coast, from Cape 151aiico to Cape de Verde, explored ; and the CajK' de X'erde and .A/ore islands, which l.iy three hundred lea^fues distant from the continent, were rescued from the oblivious empire of the oce.m. 'i'o secure the quii^t i)..iS(.(Ution and full enjoy, ment of his discoveries, lit nry obt. lined the [iro- '"' Mariana. Hist. Esp., lib. ii. cap. 22. 12 LIFE AND VOYAGES OF COLUMBUS. I m ::if ill tection of a papal bull, pranlinjj to the crown of I'ortuj^ai sovcrti>;ii autliority over all the lands it might discovfr in ilic Atlantic, to India inclusivf , with plenary indulgence lo all who should die in these expeditions ; at the same time menacinjf, with the terrors of the church, all who should interfere in these Christi.m con(|uests.* Henry died on the ijlh ot November, 1473, without acconiplishinjr the j^rcat object of his am- bition. It was not until many years afterward that Vasco de ("lania, pursuinj^ with a I'ortujjuese fleet the track he had |)((inted out, realized his anticipations by douhliuL,^ the Cape of (iood Hope, sailinjj along the southern coast of India, and thus opening a highway for commerce to the o])ulent regions of the East. Henry, however, lived long enougli to reap some ot the richest rewards of a great and good mind. He beheki, through his means, his native country in a gr.md and active career of prosperity. The discoveries of the I'or- tuguese were; the wonder and ,i(l niration of the tifteenlh century, and I'oriugal, i im being one of the least among n.itions, sutldeidy rose to be one of the most iin|)ortant. All this w.is ellected, not by arms, but by arts ; not by the stratagems of .1 cabinet, but by the wis- dom of a college. It was the gre ;t achievement of a i)rince, who li.is well lieen described " full of thoughts of lofty enter])rise, and acts of generous spirit ;" one wh.o bore for his device the mag- nanimous motto, "The talent to do good," the only talent worthy the ambition of princes. f Henry, at his de.ith, left it in charge to his country lo ])rosecute the route to India. He had formed com])anies and associations, by which commercial zeal was enlisted in the cause, and it was made a matter of interest and com|)etition to enler])rising individuals. J; from time to time Lis- bon was thrown into a tumult of excitement by the launching forth ot some new exjiedition, or the return of a s(pi,i(lnm with .accounts of new tr.rts explored and new kingdoms visited. Kverythine was conlulent promise ami sanguine anticipatio The miserable honks of the African coast weri- magnitied mto |iowerful nations, and the vovagers continually heard of opulent coimtries farther on. It was ah yet the tw iliglit of geogra])hic knowl- edge ; imagin.iiion went hand in hand with dis- covery, and as the l.ittt'r groped its slow and c.ui- tious w'ay, the former peopled all beyond with wonders. The fame of the I'ortuguese discover- ies, and of the e\|e(litions (ontinually setting out, drew the attention of the world. Strangers from all p.irts, the learned, the curious, and tlie adven- turous, resorted to I.islxm to in(|uire into the par- ticulars or to ])articipate in the advantages of these enterprises. .'Xniong these was Christopher Columbus, whellu'r thrown there, as has been as- serted, by the fortuitous result of a desperate ad- venture, or drawn thither by liberal curiosity and the pursuit of honorable lt)rtune.{( C!IAI'TI:R IV. RrSlDENCK f)l' CDilMlUS AT T.ISUON — Wl'AR t()NCi;iges and ex|)editions ot her late husband, and brought him all his ])a|)ers, charts, journals, and memorandums. I In this way he became ac- cpiainted with the routes of the I'ortuguese, their ])lans and concc])tions ; and having, liy his mar- riage anil rcsidenci'v become n.iturali/'ed in Por- tugal, he sailed occasionally in tlie expeditions to the coast of Ciuinea. When on shore, he su])port- ed his family by making maps and charts. Hi? narrow circumstances obliged him to obse.'ve a strict economy ; yet wc are told that he appropri- ated a ])art ot his scanty means to the succor of his .iged father at (Jenoa.j! and to the education of his younger brothers. || The coiisiruction ot a correct map or chart, in those ilays, recpiired a degree of knowledge and ex|)erience sutlicient to entitle the possessor to distinction. (ieography was bu' just emerging from the darkness which had enveloped it for ages. Ptolemy was still a st.mdard authority. The maps of the tilteenth century displ.iy a mix- ture of truth and error, in which tacts handed • Hist, del Almirante, cap. 3. Ind. lib. i. cap. 2, .vs. Las Casas, HisL + lUescas, Hist. Pontifical, lit), vi. i Ovifdo, Cronica de las Indias, lib. ii. cap. 2, S5 Ibid. ( Muuoz Hist, del, N. Mundo ^^ it. dow cent and whei ing knov Colu the wou We resid Tosc men intlue dert;i Wl to a culia favor com I ress ceive and His ( had f this time Sant( erly, a son, broug disco\ Corrc< been j togeth lite, tf discov Africa to Ind known In t been t and fr the sti i LIFE AND VOYAGES OF COLUMBUS. 13 person by his son ;l others ot his con- these accounts, he liar, and of an ele- ;)r. His visajje was ffre ; his coni|)lexi()n to ruddy ; liis nose ere rather liijfh, his I t:nl,nnations ot \(ivacrers, t)eholclinfj islands in those summer clouds which lie .ilonj; the horizon, and often beguile the s.iilor with the iilea of distant l.iiuls. On such airy basis, most |)iob.ibly, was founded the story told to Columbus by one Antonio Leone, an inh:'l)ilant ol .Madeira, who alfirmed ih.it sail- inj.' iHence westward one hundred lea^^^ues, he had seen three islands at ;i disi.inct'. But the tales of the kind most positively adv.im ed and /e.ilously maintained, were those rel.ited by the people of the Canaries, who were Ion;; under a siiij;ular optical delusion. They ima^rined that, Irom time to time, they beheld a vast island to tin; westward, with lofty mount. tins ,'iiid deep valleys. Nor was it seen in cloudy and dubious we.ither, but in those clear days common to tropical climat<'S, and with all the di^liiulness with which distant objects may be discerned in their pure, tr,iiis|)arent at- mos|)here. 'I'he island, it is true, w.is only seen at intervals ; whiU' at other times, and in the clearest weather, not a vestige ol it was to be de- scried. When it did .-^jpear, however, it w.as always in the s.ime place, .iiid under the same form. .So persuaded wire the iidi.iliitaiits ol the Canaries ot its re.ility, th.it .iiiplii .ilioii w.is made to the Kin^ ot I'oitii^al lor permission to discover and take possession ot it ; and it .u tually became the object ot several expeiliiions. The island, however, w.is never to be found, thouj^h it still continued occasionally to 1 he, it the eye. There were ;ill kinds ot wild and tanlastic notions con- cerning this imajriiiaiv land. .Some sup|)ose(l it to be the Antill.i mentioned by Aristotle ; others, the Island ot .Seven Cities, so i alle(l Irom an an- cient legend ol st-ven bishops, who, with a multi- tude of followers, lied Irom .Spain at the time of its coiKjuest by the Moors, .ind, j;uided by Heaven to some unknown island in the 01 e.iii. touiided on it seven splendid cities. While some considered it another legendary island, on which, it was said, a Scottish priest imaginaiion. .Still, thoutjh of a visionary spirit, his pcnetralinLj j^^enius soujrht in deeper sources for tlie aliment of its meditations. Aroused by the impulse of jiassiny events, he turned anew, says his son Fernando, to study the geographical authors which he had read before, and to consider the astronomical reasons which might corroborate the theory gradually forming in (lis mind. He made himself acquainted witli ail th.it had been written by the ancients, or dis- covered by the mo.lerns, relative to geography. His own voyages enabled him to correct many of their errors, and apjireciate ni.my of their theo- ries. His genius having thus taken its decided bent, it is interesting to notice from what a mass of acknowledged t.icts, ration.d liy|)olheses, fanci- ful narrations, and popul.ir rumors, his gr.ind jiroject of discovery w.is wrought out by tlie strong workings of his vigcjrous mind. CHAITKI-l V. GROrNIiS (IX WHICH COl.lMlifS FOCNDrH HIS iii;i.ir,!- (If iiii; kxistkn'ck or vndiscovi-.rkd l..-\NliS IN rilK WKS'I'. It has been atlemiitcd, in the preceding chap- ters, to sliow how Columbus w,is gradu.Uly kin- dled up to his grand design by the sjiirit and events of the times in which he lived. His son Fernando, howe\tr, undertakes to furnish the precise 'l.ila on which his lather's plan of discoverv was founded.* " He does this," he observes, " to show fr(.'m wl-.it slender argument so great a scheme w,\s laliricaie(.l and biDught to light ; and for the purpose of satisfying those who may desire to know distin' tlv the ciriumstances and motives which led his I iilier to umleriake this enterprise." As this st.Uenu-ni was formed from notes and documents lotnid ;imong his lather's p.-ipers, it is too curious and inleresting not to deserve ])articu- lar mention. In tliis memorandum he arranged the foundation of his l.ither's theory under three heads; i. The nature of things. 2. 'l"l .■ authoritv of learned writers, j. 'I'he reports of navigators. L'nder the first head he set down as a funda- mental princi|i!e th.it the earth was a terr;i((ueous sphere or giolu', which might be travelled round from east to west, .ind that men stood foot to toot when on opposite points. The circumference from e.ist to west, at the efpiator, Columbus divided, according to I'tnlemy, into twenty-tour hours ol hlteeii degrees e.ich, making three hun- dred and sixty degcees. Of these he imagined, comparing the giol.e of I'loleniy with the earlier map of .Marinus of 'I'yre, that fifteen hours had lieen known to the ancients, extending from the Straits of Ciibraltar, (.ly derived from Paulo foscanelli, a celebrated doctor ol l'"loreiice, already mentioned, with whom Columbus corre- sponded ill 1474, and who tr.insmittcd to him a copy of a letter which he h.id previously written to I'ernando Martinez, a learned canon of Lisbon. 1 his letter maintains the lacility of arrix ing at In- dia liy a western course, asserting the distance to he but lour thousand miles, in ,1 direct line from Lisbon to the province of Mangi, lU'ar Cathav, since determined to be the northern coast of China. Of this country he gives a magnilicent description, drawn from the work ol Marco Polo. He adds, that in the route l.iy the isl.inds of .\ntilla and Cipango, distant Irom e.ich other only two hundred and twcnty-lise leagues, .•ibouiiding in riches, and offering con\'eiiient places tor slii])s to touch at, and olit^iin sujiplies on the voy.ige. Under the third head are enumerated various indications of land in the west, which li.id floated to the shores of the known world. It is curious to observe, how, when once the mind of Colum- bus had become heated in the inquiry, it attracted to it every corroborating circumstance, however vague and trivial. He appears to hiive been par- * Strab. Cos. lib. i. ii. LIFE AND VOYAGES OF COLUMBUS. 15 )f the known world, lliL' Wfstc-rii frontier V ot the Azores and ;re rcmainctl, tlien, ot CuliMiibus, eight rcunilereiice of the ired. 'I'liis sjjace le tilled up by the might extend so far )e, and to approach ; anil Africa. The Hween these coun- less than might at 1 of Altiaganus, the by diminishing the the earth a smaller cosmographers ; a lis at times to have preniises, it was tlirect course from jld arrive at the e.\- ny intervening land, named the authors :onvincing him that e but ot moderate it'll. .Among these, itoile, .Seneca, and oni C.idu to the In- also, who observes, • earth, bathing on ; on the west, the a ; so that it is easy other on the same ■a. that Asia, or, as retched tar to the pr part ot the unex- [ire cited of Marco se tra\ellers had leenlb centuries, yond the regions ■ aicdUiits ot the castwartl had a ihus that a voy- .iiion, would bring ■nsive and wealthy intormation con- l.dy derived from dor ol I'lorence, Columbus corre- isinilird to him a viously \\ rilten to aiuin of Lisbon. lit arri\ ing at In- ng the distance to direct line from ;i, mar Cathay, irihern coast of a magnificent work ot Marco le l.iv the islands irniu each other ily-li\e leagues. ring convenient (ibUun supplies iincratcd various hich liad floated (1. It is curious mind of Colum- uiry, it attracted isUince, however o have been par- ticularly attentive to the gleams of information derived from veteran mariners, who had been employed in the recent voyages to the African coasts ; and also from the inhabitants of lately discovered islands, placed, in a manner, on the frontier posts of geograjihical knowledge. All these are carefully noted down among his mem- orandums, to be collocated with the facts and opinions already stored up in his mind. Such, for instance, is the circumstance related to him by Martin Vicenti, a pilot in the service of the king of Portugal ; that, after sailing four hun- 'Ired and fifty leagues to the west of Cape St. Vincent, he had taken from the water a piece of carved wood, which evidently had not been labor- ed with an iron instrument. As the winds had drifted it from the west, it might have come from some unknown land in that direction. I'edro Correo, brother-in-law of Columbus, is likewise cited, as having seen, on the island of Porto Santo, a similar piece of wood, which had drifted from the same ([uarter. He had heard also from the king of I'ortugal, that reeds of an immense size had floated to some of those islands from the west, in the descrijition of which, Co- lumbus thought he recognized the immense reeds said by Ptolemy lo grow in India. Information is likewise noted, given him by the inhabitants of the Azores, of trunks of huge pine trees, of a kind that did not grow upon any of the islands, wafted to their shores by the west- erly winds ; but especially of the bodies of two dead men, cast upon the island of Flores, whose features differed from those of any known race of people. To these is added the re])ort of a mariner of the port of St. Mary, who asserted that, in the course of a vovage to Ireland, he had seen land to the west, wliicli the ship's coni])any took for sr me ex- treme part of Tarl.iry. Other stories, of a similar kind, are noted, as well as rumors concerning the fancied islands of St. Hrandan, and of the Seven Cities, to which, as has already been observed, Columbus gave but little faith. Such is an abstract of the grounds, on which, according to P'ernando, his father proceeded from one position to another until he came to the con- clusion, that there was undiscovered land in the western ])art of the ocean ; that it was attaina- ble ; that it was fertile ; and finally, that it was inh.ibited. It is evident that several of the facts herein enu- merated must have liecome known to Columbus after he had formed his opinion, and merely serv- ed to strengthen it ; still, everything that throws any light upon the jirocess of thought, which led to so great an event, is of the highest interest ; and the chain of deductions here furnished, though not perhaps the most logical ir. its concatenation, yet, being extracted from the papers of Colum- bus hinise!!, remains one of the most interesting documents in the history of the human mind. On considering this statement attentively, it is apparent that the grand argument which induced Columbus to his enterprise was that placed under the first head, namely, that the most eastern part of Asi.i known to the ancients could not he sepa- rated from the -Azores by more than a third of the circumferen-e of the globe ; that the intervening space must, in a great measure, be filled up by the unknown residue of .Asia ; and that, if the cir- cumference of the world w.is, as he believed, less than was generally supjiosed, the Asiatic shores could easily be attained by a moderate voyage to the west. It is singular how much the success of this great undertaking deiiended upon two hapjjy er- rors, the imaginary extent of Asia to the east, and the sujiposed smallness of the earth ; both errors of the most learned and profound philosophers, but without which Columbus would hardly have ventured upon his enterprise. As to the idea of finding land by sailing directly to the west, it is at present so familiar to our minds, as in some measure to diminish the merits of the first concep- tion, and the hardihood of the first attempt ; but in those days, as has well been observed, the cir- cumference of the earth was yet unknown ; no one could tell whether the ocean were not of im- mense extent, ini|)ossible to be traverseil ; nor were the laws of specific gr.ivity and of central gravitation ascert.iined, by which, granting the rotundity of the e rih, the possibility of m.iking the tour of it woulu he mamfest.* 'Plie practica- bility, therefore, of finding land by sailing to the west, was one of those mysteries of nature which are considered incredible while matters of mere speculation, but the sini])lest things imaginable when they have once been .iscert.iined. When Columl)us had formed his theory, it be- came fixed in his mind with singular firmness, and influenced his entire character and conduct. He never s|)oke in doubt or hesitation, but with as much certainty as if his eyes had beheld the promised land. No trial nor dis;i])pointment could divert him from the steady pursuit of his object. A deep religious sentiment mingled with his meditations, and gave them at times a tinge of superstition, but it was of a sublime and lofty kind ; he looked upon himself as standing in the hand of Heaven, chosen from among men for the accomplishment of its high ])urpose ; he read, :is he supposed, his coiUem|)lale(l discovery hire- told in Holy Writ, and shadowed forth darkly in the mystic revelations of the ])roi)hets. The ends of the earth were to be brought together, and all nations and tongues and languages united under the banners of the Redeemer. This was to be the triumphant consummation of his enterjirise, bring- ing the remote and unknown regions ol the earth into communion with Christian Murope ; carry- ing me light of the true faith into benighted and jiagan lands, and gathering their countless na- tions under the holy dominion of the church. The enthusiastic nature of his conceptions gave an elevation to his s])irit, and a dignity and lofti- ness to his whole demeanor. He conferred with sovereigns almost with a feeling of ei|u;ility. His views were princely a?id unbounded ; his projiosed discovery was of empires ; his conditions were proportionally magnificent ; nor would he ever, even after long delays, rejieated disa|)|)ointments, and under the pressure of actual penury, abate what appeared to be extravagant (iem.uids for a mere possible discovery. Those who could not conceive how an ardent and comprehensive genius could arrive, by pre- sumptive evidence, at so firm .i con\iction, sought for other modes of accounting for it. When the glorious result had established thtr correctness of the opinion of Columbus, attemiits were made to prove that he had obtained previous inforrnatitm of the lands which he pretended to discover. Among these, was an idle tale of a tempest-tossed pilot, said to have died in his house, be(|ue;ithing him written accounts of an unknown Kind in the west, upon which he had been driven by adverse * Malte-Rrun, Geographic Universelle, torn, xiv. Note sur le DOcouverte de I'Amferique. 16 LIFE AND VOYAGES OF COLUMBUS. winds. Tliis story, according to Fernando Co- lumbus, had no oiliir foundation than one of tlie Ijopular talcs al)out the shailowy island of St. irandan, winch a I'ortuguese ca|)tain, returning from (luinca, fancied lie liad beheld beyond Ma- deira. It circulated tor a lime in idle rumor, al- tered and sha|)e(l to suit tlieir pur|)oses, fjy such as sou;,flil to t.uni'.h ilic glory of Columbus. At length it ioimd its way into print, and has been echoed !)y various historians, varying with every narration, and full of contradictions and improb- abilities.* An assertion has also been made, that Colum- bus was ])recede(l in his discoveries by Martin Hehem, a contemporary cosmographer, who, it was said, had landed accidentally on the coast of South America, in the course of an African expe- dition ; and that it was with the assistance of a map or globe, projected by Ik'liem, on which was laid down th.e newly-discovereil country, that Columbus made his voyage. This rumor origina- ted in an absurd misconstruction of a Latin man- uscript, and was uiisu])porte(l by any documents ; yet it has hiid its circulation, and has even been revived not many years since, with more zeal than discretion ; but is now completely refuted and put to rest. The land visited by Uenem was the coast of Africa beyond the ecjuator ; the globe he projected was finished in 1492, while Columbus was alisent on his first voyage : it contains no trace of the New Wor'd, and thus furnishes con- clusive |)roof that its existence was yet unknown to Ikhem.t There is a certain meddlesome spirit, which, in the garb of learned research, goes prying about the traces of history, casting down is monuments, and marring and mutilating its fairest trophies. Care should be taken to vindicate great names from such jiernicious erudition, ft defeats one of the most s.ilutary jjurposes of history, that of fur- nishing examples of what human genius and laudable enterprise may accomplish. For this purpose some jjains have l)een taken in the pre- ceding chapters to trace the rise and progress of this grand idea in the mind of Columbus ; to show that it was the conception of his genius, quicken- ed by the im])ulse of the age, and aided l)y those scattered gleams of knowledge which fell ineffect- ually upon ordinary minds. CHAPTER VI. CORRERPONPENCF, OF COLUMBUS WITH PAULO TOSCANKI.I.I — F.VI'.NTS IN PORTUGAL RELATIVE TO DISCOVKRIKS — PROl'OSl'iTO.V OF COLUMBUS TO THE I'ORTUtiUESK COURT— DEPARTURE FROM PORTUGAL. It is impossible to determine the precise time when Columbus first conceivetl the design of seek- ing a western route to India. It is certain, how- ever, that he meditated it as early as the year 1474, though as yet it lay crude and unmatured in his mind. This fact, which is of some impor- tance, is sufliciently established by the correspond- ence already mentioned with the learned Tosca- nelli of Florence, which took place in the summer of that year. The letter of Toscanelli is in reply to one from Columbus, and applauds the design which he had expressed of making a voyage to * See illustrations, article " Rumor concerning the Pilot who died in the House of Columbus," f See illustrations, article " Behem." the west. To demonstrate more clearly the facil. ity of arriving at India in that direction, he sent him a map, projected partly according to I'toU emy, and partly according to the descrijitions of Marco Polo, the Venetian. The eastern coast of Asia was depicted in front of the western coasts of Africa and Europe, with a moderate space of ocean between llicin, in which weie placed at convenient distances Cipango, Antilla, and the other islands.* Columbus was greatly animated by the letter and chart of Toscanelli, who was considered one of the ablest cosniographers of the day. He appears to have |)rocured the work of Marco Polo, which had been translated into va- rious languages, and existed in manuscript in most libraries. This author gi\-es marvellous ac- counts of the riches of the realms ot Cathay and Mangi, or Mangu, since ascertained to be North- ern and Southern China, on the coast of which, according to the map of Toscanelli, a voyager sailing directly west would be sure to arrive. He describes in unmeasured terms the power and grandeur of the sovereign of these countries, the Cireat Khan of Tartary, and the splendor and magnitude of his capitals of Cambalu and (juinsai, and the wonders of the island of Cijiango or Zi- pangi, supposed to be Jajian. This island he places opposite Cathay, live liundred leagues in the ocean. He represents it as abounding in gold, precious stones, and other choice objects of commerce, with a monarch whose jialace was roofed with plates of gold instead of lead. The narrations of this traveller were by many consid- ered fabulous ; but though full of what ap|)ear to be S])lendid exaggt.'rations, they have since been found substantially correct. They are thus par- ticularly noted, from the influence they had over the imagination of Columbus. The work of Mar- co Polo is a key to many parts of his history. In his applications to the various courts, he repre- sented the countries he expected to discover as those regions of inexhaustible wealth which the Venetian had described. The territories of the Grand Khan were the objects of inquiry in all his voyages; and in his cruisings among the Antilles he was continually flattering himself with the hopes of arriving at the opulent island of Cipango, and the coasts of Mangi and Cathay. + While the design of attempting the discovery in the west was maturing in the mind of Columbus, he made a voyage to the north of Europe. Of this we have no other memorial than the follow- ing passage, extracted by his son from one of his letters : " In the year 1477, in February, I navi- gated one hundred leagues beyond Thule, the southern part of which is seventy-three degrees distant from the equator, and not sixt\-three, as some pretend ; neither is it situated within the line which includes the west of Ptolemy, but is much more westerly. The English, jjrincipally those of Hristol, go with their merchandise to this island, which is as large as England. When I was there the sea was not frozen, and the tides were so great as to rise and fall twenty-six fathom. "J * This map, by which Columbus sailed on his first voyage of discovery. Las Casas (lib. i. cap. 12) says he had in his possession at the time of writing his his tory. It is greatly to be regretted that so interesting a document should be lost. It may yet exist among the chaotic lumber of the Spanish archives. Few doc- uments of mere curiosity would be more precious. t A more particular account of Marco Polo and his writings is given among the illustrations. i Hist, del Almirante, cap. 4. « lore clearly the facil. at (lirfctiiin, he sent I acLordinjr to I'lol- the descriptions ot The eastern coast of )l the wfslern coasts a moderate space of iiich weie placed at JO, Antilla, and the as greatly animated 'I'oscanelli, who was :osnioj,rra pliers of the procured the work of n translated into va- sd in nianuscri|)t in gives marvellous ac- calms ot Cathay and L-rtaineil to he North- 1 the coast of which, "oscanelli, a voyager c sure to arrive. He crms the power and f ihese countries, the id the s|)lendor and -"anibahi and (juinsai, and of Cipango or Zi- lan. This island he hundred leagues in it as abounding in iher choice objects of 1 whose palace was nstead of lead. The vere by many consid- full of what appear to ihey have since been They are tiius par- fluence they had over i. The work of Mar- ts of his history. In ous courts, he reprc- pected to discover as wealth which the he territories of the of inquiry in ail his s among the Antilles himself with the lit island of Cipango, Cathay. t )ting the discovery in mind of Columbus, orth of Europe. Of al than the follow- son from one of his in February, I navi- beyond Thule, the vetity-three degrees 1 not sixty-three, as situated within the it of I'tolemy, but is English, principally merchandise to this England. When I rozen, and the tides and fall twenty-six Ibus sailed on his first l(lib. i. cap. 12) says lime of writing his his led that so interesting Imay yet exist among Ih archives. Few doc- Ibe more precious. If Marco Polo and bis Itrations, s PART OK A TERRESTRIAL GLOBE MADE AT NUREMBERG IN THE YEAR 149J nv Martin Bkhem. The terrestrial globe, of which a segment is given above, was made at Nurcmben; in the year 1492, the very year on which Columbus departed on his first i-oyage of discovery. .Martin Hehem, the inventor, was one of the most learned cosmographers of the time, and, having resided at Lisbon in the employ of the king of Portugal, he had probably seen the map of Toscanelli, and the documents submitted by Columbus to the consideration of the Portuguese government. Ilis globe may, there- fore, be presumed illustrative of the idea entertained by Columbus of the islands in the ocean near the extremity of Asia, at the time he undertook his discovery. I I 'I 1 II ll w Th .p()SL'( west di)\\ I Se- ed el tlu (IuIdm uiuk' wliic ht! m is iiss suL'h and I tie nee the 1 WIS 1 in tl Spin the (H prises also taking' aK<'s I island IT ore ■ with II tured t, Uisc< Afrua, the sou they ut the pro the mil visional would I balloon distaiu The I extend propitio The reci men to ideas a from nil jarly to of inh)r costly II Icept ou obscure Vas hei edife, nc advance and wid forms, again 1j eyes to they COL on, disp the dilfu I At th I the thro Alphons of ills at; from his rei;;n all to build Coast of in that llaves. The 1 f LIFE AND VOYAGES OF COLUMBUS. 19 The island thus mentioned is jjeneraily siip- .posL'd to have been leeland, which is tar to the west ol the ritima I'hiile nt the ancients, as laid down in the ni.ip ol I'tolenn. Several more years elapsed, without any derid- ed elforts on the |)art ol CdliinibLis lu carry his design into execution. He was loo |)oor to tit out the armament necessary tor so im|)ortantan exjie- dition. Indeed it was an enterprise only to he undert.iken in the em|)loyof some so\erei^;n state, whicli could assume dommion over the territories he m\'^\n discover, and reward him with di^jnities flnci iirivile^is commensurate to his services. It is asserted ili.it he ,it one lime endeavored to en- gajfe hi- native country, denoa, in the undertak- iii;.^, hut without success. No record remains ot such an .illcmpl, tlioujrli it is f^enerally believed, and has stroi;^ prol),ibility in its lavor. His resi- dence in i'orui^,Ml placed him at hand to solicit the patronaLje oi that power, but Alphonso, who was then on the throne, w.is too much ellj^rossed in the latter part ot his reign with a war with Spain, tor the succession of the I'rincess Ju.ina to the crown ol C.isiile, to cn;;a>4e in pe.iceful enter- prises ol an expensive n.iturc. The juiblic mind, also, was not |)rep.ired lor so jierilous an under- takin.if. .\otwithiiandini,r the many recent voy- ages to the coast ot .Alric.i and the adjacent Islands, .ind the intro:lu<'tion of the compass into irare gener.d use, navigation w.is still shackled with impediments, and the mariner rarely ven- tured lar out ol sight ot l.iiid. Discovery advanced slowly along the coasts of Africa, an 1 the mariners le.ired to cruise t.ir into the southern liemisphere, with the stars of which they were tot.illy uiiacduainted. To such men, the project ot .i voyage directly westward, into the midst ot that boundless waste, to seek somi? vision.iry land, appeared as extravagant as it would be at the present day to launch forth in a balloon into the regions of space in (juest of some dist.inl star. The time, however, was at hand, that was to extend the sphere ot n.ivigation. The era was propitious to the (|uick advanct'inent ot knowledge. The recent inveiiiioii of the artot printing enabled men to communicate rapidly and extensively their ideas and discoveries. It drew forth learning from librarit's and convents, and brought it f.imil- jarly to the reading-desk ol the student. \'olumes of inlonn.ition, which bctore had existed only in costly m.muscripis, ciretully treasured up, and ke])t out ot the re.ich ot the iiivligeiU scholar and obscure artist, were now in every h.ind. There was henceiorth to be no retrogression in knowl- edge, nor any p.iuse in its career. I'.very step in advance, was immediately, and simultaneously, and widely iironuilgaled, recoriled in a thousand forms, and tixed tore\er. Tiiere could never again be a dark age ; nations might shut their eyes to the light, .and sit in wilful darkness, but tfiey could not trample it out ; it would still shine on, dispensed to lia|)pier jiarts of the world, by the diffusive ])owers of the press. At this juncture, in 1401, a monarch ascended the throne of I'oriugal, ot different ambition from Alphonso. John II., then in the twenty-tifth year of his age, had imbibed the p.ission for discovery from his grand-uncle, I'rince' fienry, and with his reign all its activity revived. His first care was ^o build a fori at St. C.eorge de la Mina, on the ttoast of Cuinea, to protect the trade carried on '^In that neighborhood for gold dust, ivorv, and |laves. The African discoveries had conferred great glory upon Portugal, but as yet tliry had bceri expensive rather than protitable. The ai complish- mint ot tile route to liidi.i, however, it was ex- pected would repay all cost and tod, .ind open ,1 source ot iiK .ilcul.ible wealth to the n.ition. The |)roiect of I'rince Henry, which h.id now been tardily prosecuted for lialf a century, h.id excited a curiosity about the reniott' |)arts ot Asi.i, ;ind revived all the accounts, true .md t.dmlnus, of travellers. liesides the work lA Marco I'olo, .ilrcadv men- tioned, there was the narrative of K.ibbi lienj.imin ben Jonah, of Tudela, a Spanish Jew, who set out from Saragoss.i in 1173, to visit the sc.ittered remnants of the Heiirew tribes. W.indeniig with unwearied zeal on this |)ihed employment tor the war in which he Moors ot liarbary was phs were of solid ad- le and enfeeble those roved themselves so of power. " h ot the Bishop oi erprises which were touched the national neses, Count of \'ill,i I lofty and ])atriotic an historian that this roposition of Colum- riy ap])ear. He may with respect, l)Ut his ■ those enterprises in heady en<;ajfed. " was not in its in- so poor as to lack ries. M\'en jrrantin;' lumbus were conjec- on those commenced n such solid founda- uch hajipv prospects: riched themselves hy \'es by alliance, and est. The views of a the same ; they e.v Don Juan II., lib. iv. tended with its opulence and prosperity. PortURal was at peace with all the princes ot I'.urope. It had nuthiiiK to tear Irom en>;.it,nn),' in .m extensive enterprise. It would be the Kie.itest K'lory for l'ortU),'Uese valor to penetrate into the secrets and horrors ol the ocean sea, so formidable to the other nations of the world. Thus occupied, would escape the idleness enjjendered in a lonjj interval ot j)eace— idleness, that source ot vice, that silent tile, which, little by little, wore aw.iy the stren;,'lh and valor ot a nation. It was an al- front," he added," to the I'ortuyuese n.ime to men- ace it with inia.Lfinary perils, wlieii it h,ul proved itself so intrei)id in encountering those which were most fert.iin and tremendous. (Ireat souls were lormed tor great enterprises. He wondered much that a prelate, -so religious as the liishop ot Ceuta, sh.ould oppose this undertaking ; the ulti- m.ite object ol which w.is to augment tluC.itholic faith, and sjjre.id it from pole lo pole ; retlecting glory on the I'orluguese nation, ;ind yielding em- pire and lasting I. line to its princes." He con- cluded by declaring that, " although a soldier, he d.'irrd to prognosticate, with a voice and spirit as if (lom he.iveii, to wh.itever jnince should achieve this enterprise, more h.ippy success and durable renown th.in had ever been obtained by so\ereign the most v.ilorous and fortunate." * The warm ;in(l generous eloi|uence of the count overpowered the cold-spirited reasonings ot the bishop asf.iras the project ot cinumnavig.uing .Africa was con- cerned, which was |)rosecuted with new ardor and triumphant success : the nrojiosition of Co- lumbus, however, was generally condemned by the council. Seeing that King John still manifested an incli- nation for the enter|)rise, it was suggested to him l)y the liishop of Ceuta that Columbus might be kept in suspense while a \essel secretly dispatched in the direction he should point out might ascer- tain whether there were any foundation for his theory. I!y this means all its advantages might t)e secured, without committing the dignity of the crown by formal negotiations about what might prove .1 mere chimera. King John, in an evil hour, had the weakness to permit a stratagem so inconsistent with his usual justice and m.igna- nimity. Columbus w, is reciuired to furnish tor the consider.ition ot the council ,'i det.iiled |)lan ot his jiroposed voyage, with the charts and doi uments according to which he intended to sh.ijie his (C)urse. These being procured, a car.ivel was dispatched with the ostensible design ot c.irryin^ provisions to the C.ipe de \'erde islands, but with private instructions lo pursue the design.ited route. Dep.irting from those islands the caravel stood westward tor sever.il days, until the weather bec.ime stormy ; when the pilots, seeing nothing but an imme.isur.ible waste ot wild, tumbling waves still extending bi-fore them, lost all courage and put b; ck, ridiculing ihe project ot Columbus as e.xtravagaiu and irrational.* This unworthy attem|)t to defraud him of his enterprise roused the indignation ot Columlius, and he ileclined all otters ot King John to renew the negotiation. 'l"he ilealh ot his wit»-. which had occurred some time previouslv, had dissolved the dimieslic tie which bound him to I'ortugal ; he determined, therefore, to ab.indon a country w here he had been treated with so little faith, .iml to look elsewhere for patronage. lietore his de- parture, he engaged his brother liartliolomew to carry proposals lo the King of Ijigland, though he does not ap|)ear lo have entertained gre.it hope Irom that (piarter ; Kngland by no means possess- ing at the time the spirit of naulic.il enterprise which has since distinguished her. The gre.it re- liance of Columbus was on his own personal exer- tions. It was toward the end of 1484 that he lelt Lis- bon, taking with him his son Diego. His depart- ure had to be conducted with secrecy, lest, .is some assert, it should be jjrevented by King John ; but lest, as others surmise, it should be prevented by his creditors.! Like m.iny other great projec- tors, while engaged upon schemes ot v. 1st benetit to mankind, he had suffered his own affairs to go to ruin, and was reduced to struggle h.ird with ])overty ; nor is it one of the least interesting cir- cumstances in his eventful life, that he had, in a ni.inner, to beg his way from court to court, lo offer to princes the discovery of a world. BOOK II. CHAPTER I. PROCEF.DING.S Ol' COI.U.MHUS AI'Ti:R l.K.WINO TOli- rUCAI. — HIS API'I.IC.MION.S IN SI' \1N — CH AKAC- TKI-IS OK KERUINANU AXIJ ISAUICLLA. ['485.] Thf. immedi.-ite movements of Columbus on leaving Portugal are involved in uncertainty. It is said that about this time he made a i)ropi)sition oi his enterprise, in person, as he had formerly done by letter, to the government of C.enoa. The re[)ublic, however, was in a languishing decline, and embarrassed by a foreign war. Caffa, her great deposit in the Crimea, h.ad fallen into the hands of the Turks, and her Hag was on the point of being driven from the Archipelago. Her spirit was broken with her fortunes ; for with nations. * V<-isconceIos, lib. iv. lib. xiii. torn. iii. La Clede, Hist. Portugal, as with individuals, enterprise is the child of pros- ])erity, and is apt lo languish in evil dajs when there is most need ot its exertion. Thus (leiioa, disheartened by her reverses, shut her ears to the ])roposition ot Columbus, which might h.ive ele- vated her to tenlold s|)lendor, and perpetuated within her grasj) the golden wand of commerce. While at Cienoa, Cohiinbus is said to ha\e made arrangements out of his scanty means lor the com- fort of his aged father. It is ,ilso affirmed that about this time he carried his proposal lo \'enice, where it w.is declined on account ot the critical state of national affairs. This, however, is * Hist, del Almiranle, cap. 8. Herrcra, decad. 1, lib. i. cip 7. \ This surmise is founded on a letter from King Joiin to Columbus, written some years afterward, in- viting him to return to Portugal, and insuring hiin against arrest on account of any process, civil or crim- inal, which might be pending against him. See N'uv- arrcte, CoUec. torn. ii. doc. 3. i'i LiriC AND VOVAdl'S OF COM'MHUS. fei I niiTcly tnrlitional, niid tiiisiipporti'd by ducii- nu'nt.iry cvidi-nci'. 'I'lu- lir^l lirm mikI inilis|)m,i- l)lt' tr,n (• wi' li;ivi' of (.'iiliimbiis alter liMxiiiK I'oi- Iii^,mI is in the ^()lllh ot S|)aili, in 14S5, where we tuul linn scfkin;^ his Imtune aniimj; the Sp.mish rni)l)l(s, ^(•ver,ll (plwliiini h.ul \.>st iinNsessions, and cxerii>ei| alni()-.t independent si)vereij;iUy in iheir (li)niain^. Koremost ainonj^ tliese were the Dukes of N!e- (lina Sidonia and Medina Celi, who had estates like |)rinrip ilities lyin:;' alonj; the sea-eoasl, with jxirts and shippiny;^ and hosts of retainers at their command. They ser\'ed the crown in its Moor- ish wars more as allied princes than is vassals, l)rin:;in)f armies into the field led iiy themselves, or h\ laptains ot their own appointment. 'I'heir domestic eslahlishments were on almost a rcj^al scale ; their p.ilaces were tilled with persons ot merit, and younjj c.iv.iliers of noble hirlh, to be reared under iheir auspices, in the exercise ol arts and .irnis. Columl)iis had many interviews with the Duke ot Medina .Sidoni.i, who w.is tempted tor a time by the splendid prospects held out ; but their very splendor threw a coloring (d improbabilitv over the enterprise, and he tin. illy reiecteil it as die dre.im of .111 It.ili.in vision, irv. 'I'he Duke of Medina Celi w.is likewise f.iviii- Jible at the outset, lie entert. lined Coliinduis lor some time in his house, .iiid w.is actually on the iioint ot •'r.intm^ him three or tour ear.neis which I.iy re, Illy tor sea in his h.irbor of I'ort .St. .M.iry, opposite Cadi/, wlu'ii he sudilenly eh.inj^ed his mind, detirriaj;e was tree, ereit, and majts- tic. lie had a char, serene forehead, which .ip- |>e,ire(l more lofty from his lie.id beiiiir partly ii.ild. His eyebrows were l.irj^e and parted, and, like his hair, ot a brij^du chestnut ; his eyes weii' i dear and animated ; his complexion was some- what ruddy, and seori hed by the toils ot war ; his mouth moder.ile, well formed, and >i;|-;ieious in its expression ; his teeth white, thouj;h sm.ill and ir- re|;ular ; his voice sharp ; his speech (|uiik ami lluent. His jrenius w.is clear and comprehen- sive ; his iudj,Miient j^'rave and cert.iin. lie was simple in dress and diet, eipiable in his tem])er, devout in his relij;ion, and so indefati^-.ible in busi- ness, that it was s.iid he seemed to repose hini- srlf by workinj;-. He was .1 ^n'e.it observer .-iiul judLjf of men, and uniiaralleled in the scii'nce of tile cabinet. Suidi is the picture ^iven ui him hv the .Sp.inish historians of h.is lime. It has been added, however, that he had more of bi};-otry than relii;ion ; that his ambition w.is eravini; rather than m,iL;n,inimous ; that he made war less like a p.iladin than a prince, less' for j,dory than tor mere dominion ; and that his |iolicv w;is cold, sellish, and arltul. He w.'is called the wise and prudent in Spain ; in Italy, the ])ious ; in France and Ijiijl.ind, the ambitious and pertidious.f He certainly was one of the most subtle statesmen, but one of the most thorough egotists that ever s it upon a throne. While giving his jiicture, it may not be deemed im])ertinent to sketch the fortunes of a monarch wh')se ])olicy had such an effect upon the history ol Cidumbus and the destinies of the New World. .Success allendeil all his measures. Though a younger son, he h.id ascended the throne ot .\r- r.igon t)y inheritance ; Castile he obtained by marri.ige ; (iranada and Naples by coniiuest ; and he seized upon Navarre as appertaining to any one who could lake possession of it, when Pope Julius II, excommunicated its sovereigns, lu. tirs aiu Til A 1 nv the sort th,' sill' (pi, the ion-, w ,ir tiu:i sill C the tllill HUH Sh. or. iiu I wit! * Voltaire, Essai sur les Moeurs, etc. t Ibid., ch. 14. 4 LIFK AND VOYAGKS OF COLUMBUS. 88 n was now everted m it li.e Mimn^h eon- uiur s|iie.i(l over tlii; Mtioii. were iiiiw pent iiiiul.iriei (it llie tiiin;. iDiis .uniii's III t'Ciiii- iiUiiui.illy ads.Mieui!;, )|)le wiihin ri.irrdwi-r L,'ns, tile v.iridU'^ petly ,o tei'l jinil ;iet :is one nee in arts as well as lella, it has |)ei i\ re- lilhed them all, and w.is re- w.irded liv I'ope Innocent \'lll. with the .ippell.i- tioii ot .\iosl t.'.itliolie .Majesty - .1 title whiih his suii'e-iMirs h.ive teii.n iously ret.iiiu'd. (_'iintempor.iry wnter-i h.ive been t ntluisi.istic in their description-! ot Is.ibella, tint time lias s.inc- tione I their eulogies She i;. one ot the purest and nuir.t he.iutiliil ( h.iraclers in the pages ol history. She w.ii well lormeil, ol the middle si/e, with gre.il dignity .ind graceliilnes-, ol deportment, and .1 inmgled giMVity ,ind sweetness ot deme.in- (ir. I ler 1 omple\ion W.IS t.iir ; her li.iir auburn, ilK liiniig to red ; her eyes wefe of a clear blue, with .1 benign expression, and there was a singu- l.ir mo.lesty in iier eoimteii.ince, gr. icing, as it (lid, .1 wiiiderlul t'iiinne-.s ol purpose ,ind iMriUMt- ness of :.pirit. 'I'lunigh strongly att.iched to her luisband and stud (UIn ol Ins t.ime, yet she alw.iys maim. lined her di^tlnct rights as .m .illied priiu c .She exceeded him ill lie.iuty, ill persdii.d dignity, in .iciitciiess ot genius, and in gr.indeiir ol soul.t Combining the active and resolute (pi.ililies ot man with the softer (diarities ot Wdm.iii, she mingled in the warlike councils of her luisband, L-ng.iged person.illy in his enterprises,]; and in some inst.iiices .lurpassed him in the lirmness and intrepidity of her measures ; while, being ins|iired with ,1 truer ide.i ot glor\ , she inliised a more lotty and generous temper into his subtle and cal- culating polii'y. It is in the ci\il history of their reign, however, that the ch.iracter ot Is.ibella shines most illus- trious. Her lostering and maternal care w.is continually directed to reform tlie l.iws, ami lie.il the ills engeiidereil by a long course of intern, il w.irs. She loved her people, and while diligeiulv seeking their good, she mitigated, as much as possiliie, the h.irsh mea^ures of her lui.-.b.iii(l. di- rected to the s.ime end, bufinllamed by ;i mist.i- keii /e.il. 'I'hus. though almost bigoted in her piety, and perh.ips too much under the influence ot ghostly advisers, still she was hostile to e\ery me.iuire c.ilcul.ited to .idvance religion .it the ex- pense ot humanity. She strenuouslv opposed the expulsion of the Jews and the est.iblishment of the ln(|ui-.iti;iii, thdiigh, unfortunately tor Sp.iin, her repugnance w.is slowly vaiupiished by her con- fessors. Shi- was always an advocate for clem- ency to the Moors, although she was the soul of the war ag.iinsl Ciran.ida. She considered that war essential to |)roteet the Christian faith, .md to relie\c her subjects from fierce and tormid.ible enemies. While all her public thoughts and acts * I'edro Silazar di Mendoza, Monarq. de Ksp. lib. lii. cap. 5. (Madrid, 1770, torn. i. p. 402.) Gonzalo de lijcsras. Hist. Pontif. lit), vi. cap. 23. ^3. f (i.iribay. Hist, de Espana, torn. ii. lib. .wiii. cap I, X Se^'cral suits of :\Tmnr caf-.d/'i/, worn bv Isabella, and still preserved in the royal arsenal at Madrid, sliow ttiat she was exposed ly' personal danger in her campaigns. were princtdy and august, her priv.ile h.iliits were simjile, tiug.il, .ind unosteiit.itious. In the mter- \m1s ot st.ite business, she as>.embled round lief the , lilies' men in litei.iture .md st lem c, .ind di> reeled heisidt bv their iiiiinsels, in promoting let- ters .md ,iits. I'lirough her p.itron.igi , S. il, 1111, 111- iM rose to th.it height which it .issunied .inumj' the le.irned iiistitutions ot the age. .She promoled the disti iliutioii ol honors .iml rew.irds loi the pro- mulg.itlon ot knowledge; she fostered the .11 1 of printing recently invented, and I'liiiiur.iged llu; est.iblishment ol presses m cM'ry |).irt ol the king- dom ; books were .iilmitte(l trei' ot all duly, .ind more, we are told, were printed in Spam, .it tli.it e.irly period ul the art, tli.iii in the present lilei.iiy .lge.» It is wonderlul how ir.iu h the destinies ol coun- tries (k'peiid .It times upon the virtues ot individ- u.ils, .md how it is given to gre.it spirits b\ ( din- biniiig, exciting, and directing tlu' laleni powers (d .1 li.llioll, to St. imp it. .IS It were, with their owl) greatness. Such beings re. ili/i' the idcml gu.ird- i.iti angtds, appointed by ile.iMii to w.itt hover the destinies ol empires. .Sm h h.id been i'rincu Henry lor the kingdom ol I'ortug.il ; .iikI sik It was now tor .S|)ain the illustrious IsaLicU.i. CilAI'lf.K II. conMiifs Af Till'; (dtur of si'.xi.v. Wlll.V Columbus arrived at Cordo\-.i he was given in (h.irge to .Alon/o de ' Juinl.inill.i. i (imp- troller of the treasury ot Castile, but wis dis.ip- jiointed in his expectation ot receiving immediiite .audience from the ipieen. lie tmmd the city in .ill the bustle ot military iirep.ir.ition. It was a critic.il jum lure ot the w.ir. The ri\;il kings of (ir.in.ida, .Mtiley. Ilo.ibdi! the iim le, .and Moii.im- med lio.ibdil the nephew, had just lormcd a ( (i ili- tion, and their league called tor prompt .md vig- orous measures. .Ml the chivalry of S|).iin h.id lieen summoned to the ti(dd ; the streets ot Cordo\a e( hoed to the tramp of steed and sound ot irumpet, as d.ay liy d.iy the nobles .arrived with their ret.iiners, vyinjf with e.K h other in the number of tlieir troops and the splendor of their appointments. The court was like a military c.amp ; the king and cpieen were surrounded liy the llower ot Sp.inisli ( hiv- .ilry ; liy those veteran cavaliers who li.id distin- guished themselves in so many li.irdv conllicts with the Moms, ,111(1 by the prel.ites and fri.irs who mingled in m.irti.il council, ami took deep iiiter;'st and agency in this w.ir of the Faith. 'i'his w.is .an unpropitious moment to urge .1 suit like that id C(diiml)iis. Intact the so\ereigns had not ;i moment ot leisure throughout this event- ful ye.ir. I'".arly in the spring, the king m,irche(| ctf to Lay siege to the Moor'sh city ot l.ox.i ; .and though tlie tpieen rt'm.iined ,at Cordov.i. she was continually employed in forw.irding troops and su])|)lies to the army, and, ,at the same time, .it- temling to the multipliefl exigencies ot civil gov- ernment. < >n the I2th of June she rep.aireil to tlie camp, then eng.iged in the siege ot Moclin, and both sovereigns rem.ained for s(nne time in the \'eg,i of Ciranad.i, prosecuting the war with unremitting vigor. They had barely returi ed to Cordova to celebrate their victories by public re- * Elotiio de la Reina Catholica, por Diega Clemen* cin. Madrid, tS2i. S4 UVl'. AND VOVAdKS OF COLUMBUS. *! :1f I! i) ^ Jti; I joirinps, whrn thrv were olilijjivl to %vt out for ('..illu i.i, til >iU|)pri-ss a n-ljcllnm of the t'lmiit nl l.>-in(is. Thfiuf till') rcpairi'il to Salain.iia.i for tllC WlllllT. Diinii^,' tlu* siiinnu'r and .uiiiiniii of ttiis year C'ohiniliiii ri'inaiiicd at (.'ordma, a ^juc^t m tlw hou-if oi Alon/o dc ( )iimlaiidla, who proved a warm ad\oi .itf of Ins theory. Throunh his means he lurame ai(|U.imted with Antonio (ieralchni, th e pope s n iintio, and his brother Ale\an(hT ( ler- rthlini, prei cptor to th e yollii(,'ir eliildreii o t I'er. dinand and isahella ; both valuable trienrls about rt. \\'liere\er he obtained a Tlir, COUNCIL AT SALA- .MANIA. [14S6.] TuF. interesting conference relative to the proposition of Columbus took place in Salam.anca. the great se.it of learning in Sp;\in. It was held in the Dominican convent of St. Stephen, in which he w.'is lodged and entert.iined with gre.it hospi- tality during the course ot the examination. >( Religion and science were at th.at time, .-iiid more espei'ially in that countrv. closely .associated. The treasures ot le.irning were immured in mon- .isteries, and the |)rotessors' chairs were e\< lu- sively tilled from the cloister. The domin.ition ot the clergy I'Xlended over the state .is well ;is the church, and posts ot honor .and inlliieiice .it court, with the exception of hereditary nobles, were almost entirely confined to ecclesiastics. It was * Ovicdo, lib. ii. cap. 4. Salazar, Cron. G. Cardi- nal, lib. i. cap. 62. f Letler to the Sovereigns in 1501. X Hist, del Almirantc. cap. xi. g Hist, de Chiapa pur Kcinesal, lib. ii. cap. 27. ce, even helm crosie Ian The Ing. le.il ChiiMj Iiwpii doll), ni.ide tion. Siu |i •.lyes St. St. Iuinbu| troll. tarif this •ell to I had and th' t\:i\.i I Liri' AND VOYAC.KS OF COIA'.MIIUS. M nimion to till* r()),il iiul.irs (if this .iikIi- whether ,'iiity are a|.t to be a.i;.iinst poor applic, lilts. Iheie is .ilw.iys a proni'iiess to con- sider .1 111 in un ler e\.imin.ilion as a kind ot delin- quent, or Impostor, whose l.iulls and errors are to be detected and exposed. Columbus, too, ap- pe.ired in ,1 mo .t uiilavor.ible li;jflit belore a schol.istic holy ; an obscure n.ivi^'.itor, a member ot no le.irned institution, destitute ot all the tr.ip- piil^s an I circiKiiitances which .sometimes ^ive or.icul.ir aulliorily to dullness, and depeiidiii).; U|H)n the mere toiie ol natur.il (,'enius. Some ot the junto entcrt.iine I the popiil.ir notion tli.it he was an .idventurer, or at beil .1 vision. iry ; and others had ih.it inarlil I imp.itieiice iil any inno- vation upon est.ibli-ihed doctrine, which is apt to grow up.)n dull and pedantic men in cloistered lite. Wh.it .1 strikin;j spect.icle must the hall of the old coineiit li.ive presented .it this memor.ible conference 1 A :>imple mariner, st.mdiii); lortli in the midst of an iniposiiif; .irr.iy ot protessi.rs, friars, and lij^nitaries ot the church ; maintainiii;,' his theory 'villi n.itural eloipience, and, as it were, pleadin),f the ciuse of the new world. We are told tli.it when he beH;.in to sl.ite the fjrounds ot his heliel, the fri.irs of St. Stephen alone ji.iid atieiilioa to him ; * that convent beinj^ more leariRvl in the sciences than the rest ot the uni- versity. The others appear to have intrenched themselves behin 1 one do^^red position that, alter so many prolound philosophers and cosino;,MM- pliers h.id been stu lyin^^ the lorm of the world, and so m.iny able n.iviuf.Uors h.iil been sadin^r about it tor several tllousan I ye.irs, it w.is jrre.il liresumption in an ordinary man to suppose lh.it there rem, lined such a v.ist discovery ior him to make. Sever.il of the objections [imposed by this learned bo:ly have been handed down to us, ;rid have provoked in any a sneer at the expense of the univer.iity ot S.il.inianci ; but they are |)roofs. not so much of the peculiar deliciency of that institu- tion, as ot the imperfect state of science at the time, and the manner in which knowledge, though rapidly extending, was still imjieded in its prog- ♦ Remesal, Hist, de Chiapa, lib. xi. cap. 7. re^* l>y monaniic l)i(jniry. All Hubject* wi re still contempl.ile.l tlirou^h the obsi iire ineilium ot those .iges when the lights ot .iiiliipiity were Ir.ini- pled out and I. nth w.n lelt to till the jil.u e of iiit|uiry. Ihw dill red in a iii.ui; ni religiou.i ion- iroversy. m.iiiLind h id retr.iced tli'ir steps, ami receded troiii the bound. iry line ot .im itiit knowl- edge. Thus, .It the Miy ihreshoj 1 ut llie disi u ,- sioii, iiiste.id ol geogr.iphic.il oliiections, Colum- bus W.IS ass.iiled witn cit.itions bom the llible.ind the Test. imeiit ; the book ot (li iie-.is, the ps.ilni 1 (d U.ivid, t!le propliets, the epi->l!es, .Hid the gos- pels. 'I'll tlie-.i' were .idded the expoiitioii-i of V.irious s.iinli and revereml lomnieiil.itor 1 ; St. Chry loslom .ind St. .\iigusline, St. Jerome ami .St. (Iregory, .Si. IJi.il .iiid St. .\mliroie, .md I..ic- t.intiui I' irmi.inu ), .1 icloubte I 1 h.impion of the I. nth. l)ociriii.il jioiiiti were iiiixe 1 up with pliil- opliical discus>ioiis, and am.itlieiii.itic.il demon- stration was ;illow('d no weig'.it, it u .ippe, red li) cl.ishwith a I 'I ot Scripture or .1 i ominenl.iry of one ol the t.ithers. Thus t!ie po-1-.ibility id anti- podes, in the southern hemi .pliere, .in opinion sn geiier. illy in. lint. lined by the wisest ol the ancient I as to be pronounced by I'liny the gre.it c mtest be- tween the Icirned and the igiior.int, becinie a stumbling-block w ith some ot the s.iges ol .Sala- ni.uici. Several of them stoutly tontr.idicted tlii< tii'id.imeiit.il position id Columbus, supporting ihemsehes by ipiot.ilions trom |..icl,intiiii and .St. Augustine, who were considerc I in those days an almost e\ .ingelic.il authority. Hut, though ihesf! writers were men (d coiiiumm.iie erudilion, and two of the gre.itest Inmin.iries ot wh.it h.is been cilled the golden ageol eccle-.i.islii .il le.irning. yet their writings were c.ili ul.iled to perpetu.ile il.irk- ness in respect to the sciences. Ihe p.iss.ige cited trom I. 11 t.intiii s to confute Columbus is in a str.iin <>\ gi'0-.s ridicule, un- worthy ol so gra\e .1 theidogi.iii. " Is there any one so loolish," he .iiks, " as to believe th.it there ;ire antijiodes willi their teet oppo>,ite to ours : people who walk with their heels ll|)ward, and their heads hanging down ? Tli.it there is a jiart 01 the world in which all things ,ire topsy-liirvy : where the trees grow with tiieir branches down- ward, and where it rains, hails, and snows u|)- w.ird .■' 'I'he ide.i ot the roundness (d the e.irth," he adds, " w.is the cause ot inventing this fabli; ot the antipodes, with their heels in the .air ; l.ir these philosophers, having once erred, go on in their .absurdities, defending one with another." Dbieclions ot .igra\er n.iture were adv. meed on the authority ot ,*st. .Xiigiistine. He pronounces the doctrine of .antipodes to be incomp.itible with the hisloric.il toundatioiis id mir t litli ; since, to assert that there were inhabited l.iiids on the oj)- posite side ot the globe would be lom.iiiitain that there were nations not descended trom Adam, it being impossible for them to have p.issed the in- tervening oce.in. Tins would be, therefore, to discredit the liible, which expressly declares that all men are descended from one common parent. .Such were the unlooked lor pre|udices which Columbus had to encounter at liie very outset of his contcrence, and which certainly relish mon; of the convent than the university. To his sim- plest proposition, the spherical lorm of t)ie earth, were opposed hgurative texts of Scripture. They observed that in the I's.ilms the he.iveiis are said to be extended like abide,* that is, .according to commentators, the curtain or covering of a tent, * Extendens Cfclum sicut pcllem. Psalm 103. In the English translation it is Psalm 104, vcr. 3. 2G LIFE AND VOYAGES OF COLUMBUS. ,! i whicli, .iinon;,' tlic ancieiU pastoral nations, was {orincil ui tiiL- hides of animals ; ami that St. I'aul, in his I'.pi^lle to iho lluijrcwK, compares the lu'avens in a taliernacle, or tent, extended over the earth, whii h they thence interred must he Hat. Colunihiis, who was a devoutly reli),M()US man, found that hi- was in danj^er ot bein^ convicted not mmly ot error, but ot heterodoxy. Others more' versi'd in science admitted tile (globular form of the earth, and the possiliility of an o|)posite and hal)itabl.: liemispliere ; but they brouj^ht U|) the chimera ol tlie ancients, and maiptained that it would be impossible to arrive there, in conse- 4iC|uence of the insu])portable lieat of the torrid zone. l'.\en j;rantin;r ihis could be passetl, tliey observe I that the circumference of the earth nnisl be so j^reat as to require at least three years to the vov.i^e, and those who should undertake it must |)erish ol hunj,rer aii(l thirst, from the im|)()s- sil)il;iyof carryiiijr jn-ovisions for so lonj; a period. lie was told, on tlie authority of I'',picurus, that admitlin.ij the earth to be si)lierical, it was only inhabitable in the no'ihern hemisphere, and in that section only was cano[)ied by the heavens ; that the opi)osiie half was a chaos, a jjulf, or a mere waste of water. Not the least absurd objec- tion advanced was, that sliouUl a ship even suc- ceed in reachin^''_ ji^ this way, the extremity of India, she coidd never {(et back aj.(ain ; for the rotundity ol the ^lobe would ])resent a kind of mountain, up which it would be im|)ossible lor her to sail with the most favorable wind.-' Such are specimens of the errors and ])rejudiccs, the minL,fled i_L;'norance and erudition, and the pedantic bi^ron-y, with which Columbus IkuI to contenil throughout the examination of his theory. Can we wonchr at the ditliculties and delays which he expcrieiiced at courts, when such vaj;ue and crude notions were entertained by the learned men of a university .•' We must not suppose, how- ever, because the objections here cited are all which remain on record, that they are all which were advanced ; these only have been |ierpetuated on account of their superior absurdity. They were |)robalily advanced by but few, and those persons imnn r-.' ,1 in theological studii'S, in clois- tered retirement, where the erroneous opinions derived irom books had little o|)|)ortunity of bein;.,' corrected by the experii-nce of the day. There were no doubt objections advanced more coffent in their nature, and more worthy of ih.it distinj^uished university. It is but justice to add, also, that the replies of Columbus had great wei.ifht with many of his learned examiners. In answer to the scriptural objections, he submitted that the ins])ired writers were not s|ieakin_Lj technically as cosmoj;raplurs, but figuratively, in language ad- tlressecl to all comprehensions. The commenta- ries of the fathers he treated with deference as pious homilies, but not as philoso])hical pro|)osi- tions which it was necessary either to admit or refute. The objeclioriS draw .1 from ancient phi- losophers he met boldly and ably upon eipial terms ; for he was deeply studied on all points of cosmography. I le showed that the most illustri- ou- ot those sages believed both hemispheres to be inhabit.ible, though thev imagined that the torriil zone |)rei'luded communication ; and he ob\iated conclusi\el\- that diriiculty ; for he had voy.iged to St. ('leorge la Mina in ("lUinea, almost under the t'(|uinociial line, and h.id found that region not merely traversable, but abounding in population, in fruits and pasturage, Hist, del Almirante, cap. 11. When Columbus took ids stand before thii learned body, he had ap|)e,ired the plain and sini- pie navigator ; somewhat daunted, |)erha|)s, by the greatness of his t.ask and the august n.iturec! his auditory. Hut he had a degree of religious feeling which, gave him a conlidence in the execu- ^ tion of what he conceived his great errand, and he was of an ardent temperament that became heated in action by its own generous tires. Las Casas, and others of his conti-m|)(M'aries, have spoken of his ct)mnianding person, his elevated demeanor, his air ol authority, his kindling eve, and the persuasive inton.uions of his voice. How must they have given majesty and force to his words, as, casting aside his nia]is aral charts, and discarding for a time his practical and scientitic lore, his visionary spirit took lire at the doctrinal objections of his opponenls, and he met them u|)on their own ground, |)oui'ing torth those majj- nificent texts ol .Scrip'ure, .and those mysterious predictions of the prophets, which, in his enthiisi. astic moments, he considered as types and an- nunciations ot the sublime discovery which he [)ro])osed I Am(}ng he number who were convinced by the reasoning, and warmed by the elo(|Uence of Co- lundius, was Diego de De/.i, a worthy and learned Iriar of the ordt-r of Si. Dominick. at that time professor of theology in the convent ol .St. .Ste])hen, but who became atterward Archbishoji of Seville, the second ecclesiastical dignitary of .Spain. This able and erudite divine was .1 man whose mind was above the narrow bigotry ol bookish lore ; one who could a|)preciate the value ol wisdom even when uttereil by unlearned lips. lie was not a mere ])assive auditor : he took a gene.ous interest in the cause, ai.d by seconding Colundius with all his ])owers, calmed the blind /e.d of his more bigoted bretliren so as to obtain for him a dis|)assionate, if not an unprejudiced, hearing. By their united efforts, it is said, they brought over the most learned nit'ii of the schools.* One great difticulty w,>s to reconcile the plan of Co- lund)us with the cosmographv of I'tolemv, to w hich all sclu)lars vieldetl iniplicit faith. How would the most enlightened of those s.igt's have been as- tonished, hail ;iny one apprised them that the man, Copernicus, was then in existence, whose solar system should |-(;verse the grand theory ot I'tolemv, which stationed the earth in the centre of the universe 1 Notwithstanding every exer'ion, however, there was a preponderating m.'ss ol inert bigotry and learned pri'.'e in this erudite body, which refused to yield, to the liemonstrations of an obscure for- eigner, -.vithout fortune or connections, or any academic honors. " It was recpusite," s'ys Las Casas, " belore Columbus could make his solu- tions and reasonings understood, that he siiould remove from his auditors those erroneous ])rinci- ples on which their objections wen- lounded ; .1 task always more dit' his soki- ood, that he should erroneous ))rinci- ueri- lounded ; a ;> in that of teaching I' Ureiices took piare, B i-cision. '111., igno- P i'l'judi.ed, remained with the dogged more liberal and discussions weari- ;n to their ordinary ■ned with approba- only as a deliglithll promise, but one Ijci. Fern mdo de xi. cap. 7. •Talavera, to whom the matter was especially in- trusted, had too little esteem tor it, and was too .much occupied with the stir and bustle of public concern^, to press it to a conclusion ; and thus the in(|uirv experienced continual procrastination and neglect. ' CIl.M'TKR IV. FURTHF.R APPriCAl IONS AT TUl-. COURT OV CAS- ■iii,i.;_((ii rMiirs rni.i.ows iiii: c-ihut i.\ us CAMl'AIciNS. Till'. Castilian court departed from Salamanca early in the s|)ring of 1487 and repaired to Cor- dova, to prepare lor the memorable cami)aigii against Malaga. I'ernando de T.ilavera, now Bishop ol Avila, accompanied the (|ucen as her confessor, and as one of her spiritual counsellors in the concerns ol the w;ir. The consultations of the board at .Salamanca were interrupted by this event, before that learned body could come to a decision, and lor a long time Columbus was kept in sus|)ense, vainly awaiting the report that ^\•as to decide the f.ite of his application. It has generally been su|)|)osed that the sever.il year;i wliicli he wasted in irksome solicitation Were spent in the drowsy and monotonous attend- ance of antechambers ; but it appears, on the Contrarv, that they were ollen passed ainid scenes of peril .•in I adventure, and that, in following up his suit, he w.is led into some of the most striking situaiions of this wild, rugged, and mount, iiii)Ui war. St'wral iiines he was s'.inv moned to attend conlerences in the vicinity of the sovi'reigni, when besieging cities in the very heart of the .Mo>'ri.->h dominions ; but the tem|)est of warlike affairs which hurried the court from |)lace to place ;in 1 gave it all the bustle and contusion of a camp, prexenied those conlerences from tak- ing |)!ace, and swept awav all concerns that were not immediately connected with the war. When- ever the court had an interval of leisure and re- pose, there would a,gain be manitested a disposi- tion to consider his proposal, but the hurrv and tempest would again return and the (juestion be again swept away. The spring campaign of 14S7, which took place shortly after the conterence at .Salai ia-a'a, was full of incident ami peril. I\in,g Kerdinanil had nearly been sur|)rised and cut off i)y the old Moorisli monarch belore \'e!e/ .Malaga, and the queen and all the court at Cordov.i were lor a time in an agony of terror and suspense until as- sured of his salety. When the sovereigns were subsequentlv en- campe 1 b.dore the city of Malaga, |)ressing iis memorable siege, Columbus was summoned to the court. He touiid it drawn up in its silken pa- vilions on a rising ground, coniman(li"g the fer- tile valU-y of Malaga ; the encampments ot the .'Warlike nobility of Spain extended in a semicircle s on each side, to the shores of the sea, stronglv foriilied, glittering with the martial pomp of that chivalrou.-, age and nation, and closely investing that important cite. 'I he siege was pri'vacted fi)r several months, but the vigorous delem e ot the Moors, their nu- merous stratagems, and fierce and lrec|uent sal- lies, allowe I but little leisure in the camp. In the course of this siege, the applleation of Co- lumbus to the sovereigns was nearly brought to a viilent close ; a fanatic .Moor having ;itte-npled to ass.is.-iinale Ferd -land and Isabella, Mistak- I ing one of the gorgeous pavilions of thf nobility tor the royal tent, he attacked Don .\lvaro de Portugal, and DoTia lieatrix de llobadill.i, Mar- i hioness ot Moya. instead ot the king .iiul (jUeen. .vtter WvHinding \)v:, .AU'aro dangerously, he w.is li.iled i!". a blow aimed at the marchioness, and immediately I'Ut to pieces by the .itteiidants.* The lady here nientiimed was of I'Xtraordinarv merit and force ot character. She eventually t(H)l: a great interest in tlv suit of Columbus, and had null h inlluence in recommending it to the (pieen, with whom she was a i)arlicular favorite. f Malag.i surrendere(l on the iSth ot .August, 1487. There appears to have been no time dur- ing its stormy siege to attend to the (|Uesii()n of Columbus, though Fernando de Talavera, the Bishop of Avila, w,;s |)reseiu, as ajipears by bis entering the captured city in solemn and religious triumph. The c.im|)ai.gn being ended, the court returned to Cordov.i, but was almoit imniedi;Uely driven Irom that city by the pestilence. For ujjward of a year the court was in a state of continual migration ; part ol the time in .Sar.i- gossa, ])art of the time inv.iding the Moorish ter- ritories by the way of Murcia, ;ind part ol the time in X'alladolid and Medina ilel Cam|)o. Colum- bus attended it in some ..f its movements, but it was vain to seek a (piiet and attenti\e hearinor from a court surrounded by the din of arms ana continually on the march. Wearie-d and discour- aged by these delays, he beg.in to think ot ajiply- mg elsewhere for |)atroiiage, and ;ippears to h.ive commenced negotiations \\ith Kin,g John II. for a return to Portugal. He wrote to that monarch on the subject, and received a letter in reply dated 20th of .March, 1488, inviting him to return to his cm.rt, and assuring him of ])roiection Irom any suits of i'it!-ier a <'ivil or criminal nature, that might be pending against him. He received also a let- ter Irom lienry \TI. of I'.n.gland, nniting him to that country, and holding out [iromises ol encour- agement. There must h.ave i)eeii stron.g hopes, authori/ed about this lime by the conduct ot the Spanish sovereigns, to induce Columbus to neglect these invitations ; and we liiid ground lor such a sup- position in a memorandum of a sum ot money paid to him by the treasurer C.on/ale/, to enable him to comply with a summons to attend the Cas- tilian court. ISy the date of this memorandum, the payment must have been made immediately after Columbus had ri'ceived the letter of the King ot Portugal. It would seem to h.ave been the aim ot King Ferdinand to prevent his carry- ing his proposition to another and a rival mon- arch, and to keep tlie matter in sus|)ense, until he >h()uld have leisure to examine it, and, visable, to carry it into operation. In the spring of 14K9 the long-adjourned tigation appeared to be on the eve of taking Columbus was summoned to attend a lonterence ot learned mtMi, to be held in the city of Seville ; a royal order was issued for lodgings to be pro- vided for him there ; and the magistrates of all cities and towns tlirough whi' h he might pass, on his way, were commantled to furnish accommo- dations gratis for himself and his attendants. A ])rovision of the kind was n:-cessary in tho^i; days, when even the present wretcherl establishments, called posad.-.s, for the reception ot travellers, were scarcely known. The city of Seville com|ilied with the royal * Pulsar, Cron^ra, rap. 87. P. Martyr. t Retralo del Ducn Vassallo, lib. il. cap. 16. if ad- i lives- place. J 28 LIFE AND VOYAGES OF COLUMBUS. Sr M command, I)ut as usual the appointed conference was post])(;iift the roy- al treasurer, Francisco ( ionz.ilez, ol .Seville, which has lately been found in the an hives of Simancas; and it is from these minutes that we have been enabled, in some degree, to follow the movements of Columbus during his attendance ii|)on this rambling and w.irlike court. During all tiis time he w.is exposed to contin- ual scoffs and indignities, being ridiculed by the light and ignorant as a nn.'re dre.imer, and stigm.-i- tized by the illiber.d ;is an adventurer. The very children, it is said, |)ointed to their toreheads as he ])assed, l)eing taugiu to reg.ird him as a kind oi madman. The summer of I4

ort, the sovereigns were unwilling to close the door ujion a project which might be |)rodiictive of such im- portant advantages. Many of the learned mem- l)ers of the Junto also were in its lavor, particu- larly Fray Diego de Deza, tutor to I'rince Juan, who from his situation and clerical character h.iil access to the royal ear, ;ind exerlefl himselt stren- uously in counteract. ng the decision of the board. * Hist, del Almirante, cap. 2. Ade grow men, tome there Vhii and for prise Wouh him Tl in.'inv tion, to rei court the same, the when War. Co I ment por'ui Sition- by th Renoi vague pointii from t indigii cut of LIFE AND VOYAGES OF COLUMBUS. 29 ; dauglUiT, the Princess )()n Aloiuo, heir appar. lials Wert: t'elehrale'l in •xUaurdiiiary s|)len(l()r. inter and spiin}^ the tumult ol parade and IS to he seen at Sevilk and ton hlii;ht proccs- li Colunihus ot heing ic uproars oi war and 3 of solicitation he sup. by nialNinjj ntajjs and iy assisted hy the |Hirsc > de iJe/a. It is due to that whenever he was lovements ol the court, :d consultation, he was te, and lod.ujini^s were ns issued to delray his s of several ot these ol accounts (,t the rov- 1/alez, ol Seville, which ' arc hives ol Simancas; utes that we ha\e been ) tollow the movements attendance ii|)oii this t. k.is ex|)nsed to contin- )einroiect had been re- )ort ol their decision, d, and at lentjth re- s the j^eneral o|)inion >rd scheme was vain did not become such an enterprise of the s as had been ad- f.uorable re|x)rt, the ) close the door upon rodnctive ot such ini- ot the learned meni- n its t.ivor, jiarticu- tutor to Prince Juan, leric.il character had ■xertcfl himself stren- lecision ot the i)oard. A degree of consideration, also, had pradualiy grown up at court for the enterprise, and many men, distinguished for rank and merit, had f)e- tome its advocates. Fernando de Talavera, therefore, was commanded to inform Columbus, V-1ki was still at Cordova, that the great cares «nd exjit nse-. of the wars rendered it impossilde for the .sc -..cit^MS to engage in any new enter- arise ; bu; that when the war was concluded they ^«vould ha\e both time and inclination to treat with him about what he |iro])osed.* This w.is but ;i starved reply to receive after so many days ot w.-ary attendance, .mxious expecta- tion, anddeterred hope ; Columbus was unwilling to receive it ot second hand, and rejjaired to the court at .Seville to learn his fate from the lips of the sovereigns. Their reply was virtually I'-.c •anie, declining to engage in the enterprise tor the prcscrt, but holding out ho|)es of patronage when relieved from the cares and expenses of the war. Coluin!)US looked u|)on this indefinite postpone- ment as a mere courtly mode of evading his im- portunitN, and supposed that the favorable dispo- sitions ol the sovereigns had been counteracted by the objections of the ignorant and bigoted. Renouncing ail further confidence, therefore, in vague promises, which had so often led to disap- J (ointment, .and giving up all hopes of countenance rom the throne, he turned his back U|)on Seville, Indignant ;>' the thoughts of having been beguiled out ot so many precious years of waning existence. CHAPTER V. COI.U.MIIUS AT THE CONVKNT OK LA RABIUA. Aliol'T half a league from the little seaport of Palos 'le Moguer in Andalusia there stood, and continues to stantl at the present day, an ancient convent ol Franciscan fri.trs, dedicated to .S.inta ■M.iria de Kabida. One day a str.ingeron foot, in humble guise but of a distinguished air, accom- panied by a small boy, stopjied at the gate of the convent, and asked of the porter a little bread and Water for hU child. W'liile receiving this hum- ble retreshment, the prior of the convent, Juan Perez de Marchena, h.ippening 'o pass by, was Struck with the appearance of the stranger, and observing from his air and accent that he w.is a foreigner, entered into conversation with him, and Boon learned the particulars ot his story. Th.it Strang'-r was Columbus. t He w.is on his way t ) the neighboring town of Iluelv.i, to seek his brother-in-law, who had married a sister of his dece.ised v'ife.J The prior was a man of extensive inforriation. His .iltention had been turned in some mv: sure to feograpliic.il and nautical science, probably from is vicniiiy to Palos, the inhabitants of whicl'i were * Hi'.i. rlel Almiiante, cap. 2. • + " i-o dichn .Mmirante Colon venienuo.-i la Rabida. «iue es un monuslerio 49^-1 Whkn Columbus arrived at the c lUrt, he ex- perienced a tavoial)le reception, and was gi\en in hos|)itable ch.irge to his ste.idy friend Alon/o de Quint.-inilla, the accountant-general. The mo- ment, however, w.is too eventful for his business to receive immediate ailention. Hj arrived in time to witness the memorable surrender of Cira- nada to the .Spanish arms. He beheld lioabdil, the last of the Moorish kings, s.ally forth fi,w much might be done for the glory of God, exaltation of the church, and the extension of tr own power and dominion. What cause of jret to herself, of triumph to ner enemies, of sorrow to her friends, should this enterprise, thus rejected by her, be accomjilishcd by some other power ! He reminded her what fame and domin- ion other princes had a((|uired by their discover- ies ; here was an opportunity to surpass them all. lie entreated her majesty not to he misled by the assertions of learned men, that the project was the dream of a visionary. He vindic.ited the judgment of Columbus, and the soundness and practicability of his plans. Neither would even his failure rellect disgrace upon the crown. It was worth the trouble and expense to clear up even a doubt upon a m.itter of such importance, for it belonged to enlightened and magn.mimous princes to investigate (piestions of the kind, and to explore the wonders and secrets of the universe. He stated the liberal offer of Colundius to bear an eighth of the expense, and informed her tiiat all the requisites for this great eiUeriirise consisted but of two vessels and about three thousand crowns. These and many more arguments were urged with that persuasive jiower which honest zeal im- parts, and it is said the Marchioness of Moya, who was present, exerted her elociuence to per- suade the queen. The generous spirit of Isabella was enkindled. It seemed as if, for the first time, the subject broke upon her mind in its real gran- deur, and she rana(la on the thirtieth of the same month. In this, t.^t dignities and jjrerogativesot viceioyand governov were made hereditary in his family ; and he an( his heirs were authorized to prefix the title of I)o[ to their names ; a distinction accorded in thoy days only to jiersons of rank and estate, thoufjh: has since lost all value, from being universaii used in Spain. All the royal documents issued on this occasio! Ijore eciually the signatures of Ferdinand ant Isabella, but her separate crown of Castile dt frayed all the expense ; and, during her life, fei persons, except Castilians, were permitted to et tablish themselves in the new territories.* The |K)rt of Falos de Moguer was fixed uponi the place where the armament was to be tut« out, Columbus calculating, no doubt, on the w o|)eration of Martin Alonus sovtr iions had been sent to th ist for that purpose, tc ] himself about to effec ad the light ol revelatic: larth, and thus to be itt ihing one of the subliit! rit l'"erdinand listenf. se enthusiastic anlicipi er, religion was subst: had found, in the recer at extending the swayc ade a laudable means ( ions. According to t» ry nation that refused;: of Christianity, was fa: ader ; and it is probata re stimulated by the ac h of Mangi, Cathay, ar. to the Grand Khar e conversion of him ar.i ts. ucements : she was fillci idea of effecting such; From different motive; vereigns accorded wt in this particular, ac; ted on his voyage, letten for the Grand Khant I of Columbus did nc boundless wealth fro: ested that the treasure consecrated to the pioif loly sepulchre of Jerusi he infidels. The sovr ■ of the imagination, bi ell pleased with it, an. ithout the funds he ant 'ell disposed to that hoJ omingo, lib. i. p. 79. "J? iindcrtaking.* What the king and queen, how- ever, may have considered a mere sally of mo- nentary excitement, was a deep and cherished design of Columbus. It is a curious and charac- teristic fact, which has never been particularly noticed, that the recovery of the holy sepulchre vas one of the great objects of his ambition, medi- ated tiiroughout liie remainder of his life, and olemnlv provided for in his will. In fact, he sub- tequently considered it the m.iin work for which Be was chosen by heaven as an agent, and that his great discovery was l/j' a preparatory dispen- liation of Providence to furnun means for its ac- Bomplishment. A hoine-telt mark of favor, characteristic of the Jtind and considerate heart of Isabella, was ac- jporded to Columlius liefore his departure from the fourt. An albala, or letter-patent, was issued by |he queen on the 8lh of May, appointing his son iJiego page to Prince Juan, the heir apparent, with an allowance for his support ; an honor granted pnly to the sons ot persons of ilistinguished rank.f Thus gratilied in his dearest wishes, after a lourse ol delays and disappointments sufficient to ^ave reduced any ordinary man to despair, Colum- bus took leave ot the court on the 12th of May, knd set out joyfully for I'alos. I^et those who are Sisposed to faint under diificulties, in the prosecu- tion ot any great and worthy undertaking, re- nembiT that eighteen years elapsed after the time hat Columbus conceived his enterprise, before he jvas enabled to carry it into effect ; that the rreater part of that time was passed in almost ^opeless solicitation, amid poverty, neglect, and ■taunting ridicule ; that the jirime of his life had Wasted away in the struggle, and that when his perseverance was finally crowned with success, he was about his fifty-sixth year. His example should encourage the enterprising never to de- spair. CHAPTi:f< VIII. ICOLUMHUS AT THK PORT OK I'AI.OS— PREPAR.'V- TIONS FDR THK VOVAUK OF UISCOVERY. On arriving at Palos, Columbus repaired im- linediately to the neighboring convent of La Ra- jida, where he was received with open arms by |the worthy prior, I-"ray Juan I'ere?, and again be- icame his guest. J: The ])ort of I'alos, for some Imisdemeanor, had been condemned by the royal Icouncil to serve the crown for oiie year with two irmed caravels ; and these were destined to form part of the armament ot Columbus, who was fur- bished with the necessary papers and vouchers to lenforce obedience in all matters necessary for his lexpedition. On the following morning, the 23d of May, Co- llumbus, accompanied by Fray Juan Perez, whose Icharacter and station gave him great importance in Ithe neighborhood, i)roceeded to the church of St. jGeorge in Palos, where the alcalde, the regidors, land many ot the inhabitants of the place had Ibeen notified to attend. Here, in presence of Ithem all, in the |)orch ot the church, a royal jrder was read by a notary public, commanding * Protestc a vuestras Altezas que toda la ganancia desta mi empresa se Rastase en la conquista de Jeru- salem, y vuestras Altezas se rieron, y dijeron que les placia, y que sin cste tenian aquella gana. Primer /iagi; (ie Colon, Navarrete, tom. i. p. 117. JNavarrete, Colcc. de Viages, tom. ii. doc. n. Oviedo, Cronica ds las Indias, lib. ii. cap. 5. ihe authorities of Palos to have two caravels ready for sea within ten days after this notice, and to place them and their crews at the disposal of Columbus. The latter was likewise empower- ed to procure and lit out a third vessel. The crews of all three were to receive the ordinary wages of seamen employed in armed vessels, and to be paid four months in advance. They were to sail m such direction as Colundius, under tin; royal authority, should command, and were to obey him in all things, with merely one stijiulation, that neither he nor they were to go to .St. George la Mina, on the coast of Guinea, nor any other 01 the lately discovered possessions of Portugal. A cer- tificate of their good conduct, signed by Colum- bus, was to be the discharge of their obligation to the crown.* Orders were likewise read, addressed to the public authorities, and the people ot all ranks and conditions, in the maritime i)orders of Andalusia, commantling them to furnish supjilies and assist- ance of all kinds, at reasonable prices, for the fitting out of the vessels ; and ])enalties were denounced on such as should cause any impedi- ment. No duties were to be exacted for any articles furnished to the vessels ; and all criminal processes against the |)erson or property of any mdividual engaged in the expedition was to be suspended during his absence, and for two months after his return.! With these orders the authorities promised im- plicit compliance ; but when the nature of the mtended expedition came to be known, astonish- ment and dismay fell upon the little community. The ships and crews demanded for such a des- perate service were regarded in the liglit of sacri- fices. The owners of vessels refused to furnish them ; the boldest seamen shraid< from such a wild and chimerical cruise into the wilderness of the ocean. All kinds of frightlul tales and fables were conjured up copcerning the unknown re- gions of the deep ; and nothing can be a stronger evidence of tlie boldness of tliis undertaking than the extreme dread ot it in a conimunity composed of some of the most acUeiUurous navigators of the age. Weeks elapsed without a vessel being procured, or anything else being done in fulfilment of the royal orders. Further mandates were therefore issued by the sovereigns, ordering the magistrates of the coast of Andalusia to press into the service any vessels they might think proper, belonging to .Spanish subjects, and to oblige the masters and crews to sail with Columbus in whatever direc- tion he should be sent by roy.il command. Juan de Pefialosa, an officer ot the royal household, was sent to see that this order was properly com- plied with, receiving two hundred maravedis a day as long as he was occupied in the business, which sum, together with other penalties express- ed in the mandate, was to be exacted from such as should l)e disobedient and de!in(|uent. This letter was acted upon by Columbus in Palos and the neighboring town of Moguer, hut apparently with as little success as the preceding. The communities of those places were thrown into complete confusion ; tumults took place ; but nothing of conse(|uence was effected. At length Martin Alonzo Pinzon stepped forward, with nis brother Vicente YaHez Pinzon, both navigators of great courage and ability, owners of vessels, and having seamen in their employ. They were * Navarrete, Colec. de Viages, tom. ii, doc. 6. t Ibid., doc. 8, 9. 1 I'i 34 LIFE AND VOYAGES OV COLUMDUS. related, also, to ruatiy of the seafarinp inhal)itants ot I'alos and Mo);uiT, and had Kreat inHueniL- tlirounhmit tlic iRi^^diborliood. They t'tiKasfd to sail on the i-xpi'dition, .and turnislu'd one ot the ves- sels re<|uircd. ( >lh(is, with their owners and crews, were pressed into the service by the magistrates under the arbitrary ni.mdate ot the sovereijjns ; and it is a strikin^j instance of the despotic au- thority exercised over commerce in those times, that respectable individuals should thus i)e com- pelled to en(,Mf,'e, with persons and ships, in what appeared toiheni a m. mil (les|)erate enterprise. During the ecpiipment ol the vessels, troubles and dilticuliies arose among the seamen who had been compelled t(j embark, 'i'hese were fomented and kejjt up by dome/ Kascon and Christoval (juin- tero, owners ot the I'into, one of the ships pressed into the service. All kinds of obstacles were thrown in the way, by these ])eople and their friends, to retard ordefeat the voyage. The calk- ers employed ujxju the vessels did tiieir work in a »;areless and imjierfect manner, and on being command(;d to do it over again absconded.* Some ot the seamen who had enlisted willingly re- l)ented of their hardihood, or were dissuaded by their relatives, and sought to retract ; otliers de- serted and concealet,int Irmu the Asiatl<' i'o,ist. In his ('oiii|iui.ili<>ns ('oiiiinl)Us .iilv.inccd tliis isl.uwl itlxxit ;i lho;is,iii(l li'.i^iU's too miik h to the ciist, su|)|iosi(i); it to Ix' iiliout thi siiii.ition ot I'Mor- ida ;* aiiij at this isl.md hr liopcd lir-it to anixc. Th" exult. ilioi) ol C'olunihus ,it rinding; liimscll, nitii so mariy ycirs ol haltlcd hopt', I lirly l.iuiuh- «'d on his ),'raiid ciitcrorisf, was chucked l)y his want ot contifleiiCL- in tlie resolution and persever- ance' ol his crews. As iiiirinv,' (cilumliuv V lidstilc siiala^;i'in ni iijjal, ill ri'Mn>.;c lor li ■ siivicf III Spain ; ' )Uttin>f ti) SIM, an\iui., s, and out (p| the Ir.iu si somctliin;,' niijjht m. DM, commenced undir anci.'s. K II. DVAdK— FIRST NOTICt L)K THE NKKIJI.K. )t the ^)th of St'ptcnilicr island of (iomcra, ami strike into the lejjion ui )t these frontier island; ■rinv; westward for llv anlie. For three day\ kept the vessels loiter- thin a short distante i! ■ day iself which, in the \m-: tali/.in^j d(day to Coliim- ) find himself f.ir oiiti: ai ;udes, may he descruu On the following Sim- at dayhreak, he hehiiil ary Islands, .ihout nine s the island whence the en seen ; he was theri- hood of danger. I'nr- uj) with the sun, thtir (1, and in the comseoi o gradually faded from last trace of land, the (I them. They seemu lave of the world, lie- L' dear to the heart c: Inds, life itself ; betore.; ios, mystery, and pen! [iiomeiit, they despairo. 'r homes. Many of th; }, and some broke im admiral tried in ever, |s, and to inspire llies :ipations. He descril'ei luntries to which he w:..-^ le islands of the Indianj tl precious stones ; the I [thay, with their citid [plendor. He promisei.; everything that cou'.il. linrtame their imagiiu" lises made for purjiosei [tainly believed that In Ithe commanders of tb jcvent of se|)aration I) Iconlinue directly wts;- lading seven hundm: ly from midnight unt.i llistance he confidenlivi Ii the mean time, as h; , |ght not discover land! [signed, and as he forev^ ,^a\v that the vnfjur terrors already awakened 'ninong the si'.imen woidd iticr Wi^ Kit i 1 , 1! l)ecn recently washed from land. On one of these ])atches was a live crab, which Columbus care- fully preserved. They saw also a white tropical bird, of a kind which never sleeps upon the sea. Tunny tish also played about the sni|)s, one of which was killed by the crew of the NiRa. Co- luntbus now called to mind the account given by Aristotle of certain shii)s of Cadi/, which, coasting the shores outside of the .Straits of Gibraltar, were driven westward by an impetuous east wind, until they reached a part of the ocean covered with vast fiekls of weeds, resembling sunken islands, among which they beheld many tunny tish. He supposed himself arrived in this weedy sea, as it had been called, from which the ancient mariners had turned back in dismay, but which he regarded with animated hope, as indicating the vicinity of land. Not that he had yet any idea of reaching the object of his search, the eastern end of Asia ; for, according to his computation, he had come but three hundred and sixty leagues* since leav- ing ;he Canary Islands, and he ])laced the main land of India much farther on. On the i8lh of .Septen^lier the same weather con- tinued ; a si'ft steaJy breeze from the east tilled every sail, -."hile, to use the words of Columbus, the sea was as calm as the Guadalquiver at .Sev- ille. He fancied that the water of the sea grew fresher as he advanced, and noticed this as a jiruof of die superior sweetness and purity of the air.f The crews were all in high spirits , each ship strove to get in the advance, and every seaman was eagerly on the look-out ; for the sovereigns had promised a pension of ten thousand mara- vedis to him who should first discover land. Mar- tin .Monzo I'inzon crowded all canvas, ai.d, as the Finla was a fast sailer, he generally kept the lead. In the af.ernoon he hailed the admiral and in- formed him that, from the tlight of a great num- ber of birds and from the apjiearance of the northern horizon, be thought there was land in that direction. There was in fact a floudiness in tl'e north, such as often hangs over land ; and at sunset it assumed such shapes and masses that many fan- cied they beheld islands. There was a universal wish, therefore, to steer for that quarter. Colum- bus, however, was persuaded that they were mere illusions. Kvery one who has made a sea voyage must have witnessed the decejitions caused bv clouds resting upon the horizon, especially about sunset and sunrise ; which the eye, assisted by the imagination and desire, easily converts into the wished-for land. This is particularly the case within the tro])ics, where the clouds at sun- set assiime the most singular appearances. On the following day there were drizzling show- ers, unaccompanied by wind, which Colu.nbus considered favorable signs ; two boobies also flew (in hoard the shijis, birds which, he observed, seldom tly twenty leagues from land. He sound- ed, therefore, with p line of two hundred fathoms, hut found no bottom. He supposed he might he passing between islands, lying to the north and south, but was unwilling to waste the pres- ent favoring breeze by going in search of them ; besides, he had e'lntidently affirmed that land was to be found by kt 'oing steadfastly to the west ; his whole expedition i,..;! been founded on such a presumption ; he should, therefore, risk all credit and authority with his people were he to appear ■■* Of twenty to the degree of latitude, the unity of distance used throughout this work. f Las Casas, Hist. Ind., lib. i. cap. 36. to doubt and waver, and to go groping blindly from point to point of the comjiass. He resolvecl, therefore, to keep one bold course always west- ward, until he should reach the coast of Indi.i ; and afterward, if advisable, to seek these islands on his return.* Notwithstanding his precaution to keep the peo- ple ignorant of the distance they had sailed, they were now growing extremely uneasy at the length of the voyage. They had advanced much farther west than ever man had sailed before, and though already beyond the reach of succor, still they continued daily leaving vast tracts of ocean behind them, and pressing onward and onward into »hat ap])arently boundless abyss. It is true they had been flattered by various indications of land, and still others were occurring ; but all mocked them with \ain hopes : after being hailed with a tran- sient joy, ihey passed away, one after another, and the same interminable expanse of sea and skv continued to extend before them. Even the bland and gentle breeze, uniformly aft, was now conjured by their ingenious fears into a cause of alarm ; for they began to imagine that the wind, in these sea.s, might always jirevail from the east, and if so. would never ])ermii their return to Sjiain. Columbus endeavored to dispel these gloomy presages, sometimes by argument and expostula- tion, sometimes by awakening fresh hopes, and jjointing out new signs of land. On the 20th oi September the wiiui veered, with light breezes from the south-west. These, though adverse to their progress, had a cheering effect upon the peo- ]) ?, as they proved that the wind did not always ])revail from the east.f Several birds also visited the shijis ; u..ee, of a small kind which keep about groves and orchards, came singing in the morn- ing, and flew away again in the evening. 'Their song cheered the hearts of thedismayeil mariners, who hailed it as the \oice of land. The larger fowl, they observed, were strong of wing, and might venture far to sea , hut such small birds were too feeble to fly far, and their singing showed that they were not exhausted by their flight. On the following day there was either a pro- found calm or light winds from the south-west. The sea, as f.ir as the eye could reach, was cov ered with weeds ; a phenomenon, often observed in this part of the ocean, which has sometimes the appearance of a vast inundated meadow. This has been attributed to immense quantities of sub- marine i)lants, which grow at the bottom of the sea until ripe, when they are detached by the mo- tion of the waves and currents, and rise to the surface. J These fields of weeds were at first re- garded with great satisfaction, but at length they became, in many places, so dense and matted as in some degree to impede the sailing of the ships, which must have been under very little headway. The crews now called to mind some tale about the frozen ocean, where ships were said to be some- times I'xed immovable. They endeavored, there- fore, to avoid as much as possible these floalin;,' masses, lest some disastc'of the kind might happen to them; elves. 5 Others consitlered these weeds as proof that the sea was growing shallower, and * Hist, del Almirante, cap. 20. Extracts from Journal of Columb. Navarrete, ; i. p. 16. f Mucho me fue necesario esie viento contrario, porque mi gente andaban muy estimulados, que pen- saban que no ventaban estos mares vientos pnra vol- ver h Espana. Primer Viage de Colon. NavaiTcte, torn. i. p. 12. ^ Humboldt, Personal Narrative, book i. cap. i. ^ Hist, del Abnuoute, c^p. i3. LIFE AND VOYAGES OF COLUMBUS. 8» 1 fro groping Mindly inciiy Ivetl, mpass. He resoh course always west- h the coast of India ; , to seek these islaninds of the crews, however, had gradually be- :lconie diseased. They were full of vague terrors :^n(l superstitious fancies : they construed every- hing into a cause of ;Jarm, and harassed their .jommaniler by incessant murmurs. "i For three days there was a continuance of light sluninier airs from the southward and westward, md the sea was as smooth as a mirror. A whale ras seen heaving uj) its huge form at a distance, ,,;hich Columbus immediately pointed out as a favorable indication, affirmingthat these fish were renerally in the neighborhood of land. The irews, however, became uneasy at the calmuL-ss th.e weather. They observed that the contriry irids whi( h they experienced were transient and insteady, and so light as not to ruffle the surface )f the sea, which maintained a sluggish calm like ake of dead water. Everything differed, they said, in these strange regions from the world to diich they had been accustomed. The only .;inds whi^ii ])revailed with any constancy and force, were from the east, and they hail not jrower to disturb the torpid stillness of the ocean ; there ivas a risk, therefore, either ol perishing amiil itajijnant and shoreless waters, or of being pre- sented, by contrary winds, from ever returning to ir native cou" ;ry. Columbus continued with admirable patience to reason with these fancies ; observing that the ralmness of the sea must undoubtedly be caused jy the vicinity of land in the cju.irter whence the •ind blew, which, therefore, had not space sutfi- :ient to act upon the surface and heave up large . aves. Terror, however, multiplies and varies Ihe forms of ideal danger a thousand times faster Ihan the most active wisdom can dispel them, 'he more Columbus argueti, the more boisterous )ecame the murmurs of his crew, until, on Sun- lay, the 25ih of September, there came on a hea\y ►well of the sea, unaccompanied by wind. This )henomenon often occurs in the broad ocean ; )eing either the exjjiring undulations of some jiast le, or the movement given to the sea by some listant current of wind ; it was, nevertheless, re- garded with astonishment by the mariners, .and lispelled the imaginary terrors occasioned by th'. calm. Columbus, who as inder the immediate leaven in this solemn enterprise, intimates in his nrn.il that this swelling of the sea seemed provi- Itn.ially ordered to allay the rising clamors of iis crew ; comjjaring it to that which so miracu- jusly aided Moses when conducting the childrer, tt Israel out of the captivity of Egypt.* .wenti ?|lhcir usual considered himsel' eve and guardianship of CHAPTER IV. CONTINUATION OF THF. VOYAGE — DISCOVF.RY OF I.ANI). [I492-] Thf. ^ituation of Columbus was daily l^ccoming more and more critical. In proportion as he ap- proached the regions where he expected to find land, the impatience of his crews augmented. The favorable signs which increased his confi- dence, were de ided by them as delusive ; and then- was danger of their rebelling, and obliging him to turn back, when on the point of realizing the object of all his labors. They beheld them- selves .»ith dismay still wafted onwa'd, over the boundless wastes of what appeared to them a mere watery desert, surrounding the habitable world. What was to become of them should their provi..ions fail ? Their ships were too weak and defective even for the great voyage they had already made, but if they were still to press for- ward, adding at every moment to the immense expanse behind them, how should they ever be able to return, h iving no intervening ])ort where they might victual and refit. In this way they fed each other's discontents, gathering together in little knots, and fomenting a spirit of mutinous opjjosition ; and when we consider the natural fire of the Spanish tempera- ment and its impatience of control ; and that a great part of these men were sailing on compul- sion, we cannot wonder that there was iinminent danger of their breaking forth into open rebellion ■ind compelling Columbus to turn back. In their secret conferences they exclaimed against him as a desperado, bent, in a mad phantasy, upon doing something extravagant to render himself notorious. What were their sufferings and dangers to one evidently content to sacrihce his own life for the charce of distinction ? What obligations bound them lO continue on with him ; or when were the terms of their agreement to be considered as ful- filled ? They had already penetrated unknown seas, untraversed by a sail, far beyond where man had ever before ventured. They had done cnougli to gain themselves a character for courage and hardihood in undertaking such an enterprise and ])ersisting in it so far. How much farther were they to go in (|uest of a merely conjectured land ? Were thiy to sail on until they perished, or until all r?turn became impossible ? In such case they would he the authors of their own destruction. On the other hand, should they consult their safety, and turn back before too late, who would bl.ime them ? Any complaints made by Colum- bus would be of no weight ; he was a foreigner, without friends or influence ; his schemes had been condemned by the learned, and discounte- naired by ])eople of all ranks. He harl no ]iarty .,j uphold him, and a host of opponents whose pride of opinion would be gratified by his failure. Or, as an effectual means of preventing his com- plaints, they might throw him into the sea, and ijive out that he had fallen overboard while busy with his instruments contemplating the stars ; a report which no one would have eitherthe inclin.i tion or the means to controvert.* Cotno la mar estuviese mansa y liana mur- nuraba la gente diciendo que, pues por alii no habia Bar grande que nunca ventaria para volver a Espaflci , ero despues alz6se mucho la mar y sin vienlo, que los asomhraba ; por lo cual dice aqui el Almirante ; i)ii i/iif fitly tifffsiin'o tiif /"«/ /-i i/uir alta, ijut no /;irin\<, .uikv el tiempo de los Judios cuaitdo fnlieron d: F.i^ipto contfii Movses que los sacnlni de capth-erio." — Journal of Columb. Navarrete, torn. i. p. 12. * Hist, del Almirante, cap. 19, Herrera, Hist Ind., dccad. i. lib. i. cap. 10. v?>^ ■ ''ii ' 'I 40 LIFE AND VOYAGES OF COLUMBUS. Columbus was not ignorant of the mutinous dis- position of his crew, but he still maintained a serene and steady countenance ; soothing some with gentle wortls ; endeavoring to stimulate the pride or avarice '>f others, and openly menacing the refractory ' i signal punishment, should they do anything ti. ...ptcle the voyage. On the 25th of September the wind again be- came favoral)le, and they were able to resume their course directly to the west. The airs being light and the sea calm, the vessels sailed near to each other, and Columbus had much conversation with Martin Alonzo Pinzon on the subject of a chart which the former had sent three days before on board of the Pinta. Pinzon thought that, ac- cording to the indications of the map, they ought to be in the neighborhood of Cipango, and the other islands which the admiral had therein de- lineated. Columbus partly entertained the same idea, but thought it possible that the ships might have been borne out of their track by the ))reva- lent currents, or that they had not come so far as the pilots had reckoned. He desired that the chart might be returned, and Pinzon tying it to the end of a cord, Hung it on board to him. While Columbus, his pilot, and several of his exi)crienced mariners were studying the map, and endeavor- ing to make out from it their actual position, they heard a shout from the Pinta, and looking up, beheld Martin Alonzo Pinzon mounted on the stern of his vessel crying " Land ! land I Seflor, I claim my reward !" He pointed at the same time to the south-west, where there was indeed an a])- pearance of land at about twenty-five leagues' distance. Upon this Columbus threw himself on his knees and returned thanks to God ; and Martin Alonzo repeated the Gloria in c.vcelsis, in wi.'.ch he was joined by his own crev; and that of the admiral.* The seamen now mounted to the masthead or climbed about the rigging, straining their eyes in the direction pointed out. The conviction became so general of land in that quarter, aiid the joy of the i)eoj)le so ungovernable, that Columbus found it necessary to vary from his usual course, and stand all night io the south-west. The morning light, however, put an end to all their hopes, as to a dream. The fancied land proved to be noth- ing but an evening cloud, and had vanished in the night. With dejected hearts they once more resumed their western course, from which Colum- bus would never have varied, but in compliance with their clamorous wishes. For several days they continued on with the s,.me propitious breeze, tranquil sea, and mild, de ightful weather. The water was so calm that thi ~ailors amused themselves with swimming about 'he vessel. Dolphins began to abound, anti flying t'ish, darting into the air, fell ujion the decks. The continued signs of land diverted the attention of the crews, and insensibly beguiled them onward. On the 1st of October, according to the reckon- ing of tile pilot of the admiral's ship, they had come five hundred anil eighty leagues west since leaving tile Canary Islands. The reckoning which Columiius showed the crew was five hundred and eighty-four, but the reckoning which he kept pri- vately was seven hundred and seven. f On the following day tlie weeds floated from east to west ; and on the third day no birds were to be seen. * Journal of Columb. , Primer Viage, Navarrete, torn. i. f Navarrete, torn. i. p. 16. The crews now began to fear that they had passed between islands, from one to the other 0' which the birds had been flying. Columbus liai also some doubts of the kind, but refused to alter his westward course. The people again utteri, murmurs and menaces ; but on the following cLu they were visited by such flights of birds, and tU various indications of land became so numerous that from a state of despondency they passed i, one of confident expectation. Eager to obtain the promised pension, the sea- men were continually giving the cry of land, or, the least appearance of the kind. To put a sid; to these fa se alarms, which produced continuii, disappointments, Columbus declared that slioulc any one give such notice, and land not be dis- covered v.ithin three days afterward, he shouiL thenceforth forfeit all claim to the reward. On the evening of the 6th of October, Martir Alonzo Pinzon began tc lose confidence in their present course, and proposed that they shoul; stand more to the southward. Columbus, how- ever, still persisted in steering directly west.* Observing this difference of opinion in a person so important in his squadron as Pinzon, and fear- i'lg that chance or design might scatter the ships he ordered that, should either of the caravt'3 li; separated from him, it should sund to the west and endeavor as soon as possiI)le to join con;- pany again ; he directed, also, that the vesse.- should keep near to him at sunrise and sunset, a^ at these times the state of the atmosphere is moy favorable to the discovery of distant land. On the morning of the 7th of October, at sun- rise, several of the admiral's crew thought they beheld land in the west, but so indistinctly thx no o- i; ventured to ])rocIaim it, lest he should I: rnisi.iken, and forfeit all chance of the reward the Nifla, however, being a good sailer, presse; forward to ascertain the fact. In a little while: flag was hoisted at her masthead, and a gun d:;. charged, being the preconcerted signals for Ian: New joy was awakened throughout the liii: squadron, and every eye was turned to the we^: As they advanced, however, their cloud-bu: hopes faded away, and before evening the fancit land had again nicited into air.f The crews now sank into a degree of dejectii proportioned to their recent excitement ; but ik circumstances occurred to arouse them. Colur Ijus, having observed great flights of small tiel birds going toward the south-west, concluded th. must i)e secure of some neighboring land, wlu: they would find food and a resting-place- i' knew the importance which the Portuguese vi agers attached to t'le (light of birds, by follow; , which they had d covered most of their islan He had now come seven hundred and ti: leagues, the distance at which he had compuk to find the island of Cipango ; as there was no a: |)earance of it, he might have missed it tlirou^' some misti'ke in the latitude. He dete; mint- therefore, on the evening of the 7th of October.:; alter his course to the west-south-west, the dirt:-; tion in which the birds generally flew, and cor^ tinue that direction for at least two days. .Attti all, it .'as no great deviation from his main cours: and Wi .dd meet the wishes of the Pinzoiis, i well as be inspiriting to his followers generally- For three days they stood in this direction, ar-,« the further they went the more frequent and tt| bou floa 1 huu and A as s "■'% ■ f siru day hori Hi ■■* fate 1 i;iais :'\ the J to ]) larg< crca; He t 1 ])e(lit the I ,:. mine he sh * Journ. of Columbus, Navarrete, torn. i. p. i?. f Hist, del Almlrante, cap. ao. Journ. of Colue- bus, Navarete, torn. i. ^y^ LIFE AND VOYAGES OF COLUMBUS. 41 to fear that they had om one to the other o: tlyinf^. Columbus haii ind, !)Ut refused to alt« le people a^ain uttenc ut on the following day flights of birds, and tht 1 became so numerous )ondency they passed k m. mised pension, the sea- 'ins the cry of land, o:; be kind. To put a sUr, ich produced conlinua. js declared that shouM ;, and land not be dis- s afterward, he shouk m to the reward. : 6th of October, Martir lose confidence in the,! posed that they shoul^; ,vard. Columbus, how- iring directly west.* :e of opinion in a person ron as Pinzon, and fear- 1 might scatter the ships either of the caravth he ihould siand to the west IS possible to join coni- 1, also, that the vessel at sunrise and sunset, a: f the atmosphere is mos: y of distant land, e 7th of October, at sun- iral's crew thought they t, but so indistinctly liu: aim it, lest he should h 1 chance of the reward ig a good sailer, pressc. fact. In a little while; ..asthead, and a gun dh. incerted signals for lane :l throughout the liiup was turned to the wes'J Lvever, their cloud-bui jefore evening the fancic. to air.f to a degree of dejectioJ nt excitement ; but net o arouse them. Coiun: .at Hights of small tiek lUth-west, concluded the lieighboring land, wher:^^ id a resting-place. K:- lich the Portuguese vo, ht of birds, by foUowi;;, d most of their islami' ven hundred and tir. |\vhich he had compuk igo ; as there \%as no a: have missed it throu," itude. He detevminc ; of the 7th of Ociober. ;> Ist-south-west, the dire:- generally flew, and co' least two days. .MitJ lion from his main courst Ishes of the Pinzons, i is followers generally, [od in this direction, ar-, more frequent and t: tavarrete, torn. i. p. !?■ , \p, 20. Journ. of Colutv^ couraging were the signs of land. Flights of small birds of various •:olors, some of them such as sing in the tields, came flying .about the ships, and then contmued toward the south-west, and others were heard also flying by in the night. Tunny fish played about the smooth sea, and a heron, a pelican, and a duck were seen, all bound in the same direction. Theherb.age which floated l)v was fresh and green, as if recently from land, and the air, Columbus observes, was sweet and fragrant as April breezes in Seville. All these, however, were regarded by the crews .is so many delusions beguiling them on to de- struction ; and when on the evening of the third day thev beheld th'.- sun go down upon a shoreless hoiizoni they broke forth into turbulent clamor. ThdV declaimed against this obstinacy in tempting tale by continuing on into a boundless sea. They insisted upon turning homeward, and abandoning the voyage as hopeless. Columbus endeavored to pacily them by gentle words and promises of large rewards ; but finding that they only in- creased in clamor, he assumed a decided tone. He told them it was useless to murmur, the ex- ])edition had been sent by the sovereigns to seek the Indies, and, happen what might, he was deter- mined to |)ersevere, until, by the blessing of God, he should accomplish the enterprise.* * Hist, del Almirante, cap. 20. Las Casas, lih. i. joiunal of Columb., Navarrete, Colec. torn. 1. •,!. 19. It has been asserted by various historians, that Columbus, a day or two previous to coming in sight of the New World, capitulated with his mutinous crew, promising, if he did not discover land within three days, to .ibandon the voyage. There is no authority for such an assertion, either in the history of his son FernaiiJo or that of the Bl'-hop Las Casas, each of whom had the admiral's ; apers before him. There is no mention of such a circumstance in the ex- tracts made from the journal by Las Casas, which have recently been brought to light ; nor is it asserted by either Petjr Martyr or the Curate of Los Palacios, both contemporaries and acquaintances of Columbus, and who could scarcely have failed to mention so striking a fact, • if true. It rests merely upoi; the aulhority of Oviedo, who is of inferior credit to either of the authors above cited, and was grossly misled as to many of the particulars of this voyage by a pilot of the nnrae ol Hernan Perez Matheo, wfio was hostile to Columbus. In the manuscript process of the memorable lavvsuit between Don Diego, son of the ad- miral, and the fisc 1 of the crown, is the evidence of one Pedro de Bilbao, who testifies that he heard many times that some ol the pilots and mariners wished to turn back, but that the admiral promised them pres- ents, and entreated them to wait two or three days, before which time he should discover land. (" Pedro dc Bilbao oyo muchas veces que algunos pilotus y marineros querian volverse sino fuera por el Almi- rante que les prometio donos, les rogo esperasen dos o tres dias i que antes del terminodcstubrieralierra.") This, if true, implies no capitulation to relinquish the enterprise. On the other hand, it was asserted by some of the witnesses in the above-mentioned suit, that Colum- bus, after having proceeded some few hundred leagues without findini; land, lost confidence and wished to turn back ; but was persuaded and even piqued to continue by the Pinzons. This assertion carries false- hood on its very face. It is in total contradiction to that persevering constancy and undaunted resolution displayed by Columbus, not merely in the present voyage, but from lirst to last of his diflieult and dan- gerous career. This testimony was given by some of the mjtinous men, anxious to exaggerate the merits of the Pinzons, and to depreciate that of Columbus. Fortunately, the extracts from the journal of the lat- Columbus was now at open defiance with his crew, and his situation became des|)erate. For- tunately the manifestations of the vicinity of land were such on the following day as no longer to admit a doubt. Besides a (|uantity of fresh weeds, such as grow in river's, they saw a green fish of a kind which keeps about rocks ; then a branch of thorn with berries on it, and recently separated from the tree, floated by them ; then they picked up a reed, a small board, and, above a y picke I, a sta ff artificially carved. Aii gloom and mutiny now gave way to sanguine ex|)ect.ition ; and through- out the day each one was eagerly on the watch, in hopes of being the first to discover the long- s^^ught-for land. In the evening, when, according to invariable custom on board of the admiral's ship, the mar- iners had sung the "Salve Regina," cr vesper hymn to the Virgin, he made an impressive ad- dress to his crew. He pnMited out the goodness of (iod in thus conducting lOem by soft and favor- ing bree/.es across a tranquil ocean, cheering their hopes continually with fresh signs, increasing as their fears augmented, and thus leading and guiding them to a promiseil land. He now re- minded them of the orders he had given on leav- ing the Canaries, that, after sailing westward seven hundred leagues, they should not make sail after midniifht. Present ap|)earances authorized such a precaution. He thought it probable they would make land that very night ; he otderetl, therefore, a vigilant look-out to lie kept irom the forecastle, promising to whomsoever should make the discovery, a doublet of velvet, in addition to the pension to be given by the sovereigns.* The breeze had been fresh all day, with more sea than usual, and they had made great progress. At sunset they had stood again to the west, and were ploughing the waves at a rapid rate, the Pinta keeping the lead, from her superior sailing. The greatest animation prevailed throughout the ships ; not an eye was closed that night. As the evening darkened, Columbus took his station on the top of the castle or cabin on the high poop of his vessel, ranging his eye along the dusky hori- zon, and maintaining an intense and unremitting watch. About ten o'clock he thought he behehl a light glimmering at a great distance. I'"earing his eager hopes might deceive him, he calleil to Pe- dro Gutierrez, gentleman of the king's bedcham- ber, and inquired whether he saw such a light ; the latter replied in the affirmative. Doul>ttul whether it might not yet be some delusion of the lancy, ColumbuS called Rodrigo .Sanchez of Se- govia, and made the same incjuiry. By the time the latter had ascended the round-house the light had disappeared. They saw it once or twice after- ward in sudden and passing gleams ; as it it were a torch in the bark of a lisherman, rising and sinking with the waves ; or in the hand ol some |)erson on shore, borne up and down as he walked from house to house. So transient and uncertain were these gleams that few attached any impor- tance to them ; Columbus, however, considered them as c tain signs of land, and, moreover, that the land was inhabited. They continued their course until two in the morning, when a gun from the Pinta gave the ter, written from day to day, with guileless iiniplicily, and all the air of truth, disprove these fables, and show that on the very day previous to his discovery, he expressed a peremptory determination to perse, vere- in defiance of ail dangers and ditficulties. * Hist, del Almirante, cap. 21. 1 1 !.: I 1 i i 43 LIFE AND VOYAGES OF COLUMBUS. joyful signal of land. It \va.- first descried by a mariner named Rodrigo de Triana ; but the re- ward was afterward adjudged to the admiral, for having previously perceived the light. The land was now clearly seen about two leagues distant, whereupon they took in sail and laid to, waiting impatiently for the dawn. The thoughts and feelings of Columbus in this little space of time must have been tumultuous and intense. At length, in spite of every diffi- culty and danger he had accomplished his object. The great mystery of the ocean was revealed ; his theory, which had been the scoff of sages, was tri- umphantly established ; he had secured to himself a glory durable as the world itself. It is ditlicult to conceive the feelings of such a man, at such a moment; or the conjectures which must have thronged upon his mind, as to the land before him, covered with darkness. That it was fruitful, was evident from the vegetables which floated from its shores. He thought, too, that he perceived the fragrance of aromatic groves. The moving light he had beheld proved it the residence of man. Hut what were its in- habitants .' Were they like those of the other parts of the globe ; or were they some strange and monstrous race, such as the imagination was prone in those times to give to all remote and un- known regions ? Had he come upon some wild island far in the Indian sea ; or was this the famed Cipango itself, the object of his golden fancies ? A thousand speculations of the kind must have swarmed upon him, as, with his anxious crews, he waited for the night to pass away, wondering whether the morning light would reveal a savage wilderness, or dawn upon spicy groves, and glit- tering fanes, and gilded cities, and all the splen- dor of oriental civilization. BOOK IV. CHAPTER I. FIRST LANDING OF COLU.MBUS IN THE NEW WORLD. It was on Friday morning, the I2th of October, that Columbus first beheld the New World. As the day dawned he saw before him a level island, several leagues in extent, and covered with trees like a continual orchard. Though ap|)arently uncultivated, it was populous, for the inhabitants were seen issuing from all parts of the woods and running to the shore. They were perfectly Baked, and, as they stood gazing at the ships, appeared by their attitudes and gestures to be lost in astoiMshment. Columbus made signal for the ships to cast anchor, and the boats to be manned and arme;l. He entered his own boat, richly at- tired in s:arlet, and holding the royal standard ; while Martin Alon/.o Pinzon and Vincent Jafiez his brother, put off in company in their boats, each with a banner of the enter|)rise emblazoned with a green cross, having on either side the letters F. and Y., the initials of theCastilian monarchs Fer- nando and Ysabel, surmounted by crowns. As he approached the shore, Columbus, who was disposed for all kinds of .agreeable impressions, was deligiited with the purity and suavity of the atmosphere, the crystal transparency of the sea, and the extraordinary beauty of the vegetation. He beheld, also, fruits of an unknown kind upon the trees which overhung the shores. On landing he threw himself on his knees, kissed the earth, and returned thanks to God with tears of joy. His example was followed by the rest, whose hearts indeed overllowed with the same feelings of grati- tude. Columbus then rising drew his sword, dis- played the royal standard, and assembling round him tiie two captains, with Rodrigo de Escobedo, notary of the armament, Rodrigo Sanchez, and the rest who had landed, he took solemn posses- sion in the name of the Castilian sovereigns, giv- ing the island the name of .San Salvador. H.u- ing complied witii the rec|uisite forms and cere- monies, he called upon all present to take the oath of obedience to him, as admiral and viceroy, representing the persons of the sovereigns,* * In the Tablas Chronologicas of Padre Claudio The feelings of the crew now burst forth in the most extravagant transports. They had recently considered themselves devoted men, hurrying for- ward to destruction ; they now looked upon them- selves as favorites of fortune, and gave themselves up to the most unbounded joy. They thronged around the admiral with overtiowing zeal, some embracing him, others kissing his hands. Those who had been most mutinous and turbulent dur- ing the voyage, were now most devoted and en- thusiastic. Some begged favors of him, as if he had already wealtli and honors in his gift. Many abject s])irits, who had outraged him by their inso- lence, now crouched at his feet, begging pardon for all the trouble they had caused him, and prom- ising the blindest obedience for the future.* The natives of the island, when, at the dawn of dnv, they had beheld the ships hovering on their coast, had supposed them monsters which had is- sued from the deep during the night. They had crowded to the beach and watched their move- ments with awful anxiety. Their veering about, ap]Kirently without effort, and the shifting and furling of their sails, resembling huge wings, filled them with astonishment. When they beheld their boats approach the shore, and a number of strange beings clad in glittering steel, or raiment of va- rious colors, landing upon the beach, they fled in affright to the woods. Finding, however, that there was no attempt to pursue nor molest them, they gradually recovered from their terror, and approached the Spaniards with great awe ; fre- quently prostrating themselves on the earth, and making signs of adoration. During the cere- Clemente, is conserved a form of prayer, said to have been used by Columbus on this occasion, and which, by order of the Castilian sovereigns, was afterward used by Balboa, Cortez, and Pizarro in their discov- eries. " Domiiie Deus a;terne ct omnipotens. sacro tuo verbo coelum, et terram, ct mare creasti ; benedi- catur el Rlorificetur nomen tuum, laudetur tua majes- tas, qu.T: dignita est per humilem servnm tuum, ut ejus sacrum nomen agnoscatur, et prjedicetur in hac altera mundi parte." Tab, Chron, de los Descub., decad. i. Valencia, 1689. * Oviedo, lib. i. cap, 6. Las Casas, Hist. Ind., lib. i, cap. 40. mom i'>« bear( ■i the S ledtj s his defer ions ; mand from touch and f; was simpli feet ai They of the zon, 01 wings habita The curios from appear civiliza paintet was CO or aroi whole appear or cop beards. cently-< der tht partly were 1( shoulde disfigut lofty fo! were ol of then .age ; tf young, formed. As C on an is the nati which 1 nature ( been ex World. Thei: i only an fire, or of a tish i they api ;j when a y unguarc Colun glass l)e as the I :^ among ■^ They r round t with tht The Sp; LIFE AND VOYAGES OF COLUMBUS. 43 from the vegetables s. He thought, too, igrance of aromatio ie had beheld proved [Jut what were its in- e those of the other re they some strange ; the imagination was to all remote and un- :ome upon some wild or was this the famed [ his golden fancies ? E the kind must have th his anxious crews, )ass away, wondering i'ould reveal a savage picy groves, and glit- es, and all the splen- low burst forth in the s. They had recently ted men, hurrying for- ow looked upon them- ;, and gave themselves I joy. They thronged I'ertlowing zeal, some ing his hands. Those ,^ us and turbulent dur- most devoted and en- vors of him, as if he ors in his gift. Many ged him by their inso- feet, begging pardon ; aused him, and prom- ' for the future.* when, at the dawn of ; ips hovering on their onsters which had is- the night. They had watched their move- Their veering about, |and the shifting and ing huge wir.gs, filled ' hen they beheld their I a number of strange el, or raiment of va- |he beach, they fled in ding, however, that sue nor molest them, om their terror, and ,vith great awe ; fre- es on the earth, and During the cere- |of prayer, said to have occasion, and which. Ireigns, was afterward lizarro in their discov- ct omnipotens. sacro 1 mare creasti ; benedi- laudetur tua majes- llem servum tuum, ut I, et prjedicetur in hac Von. de los Descub,, las Casas, Hist. Ind., J monies of taking possession, they remamed gaz- ing in timid admiration at the comule.xion, the beards, the shining armor, and splendid dress of the Spaniards. The admiral particularly attract- ed their attention, from bis commanding height, his air of authority, his dress of scarlet, and the deference which was paid him by his compan- ions ; all which pointed him out to be the com- mander.* When they had still further recovered from their fears, they apjiroached the Spaniards, touched their beards, and examined their hands and faces, admiring their whiteness. Columbus was pleased with their gentleness and contiding simplicity, and suffered their scrutiny with per- fect acquiescence, winning them by his benignity. They now su[)j)ose(l that the ships had sailed out of the crystal lirmament which bounded their hori- zon, or had descended from above on their ample wings, and that these marvellous beings were in- habitants of the skies. t The natives of the island were no less objects of curiosity to the .Spaniards, differing, as they did, from any race of men they had ever seen. Their appearance gave no promise of either wealth or civilization, for they were entirely naked, and painted with a variety of colors. With some it was confined merely to a part of the face, the nose, or around the eyes ; with others it extended to the whole body, and gave them a wild and fantastic appearance. Their complexion was of a tawny or copper hue, and they were entirely destitute of beards. Their hair was not crisped, like the re- cently-discovered tribes of the African coast, un- der the same latitude, but straight and coarse, pardy cut short above the ears, but some locks were left long behind and falling upon their shoulders. Their features, though obscured and disfigured by paint, were agreeable ; they had lofty foreheads and remarkably fine eyes. They were of moderate stature and well-shaped ; most of them appeared to be under thirty years of age ; there was but one female with them, quite young, naked like her companions, and beautifully formed. As Columbus supposed himself to have landed on an island at the extremity of India, he called the natives by the general appellation of Indians, which was universally adopted before the true nature of his discovery was known, and has since been extended to all the aboriginals of the New World. The islanders were friendly and gentle. Their only arms were lances, hardened at the end by fire, or pointed with a flint, or the teeth or bone of a fish. There was no iron to be seen, nor did they appear ac((uainted with its properties ; for, when a drawn sword was presented to them, they unguardedly took it by the edge. Columbus distributed among them colored caps, glass beads, hawks' bells, and other trifles, such as the Portuguese were accustomed to trade with among the nations of the gold coast of Africa. They received them eagerly, hung the beads round their necks, and were wonderfully pleased with their finery, and with the sound of the bells. The Spaniards rf-ma.ned all day on shore refresh- * Las Casas, ubi sup. f The idea that the white men came from heaven was universally entertained by the Inhabitants of the New World. When in the course of subsequent voy- ages the Spaniards conversed with the cacique Nica- ragua, he inquired how they came down from the skies, whether flying or whether they descended on clouds, ilcrrera, decad. ii\ lib. iv. cap. 5. ing themselves after their anxious voyage amid the beautiful groves of the island, and returned on board late in the evening, delighted with all they had seen. t)n the following morning at break of day, the shore was thronged with the natives ; some swam o'' lO the shi|)s, others came in light barks w'hich iney called canoes, formed of a single tree, hol- lowed, and ca|)able of holding from one man to the number of forty or fifty. Tliese they managed dexterously with paddles, and, if overturned, swam about in the water with perfect unconcern, as if in their natural element, righting their canoes with great facility, and baling them with cala- bashes.* They were eager to procure more toys and trinkets, not, apparently, from any idea of their intrinsic value, but because everything from the hands of the strangers jiossessed a supernatural virtue in their eyes, as having been brought from heaven ; they even picked up fragments of glass and earthenware as valuable prizes. They had but few objects to offer in return, except parrots, of which great numbers were domesticated among them, and cotton yarn, of which they bad abun- dance, and would exchange large balls of five and twenty pounds' weight for the merest trifle. They brought also cakes of a kind of bread called cas- sava, which constituted a ])rincipal part of their food, and was afterward an important article of provisions with the Spaniards. It was formed from a great root called yuca, which they culti- vated in fields. This they cut into small morsels, which they grated or scraped, and strained in a press, making a broad thin cake, which was after- ward dried hard, and would keep for a long time, being steeped in water when eaten. It was in- sipid, but nourishing, though the water strained from it in the preparation was a deadly ])oison. There was another kind of yuca destitute of this poisonous quality, which was eaten in the root, either boiled or roasted. t The avarice of the discoverers was (juickly ex- cited by the sight of small ornaments of gold, worn by some of the natives in their noses. These the latter gladly exchanged for glass beads and hawks' bells ; and both parties exulted in the bargain, no doubt admiring each other's sim- |)licily. As gold, however, was an object of royal monopoly in all enterprises of discovery, Colum- bus forbade any traffic in it without his express sanction ; and he |)ut the same prohibition on the traffic for cotton, reserving to the crown all trade for it, wherever it should be found in any quan- tity. He inquired of ihe natives where this gold was procured. They answered him by signs, jjointing to the south, where, he understood them, dwelt a king of such wealth that be was served in vessels of wrought gold. He understood, also, that there was land to the soutli, the south-west, and the north-west, and that the i)eoi)le from the last men- tioned quarter frecpiently jiroceeded to the south- west in quest of gold and |)recious stones, making in their way descents u|)on the islands, and carry- ing off the inhabitants. .Several of the natives showed him scars of wounds received in battles with these invaders. It is evident that a great part of this fancied intelligence was self-delusion * The calabashes of the Indians, which served the purposes of glass and earthenware, supplying them with all sorts of domestic utensils, were produced on stately trees of the size of elms. f Acosta, Hist. Ind., lib. iv. cap. 17. u LIFE AND VOYAGES OF COLUMBUS. ' iii U' on the part of Columbus ; for he was under a s|)ell of the imajrination, which gave its own siiiujes and colors to every ohiect. He was ])ersua(lecl that he had arrived among the islands described by Marco Polo as lying opposite Cathay, in the Chinese sea, and he construed everything to ac- cord with the account given of those o|>ulent re- gions. Thus the enemies which the natives spoke of as coming from the north-west, he concluded to be the people of the main-land of Asia, the sub- jects of the great Khan of Tartary, who were rep- resented by the V'enetian traveller as accustomed to make war ujjon the islands, and to enslave their inhr.bitants. The country to the south, abounding in gold, could be no other than the famous island of Cipango ; and the king who was served out of vessels of gold must be tiie monarch whose magniticent city and gorgeous palace, cov- ered with plates of gold, had bee.i extolled in such splendid terms by Marco Polo. The island where Columl)us had thus, for the first time, set his foot upon the New World, was called by the natives C.uanahan^. It still retains the name of San Salvador, wiiich he gave to it, though called by the English Cat Island.* The light whicii he had seen the evening previous to his making land, may have been on Watling's Island, whicii lies a few leagues to the east. San Salvador is one of the great cluster of the Lucayos, or IJahama Islands, which stretch south-east and north-west, from the coast of I'lorida to His- paniola, covering tiie northern coast of Cuba. On the morning of the 14th of October the atl- miral set off at daybreak with the boats of the ships to '■econnoitre the island, directing his course to the north-east. The coast was surrounded by a reef of rocks, within whicii there was depth of water and sufficient harbor to receive all the ships in Chiistendom. The entrance was very narrow ; within there were several sand-banks, but the water was as still as in a pool.f The island a])peared liiroughout to be well wooded, with streams of water, and a large lake in the centre. As tiie boats jiroceeded, they passed two or three villages, the inhabitants of which, men as well as women, ran to the shores, throwing themselves on the ground, lifting up their hands and eyes, eitiier giving thanks to heaven, or worshijjping the Spaniards as super- natural beings. Tiiey ran along jjarallel to the boats, calling after the Spaniards, and inviting them by signs to land, offering them various fruits and vessels of water. Finding, however, that the boats continued on their course, many threw themselves into the sea and swam after them, and others followed in canoes. The admiral received them all with kindness, giving them glass beads and other trilles, which were received with trans- port as Celestial presents, for the invariable idea of tile savages was, that the white men had come from the skies. In this way thev pursued their course, until they came to a small piminsula, whicii with two or three days' labor might be separated from the main-land and surrounded with water, and was therefore specified by Columbus as an excellent situation for a fortress. On this were six Indian cabins, surrounded by groves and gardens as * Some dispute having recently arisen as to the island on which Columbus first landed, the reader is referred for a discussion of this question to the illus- trations of the work, article " First Landing of Co- lumbus." f Primer Viage de Colon. Navarrete, torn. i. beautiful as those of Castile. The sailors being | wearied with rowing, and the island not appear, ing to the admiral of sufficient in-portance to in-' duce colonization, he returned to tlie shi|)s, takiri" seven ol the natives with him, that they might ac° quire the Spanish language and serve as inter- preters. Having taken in a supply of wood and water, they left the island of San Salvador the same even- ing, the admiral being im|)atient to arrive at iht wealthy country to the south, which he llattcR-l himself would prove the famous island of Cipangu. CHAPTER II. CRUISE AMONG THE llAHAMA ISLANDS. [1492.1 On leaving San Salvador Columbus was at ,• loss which way to direct his course. A gre.r number of islands, green and level and fertile- invited him in different directions. Tlie Indiaii- on board of his >essel intimated by signs th;i; they were innumeral)le, well peopled, and at war with one another. They mentioneil the names 0: above a hundred. Columbus now had no longer a doubt that lie was among the isl.uids descril)e(! by Marco Polo as studding the vast sea of Chin, or China, and lying at a great distance from the main-land. These, according to the Venetian, amounted to between seven and eight thousand, and abounded with drugs and sjiices and odorifer- ous trees, together with gold and silver and many other precious objects of commerce.* Animated by the idea of exploring this opulen; archijjelago, he selected the largest island in sigh; for his next visit ; it appeared to lie about tut leagues' distance, and he understood from hi> Indians that the natives were richer than thos: of San Salvador, wearing bracelets and anklets and other ornaments of massive gold. The night coming on, Columbus ordered thai the shijis should lie to, as the navigati(jn was diffi-| cult and dangerous among these unknown islands, and he feared to venture upon a strange coast in | the dark. In the morning they again made sail, | l)ut meeting with counter-currents it was not u:Ui! sunset that they anchored at the island. The next morning (16th) they went on shore, arid Co- lumbus took solemn jiossession, giving the island the name of Santa Maria de la Conce[)cion. The| same scene occurred with the inhal)ilants as wit" those of San Salvador. They manifested thesanif astonishment and awe, the same gentleness and sini])licity, and the same nakedness and absenct of all wealth. Columbus looked in vain for brace lets and anklets of gold, or for any otiier precimii articles : they had been either fictions of his In- dian guides, or l.is own misinterpretations. Returning on board, he prepared to make sail, when one of the Indians of San Salvador, who w.is on board of the Nina, jilunged into the sea, and swam to a large canoe filled with natives. The boat of the caravel put off in pursuit, but the In- dians managed in their light hark with too much velocity to be overtaken, and, reaching the land, fled to the woods. The sailors took the canoe as a prize, and returned on board the caravel. Shortly afterward a small canoe appioached one of the ships from a different part of the island, with a ba lie p ente sea i C( stati capt with a gii benij cap his derm the joved had * Marco Polo, book by W. Marsden. iii. chap. 4 ; Eng. translation i isirnul He h: calabi paint, when such ;i \a(lor, probal notice hood I tensivt was St anil hi: he tre; him 1)1 The w the isl; ot cutt tliese i time tl grouni taiice I canoe < storing; fully a: rival, \ This l3 lives SI I the nif^ I water ^ tririinsi- J came ^ Lane islanci king ; llie in those (I apjiear the wo i)ut foi Their I n pavi trees, ( very cl ing tre tended a namt LIFE AND VOYAGES OF COLUMBUS. 10 le. The sailors being the island not appear- iunt in'portance to in- led to iJie sliips, takin;; m, that they mi<;ht ac- jL- and serve as inter- ily of wood and water, alvadurthe same even- )atient to arrive at tht uth, which he flatttrei! nous island of Cipango, 3 ;r II. ll.\HAMA ISLANDS. or Columbus was at a his course. A great and level and fertile, rections. The Indians ; Uimated by signs tlimi ell ijuopled, and at war' nentioned the names o:| )us now had no longer r the islands described j ; the vast sea of Chin, real distance from the" •ding to the Venetian, en and eight thousand, ind spices and odorifer-i lid and silver and many: ommerce.* f exploring this opulen:: e largest island in si^^ht eared to be about hve' understood from hi: vere richer than tliosti bracelets and anklets j ssive gold, olumhus ordered tliaij |he navigation was dirti-i these unknown islands, pou a strange coast in; they again made sail, urrents it was not umi! at the island, Thej cnt on shore, artd Co- ision, giving the island la Concepcion. The) he iniiabitants as with ey manifested the same same gentleness and j iikedness and absence! boked in vain for brace- ^ for any otiier precious | ther fictions of his In-^ interpretations, prepared to make sail, ian Salvador, who \vas| ged into the sea, and led with natives. The| in pursuit, but the In- lit bark with too mucii lid, reaching the land, ors took the canoe as '; board the caravel- anoe appioached onej nt part of the island, \ ap. 4 ; Eng. translation ' with a single Indian on board, who came to offer a ball of cotton in exchange lor hawks' bells. As lie paused when close to the vessel, and feared to enter, several sailors threw themselves into the sea and took him i)risoner. Columbus having seen all that passed from his station on the high poop of the vessel, ordered the cajitive to be brought to him ; he came trembling with fear, and humbly offered his ball of cotton as a gilt. Thi .'"iiniral ■^■ceived him with the utmost bc-nigni'v, .mkI declining his offering, put a colored caj) upoi h s head, strings of green beads around his arms, and hawks' bells in his ears, then or- dering him and his ball of cotton to Iv replaced in the canoe, dismissed him, astonis'ied and over- joyed. He ordered that the canoe, also, which had been seized and was fastened to the Niila, should be cast loose, to be regaii'.'ul by its pro- iirietors. When the Indian reache(. the shore, liis countrymen thronged round him, examining and admiring his tinery, and listening to his ac- count ot the kind treatment he experienced. .Sucii were the gentle and sage precautions con- tinually taken by Columbus to impress the natives iavorably. Another instance of the kind occurred after lea\ ing the island of Concepcion, when the varavels stood for the larger island, several leagues to the west. Midway between the two isiaiuls they overtook a single Indian in a canoe. He had a mere morsel of cassava bread and a calabash of water for sea-stores, and a little red ])aint, like dragons' blood, for personal decoration when he should land. A string of glass beads, such as had been given to the natives of San Sal- vador, showed that he had come thence, and was probably passing from island to island, to give notice ot the ships. Columbus admired the hardi- hood ot this simple navigator, making such an ex- tensive voyage in so frail a bark. As the island was still distant, he ordered that both the Indian and his canoe should be taken on board, where he treated him with the greatest kindness, giving him bread and honey to eat, and wine to drink. The weather being very calm, they did not reach the island until too dark to anchor, through fear ot cutting their cables with rocks. The sea about these islands was so transparent that in the day- time they could see the bottom and choose their ground ; and so deep, that at two gun-shot dis- tance there was no anchorage. Hoisting out the caiioe ot their Indian voyager, therefore, and re- storing to him all his effects, they sent him joy- fully ashore, to prepare the natives for their ar- rival, while the ships lay to until morning. This kindness had the desired effect. The na- tives surrounded the ships in their canoes during the night, bringing fruits and roots, and the |)ure water ot their springs. Columbus distributed trilling |)resents among them, and to those vlio came on board he gave sugar and honey. Landing the next morning, he gave '.o this island the name ot Fernandina, in honor of the king ; it 's the same at present called Exuma. The inluiliitants were similar in every respect to those ot the preceding islands, excepting that they appeared more ingenious and intellig'.;nt. Some of the women wore mantles and aprons of cotton, hiit tor the most part they were entirely naked. Their habitations were constructed in the form of " pavilion or high circular tent, of branches ot trees, ot reeds, and palm leaves. They were kept very clean and neat, and sheltered uncler spread- ing trees. For beds they had nets of cotton ex- tended from two posts, which they called haiiiiics, a name since in universal use among seam'n. In endeavoring to circumnavigate the island, Columbus found, within two leagues ol the north- west cape, a noble harbor, suliicient to hold a hundred ships, with two entrances iormed by an island which lay in the mouth ot it. Here, while the men landed with the casks in search of water, he reposed under the shade of the groves, which he says were more beautitul than any he had ever beheld ; " the country was as fresh and green as in the month ot May in Andalusia ; the trees, the fruits, the herbs, the tlowers, the very stones for the most part, as different from those ot Spain as night from clay."* The inhabitants gave the same proofs as the other islanders, of being totally unaccustomed to the sight of civili/ed man. They regarded the Sjjaniards with awe and admiration, a])proache ■ them with propitiatory offerings ot whatever tiieir |)overty, or rather their simple and natural mode of life, afforded ; the fruits of their tields and groves, the cotton, which was their arti- cle of greatest value, and their domesticated par- rots. They took those who were in search of water to the coolest springs, the sweetest and freshest runs, tilling their casks, and rolling them to the boats ; thus seeking in every way to gratify their celestial '.isUors. However jjleasing this state of primeval ])overty might be to the imagination of a poet, it was a source of continual disapi)ointment to the Span- iards, whose avarice had been whetted to the quick by scanty specimens ot gold, and by the in- formation of golden islands continually given by the Indians. Leaving Fernandina, on the 19th of October, they steered to the south-east in ([uest ot an island called Saometo, where Columbus understood, from the signs of the guides, there was a mine of gold, and a king, the sovereign of all the surround- ing islands, who dwelt in a large city and pos- sessed great treasures, wearing rich clothing and jewels ot gold. They fountl the island, but neither the monarch nor the mine ; either Colum- bus had misunderstood the natives, or they, measuring things by their own poverty, had ex- aggerated the paltry state and trivial ornaments of some savage chieftain. Delightful as the other islands had ap|)eared, Columbus declared that this surpassed them all. Like those it w.is covere^l with trees and shrubs and herbs ot unknown kind. The climate had the same soft temperature ; the air was delicate and balmy ; the land was higher, with a tine verdant hill ; the coast ot a tine sand, gently laved by tians])arent billows. At the south-west end ot the island he found fine lakes of fresh water, overhung witii groves, and surroundetl by banks covered witii herbage. Here he ordered all the casks of the ships to be filled. " Here are large lakes," says he, in his journal, " and the groves about them are marvel- lous, and here and in all the island everything is green, as in April in Andalusia. The singing ot the birds is such, that it seems as it one would never desire to depart hence. There are llocks 0/ parrots which obscure the sun, and other birds, large and small, of so many kinds all ditferi-nt from ours, that it is wonderful ; and besides there are trees of a thousand species, each having its jiarticular fruit and all ot marxellous flavor, so that I am in the greatest trouble in the world not io know them, tor i am very certain that they are each ot great value. I shall bring home some ot them as specimens, and also some of the herbs." To this beautiful island he gave the name ot his * Pi.imer Viage de Colon. Navarrete, lib. i. I :lil ,, ; ..1 i' f 1' i • i' 13 4(1 LIFE AND VOYAGES OF COLUMBUS. royal patroness, Isabella ; it is the same at present called Isia l.ar^a and Ivxumeta. Columbus was intent on discovi-rinj^ the dru^s and s|)ices of the Kast, and on approachinfj this island, had fancied he perceived in the air the s|)icy odors said to be wafted from the islands oi the Indian seas. " As I arrived at this caiv," says he, "there came thence a traj,'rance so j(ood and soft of the llowers or trees ot the land, that it was the sweetest thing in the world. 1 believe there are here many herbs and trees which would be of jjreat price in Spain for tinctures, medicines, and spices, but I know nothing ol them, which gives me great concern."* The tisli, which abounded in these seas, partook of the noNclty which characterized most ot the ob- jects in this new world. They rivalled the birds in tropical brillianj)' of color, the scales of some of them glancing back the rays of light like [ire- cious stones ; as ihey sported about the ships, they flashed gleams of gold and S'lver through the clear waves ; and the dolphins, taken oi t of their element, delighted the eye \vith the ( \anges of colors ascribed in fable to the chameleon. No inim:.ls were seen in these islands, except- ing a species of dr)g which never barked, a kind of cone) or -abbit called " utia" by the natives, together with numerous lizards and guanas. The last were regarded with disgust and horror by the .S[)aniards, suppo-.ing them to be fierce and noxious serpents ; but they were found afi"r\vaTd to be perlectly harmless, and their flesh to be es- teemed a gre.it delicacy by the Indians. For several days Coluni' us hovered about this island, seeking in vain to lind its imaginary mon- arch, or to esiablish a communijalion with him, until, at length, he reluctantly became convinced of his error. No sooner, however, did one delu- sion fade away, than another succeeded. In reply to the continual in(|uiries made by the Spaniards, after the source \vhence they procured tht ir gold, the r itives uniformly jjointed to the south. Co- lumbus now began to hear of an island in that direction, called Cuba, but all that he could col- lect concerning it from the signs of the natives was colored by his imagination. He understood it to be of great e\tent, abounding in gold, and pearls, and s])ices, and carrying on an extensive commerce in those precious articles ; and that large merclr>nt ships came to trade with its in- habitants. Comparing these misinterpreted accounts with the coast ot Asia, as laid down on his m.''|i, .iftet the descriptions of Marco Polo, he concludei! tl .u this island must be Cipango, and the merch.mt ships raeniioneil must be those of the Crand Khan, vho maiiuained an extensive commerce in fliese seas. He formed his plan accordi'>gly, deterni'n- ing to sail immediately for this island, .in: mike himself acquainted with its norts, Cities, and pro- ductions, for the [)ur|)ose of establishing relations ot traffic. Me would then seek ancther great island called Hohio, of which the natives gave likewise marvellous accounts. His sojourn in those islands would depend upon the quantities ot gold, spices, precious stones, and other objects of (Oriental trade which he shou'-' find there. After this he would proceed to the main-land of India, which mus, be within ten day;.' sail, seek ihe city Quins li, wl'.ich, according to Mar..o i'olo, was one ot the most magniticent Ci'pitais in the world ; he would there deliver in person the letters of the Castilian sovereigi's to the Grand Khan, and, when he receivecl his reply, return triumphantly to Spain with this document, to prove that he had accomplished the great object of his voyage.* Such was the splendid scheme with which Colum- bus fed his imagination, when about to leave the Uahamas in quest of the island of Cuba, Primer Viagc de Colon. Navarrete, cap. i. CHAPTER III. DISCOVERY AND COASTING OF CUIiA. [1492.] For several days the departure of Columbus was delayed by contrary winds and calms, attend- ed by hea\y showers, which last had prevailed, more or less, since his arrival among the islands. It was the season lA the autumnal rains, which in those to.rid climates succeed the |)arching he-ts ol summer, commencing about the decrease ot the .Viigiist moon, and lasting until the month of November. At length, at midnight, October 24th, he set sail from tiie island ot Isabella, but was nearly becalmed until midday ; a gentle wind then sprang up, and, as he observes, bt;g;in to blow most amorously. Kvery sail was sj)read, and he stoor' toward the w'esi-south-west, the direction in which he was lold the land of Cuba lay from Isa- beda. After three days' navigation, in the course of which he touched at a group of seven or eight small islands, which he called Islas de Aren.i, supposed to be the present Mucaras isl.mds, anil having crossed the Hahania bank and channel, he arrived, on the morning of the 28th of October, in sight of Cub. I. The ])art which he first discov- ered is sufjposed to he the coast to the west ot Nuevitas del Principe. As he approached this noble i.sland, he was struck with its magnitude, and the grandeur of its leatures ; its high ;ind airy mount.iins, which re- minded him of those of Sicily ; ii.; fcitile v.illevs, and long sweeping ])lains watered by noble riv- ers ; its stately forests ; its bold i)romontories and stretching headlands, which melted away in- to the remotest distance. He anchored in a beau- tiful river, of transparent clearness, ii^,: from rocks and shoals, its banks overhung with trees. Here, binding, and taking ])ossess:on of the island, he gave it the name of Juana, in honor of Prince Juan, and to the river the name of San Salvador. On the arrival ot the ships, two canoes put off from the shore, but tied on seeing the boat ap- proacii to sound the river for anchor.ige. The admiral visited two cabins abandc>ned by liieir in- habitants, riiey contained but a few ,1 ts made of the fibres ot the ])alm-tref , hooks ;ind harpoons of bone, and souic other fishing implements, and one of the kind of .'logs he had met with on th° smaller islands, which never bark. I'e ordered that nothing should be taken away or der.inged. Returning, to his boat, he proceeded for some distance up the river, n.)re and mTe enchanted with the beauty of the coc.itry. The banks were coven d with high and wide-spreading trees; some hearing f uits, others flowers, while in some both fruit and Hower were mingled, bespeaking a iierpetual round of fertili;;y ; among then were many ])a'ms, but tlifferent from those ot .Spain and Africa ; with the gr.-at leaves of these the natives •hatched their cabins. The continual eulogies made by Columbus on the beauty of the country were warranted by the Journal of Columbus. Navarrete, torn. i. i'. m 5. LIFE AND VOYAGES OF COLUMBUS. 47 lumcnt, to prove that he reat object of his voyajfe.* chcme with which Colum- , when ahout to leave the .• island of Cuba. TKK III. COASTING OF CUBA. 492O le departure of Columliiis y winds and calms, attend- which last had prevailed, arrival .'imonjf the islands. • autumnal rains, which in iucceed the parchinjr he:'.ts njr about the decrease of lastinjr until the month of jrht, October 24th, he set t Isabella, but was nearly ay ; a jrentle wind then observes, bejr.in to blow ry sail was sj)rea(l, and he south-west, the direction in land of Cutia lay from Isa- s' navig-ation, in the course t a group of seven or eij^ht ie called Islas de Aren.i, s'.-nt Mucaras islands, and lani.i bank and channel, he ^ of the 28th of October, in part which he first discov- e the coast to the west of this noble island, he was dc, and tlie j^randeur of its airy mountains, which re- Sicily ; ii;; fci tile v.Uleys, tins watered by noble riv- its bold promontories |ds, which melted away in- Ile anchored in a beau- rent clearness, 11 uC from inks overhunjr with trees. tiir possession of the island, juana, in honor of Prince le name of San Salvador. ■ ships, two canoes i)Ut off (I on seein^f the boat ap- ; iver for anchorage. The .' |ins ab.mdiMied by liieir in- : ir.ed I'u; .-i few .; S made \ iref , hooks and harjjoons ; r fishing implements, and |rs he had met with on lb.'. never bark. I'e ordered ikeii away or deranged, t, he proceeded for some )re and m-^re enchanted ou.itry. The banks were 1 wide-spreading trees ; •rs flowers, while in some re mingled, bespeaking a iliiy ; among then were t from those of Sjiain and aves of these the natives fs made fiy Columbus on Iry were warranted by the Navarrete, torn. i. kind of scenery he was beholding. There is a wonderful s|)len(lor, vuriety, and luxuriance in tlv k-egetalion of those quick and ardent climates. The verdure of the groves and the colors of the iowers and blossoms derive a vividness from the transparent luirityof the air and the deep serenity &t the a/ure heavens. The for^'^'s, loo, are full of llife, swarming with birds ot irilliaiit i)lumage I'ainted varieties of parrots and woodpeckers cre- ate a glitter amid the verdure of the grove, and humming-birds rove from flower to flower, re- !sembling, as has well been saiil, animated parti- cles ot a rainbow. The scarlet flamingoes, too, seen sometimes through an opening of a forest in a distant savanna, have the appearance of sol- diers drawn u|) in battalion, with an advanced scout on the alert, to give notice of a|)proaching danger. Nor is the least beautiful part of ani- mated nature the various tribes of insects peopling every plant, and disiilaying brilliant coats of mail, which sparkle like precious gems.* Such is the splendor of animal and vegetable creation in these tropical climates, where an anient sun imparts its own lustre to every' object, and quickens nature into exuberant fecundity. The birds, in general, are not remarkable for their notes, for it has been observed that in the feather- ed race sweetness of song rarely accompanies hrilliancv of plumage. Columbus remarks, how- ever, th.it there were various kinds which sang sweetly among the trees, and he frequently de- ceived himself in fancying that he heard the voice ot the nightingale, a bird unknown in these coun- tries, fie was, in fact, in a mood to see every- thing through a favoring medium. His heart \v,is full to overllowing, tor he was enjoying the fuUilnv-:it of his hopes, and the hard-earned but glorious rcw.ird of his toils and perils. Every- tliing round him was beheld with the enamored and exulting eye of a discoverer, where triumph mingles with admiration ; and it is difficult to conceive the rapturous state of his feelings, while thus exploring the charms of a virgin world, won by his enterprise and valor. From his continual remarks on the beauty of scenery, and from his evident delight in rural sounds and olijects, he appears to have been ex- tremely open to those happy inlluences, exercised over some s])irits, by the graces and wonders of nature. He gives utterance to these feelings with characteristic eiuhusi.asm, and at the same time with the artlessness and simplicity of ci'ction of a cliild. When speaking of some lovely scene Tniong the groves, or along the llowery shores of these hivored islands, he says, " one could live there for ever." Cuba broke upon him like an elysium. " It is the most beautiful island," he s;'\s, " that eyes ever beheld, full of excellent jiorls and profound rivers." The climate was more lenii)erate here than in the other islands, the nijrhts being neither hot nor cold, while the birds and crickets sang all night long. Indeed there is a heauty in a tropical night, in the depth of the dark blue sky, the lambent purity of the stars, and the resplendent clearness of the moon, that spreads over the rich landscape and the balmy groves a charm more captivating than the splendor of the day. In the sweet smell of the woods and the odor of the flowers Columbus fancied he perceived the fragrance of oriental spices ; and along the * The ladies of Havana, on gala occasions, wear I in their hair numbers of those insects, which have a I brilliancy equal to rubies, sappliires, or diamonds. shores he found shells of the kind of oyster which produces pearls. P'rom the grass growing to the very edge of the water, he inferreil tbi; jjeaceful- ness of the ocean which bathes these isl.inds, never lashing the shores with angry surges. Ever since his arrival among these Antilles he had ex|ierieiicecl nothing but soft and gentle weather, and he concluded that a i)er|)etual serenity reign- ed over these liaj.py seas. He was little suspi- cious of the occasional bursts of fury to which they are liable. Charlevoix, s])eaking from actual ob- servation, remarks, " The sea of those islands is commonly more tranquil than ours ; but, like cer- tain people who are excited with dilliculty, anil whose trans[)orts of passion are as \iolent as they are rare, so when the sea becomes irritated, it is terrible. It breaks all bounds, overflows the coun- try, sweeps away all things that oppose it, antl leaves frightful ravages behind, to mark the ex- tent of its inundations. It is after these tempests, known by the name of hurricanes, that the shores are covered with marine shells, which greatly sur- pass in lustre and beauty those of the European seas."* It is a singular fact, however, that the hurricanes, which almost annually dev.istate the IJahainas, and other islands in the im.nediate vi- cinity of Cuba, have been seldom known to extend their influence to this favored land. It would seem as if the very elements were charmed into gentle- ness as they approached it. In a kind of riot of the imagination, Columbus finds at every step something to corroborate the information he had received, or fancied he had received, from the natives. He had conclusive proofs, as he thought, that Cuba possessed mines of gold, and groves of sjjices, and th.it its shores abounded with pearls. He no longer doubted that it was the island of Cipango, and weighing anchor, coasted along westward, in which (iirec- tion, according to the signs of his interpreters, the magnificent city of its king was situated. In the course of his voyage he landed occasionally, and visited several villages ; particularly one on the banks of a large river, to which he gave the name of Rio de los .Mares. f The houses were neatly built of branches of palm-trees in the shape of pa- vilions ; not laid out in regular streets, but scat- tered here and there, among the groves, and un- der the shade of broad spreading trees, like tents in a camp ; as is still the case in many of the .Spanish settlements, and in the villages in the interior of Cuba. The inhabitants lied to the mountains, or hid themselves in the woods. Co- lumbus carefully noted the architecture and fur- niture of their dwellings. The houses were bet- ter built than those he had hitherto seen, and were kept extremely clean. He found in them rude statues, and wooden masks, carved with considerable ingenuity. All these were indica- tions of more art and civilization than he had ob- served in the smaller islanrls, and he supposed they would go on increasing as he approached terra firma. Finding in all the cabins imple- ments for fishing, he concluded that these coasts were inhabited merely by fishermen, who carried their fish to the cities in the interior. He thought also he had found the skulls of cows, which proved that there were cattle in the island ; thougti these are supposed to have been skulls of the manati or sea-calf found on this coast. After standing to the north-west for some dis' * Charlevoix, Hist. St. Domingo, lib. i. p. 20. Paris, 1730. f Now called Savannah la Mer. 48 LIFE AND VOYAGES OF COLUMBUS. ■! •■! lanrp, Coliimhiis camp in sijfht of .1 ^jri-at lu-ad- lancl, to which, trom the ^^rovfs with which it was rovrri-(l, he ^jave the name ot tlu* Cape ol I'aiins, and which lorms tht- eastern entrance to what is now known as l.ajjuna de Moron. Mere three In- dians, natives ot the Island of (luanahani, who were on board ot the I'int.i, informed tlie roni- niaiider, Martin Aloii/o I'inzon, tliat i)eliind the cape there was a ri\ir, whence it was imt four days' journey to Cuhanacan, a phice aixiundinj,' in },'ohl. liy tliis they desij^nated a province situ- ated in the centre ot Cul)a ; iincitii, in tiieir lan- tjuaj^e, sijrnityiii^r tlie midst. I'in/on, however, had siudicd intently the mapof Toscmelli, and had iml)il)ed trom Columbus all iiis ideas respectinj^ the coast of Asia, lie c(mclu{ht it inld liars with liainniers. In speaking; (it this place tluya^;aiii useil the Wdrds llalie(|U(! and Itd- liid, whicii lie, as usual, suppdsed t(i lie the jirdper names ot islands or cduntries. Tlie true mean- ing dt these words has lieen \aridUsly e\|ilained. It IS said that they were applied liy the Indians to the coast dl terra lirma, called also hy them L'ari- talia.* It is .ilso said that llohio means a hduse, and was ditin used liy the Indians to signify tlu; iiopuldusness ol an isand. Hence it was lre(pient- ly applied lo llispiniola, as well as the more ),'en- cral name ot ll.iyli, which means hi^h land, and occasidually (^iiis(piey.i (/.(•. the whole), on ac- count ot its extent. The misapprehension of these, and other words, was a source ol |ier|ietual error to Cohimlius. Sometimes he supposed lialie(|ue and lidhio to signity the sanitr islands ; sometimes to lie differ- ent places or islands ; and (.)uis(|ueya he sup- pdsed to mean (^uis.ii or Ouinsai {i.e. the celes- tial city) mentioned liy Marco I'olo. His jjreat oliject w.is to arrive at some opui.ent and civili/ed country ol the I'',ast, with which he mi},d)t estalilish commercial relations, and whence he nii^fht carry home a (piantity ot ori- ental merchandise as a rich tropin ot his discov- ery. The season was adiancinj; ; the cool nijjhts g.ive hints of .ipiiroaching winter ; he resolved, theretore, not to proceed farther to the north, nor to linger aliout uncivilized places, which, at pres- ent, he had not the means of colonizing, liut lo return to the east-south-east, in ([uest ot lJal)e(pie, which he trusted might prove some rich and civ- ilized isl.md on the coast of Asia. Uetore leaving the river, to which he had given the name of Kio de Mares, he took several of the natives to carry with him to Spain, tor the jiur- pose of teaching them the language, that, in fu- ture voyages, they might serve as interpreters. He took them of both sexes, having learned from the Portuguese discoverers that the men were always more contented on the voyage, and service- able on their return, when accompanied by fe- males. With the religious feeling ot the day, he anticipated great triumphs to the faith and glory to the crown, from the conversion ot these savage nations, through the means of the natives thus instructed. He imagined th.it the Indians had no system of religion, but a (lis|)osition to receive its impressions ; as they regarded with great rev- erence and attention the religious ceremonies of the Spaniards, soon repeating by rote any jjrayer taught them, and making the sign of the cross with the most edifying devotion. They had an idea of a future state, but limited and confused. "They confess the soul to be immortal," says Peter Martyr, " and having put off the bodily clothing, they imagine it goes forth to the woods and the mountains, and that it liveth there per- petually in caves ; nor do they exemjit it from eating and drinking, hut that it should be fed there. Th" answering voices heard from caves and hollows, which the Latines call echoes, they suppose to be the souls ot the departed, wander- ing through those places." f From the natural tendeticy to devotion which Columbus thought he discovered among them. Irom their gentle natures, and their ignorance ot all w.irlike arts, he prdnounces it an easy matter td m.ike themdeVdUt members of the, church .iiid loyal subjects of the crown. He concludes hi< speculations upon the a(K'antages t(i be derived from the coloni/alion ot these p.irts by antici. pating a great trade for gold, which must abourul m the interior ; tor pearls and precious sldiies, ot which, though he had seen none, he had receivf(l lre(|Uent accounts ; tor gums and spices, of whi' h he thought he had found indubitable traces ; and for the cotton, which grew w ild in vast (piantities. Many ot these articles, he observes, would proli.i- Illy find a nearer market than Spain, in the ports and cities of the (Ireat Khan, at which he had nu doubt ol soon arriving,* * Mufloz, Hist. N. Mundo, cap. 3. + P. Martyr, decad, viii, cap. 9 ; M. Lock's trans- lation, 1612. CHAPTKR V. SI'.ARCM AFTKR TIIK Sf I'I'dSKll ISLAND OK HA- lIKgUK— UKSKKTION (IF TIIK I'lNlA. ['492.] On the 12th of November, Columbus turned his course to the east-south-east, to follow back the direction of the co.ist. This may be considered another critical change in his voyage, which had a great effect upon his subsetpient discoveries. He had jiroceeded far within what is called the old channel, between Cuba atid the llahamas. In two or three days more he would have discovered his mistake in supjiosing Cuba a part of terra firma ; an error in which he ( (intiiuud to the d.ny of his death. He might have had intimation also ot the vicinity of the continent, and have st()(i(l for the coast of I'"liirida, or have been carried thither by the gulf stream, or, continuing along Culi.i where it bends to the south-west, might have struck over to the ojjposite coast of Yucatan, and have realized his most s.anguine anticipations in becoming the discoverer of Mexico. It was sulTi- cient glory tor Columbus, however, to have dis- covered a new world. Its more golden regions were reserved to give splendor to succeeding en- terjirises. He now ran along the coast for two or three days without stojiping to explore it, as no popu- lous towns or cities were to be seen. Passing tiy a great cape, to which he gave the name of Cape Cuba, he struck eastward in search of Babeque, but on the i4lh a head wind and boisterous sea obliged him tojiut back and anchor in a deep and secure harbor, to which he gave tht! name of Pu- erto del Principe. Here he erected a cross on a neighboring height, in token of jiossession. A few days were ])assed in exploring with his boats an archipelago of small but beautiful islands in the vicinity, since known as Kl jiirtlin del Rey, or the king's garden. The gulf, studded with these islands, he named the sea of NuestraSe- fiora ; in modern days it has been a lurking-place for])irates, who have found secure shelter and con- cealment among the channels and solitary harbors of this archipelago. These islands were covered with noble trees, among which the Spaniards thought they discovered mastic and aloes. On the 19th Columbus again put to sea, and for | two days made ineffectual attempts, against head winds, to reach an island directly east, about * Primer Viage de Colon. Navarrete, torn. i. liii^ LIFE AND VOYAr.F.S f)F COMIMBUS. 51 icy to rlrvntion which (ivcri'd nmoiiK tlu-m, mil llii'ir i^'nof.mce ot icfs it Mil f.isy riKitttr ITS of thi; iluirch and r>. Hi' (oiuUkIl's hi» anta^jfi to In- (Icrivcd licsf |i,iils l)y iintid. il, whiih must aljoutul 11(1 ]iri'i iDii'i stoiii's, ot nolle, he had rccfivcil IS and sniifs, of whiih duhitalilc traces ; and vihl ill \ast (|uantitits, iliserves, wiiuiii jiroha- laii Spain, in tlie ports 11, at which lie had nu R V. )Si:|) ISLAND OK OK TlIK I'INTA. HA- ] r, Columbus turned his ast, to follow back the his may lie considered his voyajfc, which had iil)se(picnt discoveries. thin what is called the and the Uahamas. In would have discovered Cuba a part of terra e continued to the day ve had intimation also lineiit, and have stoix' or have been carried or, contiiiiiinjj aloni; iouth-west, mijjht have coast ot N'ucatan, and I jriiinc! anticipations in fi Mexico. It was suiti- ? owever, to have (lis- | more ^jolden regions ?; or to succeeding en :oast for two or three i^ plore it, as no pojiu- 11 1 )e seen. Passing My ive the name of Cape i- 11 search of Habeque, d and boisterous sea anchor in a deep and gave the name of I'u- ^ erected a cross on a £ en of |)ossession. A {; ploring with his boats | beautiful islands in I is AY jardin del Rf\\ gulf, studded with e sea of Nuestra Se- been a lurking-jilace ecure shelter and con- and solitary harbors islands were covered ,vhich the Spaniards tic and aloes, in put to sea, and for tempts, against head directly east, about Navarrele, torn. i. \ty miles distant, which he supposed to be Ha- ei|ue. The wind continuing obstinately adverse the sea rough, he put Ins ship alyiut toward iiig of the juth. 111. iking signals lor the other leMils to lollow him. Ills Mgn.ds wiTe uiialtend- I Id hy liie I'iiita, whiih was coiisider.ibly to the .islw.ird. Columbus reiiiMted (he signals, but liry were sldl un.itteiided to. Night toiiiing on, e -.hortelied s.iil and hoisled signal lights to the i.islhead, thinking I'in/on would yet join him. ,\lii( h he could easily do, having the wind astern ; )iit when the morning dawned the Tinta was no onuer to be seen.* I (lUimbus was dis(|uieted by this circunist.ince. 'm/oii was a veteran navigator, .".ccustoiiied to idd a high rank among his nautical associates. he squadron had in .i gre.it measure been i.iiiiii- I and lilted out through his intlueiiie and xcrtiiins ; he could ill brook subordination there- ore to Columbus, whom he nerhaps did not coii- jiler his superior in skill and Knowle lormed from single trunks of trees. One tli.it he saw was cipable of cont. lining one hundred .mil titty persons. Among other articles lound in the liKli.m dwellings w.is a cake of wax, which he took to |)resenl to the C.istilian sovereigns, " tor where there is wax," said he, " there must be .1 thousand other good things. "t It is since sup- posed to have been brought from Yucatan, as the inhabitants ot Cuba were not accustomed to gather wax.| On the 5tli of December he reached the eastern end ot Cuba, which he supposed to be the eastern extremity of Asia ; he gave it, therefore, the name of Alpha and Omega, the beginning .iiul the end. He was now greatly perplexed wh.it course to take. It he kept along the co.ist .is it bent to the south-west, it might bring him to the more civili/ed and opulent jiarts of liidi.i ; but it he took this course, he must abandon all hone of tiiidiiig the island ot Habeipie, which the Indi.ms now said lay to the north-east, and ot which they still continued to give the most marvellous ,ic- couiits. It was a state ot embarrassiiienl char- acteristic ot this extraordinary voyage, to h.ive .1 new and unknown world thus spread out to the choice of the explorer, where wonders and beauties invited him on every side ; but where, whichever way he turned, he might leave the true region of profit and delight behind. CHAPTER \T. DISCOVERY OK HISPANIOLA. ['492-] le ,. ,,^,,w.v.i..j^ it, exclaimed /lo/iio, the name by which Columbus understood them to designate some country which abounded in gold. When they saw him standing in th;t ....- ^j f, lat direction, they showed great signs of terror, imjiloring him not to visit it, assuring him, by signs, that the in- habitants were tierce and cruel, that they had but one eye, and were cannibals. The wind being unfavor.ible, and the nights long, during which they did not dare to make s.iil in these unknown seas, they were a great part of two days working up to the island. In the transparent atmosphere of the tropics, * Hist, del Alinirante, cap. 2g. \ Journal of Columbus. Navarrete, torn, i, X Herrera, Hist. Ind., decad. L ' r i 59 LIFE AND VOYAGES OF COLUMBUS. ohjccts nre descried at .1 great distance, and the j)urily of the air and serenity of tlie deep blue slcy give a magical effect to the scenery. Under these advantages, tlie beautiful island ot Hayti revealed itself to the eye as they approached. Its moun- tains were higher and more rocky than those of the other islands ; but the rocks rose from among rich forests. The mountains swept down into luxuriant plains and green savannas ; while the aiijjcarance of cultivated t";elds, of numerous fires at night, and columns of smoke by day, showed it to be populous. It rose before them in all the sp' 'n(l(,r of tropical vegetation, one of the most beautiful islands in the world, and doomed to be one of the most unfortunate. In the evening of the 6th of December, Colum- bus er'fred a harbor at the western end of the island, to which he gave the name of St. Nicho- las, by which it is called at the present day. The harbor was spacious and deej), surrounded with large trees, many of them loaded with fruit ; while a beautiful plain extcTuled in front of the ])ort, traversed by a fine stream of water. From the number of canoes .seen in various |)arts, there were evidently large villages in the neighborhood, but the natives haci fled with terror at sight of the ships. Leaving the harbor of Si, Nicholas on the 7th, they coasted along the northern side of the island. It was lofty and mountainous, but with green savannas and long sweeping plains. At one place they caught a view up a rich and smil- ing valley that ran var into the interior, between two mountains, and appeared to be in a high state of cultivation. l'"or several d.iys they w, 're detained in a harbor which they called Port Conception ; * a small river emptii'd into it, after winding through a de- lightful country. The coast abounded with fish, some ot which even leaped into their boats. They cast their nets, therefore, and caught great (|'ian- tilies, and among thein several kinds similar to those of Spain — the first fish they had met with resembling those of their own country. The notes of the biru which they mistooi< for llu- nightingale, and of several others to v.liich they were accus- tomed, reminded them strongly of the groves of their distant Andalusia, 'fhey fancied the features of the surrounding country resembled those of the more beauiilul ])rovinces ot ,S])ain, and, in conse- qui'iice, the admiral n.imed the islanrl llispaniola. Desirous ot establishing some intercourse with the natives, who had abandoned the coast on his arrival, he disp.itched six men, well armed, into liie interior. 'I'hey found several culti\at>,\i lii^lds, and traces of roads, and |)laces whf. e fires had l)een made, but the inhabitants ha'.i tied with ter- ror to the mountains. Though the whole country was solitary and deserted, Columbus console.) himself with the ide.i that there must be jopulous towns in the interior, where the jieople tiad t'.ken refuge, and that the fires he had i)eheld had been signal tires, like those lighted up on t'le mountains of Sp.iin, in the times ot Moorish .var, to gi\e the alarm when there was any invasion ot the seaboard. * Now known by the name of the Bay of Moustique. NoiK. — Tlie author h. ; rcceivi.d very obliginK -uul intcrcstinR letfrs, dated in iS»t7, from i.Z. Heneken, Fs<|., many yeai.'' a resident of S;. Domingo, Riiini- names, localities, and otiier particulars connected vith the ttansat lions of Columbus in that island. Tliese will be thankfully made use of and duly cited in the course of the work. On the 1 2th of December Columbus with griat solemnity erected a cross on a commanding en,; nence, at Uie entrance of the harbor, in sign ,:: having taken possession. As three sailors wi; rambling about the vicinity they beheld a l.ir.; number ot the ntitives, who i"imediately in rtight ; out the sailors pursued theni, and ir tured a young female, whom they brought to t: ships. She was jierfectly naked, a hail omen , . to the civilization of the island, but an ornaiiK: of gold in the ncj^e ; ';.'■.•, e hope of the |)re( iir metal. The admiral soon sootherl her ternji- i his kindness, .and by presents of beads, hr,:-. rings, hawks' bells, and other trinkets, and, li,r ing had her clothed, sent her on shore aciMn panied by several ot the crew and three of the I; dian interpreters. .So well pleased was she w,' her finery, :'.'.id with the kind treatment shell;: experienced, that she would gladly have remain. : with the Indian women whom she loiMuf on hoar; The party sent with her returned on boanl late; the night, wiiliout venturing to her village, whi' was far inland. Confident ol the favorable i;v pressioii which the report given by the woni,, must produce, the admiral on the following (i dispatched nine stout-hearted, well-armeil im to seek the village, .accompanied by a nati\r Cuba as an inter])reter. They found it aliir four and a half leagues to the south-e.ist, in a tin; valley, on the banks of a beautiful river.* 1:1 contained one thousand houses, but the inhabi-l tants fled as they appro.iched. The interprettrj overtook the'", and assured them of the goodnessl of these strangers, who had descended from the! skies, and went about the world making prcciDuJ and beautiful |)reseiits. Thus assured, the n.ilivfij ventured iiack to the number of two thousanii.j They approached the Spaniards with slow ;ini!j trembling steps, olten jiausing and putting tht:ri hands upon their heads, in token ot protoiin:! re\'erence and submission. They u\.i"e a wd formed race fairer and h.unlsomer than the ivi-l lives of the other islands. t While the S|)aniar(!5 were conversing with them by means of their ir. I terpreter, another multitude aopro.iched, lieadc!; by the husband ot the female captive. Ths brought her in triumph on their shoulders, ;i;; the husband was proluse in his gratitude tor tl kindness with which she had been trealeil, ai;; the magnilicenl presents which had been bestowi. u|)on her. The Indians now conducted the Sp.mi.irds : their houses, and set helore them cassava l)i\ 1 fish, ro{3ts, and fruits of v.crious kinds. Tli brought aiso gre.at numbers of (lomestii:ated pi ■ rots, :ind indeed offered freely whate\'er they p - sessed. Tiie great river tlowing through this \ . ley was bordered with noble forests, among wlih were palms, bananas, and many trees comt with fruit anri llov ers. The air was mild ,i^ April ; the birds sang all day long, and s"'; were even hea-tl in the idght. The .Spania; had not learnec' as yet to account tor the liiil enoe of seasons i 1 this opposite part of the l;!'!' they were astoi'.ished to hear the voice of this t: posed nighting. le singing in the midst of I) 1 her, and considered it a proof tl.at there w ^^ wint'-r in tin', happy climate. They retuii.f I the shiiis e'lraptiired with the beautv vi the . ■> * This village was formerly known by the n cm • Gros Morne, situated on the l)anks of the i;.(r " Trois Rivieres," which empties itself half a 11: west of Port de Paix. Navarrete, torn. i. f Las Casas, lib. i. cap. 53, Ms, 'Columbus with great! 1 a commandin}; cm;. ihf harbor, in t.igii « As three sailors wcr- y they beheld a lar^'il ,h() i'^nnietliately tii(i:;j •sued tiieni, ami t:i]. n liiey In'ought to th- iiaki.d, a bad omen :ii ar.d, but an oniamen;! hope of the i)recioMjj soothed her terror by :sents of beads, hrasil her trinkets, and, hav- her on shore accoin-l ew and three of the in.{ ])leased was she with :ind treatment she liadl il (gladly have remaindl om she i'oiMul on hoard! turned on board laleinl i<^ to her viliajjc, whichl It ol the favorai)le im-f t given by the woniasi 1 on the lol'.owintj (!ny rted, well-armed nien.i npanied by a native o: Tliey found it aho'" the south-east, in a tim| a beautiful river.* 1; lou.ses, but the inhabj. iched. The iiUerpreir (1 them of the f^dodiicsij ad deseended from ihej world makinj^ precioiiij rinis assured, the nativi-i nibi-r of two thousand] anianls with slow an! using and ])ultiiiLr th: in token t)l prc-l'iui; n. They w..re a wiv handsomer than the n.A t While the Spaiiian!' m by means of tliein:' de approached, heailc. female captive. Thri 11 their shoultlers, x. in his gratitude lor \'.\] had been treated, an:i hich had been bestuwt.; lucted the S|)aniar(ls ; ]re ttuni cassava hrtM. v:.rious kinds. Th- Irs ol clomestieated pr, leely whate\-er they p - lowing through this \ - le forests, among \vh,r |1 many trees cmrr; he air was miid a^ Il day long, and ^"" Inight. The Spani.cr.: accriunt for the liiil |osite part of the gh'h ar the voice ol this -i: in the midst of 1) c,' oof tl'.at there wis ' lite, 'l^hey retun.nl ■ Ihe beautv of the mj ly known by the ii.i'H" banks of the i:'-, - ain |\vas I native [dwell |ers, o re the Ithat s .some most blessi wants of the antl s( the ut to hei was g thus all the them a was no cors 9 his ow St. An . felt con 'SO libel !> not he l-anvthin but rati amity a whet he I ■they w jtiirn. i\.me that ftheygiv women have nc possess I whateve all articl One o h.ioitant tyr, who sations says he, common and thin iwith the in so lar ' an sea oklen V intn jor deteiK another, [judges. bus man lanother ; Wes, yet such roc itemed w ipreservet Much |imagiiKit emporai eiiting 1 nhe'g nder thi f their c * Charl f Lette rrete, toi t P. Ml jEden, 155 LIFE AND VOYAGES OF COLUMBUS. try, surpass'.npr, as they said, even the luxuriant jplains of Cordova. All that they complained of Iwas that they saw no signs of riches among the Inalives. And here it is impossible to refrain from Idwelling on the picture given hy the first discover ers, of the state of manners in this eventful island Ibefore the arrival of the white men. According Jto their accounts, the people of Hayti existed in Ithat state of iirimitive and savage simplicity which Isome philosophers have fondly pictured as the linost enviable on earth ; surrounded by natural Iblessings, without even a knowledge of artificial Iwants. The fertile earth produced the chief part of their food almost without culture ; their rivers land sea-coast abounded with fish, and they caught Ithe utia, the guana, and a variety of birds. This, Ito beings of their frugal and temperate habits, Iwas great abundance, and what nature furnished [thus spontaneously they willingly shared with lall the world. Hospitality, we are told, was with ithem a law of nature universally observed ; there Iwas no need of being known to receive its suc- Icors ; every house was as open to the stranger as Ihis own.* Columbus, too, in a letter to Luis de ISt. Angel, ol)serves, " True it is that after they jielt contitlence, and lost their fear of us, they were ISO liberal with what they possessed, that it would Ijiot be believed by those who h.-id not seen it. If Kinything was asked of them, they never said no, Ibut rather gave it cheerfully, and showed as much lamity as if they gave their very hearts ; and Iwhether the thing were of value, or of little price, Ithey were content with whatever was given in re- |turii. ... In all these islands it appears to Ime that the men are all content with one wife, but Ithey give twenty to their chieftain or km:^. The Iwomen seem to work more than the men ; and I |have not been al)le to understand whether they Ipossess individual property ; but rather think that |\vhatever one has all the rest share, especially in |all articles of provisions." f One of the most pleasing descri|)tions of the in- |hai)itants of this island is given by old Feter Mar- Ityr, who gathered it, as he says, from the conver- |sations of the admiral himself. " It is certain," |says he, " that the land among these people is as |common as the sun and water ; and that ' mine land thine,' the seeds of all mischief, have no place Iwith them. They are content with so little, that lin so large a country they have rather superfluitv than scarceness ; so that they seem to live in the joklen world, without toil, living in open gardens ; Jnot intrenched with dykes, divided with hedges, lor defended with walls. They deal truly one with |aiiother, wiiliout laws, without books, and without judges. They take him for an evil and mischiev- Dus man, who taketh pleasure in doing hurt to mother ; and albeit they delight not in supertlui- Jties, yet they make jirovision for the increas,()l ■such roots whereof they make their bread, coii- Iteiued with such simple diet, whereby health is preserved and disease avoided." J Much of this |iictiire may be overcolored by the limaijjiiialion, hut it is generally confirmed by con- Jtcmporary historians. They all concur in repre- keiiting the life of these islanders as approaching ^0 the golden state of jioetical felicity ; living Juder tile absolute but ])atriarchal and easy rule of their caci((ues, tree from pride, with few wants, * Charlevoix. Hist. St. Domingo, lib. i. f Letter of Columbus to Luis de St, Angel. Nav- arrete, torn. i. p. 167. t P. Martyr, decad. i. lib. iii. Transl. of Richard •Ellen, ic:;s. an abundant country, a happily-tempered climate, and a natural disposition to careless and indolent enjoyment. CHAPTER VH, COASTING OF HISPANIOI.A. [1492.] When the weather became favorable, Colum- bus made another attempt, on the 14th of Decem- ber, to find the island of IJabecjue, hut was again baffled by adverse winds. In the course of this attempt he visited an island lying opposite to the harbor of Conception, to which, from its abound- ing in turtle, he gave the name of Tortugas.* The natives had fled to the rocks and forests, and alarm fires blazed along the heights. The coun- try was so beautiful that he gave to one of the val- leys the name of Valle de Paraiso, or the Vale of Paradise, and called a fine stream the ("ruadalquiv- er, after that renowned riverwhich Hows through some of the fairest provinces of .Spain. t Setting sail on the 16th of December at mid- night, Columbus steered again for Hispaniola. When half way across the gulf which separates the islands, he jierceived a canoe navigated by a single Indian, and, as on a former occasion, was astonished at his hardihood in venturing so far from land in so frail a bark, and at his adroitness in kee])ing it above water, as the wind was fresh, and there was some sea running. He ordered both him and his canoe to be taken on board ; and having anchored near a village on the coast of His])aniola, at present known at Puerto de Paz, he sent h.im on shore well regaled and enriched with various jjresents. In the early intercourse with these ]ieople, kind- ness never seems to have failed in its effect. The favorable accounts given by this Indian, and f)y those with whom the Spaniards had communi- cated in their ]irevious landings, dispelled the fears of the islanders. A friendly intercourse soon took place, and the ships were \isited by a cacique of the rieighborhood. From this chieftain and his counsellors, Columbus had further infor- mation of the island of liahe(|ue, which was described as lying at no great distance. No men- tion is afterward made of this island, nor does it appear that he made any further attempt to seek it. No such island exists in the ancient charts, and it is jirobable that this was one of the numer- ous misinterpretations of Indian words, w hich led the first discoverers into so many fruitless re- searches. The people of Hisjianiola appeared handsomer to Columluis than any he harl yet met witli, and of a gentle and peaceable disposition. .Some of them had ornaments of gold, which they readily gave away or e.xchanged for any triple. The country was finely diversified with lofty mountains and green valle\s, which stretched away inland as far as the eye could reach. The nnouiUains were of such easy as<'ent that the highest of them might be ploughed with oxen, and the luxuriant growth of the forests manifested the fertility of the soil. The valleys were watered by numerous clear and beautitul stre.ims ; they ap- peared to be cultivated in many places, .and to be fitted for grain, for orchards, ami ])astura;;e. * This island in after times became the headquar- ters of the famous Ruccaneers. f Journal of Columbus, Navarrete, Colcc, torn. i. P- 91- . . 5G LIFE AND VOYAGES OF COLUMBUS. m- While detained at this harbor by contrary winds, Coluiiil)u.s was visited i)y a young caci(|iie, who came borne by four men on a sort of litter, and attended by two iumdred of his subjects. The admiral bein;.; at dinner when he arrived, the younjf chiettain ordered his followers to remain without, and entering the cabin, took his seat beside Columbus, not |)ermitting him to rise or use any ceremony. Oidy two old men entered with him, who appeared to be his counsellors, and who seated themselves at his feet. Jf "nything were given him to eat or drink, he merely tasted it, and sent it to his followers, maintaining an air of great gravity and dignity. He spoke but little, his two counsellors watching his lips, and catch- ing and communicating his ideas. After dinner he presented tlie admiral with a belt curiously wrought, and two pieces of gold. Columbus gave him a piece of cloth, several amber beads, colored shoes, and a llask of orange-flower water ; he showed him a S|)anish coin, on which were the likenesses of the king and queen, and endeavored to explain to hhn the power and grandeur of those sovereigns ; he displayed also the royal banners and the standard of the cross ; but it was all in vain to attem[)t to convey any clear idea by these .symbols ; the caci(|ue could not be made to be- lieve that there was a region on the earth which produced tlii'se wonderful people and wonderful things ; he joined in the common idea that the Spaniards were more than mortal, and that the country and so\ereigns they talked of must exist somewhere in t!ie skies. In the evening the cacique was sent on shore in the boat with great ceremony, and a salute tired in honor t)f him. He departed in the state in which he liad come, carried on a litter, accom- panied by a great concourse of his subjects ; not far behind him was his son, borne and escorted in like manner, and his brother on foot, supported by two attendants. The presents which he had received from the admiral were carried triumph- antly before him. They procured but little gold in this place, though whatever ornaments the natives possessed they readily gave away. The region of i)romise lay still further on, and one of the old counsellors of the cacique told Columbus that he would soon arrive at islands rich in the precious ore. Before leaving this place, the admiral caused a large cross to be erected in the centre of the village, and from the readiness with which the Indians assisted, and their implicit imitation of the Span- iards in their acts of devotion, he inferred that it would be an easy matter to convert them all to Christianity. On the igth of December they made sail before daylight, but with an unfavorable wind, and on the evening of the 20th they anchored in a fine harbor, to which Columbus gave the name of St. Thomas, supposed to be what at present is c;il!cu the Hay of Aciil. It was surrounded by a beauti- ful and well-jjeopled country. The inhabitants came off, some in canoes, some swimming, bring- ing fruits of various unknown kinds, of great fra- grance and flavor. These they gave freely with whatever else they possessed, especially their golden ornaments, which they saw were particu- larly coveted by the strangers. There was a re- markable frankness and generosity about these |)e()ple ; they had no idea of tratlic, but gave away everything with spontaneous liberality. Colum- bus would not permit his people, however, to take advantage of this free disposition, but ordered that something should always be give.i in e.\- ciiango. Several of the neighboring caciques vis ited the ships, bringing presents, and inviting th Spaniards to their villages, where, on going i land, they were most hospitably enti'rtained. On the 22(1 of December .'i large canoe tille. with natives came on a mission from a grar, cacique named (iuacanagari, who commanded ;i; that part of the island. A jirincipal servant i; the chieltaiii came in the canoe, bringing the ad- miral a present of a broad belt, wrought ingcn:- ously with colored beads and bones, andawoodt: mask, the eyes, nose, and tongue of which wcr: of gold. He delivered also a message from the cacique, begging that the ships might come onpi site to his residence, which was on a part of th- coast a little farther to the eastward. The win preventing an immediate compliance with thi; in- vitation, the admiral sent the notary of the S(iuad- ron, with several of the crew, to visit the caci(|Ue He resided in a town situated on ;i river, at wh.r they called I'unta Santa, at present (irande K: viere. It was the largest and best built tow; they h.ad yet seen. The cacicjue received them i: a kind of public square, which had been swir and prejjared for the occasion, and treated tlier with great honor, giving to each a dress of cotton The iidiabitants crowded round them, bringin, provisions and refreshments of various kinds The seamen were received into their houses a! distinguished guests ; they g.ive them garmLP.',! of cotton, and whatever else ;ip|)e;'.red to hni- value in their eyes, asking nothing in return, ti: it anything were given appearing to treasure it i:: as a sacred relic. The cacique would have detained them ,->. night, but their orders obliged them to return On parting with them he gave them jiresents ' parrots and pieces of gold for the admiral, an: they were attended to their boats by a crowd r the natives, carrying the presents for them, ar. vying with each other in renflering them service During their absence the admiral had htt visited by a great number of canoes and sever:: inferior cacicjues : all assured hini that the islan. abounded with wealth ; they talked, especiallv of Cibao, a region in the interior, farther to th- east, the cacique of which, as f:ir as they con: be understood, had banners of wrought gold. Co lumbus, deceiving himself as usual, fancied thi: this name Cibao must be a corruption of Cip.inf;f and that this chieftain with golden banners mu; be identical with the magnificent prince of tha: , island, mentioned by Marco Polo.* CHAPTER VIII. SHirWUI'.CK. [1492.] On the morning of the 24th of December Co lumbus set sail from Port St. Thomas before siir rise, and steered to the eastward, with an inter tion of anchoring at the harbor of the caciqi;: (Iuacanagari. The wind was from the land, be so light as scarcely to till the sails, and the ship made but little progress. At eleven o'clock :. night, being Christmas eve, they were within . league or a league and a h.ilt of the residence r the cacique ; and Columbus, who had hithcri: ' Journal of Columb. Navarretc, Colec. , torn. 1 H t. del Almirante, cap. 32. Herrera, decad. i. lib. cap. 15, lO. I ' I LIFE AND VOYAGES OF COLUMBUS. 57 iphhorinfj caciques vis 'sciUs, .ukI invitiiiff ih s, wiiLTi', on ^foinjj i tai)ly fntcrtaiiicd. r a larf^c canoe fillf, mission from a fjrar. ri, who commandfd ;i. \ principal servant r anoc, l)rin|^injr tli(. ;„;. 1 belt, wroujrht inf^'cn;. 1(1 bones, and a wooder ton^rue of which wur so a message from the .liips mi^ht come o])|k 1 was on a part of thi ; eastward. The nii; omjjliance with thi: in- he notary of the S(|ua(I- w, to visit the caci(|Ue ted on a river, at whs: at present (irantie Hi- and i)est iiuilt towr ici([ue received them ir ,vhich iiad been swtr sion, and treated tlu-r ) eacii a dress of cotton round them, brin(,nn, nts of various kinds ■d into their iiouses a? y pave them frarmcR!! jise appeared to ha\^ ■ noliiinsr in return, hi: learing to treasure it u; ve detained them a; i)lifjed them to returr f^ave tiiem presents "■ d for tiie admiral, an: ■ir boats by a crowd r presents for them, ar. endering them service the admiral had hti • of canoes and sevcra red him that the islar,. hey talked, especiall;. nierior, farther to th- , as far as they con: f wrought gold. O: as usual, fancied tha: orruption of Cipaiipo golden banners mu-' iiiticent prince of tha:, o Polo.* vni. KCK. :4th of December Co t. Thomas before siir itward, with an inter harbor of the caciqi- as from the land, be he sails, and the shifi; At eleven o'clock a' e, they were within . lalt of the residence I us, who had hilheri: ivarretc, Colec, torn. ' Herrera, decaii. i. lib- kept watch, finding the sea calm and smooth, and the shij) almost motionless, retired to rest, not ■Ihaving slept the preceding night. He was, in :fgeneral, extremely wakeful on his coasting voy- ■ages, passing whole nights upon deck in all weathers ; never trusting to the watchtulness of others, where there was any dit'liculty or danger to he provided against. In the present instance ihe felt perfectly secure ; not merely on account ■ of the profound calm, but because the boats on > the preceding day, in their visit to the cacique, ■ihad reconnoitred the coast, and had reported that J tin re were neither rocks nor shoals in their course. \ No sooner had he retired than the steersman >gave the helm in charge to one of the shi|)-boys, ■and went to sleej). This was in direct violation of an invariable order of the admiral, that the helm should never be intrusted to the boys. The rest of the mariners who had the watch took like ; advantage of the absence of Columbus, and in a 'little wliile the whole crew was buried in sleep. In tthe mean time the treacherous currents which run i swiftly along this coast carried the vessel quietly, I hiu with force, upon a sand-bank. The heedless ,,| hoy had not noticed the breakers, although they 4 made a roaring that might have been heard a ile.igue. Xo sooner, however, did he feel the rud- ,3(ler strike, and hear the tumult of the rushing sea, |tlian he began to cry for aid. Columbus, whose .1 careful thoughts never permitted him to sleep pro- ifountlly, was the first on deck. The masterof the ishi|), whose duty it was to have been on watch, f next made his apjjearance, followed by others of a the crew, half awake. The admiral ordered them Ito take the boat and carry out an anchor astern, to warp the vessel off. The master and the sailors spr.ing into the boat ; but, confused, as men are apt to be when sutldenly awakened by an alarm, instead of obeying the commands of Columbus, they rowed off to the other caravel, about half a i league to windward. I In the mean time the master had reached the a caravel, and made known the perilous state in 1 which he had left the vessel. He was re|)roached I with his pusillanimous desertion ; the commander I of the caravel manned his boat and hastened to I the relief of the admiral, followed by the recreant •; master, covered with shame and confusion. It was too late to save the shi|), the current hav- 1 ing set her more upon the bank. The admiral, I seeing that his boat had deserted him, that the ■| ship had swung across the stream, and that the ■"f water was continually gaining upon her, ordered tin: niast to be cut away, in the h(jpe of lightening her sufficiently to lloal her off. Kvery effort was ? ill vain. The keel was firmly bedded in the sand ; ? tile shock had opened several seams ; while the ■J swell of the breakers, striking her broadside, ic-lt I her each moment more and more aground, un- 4 til she fell over on one side. F'ortunately the ;: weather continued calm, otherwise the ship must have gine to jiieces, and the whole crew might i have jjerished amid the currents and breakers. I The admiral and her men took refuge on board I the caravel. Diego de Arana, chief judge of the I armament, and Pedro Gutierrez, the king's butler, i Were ininieilialely sent on shore as envoys to the .1 cacique (luacanagari, to inform him of the intend- I cd visit of the admiral, and of his disastrous ship- } wreck. In the mean time, as a light wind had sprung u^) from shore, and the admiral was igno- r.uit of hiK situation, and of the rocks and banks that might be lurking around him, he lay to until daylight. The habitation of the cacique was about a league and a half from the wreck. When he hearti of the misfortune of his guest, he mani- fested the utmost affliction, and even shed tears. He immediately sent all his people, with all the canoes, l.irge and small, that could be mustered ; and so active were they in their assistance, that in a little while the vessel was unloaded. The caci(|ue himself, and his brothers and relatives, rendered all the aid in their power, both on sea and land, keeping vigilant guard that everything should be conducted with order, and the property secured from injury or theft. From time to time he sent S(mie one of his family, or some principal person of his attendants to console and cheer the admiral, assuring him that everything he possessed should be at his disposal. Never, in a civilized country, were the vaunted rites of hospitality more scrupulously (observed than by this uncultivated savage. All the effects landed from the ships were de|K)siled near his dwelling, and an armed guard surrounded tliein all night, until houses could be prepared in which to store them. There seemed, nowever, even am 'ig the common people, no disposition to lake advantage of the misfortune of the stranger. Al- though they belielcl what must in their eyes have been inestimable treasures, cast, as it were, upon their shores, and ojien to dejiredation, yet there was not the least attemj)! to pilfer, nor, in trans- ])orting the effects from the ships, had they appro- priated the most trilling article. On the contrary, a general sympathy was visible .n their counte- nances and actions ; and to have -vitnessed their concern, one would have sup|)os .'d the misfortiuie to have hapjiened to themselves.* " So loving, so tractable, so peaceable are these |)eople," says Columbus in his journal, " that I swear to your majesties, there is not in the worUh a better n.ition, nor a better land. They love their neighbors as themselves ; and their dis- course is ever sweet and gentle, and accom|)anie(l with a smile ; and though it is true that they are naked, yet their manners are decorous and praise- worthy." CHAPTER IX. TRANSACTIONS WITH THE NATIVES. [1492.] On the 26th of December Guacanagari came on board of the caravel NiRa to visit the admiral, and observing him to be very much dejected was moved to tears. He repeated the message which he had sent, entreating Columbus not to be cast down by his misfortune, and offering everything he possessed, that might render him aid or con- solation. He had already gi\en three houses to shelter the Spaniarils, and to receive the effects landed from the wreck, and he offered to furnish more if necessary. While they were conversing, a canoe arrived from another jiart of the island, bringing pieces of gold to be exchanged lor hawks' bells. There was nothing ujion which the natives set so much value as iqion these toys. The Indians were ex- travag.ntly fond of the dance, which they per- formed to the cadence of certain songs, accom- panied by the sound of a kind of drum, made from the trunk of a tree, and the rattling of hollow bits * Hist, del Almirante, cap. 32. Las Casas, lib, L cap. 9. 58 LIFE AND VOYAGES OF COLUMBUS. i H': S '1 of wnofl ; hut when they hiinj^ tlic hawks' 1)L'11s ahout their persons, iinil heard the cU-ar musical souncl respondinjr to the moxenietits of the (Uince, iiolliin^^ could exceed their wild deli^jht. 'I'he sailors who came troni tiie shore informed • the admiral that considerable ([uantities ot i,'old had belli brought to barter, and iarj^e jiieces were easterly ^'ivcn lor the merest tritle. This intorma- tion had a cheering effect U|)on Columbus. 'I"he attentive caci(|Ue, perceiving the lighting up of liis countenance, asked what the sailors had com- municated. When he learned its purport, and found that 'he admiral was I'xtremelv desirous ot procLirvig gold, he assured him by signs, tliat there was a i)la( e not far off, among the moun- tains, where it aliounded to such a degree as to 1)e held in little v.ilue, and promised to procure him thence as much as he desired. The jilace to Avhich he alluded, and which he called Cibao, was it\ fact a mountainous region afterward found to contain valuable mines ; but Columbus still con- founded tlie name with that of Cipango.*' C.uacanagari dined on board of the caravel with the admiral, after which he invited him to \isit liis residence. Mere he had prepared a collation, as choice and abundant as his simple mt^ins afforded, consisting ol utias, or ciinevs, fish, roots, and various Iruits. ! le did evervthing in his ])ower to hoiu)r his guest, and cheer him under his mis- fortune, sliowing a warmth ot symp.ilhy yet deli- cacv ol attention, which could not have been ex- pected from his sav.ige st.ile. Indeed there was a degree of innate dignity and refinement dis|)layed in his manners, that often surprised the Sp.m- iards. I le was remark.ably nice and decorous in his mode ot eating, which w.is slow and with moliM-aiion, washing his hands when he had fin- ished, ;iiid rubbing them with sweet and odorifer- ous herbs, which Cokimbus su]iposed was done to ])reserve their delicacy and softness. He was served wiih great deference by his sulijects, and conducted himself toward them with a gracious and prince-like majesty. His whole deportment, in the enthusiastic eyes ot Columbus, betokened the inborn grace and dignity ol lofty line.ige.t In tact, the sovereignty among the jieople of tins island was hereditary, and tht;y had a simpL- but sag.acious mode of maintaining, in some degree, the verity of descent. On the death ot a cacitpie without children, his autlnu-ity passed to those of his sisters, in pri'lerence to those ot his brothers, fieing considered most likely to be ot his blood ; for they observed, that a brother's reputed chil- dren m.ay by accident have no consanguinity with their uncle ; but those of his sister must certainly he the children of their mother. 'I'he form of gov- ernment was com])letely despotic ; the caci(|ues fiad tiitire control o\er tlu^ lives, the propertv, and even the religion ot their subjects. They had few laws, and ruled according to their jutlgment and their will ; but they ruled mildly, and were implicitly and cheerfully obeyed. Throughout the lourse of the dis.islrous history of these islanders, alter their discovery by the luiropeans, there are continual proofs ot their affectionate and tievoted fidelity to their ciciepies. Alter the collation, ("ruacanagari conducted Co- lumbus to the beautiful groves which surrouncled liis residence. They were attended by upward ot a thousaiul of the n.atives, ;dl perfectly naked, who peiiormed se\'(.'ral nation.d g.imes and dances, * Primer Vjap;o de Colon, Kavarrcte, torn, i. p. 114. + I. as Casiis, lib. i cap. 70, Ms. Primer Viage de Color,. Navarretc, torn, i, p. 114. which Ciuacanagari had ordered, to amuse th' melancholy of his guest. When the Indians had finished their games, Cd lumbu.i gave them an entertainment in returr,, calculate|)ons hir more tremendous, agaiih- which there was no defence. In \nooi of thI^ he ordereld, however, that the Spaniards would (lel(!i ; them with these arms against their dreaded eiir- I mies the Caribs, their alarm was changed iiv. j exultation, considering ihemsidves under the pn'- ! lection ot the sons of heaven, who had come h'i)~ I the skies armed with thunder and lightning. The caci(|Ue now presented Columbus with , ' mask carved of wood, with the eyes, ears, and var;- j ous other parts ot gold ; he hung |)l;ites ot the saiii' metal round his neck, and pl.iced a kind ol goidi': j coronet U|)on his he.id. lie dispensed ])res(ii;- also among the followers of the admir.il ; ;u(|ui!- ting himself in all things with a munificence th ■: would ha\e done honor to an accomplished priii : in civilized life. Whatever trilles Columbus gave in return \vt' regarded with reverence as celestial gills. Ti.-. Indians, in admiring the articles ot luiropca: manufacture, continually repeated the word /ifirv which in their l.ingu.ige signifies heaven. Thi. [iretended to distinguish the different (pialilies l: gold by the smell ; in the same way, when an;. article ol tin, ot silver, or other white melal \va' given them, to which they were unaccustom (! they smelt it and declared it " turey," ot excel!'!': (|ualily ; giving in exchange pieces of the ti^a■^; gold. luerything, in lact, from the hantls ol liv .S|)aniards, even a rusty ])iece of iron, an end ot ; sir.!)), or a he.ad of a nail, had an occult am su|)ernatur;il value, and smelt ot turi'y. ll.iwk- bells, howe\-er, were sought by them with a mam. only e(|ualled by that ot the .Spani.irds tor g(i!i' They could not contain their ecst.asies at li" sound, d.incing and pl.aying a thousand anti(< (^n one occasion an Indian gave halt a handhil 1 gold dust ill exchange for one of these toys, an no sooner was he in possession ot it th.iii Iv bounderl away to the woods, looking often b( liin'. him, tearing the Sp.aniards might re|)vjnt ot hav- ing p.irted so cheaply with such an inestiniaii;'- jewel.- The extriMne kindness of the cacique, the gen- tleness ot his people, the cpiantities ot gold whir' were daily brought to be exchanged tor the veriix trifles, and the information continually received 0: Las Casas, lib. i, cap. 70, Ms. LIFE AND VOYAGES OF COLUMBUS. 59 rdered, to amuse th'J ished their ^ames, Co- ■■, ertainmcnt in ri-tuii;. ■, to impress tlicni wic military power ot i!> oard tin- caravel lor t arrows, and a Ca^ii . wars (it Ciraiiada, ,ii, m. Wiien the lai i(|u hich this man used lii. rprised, heinj; llim^c: and little accusidnii d the admiral thai il •seents ujjon his icrr;- lubjeets, were lil,f vs. Columbus assiiii-. ie C'astilian monarrlb hs, for he let him kiKu )re tremendous, aj^fainv ice. In proof of tin- heavy cannon, and i 1. the Indians lell to tlv lad been struck by >; ■v saw the effect riii':'' us sjfave in return wc |is celestial frills. Tiv. irticles ot ICuropc.ir, peated the word /nr.} ij.;nilies heaven. Thi'. |ie dilferent (|ualilies i: same way, when an;. lolher white metal was were unaccustoni •(! It " turey," ot exccll'r; .je pieces ot the lira-: from the hands ot ih. |ce ot iron, an end (it 1, had an occult aiv lelt ot turey. Hawk- by them with a mam. e Sjianiards for golil ■ [heir ecstasies at ih ^ a thousand antir-; lljave halt a handliil c ne of these toys, an Isession ot it th.m li: lookinj^ often bcliim. mi,',du rei)cnt ot hav- such an inestimable the caci(iue, the i,'i';'- InUities of (fold whir Ihanfjcd tor the verii-'- tontinually received c: MS. ;8 [sources of we.alth in the interior of this island, all contributed to console the admiral tor his misfor- The shipwrecked crew, also, became fascinated with their easv and idle mode ot lite. Kxempted bv their simjiiicity from the cares and toils which civili/'ed man inflicts upon himself by his many artiticial wants, the existence ot these islanders set-nied to the Spaniards like a pleasant dream. They dis(|uieled themselves about nothing,'. A few fields, cultivated almost without labor, furnished the roots and ve^fetables which formed a ^^reat part ot their diet. Their rivers and coasts aboundcrl with tish ; their trees were laden with fruits ot j,n)lilen or blushinj^ hue, and hei},ditene(l by. I tropical sun to delicious flavor and fraf^rance. .Siiliened by the indulgence ot nature, and by a viiluptuoiis climate, a j^reat part ot their day was passed in indolent repose, and in the evenings tlu-v d.inced in their fra^'r.int {proves, to their na- tioii.d souths, or the sound of their sylvan drums. Such w.is the indolent and holiday lite ot these simple pcii|de ; which, it it had not the jjreat scope ot enjoyment, nor the hi^h-seasoned ])oi;.,Miancv ot pleasure which attend civilization, wa.i certainlv destitute ot most of its artiticial iiiiserit-s. The venerable Las Casas, speakinjr of their perfect n;ds. la.ikini;' no complaints of his desertion, but ur^in;.^' him to join comp.my iinniedi;it(dy. After three days' .absence the c.inoe returned. The Spani.ird reported that he h.id pursued the coast for twenty le.i^ues, but h.id neither seen nor heard aiiythinij of the I'int.i ; he coiihidered the report, therefore, ,'is incdircct. Other rumors, however, were imniedialtd)' alterw.iid cinulated at the harbor of this lar^e vessel to the e.istw.ird ; but, on investi^^Mtion, they ap|)e,'ired to Columbus to be e(|U,illy uiideservinj^df credit. He relaps(\l, therefore, into his doubts and .mxielies in res|)ect to I'iii/on. Since the shipwreck of his vessel, the desertion of that cunim.mdei h.id become a mat- ter of still more serious monii-nt, and h.id olili^^refl him to alter all his plans. Sliould tlie I'inta be lost, as w ;is \'ery possilile in a vi)y.i,i;e ot such extent and exposed to so many uncommon perils, there would then be but one .-liip surviving of the three which h.id set sail from P.ilos, and th.it one an indifferent s.ailer. On the |)rec;irious return of that cra/y bark, across ;in immense expanse of ocean, would depend ihe ultim.ite mui ess of the (expedition. .Should tli.it one likewisi' perish, (-•very record of this ;_;real discoverv would be sw.allowed up with it ; the name oi Columbus would only be remembered as th.il of a m;i(l .id- venturer, who, despisin.Lj the opinions ol the learn- ed and the counsels of the wise, li.ad de[)arted into the wilds of the ocean never to return ; the obscurity of his fate, and its im,i,i;in'-d horrors, mi|4ht deter all future enterprise, and tlius the new- world mif^ht remain, as heretofore, unknown to civilized man. These consider.itioiis determined Columbus to ah.iii'ion all lurther ]irosecuiion of his \-oyajje ; to leave unexplored the ma^rniticent 00 LIFE AND VOYAGES OF COLUMBUS. 'Il' ( I regions wliirh wore in\itin},' liim on every hand ; to ^'ivc u|) ,ill liii|)f tor the prc-iciil of lindirij,' his way to the (JDniiiiitins ol tlic (ir,in(' Khan, and to lose no time in rLlurnin;,'^ to Spain and rejjorting his discover)-. While tlie fortress was l)nihhnj(, he continued to receive every ;:re;it (ielerence to th(r house aii ,,v, ■ men- tioned, where, seatinjr him in one of the ciiairs, (luacana^ari took off his own coronet of fjold and placed ilupon his head : Columbus in return took from his neck.i collar of tine-colored heads, which he put round that of the caci(|ue ; he investeil him with his own mantle of tine cloih, j.rave him .i pair of colored hoots, anii »vas (loomed lo be to him .i source of c.ires and troubles, to in- voh-e l.ini in a thousand perplexities, and to hi- cloud his declining years with humiliation and disappointment. CHAPTER XI. REGULATION OF TIIK I-OKIkKSS Of I..\ N'.WID.M) — I)K1'.\K1LRK OI' C:OI.lIMItUS KOK Sl'.AIN. .So great was the activity of the SjianLirds ir, the construction ot their fortress, ami so .imiilt the assist.ince rendered by the natives, that in ttr. days it w.is sul'ticiently com])lete for service. A large vault had been m.ide, over which wasereci- ed a strong wooden tower, and the whole w.i; surrounded by ;i wide ditch. It was stored wit all the ammunition saved from the wreck, or th;;! could l)e sp.ired from the caravel ; .and the gur; being mounted, the whole h.iel a formidable ,i- pect, sut'ticient to overawe and re|)ulse this nakt. and unwarlike jieople. Indeed Columbus was i: oi)inion that but little force was necess.iry to sii'' jugate the whole island. Ht? considered a for tres';, and the restrictions ot a garrison, iik' .((uisite to keep the Sp.miards themselves order, and prevent their wandering about, .ir,> committing acts ot licentiousness among the n.i- tives. The fortress being finished, he gave it, as we! as the adjacent village and the harbor, the n.ur.: ot La N.ividail, or the Nativity, in memori.ili; their having escaped from the sliii)wreck .: Christmas day. .Many volunteered to remain o: the island, from whom he selected thirty-ninu c the most ai)le and exemplary, and among them : phvsician, ship-carpenter, calker, cooper, tailor ;in(t gunner, all exjiert at their several calling> The command was given to Diego de .\ran.i. .; native ot Cordova, and notary and alguazil to li^ armament, who was to retain all the powers vi'-; ed in him by the Catholic sovereigns. In case i his death, Pedro (Gutierrez was to comni.md, ai.r he dying, Rodrigo de I'.scobedo. The boat of the wreck w.is left with them, to he used in fishing a variety of seeds to sow, and a large ([uantity: articles' for traffic, that they might ])rocure . much gold as possible against the admiral's r, turn.* As the time drew nigh for his departure, Coliin" bus .assembled those who were to remain in i; island, and made them an earnest address, ch.ir, ing them, in the name of the sovereigns, to ! obedient to the officer left in command ; to mar- tain the utmost respect and reverence for the a- cique tiuacanagari and his chieftains, recollectin. I how (In aii'i II" ■thiir \\i .?ourse 'r.-.iting lid, .lb I >ward \ 'spcct • isaster. le war selves .. .afety ; *itory ( dAr.in.-i, .iknowleii .'island, /elniig till the pres ;gerous, ^fiitrance ; On tin ;*o ;ake chieftain: p.-ive thei •Ilis use, .men will Arana, 1 do, his ■■■when hi ahiiiid.'ini 'lOr his pel •Jagari slio ip.iiture. rein.'iiiied -sidiis, am ( luce IV 1 ;i j;ras|)inn and sor- miiu'diatcly tilled his ma^jnilict 111 cxpcmli- •tti-nipts Id iiUcrnrt rovidciice 1 Thi; sliip- nsidiTcd an act oi di- m the secrets of liie all his Iter discov- es, for thf remn'nder vi '.> !i »vas (loomed to I's and troubles, to in- erplexitics, and to In- with humilialioa ami < XI. ■KESH OF I.A XAVIDAD IMHUS FOR Sl'AlN. ly of the Spaniards in orlress, and so amiik he natives, that in tir, nplete for service. .\ over which was erect- r, and the whole \v,.> I. It was stored wit" -om the wrecU, or th.r. caravel ; :ind thi, j,nir:- had a foniiidahle av ind repulse this nakii. leed Columbus wasi: was necessary to su' lie consideri'd a lur of a jrarrison, nv' niards themselves indering about, ar„ sness among the nv 1, he gave it, as we! the harl)or, the iiamt itivity, in memorial <: the shipwreck or, nteered to remain or. selected thirty-nine c;^ ry, and among ihemi dker, cooper, tailor their several callings ■ to Diego de .-Xrana. s ry and algua/il to the n all the powers vest overeigns. In case c ■as to command, aiii! edo. The boat of the to be used in fishiiif; nd a large ipiantityi cy might procure .: inst the admiral's re 4>ow deeplv they were indebted to hi ; goodness, And how important a continuance of it was to ^heir welfare. To be circumspei t in their inler- .-ourse with the n.itives, avoid'-ig disputes, and T'Mting them always with genlN'ness .and justice ; li I, above all, be'm,: discreet i.. their conduct , >ward the Indian women, misconduct in this V siHCt being tlie lre(|i..nt source of troubles and '■■h isasters in the intercourse with savage natio . .le warned them, moreover, not to scatter tl.em- wlves i. inder, but to keep together, lor mutual iafety ; and not to stray beyond the Tiendly ter- jjjitory ol (luac.inagari. He enjoined it upon ■lAraiia, and the > 'he'- . i command, to acquire a .%nowleu^c' ol the productions and mines of the .^island, to procure gohl and sjiices, and to seek ioloiig the co.ist a 'etter situation lor a settlement, the present harbor being iiuoiivenient and d.in- igerous, Irom the rocks and shoals which beset its entrance. ? On the 2(1 of Janu.iry, I49,';, Columbus landed ho 'ake afaiew(dl ol the generous cacicpie and his cliiettains, intending the ne.xt d.iy to set sail. He g.ive them a parting feast at the house devoted to jfiis use, .111(1 commended to their kindness the Inien who were to rem.iin, es|)ecially Diego de Arana, I'edro ("lUtierrez, and Kodrigo de Escobe- dn, his lieulen.mts, assuring the caci(|Ue that when he iciunied Irom Castile he would bring abundance ot i( wcis more precious than any he ,:or his jieople had yet seen. The worthy CiU.icin- :agari showed great concern at tiie idea ot his de- Iparlure, and assured him that, as to those who vreniained, he should lurnish them with provi- ,sions, and render them e\ery service in his |)ower. (•lice more to impress the Indians with an itlea ^•cf the warlike jirowess ot tli(,' white men, Colum- ■vbus caused the crews to perlorm skirmishes and iiiiock-tights, with swords, bucklers, lances, cross- fbows, anpiebuses, and cannon. The Indians .^•were astonished at the keenness ot the swords, Sand at the deadly power ol the cross-bows and :iar(iuel)uses ; but they were struck with awe when ;^the heavy Lombards were discharged Irom the llorlress, wrap|)iiig it in wre.aths ot smoke, shak- (ing the forests with their report, and shivering [the trees with the balls ot stone used in artillery in those times. As these tremendous powers, {however, were all to be employed tor their protec- :fti()n, they rejoiced while they trembled, since no liCarib would now dare to invade their island.* The festivities ot the day being over, Columbus [embraced the cacique and his principal chieftains, land took a tin.il leave ot them, (iuacanagari shed [tears ; lor while he had been ;iwed by the digni- jfiecl demeanor of the admiral, and the idea of his (superhuman nature, he had been completely won [by the benignity of his manners. Indeed, the [parting scene was sorrowful on all sides. The arriv.il of the sliips had been an event of wondet and excitement to the isl.iiiders, who had as yet known nothing but the good (pialities of their guests, and had been enriched by tlu ir lelesti.il gilts ; while the rude seamen had been ll.ittcred by the blind deference paid them, and captivated by the kindness and unlimited indulgence witfi which they had been treated. The sorest parting w.is between the .S])aniard« who embarked and those who remained behind, Irom the strong sym|).itliy caused by companion- ship in |)erils and adventures. The little garri- son, however, evinced a stout lie.irt, looking for- ward to the return of the admir.il from Sp.iin with large reiiilorcemeiits, when they promised to give him a good account ot all things in the island. The caravel was detained a day longer by the absence of some ol the Indians whom they were to take to .Spain. At length the sign.il-gun was fired ; the crew gave a p.irting cheer to the hand- lul of comrades thus left in th" wilderness ot an unknown world, who echoef' '- cheerinu as they ga/ed wistlully alter ti, 'i f. the beach, but who were destined iie> r lo • 'jme their return. /< f.r- I . S. . lilt All, l:.\q. wn :i I ailed Guariro. I can gather, it was sit- 'e Spanish inhabitants of the vicinily. his departure, CohiiT. ,vere to remain in ih' cirnest address, chari; the sovereigns, to h command ; to niair,- reverence tor the cr. :hieftains, recollectinj Navarrete, torn, i Hist. 68 I : LIFE AND VOVACIHS OK COLUMBUS. BOOK V. CHAPTER I. COASTINT, TmvAki) lilt; i AsiruN i-nd of his- I'AMDI.A — MI.I.I \SC, W nil I'lNZON — Al-KAIR Willi I III; NMIVI..-, Al nil; (ill.K ()!■ SAMANA. I '493 -I It was on ihc 4th of January that Columbus set sail frfim I a Navidad on liis return to Spain. The wind ixin;,' lin'it, it was ncci-ssarv to tow llu' caravel out ot the harbor, and clear ot the reels. They then stood eastward, toward a lotty proinon- torv desiituti' ot trees, but covered with jj[rass, and shaped like a tent, havin^f at a distaiue the appe;iranre ot a toweriiiL,' island, bein^r connected with Ili>paniol,i by a low neck of land. To this promontory (.'ohmibus ^ave the name of .Monte Christi, by which it is still known. The country in the immedi.iie neiLfhborhood was li'vel, but f;ir- ther inland rf>se a hi;;li ran^n' of mountains, well wooded, with bro.id, fruitful valleys between them, w.itered by abundant streams. The wind beiny contrary, they were det.iined for two days in a lar:;e b.iy to tlie west of the promontory. <')n the 6lh they .ij^mih m.ide sail uilh a land bree;!e, and we.'.tlurini;- the cape, advanced ten lea;,nies, when tile wiml aj;,iin turned to blow freshly Irom the east. ,\t this time :i sailor, stationed at the masthe:id to look out for rocks, cried out that he beheld the I'iiila at a dist.ince. 'J'he certaintv of the f.ii t jiladdened the he.irt of the admir.il, ;ind had an .animating;- effect throu;;hout the shi|) ; for it was ,1 joylul e\enl to the mariners once niore to meet with lluir comrades, and to have a com- panion bark in their voya;4e throu,L;h these lonely seas. The I'inta cime sweepiiiL;' toward them, direcllv liefore the wind. 'I'he admiral was desirous of haviiijr a conversation with Martin Alon/o I'in- zon, and sieiiiL;' that all attempt was fruitless from the obstinacy ol the .idverse wind, aixl ih.U there was no sate anchoraj;-e in the nei,i;hl)orhood, he put back to the bay a little west of Monte Christi, whither he was followed by the I'inta. On their first interview, I'in/oii endea\ored to e\i:use his desertion, alle;;iii^'- thai he h;id been compelled to part comp.my by stress of weather, and had ever since been seekiii},'- to rejoin tlu' admiral. Colum- bus listened passively but dubiously to his ajiolo- g'lea ; aiul tlie susjiicions he h.id concei\ed ap- peared to be warranted by su!)secpient inform;i- tion. He was told that I'in/on had been excited by accounts ^nven him by one of the Indians on board ot his vessel of ;i ret^ion to the eastward, aboundin;^- in j;old. Takini^ advantaj^fe, there- fore, of the superior sailiiii;- of his vessel, he had worked to wiiidward, when the other ships had l)een oblii^'ed to jjut b.ick, .-ind had sought to be the first to discover and enjoy this golden reL;ion. After separatini,r Irom his companions he had been entanj^led torse\cral cl.ays a moni;- a cluster of small islands, sujjposi-d to h.ive been the Caicos, but had at leiii^th been i^uidrd by the Indians to Ilis- paniola. Here h.' ren-, lined ihi'ee weeks, tradinur whh the natives in the river .alreadv mentioned. and collected a considerable cpiantitv of j^old, one half of whiidi he retained as captain, the rest he divided amont; his men tosecure their fidelity and sccrecv. Such were tlip particulars privately related' Colund)iis ; who, however, repressed his iiuh^n tion at this llaj,'rant bre;i( h of duty, beiii),' uiiui! inj,' to disturb the remainder of his \()\;ij;e \vi' any altercations with I'm/on, who h id a jiowtrtL n.irty ot relatives ;»nd townsmen in the ,irm,iniu:' I'o such a dejjree, however, was his c(inlirocure a siri ply of wood and water tor the vovi^je, 'I'h; river, called by the n.itives thi' N'acpii, llows fro- the mountains (j1 the inli'iaor and throws iiM.; into the b.iy, receivin;; in its course; the contr.- butions of \arious minor streams. Many part> cles ol ),^old were perceived amolij; the s.ands at i'i mouth, .and others were found adherin|,r to ti: hoops ot llu; water-ciisks.-j- Columbus j^'avc 1: therefore, the name of Rio del ( iro, or the (lol.lj- River ; it is at |)resent callecl the Santiaj^o. In this neighborhood were turtles of i;reat si/' Columbus also mentions in his journal that :, saw three mermaids, which ele\'.ited themseh'i: .ibove the surface of the sea, and he observes ih.:: he had betore seen such on the coasts of Afriti He iidds that they were by no means the beautili. beiiiLjs they had been rci)resented, althou;,di thf. possessed some traces ot the human counten.iiict it is supposed that these must h.ive been man;;: or sea-cdves, seen indistinctly .and at .'i distain'r and th.it tlie ini,\),nnation ot Columbus, disposed lit f^ive a wonderful ch.-ira( ter to ever\thin;r jn (li:;| new world, had identiried these missh.ipeii aniiii.V; with the sirens of ancient story. (In the eveniiijT of the (;th ot Januarv they ai,'i:- made sail, and on the lollowinj;- d.iy ;irri\ed at l.- river where I'inzon had been trading,', to wliic', Columbus jjave the name ot Rio di; ( Iracia ; I)'.; it look the ;ippell;ition ot its original discover'^r ' and loni^' continued to be known as the ri\er : M.irtin Aloiuo.J The n,iti\-es ol this place coiiv^ pl.iined that I'inzon, on his previous \isit, h: '4 \ iolently carried off four men and two ^irls. Ti'tS .■idivinil, lindin^r they were retained on board i':* the riin.i to be carried to Sp.-iin .-ind sold as slavi- . ordered them to be immedl.itelv restored to t!;c:: - homes, with many |)reseins, .ind well clothed,!: atone tor the wroiit^' they h.id experienced. Th- restitution was made with g'rcit unwillin;,MK:: and many hij^h words on the part ot I'in/on. ■file wind bein^r favorable, for in these refjio-i; the tr.ide wind is often .alternated flurinjj auiuir.' and winter by north-westerly breezes, they coiitir- ued coastiiiLf the island until they came to a hi;; and beautilul headl.ind, to which lliev i;'ave tl: name ot C.qio del I'-namoratlo, or the Lover; ■•■ Hist, del Almirante. cap. 34. f l.as Ca^as suR,i;csts tti.it these may have bcc. [i.arlicies of marcasite, ivhirli almimds in this rive and in the other Flrcams whicli f.ijl froni the nimi;- tains of Cibao. Las Casas. Hist. Ind. lib. i. rap. 7 I It is now called Porto Caliallo, tmt the sun our. / inn r>lain is called the Savanna of Martin Alonzo.— T. S. Ill.NLKE.N. 'npe, I)Ut wl iron. .\ litil )a\ , or r.illier Ixtendm^; ^o lUpposed It .111 il.i Iroiii some ihe native-i ipi iltic people I "hey Were ot lainted. Tlu' lecorated witi lirds ol K.'H'ly f.ir-clu')-. ; oil jsed hy the lleiul ■( reed-., ^ vith boiii' or I vere ot p.ihn- '■ tot sharp, bin \vo rni;.;rr-,, .in ; n^' tliroii;,di ,1 1 > hu> prep, lied O moiesl the lold them two ,rr.)ws, .Old oiii ;o on liii.ird ol t Columbus w, looks and li.iid iirrior, lli.it lu iilioii ol C.iril) :he>e se.l1, and I ;hi)ied imiht In [nun Hi-.p.iiiiol.i ver, he still |io lere l.iy the C; an isLuul, ca ancied him to s; i vlu) receive>l the "'"' or the s.ike ot (I land. All the ;Uch visits were nale reni;iined w This .\in,izoni; n the course ol mother ot his s ho work ot Mart wo islands near iolely by vvome: vhich a similar umhus, siipposin interpreted the • ith the descripti Having'- re^;-.ile, 'HIS preseius, if io|)es, iliroui^h hi r ^(old with hi niache I the l.iiu ith hows and ; fere seen lurkin •om the liulian v leir arms and ca 'lie killer, accor iral, endeavorei '■eapoiis, to i.ike larled with two o :eivin,i( some dis |hi> h,in Itul of sir '■IV ihry h,i(| If i|>. an 1 returned ■).ini,ii-,U. •[■ju; ^•ai. wounded t uuld h;ive pursu I * Las Casas, Hii I + M.ir. o I'olo, h Lirr: and voyagks or columul's. 69 fnpe, liut wIiilIi at jircM Iron. httlr lit IS kiKiw II as Caiu: Cx- \(piul tills they aiii'lujifil ill a or iMtlit-r null, iliirc Ici^tics ii) hicadth, a ml atfly rciatnl ■ icd his iiuii;;!) y, lic'int,' uiiwi his \i)ya^;i; w; h:i(l a piiucrl. I liur arin.iMiu!; lis conlKlcnrt; ; (• (Iclfrniiiuil • UIKJrr otllLT I.:-. tfni|iti'(l to cv ;luiiii;- iiis ship [lispati'ht'd to ; I) ]ir()rurc a sny : Vny:i;,'f, Thi i(|iii, lliiws fror 111 throws itsi: ursc llu; coiur. -;. Many par,,- ; the sands at ' adlu-riiifr to th> iinihiis j^ave i; 1), or tiic (jo!i!e: Saiitiaj^o. I's of j^ivat size journal that !.: ali'd llnMiisclvri 111' olisi'rvus thj. ;:oasts of Africa ms iht! hcaiilili. illhoii},di thf, an counti-'naiKc i\c l)(.'i-n man:;' at a distance hus, disposiMJ icry'.hiri;;' in t sslia|)L-n anima h:i;l' .1 ary tlu-y ;v^rr arrived ai i,,- lin;4, to wiiic:; Ic ( Iracia ; hc' iial (lisi'ovtTur IS llic ri\cr :: his place coiiv; us \isit, h. ivo ^irls. Tr; (I (111 hoanl i; sold as shtvc- ston.'d to t!;c:: rll clothed,'.: rirnced. T! unwillinjjnc-'i I i'in/on. 1 these rej^iiii hirinjj aiiiuiiv s, lliry coiui:: ':iiiie to a liii, they i;-avc li ir tiic Lovcri may have bee s in this river iim the ninur.' hb. i. cap. 7' it the surroun:- tin Alonzo.— T. jxtriuhiiK so l.ir iiil.ind that Columhus at Inst fu|i|)oscd It .111 .inn 111 the se.i, sep.iratiiiK' liispaiii- 0|.i Irolii some other land. < Mi landing;- they lound |hr native^ ipiite ilillerent irom the j;eiitle and pa- lilic iiLiiplf hitherto nut with on this isl.iml. a")!! V \sere ot a lei'ocious aspect, and hideously tainted. 'I'hiMr h.iir w.is ionj;', lifd behind, ami IcMirated with the leathers ot parrots and other Jirds III K.iK'ly phiin.ine. Some were armed with A'.u-cUllis ; others had liowsot the lelijith ot those ,' ised by li)e Kn^rjish archers, with arrows ol ,S ileiid T reeds, pointed with hard wood, or tipped vith hone or the tooth ot ,i lisli. Their swords Vere ot p.ilm-wooil, as h.ird .ind he. ivy as iron ; lot sharp, but bio. id, ne.irly of the thickness of wo liii;.;eis, .ind < .ip.ible, with one blow, ot cle.i\- nj; thr(iu;,'li .i helmet to the very brains.* 'I'hounh ,hu> prep.ired lor conib.it, they mailc no attempt moil si the Sp.iniards ; on the contrary, they lold them two ot their bows and sever.d of tluir Lrr.)ws, and one of them was prevailed upon to [() on bo.ird ot the admir.il's ship. Columbus w.is persU.ided, Irom the ferocious looks and hardy, undaunted m. inner of this wild ;arrior, th.it lu and his comp.mions were of the Ration ol L'aribs, so much dreaded throujrjiout [hese se.is, and th.it the j^iili in which lie u.is an- chored must be .1 strait sep.iratin^;' their island [rum Ilisp.iniola. On iiupiii iii;,'-of the Indi.m, how- iver, he still pointed to the e.ist as the ipi.irter there lay the CariUbe.m Isl.uids. lie spoke also if an isl.Kul, called .M:uuinino, which Columbus iicied him to say w,is |)i-opied merely by women, lio received the Carib-i amoiij^r them once a ye.ir, lor the s;ike ol continuin^j the population of their „land. .Ml the m:ile proi^eny resultiii),^ from luch visits wi;re delivered to the fathers ; the fe- ale rem:iiiied with the mothers. This .\m,i/,onian isl.ind is repeatedly mentioned In the course ol the voyajres of Columbus, ;ind is knother ot his sell-delusions, to be e.xplained by he work ot Marco I'olo. 'I'll. it traveller described jwo islands near the co:isl of Asia, one inhabited tolely by women, the other by men, between f/hicli a similar intercourse subsisted ;l ami Co Uinhus, su|)i)osin^ himself in that vicinity, easily Interpreted the sijfiis ot the Indians to coincide I'ith the descriptions of the Veneti.iii. Having'- ri:};,ile.l the w.arrior, and made him va- ioiis presents, the .idmiral sent him on shore, in lopes, tlinui;.;li his mediation, of ojieninjr ;i trade or j^old with liis comp.inions. As the boat ap- miached the l.iiid, upwaid of fifty savai^^es, armed ilh hows and .arrows, war-clubs, and i;ivelins, ere seen lurking amon;^ the trees. On a word Irom the lii.li:in who was in the boat, they l.iid by [hfirarais and came forth to meet the Spaniards. lie l.uier. according to directions from the ;id- liral, eiide.ivored to purch.ise several of their feapons, to take as curiosities to S|).iiii. They larted witliiwo of their bows ; but, suddenly coii- ieivin|,r some distrust, or tliiiikin^f to overpower [his h.inlful of str.ini,a'rs, they rushed to the pi. ice iuTe they h,ad left their weapons, sn.ilclied them jp. an I returned with cords, as if to l)ind the ipaniards. The latter immediately attacked lem, wounded two, put the rest to'llit^ht, and ■oukl have pursued lliem, but were restrained by * I,.is Casas, Hist. Ind., Ill), i. cap. 77, .MS. + M.ino Polo, boolc iii. chap. 34; Eng. edit, of .arsJcii. ihu pilot wlio commanded the IAmit. This wai the lirst contest with the Indi.ms, and the lir-it lime th.it n.itue blood w.is shed by the while men in liimbus w.is vjiieved to see all the new world. Ci his exertions to ni.imt.iin an ,11111c. ilile intercouise vain ; he consoled himself with the ide.i, however, that it these were Ciribs, or Iroiitii'r Indi.ms ot w.irlike ch.ir.utc'r, lluy v.ould be inspired with a (Ire. id ot the tiirce and weapons ot the while men, and be deterred trom molestin;; the little ^;.irrison ot I'Orl .Nativity. 'I he t.ut w.is, that these were ot a bold and h.irdy race, inh.ibitinn .1 mount. liii- ous district called Cixuay, e\teiidm;r live and twenty le.i;,'Ues aloni;' the co.ist, and several lea^;ues into the interior. They dilleicd in Ian- ;;Uii>;e, look, and manners from the other ii.itives of the island, and had the rude but independent and \ ij;orous cliarai ter of mount, lineers. I'lieir frank and bolil snirit was eviiu cd on the (l.iy .ifter the skirmish, when a multitude appe.ir- inj,f on the beach, the admir.il sent ;i larj,'e p.irty, well .armed, on shore in the bo.it. Theii.iiives ,ip- iiroached ,is treely and conlideiitly as it nothing; ii.id happened ; neither did they betray, throuj;h- out their subsequent intercourse, any sij^iis ot lurking' fear or enmity. The caciipie who ruled over the nei).,diborin;.,f ( (luiitry was on the shore. He sent to the lio.it a stiiiii; ol beads formed of small stones, or r.ither ot the hard part ot shells, which the .Spani.irds understood to he a token and .assurance of amity ; but they were not jet aware of the lull me.inin;,' of this symbol, tlie w.impuin belt, the pledjfc ol peace, held sacred .1111011;,' the Indi.ms. The i hiclt.iin loUowcd shortly alter, and entering,' the boat with only three attend. mis, was conveyed on bo.iid ol the caravel. This frank and coiilidiii;;- conduct, so iiidic.iti\e of a brave and ^eiuaous n.iture, w.is |irupeiiy ap- prei:iated by Columbus ; he received the caci(]ue cordi.dly, set before him a collation siuli as the car.ivel afforded, p:irticul.irly biscuits and honey, which were j,rre.it dainties with the Indians, .and alter showinj; him the wonders of the vessel, and m.ikin^f him and his attfiulants m.iny jiresents, sent them to land hi^^hly ^r.ililied. The residence of the cacique was at such a distance that he could not re|)e:it his visit ; but, as a token of hijjh re- gard, he sent to the admiral his coronet ol ^(>U\. In speakinjr of these incidents, the historians of Columbus have ni.ido no mention of the name of this mount.ain chic'f ; ho w.is doubtless the same who, a few ye.irs atterward, .appears in the history of the island umler the n.ame ol Mayon.ibex, ca- ciipie ot the Ci^uayans, .md will be touiiil acipiit- tin;4' himself with \alor, tr.iiikness, and ma^nianim- ity, under the most tryiiij,' circiimst.mces. Columbus remained a d.iy or two lonj^cr in the bay, during; which lime the most friendly inter- course |)re\',iiled with the natives, who lirou^ht cotton, and wirious fruits and ve^^et.ibles, but still maintained their warrior character, beinj^ .always armed with bows .and arrows. I'our youii)^ In- dians ;jfave such intereslin^r .iccouius ol the islands situated to the e.asl that Columbus determined to touch there on his way to .Spain, .and prevailed on them to accompany him as j^aiides. Takinjf ad- v.anl.a.Lje of a t.avorable wind, therehire, he sailed before daylight on the i6th ot J.iiuiary from this bay, to which, in conse(|Ueiice ot the skirmish with the natives, he j^ave the name ot (lolfo de las I'lechas, or the Ciulf of Arrows, but which is now known liy the name of the Cuilf ot S.am.ana. On leavinj; the bay, Columbus .il first steered to the north-east, in which direction the vouiip Indians assured him he would find the island of the Ca- 64 I, UK AND VOYAGES OF COI.rMIU'S. riliH, and that of Mantiiiitio, llic ali() (Iciin' to l.tkv several ot the na- tives ot eacli, to ideselU to llie S|i.injsli SDVtrei^fDs. Alter sailiilK aliijilt si\t(ili le,i^;ilfs, h.tuevei. his IiKJiaii ){iii(lrs ( liati){<'(l tlieir ojiiiiion, and poi' u-d to tlie Milltlicast. riiis ^sou!d ha\c l)rou;lit hii to I'orlo Kiid, Nsliieli, ill lact, was kiioMi aiiuin^ the iiidi.iii-i as ll:e isl.iiid iit Cinl). llu; admiral lis (liree- iinniediatt'ly shillcd sail, and stoiK tioii, lie had not |inii ecded two in tl e had not |)nn ecded two lea;;il.irt of I'ebruary, h.avinp run to about the thirty-eii^-hth de^jree of north latitude, and j;'ot out ol the track swi'pt by the trade-winds, they had more lavorable breezes, and were ena- bled to steer ilirect lor .Si)ain. From the fre(pient chan.i,res (d their course, the jiilots became perplex- efl in their reckonini;s, diflerin;^ widely amon^f themselve.., i\n<\ still more widely from the truth. Columbus, besides keepinn the I2th ol I'ebru.iry, as they were ll.itterin. themselv(;s with soon coming in sight ot l.iiid, ti;r wind came on to blow violently, with a heavy sii course to the east, but wi;: they still kept their gre.it l.ibor and peril, 1)11 il lolloWinL' (I.I sunset, the wind and swell mcre.ised there ww "hree II islies ot lightning m the north-nort I considered by Columbus as signals ot hing tempest. It soon burst upon llllT.?3 with trigluiul violence ; their small and era/y vcvifj sels, open and without decks, were little fitted li' the wild storms id the Atlantic; all night the were obliged to scud under bare jioles. As tl- morning dawned of the 14th, there was a tr.ir- sient pause, and they made a little s.iil ; liut tr-' wind rose again from tlie south wiili redmihlfiij,,? vehemence!, r.iging throughout the day, and iri ' creasing in liiry in the night ; while the vesst'-i labored terribly in ,1 cross sea, the broken waviiij of whii h thrciteiied at each moment to o\erwhelrr them or dash them to pieces. l''or three hour- they I'.y to, with just sail enough to keep thett above l\v- waves ; but the ti'liipest still .•lugim-n;- ing, they were obliged again to scud belore tl- wind. The I'inta was soon lost sight ot in li: darkness of the night. The;idmiral kept ;is niuc ,^ as jinssible to the north-east, to ap])roa(di the roavj.s ol Sp.ain, and ni.ide signal lights at the mjistluac tor the I'inta to do tlu; s.ime, and to kee|i in coir jLiny. The l.itter, liowever, from the weakness (:j;j lier foremast, could not hold the wind, and ws iibliged to scud before it directly north. Fi some time sIk; replied to the signals of the ;i( miral, but her lights gleamed more and mc: distant, until they ceased entirely, and nothin more was seen ot her. Columbus continued to scud all night, full ->i'd tlifiT \ liM}.;Uf-> licarr il 1(1 111' tlu; Iri- dadcira, wlicr^ 1 a dirt'itidi) III' hiiwcvcr, to ft' It'd tn their |nr- a eonluied idi -s a clear know ■ i.scovered com ,' '.vere tlatteriiif? i^ht i)t land, li;: ilh a lieavy sii le east, liut wii; [iwin^; day, alir'< sed ; tlR'i'f WIT' .>J uiith-noith-L'iis: ;nals tit an :\[ irst updH ihcr II and era/v Vf u little titti'd II ; ;dl ni^du tin- pdles. As II IC \V,1S .1 U'M-f sail ; hut ir'-' \\ nil redolihlfi . day, and ir ile the vesst' hrokeii wavr I to overwlicir If three houi' to keep till-;: .still au.i^MH'ii;-, ud helore th si^ht ot ill t:: kept as niUi' 1 iiaeh thec(i:i' I the iiiastlua. o keep in cmr- weakness ( wind, and wi north. Fi' nals of the.nc- ore and ninri uul nothin; I thi nio-ht, full n vessel, and 111 As theil Infill wastt' ' • rv 1)\- the '^a'x 'I'in'ta, huts'r; \(l(>a little s,i; I, lest its hill':: he sun rose.li:; ihroughouU;. 70. jdrpary <\.\\ lln' htdplcss hark \v;is{ ill human skill haftled .and eonlounded, Ic'diiiinhus endeavored to propiti.ite he.iven hy sol- le-inn viius .md arts ol penanee. Itv his orderr a niiinher ol heans, eipi.il to the number ot persons Ion hi). ml, were put into a cap, on one ol which |v,i, cut tin; si;;n ot ihi-iross. I'^.ich ot the crew Iniide a \ou- th.it shoulii he flr.iw torth the marked 1 111, 111 lie wduld ni.iKe a i)il),'nm.i;{e to the shrine ()t .Si'it.i Maria de ( lu.id.iliipe, he.irin^; a wax t.iper [ol live piiiiiids' weinhl. The admir.il was the lirst Iti) put in his h. mil, and the lot tell upon him. 'iiniu ihat nionit'iil he conside.'ed himselt a pil- ii;riin, hinind to jierlorm the vow. .Anotlier hit W.I-. c.i-.t ill the same w.iy, tor a pilgrim. i},'e to the (cli.ipi'l I'f "Ur l.ady ot I.oretio, whnh tell upon a ise.iiu.in n.iiiu'd I'edro de \ill.i. and the .•idmir.il cn^ja^jed to l)L'ar the espeiiies ot his jiiiirney. A 'third lot w.is also cast lor a pil;;riin,i^''e to S.inta C'l.ira de .Mo'.,'iier, to prrlorm a solemn mass, and to w.ili h all iiij;ht in the chapel, and this likewise 1 lell upon (.'iiiumhus. The tempest still r.iHiii;,^ w itli iin.ih.ited violence, 1 tlu- ,iilniiial and all the m.iriners made avow, Itli.it, il sp.ired, wherever they I'lrst l.inded, they \vmild xo iu iirocession h.iri'looted and in iheir shirts, to oiler up pr,i)ers and th.mksj^ivin^s in I some cluinh dedicated to the Holy \irj;in. l!e- sides these ;.;eneral acts ot propitiation, e.ich one made his jirivate vow, hindiii;,' hiniiell to some |)ilj{rini i.ije, or vi^ril, or other riteol penitence and tll.inks^fivin^at his lavorite shrine. The he.ivens, however, seemed deal to their vows ; the storm jjrew siill more wild and frijrhtful, and eaih man jj.ive hinisell up lor lost. 'I'lie danj,'er ot the ship was au;rmeiiteil hy the w.tnt of ballast, the con- samptioii ol the water and |)rovisions lia\injf lij;liteiied In-r so much tli.il she rolled and tosseii aliout .11 the mercy ol the w.ives. To remed)' this, and to render her more steady, the .idmir.ii order- ed th.it all the emjity casks should he filled with se.i-w.iter, which in some measure ^(.ive relict. During thi'i lonjr and awful conllict of the ele- ments, the mind ol Columbus was .1 |)rey to the mist distiessinjr anxiety. Ile feared thai the I'in- ta had linindeied in the storm. In siu h case the whole history ot his discovery, the secret (d the New World, depended upon his own leeble bark, anil one surj;e ot ilu' oce.m mijrht bury it forever in ohlivion. The tumult of his thoui;hls may be juili,'i;.| troni his own letter to the so\eri'i^ns. " I could have supported this evil hirtune with less j>Tief," s.iid he, " had my person alone been in ji'o|)ai(ly, since I am a deluor hir my lite to the sii|iieine Creator, ,iiid ha> at other times been within a step of death. IKi, t was a cause of in- liiiite sorrow and troulile to i,-ink that, alter hav- iiij,' lic'-n illumiii.ited from on hi^h with faith and Certainty to undertake this em rprise, after h.iv- iii}( victoriiiii-,ly achieved it, and w hen on the point ot cimviiicin^r my opponents, and securinjj to your hi^.,diiu-sses j^reat fflory .'iiul vast increase ol do- minions, it should please the divine .Majesty to * 'ir'i'.it all by my de.ith. It would have been more ^ I ipurt.ible also, had I not been accompanied by uLiRiswho had been dr.iwn on by my iiersu.isions, ami will), in their distress, cursed not only the Ivnir ot their comin^r, but the fe;ir inspired by my 4 words which jjrevented their turninjr back, ;is they I h.ul at various times determined. .Above all, my I f;rief was doubletl when I thoujjluof my two sons, a \\honi 1 had left at school in Cordova, ilestitiite, ^ ill a stranije land, without any testimony ol tlit; services rendered by their 'father, which, if known, mit;ht have inclined your hi^Jhne»SM to bidrieiid them, .\nd .dthoii|^di, on the our hand, I W.IS conilorted by laith lli.it llii' liiity would not permit .1 work ol sin h j;re.it e\.dlalioii to his church, wrou;;lit throii;;!) so m.iiiy trcnibles and contr.idictioiis, to reiii.iin ini|u'rlect , yet, on the other hand, I retlected on my sins, as ,1 punish- ment lor whii'h he mi^;hl intend lh,il 1 should be deprived ot the ^lory which would redouml to me 111 this world." ' In till! midst ol these Kloumy .ippicheiisions, an e\pedient suKvtcsted itsell, by whii'h, thou^;h he and his ship-, should |)i'rish, the ^jlory ol his achievement mij,dit surM\c to his name, and its adv,mt.l^,'es be secureil to his so'.ereinns. Ilf wrote on parchment a tiriet account ot his voyajju and discoverv, .'ind ol his luuin;;' taken po .session ot the newly louiid l.iiids in the n.iiih' (d their C.ilholic m.ijeslies. This he se.iled .ilid directed to the kin^f and (pneii ; superscribing .1 promise of a thousand dm its to whomsoever should de- liver the p. icket unopened, lie then w ripped it in a w.ixed cloth, whii h he placed in the ( ,iiire of ;i cake ot wax, .■iiid inclosiii;.f the whole 111 a larjje b.irrel, threw it into the scLi^iv Iiilj his men to sup- )ose he was |)ertormiiin' sonic relij;ioin vow. .est this niemori.il should never rcac h the land, he inclosed a copy in a simii.ir niiiiiier, and |)laced it upon the poop, so th.it, should the car.i- vel be sw.illoweil up by the waves, the b.irn I niij^dit llo.it off .'iiid siirv i\ r. Thesi' preciiltions in suine measure niili.i,Mted his anxiety, and he was still more relii'\id when, alter heavy showers, there appeared at sunset a stre.'ik of cle.ir sky in the vvest, Ki^'Ui^; hop<'S that the wind was about to shilt to th.it ipi.irter. These hopes were i tinlirm.d ; a lavor.ible bree/u succeeded, but the sea still r.iti so hi;di .ind tll- nuiltuously that lillle sail could be c.irrnd during the iii^jht. On the morniii,i;iif the i^jili. at d.iybreil;, tlu* cry of l.ind w.is f^isen by kiii (l.irci.i, a 111. inner in the maintop. The transports id the crew, at once more fr.iininj,' si;(lit ot the 1 )ld Wurld, weie almost ecpial to those experienced on lirsi beliohliiiyi the .New. The land bore east-norih-e.ist, directly over the prow of the c.ira\'el ; and the usual diversity ofoiiinion concernin;;' it arose .iiilonL;' tiie pilots. ( )ne thou>rht it rhe island ot .Madi'ir.i ; another the rock ot Ciiitr.i near Lisbon ; the most p.irt, de- ceived by their ardent wishes, placed it near .Spain. Columbus, howeser, troni his private reckonintrs and observations, unicluded it to be one of the A/ores. .\ ne.ii'er approach proved it to be an islan.l ; it was but ti\e lea;;ue-i distant, and the voyatjers were coii;;i'.itiilatinj; themselves upon the assur.ince ol speedily hi iiitr in port, when the wind veered ai.(ain to the east-iioith-e;ist, blowing directly irom tiie land, wiiile a heavy sea kept roUin).; from the west. For two days they hovered in s\^h> ;d the island, vainly strivin;,' to re.ich it, or to .iri,ve .U another i.sland ot which they caiij^ht j^liinpses oc- casionally tliroU).;h the mist ;iiul rai : ol the teni- pest. On the e\eninj^ ot the I /til they aii'proach- ed so near the Inst isl.uul as to cast anilior, but partinjr their cable, had to put to sen -.i^iin, wheic they remained beating about until vli.- followin;^ morniiiff, when they am hored under shelter of its northern side, h'or several d.iys Columbus h.id been in such a st.ite of a'fitation .■inc. ,. .ixiety as scarcely to take food or repose. .■\lth(juL;li suffer- injr greatly from a j^oiuy affection to w hich he * Hist, del Almirantc, cap. 36. !l 66 LIFE AND VOVAC3ES OF COLUMBIJS. II ^1 wns siil)i(H-t, Vft l-.o had niaintainfc! his watihlul post on (Itrk, L-x])cist'(l to wintry niid, to tiu' pt-it- 111}^ o( liiu ^>t()|•n1. and tht' dicnihin}^ surt^cs ol ihc sea. ll was n( . ^.niil the ni^lu ol Uu- i/lh that hv j^'ot a iittlt' slci-p, iiMir lioni thi' (.•xiiaiistion of na- ti re til. in Ironi .iiu tr,nu|inllity ol mind. Siicii WLTc the liiliiiiiltics and perils whieh attended his return to I'.iirope ; h.id one tenth p.irt ot iheni he- set liis oiilw.iid \oy,n,^e, ilis timid and tactions crew would h,ue risen in ,irms a^Minsl the enter- prise, ;ind he ne\er would have discovered 'he New World. CII.M'll'.K 111. TRANSAC'IIONS AI' iHl'. l.-^IAND Of .ST. MAKV'S. [I4';3-I 0\ sendinj;- tin* boat to l.md, Columbus ascer- tained tb.e isLmd to he St. Mary's, the nio-^t southern ot the A/nrcs, ami ,i possession ot the crown ot l'ortn;4,d. 'I'iu' inh.diitants, when thev beheld llii' lii^lu cir.ucl ridinj;' at anchor, wt're astonished th.it it h.id been .ihle to li\e ilirou^h the g. lie, which h.ul r.ii;cd lor I'llteeii da\s with un- exanipU'd tur\ ; luit wlicn tiny heard irom the boat's cri v. tli.it this ii'inpi st-tossed vessel l)roui;ht ti(lin,i;s ol ,1 str,,n;^"e counti'v bevond tlu- ocean. vlicN' wi'ic liUed with wondei' and curiositv. To the ini|uiiics about .i pl.ice where the cara\el Hiinht anchor securely, they replied by pointin^^ out a h.irhor in the \iciniiy, but jirevailed on three ot the mariner.-i to i-em.iin on shore, ,ind g'r.itify them with hirilicr p.iriiculars ot this un- [lar.dlelei' vo\.i;;e. In the e\enin;4' three men ot the island h.ailed the caravt'l, and ,i bo.it Ueinij; sent tor them, lhe\- l)rou,i;lit on bo.ird jowls, bre.id, .md v.irious relresh- ments, Irom Ju.in di^' C'.ist.ii"ied.i, governor ot the island, who claimed an acciuainlance with Colum- !rjs, and sent him many compliments and con- jjr.itul.nions. lie apolo;.;i.a'd tor not cominj;' in ])erson, owini;- to the l.iteiiess of the hour and the ilistance ot his residence, but |iromised to \isil the caravel the next morniuL;', brini;in|4 turther refresh- ments, and the three men, whom he still kept with him to s.itisty h.is extreme curiosity res])ectini;' the voyatje. As there were no houses on the neii;h- borin;,^ shore, t!ie messeiij^ei's remained on bo.ird all nii;ht. C)n the foUowint;- morniu;.; ■'"olumbus reminded his peo|)le ot their vow to iiertorni a pious ]iroces- sion at the i'lrst place where they should land. On the nei.;;hho|-ini^ shoi'e. .it no i^reat distance from the sea. was.ism.dl hermitai;'" or ch.ipel dedicated to the \"irt;in. ,ind he m.ide immediate arran^^^e- r.ients for the |)erform.ince of the rite. The three messengers, oii reiurninuf to ihe villa^^.^ sent a jjriest to piMlorm m.i>s, ,ind one half ot the crew iaiuliiii;-. w, liked in procession, barefootetl, and in their shirts, to the ch.ipel ; while the ailmiral awaited their I'eturn, to pertorm the same cere- mony with the remainder. .An ungenerous reception, however, .awaited the poor tempest-tossed mariners on their tlrs* return to 'he abode ot civili/e.l men, f,ir ditferent fron-: the symjiathy ami hos;-,itality they had experienced anions^ ti't- sav.ii,M'-i of the New World. .Scarcely had they bei^im dieir prayers and thanksf,nvini,'-s, when the iMbble of the xill.ii^e, horse and foot, he.ided by the jjovernor, sur'-ouiuled the hermitajje and took them all prisoners. As an inter\enin'i; point ot land hid the hei'niit- ai,'e from the view of the car.ivel, the .idnnr.il r^ 111. lined in i),fnorai'ce of this trans, iction. Win- eleven ci'clock arrix'ed without the return ot ti,c pilgrims, he bei.;;.ii'. to U\,r th.it they were detain^ l)y the I'ortuj^ue;.!. , or that the boat had been sh.r.. tered upon the siirf-iieaten rocks which boidcici the isl.ind. Weii;l)ir;j4' anchor, therelore, he sidn' in a diri'ction '.o comni.md .i \iew ot the ch.i;,, and theadj.iceiil shore ; whence lie bi-held .i nu:;;. bi'r ol armed horsemen, who, dismounting^, i -,. tered ihe boat ;uid made tor the car.ivel. 'Ihi',-, miral's .incient suspicions of l'orlii,L;uese ho.^iii;' toward himself .ind his enterpri/es wi'i'e imiiu-i.;. ately revived, .md he orderetl ilis men to .n;; themselves, but to keep out of si^lit, re.uly eiiiii: to delend the vessel or surprise the bo.it. i; hitter, however, appro. idled in a p-icil'ic niann'-'- the governor ol the isl.ind was on bo.ird, and, mi; inn' within hail, deni.iiided assur.mce ot perr^ui', satety in case he shoeld enter the 'mimvcI. fi;;. the .idmiral ri'.idily ua\e, but the I'oitu^uese ^I:, continued at a w.iry ilistance. The iiidii^natinn c Columbus now broke lort'i ; he lepro.iclicil i- l^overnor with his jierlidy, and with the -.vroiiL;:: did, not merely to the .Spanish moii.irchs, bin i. his own sovereii;ii, bv such a dishonorable uu;- r.ii^e. lie intormed him of his \)wn rank .mil di;;- iiity ; displayed his letters patent, sealed with ir- roy.il seal of Castile, and threatened him with tir veiijreance of his ^•overnnieiU. C.istaneda repln-t in a vein of coniem|U and ileii.ince, decl.iriiij;- t!„r all he had tlone w.is in contorniit)' to the cu:'i m.iiuls ot the kin>; his sovereign. After an uii|)rorital)le altercition, the boat re- turned to shore, le.ivin^; Columbia much iierplexo by thus unexpected hostility, aiul fe.irtul that „ I war nii^lil have broken out l)elwceii Sp.iin ,iiit : I'ortuij.il duriiiij^ his absence. The next day li> we.ither bec.ime so tempe-ituous that they wirr I driven from their anchor. i)j;e, and oblined to st,i;.i. I to sea toward the island ol St. Mich.iel. I'or iv. I (lavs the ship continued be.itinjr about in i,nt.: ! peril, h.ilf ol her cri-w bein^- delaiiU'd mi sluirr and the j;reater p.irt ot tho-.e on board he;i,, landsmen and Indians, alnio.-.t ei|iially useless ,', dillicult navi);-.ition. l'"(n-tunately, allhou^li l;.: waves ran hi^h, there were none ol liui-ie clll^• seas w liicli had rt'Ceiitly prevailed, otherwise, he r.^' so teebly maii'ied, the car.ivel could scircely li.n; lived throu^rli the storm. On the eveiiin;;- ol the 22(1, the we.ither haviii; moderated, Cokimbus returned to his anchor,;;;: at St. M.iry's. Shortly after his arriv.al, a lui.i; came off, brin.<;in^ two |)riesis and a no'.jrv .After a cautious jiarley and an as^ur.iii' c ot s.ih'. thev c.ime on board, and recplested a si^ht ol ' p.ipers of Columbus, on the |)art ol C.ist.ineil.i, -i- surinj;- him that it was the disposition ol the ;.;. eriior to render him every service in his ]w\\r provided he really sailed in service of the Sp.in;- sovereigns. Columbus supposed it .i m.UKfUv:: of Castafied.-l to cover a retreat Irom the lui>ti:? position he h.i'l assumed ; restr.iininj;- his inilinn-- tion, howevei lad expressinji' his tli.inks lor li; friendly disposition of the frovernor, he showr. his letters ot commission, which satistieil l'. priests and the notary. On the lollowini;' iii"' injr the bor.t and m.iriners were liherati'd. i' lattir, during'- their detention, h.id collecte.l in: matioii from the inh.ibitaiits wliicli elucid.itcii : : conduct ot Castai'iedii. The Kiiv^'ot l'orlUi,'-,i|, jcilous lest the expedif^ of Columbus mii.;ht interfere with his own (lis- coveries had sent orders to his coiiim .iidei^ ''■ islands and distant [lorts to seii^e and detain !;•- .'lerever he sh il!i these on line, hoped t 111, tailin,:,^ in Mil in his |)ow y lindiii.Lf him feception of til JVorlil, an e.irn Irliich he w.is I ne lit the ^ri rrcil upon his ^KKIVAI, AT l'( < Cdi.fMiu's ri- IbI.uuI ot St, ,Nh And h.'illast, but Ik'hicli broke u] |o the south, an Anchor olt the -si Spain, he set s lad pleas.iiil we.i •ithiii one luind ^ape St. \'iiicent jales am! a boi [c.ircely proof a vhicli appeared iriiiched his honi tP'ri •' conipl.iint a l|f trmii the verv d : (1 the rude stiirm I if the old world, \ .-' eas, and h.almy \^ ! etually lo preva iscovered. " W. ■ leiiloi^ians and s; : errestrial jiaradis ; i the Kast, lor it • ;ioiis." ' After ex|ierienc ;(lverse we.ither, : d ot .March, the c ind which rent o\v with resisilef iider hare jioles, itli (lestiuction. leril, the crew a.^rai 'lit was cast tor ilK'rimayfe to the .lu-vaiii Huelva, a himliu^. There i teiiiiTeiice of this Vcmly ((insiders it to the adinira! tha fccdiint, to humlili tOK'aliii;i; to himsell i'as the work ol C.i Bteii rhdsen as an \ ariiiiis sij;ns a ylliih they supposi *'>l ; die temiiest, jt,:,uee that they i'oiild survive to f. Jiile a vow, in c fesi updii hreail an Hist, del Almir lifi-. lii). i. rap. 72. t LasCasas, Hist LIFE AND VOYAGKS OF COLUM13US. r;r lie a l'o;tii^iu-se >l:. L' indii;iiati(in i: ri'prii.irhfd ti- ll tliL- -A riiiij; ; r onarclis, bin ;, ^iKiiiurablc uir,- II ranU .uid ilii;. st-aU-d with \\\' ■d idiii with llr istai-K'da ri'plia , dci'l.irm;.;- t!,a: iit\- to llu: cum. on, tiic boat r- nundi |)er|)k'\ii I Icarlul that ,. iVfcn .Spain am. ,1L- next day tr^ that thry wi;- oblij^i'd to sl,i;,:. ch.K'l. I'or tv. about in i,nc.;; lined on sluirc. III board heir; ually useless ;■ , althoti.v;!! !:• ■ (it tiUlT." (Ill" illierwise, he:r.;.: |ld scarcely h.n; [weather havin; |i his ancluir.;;;: arriv.'il, ;i hii.i: and a no'.-ir;, lir.ni' (■ (it s.iU'. ll a si<;ht ot : ' L',islaned.i, .r lition (it tlie j;i ■ in Ids pd'vvc (it the Span:- lit ,1 niancrinr: Ironi the luisU.^ [in^- hisindi;;!;- thanks lor v.- Iior, he shdNM- ll satisfied '. ' illowini;- Mill' lliberated. I ■oUecte.l inl' ll elueidateil ii It the fxpedi'.; |h his own d:^ ■onini -ndiTi ' l.uid detain h;: .■'u-rever he should be met with.* In compliance se orders, Ca.stafleda h.ul, in the lirst iii- laiue. iioped to surprise Columbus in the chapel, lid t.iilinij in that attempt, had intended to ^et iiii' ill his' power by .str.itaH:em, but was deterred ,• tiiidiii,^' him on his j;uard. Such w.is the lirst -ception' of the admiral on his return to the ( Md Vorld, an earnest (it the crosses and troubles with ...ch'lie w.is to be re(|uited tlirou.i;houl lile, for ne ot the ;;reatest lienetits that ever man con- rred upon his lellow-beings. rtiK ^ CHAl'TKR IV. ikKUlV.VL At I'OKTUHAl.— Vl.SIf T(J THE COURT. [■493] i' Cdl.tMlifS remained two days longer n'. the fcl.iml of St. .Mary's, endeavnrinjr to take in wood tnd liallast. Iiut w.is jirevented by the heavy surf %\w\\ liroke upon the shore. The wind veering to tlie south, .and being dangerous for vessels ,it Inclior (lit the -sland, but tavoraiile tor the voyage Npiiii. lie set s.ul on the 24th of I''ebruary, and lad pleasant we.ither until the 27th, when, being I'idiiM (Hu; hundred and twenty-live leagues of tape St. \'ineent. he again encountered contrary fales and a boisterous sea. His fortitude was Icarcely ])roof ag.ainst these perils and del.iys, fliich .ippe.ired to increase, the nearer he a])- ^riKiched his home ; and he could not help iitter- a complaint at thus being repulsed, as it were, hiiiii the verv doorof the house." He contr.ist- id tile rude storms which raged about the co.ists if the old world, with the genial .lirs, the trancpiil eis, ,uid lialmy weather which he sup|)osed jier iftuallv to prevail about the countries he had .isciivered. " Well," says he, " may the sacred beiilogians and sage philosophers declare that the rrestrial ])aradise is in the uttermost extremity if the Hast, tor it is the most temperate ot re- inns." .Alter experiencing several days of stormy and idverse we.ither, about midnight on Saturday, ihe 1(1 ot .March, the caravel was struck by ,1 scpi.tll of iiul wiiicli rent all her sails, and, continuing to iiw with resistless violence, obliged her to scud iider li.irj poles, threatening her each moment illi (lestiuction. In this hour of d.irkness .and leril, the crew again called upon the aid ot I le.iven. (It was cast lor the ]ierformance of a barefooted iili^riiaage to the shrine of -Santa M.iria de la fucva 111 iluelv.i, and, as usual, the lot fell upon Co- Jiiiilius. There was something singular in the teiinrence of this circumstance. Las Casas de- tcudy considers it as an intimation from the Deity f) the admiral that these storms were all on his ccdum, to luimble his jiride, and prevent his .ar- lro,L;.uiiig to himself the glory of a discovery which »\is the work of Ciod, and for which he had merely keen chosen as an instrument. t \'.irious signs appeared of the vicinity of land, Vhkli tluy su]iposed must be the coast of I'ortu- fal ; the tempest, however, increased to such a fli^'ite tii.it they doubted whether any of them *" lid survive to reach a port. The whole crew •i 1 le a vow, in case their lives were spared, to fcii upon lireail and water the tallowing Salurdav. * Hist, del Almirante, cap. 3(j. Las Casas, Hist. innd animals, but above all upon the Indians, so dilfer'-nt from any race of men hitherto known. Some were tilled with gen- erous entluhiasm at tht; idea of a discovijrv, so suiilimc and so benet'icial to mankind ; the avarice of others was iiillamed by the description of wild, imap|)ropriated regions teeming with gold, with ])earls and spices ; while ;)thers repined at the in- credidity of the king and his councillors, by which so immense an ac<[uisition had been forever lost to I'ortug.il. On the 8th of March a cavalier, called Don Martin de Xorofia, came with a letter from King John, congratulating Columbus on his aTi\al, and in\ itmg lum to the court, which was then at \'al- p.'.riso, about nine leagues from Lisbon. The king, with his usual magnificence, issued orders ;it the same time that everything which the ad- miral re<|uired for himself, his crew, or his vessel, should be furnished promptly and abundantly, without cost. Columbus would gladly have declined the royal invitation, feeling distrust of the good faith of the king; but tempestuous weather had placed him in his power, and he thought it prudent to avoid all appearance of suspicion. He set forth, therefore, that very evening for V'al])ariso accompanied by his pilot. The lirst night he slept at Sacamben, where preparations '■ i-i i^een made for his honor- ablt^ entertainmcn. ' r,e weather being rainy, he ilid not reach X'alpariso until the following night. On approaching the royal residence, the ])rincipal cavaliers of the king's household came forth to meet h'.ii, and attended him witit great ceremony to the palace. His recejnion by the monarch was worthy ot an enlightened prince. He ordered him to seat himself in his presence, an honor only granted to ])ersons of royai dignity ; and after many congratid.itions on the result of his enter- prise, assured him that everything in his kingdom that could be of service to his sovereigns or h'.m- selt was at his command. A long conversation ensued, in which Colum- bus gave an account of his voyage, and of the countries he had discovered. The king listened with much seeming pleasure, but with secret grief and mortitiiation ; rejecting that this splendid en- terprise had once been offered to himself, and had been rejected. A casual observation showed what was passing in his thoughts. He exjiressed a doubt whether the discovery did not really apper- tain to the crown of Portugal, according to the capitulations of the treaty ot 1479 witii the Castil- ian sovereigns. Columbus replied that h,e had ;iever seen those capitulations, nor kn('W anything of their nature ; his orders had been not to go to La Mina, nor the coast ot (iuinea, which orders he hati carekilly obscTved. The king made a gra- cious reply, expressing himself satishetl that he hatI acted correctly, and persuaded that these mat- t'.'rs would be readily adjusted between the two powers, without the need ot um])ires. On dismiss- ing Columbus toi the night, he gave him in charge as guest to the prior of Crato, the principajl personage jiresent, by whom he was lionoraDlvl and hospitably entertained. On the following day the king made many m;.! nute in([uiries as to the soil, productions, and peij. pie of the newly-discovered countries, and ih;i route taken in the voyage ; to all which Columbujj gave the fullest replies, endeavoring to show;; the clearest manner that these were regions hertf tofore undiscovered and unapprojiriated by ar Christian i-,.)wer. Still the king was uneasy lestti;.. vast and undefined discovery should in sonir w iiUertere with his own newly-ac(|uired territoni- He doubted whether Columbus harl not fouim , short way to those very countries which wen \-- ol)ject ot his own ex[)eilitio]is, and which w-: compreliended in the papal bull, granting tn ■,: crown ot Portugal all the lands which itsJKj;. , discover from Cape N"on to the Indi(;s. On suggesting these doubts to his councillor: they eagerly confirmed them. Some of (In.:; were the very |)ersons who had once derided ih: enter[)rise, and scoffed at Columbus as a dre.im- To them its success w.is a source of contu~,i. :. and the return of Columbus, covered with glur a dee|) humiliation. Inc.a[)able of conceiving !■; high and generous thoughts which ele\at(.'(l I;,; at that mnment above all mean consider.uio: . they attributed to all his actions the most ])i.: ami ignoble motives. His rational exultation \v_ construed into an insulting triumjih, and they,;. cused him ot assuming a boistful aiul vainglori( tone, when talking with the king of his iliscowr as if he would revenge himself upon the nionar, for having rejected his jiroijosilions.* With li: greatest eagerness, therefore, they sought to t ■ ter the doul)ls which had sprung up in the m. . mind. Some who had seen the natives broughi the caravel, declared that their color, hair, ,.: manners agreed with the descriptions of the;; ])le of that part of India which lay within the n/,.: of the Portuguese discoveries, and which had In: included in the ]).i|)al bull. (Others observe 1 t: . there was but little dist.ince between the Tcii • Islands and those '.'.ich Columbus had dis. ered, and that the latter, therefore, clearly apj tallied to Portugal. Seeing the king much ; turbed in spirit, some even went so tar as to ] ■ pose, as a means of impeding the prosecuti'V. these enterprises, that Columbus should be :im . sinaled ; declaring that he deserved death {<:. tempting to dectdve and emliroil the tv>o n.i;: by his pretended discoveries. It was suggi -. th.it his assas.iinalion might easily be ace - ])lished without incurring any odium ; adv.int;, might be taken of his lofty deportment t^) pi, his pride, jircn-oke him into an altercation, ,. then dispatch him as if in casual and h'Mni.. encounter. It is dillicult to believe that such n-ckc! dastardly counsel could have been ])ro', i?.ii' monarch .•>() upright as John II., but tht '; asserted by various historians, PortUiUese 1 * Vasconcelos, Villa de n. Juixn 11., li'>. vi. " Portuguese historians in general ch.argo tToliiiiV. with having conducted himself loitily, and talkc I vaiiiitinR terms of his discoveries, in hi,-> conversui; ' with the kinK- It is evident their iiiformati'ui n:. have been derived from prejudiced courtiers. F..' y Souza, in his ' Europa Portupuesa' ' (Parte iii. i : 4^, goes so f.ar as to say that Colunlms cnteri'l : the port of Rastello merely : , inake PortiiRal sen? by the sight of the trophies ot h:- discovery, ^ much she had loi.t by not actepiing his propositions IS Spanish,* idvice formerl [0 Columbus. ;oiirts, which i: laseness ; and ite the grosses [roni person.d < ll.ippily, the I idopt the iniqu justice to the red him as a iiid ; and he riiice, to protei fortune to his fi'^lcd a more hey advised th Jo return to Sp; but a second ihould be dispat 'ortiiguese mari niral, to take pi iinintry ; posses; ■ynd an appeal iiig so doubtful This counsel, if coiir.ige and ng, and he n |o put it in ext fiscn de Almeid (I capt.iins of tl ion.t ; In the mean tin Aviih distingiiishc' . lis slii|) by Don > , )u.s train of cava ,i mnided for hims t'^himi the king 1 linas, or ducats o ' tupped at the mo ; a I'ranca, to visii 1 m earnest wish to : erpri.sing man, w . if e\ery tongue, it !)('r t.ivorite lac fl.itlering receptioi h'j- the jirincipal icrilie the countrii fr ladies hung wi :itii)n. That nigf . II the point of ik i';. U of the king ar j'er, it he jirelerri iii'l to ])rovide he I-; might stand in .veather, ho\ ' icrred returnin Jn. iht ,cfore, un i :< iy ,it the bar o fi i at mid-dav t *}h<-ncv he had'sai piVKiJiiig year, h 111 '■nils and a h;ilf ii It lUo of ,ill mar V.isroncelos, \'l f-inii (II- Resendc jP'-"^''-^. Hist. Ind., lil i ^ \ isctiiicelos, ill) i ' Tu-cniy eight ik jnl o'luiv.ilent to sev »fpreri,,iion of ihe p ' Works generally '•'■^■iS Hist. Ind. lib. ,f^P. 39. 40, 41 i Jo torn. 1, LIFE AND VOYAGES OF COLT'MBUS. G!) ,o, the prinripj'Jf was honorai);, made many nv- :ti()ns, and pc ■ trit'S, and li: • ,-hich Columh;,:/ injf Id sliiiw- t; ri'^jions h( ri- prialud liy ar uiiuasy k'Stth;^ 1(1 in sonu: w.;, Liired li'rritnriii had not fmiiui , which wen ;:: nd \vhi( h «■•; jri-anliii;; to •:: which it shou,. lies. his counriUon. Some of du:; incc derided th,; us as a drcaiivc: ;e of cuntusii,- M'ed with j,diir, if conceiving i:-. ich elevated \;-. 1 consideralio!'.:, s th(; most pi'; al exultation w^ i])h, and they ,;, and vainj^lniii _ of his iliscovi:r, )on the moiia:-. ons.* Wuli ;:. ;y soujjht to ! ■ up in the in.. atives broUL^hi; color, hair, ?.:. )lions of the ]h within the; ri'V: which had In; observe I i:.^ ■en tlie Tercr. us had disc clfiriy apii- kin^;- much ; • o tar as to |': prosecuti'i.'. houltl be a^:,. ed death fur.: the tv>-o nali': was sugjjo.i:. sily be ace < urn ; ad\:uit:. tment to pi', dtercation, .^ ind b'Moi,: luch w'cked .. i\\ pro'j isec' , but the fact iriuf 'uese as v :i., lii'. vi. T r-harRS tZoluml and talkci' hi.-> conversali'"' information mt' rourtiers. F.r " (I'arto iii. tiiss cntercil I'ortURal sens discovery, his proposiiiow ts Spanish,* and it accords with the perfidious idvice formerly fjiven to the monarch in respect (o Cohniibus. There is a sinirious loyalty about :oiirts, which is often jirone to jirove it's zeal by its aieness ; and it is the weaknes ' kinjjs to toler- it(' the tjrossest faults when thi , ear to arise from perst)nal devotion. appiiy, tliekintj had too much majjnanimity to ulopt the inic|uitous measure ])ro|)osed. He did lustiie to the ^freat merit ot Columbus, and hon- ired liini as a (listiii};uisht-(l benefactor of nian- ;iiul ; and he felt it his duty, as a fjenerous Iferiiue, to ])rolect .ill stranj,a'rs driven by adverse fortune to his ])orts. (">th(;rs of his council suj^- fc-.tid a more bold and martial line of ])olicy. lu\ advised that Columbus should be i)ermitled \o return to Spain ; but thai before he could fit )iil a second expedition, a jjowerful armament should be dispatched, under the j,fuidance of two ^)rlu;4uese mariners who had sailed with the ad- iral, to take ])ossession of the newly-discovered ;oiinlry ; possession beinjr after all the best title, ^nd an ajipe.al to arms the clearest mode of set- Tliiij,"^ so doubtftd a cpiestion. "his counsel, in which there was a mixture )f couraLje and craft, was more relished i)y the liiiL,', and he resolved jirivately, but ])romptly, lo put it in execution, fixinj,^ ujion Don Fran- ;isc() de .Mmeida, one of the most disting-uish- ;(1 ca|)tains of the age, to command the expedi- tion. + i In the mean time Columlnis, after being treated ividi distinguished attention, was escorted b.ack to *is shi]i by Don .Martin de .Xorofia, and a numer- )us train of cavaliers of the court, a mule being irovided for himself, and .another tor his pilot, to •honi the king made a present of twenty espa- linas, or ducats ot gold. J On his w.iy Ccdumbus (topped at the monastery of San Antonio, at \'il- la I'ranca, to visit the cjueen, who had expressed : m earnest wish to see this extraordin.iry and tni- erprising man, whose achievement was the theme j )f every tongue. He found her attended by a tew i if !ier tavorite l.ulies, and ex|)erienced the most latteriiig rece])tion. Her majesty made him re- ; all' the jirincipal events of his voyage, and de- icrihe the countries he had found ; and she and ; ILT ladies hung with eager curiosity upon his nar- ■ntion. That night he slept at LLandra, and being ; )n the point of dep.irting in the morning a ser- ■ T.U of the king arrived, lo attend him to the tron- •] 'xr, it he ])relerred to return to S|)ain !)y land, / md to |)rovide horses, lodgings, and everything ; le might stand in need ot, at the royal expense. '5' J weather, however, having moderated, he ■ icrred returtiing in his car.ivel. Putting to Jta, thciefore, on the 13th ot March, he arrived Iricly at the bar of Saltes on sunrise of the 15th, ^nil ,it mid-day entered the harbor of I'alos ; vhence he had sailed on the 3d of August in the priaeiiing year, having taken not (piite seven loiiths and a half to accomplish this most mo- Utiuous of cdl maritime enterprises. J Vasronce'.os, Vida del Rei, Don Juan II., lib. vi. rarcii di; Resende, vida do Dom Joam II. Las ^as.is, Hist. Ind., lib. i. cap. 74, .\is. t Vasconcelos, lit), vi. 1 Twenty eight dollars in gold of the present day, [nil equivalent to sevc ity-founiollars, considering the lepreci.ition of the precious metals. > Works generally consulted in this chapter . Las •asas. Hist. Ind. lib. i. cap. 17 ; Hist, del .\lmirante, tap. 3r), 40, 41 ; Journal of Coluinb, Navarrcte, torn. i. CHAPTER V. RECEPTION OF COI.U.MUU.S AT P.\LOS. ['493-1 The triumphant return of Columbus was a pro- digious event in the history of the littU; port of I'alos, where (;verybody w.is more or less interest- ed in the fate of his exjjedition. The most impor- tant and wealthy sea-capt.iins of the ])lare had en- gaged in it, .and scarcely a f.imi'y but h.id some rel.itive or friend .among the n.ivigators. The de- parture of the shijis U|)on what .appeared a chimer- ical and (lt'S|)erate cruise, had sjiread gloom ;>.n(l dism.ay over the jilace ; and the storms which h.ad rageil througliout the winter h.ad heightened the public despondency. M.ui)- lamented their friends as lost, while imagination lent mysterious horrors to their fate, picturing them as driven .about over wild and desert wastes ot water without a shore, or as ])erishing amid rocks and (piicksands .and wliirlpools ; or a prey to those monsters of the deep, with which credulity peopled every distant and unfreepiented sea. Tiiere was something more awfid in such a mysterious late than in de.ath itself, un(li;r any defined and ordinary form.* Great was the agitation of the inh.aliit.ants, there- fore, when they beheld one ot the ships sl.anding up the river ; but when thev learned that she returned in triumph from tb.e ([isco\ery of a world, the whole community broke forth into trans])orts of joy. The bells were rung, the shops shut, all business w.as suspended : f:)r a time there was nothing but hurry and tumult. Some were anxious to know the fate of a r(dative, others of a friend, and all U) le.arn the p.irticulars of so wonderful a voy.age. When Columbus landed, the multitude thronged to see and welcome him, and a grand ])rocession w.as lormecl to the ])rincipal church, to return thanks to dod for so signal a discovery m.ide by the people of th.at place — fcjrgctting, in their exultation, the thousand ditliculties they had thrown in the way of the enter|)rise. Wherever Columbus ])asse(', he was hailed with shouts and acclam.ations. What a contrast to his dep.arture a tew months before, followed by murmurs .and execrations ; or, rather, what a contrast to his first arrival at I'alos, ,1 poor pedestrian, craving bread and water for his child at the gate ot a convent ! Understanding that the court was at 15arcelona, he felt disposed to proceed thither immediatel\- in his cara\el ; refiecting, however, on the changers and 'isasters he had already experienced on the seas, he resolved to proceed by Land. He dis- patched a letter to the king anti ([ueen, informing them of his arriv.il, .and soon afterward departed for .Seville to await their orders, t.aking with him six of the natives whom he had brought from the -New World. Onu had died at sea, and three were left ill at Talos. It is a singular coincidence, which appears to be well authenticated, that on the very evening ot the .arriv.al cf Columl)US at I'alos, and while tiic peais ot triumph were still ringing from its towe.s, the I'inta, commanded by .Martin Alon/o I'in/on, likewise entered the river. After her sepaiM- * In the maps and charts of those times, and even in those of a much later date, the variety of formidable and hicleoiis monsters depicted in all remote parts of the ocean evince the terrors and dangers with which the imagina ion clothed it. The same ni.iy also l)e said of distant and unknown lands ; the remote parts of .Asia and .\frica have monsters depicted !■ ihetn which ii would be difficult to trace to any origuii.. ,11 natural history. 70 LIFE AND VOYAGES OF COLUMBUS. ■'■: r li ( i." ',> M mm tion from the adn 'ral in the storm, she had been driven before the jjale into the Hay ot liis- cay, and liad made the port of liayonne. Doubt- inj^ whether Cokimbus had survived llie teni- pest, Pinzon liad immethately written to the sovereifjjns j^ivin;^ information of tiie discovery he liad made, and had requested permission to come to court and communicate the particu- lars in person. As soon as the weather per- mitted, he iiad again set sail, anticipatiiitf a tri- umphant reception in liis native port ot I'alos. When, on enterinj^ liie liari)or, he t)elield the ves- sel of the admiral ridinjj at anchor, and learnt the entiuisiasm with wiiich he had been received, the heart of I'inzon died within him. It is said that he feared to meet Columbus in this hour of his triumph, lest he should i)Ut him under arrest for his desertion on the coast of Cuba ; but he was a man ot too much resolution to induljje in such a fear. It is more jirobable that a consciousness of his misconduct made him unwilling to ap])ear be- fore the public in the midst of their enthusiasm for Columbus, and perhaps he sickened at the hon- ors hea|)ed upon a man w:;ose su|)erif)rity he had been so unwilling to acknowledge. Cietting into his boat, tiierefort', he landed ])rivately and !:e])t out of sight until he heard of the admiral's de|iart- ure. He then returned to his home, broken in health and deeply dejected, considering all the honors and eulogiums hea]ied upon Columbus as so many re|)roache!j on himself. The rejily of the sovereigns to his letter at length arrived. It was of a reproaciiful tenor, and loi'bade his appearance ai court. This letter completed his humiliation ; the anguish of his feelings gave virulence to his bodily malady, and in a few days he died, a victim to ''(X'p chagrin.* Let no one, however, indulge in harsh censures over the grave of Pinzon ! His merits and ser- vices-are entitled to the highest ])raise ; his errors should be regarded with indulgence. He was one of the foremost in Spain to appreciate the project of Columlius, animating him by his concurrence and aiding him with his purse, when poor and unknown at Palos. He afterward cnal)led him to procure and fit oat ships, when even the mandates of the sovereigns were ineffectual ; and finally embarked in the e.xiiedition with his brothers and his friends, staking life, jjroperty, everything upon the event. He thus entitled himself to participate largely in the glory of this immortal enter|jrisc ; but \mlortunately, forgetting for a moment the grandeur ot the cause, and the implicit obedience clu( to his commander, he yielded t j ihe incite- ments of self-interest, and committed that act of insubordination which has cast a shade upon his name. In extenuation of his fault, however, may be alleged his habits of command, which rendered him im])atient of control ; his consciousness of having rendered great services to the ex])edition, ..-\(i of possessing ])roperty in the ships. That he V' .-is a man of great professional merit is admitted h\ :. ] 'li- > oeu'mporaries ; that he naturally pos- se.ssLi' p. .erous ;<' uiments and an honorable am- bition :-; 1 idcnt Irom the poignancy with which I' his miscon- [aflen a vic- d' c . A ;neai. man would n^t have tiiii u sf>lf-i.'pl)rai'ling Sr havini- heen convicted rf a ..K'^iV .u'iion. Hiii story shovvb how one lapse irom d'it\- mav r-junterbalam," the merits of a ■ li! ',1'=,. ' i! s.^rvices ; how one moi i ;nt of weakness may nv • tl •., I.'^.'uiiV ot ' whole Hie of virtue ; and * Jiii..', l'.\k N. .Mundo, lib, iv. § 14, Charle- voix, Hisi "5i. fJomin. lib. ii. how important it 's for a man, under all circurn-l stanc'.'s, to be irue not merely to others, but tj; himself.* CHAPTER VI. RECEPTION OF COI.U.Mlil.S liY THE .SP.AMSH COIR: AT r..\RCEI,ON.\. The letter of Columbus to the Spanish mon- archs had produced the greatest sensation ,r court. The event he announced was consideie; the most extraordinary of their pros])erou i reif,fr and following so close U])on the c;on{[uest of Cr.. nada, was ])ronounced a sigriul mark of divine i^ vor for that trium|)h achieved in the cause of li.. true faith. The sovereigns themselves were Im • tim.e dazzled by this sudden and easy ac(|ui^itii- of a new empire, of indefinite extent, and ap|K!r. ently boundless wealth ; and their first idea w,^ to se.ure it beyo'id the reach of dispute. Sliori;, after his arrival in .Seville, Columbus received : letter from them exjiressing their great deii^'h; and requesting him to repair immediately ; court, to concert i)lans for a second and more r\- tensive ex|)edition. As the summer, the time tr- vorable for a \oyage, was approaching, they (';:; sired him to make ;iny arrangements at Seville r elsewhere that might hasten the ex])edition, ar; to inform them, by the return ot the cnuricr what was to be done on their ,jart. This let',-.: * After a lapse of years, the descendartS of th Pinzons made strenuous representations to the crow: of the merits and services of their family, endcavr: ing to prove, among other things, that but for ih aid and encouragement of Martin Alonzo and h brothers, Columbus would never have made his (b covery. Some of the testimony rendered on this an another occasion was rather exii ivagant and nbsur; as will be sliown in another part of this work.f Tht I'mperor Charles V'., however, taking into consider.. tion the real services of the brothers in the first voyage and the subsequent expeditions and discoveries oi ih;: able and intrepid navigaliir, Vincente Yai'iez Pinzor, granted to the family the well-merited rank and priv; leges of I/idiil^iiia, a ilegree of nobility which cnn>:: tuted them noble hidalgos, with the right of prefix;!:; the title of Don to their names. A coat of arms Ha- also given them, emblematical of their services as i::; coverers. These privileges and arms are carefa i; preserved by the family at the present day. The PInzons at present reside principally in 1-: little city of Moguer, about a league from Palos. ar. possess vineyards and estates about the neighborl-i-' : They are in easy, if not affluent circumstances, ar: inhabit the best houses in Moguer. Here they Iw: continued, from generation to generation, since 1:; time of the discovery, filling places of public trust ar: dignity, enjoying Ihe good opinion and good w''l their fellow - citizens, and flourishing in nearly tfer same state in which they were found by Columbu! on his first visit to Palos. It is rare indeed to fin!: family, in this thictuating world, so little changed '■ the revolutions of nearly three <;enturies and a halt. Whatever Palos may have been in the tin.c Columbus, it is now a paltry village of about four Ir..' dred inhabitants, who subsist chiefly by laboririK' ' the fields and vineyards. The convent of La R.ili still exists, but is inhabited merely by two friar--, « : a novitiate and a lay brother. It is situated on a 1; surrounded by a scattere "11 it had been di: !■■! "y in this event tl ^^'^ i the public joy. •>"'! siL;n.i| dispensatii I' ' the piety of the f;' ! Venerable appea <• :! rent from the yo it\ii: 'Ml it had been discovered. There was a sub- l:;nity in this event that mingled ;i solemn feeling iWitii the jiublic joy. It w.as looked upon as a vast anil signal dispensation of Providence, in reward jiur the ])iety of the monarchs ; .and the majestic 'aiiil venerable appearance of the discoverer, so ;rl(l. As Columbus approached the sover- eigns rose, as if receiving :i pers(m of the highest rank. Bending iiis knees, he offeree! to kiss their hands ; but there was some hesitation on tlieir part to permit this act of homage. R;iising him in the most gracious manner, they ordere(l him to seat himself in their presence ; .a rare honor in this proud and punctilious court. f At their recpiest, he now gave an account oi the most striking events of his voyage, and a de- scription of the islands discovered. He displ.iyed specimens of unknown birds and other animals ; ot rare j)lants of medicinal and aromatic virtues ; of native gold in dust, in crude masses, or labored into barbaric ornaments ; and, above all, the na- tives of these countries, who were objects of in- tense and inexhaustil)le interest. All these he ])ronounced mere harbingers of greater discover- ies yet to be made, which would add re ilms of incalculable wealth to the domininns of the ir maj- esties, and whole nations of proseutes to the true faith. When he had finished, the sovereigns sank on their knees, and raising their clasped hands to heaven, their eyes filled with tears ot joy and grat- itude, poured forth thanks and prai 'S to God for so great a providence ; all present example ; a deep and solemn enthu that splendid assembly, and pre\ eii acclamations of triumph. The ai IdUchiinus, chanted by the choir of ; with the accomp.iniment of instrum; full body of sacred h.-irmony , ' were, the feelings and thoughts heaven, " so that," snys the \ei " it seemed as if in that hour ti)e' with '-ele.stial delights." Si :i llowed their m pervaded dl common •m 'If Deuiii royal cha|)el, ■nts, rose in a iring up, as it :he auditors to .'lie Las Casas, communicated was the solemn and pious manner in which t. •■ lirilliant court of Spain celebrated this sublime cvtnt; offering up a grateful tribute of melody and [iraise, and giv- ing glory to (iod lor the discovery ot anotlier world. When Columbus retired from the royal pres- ence, he was attended to his residence by all the court, and followed by the shouting popidace. For many days he was tlie object of universal curi- osity, and wherever he appearcl \, i.s surrounded by an admiring multitude. While his mind was teeming with glorious an- ticipations, his pious scheme fo'" the deliverance of the holy sepulchre was not forgotten. Jc has * Las Casas, Hist. Iml., lib. i. cap. yS, iMS f Las Casas, Hist Ind., lib, i. cap. 78. Hist, del Alniirantc, cap. Sr. ill n LIFE AND VOYAGES OF COLUMBUS. been shown that he suppfpstcd it to the Spanish soverci^^ns at the time ot tirst mai

-■ iiionunu'iu, 01, ubi iiar,u:ti.Tb— -•ux Percy." iMVL' IVuy.; bf tlie loml) „f jf,.,,., n tiiiif, but Sccitt (ir.x ', " il's noihiivj i,i:;„,,. onscnsL',(,f will, !n„;;; I Ic.-iriu aluruarJ ;:.,.,: itc j^ivylioiiiul. tii'laiit and |.n»ilcvi U 111) I'lLIUad ill ,;!1,:;,;. laryc gray cat. \\l],.,[ 1> tiiiK- to timo with ;::. i s.agc i;iiina!kiii «,i-,i 1 iliibtix'ss, and ^;l^'. •. Scdtt laii,i;li:ii_-|y ,... ast wisi' |)aris onlk,; J windiiwwas IlU iiptn anil (int. The cat ,,v L-y anion;.,' the .i!!i'n some adniiruljic re- L'liaracter, and s|«iI;o piict, orderly, linik?; licli one would lurdiy descendants of iiii^ I neigiiborliood fauuJ feud, and viol., mo n| n his oliicial c,i|).'.('i;y laws for a nuiiilKr -f ll.ul iicell \r;\ fi'V local iiitcrcsls, anJ tiie .Scotch, lioHcvcr, ir ashes, .■uid nuVl'.t ereditary feclini,' l"r ,is not always s.ifc to )all l)etween vi!la;;e=, [(10 a])t (o lire ik nut. uorc rcN-enyefiil tlu:i ,1 i!- ,v, Fiv'iiih ; they carried their resentments I".',.r and would sometimes lay then\ by for '- 'but would be snre to ynitify them in the The .indent jealousy between the llit;lilandcrs ,,' I'li' l.owhiiiders still continued tu ;i certain P'JllJc former lookin;,' u|)(in the hitter as an i.^r,)!' race, less brave and hardy, but at tlie Hiic'iime, s'uspectins,' them of a disposition to ;'■'., ^,fj upon themselves under the ide.i of Ijcriori''^^''"'-''"'^^'''" '^'''* made them techy and r'kluh company for a stranger on his first com- ■-'Miiinng them ; ruflhng up and inittinj,' them- i", lUpnii their mettle on the slightest occasion, (iiliailiohad in a manner to iiiiarrel and fight i,i ivav into their good graces. He iniianced a case in point in a brother of V:n'o i'.irk, who went to take u|) Iiis residence in -uU nci'diborhood of the Highlands. lie soon "'vrA himself considered as an intruder, and •'"'t ih-tc was a disposition among these cocks ckiohill-i. to I'lX a quarrel on him. trusting that, |.;,i,' a Lowlander, he would show the white i..;;h;T. For a time he bore their llings and taunts with .TL.it ciiolncss, until one, presuming on his for- k'.Mi'.co, drew forth a dirk, and holding it be- ;■ :e him, nsked him if he had ever seen :\ weapon ;.ic ihat in his ])art of the country. Park, who j.j a Hercules in frame, seized the dirk, and, » th line blow, drove it through an oaken table : -"Vis," replied he, "and tell your friends that ,-. mm from the Lowlands drove it whore the c.-.ii him.-ielf cannot draw it out again." All r.r-ons were delighted with the feat, and the •J nii that accompanied it. They drank with 1. irk til abetter acquaintance, and were stanch i'ri'.nJi ever afterw.ird. .^I'tcr dinner we adjourned to the drawing- r .im. which served also f(jr study and liljrary, .\;x,i)il the w.iU on one side was a long writing- l.:'i!e, with drawers ; surmounted by ;i small cibintt (if polished wood, with folding doors ridily stiiddeil with brass ornaments, within shi.ii Scott kept his most valu.ible papers. .Vime the cabinet, in a kind of niche, was a ciiii|ilcto corslet of glittering steel, with a closed kimct, and tlanked by gauntlets and battle- rvii. .Around were hung trojihies and relics of nrimis kinds : ,i ciineter of Tippoo Sail) ; a H:;lil,uid broadsword from Klodden Field ; a |)air of Kippiin spins from Hannockburn ; and above .■'.. a^iin which had belonged to ]\ob Roy, and brchii initials, K. M. C, an object of peculiar ir.tircst tome at the time, as it was umlerstood .'"Mtt was actually engaged in printing a novel founded on the story ot th.it famous outlaw. ^''n each side of the cabinet were liook-cases, »u! stiircd with works of rom.intic tlction in vari- Kjlan;,'nages, many of them r.ire and antiquated. This, however, was merely Ins cottage library, tie principal part of his books being at Kdii'i- l):r^h. liiiin this little cabinet of curiosities Scott fcvldrih a manuscript jiicked up on the field of ».i!i'iio(i, containing copies of se\-eral songs Fpr.lir at the time in France. The paper was MiWodwith blood-" the very life-blood, very P'lssibly," said Scott, "of some gay young officer, «lio had clierislied these songs as' a keepsake from some lady-love in Paris."" He .idverted, in a mellow and delightful man- ner, to tlic little half-gny, half-melanclioly, cam- Iiaigning song, said to have been comiiosed by Cieneral Wolfe, and sung by him at the mess table, on the e\e of the storming of Ouebec, in which he fell so gloriously : " Why, soldiers, why, •SlioiiUl we be melancholy, boys? Why, soldiers, why. Whose liiisiness 'tis to die ! l-'or shoillil next campaign Send us to him who made us, boys, We're free from p.iin : lint should we remain, A bottle and kind landlady Makes all well again." " So," added he, " the poor lad who fell at Waterloo, in .ill |)robabilily, had been singing these songs in his tent the night before the battle, and thinking of the fair dame who had taught him them, and |)roinising himself, should he outlive the campaign, to return to her all glorious from the wars." I find since that Scott pulilished translations of these songs among some of his smaller ])oems. The evening passed away delightfully in this (luainl-looking apartment, half study, half draw- ing-room. Scott read se\eral jiassages from the old romance of " Arthur," with a t'lne, deep sonor- ous voice, and a gravity of tone that seemed to suit the antiquated, black-letter volume. It was a rich treat to hear such a work, read by such a jierson, and in such a ))lace ; and his ajipearance as he sat reading, in a large armed chair, with his favorite hound Slaida at his feet, and surrounded by books and relics, and border trophies, would have formed an admirable .-11111 most character- istic ])icture. While Scott was leading, the sage grim.ilkin, already mentioned, had t.iken his seat in a chair beside the fire, and remained with fixeil eye and grave demeanor, as if listening to the reader. I observed to Scott that his cat seemed to have a bl.udc-lelter taste in literature. " Ah," said he, " these cits are a very mysteri- ous kind of folk. There is always more jiassing in their minds than we are aware of. It comes no doubt from their being so familiar with witcln.'S and warlocks." He went on to tell a little story about a gude man who was returning to his cot- tage one night, when, in a lonely out-of-the-way l)lace, he met with a funeral i)rocession of cats all in mourning, bearing one of tlieir race to the grave in a coftin covered with a black velvet pall. The worthy man, astonished and half-frightened at so strange a pageant, hastened home and told what he had seen to his wife and children. Scarce li.id he finished, when a great black cat that sat be- side the tire raised himself up, exclaimed " 'I'hen 1 am king of the cits!" and vanished up the chimney. The funeral seen by the gude man, was one of the cat dynasty. " Our grimalkin here," added Scott. " some- times reminds me of the story, by the airs of so\ ereignty w hicli he assumes ; and I am apt to tre.it him with resjiect from the idea that be iii.iy be a great prince incog., and may some time or other come to the throne.'' In this way Scott would make the habits and jieculiarities of even the dumb animals about liim subjects for humorous remark or whimsical story. Our evening was enlivened also by an occa- sional song from Sophia Scott, at the request l';i;i i ii m >i' ' ii m '} ■III mm km sao ABBOTSFORD. (if licr fiiihcr. She never wanted to l)c asked twice, l)ul coniijlied frankly and clieerfuUy. Her son^s were all Scotch, sun^,' without any acconi- ])aninient, in a simple manner, hut with (^'reat s|)irit and expression, and in their native dialects, which nave them ai additional charm. It was deli;^'hlful to hear her carol olf in spri;4htly style, and with an animated air, some of those j^encrous- spirileil old Jacobite son^s, once current amon;^ the adherents of tlie I'retender in Scotland, in which he is desiLjnated by the appellation ol' " The YounjT Chevalier." These songs were much relished by Scott, not- withstandinj^ his loyalty; (or the ut. fortunate " Che\alier" has always been a here of romance with him, as he has with many other stau -h . 1- herents to the House of Hai •<'<•, nf : U ti e ' "uart line has lo=t ,"i'l it •■ 'errir in ; .K;n • e tne sid)ject, Scott li "'Lioned a^ a •. u; :oii« fact, that, amon;4 the jiapers of the " Chv .in. r. ' - hich had been sidnnilted by<;over. ici ' ■ 'w i.i.iiec- tion, he had found a memorial to i !:.irlcs lii , • Eome adherents in America, dated i/J^S, pio[j ,.. iny to set up his standard in the back settlements. I re;;ret that, at the time, I did not make more particular inquiries of Scott on the subject ; the document in ([uestion, however, in all jirobabilily, still exists amon^f the I'retender's |)apers, which are in the possession of the liritish {Government. In the course of tlie evenin<,f, Scott related the story of a whimsical pictme hani^in^' in thi' room, which had been drawn for him by a lady of liis acc|iuuntance. It represented the dolefid per- ]ile.\ity of a wealthy and handsome youn;..; I'-n;.^- lish kniylit of the olden time, who, in the course of a border foray, had been (•aptiu'cil and carried off to the castle of a hartl-lieaded and liiLjh- handed old baron. The unfortunate youth w;is thrown into a dungeon, and a tall gallows erected before the castle gate for his execution. When all was ready, he was brought into the casile hall where the grim baron was seated in state, with his warriors armed to the teeth around him, and was gi\en his choice, either to swing on the gibbet or to marry the ban.n's daughter. The last maybe thought an easy alternative, but unfortunately, the liaron's young lady was hidecnisly ugly, with a mouth from ear to ear, so that not a suitor was to be h.ul for her, either for love or money, and she was known throughout the border country by the name of .Muekle-mouthed Mag! The ])icture in ciuestion represented the un- happy dilemma of the handsome youth, lieforc him sat the grim baron, with a face wortlu' of the father of such a daugluer, and looking daggers and rat's-bane. On one siite of him was Muckle- niouthed Mag, with an amorous smile across the whole breadth of her countenance, and a leer enough to turn a man to stone ; on the other siile was the father confessor, a sleek friar, jogging the xoulh's elbow, and pointing to the gallows, seen in ])erspective through tlie open jjort.d. The st(uy goes, that after long laboring in mind, between the altar and the halter, the love of life pre\ailed, and the youth resigned himself to the charms of Muekle-mouthed Mag. Con- trary to all the ]irobal)ilities of romance, the match proved a hajjpy one. The baron's daugh- ter, if not be.uitiful, was a most exemiilary wife ; her husband was never troidiled with any of those doubts and jealousies which sometimes mar the happiness of connubial life, and was made the father of a fair and undoubtedly legitimate line, which still lloinishes on the border. I |,Mve but a faint outline of ;hc story from vague recollection ; it may, pr re riihly ri'lated elsewhere, bv souk -1 1.; ..r .1. i !■ . '■clianco, lie nn riihly ri'lated elsewhere, by some (mu uli„ , retain something of the deligluful hum'v', which Scott recmmted it. When 1 retired for the night, I found i;;,>. impossible to sleep ; the idea of hcin'.' unil' "•• roof of Scott ; of being on the borders , i Tweed, in the very centre of ilmt ri"ii'" ■■ had for some time past been the f.-ndm, of romantic ficti(ni ; and above ill, t!,e rm'- tions of the rand)le I had l.iken, tlic aimpaM which 1 had U\kvn it, and the convers,uiii;,'uiv had passed, all fermented in niv miii,i - nearly drove sleep from my i)ilknv, ' On tne foll-nvii^g morning, tlie sun dwcd hijl beams from over the hills throiigli the Knvhtuccl window. 1 rose .it an early hoiu', :uul loukcdoutl between the branches of eglantine win h iivcr-l himg the casement. To my sin]iriso Scoimasl alreaily u|) ;ind forth, seated on a fni'jmer.; ofl stone, and chatting with the workmen iii:plii\ i]I on the new building. I had supposed, ;iftir;hc I time he had wasted ii])on me yestcrdnv, liiMui;;iJ be closely occupied this morning, but li- m- ])eared like a man of leisiue, who juul ndthinv.il do but bask in the sunshine and amuse huibiif. I soon dressed myself and joined liuii, He talked about his jjroposed jilans of .Abl.ui-ford; I hajjpy woidd it have been for him could lie bvc | contented himself with his deligluful littli; vir.c- covered cottage, and the simple, yet lieartv nr.d I hos[)itablc style, in which he lived at the timt ul my visit. The great ])ile of Abbotsford, uiihik | huge expense it ent.iiled upon him. of serv.m'.s, ret.iiners, guests, and biironial style, was .t dran I iijion his purse, a tax upon his exertions, and a weight upon his mind, that tinally crushed hun. As yet, however, all was in embry(i and per- spective, antonc, or painted red, which hit my fancy. 1 for.mt «hojc cognizance it was ; but 1 shall never Iit^'C. ih: delightful observations concerning old .Mclioscto which it accidenlallv gave rise. The Abliey was e'vidently a pile tliat called up all Scott's poetic and romantic feelings; anddne to which he w:is enthusiastically attached by the most fanciful and delightful of bis early associ.i- ti.nis. He spoke of it, 1 mav say, with ailcction, " There is no telling," said he, " what irea-^iiroi are hid in that glorious old pile. U is a t.inioiis place for antiquarian plunder; there arc suc.i rich bits of old time sculpture for tbc aichiuct, and old time storv for the poet. Tlieic I'j a* ''''^ Ijicking in it as a Stilton cheese, and m ihc janie taste— the mouldier the better." Me went on to mention circumstances ol "mightv import" connected with dn .W^; which had never been touched, and which r.,iu even escaped the researches ot Jubiwy bo«cr. ABBOTSFORD. C21 . ''. soniL' (,n,j ui,,, ,. ^" '^' 'l^'liflitful hum,,; ^"io'lit- I foillKl u .,'., : on tliL> borders ! ( ■ 'r^ "f ll>at rcpon „ . I^e^'n the favorit, <,„ ' =^'7^ -''l,tl,cruo'i'l. ;' '.■''^^•"•tlH.'a.mpar.v'ia, '' "'L' convcrsaiinn «h, I "'^•'' '" '"y mind, „dl my pillow. ' ^' "1";.;, till' sun darted hisi -s tliniiigh (lie Inwbtiiccl 'lylym-, amllo„kdoi!t ' L'Kl.mtmc wh-h nvcr. > my sur|.rise Scouivail ■■;iU'(l (m a fra;jiner,t nf) the workmen tmpli,v,jf iKid supposaLaiur'tlie mu yi.'^tcrdav,li|.«ou!d| s morninf,', but hv ap- , in-o, who had iiiuhin-;) no and amuse liinibih'. and jdincd luni. Hcj d i)lan;i of Abhotsford;, 1 for him could he have] lis (lc!i;;htt"ul little vine-, simpk', yet heartv and I 1 lie lived at thetimtoli of Abhotsford, with the upon him. of servants, ■onial style, was a diaia | »a his exertions, .ami ,i . it finally crushed him. as in cniliryo and p^r- cd himself with jiictur- cc, as he would one (f ] lis own romances. •■]: s," he said, "wiiichhe c and mortar." .Ahna irioiis morsels fi(>m the vhich were to be inc ■.'■ lie had already cm- terials a kind of (li'ii;;: liael surmounted it b; a the Abbey which lay i a most c|uaint and er of red stone, or fancy. I forget vdwse shall never f'r.'e'. thv icernini; old .Melrose to rise. y a pile that called up ntic feelings ; andeiie tically attached by the il of his early associ;!- lay say, with aiieetion. 1 iic, " what treasures I pile. It is a famous iider ; there are such tnrc for the architect, met. There is as r.ue ecsc, and in the same Icr." ion circnmstaiKes of ted with the .Abbey, .ichcd, and which h.id es uf Johnny Itewer. L.,|j^,^ftnf Robert Rruce, the hero of Scotland, 'Crn buried in it. He dwell on the bcaiiti- r, if Bruce s pious and cliiv.iiroiis rcijucst ,Kii;' hour, tiiat his lie.irt inijjhl be c;ir- .. the \U>\\- '■ hre, in fidri <■■ .iihcloyal I- ,-, amvev the K' iB.ufc.ll'-'S.li'l-"'" |ir,;ii.u.iilventurous an his death in ....... — — -J.,..- — and .and pl.iccd mi the Hcdy ent of a vow of pil^;rima;^i" ; litioii of Sir jaiiu Doi.glas Otis relic. Much iiiiKlit !.'■ the adventures of Si James i],'e ; of his fortunes in Spain, ^^ crusade a!4ain.ji. the Moors; ,rii the "subseii. Mit fort'i es of the lieart of RAt-rt Ilmce, ■! . it was brou^du back to its luiivc land, anu enshrined within the holy walls oi.iidMi-lrose. ^5 Scott sat nn a stone t ikin- ai iliis way, and lijicking with his staff against the little red lion »h:cii lay prostrate before him, his gray eyes rra'icioJbeneath his shaggeil eyebrows ; scenes, iHj_,L.i, incidents, kept breaking; upon his niiiul a,'h: proceeded, mingled with touches of the ni'.iterious and supernatural as connected with th; lieart of liniee. It seemed us if a poem or rr.imeewere breaking; vat;uely on his ima;.4ina- ;; n. That be subseipiently coatempl.ated some- ihia.'iif the kind, as connected with this subject, ar.d'.vith his favorite ruin of .Melrose, is eviileiit Ipni Ins introduction to "The Monastery ;" and :; i! a pity that he never succeeileel in following cjtthcie shadowy, Init enthusiastic conceptions. \ summons to breakfast broke off our con- vention, when 1 bej^ged to recommend to Scott's atttnlion my .lend the little reel lion, who h.icl led to such an interesting topic, and hoped he ra;,ht receive some niche or station in the future ar.le. worthy of his evident antit(uity and ap- p.'.rcnt dii,'nity. Scott assured me, with comic pivitv, that the valiant little lion should be most kinorably entertained ; I hope, therefore, that he i:;;l ilourishes at Abhotsford. Before dismissini; the theme of the relics from the .Abbey, 1 will mention another, illustrative of Satt's varied humors. Tliis w.is a human skull, «i;;ch had probaljly belonged of yore to one of those jovial friars, so honorably mentioned in the cl.l border ballad ; "0 the monks of Melrose made f;iulo kale Oil Fridays, when they fasted ; They w.antutl iieilber beef nor ale, .U long as their neighbors lasted." Tiiis skull he had caused to be cleaned and var- r.ijh'.d. and placed it on a chest of drawers in ids diiiiber, immediately opposite his bed ; where 1 hive seen it, ;,'rinning raost dismally. It was an ihitt of great awe and horror to the superstitious b-Kemaids ; and Scott used to amuse himself «:'h their apprehensions. Sometimes, in chang- i"jliij dress, he would leave his neck-cloth coiled rwndit hkc a turban, and none of the " lasses" dired to remove it. It was a matter of great ivMder and speculation among them that the l-[d should have such an " awsome fancy for an Kid girnin.;' skull." At breakfast that morning Scott gave an aaubin,,' account of a little Highlander called t'fflipbell of the \orth, who had a lawsuit of niny years' standing with a nobleman in his f'-yliborhood about the boundaries of their tbMtes. It was the leading object of the little '^■■•^slile ; the running theme of all his conver- sjtmns ; he used to detail all the circumstances ;•; iall length to everybody he met, and, to aid f-i m his description of the premises, and make his story " mair prccccsc," he had a great map made ol ids est.ite, a huge roll sever.i! feet long, which he used to carry about on his shoulder. C.impl)ell was a long-bodied, but siiort and b.iiuly legged little man, always clad in the Highi.uui garb ; and as he went about with this . reat loU on liis shoulder, and his little li'gs curving like a pair of p.irentlieses below Ills kill, he was an odd hgure to behold. He w.is like little IJavid ' uildering the spe.ir of (ioli.iih, which was " li.ieunto a weaver's beam." Whenever sheep-shearing was over, Campbell used to set out for Edinburgh to .ittimd to his I.iwsuit. At the inns he jjaid double for all his meals and his night's lodgings, telling the l.ind- lords to keep it in mind until Ins return, so that he might come back that way at free cost ; for lie knew, he said, that he would s])end all his money among the lawyers at lulinburgh, so he thought it best to secure a retreat home again. (Jn one of his \ isits he called upon his lawyer, but was told he was not at home, but his lady was. " It's just the same thing," said litt' Campbell. On being shown into the parlor, ', unrolled his ma]), stated his case at full leng'i.. and, having gone through with his story, , '- dined it, but he insisted on her taking it, '• . ha' had just as much pleasure," said he, ' , i 11- ing the wdiole tale to you, as I should have !i in telling it to your husband, and 1 beli'ce fui. as much prolit." 'I'he last lime lie saw Scott, he tolc i ',.; believed he and the laird were licar a setti^iiK nt, as they agreed to within a few miles of the boundary. If I recollect right, Scott .ulded that he ailviseil the little man to consign his cause and his map to the care of "Slow Willie Mow- bray," of tedious memory, an lulinburgh worthy, much emi>loyed by the country ])eople, for he tired out everybody in office by repeated visits and drawling, endless prolixity, and gained every suit by dint of boring. These little stories and anecdotes, which abouiuled in Scott's conversation, rose naturally out of the subject, and were perfectly unforced ; though, in thus relating them in a detached way, without the observations (iv circumst.mces which led to them, and which have passed from my re- collection, they want their setting to give them proper relief. They will serve, however, to show the natural play of his mind, in its familiar moods, and its fecundity in graphic and ch.n.icteristic detail. His daughter Sophia and his son Charles were those of his family who seemed most to feel and understand his humors, and to take didight in his conversation. .Mrs. Scott did not alw.iys I)ay the same attention, and would now and then make a casual remark which would operate a little like a damper. Thus, one morning at breakfast, when Dominie Thomps(m, the tutor, was present, Scott was going on with great glee to relate an anecdote of the laird of .Macnab, " who, poor fellow," premised he, " is dead and gone—" " Why, Mr. Scott," exclaimed the good lady," Macnab's not dead, islie ? " " F.iith, my dear," replied Scott, with humorous gr.uity, " if he's not dead they've done him great injus- tice — for they've buried him." The joke jiassed harmless and unnoticed by Mrs. Scott, but hit the poor Dominie just as he had raised a cup of tea to his lips, causing a burst of laughter which sent half of the contents about the table. n fc#i'i \F-^'' p. *i ,' ; m •! 622 AnnOTSFORD. . ^v i; /' ;' :: u\ .Jl.11 ;!'i ' ;■' i ;'!.^ > •(' Afti'i lircakfast, Scott w.is occiipicil for some time ((iiiL'ctini; proof-sliccts which he had w- ici\c(l liy ihc mail. The iui\(jl of Roh Hoy, as I liavc already ohsi-rvcd, was at that time \n ilu- j)rL'ss, and I supposed them to be the proof- sheets of that work. The authorship of the Waverley no\els was still a matter of eonjecuire and uneii lainly ; though few douhted their heiii'^ piiniipally written hy Scott. One proof to me of his heing the author, was that he never ad- virted to ihem. A man so fond of an\lhin;; Scottish, anil anything; relating; to national his- tory or local Icj^end, coukl not have been mule respecting; such productions, hail they been writ- ten hy another, lie w.is fonil of ipioting the works of his contemporaries ; he was continually reciting; scraps of border songs, or relating anec- dotes of border story. With respect to his own jxiems, ,ind their n\erits, however, he was niute, and while with him 1 observed n scrupidous silence on the sid)ject. I may lu re mention a singular fact, of which I was not aware at the time, tli.it Scott was \ery re- ser\ed with his children respecting his own writings, anil w.is even disinclined to their read- ing his romantic poems. 1 learnt this, some time after, from a passage in one of his letters to me, adverting to a set of the American minia- ture eilition of his ])(iems, whic h, on my return to I'^ngland, I forwarded to one of the yomig ladies. " Jn my hurry," writes he, '"l have not thanked you, in Sophia's name, for the kind attention whicJi furni>hed her with the American volumes. I am not quite sure I can adil my own, since you have made her acquainted with much more of papa's folly than she would otherwise have le.irned ; for I have taken special care they should never see any of these things during their earlier years." To retinn to the thread of my narrative, When Scott had got through his brief literary occup.i- tion, we set out on a ramble. 'I'he young ladies started to accom]iany us, but they had not gone far, when they met a ])oor old laborer anil his distressed f.imily, .'uid tinned back to t.ike them to the house, and relie\e them. On i)assing the boimds of Atjl>otsfnrd, we came upon a bleak-looking farm, with a forlorn, crazy old manse, or f.irm-house, st.iniling in naked deso- lation. 'I'his, however, Scott told me, was an ancient hereditary jiroperty called l.aiickend, about as \aluable as the i)atrinionial estate of Don Ouixolc, and which, in like manner, con- ferred an hereditary dignity iqxin its projirictor, who was a laird, and, though poor as a rat, prided himself ui)on his ancient blood, and the standing of his house. lie was accordingly called Lauckend, according to the Scottish cus- tom of naming a mar after his family estate, but he was more generally known through the country roimd by the name of Lauckie I-ong I.cgs, from the length of his limbs. While Scott was giving this account of him, we saw him at a distance striding along one of his fields, with his plaid tluttering .about him, and he seemed well to ile- ser\e his ajjpellation, for he looked all legs and tartan. Lauckie knew nothing of the world beyond his neighborlKiod. Scott told me that on returning to Al)botsford from his visit to l-' ranee, immediately after the war, he was calleil on by his neighbors generally to inquire after foreign jiarts. Among the number came Lauckie Long 1-X'gs anil an old brother as ignorant as himself They had many inquiries to make about the French, whom they seemed to consider some remoicaiuUni,,; I , I ouslvu-de--''An.l what like ariMltu'S''''''^ in their own country .''' said i..im kn. ..' '" write ?-can they cij.her T IR. «,„' ,'.'" S ished to le.irn th.it they were nearlv a,mu,h '3* v.nu ed in civiluatiou as the t;ii(l^ f„ii., „, 7 botsford. ■^* Alter living for a long time in sindc \,l J ness, Lauckie all at once, ami not limi; 1,", ,T my visit to the neighborhoiid, Un>\i it in'^'i head to get married. The neiglil„„s ,h," 'J surprised; but the family eiinnixiiiii, u',,, , ■ a.-, proud as they were poor, vnic "lir.r'l scandalized, for they thought the \uiZ «V„'";J| on whom he h.id set his mind i|iuie'l)ini;,ii,i,'i;l It was in vain, however, tli.it lliiv iviii(iii,;;,.'|i| on the misalliance he was about tiiiiMkc; K»^^ not to be swayed from his ileiinnin.iiidn. .UnJ ing hin.self in his best, and s.uldlmu ';,' ,,'^^1 steed that might have ri\allid KiiMiiimur.ir.a jilacing a pillion behind liis saddle, lie dqiaiy to wed and bring home the liiiinhlu l;b>u 4j| was to be made mistress of the vtmiabli' h ,cl| of Lauckend, and who lived in a villayc in ;'-t| opposite side of the Tweed. I ,A small event of the kind makes a great ,i;r J a little quiet country neiglibiiilmod, Tlif liiij soon circulated through the \ill:ige of .Mdr,,,.. I and the cottages in its vicinity, that l.,iuiki«| Long Legs had gone over the Twicd to ft!,'ii| home his bride. All the good folks asM'inlji.J.J the bridge to await his return, L.uk kicliiiwi^n f disappointed them; for he crossed ilic rr.u ,i;j distant ford, and conveyed his bride iafo iul,ij| mansion without being percei\ed. Let me step forward in the toiirse of ivtn:! I and relate the fate of jioor Lauckii-, as ii v.,iil communicated to ine a year or twu al'itruari! A letter by Scott. From the time of his man :.;:■.• I he had no longer any peace, owing to the cun-l stant intermeddling of his relations, who uojijl not permit him to be hajjpy in his own wav, 'i„t( endeavored to set him at variance with h- v.iii.l Lauckie refused to credit any of their stnriis'.ol her disadvantage; but the inces^.uU wailate hM had to wage in defence of her good iLime, «i;i; out both lle-.h and spirit. Hi.-. I.i»t coiillii.: »..; witli his own brothers, in front of his |)ati,'rn.ill mansion. A furious scolding match took pLicej between them; Lauckie made a xehemeDt pro- [ fession of faith in fa\-or of her Inimaciilaic hen- j esty, and then fell dead at the tlireshokl nf h:j own door. His jjcrson, his char.icter, his n.^nu', his story, and his fate, entitled linn to be iniinit- tali/.ed in one of Scott's novels, .ind 1 lnokiil t.i recognize him in some of the siiccee'din;; »j ' from his pen ; but I looked in vain. After passing by the domains of honest I.ni;d;c, Scott pointed out, at a dist.uice, the kilw- stone. There in ancient days stood the Eia;.;! | tree, beneath which Thomas the Rhymet. .i:- cording to popular tradition, dealt lorth hb pif- phecies, some of which still exist in anliquatcJ ballads. Here we turned up a little glen with a m:„..1 ! burn or brook whimpering and dashing aK'Hf ■<• making an occasional waterfall, and o\ ciluin,,' ;a | some places with mountain ash and wiii'i'» birch. We are now, said Scott, treadiii;; «.la'-'>-'' or rather f;.iry ground. This is the hauntcil :4!j^:i of Thomas the Rhymer, where he met wnn '■■■^ queen of fairy land, and this the bo^le burn, ^r JlI- AUHOTSl-URI). 62n I ■', brook, alcint; which she rode on licr ihip- |f' '!liv|)allr(.y, "ill* »''*■'■"'■ 1j*-""s ringinii at the '"itrc '' s'i'l l"^'- I''>i"*'"«' " 's Huntley Hank. I .hicli'l'i'""'"' <1>^' KliynH-r l;iy nlllhin^; and j'fp,,,^ whin lie saw, or dreamt he saw, the llj'JU'll of niti.iiui „']-,iijTli""ii>s'iiy on Hiinllie hank; \ lerlie lie spied wi' liis e'c ; \i..l iheru lie saw a ladyo 1lli^;ll^, Oimtiri'liiiij down l>y the ICildon tree. • Her -kin was c' tlic (jrass-green silk, llcrmmtlen' iIk; velvet fyne ; At ilka ti'lt iif lier In use's mane Hum.,' lifiy siller hells and nine." Here Scott repented several of the stanzas .nnd Ircjuntcil ilio cinnmistance of Thomas the Khy- Utr* interview with the fairy, and ins bein^; [inKporteil by her to lairy land— "An I til seven years were ^nnc and past. True 'I'liiiinas (pn eartli was never seen." ;ti5.ifine old story," said he, " and mi^^ht be I ,;:..:;lu up inm a caiiital tale." Srott coiilimicd on, le.idiiv.; the way as usual, ;..,1 limping' lip the wizard ul"-'". talkin^^ as he I iii".t. but, as his back was toward me, 1 could lorJvhcar the (leeji growling; tones of his voice, ! l:«c the low breathing' of an or;4an, without (lis- I t:s."iisliin;,' tlio words, until jjaiisin^', and turnini; ibMfe toward me, 1 found he was recitiii;.,' some j imp of border minstrelsy about Thomas the [ Rhymer. This was continually the case in my MniUin^'s with him about this storied nei;;hbor- }jiA. liis mind was frau;.;ht with the traditionary •■'.ions connected with every object around him, ar.ii he would breathe it forth as he went, ap- ririii'Jv as imirh for his own yratilicalion as for iiitofi'.is cimipaninn. "Nurliill, niir bronl^, we paced along, liut had It-, legend or its sonj;." Hiivoiccwas deep and sonorous, he spoke with .I.Scottish accent, and with somewhat of the N'rilmmljiian "burr," which, to my mind, gave .-.li'iric stren;.;tli and simi)licily to his elocution. H;s rccitatioa of poetry was, at times, niagniti- c;n!, 1 '.iiink it w:is in the course of this ramble that riiylrieiid llaiidct, the black j;reyliound, got into abad scrape. The dogs were beating about the ;icn5ancl fields as usual, and had been for some I tine out nf si-ht, when we lu'.ird a barking ;il !;iao distance to the left. Shortly after we s.iw ST.io sheep scaiii))ering on the hills, with the (i-\;i .".fter them. Scott applied to his lips the iv.ry whistle, always hanging at his bultondnde, Ku soon called in the culprits, e.\ce[)ting 11am- :.;■ Hastening up a bank which comm.indcd a •:•.»■ .iluni; a fold or hollow of the hills, we beheld ;•'.. s.ible |)rince of Denmark staiuling by the '/.a'dinj,' body of a sheep. The carcass was still V'.irin, the thin.it bore marks of the fatal grip, ^"il Hamlet's muzzle was stained with blood. •Vver was culprit more completely caught in n-lJiutl,' (/(■!;,/,,, I sii|)posed the doom of ])oor riaiiilct to be sealed ; for no higher offence can recommitted by a dog in a country abounding «;|iisheep-w,ilks. Sc()tt, however, had a greater 'i.'-i; for hio doys than for his sheep. They were his companions and friends, Hamlet, too, though an irregul.ir, iinpeitincnt kind of youngster, was I'vidently a f,ivorite. lie woidil not for some time believe it could be he who h,id killed the sheep. It must have been some cur of the luighbiirhoud, that h.id m.ule olf on our ajjiiroach, ai\d left poor Hamlet in the lurch. I'ronfs, howt'ver, were too strong, and llamkl w.is generally (nndemneil. " Well, well," said Scott, " it's partly my own fault. I have given up coursing for some tin>e past, and thi' jioor dog has h,id no ( h.ince after game to take the (ire edge off arch and s.ircastie humor. 1 lis home, if home he had, was at (Jal.ishiels ; but he went " daundering " about the country, along the green shaws and beside the burns, and was a kind of walking chroidcle throughout the valleys of the Tweed, the h'.ttrick, and tlie Yarrow ; carrying the gos^ip from house to house, commenting on the inh.djitants and their concerns, and never hesitating to give them a ilry rtib as to any of their faidts or follies. Ashrewd beggar like Andrew Ciemmells, Scott added, who could sing the
;ree Ironi hein^; ailniitled oeeasionally to a ))reearioiis soeialiility "itli some of the small country j,'entry, who were sonietimes in w.mt of (•iim|iany to help whde away the time. With these Andrew would now and then jday at cards and diee, .ind he ne\er lacked "siller in pout h " to stake on a K'"'!*^'' ^^'li'l^ 1'^' did with a perfect air of a man to whom money was a matter of little moment, and no one could lose his money with more ^;enilemaiilike coolness. AmoMj; those who occasionally admitted him to this lamiliarity, was old John Scott of (lalla, a man of family, who inhahited his paternal man- sion of 'I'oi wtiodlee. Some distinction of rank, liowe\er, was still kept up 'i'he lairil sat on the inside of the window and the l)e;^';4ar on the out- sitle, .ind they played cards on the sill. Andrew now and then toUl the laird a jiieco nf his mind \ery freely ; especi.illy on one occasion, when he had sold some of his paternal lands to liuild himself a lar^'er house with the ])roceeds. 'I'he sjieech of lionest Andrew smacks of the shrewdness of I'.dic Ochiltree. " It's a' varra weel--it's a' \arra weel, Tor- wooillee," said he ; " Init who would li.i' thought that your f.ither's son would ha' sold two yude estates to luiild a shaw's (cuckoo's) nest on the side of ahill.>" Th.'it (lav there was an arrival at Abhotsford of two IJi^ii^h tourists ; one a j^eiitleman of fortune and landed estate, the other a younj; cler^jy- man -.vhom he aiijieared to ha\e under his pat- ronaj^e, and to ha\ e l)rou;.^ht with him as a tra\el- lin^' comp.inion. 'I'hc patron was one of those well bred, com- monplace ;^entlemen with which l''.iv.,dand is over- run. He had ^Meat ileference for Scott, and endea\()red to acquit himself learnedly in his comp.my, aiming' continualh- at abstract dis(|uisi- tions. t'orwhiih Scott had little relish. The con- versation of the latter, as usual, was studded with anecdotes and st(uies, some of them of j,'p'at pith and humor; the well-ljred ^'entleinan \v;is either too dull to feel their jioint, or too decorous to indulj,'0 in hearty merriment ; the honest parson, on the contrary, who was not too refined to be happy, laui,dietl loud and long at every joke, and enjoyed them with the zest of a man who has more merriment in his heart thaii coin in his jiocket. After they were Rone, some comments were made upon their different deportments. Scott spoke very respecttiilly of the j,'ood breeding and measured m.mners of the man of wealth, but with a kindlier feeling of the honest parson, and the homely but hearty enjoyment with which he re- lished every ])leasantry. " I doubt," said he, '• whether the |)arson's lot in life is not the best ; if he cannot command as many of the good things of this world by his own jnirse as his patron can, he beats him all hollow in his enjoyment of them when set before him by others. Upon the whole." added he, " I rather think I jirefer the honest parson's good humor to his ]iatron's good breeding ; I have a great regard for a hearty laugher." He went on to speak of the great influx of English travellers which of late years had inun- date.l Scotland; and u$^ in her attenilance upon him. and aliMilutiK m. commodeil him with her civilities, 'Hk' svcrcf at length came out. As he was alidiit tu ikp.irt, she addressed him with m.iiiy cult^n■s, and siid she understood he was the geiuK'iii.in th.it li,id written a bonnie l)ook .about l.ocli K.ilnne, She begged him to write a little ahoiii tluir ! ikf ilji, for she understood his book li.iil ilimi.' ;lic mn,it Loidi Katrine ,i muckle deal of L;niMl. On the follow in with Scott tlay I made ,in c\i'i:r-i nl _ nd the young ladits to I)ryl)ur,h| Abbey. We went in an open carnage, drauiibyj two sleek old black horses, for \diich Sco'.tj seemeil to h.'>',e an affection, as lie had lorvvtryf dumb aidmi.i tliat belonged to liiin. Our najl lay through a va;iety of scenes, licli in prK'.icdl and hist(M-ical assoi Nations, about must of which Scott had somethi'ig to relate. In one part of I the drive, he pointed to an old hoiiler kicp.frj fortress, on the nimmit of a naked liill.scvmlj miles olT, which he called Smallliolin Tower, and] a rocky knoll on which it smod, tlie " S.imly Knowe' crags," It was a place, he said, peculiarly dear to him, from the recollections of i;liil(lh""d. His father had lived therein the old SmalllKilni ('■range, or farm-house; and he had been sir.tl there", when but two years old, on account of h;i lameness, that he might have the benetit of ihi pure air of the hills, and be under the care uf 1 grandmother and aunts. In the introduction of one of the cantos i;^ Marmioii, he has depicted his gnintlfather, ar.u the fireside of the farm-house; .ind lias -iven .in amusing picture of himself in his boyish ye.irs: " Still with vain fondness coiiM I tr.ue Anew eieli kind familiar face, That l)riglitened at our evening foe; From the tli.itclied niansien's i^iay-li.iircd sire, Wi>,e wathout le.irnint;, i>laiii and i,"""!, And sprung of Scotland's gentler biouJ ; AHIU)TS1-()KI). 62b oltJ wli.ii i" >'""'' '"'' H'"*"''' '">'' '"^^'■•" ; ^V ,„,|„nMi ilhorilinu' iiriKlili'TH ioiii-lit, e ii'«i.!«iilii-''l""V""l""'K'i'i MimllievciiLLihlc iirii'sl, ,„l„cnt an.l laimliar Kircst, ^liielhe.lu.lcnlaiMtlifSiunt; ij;„; „|i,.«e s|icecli l'"> "ft I liroko \v''iii;:iiiii"'' 1'"'^' ■""' """■■''•"'^ j"i>'-" ; Ulf.BiliC'l imp. i> t;i.inil;\iiit''scliil.|; \Vj,.tilltniliiri.'.l, l.clovoil, c;irost." It«3i. ho s.iid, (luring his residence at Siniill- |ii,^(f,ij.s tli.it lie lir^t iml)il)e(l his |);issii)n fur l-enlirv't'il'-"'' limilrr tr;i(htinns, ;mt woik of human |>ower ; And iiiaivell'il as the n^ji'd hind Willi ^ome slraii^;e tale liewiuhed my mind, (If foiayeis, who, with headlong; forn', i)own lidiu that >lreiii;lh li.id spuircd their iiorsc, Tlnir soMllieiM l.ipine to renew, I'ar ill the distant ( lieviot'^ blue, And, liome returnini,', filled the hall With revel, wa^sail-iout, and l>ia«l — Melhou^ht dial still, with Ir.viiip and ( lan^j The j^ale-way'i broken arehe-. rain^ ; Melliou^;lit ^;iiiii fealiire-., seamed willi sears, (il.ired tiuoujji llie window's riisly b.irs. And ever by the wiiiliT he.irlh, Oil! tales I heard of woe or mirth. Of lover' slii^lits, of ladie-.' «il^'^ ii M'fl!^ 52G ABnOTSFORD. unsc.itliod, "1 i uns ?.till the btrongliold of the j ancient f.unil) nf 1 laig. | l'n)i)lR\ ies, however, often insure tlicir own j ful!";hnenl. Itisvi. , prol)a1)le that tlie predie- ! tion of 'Thomas the Rhymer has hnked the liai:^'s I to their tower, as their lock of safety, and has in(hieeil them to cHn;j, to it ahnost siii)erstitiously, tliroiigh li.inUliips anil ineon\eniences that would, Dtheiuise, ha\e caused its abandonment. I afterward s,iw, at Drybuii^h Abbey, the bury- ing jilace of tliis predestinated anil tenacious fam- ily, the inscri])iion of which showed the value tliey set upon tlieir antiquity : T.fH'US Scpultune, Anti'inessiiii.e l''aiiiilix l)c lIaK:i l)c Iil:lner^idc, In revcrtin,; to the days of his childhood, Scott observed iIku tlie l.imeness which hail disableil him in infancy ;.;iadiially decreased ; he soon ac- quired stren;_;ih in his limbs, and though he always limped, he became, even in boyhood, a great w.ilker. I le used frequently to stroll from luime [ and wanikr about the country for days together, | ]iicking iqi all kinds of local gossip, and obser\- j ing ])opular scenes and characters. His father | used to be \e.\c.! with him for this wandering pro- | jiensiiy, and, sluking his head, would say he [ fanc.^d the boy woulil make nothing l)ut a jied- 1 dler. As he grew oliler lie became a keen sports- I man, and jiassed much of his time hunting and | shooting. His field sports led him into the most wild anil ur.lieqiRiited p.irts of the counlrx, and in this w.iy he jiicked uj) much of that local knowl- j edge which he has since e\ inced in his writings. | His first visit to Loch Katrine, he says, was in I his boyish days, on a shooting excursion. The ! island, which he has made the romantic residence | of the " L.idy of the Lake," was then garrisoned by an old in. in and his wife. Their house was vacant ; they had jiut the key under the door, and were absent lishing. It was at that time a peaceful re:adence, but bec.ime afterward a re- sort of smugglers, \intil they were ferreted out. In after years, when Scott began to turn this local knowledge to literary account, he revisited many of those scenes of his early ramblings, and endeavored to secure the fugitive remains of the traditions and songs that had charmed his boy- hooil. When ci^llecting materials for his '' lior- der Minstrelsy," he used, he said,* i go from cot- tage to cottage, and make the old wixes rejieat all they knew, if but two lines; and by jnitting these scraps to;.;ellier, he retrieved many a tine char.icteristic old ballad ortradition from obli\ ion. I legref to ^ay that I can scarce recollect ;my- thing of I er \i-ii to Dryburgh Abbey. It is on the es' ae of the l-'.,irl of ISuchan. The religious eilillce is a mere ruin, rich in dothic antiquities, hut especi.iK iiiUresling to Scott, from cont.iin- ing the family \aull, and the tombs and monu- .ments of his ancestors. lie appealed to feel much eli,i|^iiii at their being in the iiossession, and suViject to ihe iiuermeddlings of the l!arl, who was |■epre^emed as a nobleman of an eccen- tric charaeiii-. The latter, however, set great value on tiiese se|)ulch'al relics, and had ex- pressed a li\ely anticip ition of one day or other having the honor of burying Scott, and adding liis monunii 111 to the collection, which he intended shcuild be worthy of the " mighty iiiinstiel of the north '■ — a prospective compliment which was by iiu means relished by the object of it. :' :!iJ One of my pleasant rambles witli Scou •>- the neighborhood of A'li'jotsfurd, w'l^ ['■''.' comp.my with Mr. William I. uill;'iw, th/o!' of his estate. This was a gentlcm;in f-ri,;': Si;ott entertained a i)arii'-iilar val'n... l;,. ■ been born to a conqieti.'ncy, h.nl' i,^',? ''' educated, his mind was richly stcMed «ii^, information, and he was a ni.'ui of siiTlin'. r 3 worth. Having been reduced by niiM„"'j Scott had got him to take clinr^'cuf hj; "" He lived at a small farm ^'inlie liillsul/jr'3 Abbotst'iu'd, and was treated by Scd" ^ cherished and confidential friend,' nulurihr de]H'naent. As the day was showery, Scott was .nttcndidbl one of his retainers, named Tunimic 1' carried his jilaid, and who deserves Cb|iici,.lrti tion. Sophia Scott used to call liim hit f.nM grand vizier, and she gave a pl.uful acu;;-.: evening, as she was hanging mi her fnlKi'i of the consultations which he and T'.niiv.;i to h.'ive about matters rel.ui\e t' f..n I'urdie was tenacious of his opiniuns, and h Scott would have long dis)uiles in fn in i house, as to something that was to Ik ui r the estate, until the latter, fairly tired (i,;t. v abandon the ground and the ar;.;uiiiim. i\..:;:ji, ing, " Well, well, Tom, Inve it your dwi- u.r, After a time, howe\er, I'unlic would l'l\^al himself at the door of the parlur, and nlj-ipe, '■ 1 ha' been thinking over the matter, and iii the whole, I think I'll t.ike ymir honor's ail\;.; Scott I.iughed heartily when this nmcdi ',■, '.u! told of him. " It w. is with him and 'I'l ]!'..'li( said, " as it was with an old l.iird .aid a [n; >.r. vant, whom he had inilulged until he was i" beyond all endurance." ■" Tlu< won't do!" the old laird, in a passion, "we can't i;'. gether any longer — we must part.'' "' .An' v.r.iti the deil does your honor mean to go?" it|!!, the other. I would, moreover, observe of Tom runin., tlul he was a firm belie\ er in ghosts, .md «.!i',.»li, and all kiiiils of old wi\es' fible. Hewasaiil:;;:',;5| man, too, mingling a little liegree of !^c.i::;;h pride in his devotion; for lhoi:;^h Ids salary v..;5 but twenty pounds a year, he li.ul maiia;;',(! ;ol allord se\en |)ouiiils for a fimily bible. I; true, lie had one hundred iKninds ikar el' ' wotld, and was looked up to liy his ciMi'.rJu.; a man of property. In the course of our morning's walk, wc stop;: at a small house belonging to one ol ; l.iborers on the estate. 'I'he object of Sfet;'>';-.t' w.is to inspect a relic which had been di;:,:'..l .? in a Rom.iii camp, and which, if I reci licit r; J,:, he pronounced to have been a tiin;;s. It '.i |)roiliiced by the cottager's w ife, a ruddy, 1k,'.Ii;> i looking dame, whom Scott adilies'^ed l)v ::..' ! name of Ailie. As he stood regarlly" W:.ir.'«^'r'- m' Jlcd w l^^ii-roic cli. 1_,' .■, .Hul eh ■';..;, but the iisomc il' ABBOTSFORD. 527 •'ni'-ul,,r val:a, i;! :" •'s a man „f si,rli,-, , j t'viiuti In- Sa,.. 7 ""■•>' fn^'nd.'r.uiKni.;;] •^'^1 to I-;, II lii,„h,r|,.C' '■'^■^■•'> pl.iNful.Kv,''"',, l\^^';l,lju^lK■r|■;ul,e,^,.. "'•1' '»-■ .nulTnmnji,.;,;; . al.uivc t. f,;n:' I liis <'l>ini(iiis, aiulli'
  • luiiLs ill fi,,|,; ,.': , tii.i; was til In ,; , cr, fairly tiled ,„;t, '■„',. , I'l I 111-' ^n-iiiiKin. i\..:i:j,, • li '^'i-' It vciiir (mini.. < '■; ''"i-'lic would prvnil llic I).irl(ir, ami (.Lhiic, vcr the matliT, ami ■„■ mIr'saii\:. ly "lii'ii tins anmliiti'jj, ^^illi him and Tiii:."!ii II 1)1(1 laird and a |nt'.,'r. '■1l;<-'i1 iiiiiii !H'Has|.,..:::ii ■' 'I'liis Hdii'tdii!" .sum, •' wc fati't ;;.,- :) must part." " A;-; r.hje] I'll- iiaan to ;4o?"a scrxcdfToin I'liruic.iiuli ill k'^isIs, and \\:\\i,«\j '{<\h\c. Hcwasaivli;:.-:; iililc dci^rcc of .^c.'.;::,h| I'm- til ()i:; lis saLirvn.isI i-'ar, he had inana,:;V(i :o| I- a fund)- llihlc' I; is| it.' (nic of ;i; I'hc ohj.ct (if S^oil■^l;^;t| iii.:r r.imblc this morning to(dv us .igain iqi J',:, KliviiK'r's Glen, and bv Iluiitley liank, and |H:";1iV Wood, .md the silver waterfall overhung trj-vapini; birches and m.)untain ashes, those |C'.;;..i;oanil heautiful trees whicli s;rai-e the green liraniiinil burnside-, of .Scotland, 'i'he heather, 1;,., th.it closely woven robe of Seott'sh l.md- [si'^xwliich covers the nakedness of its hills and In/iruaiiis, tinted the neigiiborhood with soft :3ii ricli colors. As we ascended the glen, the pi^pi'ds opened uiiim us ; Melrose, with its ; '.Tiand pinnacles, l.iy below; beyontl was the Liin lulls, the Cinvden Knowes, the Tweed, Itiii't'i.iii.t Water, and all the storied vicinity; the j v.iu- l.indscape varied by gleams of sunshine ::.i lirivin;,' shuwers. \'['tt, , as usual, look the lead, limping ahmg I f.:h p'lMt ;icli\ity, and in joyous mood, giving j s.'r.;;i-i)l'bi>riler rhymes and Ijorder stories ; two C three times in the course of our walk there '''lt. Jri/ihng showers, which 1 su])posed would r:'. .m end to mir raml)le, but my cmnpanious loai'.s unconcernedly as if it li.ul been tine I i>.,;:hi'r. .\'. l'.:i,:;tli, I asked whether we had not better ■.k same shelter, "Ti'ue," said .Scott, " I diil rtrc-aillect tli.it you were not accustomed to our KV'.t:-li mists. This is a lachrymose climate, I ev;'-i;.i)re showering. We, however, are children ft '111' mist, and must not mind a little whimper- :::,o! ilie clouds any more tha;i a man iiiusl mind ;■.■.' wiepin^' i)f an hysterical wife. As yon are I r. : acci^toined to be wet through, as a matter of ■-■■e, ill a morning's w.ilk, we will bide a bit ■ •ir the lee of this bank until the shower is ■■r' Talcing his seat under shelter of a thi( ket, ■ iiiledti) his m.iii C.eorge for his t.ulaii, thin ■ n"k' to me. •• Come.'' said he, "loiiie under • ; F'-'i'-'y. :is the eld song goes;'' so, making ■';■. :i '>tle down lieside him. he wrapped a part of '■■' i'iiid round me, and took me, as he said, "l- his wing. |\;)ile wc were thus nestled to;.;ether, be ['"^'..dti) a hole in the opposite b.ink of the glen. , ,''ii'' be said, w,is the hole of an old 'gr.iy ^'^,ir. nlio w.is doiditless snugly housed in this ■' ^natlicr. iumetimes ho saw liim at the entrance of his hole, like ,1 hermit at the door of his cell, telling his be, ids, or iciding a homdy, lie luid a great respect for the venerable aiulio- rite, and would not sut'l'er him to be ilisturbed. lie was a kind of successor to Thomas the Rhymer, and ])erli.ips might be Thomas himself returned from f.iiry l.uul, but -.till under f.iiry spell. Some accident turned the conversation upon Hogg, the poet, in which l..oill.iw, who u.is se.Ueil beside its, look a ])art. Hogg had once been a shepherd in the service of his lather, and l.aidlaw gave many interesting aim dotes of him, of which 1 now retain no reiadleriion. They used to tend the sheep together wliiii l.aiill.iw was ;i boy, and Hogg would recite tlo' lirst strug- gling conceptions of his muse. .At night when l.aidlaw was quartered comfort, ibl\ in bed, in the f.irmhouse, poor Hogg wiuihl i.ike to the shepherd's hut in the tie'ld on the hilUide, and there lie awake for hours together, and look .it the stars and make poetr\'. which he would re- peat the next day to his cimip.mion. .Scott spoke in warm terms ot lioeg, and re- peated i)ass-,ges iVom his beaiitilul poem of " Kelmeny," to which he gave great and well-mer- ited |)raise. He gave, also, some amusing ,inec- dotes of Hogg and his publislu'r, IlLukwood, who w:is ;'.t that time just rising into the biblio- gra))lii'al importance w hich lie has since enjoyed. Hogg, in one of his |)oenv., I belie\e the " I'il- grinis of the Sun," had d.ibbled .i little in nieta- ])hysics, and like his heroes, h.iil got into the clouds, lllackwood, who begin to ,ilfecl criti- cism, argued stoutly with him .is ;i> ilie necessity of omitting or elucidating some obsi ure passage. Hogg was immovable. "I'lUi, man," saiil rd.ickuno.;. '• I dinna keii what ye mean in tin-, |)as-,age.'' '"I lout tout, 111. m," replied Hogg, impatiently, '' 1 dinna ken always what 1 mean inysel." T'.ieie is many a meta|)liysical poet in the same prediciment with honest I logg, Scott promised to invite the She[iherd to AbbotJ-ford during my \i>it, am I .mticipated much gr 'titiration in meeting uith him, f|-om the account 1 h.id received of his eh, nailer and m,inners,and the great [ile.isure I h.id d"rived from his works. Circumst.inces, however, pre- vented Scott from perfoiming his promise ; and to my great regret 1 lefi Scotland without seeing one of its most origin. i .ind n.uioii.d i h.iraclers. When the weather held ui), we continued our walk until we came to ,-i beautiful --liret of water, ill the bosom ol the inoimiain, called, if 1 recol- lect right, the lake if Cauid^hii I. Scoit prided i himself much u|)on this little Meditei r.inr.m sea in his dominions, and hoped I was not too much spoiled by our gre.it l.ikc- in .Anuiic.i to relish j it. He proposed to l,ike me out to ilie centre of it, to a line ])oint of view, fn- win. li puipo-,e we embaikedin a small bo.it. wlmh hid been put on the lake by his neighbor, l.md Sonier\ille. .As 1 was about to step on board, I observed in l.nge letters on one of the benches. '' Search No. .:." 1 p.iused for a moment and repeated tlu' in- ; scription aloud, trying to recollect something I ! had heard or read to which it alluded, " I'shaw," I cried Scott, " it is only sonie of Lord Sollier- I \ die's nonsense -gel in ! '' In an instant scenes ' in the .Aiiliqu. try connected with '" .Seirch No. I," llasheil upon my mind. ".Mil I remember now,"' sail' 1, and with a laugh toidv my ■i.it, but ' aiherted no more to the .;ircumsiaiiee. 1 We had a pleasanl row about the Like, which * !. i; li^ i. i i ti. ^I. 528 ABBOTSFORD. commanded some pretty scenery. Tlic most in- teresting' circumstance connected with it, how- ever, according to Scott, was, that it was liaunted by a boj^le in the shape o{ a water bull, which lived in the dee]3 ])arts, and now and then came forth u|)on ih y land and made a tremendous roar- in;;, tliat shook the \ery hills. This story had been current in tlie vicinity from time immemo- rial ; — there was a man li\ing who declared he had seen the bull, — and he was believed by many of his simple nei;4hbors. " I don't choose to ronlvadict the tale," said Scott, " for I am will- ing to have my lake stocked with any fish, flesh, or fowl that my neii^hbors think oroper to jnit into it ; and these old wives' fables are a kind of property in Scotland that belon,i;s to the estates and go with the soil Cur streams and lochs are like the rivers and pools in tiermany, that liave all their Wasser Nixe, or water witches, and I have a fancy for these kind of amphdjious bogles and hobgoblins." have not circulating librnr jrks of fiction in thi 1 do not pretend to give th works of fiction in their place." Scott went on after we had landed to m.'ike m;iny rem, irks, mingled with pictiiresi.|ue ancc dotes, concerning tile fabulous beings with which the Scotch were a|)t to pe(>[)le the wikl streams and lochs that occur in the solemn and lonely scenes of their mountains ; and to compare thei.i with similar superstitions among the northern nations of F.urope ; but Scotland, he said, was above all other countries for this wild and vivid progeny of the fancy, f:om the nature of the scenery, the misty magnificence and vagueness of the climate, the wikl and gloomy events of its history ; the clannish ilivisions of its jieople ; thi.'ir local fei lings, notions and prejudices ; the individuality of their dialect, in which all kinds of odd and peculiar notions were incorporated ; by the secluded life of their u >.• itaineers ; tlieK)i:ely habits of their i)astor,i' ;. . , le, much of whose time was jtassecf on the solitary hillsides ; their tr.iditional songs, which clothed every rock and sire.im with old world stories, handed down from age to age, ; .id generation to generatii)n. The Scottish mind. In; said, was made up of poetry and strong common sense ; ar.' the very strength of the latter gave jierpetuity and luxuriance to •he former, it w.is .i strong tenacious ;.oil, into which, wlieii once a seed of poetry fell, it struck deep root and bnniglit forth abundantly. " Vou will nexer \\eed these popular stories and songs and su])erstitions out of Scotland," said he. " It is not so much that the peojile believe in them, as th.it they delight in them. They belong to the n;.t;\e hills .nul streams of which tliey are fond, and to the history of tiieir forefathers, of which they .are iroud.'' '■ It would do your heart good," contini ed he, " to see :i number of our poor country pi'ople seated round liie ingle nook, wliich is generally capacious enough, and ])assing the long dark dreary wiiitir nights listening to some olii wife, or stioiling gaberliinzie, dealing out aiild world stories .lixna bogles and w;ulocis, or about r.iids ami foiM\ s. and border skirmishes ; or reciting some b.illal stuck full of those fighting names that stir I'p a true Scotchman's bliuxl like the sound of ,1 tiumpit. These traditional tales and liidl.ids h.i\e li\e(i forages in mere oral circula- tion, being 'passed from father to son, or rather from grandain to gr.uulchild, and are a kind of hereditary property of tliC poor peasantry, f>f which it would be li.ud to deprive them, as they - .- "•■ precise w-ird,;,, as nearly as I can from scantv mcnidr: , .', and vague recollections, the leacliiv ii. "' Scott. I am constantly sensible, liciwc'ir " far 1 fall short of his copiousness ,ticI ri. I-' He went on to speak of the elves iimi ',1'^;, so frequent in Scottish legend. " Our 'i- '/i however," said he, " though they dress in ' and gambol by moonlight abotit' the bank^ shaws, and burnsides, are not such \)\n^i^ folks as the English fairies, but are suiZ ,, .- more of the warlock in tiieir natures, .in(l:,i-'''| spiteful tricks. When 1 was a ijnv, | i- ■!''• look wistfully at the green hillcick's' tha-^ i'. said to be haunted by faiiies, and I'elt siim'.'ii^lL as if I should like to lie down l)v them .md -l. il !-• -,;■•,• I .,,,',1 . ..1.. ., ."'?ff and be carried off to Fairy I.aiui, unlv ma' not like some of the cantrips which used n'ju ,v I then to be played oiT upon visitors.' Here Scott recounted, in "r:;phic stvK. vi with much iiumor. a little story wliicli ibcd: current in the neighborhood, of an hum.-, gess of Selkirk, who, being at work upon tln.h.',l| of I'eallaw, fell asleep upon one of iIksc ■'fairvl knowes," or hillock^.. When he awuko. i.jl rubbed his eyes and gazed about him with a,: a.! isliment, for he was in the niarket-piace ui i| great city, with a crowd of ])eople biisilinj; a', jjt j him, not one of whom he knew. At kn^iirnj! accosted a bystander, and asked him the :;,r.v.e| of the place. '• Hout man," replied tliu i.iKr, "are ye in the heart o" (llasgow, and siKcr '.l.e! name of it ? " The poor ni.-in was ast'oni.-l'.'.J, and would not believe either ears or cvis; t'^l insisted that he liad laid down to sleep h'.ii k,,'.f] an hour before on the I'e.itlaw, ne;.r Selki. lie came well nigh being taken up f()ram;i';K..n, I v.hen, f >rtunately, a Selkirk man came bv. v.i.oj knew him, and took charge of him, ami con- 1 ducted him back to his native place. Ikr;, j howc\cr, he was likely to Tare no better, wiuni sjioke of ha\ing been whi.>ked ui his sleep iV.ai] the I'eatlaw to (ilasgow. The truth of the iii.;!;.r 1 at length came out ; his coat, which he had vh?, off when at work on the I'eatlaw. was found i\:r,' | near a " fiiry knowe," and his bonnet, v.hi.h was missing, was disco'.ered on the weatlii.:oH.k of Lanark steejile. So it ivas as clear ^.^ ii,^y that he had been carried tliro,.uh the .u' hv.ho | fairies while he was sleeping, and lli•^ bcnna i been blown oif by the way. 1 give this little story but nie.Tgrely fr-in .i1 scanty niemorandu..i . Scott has related i; ;;i | somewhat dilferent style in a note to one :■! poems ; but in n.irration these anecdote^ deiiitJI their clii:-t zest, from the quiet but deli:Ju:. humor, the ijonhomie witli which he se,iNi:. them, and tiie sly ghtnce of the eye from •,:r...'.r ] his bushy eyebnjwb, with which ;he\ Acre acam- panied. That (lav at dinner, we had Mr. Laialiw .^'^ his wife, aiid a female friend who accouip:;n.^u them. The latter was a very intelli:.^ent, le-put- able ))erso!i, about the inuklle .ige. an^. «.'■> treated with jiarticular attention and couik>y ny Scott. Our dinner was a most agreeahl'.' • i.i j for liie guests were evidently clier lu'il >'■''>'■' to the house, and felt that they were app'i;''.!''^^'-' W ..hen tliey were gone, Scott spoke the must corili.d manner 1 wibhei' tu i'"'-'* ABBOTSFORD. )29 tlii-'ir natures, and:,- . k'l-L'cn liilldcks tin- .. J lines, and fdt„i„'.'.':'H ''('"nliyUiemam;.,;;] "T J-""l-oiilvtliailVT '■■'Pswliiduisdn.v,.'^ on vibiidrs.'' ■ !' '11 "'-pliic ,ivk. :,.ji '<■• stoiy wlii^l, i,:.v-,'J .■'i"<)(l, of ail hum-' ;,.'..| '"K at work upon ;!, ■"■jl iip"ii onr „f i!,,s, .."(•;:;: I ^\lK'n lie a«uk^ iJ -'« abuut him wiih a,.. .,.1 tlie niai-ket-piaci- i/'J f'f people bustlin;; ,; lie knew. At kn ;!, nd asked l;iiii th,"::,,:- i-Hi." replied iliu oihi'r . (•la.sgow, and snctr ;f,e I 'i; ir.an was astoni.-fa-.j, I either ears or e\ts: h-J 1 down to sleep lint Lilfj I'eatlaw, near Suku. taken up furaiiU';;!;..n i li..' tliniu'.;h the aa In ■,!;e ill;,', anil his beiinu i;„.; I .,.,;(! he, " some of our really excellent, jilaiii r:,j'" ,|ile; not tine geiitleiiieii and ladies, "'^;','.j,^j,.,, GUI meet cverywlicro, and they arc "'"'^ ■ til'.; same. The character of a na- ""■"'""[ "to be learnt from its tine folks." - ,.11 went on with a iiarticiilar euiogium on ."• ■• will) had accompanied the Laidlaws. iS'rii'tiic ''.au;;hter, he said, of a poor country I'T'iin, v.lio had (lied in debt, and left her an ph-i.THi destitute. Having liad a good i)lain ^;,';j,,^;,^5heiiuniediately .set up a child's school, t'ihi sumi a numerous Hock under her care, r jjjjfi, she earned a decent maintenance. „. however, was not her main object. Her ffja:, to p.iy off her father's debts, that IrM care «,is . . touwiiril I'l' ill "'11 might rest upon his memory. ji,;;,bv liint of Scottish economy, backed by M ri'vcreiice and pride, she accomplished, itirh in the ciTort, she subjected herself to ((■ iv p'.iv.ition. Not content with this, she in Ittraia instances refused to take jiay for the tui- K of the children of some of her neighbors, Jj i;,j(l befriended her father in his need, and s;:i« fallen into poverty. '"In a word," tijjixott. " she is a tine olil Scotch girl ; and iM^Jitin her, more than in many a line lady I . known, and I have known many of the iKi-t." I halted, and took my hand. " I will not say f.ire- ! well," said he, '" for it is always a ])aiiiful word, I but I will s.iy, come again. When you have made your tour to the 1 lighlaiids, come here and give I me a few more days — l)ut come when you please, yiu will always liiid Abbotsfurd open lu )ou, and a hearty welcome.'' his time, however, to draw tills rambling nar- n:;u' to .u'lose. Several dr.ys were ])assecl by ue.iniheway 1 have attempted to describe, in aljiKt constant, familiar, and joyous conversa- E3«ith Scott ; it was as If I were admitted to !-oci;il coniiminion with Shakespeare, tor it was w.h (me of a kindred, if not eipial genius. Euryni;'lit 1 retired with my mlntl filled with ii;kkl recollections of the day, and every iiii?:nmg 1 rose with the certainty of new enjoy- Bir.;. The days thus spent, I shall ever look ii;k to. as among the very hapi)iest of my life ; foil«,is conscious at the time of being happy. The nnly s.id nionient that I experiencei.1 .it .Vib.it^l'ord was th.U of my departure ; but it »;; diATcil with the prospect of soon returning ; f: 1 h.'.d promised, after making a tour in the H.'r.kinils, to come and pass a few more days on t. iu:;ks of the Tweed, when Scott intended to ;r.v:!i.' Hii;.;;4 the poet to meet me. I took a kind fir.vJl (if the family, with each of ulioiii 1 had 'a;.! hyhly pleased. If I have refrained from r.l.:n^^p,irii. ularly on their several characters, ■u,'Min:g: ■ o.js of them individually. It is t:i'dK i c, i; ider t!' in shielded by the sanciity i«f '^ liiedt life; Scott, on the contrary, belongs ' ory. As I'.c accompanied me on foot, how- ;":i iiiall gate on the confines of his prem- ■' '111 not refniin from c.\;-ressiiig the en- ■ 1 liaii experienced in his domestic circle, '-:iV4 -^oine warm culogiums on the young "111 whom I had just parted. I shairiieve'r I|-;i.;i'i5 reply. '■ They have kind hearts," said I'-Miul ili.it is the main point as to hum. in iK;f:ni.5S. They love one another, poor things, httliis e\er\ thing in domestic life. The best ['■^Irmm.ike you, my friend," added he, lay- ■:,'bh,ind upon my shoulder, " is, tiiat when '-riiuriiio yotirown country, you may get mar- '•■■■. W'l have a fuiiily of young'bairiis about vou. M';'W are happy, there thev are to share vour -fPiness-aiKl if vou are otherwise— there they |i-!"("mfort yoii." % liiij time we h.id reached the yate, when he :.k. Ir. I have thus given, in a rude stylo, my main recollections of what occurred during my sojourn at Abbotsforil, and I feel niortilied that I cm give but such meagre, scattered, and colorless details of what was so copious, rich, and varied. During several days that I passed there Scott was In admirable vein, l-'rom early morn until dinner time he was raiiibling about, showing me the neighborhood, and during dinner and until late at night, engaged In soci.il conversation. No time was reserved for himself; he seemed as if his only occupation was to entertain me ; and yet I was almost .an entire stran;.;er to him, one of whom he knew nothing, but an Idle book I had written, and which, some \ears before, had amused him, liut such was Scott--lie appeared to have nothing lo do but lavish his time, attention, and conversation cm those around. It was difticult to imagine what time he found to write those volumes that were incessantly issuing from the press ; all of which, too, were of a nature to require reading and re- search. I could not tincl that his life was ever otherwise than a life of leisure and hap-hazard recreation, such as It was during my visit. He scarce ever b.ilked a party of jjleasiire, or a sporting excursion, and rarely pleaded his own concerns as an excuse for rejecting those of others. During my visit I he.ird of other visitors who had preceded ine, and who must have kejjt him occupied tor many days, and I h.ive had an op|)ortiinity of knowing the course of his daily lite for some time subsei|ueiitly. Not long after my departure from Abbotsfoid, my ft lend Wilkie arrived there, to jiaint a ])ictu;e of the Scott fimily. He fniiid the house full of guests. Scott's whole time was taken up in riding and driving about the country, or in social conversa- tion at home. ".Ml this time," s.iid Wilkie to me, '• I did not iiresume to ask Mr. Scott to sit for his portrait, for I saw he had not a moment to s[)are ; I waited for the guests lo go away, but as fist .as one went ai'otber arrived, and so It con- tinued for several days, and with each set he was coni])lelely ocrupie(l. At length all went oil", and wo were (piiet. I ihoiiglit, however, Mr. Scott will now shut himself up among his books and ])apers, for he h.is to make up for lost lime ; it v.'oii't do for me to ask him now to sit for his pic- ture. Laidlaw, who managed Ills estate, came in, and .Scott turned to him, as I supposed, lo consult about business. ' Laidlaw.' said he, ' to- morrow morning we'll go across thow.iter and t.ikc' the dogs with us — there's a ))lai e where I think we sliall lie able to liiid a bare.' " In short," added Wilkie, '• I found that in- stead of luisiness, he w.is thinking only of .umise- ment, as if he bad nothing in the world to occupy Iiini ; so I no longer fe.ued to intrude upon him.'' Tlie ciinv ersaiion of .Scott was frank, hearty, picturesipie. and dramatic. During the time of my visit he inclined to the comic rather than the grave, in his anecdotes and stories, and such, I i was told, was his general inclination. He rel- i iblied a joke, or a trail of humor in social inter- mm If V' if 'i^:\Ul '■|"if i;i ! ; ti- . '. ; ; iP i M.;| 680 ABBOTSFORD. iii si - il'i .1. : = ' I.: course-, and laughed with right pood "will. He l.ilkcil not for ctTcct nor display, but from the flow of his spirits, liic stores of his memory, and the vigor of liis imagination. He had a natural turn for narration, and his narratives and descriptions verc without effort, yet wonilerfully graphic. He jilaccd the scene before you hisc a picture ; ho ga\ e the (Uak)gue with tlie a])propriate dialect or peculiarities, and described the a])pearance and characters of his ])ersonages with that sjjirit and felicity evinced in his writings. Indeed, his con- versation reminded mc continually of his novels ; and it seemed to mc, tliat during the whole time I was with him, he talked enough to fill volumes, and that they could not have been fdled more delightfully. He was as good a listener as talker, apjireci- ating e\erything that others said, howe\er hum- ble might be their rank or ])retensions, and was quick to testify liis perception of any point in their discourse. He arrogated nothing to him- self, but was perfectly unassuming and unpre- tending, entering with heart and soul into the business, or ])leasure, or, I had almost said, folly, of the hour and the company. No one's concerns, no one's thoughts, no one's o])inions, no one's tastes and jileasures seemed beneath liim. He made himself so thoroughly the com- panion of those with whom he happened to be, that they forgot for a time his vast superiority, and only recollected and wondered, when all was over, that it was Scott with whom they had been on such familiar terms, and in whose society they had f.'lt so perfectly at their case. It was delightful to observe tlie generous spirit in which he spoke of all his literary contempo- raries, cpioling the beauties of their works, and this, too, with respect to persons with whom he might have been supposed to be at variance in literature or jiolitics. Jeffrey, it was thought, had ruffled his ])lumes in one of his reviews, yet Scott spoke of him in terms of high and warm eulogy, both as an author and as a man. His lumior in conversation, as in his work.s, was genial and free from all causticity. He had a quick percejjlion of faults and foibles, but he looked \q)on ])oor human nature with an indul- gent eye, relishinj; what was good and pleasant, ■-re I r il tolerating what was frail, and puvin'.; what ■.v..i evil. It is this l)eneficent spirit Mliiiir..i,^!;.,./ I an air of bonhomie to Scott's luiinor thrnipi ' all his works. He played wiUi tliu foiljlis"'-' errors of his fellow beings, and prc^eiittd iC. I in a thousand whimsical and ch.uactLristicl'i'^ but the kindness and generosity of luj '" would not allow him to be a satirist. ] recollect a sneer throughout his ccinvcrsiti^i .-• more than there is throughout his works. Such is a rough sketch of Scmt, as 1 kw}~, in private life, not merely .-it ilie tiniu of t'lii-! -[ here narrated, but in the casual iiitcrcoiir,e Vf subsequent years. (_)f his \n\h\,': characiu :,'1| merits, all the world can judge. !!is work, h '. incorporated themselves with the tluni-hts l-lj concerns of the whole civilized world, lnr ,i . ter of a century, and ha\e had a comrolli!-; fluence over the age in which he lived. Uutv.i.al did a lumian ' eing ever exercise ;.MiiuluenciT. .-el salutary and benignant? Who is llitri.' t;.!;./:i| looking back o\er a great i)oni(iM ot'lii, liiV, i;r,ij not lind the genius of Scott admiiiisteriiv,' tuhisl pleasures, beguiling his cares, ami soothin,' lonely sorrows? Who does not still n^Tinl hiil works as a treasury of piu'e enjoyiuem, an arr,>.rv| to which to resort in time ofiieed. to lindHcaprii'sl with which to fight olf the evils and tin.' ^'nil! of f life ? For my own part, in periods of (kjictn , I have hailed the announceniem of a mu \\url;| from his pen as an earnest of certain pkajiiriinl store for mc, and have looked forward lu it nA traveller in a waste looks to a grLX'ii spot at ail;y| tance, where he feels assured (.f solace .mil re^ freshment. When I consider luiu- miuh kkii thus contributed to the belter l;oi;rs ofmyp.istj existence, and how independent his works s'.illl make me, at times, of all the unrld tor niy (.i.vi.' ment, 1 bless my stars that cist my lot ir, i-.;ii days, to be thus cheered and gladde .oil by iltel outpourings of his .genius. 1 conside. it nnecifr the greatest advantages that I lia\c derival iVnitij my literary career, that it h.is elevated mc into! genial coinmunioii with such a spirit: aiid.ijjj tribute of gratitude for his friendship, and \\.Rir; tion for his memory, 1 cast this lumiblL' s'.irisj upon his cairn, which will soon, I trust, bo puoij aloft with the cui'tribuliuns of abkr hands. in 1> ami puvin'^whtflyi t SlMlltullKll.i,,,;,,;^ -■otl's luiiiiDr thrill; ■'►!,. ^h1 with the (011)11.""^'; ,'s, and pri'semd (r,,:^ iind cli.ir.ictcristicM..; ;L'ncrosity of Ms nj.t'.ji be a satirist. I dor.i out his convcri.-aiit. i-,] ,'h(iut his Hiirks. 1 of Scdit.asl v,ivh,-n ■■ al tllC tilllfof thiM;.; e casual intiTcoi;r,o ,." lis i)iil)h'; chiir.u!, r :,r,; jii(l:4u. ;iisH(irk,!.:;',j uilii the liiou-hii -,'.4 iili/i.'il win 1(1, for ,1 ,n; .. \ e had a lomrnlh-,- -. liich he lived. liiii\.;,.:i 'iuiTisc r.MiiitUicnciT. :i Who is lliiie ti;i;.n t piinion of his lik.i;(.,-i :ott administering' toi.;; cares, and southing i.i Iocs not still ri:4,-ird h;i re enjoyiiienl.anarir. rv ' of need, to liiulHiaijir.i le evils and the ;;riil! 1 1 in perioils of (kiv;t;':, iieeiiielU of a nev, »,:< St (if cert.iin ple.b.ir. 13 loked forward tu :i ,ba to a ^reeil spot at a ii;i- siired of sol.ite ar,!.! k- isider how much hcl:« better hoias of my p.iit pendent his works •■,:!1 the world for my iiiii y- that cast my lot ini.;i I and gladde .eil hy ihe 1 conside. it intif lal I ha\e dcriiul frin t li.is ele\ate(l iiic ir.'.i) uch a spirit ; and as j ; fi'iendship, andveniri- cast thi^ lumibio i',u:;S soon, trust, be p:!:^l IS of abler hands, ifiiJI i