Idea and Plan of Columbus. 19 travelers, had been to India, and brought back to Europe exciting accounts of the riches to be found there. A considerable commerce was consequently carried on by IndiaVenice and other cities of Italy with that coun- the route to it. try; but the journey was long and dangerous. Vessels sailed through the Mediterranean to the north-east part of Africa, where they were unladen, and the goods were carried on the backs of camels across the isthmus of Suez, and thence again by ship down the Red sea and through the Indian ocean to India. Sometimes the goods were carried overland through Asia. Desiring to share in this profitable trade, the people of Portugal, encouraged and aided by their king, endeavored to find a passage to India-one entirely by waterby sailing along the west coast of Africa, and around its southern point.1 Idea and 12. The plan formed by Columbus was very different. Believing the earth to be round, he concluded that the shortest way to India was across the Atlantic ocean. It is plain that while he had a correct idea as to the shape of the earth, he was mistaken as to its size. plan of Columbus Various discouragements, too, beset him, but nothing could shake his determination. Being too poor to fit out an expedition at his own expense he applied for aid, it is asserted, to his native country, Genoa (jen'-o-ah); then to Portugal. In both cases he was unsuccessful. He then turned to Spain, Asia, among them Japan, the existence of which was not previously known. He returned to Venice in 1295; and subsequently a very interesting account of his travels was published, which had a wonderful effect in encouraging geographical research. 1" The crown of Portugal was constant in its efforts, through the fifteenth century, to find a passage round the southern point of Africa into the Indian Ocean, though so timid was the navigation that every fresh headland became a formidable barrier; and it was not till the latter part of the century that the adventurous Diaz passed quite round the Stormy cape, as he termed it, but which John the Second (King of Portugal), with happier augury, called the cape of Good Hope. But before Vasco de Gama had availed himself of this discovery to spread his sails in the Indian seas (1497), Spain entered on her glorious career, and sent Columbus across the western waters."-Prescott's Conquest of Peru. and during seven years, while his theory and offer were before the Spanish court, he implored and waited, until at last, when, in despair, he was in the act of leaving that country for France, he was recalled. SPANISH CARAVAL IN WHICH COLUMBUS DISCOVERED AMERICA. (From a drawing attributed to Columbus, and placed in a volume of his letters published in 1494.) 13. Queen Isabella had become deeply interested in his plan, and, "with an enthusiasm worthy of herself," had offered to " pledge" her "jewels to raise the necessary funds." 1492 Landing of Columbus in the New World 21 There was, however, no need of the sacrifice. Money was advanced from the public treasury, three small vessels were fitted out, and with this miniature fleet Columbus set sail from Spain, on Friday morning, August the 3d, 1492, and, after a voyage of ten weeks-the most famous that ever was made-discovered one of the Bahama islands.1 of Columbus 14. "It was on Friday morning, the 12th of October, that Columbus 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 continued orchard. Landing Though apparently uncultivated, it was populous, for the inhabitants were seen issuing from parts of the woods, and running to the shore. They were perfectly naked, and, as they stood gazing at the ships, appeared by their attitudes and gestures to be lost in astonishment. all in the New World. 15. Columbus made signal for the ships to cast anchor, and the boats to be manned and armed. He entered his own boat, richly attired in scarlet, and holding the royal standard; whilst the commanders of the other vessels put off in com pany in their boats, each with a banner of the enterprise emblazoned with a green cross, having on either side the letters F. and Y., the initials of the Castilian' monarchs, Fernando (Ferdinand) and Ysabel (Isabella), surmounted by crowns. As he approached the shore, Columbus, who was disposed for all kinds of agreeable impressions, was delighted 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 unknown kinds upon the trees which overhung the shores. "The island where Columbus had thus set his foot was called by the natives Guanahani (gwah-nah-hah'-ne). It still retains the name of San Salvador, which he gave to it, though called by the English Cat island."-Irving. "When 'Castile (kas-teel') was an ancient kingdom or state of Spain. the various states were consolidated into one monarchy (1479), the capital of Castile became the capital of the new empire, and her language the language of the court and of literature."-Prescott. 16. 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, overflowed with the same feelings of gratitude. Columbus then rising, drew his sword, displayed the royal standard, and assembling round him all who had landed, took solemn possession in the name of the Castilian sovereigns, giving the island the name of San Salvador. Having complied with the requisite forms and ceremonies, he called upon all present to take the oath of obedience to him as admiral and viceroy, representing the persons of the sovereigns. 17. The feelings of the crew now burst forth in the most extravagant transports. They had recently considered themselves devoted men hurrying forward to destruction; they now looked upon themselves as favorites of fortune, and gave themselves up to the most unbounded joy. They thronged around the admiral with overflowing zeal, some embracing him, others kissing his hands. Those who had been most mutinous and turbulent during the voyage were now most devoted and enthusiastic. Some begged favors of him as if he had already wealth and honors in his gift. Many abject spirits, who had outraged him by their insolence, now crouched at his feet, begging pardon for all the trouble they had caused him, and promising the blindest obedience for the future." 18. Leaving San Salvador, Columbus soon discovered other islands, the largest being Cuba and His-pan-i-o-la (Little Spain). As he supposed that all these were outdiscoveries of lying islands of India, he called the natives In66 dians. The islanders were friendly and gentle," says Irving, "and treated the Spaniards with kindness." 19. Leaving a small colony at Hispaniola, "in the month. of January, 1493, Columbus embarked for Spain. One of his vessels had previously foundered, and another had deserted Other Columbus. 1 Hispaniola was afterwards called San Domingo. The name Hayti (hay'-te) was given to it after the Freuch were expelled, in 1803. 1493 Return of Columbus to Spain. Return 23 him ; so that he was left alone to retrace his steps across the Atlantic. After a most tempestuous voyage, he was compelled to take shelter in the Tagus, sorely against his inclination. He experienced, however, the most of Columbus to Spain. honorable reception from the Portuguese monarch, John the Second, who did ample justice to the great qualities of Columbus, although he had failed to profit by them. After a brief delay the admiral (Columbus) resumed his voyage, and about noon on the 15th of March entered the harbor of Palos (pah'-los), being exactly seven months and eleven days since his departure from that port. 20. Great was the agitation in the little community of Palos as they beheld the well-known vessel of the admiral reentering the harbor. Their desponding imaginations had long since consigned him to a watery grave. Most of them had relatives or friends on board. They thronged immediately to the shore to assure themselves with their own eyes of the truth of their return. When they beheld their faces once more, and saw them accompanied by the numerous evidences which they brought back of the success of the expedition, they burst forth in acclamations of joy and gratulation. They awaited the landing of Columbus, when the whole population of the place accompanied him and his crew to the principal church, where solemn thanksgivings were offered up for their return; while every bell in the village sent forth a joyous peal in honor of the glorious event. 21. The admiral was too desirous of presenting himself before the sovereigns to protract his stay long at Palos. He took with him on his journey specimens of the products of the newly-discovered regions. He was accompanied by several of the native islanders, arrayed in their simple barbaric costume, and decorated, as he passed through the principal cities, with collars, bracelets, and other ornaments of gold, rudely fashioned. He exhibited also considerable quantities of the same metal in dust or in crude masses, numerous vegetable exotics possessed of aromatic virtue, and several |