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COLUMBUS, 
 
 THE DISCOTERY OF AMERlCAi 
 
 AS RELATED BY 
 
 A FATHER TO HIS CHILDREN, 
 
 DESIGNED FOR THE INSTRUCTION OF YOUTH. 
 
 TRANSLATED FROM THE GERMAN OF jt Hf 'cImPE, 
 
 BY ELIZABETH HELME, 
 
 AUTHOR OF THE HISTORV OF ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, ROME, kc. i,C. 
 
 ^;^^'<^ 
 
 BOSTON 
 
 MUNROE AND FRANCIS, AND CHARfc*^^^^^^, 
 NEW-YORK. 
 
{i)9 
 
 ,^a 
 
 TRANSLATOR'S PREFACE. 
 
 In the following sheets, though the names Father and 
 Mother are applied to the elders, it appears that Mr. 
 Campe's conversations were not held with his own children, 
 but with pupils ; yet as a family circle is usually more in- 
 teresting to young people, than one farther removed, the 
 Translator has followed the literal sense of the Author. 
 
 In relating the discovery of America, Mr. Campe has 
 given their full merit to the adventurers, for courage, pa- 
 tience, perseverance, genius, and all the good qualities they 
 possessed j retracing with a merciful hand the deeds that 
 disgraced them, and skilfully preserving the medium which 
 he expressed in his Preface, of not giving his pupils, on their 
 entrance into life, an exaggerated idea of their cotempora- 
 ries being either angels or fiends, but mortals possessing a 
 mingled share of uprightness and error. At the same time 
 he strongly inculcates those virtues that dignify human na- 
 ture, exemplifying them, as opportunities occur, in the course 
 of his narrative. Inciting bis youthful auditors to follow 
 meritorious example, he says, " Thus, my children, have 
 those youths distinguished themselves, even in their early 
 years, who aspired to great actions. Rejoice, then, if, like 
 Columbus, you possess that youthful ardour which leads to 
 
IV PREFACIi. 
 
 noble pursuits } but if you cannot yet give yourselves that 
 pleasing testimony, hasten, I conjure you, to endeavour to 
 obtain it j for, in a short time, the years of preparation will 
 be elapsed, gone without recal — a loss never to be re- 
 paired !" 
 
 To impress their minds with fortitude and patience un- 
 der misfortunes, and to implant a firm reliance on Provi- ■ 
 dence, are leading features in this Work, which the author 
 illustrates, not only by the conduct of Columbus, but by his 
 own feelings. '' Experience," says he, " has taught me, 
 that by supporting misfortunes with fortitude and patience, 
 and firmly relying on the Divine will, the clouds of sorrow 
 will disperse, when least expected; the night of tribulation 
 pass like a dream, and the sun of unexpected pleasure en- 
 liven with its cheering influence the human soul. Learn, 
 my children, and let this truth be engraven on your hearts, 
 that in the hour of trial it may sustain your sinking spirits. 
 That those heavy calamities, which at the time I consider- 
 ed as my greatest misfortune, have been the immediate 
 basis on which Providence has established my future suc- 
 cesses. Convinced of this, I have learned to submit with 
 resignation to whatever it shall please God to inflict 3 assur- 
 ed that his infinite wisdom is the best judge of what is prop- 
 er for the weakness of the creatures he has made." 
 
 For an endeavour to disseminate sentiments like these, the 
 Translator can make no apology, and can only wish that 
 her power equalled her inclination to impress them with iu-« 
 delible characters on the mind* of the rising generation, 
 
Tni 
 
 AUTHOR'S PREFACE. 
 
 It is some years since I formed the design of composing 
 a succession of little Works, calculated to inform, in a useful 
 and agreeable manner, the age of infancy and youth. The 
 thought occurred to me from observing the absolute want of 
 such a collection, made with care, and particularly with a 
 view to those early periods. To attain this end the choice of 
 materials was principally to be considered, and the grada- 
 tion necessary to be observed both in the subjects and style, 
 that they might be so far adapted to the purpose, that young 
 people of every age might be successively instructed and 
 amused. This is what I in part attempted to execute when 
 I published " The Children's Little Library," and " The 
 New Robinson Crusoe," which last ought to precede the 
 histories of Columbus and Cortez ; the children who read 
 my former works being the sole readers whom I had in view 
 when 1 digested the present, I have considered no greater 
 stock of ideas necessary than those acquired from the peru- 
 sal of the books alluded to ; and what the New Robinson 
 has left imperfect in the development of these ideas, will be 
 easily completed by Columbus, the style of which may on 
 this account be found in some measure more elevated than 
 that of the former work. 
 
 It may be asked, &r what kind of reading^ the history of 
 
 i* 
 
VI PREFACE. 
 
 Columbus is to prepare my young readers ? I answer, for 
 the histories of Cortez aud Pizarro, which will immediale'- 
 ly follow it, and aAerwards for a collection of voyages prop-- 
 erly arranged for their instruction. In the composition of 
 such a selection, I would introduce no idea of cosmographyr 
 geography, history, «fec. that may not have been previously 
 acquired by the perusal of the works before-mentioned, and 
 a course of ordinary studies. To this I purpose to dedicate 
 my few leisure hours for some years to come, as it appears 
 to me that they cannot be better or more usefully employ- 
 ed ; for, if any thing may be judged capable of forming the 
 character of a young man, enlarging without fatigue or dis- 
 gust the sphere of his observation upon men and manners, 
 and of arming him betimes against those romantic reveries 
 which the fashionable books of the present age appear so- 
 licitous to inculcate ; in short, if any thing can give him a 
 salutary contempt for the aflected jargon or frivolity, or 
 sentiment, and of false delicacy, with which these danger- 
 ous productions are filled, and inspire him, on the contrary, 
 with a taste for chaste and profitable amusements, it is 
 doubtless a simi4ar collection of voyages, where the author^ 
 in the choice of the events, and the manner of relating them, 
 shall have confined his attention solely to this object. Such 
 is the plan which I have formed, a plan to which the present 
 work may be considered as 3 necessary preparative. 
 
 From what has been said, it may be understood why I 
 have preferred the form of dialogue. If the interlocutor* 
 Jess frequently interrupt the principal narrative, the reason- 
 is obvious 5 I was myself less frequently interrupted in the 
 recitals I addressed to my young pupils, of which recitals 
 the present work is but a faithful transcript, and passage* 
 that required an explanation more rarely occurred. 
 
 The sources from whence I have drawn the materials for 
 this work being generally known, I thought it unnecessary 
 to point them out ; but the informed reader will easily dis- 
 
PREFACE. VII 
 
 cern, that, far from following them at random, I have se- 
 lected them with the most scrupulous attention, adopting 
 sometimes one author, sometimes another, as it appeared to 
 me more clear and satisfactory. In doubtful circumstances, 
 or where I could discover no solid reason to determine me, 
 I have been almost constantly guided by an author,' who to 
 the penetration of the Englishman has joined the indefatiga- 
 ble perseverance of the German. I have nevertheless at 
 different times had occasion to reject some errors which 
 have crept into his work, but on events of little importance. 
 ^ I have more than once in my preceding publications ad- 
 vanced this principle : " The tutor, far from discovering to 
 his pupils the dark side of human nature, should, on the 
 contrary, employ his utmost skill to conceal it, lest he give 
 birth to the following idea : — " Since other men are natur- 
 ully inclined to vice, it is unjust to require us to be an ex- 
 ception to the general rule." I am aware that I may be 
 reproached with deviating myself from the principles I have 
 laid down, in publishing, for the amusement of youth, a 
 narrative replete with traits of injustice, rapine, and inhu- 
 manity. To this charge I answer, first, that the book is 
 not designed for the early stages of childhood, but for those 
 who are approaching adolescence, nay, who have already 
 attained it. Secondly, I entreat my accusers to recollect 
 the restriction I annexed to my precept, viz. that, as the pu- 
 pils advanced in years, and the time of their entering into 
 the world drew nigh, it was necessary by degrees to unveil 
 the truth, and with infinite precaution to discover to them 
 the caprice and injustice of men ; lest, finding themselves 
 deceived in the flattering picture they had drawn, from im- 
 agining a society of angels, they fall into the opposite ex- 
 treme, and take their fellow creatures for so many fiends. 
 Thirdly, it is to be observed, that the same impression is not 
 
 * Robertson. 
 
VlII PJlEFACtJ. 
 
 made on the mind of the child, when he is told thai such of 
 such villains lived some centuries ag'o, as when he is in- 
 formed they exist among- his cotemporaries. With respect to 
 the effect this information may produce, it depends wholly 
 upon the colours under which it is represented to his young 
 mind i these colours may, according^ to the manner in which 
 they are selected and employed, cause the picture to operate 
 in unison with, or in opposition to the ideas of the painter. 
 It is from this choice and preparation that I dare flatter 
 myself the experienced tutor will find that I have not de- 
 viated from my point. 
 
 The flattermg m<tnner in which the public have replied to 
 my question. '" Whether this work should be committed to 
 the press," has touched me in the most lively manner ; and 
 I sincerely wish it may answer the expectations of those who 
 have so warmly interested themselves in its success. They 
 who peruse it will readily discover that my object in com- 
 posing it was the same as that I have always had much at 
 heart, viz. not only furnishing- the minds of my pupils with 
 useful and agreeable knowledge, but inflaming them with 
 an ardent zeal for their religion, and a love of the social vir- 
 tues 3 arming them betimes with a courage that will render 
 them proof against adversity, and inspiring them with a 
 lively desire of signalizing themselves by acts of humanity 
 and public utility. Heaven grant that I may not fail in 
 my intention ! It is the sweet, the grateful reward I ex- 
 pect for my feeble efforts ; this attained, I willingly re- 
 nounce every other. 
 
COLUMBUS. 
 
 DIALOGUE I. 
 
 JVlcholas (calling.) Theophilus ! Chris- 
 tian ! Frederic ! John ! Where are you all? 
 Christian. What's to be done now f 
 
 JVicholas. Make haste and call the rest; 
 my father is going to tell us a story. 
 
 All. How delightful ! 
 
 Frederic. May I not fetch my brothers 
 and sister, father f 
 
 Father. With all my heart. (Frederic 
 goes out.) 
 
 Christian to JVicholas. What is my fath- 
 er going to relate to us ? 
 
 JVicholas. 1 do not know yet ; but I dare 
 say it will be as pleasing as Robinson Crusoe. 
 
 Frederic returns running, followed by 
 Henry, John, Peter, Ferdinand, J\laihias, 
 Charles, and Charlotte, all exclaiming — Are 
 you indeed, my dear father, going to tell us a 
 story ^ 
 
10 COLUMBUS. 
 
 Father. Yes, my children, if it will con- 
 tribute to your amusement. 
 
 All. Oh ! that it will. Now, father. 
 
 Charlotte. Do not be so hasty ; my fa- 
 ther will be good enough to stay till I have 
 called mother. 
 
 Father. Undoubtedly, my love, your mo- 
 ther nmst be of the party. Will you request 
 her to oblige us with her company f 
 
 Charlotte in a few minutes returned with 
 her mother ; when the whole party being plac- 
 ed, the father, after a short pause, addressing 
 them said, Well, my children, whose history 
 do you think I mean to relate ? 
 
 John. It is impossible to judge, father. 
 
 Father. Doubtless it is now ; but per- 
 haps you may guess, when T inform you, that 
 I mean to give the history of the most remark- 
 able character that ever existed, — a man 
 who made one of the most important discove- 
 ries, and to whom we owe many of the con- 
 veniences of life, and also much information, 
 that we should not otherwise have possessed. 
 Well, now can you judge ? 
 
 Theophilus. I think you mean Peter 
 Hele. 
 
 Father. And why do you particularly 
 guess him ^ 
 
 Theophilus. Because he was ingenious, 
 and the first inventor of watches. 
 
COLUMBUS. 11 
 
 Frederic. Ah ! I remember reading that ; 
 and also that watches were then called the 
 eggs of JVu remherg. 
 
 H^nry. I think there are more interesting 
 inventions than those. 
 
 Charlotte. Now, it is my opinion that fa- 
 ther means the man at Brunswick, who in- 
 vented spinning-wheels, but whose name 1 
 have forgotten. 
 
 Christian. Jurgens. 
 
 John (ironically.) I know not why he 
 should be named before JMoumme, the inven- 
 ter of the Brunswick beer that bears his 
 name. ^ 
 
 Father. Well, since you cannot guess, I 
 must inform you that I mean Columbus^ who 
 first discovered America. 
 
 John. Oh, I am glad to hear it, for I 
 have read of him. 
 
 Father. Well, then, be attentive. Near 
 three Imndred and fifty years ago, at Genoa, 
 in Italy, there dwelt a man named Christo- 
 pher Columbus."'^ Of his birth little is 
 known, except that his ancestors gained their 
 living by navigation ; a circumstance that 
 may perhaps account for his having from his 
 
 * The discoverer of America is generally kno^vn by the 
 name of Columbus, but his real name, according^ to the 
 Spaniards was CoLOW, which is the appellation given him by 
 all Spanish writers. 
 
12 COLUMBUS. 
 
 childhood a decided preference for a sea-far* 
 ing life, which he at length embraced. 
 
 From his early youth he possessed disposi- 
 tions not only requisite in a skilful navigator,but 
 also those necessary to form a great and good 
 man. He was courageous and resolute, con- 
 temned idleness and effeminacy, disdained to 
 pamper his appetite with dainties, which, 
 while they please the palate, destroy the 
 health ; in short, he was the declared enemy 
 of luxury and frivolity, and constantly employ- 
 ed in some study that might render him here- 
 after useful to his fellow creatures. As he 
 was informed, that in order to study the sci- 
 ences successfully, it was first necessary to 
 learn Latin, on account of the number of use- 
 ful books in that language, he immediately 
 applied so assiduously, that he speedily ac- 
 quired a knowledge sufficient to assist him in 
 his pursuits.: 
 
 It was then that he could profit by the in- 
 struction of his masters, which he received 
 with such avidity, that in a short time he 
 made so great a progress in geography, ge- 
 ometry, astronomy, and drawing, that he was 
 capable of going to sea in his fourteenth year, 
 possessed of all the elementary knowledge 
 necessary for a skilful navigator. 
 
 Thus, my children, have those youths dis- 
 tinguished themselves, even in their early 
 
COLUMBUS. 13 
 
 years, who aspired to great actions ; for it is 
 true that, according to the proverb, — The 
 branch should be bent while the tree is green. 
 Rejoice, then, if like Columbus you feel that 
 noble ardour which leads to great pursuits ; 
 but if you cannot yet give yourselves that 
 pleasing testimony, hasten I conjure you to 
 endeavour to deserve it, for in a short time 
 the years of preparation will be elapsed. 
 Think of this, my children, gone without re- 
 cal, — a loss never to be repaired. 
 
 To return to Columbus. He served his 
 apprenticeship in the Mediterranean, to which 
 sea the navigation of his countrymen was 
 then confined ; but this sphere was much too 
 contracted for a spirit that was emulous of 
 performing some great action that had yet 
 been unattempted. 
 
 He therefore sought occasion to make long 
 voyages ; and after sailing to the North Seas, 
 where he greatly extended his knowledge, 
 he engaged himself in the service of a cap- 
 tain, one of his relations, who had at his own 
 expence fitted out some armed ships, to cruise 
 alternately against the Venetians and the 
 Turks. 
 
 Frederic. What is meant by cruising, fa- 
 ther ^ 
 
 Father. It is navigating, in order to watch 
 the enemy's ships, and if possible to take them. 
 2 
 
14 COLUMBUS. 
 
 Frederic. In the same manner as I re- 
 member reading Admiral Roduey acted with 
 regard to the Spanish vessels. 
 
 Father. The same. In this* cruise Co- 
 lumbus would have lost his life had not Prov- 
 idence reserved him for more glorious ex- 
 ploits. The vessel which he commanded be- 
 ing engaged with a Venetian ship, our young 
 hero proved himself a model of valour ; but 
 just at the moment he was on the point of 
 boarding the enemy, his vessel took fire. I 
 judge you understand what I mean by the 
 word hoarding ? 
 
 Mathias. It is, father, when one ship 
 grapples another so strongly, that it cannot 
 disengage itself ; in which case, the crew 
 fight upon the decks' with sword and pistol, 
 until one of the parties surrender. 
 
 Father. Well explained. Represent to 
 yourself two vessels thus grappled, sinking at 
 the same time, and no ship in sight to save 
 the crews. In this dreadful state was Co- 
 lumbus ; but even then, neither his prudence, 
 intrepidity, nor presence of mind forsook him, 
 for, throwing himself into the sea, he seized a 
 floating oar, by the aid of which he fortunate- 
 ly gained the coast at the distance of two 
 marine leagues. 
 
 Henry. Pray, father, what is the compu- 
 tation of a marine league ^ 
 
COLUMBUS. 15 
 
 Father, Three quarters of a German 
 mile, or three miles and one sixth English. 
 Columbus saved himself on the coast of Por- 
 tugal, and had no sooner recovered his fatigue, 
 than he resolved to visit the capital. 
 Charlotte. Lisbon, father, is it not f 
 
 Father. Undoubtedly. This shipwreck 
 contributed greatly to accelerate the glorious 
 course he afterwards pursued, and may prove 
 to us, that the beneficence of Providence fre- 
 quently exerts itself in our favour, even from 
 our seeming misfortunes. Attend, and I will 
 explain this. The Portuguese were at this 
 period the most skilful sailors in the world ; 
 they had sailed farther into the Atlantic 
 Ocean, which was then little known, than any 
 other nation, and had been recompensed for 
 their intrepidity by the discovery of two 
 islands, which they named Porto Santo and 
 Madeira. 
 
 Charles. They are no great distance from 
 Africa. 
 
 Father. The same. This success induc- 
 ed those enterprising men to venture yet far- 
 ther in their pursuits, until at length they 
 formed the great design of endeavouring to 
 find a passage by sea to India. 
 
 Frederic. They could not be long in mak- 
 ing that discovery. 
 
 Father, Why do you suppose so f 
 
16 COLUMBUS. 
 
 Ferdinand. It was only necessary to con- 
 sult the map, to have immediately seen that 
 they must keep the coast of Africa, doubled 
 the Cape of Good Hope, continue their course 
 up the other side of Africa, and they imme- 
 diately reach India. (Tracing with his fin- 
 ger on the map.) 
 
 Father, Truly, Ferdinand, you are right ; 
 but was it not very extraordinary that formerly 
 they were studying for a whole century what 
 we discover at a single glance. 
 
 John. But we have a map to consult j 
 and also know the possibility of doubling the 
 Cape. 
 
 Father. Ferdinand, observe your broth- 
 er. Pray, did not the people of those days 
 possess a map of Africa ? And were they 
 uninformed of the practicability of doubling 
 the Cape f 
 
 John. Undoubtedly they were, which 
 made them anxious to discover India by taking 
 a course round Africa. 
 
 Henry. We also find, by ancient geogra- 
 phy, that they knew nothing more than the 
 northern part of Africa, and a small part of 
 Ethiopia ; but, whether the land ended on the 
 south side, or extended to the South Pole, 
 the ancients were unacquainted.'^ 
 
 * It is related, that by order of Nechor, king of Egypt, the 
 Phoenician navigator* sailed round Africa j but there is great 
 
COLUMBUS. 17 
 
 Father, You see, then, my dear Ferdi- 
 nand, if this be true, we might not have been 
 wiser, had we then existed, than the Portu- 
 guese. In this case it appears to me, as if 
 some one, at the present time, were to ask us 
 how we should reach India by sailing round 
 North America, or otherwise, by the north- 
 east coast of Europe and Asia. Well, will 
 your charts furnish you whith an answer to 
 that question ^ 
 
 Ferdinand. No, father. 
 
 Father, Why not .? 
 
 Ferdinand. Because it is not specified on 
 the maps, whether there is, or is not, to the 
 north of America and Asia, a sea open to all 
 parts. 
 
 Father. Why is it not mentioned ? 
 
 Ferdinand. Most probably because the 
 geographer was ignorant of it himself. 
 
 Father. Agreed. But why should he be 
 so, when he had nothing farther to do than to 
 read the voyages of those that had passed by 
 the north ^ 
 
 Ferdinand. Perhaps no person had made 
 that voyage. 
 
 reason to doubt the truth of this tradition. Herodotus, how- 
 ever, expressly says, that they not only coasted round Africa, 
 but also penetrated into the North Sea, reluming hoihe by 
 the Mediterranean. 
 
 Sei Herodotus, 2 c. 168. lib. iv. c. 4«. 
 2* 
 
18 COLKMBUS. 
 
 Father. Do you not then at once con- 
 ceive, that it was necessary, above three hun- 
 dred years ago, to begin, by making attempts 
 in order to discover the practicability of 
 reaching India by sea ? 
 
 Ferdinand. It must be so ; I now per- 
 fectly comprehend. 
 
 Father. Columbus having reached Lis- 
 bon, his knowledge and talents soon procured 
 him the friendship of many skilful navigators, 
 in which circle they frequently discoursed on 
 the intended plan. 
 
 Frederic. Pray, father, which way did 
 they go to India, at that period ? 
 
 Father. In those days the Venetians were 
 the only nation that traded to India, the pro- 
 ductions of which country they received by 
 the Red Sea and the Mediterranean ; but 
 those two seas, as you well know, have no 
 communication, being separated by a con- 
 siderable isthmus.^ When the vessels reach- 
 ed this isthmus, they were obliged to be un- 
 laden, and the merchandize carried, either 
 by land or by small boats on the canals, to 
 
 * The same King of Egypt, Nechor, (before mentionecl,) 
 who existed about 600 years before Christ, attempted to make 
 a communication between the Mediterranean and the Red 
 Sea i but, after losing twelve thousand men, he desisted, con- 
 vinced that his scheme was impracticable. 
 
COLUMBUS. 
 
 19 
 
 Alexandria in Egypt, from whence they were 
 sent by the Mediterranean to Venice. 
 
 'J'he necessity of lading and unlading the 
 vessels, and the remittance of the goods to 
 Alexandria, must necessarily cramp the com- 
 merce of India so greatly, that it is natural 
 to suppose the discovery of a way by sea was 
 regarded of the utmost importance. Chance 
 also led to another circumstance, which great- 
 ly facilitated the important design of Colum- 
 bus. He married the daughter of a captain 
 who had been of the party in making the dis- 
 covery of the Isles of Porto Santo and Ma- 
 deira, and by this union, enjoyed the advan- 
 tage of perusing the journals and maps of a 
 skilful navigator. 
 
 He studied them with unwearied attention, 
 until, by frequent perusal, his inclination for 
 discoveries daily gained strength, and he re- 
 solved to visit those newly found islands ; he 
 accordingly embarked for Madeira, where, 
 during several years, he carried on a lucra- 
 tive commerce, trading alternately to the 
 Canaries, the coast of Africa, and the Azores. 
 
 Alother (ironically.) Pray, did he not 
 take his wife with him in these voyages ^ 
 
 Father. I should think not, as none of his 
 historians have mentioned that circumstance. 
 
 Mother, Then 1 am resolved he shall sail 
 no farther this evening. Come, my children. 
 
20 
 
 COLUMBUS. 
 
 you have attended long enough for one time ; 
 a little gardening will be an agreeable relax- 
 ation. 
 
 Charlotte. Oh ! mother, thus you always 
 serve us whenever father comes to an inter- 
 esting part. 
 
 Theophilus. Never mind, Charlotte ; mo- 
 ther's only incentive is our health, and to 
 teach us not to give way to impatience. 
 
 All. Well then, to work, to work — to 
 play let's be merry. 
 
 DIALOGUE II. 
 
 Father. During the short voyages that 
 Columbus made to the Canaries, his enter- 
 prising spirit was continually employed on 
 one great idea, to which his residence at Lis- 
 bon had given birth. " What," said he, as 
 he reflected on tiie subject, " is it possible 
 that tiiere should not be a nearer way to the 
 Indies than that sought by the Portuguese, of 
 sailing round Africa f Surely, if, on leaving 
 Europe, sail were constantly made directly 
 westward through the Atlantic Ocean, it 
 would lead to a land which must be India, or, 
 
COLUMBUS. 21 
 
 which at least, appertains unto it. The 
 earth is undoubtedly round, and if so, God 
 has most probably created in the opposite 
 hemisphere, a country Iiabitable by man and 
 other creatures ; for it is not likely that it 
 should be entirely composed of water. In- 
 dia is, perhaps, much more extensive than is 
 generally imagined, and possibly extends to- 
 wards the east, near Europe ; if, therefore, 
 the course were directed right westward, it 
 must inevitably be attained." 
 
 Such was his first reasoning on the pro- 
 bability of the opposite side of our globe be- 
 ing habitable ; an idea that was strengthened, 
 by much reflection and observation, arising, 
 among others, from these circumstances : — 
 The master of a Portuguese vessel, having ad- 
 vanced a considerable way into the Atlantic 
 Ocean, sailing westward, drew up a piece of 
 wood brought by that wind, and which evi- 
 dently bore the marks of labour. This strong- 
 ly corroborated his supposition, that towards 
 the west there was an inhabited country, 
 'i'he brother-in-law of Columbus, Pedro Cor- 
 reo, a celebrated navigator, sailing from Ma- 
 deira westward, had also found a similar 
 plank. They had likewise, from time to time, 
 discovered on the coast of the Azores — 
 But before I proceed, let me ask you if you 
 recollect where those isles are situated ? 
 
22 COLUMBUS. 
 
 Christian. Certainly we do. They are 
 in the Atlantic Ocean, between Europe and 
 Anierica, and are also called the Spur Islands. 
 
 Father. Well, then, on the western coast 
 of these islands, they had freqnently found 
 trees of a species unknown to them, brought 
 by the same winds ; and what rendered their 
 idea yet more probable than all 1 have re- 
 lated to you, was that one day the waves threw 
 on the same coast the bodies of two men, 
 whose persons they considered peculiarly re- 
 markable, as they neither resembled Europe- 
 ans, nor yet the inhabitants of Asia or Africa. 
 Columbus caiefully reflected on these differ- 
 ent circumstances, and compared them with 
 what he had studied, both from ancient and 
 modern authors, respecting India ; the whole 
 of which contributed to change his conjectures 
 into conviction. 
 
 He was however careful not to trust entire- 
 ly to his own judgment, and therefore con- 
 sulted a man whose penetration and under- 
 standing were at that time in high estimation. 
 His name was Paul ; he was a physician, and 
 resided at Florence, a city in Italy. I'his 
 wise man considered the observations of Co- 
 lumbus of the greatest importance, communi- 
 cated to him some observations he himself 
 had made on the same subject, and conclud- 
 ed, by exhorting him to realize so great a 
 project. 
 
COLUMBUS. 23 
 
 From this time Columbus was firmly re- 
 solved on the enterprize ; but as it required 
 a fitting out far beyoud the compass of his 
 fortune, he was necessitated to propose the 
 execution to some superior power. He did 
 not hesitate a moment to devote the fruit of 
 his future discoveries to his own country, rath- 
 er than to any other state, in consequence of 
 which he presented the plan, which he had 
 drawn up, to the Senate at Genoa ; who, 
 however, incapable of understanding the so- 
 lidity of his reasonings, took this great man 
 for an idle projector, and declined his offers. 
 
 Columbus was not discouraged by this re- 
 pulse ; -and having satisfied the duty he owed 
 to his country, turned his thoughts towards 
 Lisbon, which had • lately signalized itself in 
 enterprizes of the same kind. His proposal 
 was listened to with the utmost attention ; but 
 having, by degrees, drawn from him the whole 
 of the plan, they were guilty of the meanest 
 duplicity towards him. 
 
 They had formed the resolution of depriv- 
 ing him of the honour he would obtain by 
 such interesting discoveries ; and, with that 
 view, fitted out a vessel in haste, giving the 
 direction to another commander to execute 
 what Columbus had projected. This captain 
 accordingly set sail ; but possessing neither 
 the spirit of enterprize, nor the courage of the 
 
24 COLUMBUS. 
 
 man whose right was thus infringed, he, after a 
 short voyage towards the west, renounced all 
 hopes of success, and returned to Lisbon dis--' 
 contented and totally disheartened. 
 
 John. I am very glad that the foolish and 
 treacherous Portuguese did not succeed in 
 their attempt to deceive poor Columbus. 
 
 Father. 'I'hat event must doubtless give 
 us pleasure ; but, my dear boy, we should be 
 cautious of accusing the whole of the Portu- 
 guese nation with either folly or treachery, be- 
 cause, three hundred years ago, four or five 
 evil-disposed counsellors persuaded the king 
 to commit an unjust action, which was, per- 
 haps, abhorred by all the rest of the country. 
 
 John. I only meant to condemn those who 
 devised it, father. 
 
 Father. In that case you are perfectly 
 right — -it was an act of the utmost meanness 
 and treachery towards Columbus, who felt 
 himself so justly offended, that he immedi- 
 ately took the road to Madrid. 
 
 Charlotte. In Spain, is it not, father f 
 
 Father. Undoubtedly. But 'fearful that 
 his proposals should be rejected by the court 
 of Spain, he sent his brother Bartholomew, 
 who was entirely acquainted with his whole 
 plan, to England, to see what could be ob- 
 tained there in his favour. 
 • Ferdinand, surnamed the Catholic, at that 
 
COLUMBUS. 
 
 25 
 
 period reigned in Spain. He was of a sus- 
 picious and circumspect temper, consequently- 
 very cautious of entering into any expedition, 
 the success of which he regarded as the 
 least doubtful. His queen, Isabella, was of a 
 more enterprizing temper, but she depended 
 entirely upon her husband, and entered into 
 no arrangements whatever without his ap- 
 probation ; — added to this, unfortunately for 
 Columbus, the King of Spain was at that 
 time engaged in a war with the last King of 
 the Moors, ^ who had established his empire 
 in Granada, a province in Spain. 
 
 Ferdinand and Isabella, notwithstanding 
 their circumstances, received Columbus with 
 distinguished kindness, and listened to his 
 plan with great attention ; but, before they 
 returned a decisive answer, they laid his pro- 
 ject before some counsellors, who, unfortu- 
 nately, were not sufficiently enlightened to 
 comprehend it, and therefore made the most 
 absurd objections. They maintained that 
 the sea between Europe and India was so ex- 
 tensive, that, even granting he met with the 
 
 * The Moors were a people that, from Arabia, had formed 
 themselves a settlement in the upper part of Africa, from 
 whence thoy passed into Spain, the greater part of which they 
 subdued 5 but the original inhabitants, having at length made 
 head against them, succeeded, after a long and obstinate con- 
 test, in forcing them to evacuate Spain and retire to Africa. 
 
 3 
 
26 COETJMBUS. 
 
 most favourable voyage, it would take at least 
 three years to reach the nearest continent. 
 Another rejected his plan, upon account of 
 the rotundity of the earth, saying, that if he 
 sailed constantly towards the west, it would 
 be a continued descent ; in which case, when 
 he wished toTreturn, he must ascend, which 
 he would find impossible. Others were im- 
 pertinent enough to ask him, if he thought 
 himself wiser than the millions of men who 
 had existed before him ; or whether, if there 
 were really a continent on the other side of 
 the globe, he could suppose it would have re- 
 mained unknown for so many ages ? 
 
 Columbus had occasion for all his perseve- 
 rance to bear, with equanimity, the ignorance 
 and pride of his judges. He, however, sup- 
 ported this examination with a calmness worthy 
 of admiration, rei)lying to the most ridiculous 
 objections with respect. He, however, obtain- 
 ed but little advantage from this praise-worthy 
 conduct ; for, after having thrown away five 
 years, in endeavouring to convince those idiots 
 that his plan was practicable, he had the mor- 
 tification to learn that it had been represented, 
 in the most unfavourable light, to the king, 
 who, in consequence, had declared that, dur- 
 ing the continuance of the war with the 
 Moors, he could not think of any enterprize 
 whatever. 
 
COLUMBUS. 27 
 
 You may easily conceive, my dear chil- 
 dren, the vexation of poor Columbus, thus a 
 second time disappointed in his dearest hopes. 
 It was indeed great, but his fortitude was yet 
 greater ; and, far from relinquishing his en- 
 terprize, he immediately applied to two Span- 
 ish dukes, who were sufficiently rich to have 
 fitted out a small fleet to send on these re- 
 searches, but these noblemen wanted either 
 confidence in Columbus, or courage to risk 
 the undertaking, and he again met with a 
 refusal. 
 
 Henry. Really, father, it is quite vexatious 
 to hear how this great man was repulsed in 
 all his applications. 
 
 John. 1 am astonished that he was not so 
 entirely disheartened as totally to relinquish 
 the undertaking. 
 
 Father. Had he acted thus, it would have 
 proved that he did not in reality possess those 
 qualifications that so eminently distinguished 
 him. Noble and elevated spirits, my dear 
 children, are not to be deterred by any diffi- 
 culty, however great, from the path that leads 
 to honour. The coldness, or even the in- 
 gratitude of their brethren may grieve and 
 vex them, but cannot discourage or reduce 
 them to inaction. Whatever disappointment 
 they may experience, whatever obstacles may 
 oppose them, their minds still remain fixed on 
 
28 
 
 COLUMBUS. 
 
 the object they have resolved to attain. Such 
 is the conduct that will ever distinguish the 
 man whose character is truly great and vir- 
 tuous. Such was the hero, whose history I 
 now relate to you ; his noble spirit rose above 
 the grief he experienced on having his excel- 
 lent plan disdained, and himself treated with 
 ingratitude, and he formed the resolution of 
 going to England, having never received any 
 information respecting his brother since his 
 departure. 
 
 Bartholomew had the misfortune in his 
 passage to fall into the hands of pirates, and to 
 be made a slave, from which bondage he was 
 not released for many years ; w^hen he has- 
 tened to England, but in so deplorable a sit- 
 uation, that he was obliged to design geo- 
 graphical charts, in order to procure himself 
 some clothes, before he could appear at court 
 to make his offer. 
 
 Columbus had a son named Diego, whom 
 he tenderly loved ; and being unwilling to 
 quit Spain without seeing him, he paid a visit 
 to the convent where he was placed. Here 
 he formed an acquaintance with the superior 
 of the institution, named Perez, w4io was a 
 man of great judgment and information ; he 
 readily comprehended the extent and solidity 
 of the plan that had been before condemned 
 as ridiculous, and, being in great estimation 
 
COLUMBUS. 
 
 29 
 
 with the queen, persuaded Columbus to defer 
 his departure until he could receive an answer 
 to a letter he wrote to that princess.* 
 
 Columbus agreed willingly to this request, 
 — when Perez represented, in his address to 
 the queen, the whole scheme in such proper 
 and forcible colours, that Columbus was sent 
 for back to court, and received by Isabella 
 with distinguished kindness ; he also received 
 the congratulations of his friends on his suc- 
 cess, when once more his hopes were destroy- 
 ed by the pusillanimous timidity of the king. 
 
 Ferdinand again consulted the same per- 
 sons that he had before appointed to judge the 
 
 * According to the testimony of Garcia Fernandez, a phy- 
 sician, resident at Pales in Andalusia^ " a stranger, on foot, 
 accompanied by a small boy, stopped one day at the gate of 
 the convent near that place, and asked of the porter a little bread 
 and water for his child. While receiving this humble re- 
 freshment, the prior of the convent, friar Juan Perez de Mar- 
 chena, happening to pass, was struck with the appearance of 
 the stranger, and observing from his air and accent that he was 
 a foreigner, entered into conversation with him, and soon 
 learnt the particulars of his story. This stranger was Colum- 
 bus, accompanied by his young son Diego. The zeal of 
 this worthy friar, thus early enkindled, never cooled, and 
 many years afterwards, in the day of his success, Columbus 
 looks back, through the brilliant crowd of courtiers, prelates, 
 and philosophers, who claimed the merit of having patronized 
 his enterprize, and points to this modest friar, as one who had 
 been most effectually its friend." — Irvik«. 
 
 3* 
 
30 COLUMBUS. 
 
 proposition of Columbus ; and as they still 
 adhered to their first opinion, the king abso- 
 lutely refused to enter into it, and so far in- 
 fluenced the queen, that she was necessitated 
 to break off the engagement she had com- 
 menced. 
 
 Once more, my children, consider this 
 great character ; — disdained, his well-digest- 
 ed plan derided, and himself a butt for the 
 raillery of the sycophant courtiers, who con- 
 sidered his rising fortune with an envious eye. 
 Overwhelmed with such repeated vexations, 
 Columbus must have given way to his just in- 
 dignation, had not his mind been superior to 
 all the adversity he had so many years been 
 obliged to struggle with. 
 
 Charlotte. My dear father, what are syc- 
 ophant courtiers ? 
 
 Father. In the courts of kings and prin- 
 ces, as in the society of other wealthy men, 
 are ever to be found a set of worthless char- 
 acters, who will flatter and cringe to their su- 
 periors, and calumniate and ridicule men of 
 understanding or virtue, that have the misfor- 
 tune to be under their displeasure. It is such 
 wretches as these, my child, that I name 
 sycophants. 
 
 Columbus now prepared for what appeared 
 to him the last r"fesource, which was, to offer to 
 the King of England a part of the world 
 
COLUMBUS. 31 
 
 which three states had alread}^ imprudently- 
 rejected. While he was preparing for this 
 voyage, the Spaniards were successful in re- 
 ducing the province of Granada, which en- 
 tirely destroyed the power of the Moors in 
 Spain. Ferdinand and Isabella were delight- 
 ed with this victory, as it rendered them mas- 
 ters of all Spain ; and as the human heart 
 when open to joy is most inclined to good 
 actions, two of Columbus's friends, whose 
 names ought to be respectable to posterity, 
 again ventured at this fortunate period to re- 
 mind the queen of his project. 
 
 Frederic. Pray, what were their names ? 
 
 Father. The one was called Quintanilla, 
 the other Santangelo. Both represented the 
 attempt of Columbus with such strength of 
 reasoning, that at length the king and queen 
 could no longer resist giving it their sanction. 
 
 A messenger was immediately sent after 
 Columbus, who was already on his journey ; 
 he fortunately overtook him, and re-conduct- 
 ed him to the court, where the queen was 
 expecting him with impatience. His vexa- 
 tions and repeated disappointments were soon 
 forgotten, and he presented to the queen the 
 conditions upon which he was willing to en- 
 counter all the hazards of the sea, to discover 
 and explore unknown lands. The proposals 
 were accepted, and Columbus, after so many 
 
32 
 
 COLUMBUS. 
 
 tedious atteaipts, considered himself at the 
 height of his wishes. 
 
 Ml the children testify their pleasure, ex- 
 claiming, 1 am glad of it ! — How charming ! 
 — His hopes will be realized ! 
 
 Charles. Did he immediately depart, fa- 
 ther ? 
 
 Father. That information I shall reserve 
 until to-morrow. 
 
 *^^U. Oh, to-morrow ! To-morrow is a 
 long time, father ; but we must submit. 
 
 DIALOGUE III. 
 
 Peter. Make haste, dear father ! I do so 
 long for Columbus to set sail ! I am afraid 
 some new obstacle to his departure will arise. 
 
 Father. Do not be uneasy, my dear boy. 
 Columbus has now taken his measures so 
 well, that your fears are groundless. He is 
 in possession of an act signed by the king and 
 queen, in which among other things it is de- 
 creed, that he shall be created viceroy of the 
 countries he shall discover, and that this dig- 
 nity shall be transferable to his descendants 
 to the latest generations ; nay more, that he 
 
COLUMBUS. OO 
 
 and all his posterity shall have a tenth part of 
 the revenue which the newly discovered 
 countries shall bring annually to the crown of 
 Spain. 
 
 Maihias. Ah, ha ! then he is going to 
 be rich. 
 
 John. I fear he has first a great deal to 
 suffer. 
 
 Father, You are right, John ; but let us 
 proceed. The vessels destined to this enter- 
 prize were now fitted out with the utmost ex- 
 pedition ; but they were so small, and so ill 
 constructed, that no one but Columbus would 
 have had courage to attempt in them the dan- 
 gers of a sea totally unknown, the rocks and 
 quicksands of which had not yet been pointed 
 out on any chart. This little squadron con- 
 sisted of the Santa Maria, on board of which 
 Columbus hoisted his flag, the Pinta, and the 
 Nina ; the two last being little more than large 
 shallops or boats. They were furnished with 
 provisions for twelve months, and the crew 
 that was to accompany Columbus in this per- 
 ilous expedition did not exceed ninety men. 
 The whole expence of the armament amount- 
 ed only to twenty-four thousand rix dollars ; 
 a sum which appeared to the court of Spain 
 so immense, that the enterprize would have 
 been given up, if Columbus had not engaged 
 to furnish an eighth part, in consideration of 
 
34 
 
 COLUMBUS. 
 
 which, he also stipulated for himself an eighth 
 part; of the profit arising from the voyage. 
 
 Henry. Was the court of Spain then so 
 poor as to make an object of so moderate a 
 sum ^ 
 
 Father. In those days, my dear Henry, 
 five crowns were equal in value to an hun- 
 dred now; money was then obtained with 
 greater difficulty, and business carried on 
 more by an exchange of micrchandize. If, 
 besides, you reflect that their treasures had 
 been exhausted by a long war which Spain 
 had supported against the Moors, and but re- 
 cently concluded, you will easily account for 
 what surprizes you. But to continue,— 
 Every thing prepared, imagine that you see 
 the little fleet with which the brave Columbus 
 is* to sail, at anchor in the road of Palos, a 
 small maritime town in Andalusia. 
 
 JVicholas. I already see them v/eigh an- 
 chor and set sail. 
 
 Father. Not in such haste, Nicholas. 
 Columbus was not only a brave man and skil- 
 ful navigator ; but a pious Christian ; he knew 
 the protection of that great Being, who is 
 equally Lord of the ocean and of the whole 
 universe, was necessary to the success of his 
 undertaking, and that it was his duty to im- 
 plore it. When all therefore was ready for 
 his departere, he repaired in procession with 
 
COLUMBUS. ' 35 
 
 the companions of his voyage to a convent 
 near the city ; there with the warmest devo- 
 tion he offered up his prayers, and implored 
 the protection of tlie Divine Being on an en- 
 lerprize,"one great ohject of which was to dif- 
 fuse among those remote and savage nations 
 into which it should please his Divine Provi- 
 dence to conduct him, the knowledge and 
 w^orship of the true God. His example was 
 followed by the rest ; after which, confident 
 in the protection of the Almighty, they re- 
 turned to the port, and the next morning, be- 
 ing the 3d of August, 1492, set sail, amidst 
 the blessings and acclamations of numerous 
 spectators. 
 
 The Children. Bravo ! a good voyage to 
 them. Go on, dear father. 
 
 Father. Agreeably to his plan, Columbus 
 steered directly for the Canary Isles ; but the 
 next day an accident happened which, though 
 in itself trifling, would have put a stop to the 
 enterprize, had Columbus been as weak and 
 superstitious as his companions. The helm 
 of the Pinta broke ; an accident purposely 
 contrived, it is supposed, by the pilot, who 
 repented having engaged in so dangerous a 
 voyage, and hoped to oblige Columbus to 
 return. 
 
 Frederic. Was the misfortune then ir- 
 remediable ? 
 
36 - COLUMBUS. 
 
 Father, The helm was repaired, but the 
 crew considered the accident as a presage of 
 the ill success of the voyage. " We are lost," 
 they exclaimed, " if we do not immediately 
 return !" " Why so f" asked Columbus. 
 " Does not Heaven," they replied, " show 
 clearly by the accident that has happened to 
 the helm, the misfortunes that will attend us if 
 we persist in this rash enterprize ?" 
 
 *' Really," replied Columbus, " I cannot 
 conceive why you should infer that God, by 
 this trifling accident, announces any future 
 misfortune ; all that I can understand from a 
 broken helm is simply, that it must be re- 
 paired." 
 
 " The admiral is an Athiest !" whisper- 
 ed the sai"lors, " he does not believe in 
 omens !" 
 
 Columbus, who suspected what passed in 
 their minds, thought it necessary to wean 
 them from a superstition that in thousand oth- 
 er instances might again intimidate them. 
 He therefore entered at large upon the sub- 
 ject, and showed them the folly of believing 
 any event a presage of our future destiny, 
 which God has never promised to reveal to 
 us by signs. " His wisdom and goodness," 
 said he, " are on the contrary conspicuous 
 in concealing it, and it is equally weak and 
 unavaihng to endeavour to develope it by ac- 
 
COLUMBUS. 37 
 
 cidents with which it has no connection. All 
 that a wise and truly religious man has to do 
 is, conscientiously to fulfil the duties of his 
 station, and to rest with trust and confidence 
 in the protection of Providence, without per- 
 plexing himself concerning the future. May 
 our actions, my comrades, during our voyage, 
 be regulated by this maxim !" If Columbus 
 did not by these arguments entirely dissipate 
 the fears of his companions, he at least con- 
 siderably weakened them, and they continued 
 their course, without the intervention of any 
 accident, to the Island of Gomera, one of the 
 Canaries, where they cast anchor. 
 
 These islands (seven in number) were 
 formerly known by the name of the Fortu- 
 nate Islands, they are situated from 27® 30' to 
 29° 30' north lat. and from 12<» to 21 *» west 
 Ion. at the distance of five hundred miles from 
 the coast of Spain, and one hundred from the 
 continent of Africa. In the year 1344, the 
 court of Rome gave the property of them to 
 a prince of the royal house of Castile, but 
 they were not finally subjugated to Spain un- 
 til 1496. Their names are Canaria, Palma, 
 TenerifF, Ferro, Forteventura, Lancerota, 
 and Gomera. They, in general, enjoy the 
 advantage of a serene sky, the heat though 
 excessive on the coast, is agreeably temper- 
 ate upon those situations that are a little ele- 
 4 
 
38 
 
 COLUMBUS. 
 
 vated, and upon the mountains the cold is as 
 much complained of, as the heat on the coast ; 
 their tops are covered with snow the greater 
 part of the year. 
 
 TenerifF is known by its volcanos, and by a 
 mountain called the Peak of TenerifF in the 
 form of a sugar loaf. It is about fifteen miles 
 in circumference, and according to Dr. Sprat, 
 Bishop of Rochester, whose account was pub- 
 lished in the Philosophical Transactions, it is 
 nearly three miles perpendicular. Some- 
 times this mountain throws out such a quan- 
 tity of sulphur and lava as to convert the rich- 
 est lands into barren deserts. 
 
 The superior tribunal of justice is in the 
 island particularly called Canary, but TenerifF 
 is considered as the capital ; it is the resi- 
 dence of the Goveraor General, and is the 
 richest and most populous of the whole. 
 
 After having repaired their vessels and 
 taken on board refreshments, they weighed 
 anchor, the .6th of September, and with beat- 
 ing hearts launched into the great western 
 ocean, which had as yet been unexplored by 
 any vessel. The first day after their de- 
 parturCj their progress was inconsiderable for 
 want of wind, and it was not till the third day 
 that they lost sight of the Canaries. Now 
 behold, my children, the attention of the crew 
 solely and invariably fixed on Columbus, who 
 from this day will appear with a dignity of 
 
COLUMBUS. 39 
 
 character that cannot fail of inspiring you 
 with respect and love. The courage of the 
 crew disappeared with the sight of land ; as 
 if ignorant till now of the greatness of the en- 
 terprize they had undertaken ; they wept, 
 beat their breasts, and burst into the most 
 passionate lanaentations, as men who were 
 conducted to inevitable destruction. Co- 
 lumbus alone, like a rock beaten by the waves, 
 preserved his usual coolness and intrepidity, 
 showing such tranquillity of mind, and so 
 firm a confidence in the happy issue of his en- 
 terprize, that even the most timid drew cour- 
 age from his presence. He first made them 
 ashamed of their pusillanimity, and then, 
 touching on the recompense which awaited 
 them on their return, painted in such Hvely 
 colours the riches and glory they were about 
 to acquire, that their courage revived, and 
 they promised to follow wherever he should 
 conduct them. This specimen of their weak- 
 ness demonstrated to Columbus the scenes he 
 was to expect in future. From this period 
 he passed the greatest part of his time upon 
 deck, either with the sounding-line in his 
 hand, or the instrument used for making as- 
 tronomical observations. 
 
 Frederic. What instruments are those, 
 my dear father ? 
 
 Father. The sounding-line is a large 
 piece of lead fastened to the end of a long 
 
40 COLUMBUS. 
 
 cord, which the sailors throw into the sea, 
 lengthening it as it descends. When the 
 lead touches the bottom, it is seen by the 
 length of the hne, that is to say, as much of 
 it as has been wetted, what is the depth of the 
 sea in the place where it is let down. Do 
 you comprehend, Frederic f 
 
 Frederic. Yes, my dear father ; but why 
 do they take the trouble of measuring the 
 depth of the sea ? 
 
 Father. Cannot you yourself guess ? — 
 Reflect a moment. 
 
 Frederic, Ah ! I have it. If the water 
 were not deep enough, the ship would run 
 aground, and then good bye to it. For this 
 reason, I suppose, they are obliged to make 
 use of the sounding-line ? 
 
 Father. You see that by a little reflection 
 we can ourselves discover many things that 
 we wish to know ; but I suppose you must 
 also have some account of the astronomical 
 instrument I spoke of ? 
 
 Frederic. 1 was just going to ask for it, 
 my dear father. 
 
 Father. First answer me a question I am 
 going to ask you. When you go from Ham- 
 burgh to Wandsbeck, can you tell on the way 
 how much ground you have passed over f 
 
 Frederic. Certainly I can ; one need not 
 be a conjuror to know that. 
 
 Father. How do you know it ^ 
 
COLUMBUS. 
 
 41 
 
 Frederic. Oh, it is only necessary to 
 count the steps, or to look behind one. 
 
 Father. You are right ; but is it the same, 
 Frederic, with navigators when out at sea, 
 w^iere they can perceive only sky and wa- 
 ter ? Is it equally easy for them to discover 
 the place where they are, and how many 
 leagues they have sailed ? 
 
 Frederic. Oh no, father ; that is quite 
 another thing. 
 
 Father. Yet you conceive that this kaow- 
 ledge is of the utmost importance to them f 
 
 Frederic. Undoubtedly ; otherwise, how 
 could they steer to the place where they in- 
 tended to land f 
 
 Father. You are very right ; — and what 
 means do you imagine they employ to obtain 
 this information ? 
 
 Frederic. Really, father, I am ignorant. 
 
 Father. Follow me into the great hall, 
 and 1 will show you. (They retire into the 
 hall.) Now, Frederic, examine the ceiling 
 of this apartment with the most exact atten- 
 tion, and observe the ornaments, 
 
 Frederic. I have observed every thing. 
 
 Father. Now, then, I shall tie a bandage 
 over your eyes, and lead you throughout this 
 spacious apartment, making you turn in va- 
 rious directions so often, that you shall ab- 
 solutely not know in what part of the hall you 
 4* 
 
42 COLUMBUS. 
 
 are. (The father blindfolds him, and does as 
 he proposes.) Now throw your head back in 
 such a manner, that when I take off the ban- 
 dage you may see nothing but the ceiling. 
 That is well. Now — (taking the bandage 
 from his eyes) — look up, and teltTne in what 
 corner of the hall you are. 
 
 Frederic, In that near the organ. 
 
 Father. From what do you judge ? 
 
 Frederic. From the plaster rose which I 
 took particular notice of before. 
 
 Father.. You discover, then, by the con- 
 templation of the ceiling, in what part of the 
 hall you are now ; do you not think that nav- 
 igators can by a similar mode discover their 
 situation r 
 
 Frederic. Why, yes ; they need only 
 look at the sky as I have done at the ceiling, 
 and I think the stars would point out to them 
 the place where they are. 
 
 Father. Right. But, my dear boy, the 
 sky is so high, that the star which is now ver- 
 tical above our heads, will appear to be so 
 when we have sailed several leagues ; to 
 which it must also be added, that the stars do 
 not continue always in the same place, but on 
 the contrary, hke the sun and moon, appear 
 sometimes on one side of the heavens, some- 
 times on the other. You see, therefore, that 
 our course cannot be so exactly regulatec^ by 
 the stars as yours has been by the ceiling. 
 
COLUMBUS. 43 
 
 For a sure guide, recourse must be had to 
 certain ingenious mathematical instruments ; 
 to one especially, by the help of which the 
 exact position of the stars may be ascertained, 
 with their distances from each other. This is 
 the instrument of which 1 spoke. 
 
 Frederic. It must be curiously constructed. 
 
 Father. At present it is sufficient to ex- 
 plain its use. We will now return to Colum- 
 bus. The greater part of his time was spent 
 upon deck either in making observations rela- 
 tive to the depth of the sea, and the course of 
 the vessel, or in giving the necessary orders 
 to his men. From these arduous cares he al- 
 lowed himself but few hours of repose, but 
 with all preserved an air of perfect serenity 
 and confidence ; he rejected every indul- 
 gence that his men could not partake, and 
 was only distinguished from the lowest by the 
 superiority of his knowledge, and that unshak- 
 en fortitude by which he gave to the timid a 
 courage the most powerful eloquence would 
 have failed to inspire. Such a man was alone 
 capable of executing an enterprize, which,, 
 with less courage, knowledge, and skill in 
 managing the hearts of others, had inevitably 
 failed. But enough for to-day ; to-morrow 
 we will continue the course of our adven- 
 turers» 
 
44 
 
 DIALOGUE IV. 
 
 Father. Come hither, my children ; before 
 I proceed with the history of Columbus, I have 
 something to say that requires your attention. 
 The Children, with eagerness. Dear fa- 
 ther, what is it ^ 
 
 Father. In the course of my history I 
 must sometimes unavoidably speak of latitude 
 and longitude ; I wish therefore that you 
 should clearly comprehend what is meant by 
 those terms. 
 
 John. You explained them, dear father, 
 when we first began to study geography. 
 
 Henry. Yes ; — it is a long time since, — 
 nearly two years. 
 
 Father. I am delighted to hear you are 
 already informed : one of you sage elders will 
 be able to take my place, and give the neces- 
 sary explanations to the little ones, who are 
 yet unacquainted with the subject. 
 
 Henry. Certainly we can ; but we must 
 first fetch the globe. 
 
 Father. I think we can dispense with it ; 
 here is a little map of the world which will 
 answer the purpose without farther trouble. 
 And now which of you will be father .'* 
 
 All. I! I! I! 
 
 Father. Since you all offer your service, 
 I must needs make a choice ; you, therefore, 
 Henry, who are the eldest, come hither ; and 
 
COLUMBUS. 
 
 45 
 
 you, John, stand next, to see that he dis- 
 charges his office properly. Should your as- 
 sistance be necessary, you will be at hand 
 to give it. 
 
 Henry, personating his father. Come 
 hither, children ; come hither, Charlotte and 
 Frederic, be attentive, I am going to teach 
 you what we call the latitude and longitude 
 of our globe. 
 
 Mother. A very consequential beginning, 
 indeed ! 
 
 Henry. Nay, mother, I am now the fath- 
 er, I ought, therefore, to take upon me a lit- 
 tle. So observe, children, this little drawing 
 represents the half of our earth. 
 
46 COLUMBUS. 
 
 The earth, as you have already heard, is 
 round. 
 
 Charlotte. Oh, I know how it is proved 
 to be round ; it is because its shadow is round 
 and because 
 
 Henry. Not so fast, nny httle girl ; what 
 you are going to say is not immediately ne- 
 cessary to our subject. It is enough for you 
 simply to know that the earth is round like a 
 ball, but rugged, from the mountains and hol- 
 lows on its surface. This map represents 
 one side of it. 
 
 Frederic. Now do, Henry, go on ; we 
 know this already. 
 
 Henry. On this ball of earth are two 
 points, one precisely opposite the other, up- 
 on which the earth continually turns. In this 
 map before us they are marked by the figures 
 I, 2. These two points are called the Poles 
 of the Earth ; that which is at the top has 
 exactly over it a star called the North Star, 
 for which reason geographers have given it 
 the name of the North Pole, that opposite 
 is called the South Pole. Do you compre- 
 hend ^ 
 
 Charlotte. To be sure I do ; the highest 
 point is called the North Pole, and the lowest 
 the South Pole. 
 
 Henry. Excellently well explained, dear 
 girl. Now look again at the figure ; in the 
 middle of the ball, the half of which only is 
 
COLUMBUS. ' 47 
 
 represented, is a line or circle which sepa- 
 rates it into two equal parts. It is marked 
 A and B. 
 
 Frederic. But is there in reality such a 
 line upon our globe ? 
 
 Henry. No, my dear Frederic ; our 
 learned men have only imagined such a line 
 to extend round our earth. 
 
 Charlotte. But, for what reason ^ 
 
 Henry. Patience, and you will presently 
 comprehend ; let me now tell you, that this 
 line is called the equator. 
 
 Charlotte. The equator ? 
 
 Henry. Yes, because we not only by 
 means of it divide the earth into two equal 
 parts, but, when the sun is immediately over 
 it the days and nights are equal. So much 
 for the signification of the word. The space 
 traced round the globe by the line from A to 
 B on the other side, is called the longitude of 
 the earth. Do you comprehend ? 
 
 Both. Perfectly. 
 
 Henry. The first point then is cleared ; 
 it now remains to explain to you what is 
 meant by the earth's latitude. Observe those 
 lines that are drawn from the North to the 
 South Pole. 
 
 The Children, (tracing them on the map.) 
 Here they are ! 
 
 Henry. They mark the latitude of the 
 earth, and are called meridians. 
 
48 COLUMBUS. 
 
 Frederic, Why meridians ? 
 
 Henry. Because it is noon at the same 
 time at all those places over which the same 
 meridian is drawn, which happens precisely 
 when the sun is opposite to that line. Do 
 you understand, Charlotte f 
 
 Charlotte. 1 do, Mr Professor. 
 
 Hen?'y. One of those meridians which 
 you see drawn here in such numbers is called 
 the first meridian. In the figure before us it 
 is something thicker than the rest, and is di- 
 vided into a number of little sections ; now 
 the longitude of a place is nothing more ttian 
 its distance from the first meridian, east or 
 west ; the latitude, on the contrary, is its dis- 
 tance from the equator, north or south. 
 
 The Children. We understand this per- 
 fectly. 
 
 Henry. In our little planisphere I observ- 
 ed the figure of a ship. Now, should I in- 
 quire in what longitude it is, what would you 
 understand by my question :* 
 
 Charlotte. Why — how far it is from the 
 first meridian, to be sure. 
 
 Henry. That is to say, measuring con- 
 stantly towards the west to the first meridian; 
 but should 1 further inquire in what latitude 
 this ship is, what then, Frederic, should you 
 understand by my question f 
 
 Frederic. That you wished to know how 
 far it was from the equator. 
 
COLVMBUS. 49 
 
 Henry. Perfectly right ; I am very well 
 satisfied with your attention. 
 
 Father. I also am pleased with your ex- 
 planations. Come, Frederic and Charlotte, 
 give your little father a kiss for so well in- 
 structing you ; I shall give him one as a re- 
 ward for doing such honour to my office. 
 (Embraces him.) 
 
 Johri. But he has forgotten, father, that 
 the equator and meridian are divided into 
 degrees. 
 
 Father. Well, then, take his place, and 
 see if you can clear up this point. 
 
 John. I will try, father. Now observe, 
 Charlotte, the equator and the first meridian 
 are divided into equal distances by a number 
 of small strokes, whicli form so many divisions. 
 Do you understand f 
 
 Frederic and Charlotte. Perfectly. Now, 
 go on. 
 
 John. Each of these divisions is called a 
 degree, and comprehends the space of fifteen 
 German miles, or sixty-nine English miles 
 and a half. The equator contains three hun- 
 dred and sixty of those degrees, and a merid- 
 ian, from one pole to another, one hundred 
 and eighty. Thus, for example, when we 
 say such or such a place is in the three 
 hundred and thirtieth degree of longitude, we 
 mean, that ia reckoniog the degrees of the 
 5 
 
50 
 
 COLUMBUS. 
 
 e(][uator, from the given place westward to the 
 first meridian, we find three hundred and 
 thirty degrees ; and if to this we add that 
 this same place is in the eighth degree of lati- 
 tude, we mean no more than that in counting 
 the degrees of the first meridian, from the 
 equator, we find eight. I 
 
 Father. Bravo ! John merits a reward 
 as well as his brother ; give him a kiss, my 
 children, and here is mine. (Embracing 
 him.) 
 
 John. It is reward gained at little ex- 
 pense, father. 
 
 Father. Now, children, for example, let 
 us observe in what degree of latitude and lon- 
 gitude the ship we have spoken of is placed. 
 We must count the degrees of the equator to- 
 wards the west, from the express point in 
 which the ship is, to the first meridian. But 
 as the figure represents only half of the earth, 
 we cannot number them entirely round it. 
 We must therefore rely on the authority of 
 the person who made the draft, and who, as 
 you see, has placed under the ship the num- 
 ber 340, the degree of its longitude ; but now 
 as to its latitude, nothing prevents our num- 
 bering the degrees of the first meridian, and 
 seeing how far it is from the equator, one, 
 two, three, four, five. The ship you see, my 
 children, is in the fifth degree of latitude. 
 Have I explained it clearly ^ 
 
COLUMBUS* 51 
 
 Charlotte and Frederic. Oh ! yes, father ; 
 we understand it perfectly. 
 
 Father. I am glad of it ; for, were you 
 ignorant in this point, when I shall tell you 
 that Columbus, with his vessel, found himself 
 in surh or such a degree of latitude or longi- 
 tude, you would be at a loss to understand 
 my meaning. One thing yet remains to be 
 observed, before I resume the thread of my 
 story ; and that is, that when the latitude of 
 the earth, above the equator, towards the 
 north pole is spoken of, it is called north lati- 
 tude, to distinguish it from that which is be- 
 low the equator towards the south pole, which 
 is called south latitude. 1 will now return 
 to Columbus. 
 
 John. I am rejoiced to hear it. 
 
 Father. The second day of his departure 
 from the Canaries, he made but eighteen 
 leagues, for want of wind, the weather being 
 perfectly calm 5 but foreseeing that the length 
 of the voyage alone would intimidate his com- 
 panions, he resolved to make use of an inno- 
 cent stratagem, and conceal from them the 
 progress they every day made ; he therefore 
 persuaded them that they had as yet sailed 
 but fifteen leagues. 
 
 On the twelfth of September, the sixth day 
 of their navigation, they found themselves in 
 the 350th degree of longitude ; reckoning 
 from the isle of Ferro, one of the Canaries, 
 
53 COLUMBUS. 
 
 or, which is the same, 150 miles from this 
 island westward, and in the same latitude. 
 Here they perceived the trunk of a large tree, 
 which had apparently been floating a long 
 time. The sailors took it for the harbinger of 
 land, which they imagined near ; and this 
 idea, though it proved fallacious, contributed, 
 in a great measure, to calm their apprehen- 
 sions. But their confidence was of short 
 continuance ; for, scarcely had they proceed- 
 ed fifty leagues farther, when they discovered 
 a phenomenon which struck the whole crew 
 with consternation ; even Columbus himself 
 was not unmoved. 
 
 Henry. What could it be. 
 
 John. Since Columbus himself begins to 
 fear, there is reason indeed to fear for him. 
 
 Fatfier. To fear, John, he was a stranger ; 
 though what he saw might surprize, it could 
 not intimidate him. 
 
 Charlotte and Frederic. Now do, dear 
 father, go on ; I do so long to hear. 
 
 Father. I need not tell you, Henry and 
 John, that the chief guide of navigators is the 
 magnetic needle, from its having the singular 
 property of pointing invariably to the north. 
 By this the mariners can distinguish day and 
 night, the four cardinal points of the world, 
 and steer in any direction. Till now the 
 needle had been found, a safe and sure direc- 
 tor, and to have explored so long and un-"^ 
 
COLUMBUS. 53 
 
 known a tract without it, would have been the' 
 height of folly and temerity. What then must 
 have been the astonishment of Columbus, and 
 the terror of his pusillanimous companions, to 
 perceive, on a sudden, that the needle did 
 not, as usual, point immediately to the polar 
 star, but declined a whole degree towards the 
 west ! Come hither, Charlotte and Freder- 
 ic, here is a mariner's compass, which 1 have 
 brought, to render the thing more evident. 
 
 Observe now, this needle is in its usual po- 
 sition, that is to say, turned directly to that 
 part of the heavens on which, at night, the 
 polar star is seen. Now it happened, at the 
 time of which I speak, that the needle inclined 
 a whole degree of those you see marked on 
 the box more to the left, or towards the west. 
 This was a phenomenon of which neither Co- 
 lumbus nor any other navigator had yet had 
 any experience ; no wonder then if it aston- 
 ished him. 
 
 Peter. And from whence, father, did the 
 variation arise ? 
 
 Father. It is to this day, Peter, as diffi- 
 cult for us to account for it, as it was then for 
 Columbus ; though since his time the same 
 declination has been repeatedly observed, and 
 tables of the places in which it usually hap- 
 pens have been formed. This, my dear chil- 
 dren, is not the only one of Nature's secrets 
 5* 
 
54 COLUMBUS. 
 
 which remains yet to be discovered ; and it 
 should encourage you to a vigorous cuhiva- 
 tion of your talents, since we know not if 
 Providence may not have reserved for one of 
 you the glory of unveiling a mystery whicb 
 has hitherto been concealed from every hu~ 
 man eye. 
 
 JVicholas. When I have gained more know-^ 
 ledge I shall endeavour to penetrate it. 
 
 JVlathias. And so shall I. 
 
 All, And I — and I. 
 
 Father, Well, and good ; but if you ex- 
 pect your efforts to succeed, you must first 
 study physics and the mathematics, both 
 which I shall endeavour to render easy to you. 
 But to return. The companions of Colum- 
 bus were, as I have said, in the greatest per- 
 plexity. The space which they had already 
 traversed appeared immense, though their 
 commander, in the calculation he laid before 
 them, had suppressed a full third. Imagining 
 that Nature herself was deviating from her 
 course, they trembled at the idea that their 
 only guide, the needle, would no longer di- 
 rect them. Columbus, however, inexhausti- 
 ble in his resources, soon suggested for this un- 
 expected event, a plausible reason, which sat- 
 isfied the ignorance of his companions, re-ani- 
 mated their hopes, and encouraged them ta 
 proceed in thuir voyage ; and now behold them: 
 withia the circle where the trade winds blow*. 
 
COLUMBUS. 55 
 
 Frederic. The trade winds ? 
 
 Father. You, without doubt, know what 
 is meant by the tropics f 
 
 Ferdinand. Oh yes, father ; they are the 
 lines which geographers imagine to be drawn 
 on eacli side of the equator quite round the 
 earth ; when the sun is over them, our days 
 and nights are the shortest or the longest. 
 
 Father. Your explanation is just ; you 
 may see these two circles upon our little fig- 
 ure ; the upper one is marked C D, and the 
 under one E F. Now, in tlie space between 
 the tropics the winds are observed to blow 
 constantly one way ; that is to say, from east 
 to west. These are called the trade winds. 
 This singularity, which is now generally 
 known, was not discovered before the time of 
 Columbus, no opportunity having occurred for 
 making the observation. A new source of 
 uneasiness was therefore opened to our navi- 
 gators, when they perceived their vessels 
 driven constantly in a right line from east to 
 west. " If this easterly wind," said they 
 among themselves, " blows here constantly, 
 how will it ever be possible for us to retern to 
 our own country?" — a thought which filled 
 them with inexpressible terror. Unfortunate- 
 ly^ few days after, a new phenomenon in- 
 creased their apprehensions. They on a 
 sudden observed the ocean covered as far as 
 they could see with green weeds, which gave 
 
66 COLUMBtS. 
 
 it the appearance of an immense meadow, 
 and they were even in some places so thick as 
 to obstruct the course of tlie vessels. This 
 was a new cause of uneasiness. " What will 
 become of us .'^" said they. " We are cer- 
 tainly arrived at the limit of all navigable seas. 
 Beneath these weeds are doubtless rocks and 
 shallows, on which our vessels, at the moment 
 we least expect it, will be dashed in pieces. 
 What could we expect in suffering ourselves 
 to be seduced into this rash, extravagant un- 
 dertaking .^" 
 
 The moment was critical, but the conrage 
 and prudence of Columbus did not forsake 
 him. " Are you not," said he, " extremely 
 weak, to alarm yourselves at an appearance 
 that ought to strengthen the hope that we are 
 on the brink of our wishes f Do weeds grow 
 in the midst of the sea ? It is rather proba- 
 ble that we are near some continent, from the 
 shores of which those weeds proceed." This 
 happy suggestion re-animated the whole 
 crew ; and as at the same time they perceived 
 different birds, which bent their flight from, 
 the west, hope and joy succeeded terror and' 
 dismay, and they cheerfully continued theiir 
 course, in the expectation of soon seeing their 
 eaterprize crowned with the happiest success^ 
 
57 
 
 DIALOGUE V. 
 
 Christian. Will not Columbus, my dear 
 father, soon discover the country of which he 
 is in pursuit ? 
 
 Father. He has yet many difficulties to 
 encounter. The hope to which the weeds 
 and birds gave birth soon vanished ; and 
 though they had sailed a space of seven hun- 
 dred and seventy marine leagues, no land yet 
 appeared. Fortunately no one in the three 
 ships, except Columbus, was able to calculate 
 the length of their course ; he therefore con- 
 cealed from them a considerable part, per- 
 suading them that they had sailed but five 
 hundred and eiglity leagues. Even this dis- 
 tance from their country appeared immense, 
 and they again broke into murmurs and la- 
 mentations. One while they bewailed the 
 facility with which they had listened to the 
 vain protestation of Columbus ; another, they 
 accused their queen of cruelty in exposing the 
 lives of so many of her faithful subjects, in the 
 execution of an enterprize, the success of 
 which was as vague and uncertain, as the at- 
 tempt was rash and presumptuous. They 
 conceived they had already showed sufficient 
 courage to exculpate ihem from the charge of 
 cowardice, should they now think it necessary 
 
68 COLUMBUS. 
 
 to consider only their own preservation. At 
 length all agreed in maintaining that it was 
 time to return, supposing the fixed east wind 
 did not render it impossible, and that it was 
 necessary to oblige the admiral to give up his 
 vain projects. The most audacious of the 
 malcontents were of opinion, that at once to 
 free themselves from so dangerous a seducer, 
 it were best, without more ceremony, to throw 
 him overboard ; persuaded that on their re- 
 turn to Spain little inquiry would be made in- 
 to the deaih of a wretched schemer, whose 
 projects had been attended with so little 
 success. 
 
 Columbus, though sensible of the danger 
 which threatened him, still preserved his in- 
 trepidity. Convinced of the justness and so- 
 lidity of his plan, and confident in the pro- 
 tection of the Divine Being, he appeared be- 
 fore the mutineers with the calnmess of a man 
 who had reason to be satisfied with the pro- 
 gress of his enterprize ; and, after having re- 
 proached them mildly with their childish tim- 
 idity, had recourse to all those means with 
 which a knowledge of mankind and a manly 
 eloquence furnished him, to revive their 
 drooping courage, and reduce them to obe- 
 dience. Sometimes he recalled them to a 
 sense of their duty by the most pathetic re- 
 monstrances ; sometimes he assumed the air 
 of a commander who is dictating to his men, 
 
COLUMBUS. 59 
 
 threatening them at once with the indignation 
 of the queen, and the most rigorous punish- 
 ment should they dare halt so near the end of 
 their glorious career. 
 
 It is the privilege of great geniuses to mould 
 at pleasure the hearts of ordinary men; and 
 how enviahle would be the condition of hu- 
 man nature, if, like Columbus, all who are 
 endowed with distinguished talents would em- 
 ploy them only in forwarding plans of public 
 utility ! He had once more the satisfaction 
 of recalling his mutinous comrades to reason, 
 and Heaven itself seemed to second his en- 
 deavoui's ; for the wind, which had till now 
 continued in the east, shifted suddenly to the 
 south-west, which satisfied the crew, by con- 
 vincing them it was in tlieir power to return 
 when they pleased. This the admiral point- 
 ed out to them, and several other circum- 
 stances concurring to strengthen the hope of 
 an early discovery of land, they promised to 
 return to their duty, and the voyage was con- 
 tinued. At length the captain of the Pinta, 
 which was foremost of the three vessels, one 
 day lay-to, to inform the admiral that he 
 thought he perceived land at the distance of 
 about fifteen leagues to the north. At the 
 word LAND every one yielded to the emo- 
 tions of the most lively joy, and pressed the 
 admiral to change his course, and steer di- 
 rectly to that quarter whence it was descrrb- 
 
60 COLUMBUS. 
 
 ed ; but Columbus, convinced that the cap- 
 tain was deceived, without attending to the 
 murmurs of his men, invariably pursued his 
 plan of sailing to the west. 
 
 JYicholas. But was there not a little ob- 
 stinacy in this, father ? 
 
 Father. How obstinacy ? 
 
 JYicholas. Why could he not have indulg- 
 ed his men with sailing those fifteen leagues 
 to the north f 
 
 Father. No, my dear boy, as he was con- 
 vinced that this pretended discovery was a 
 delusion, such an indulgence would have been 
 inconsistent with his former prudence; for, 
 had he yielded to their solicitations, they 
 would have judged that he was not perfectly 
 clear in his plan ; a suspicion that he had 
 taken great pains to prevent, the confidence 
 of his men being of the utmost importance to 
 him. Besides, had they once found they 
 could prevail upon him to alter his course, 
 they would have renewed their importunities 
 upon every fresh occasion. These reasons 
 made him resolve, never, in the most trivial 
 instance, to deviate from a plan he had so 
 maturely digested, and upon which he found- 
 ed the most sanguine expectations. The 
 event proved the propriety of his conduct. 
 The next day a quantity of sea fowl were 
 perceived, which Columbus thinking not form- 
 ed for long flights, was himself led into an er- 
 
COLUMBUS. 61 
 
 ror, and took them for the forerunners of some 
 neighbouring land. But no soundings could 
 be found at two hundred fathoms, a circum- 
 stance that appeared destructive to their 
 hopes, as the depth of water commonly de- 
 creases in proportion to its vicinity to the 
 shore. The following evening some song- 
 birds were observed to perch upon the ship's 
 yard, where they continued all night, and at 
 break of day directed their flight westward ; 
 a tropic bird was also discovered soon after. 
 Mathias. What is that, father f 
 Father. It is a bird which inhabits that 
 region of the earth which is between the two 
 tropics. But soon one of the most singular 
 spectacles which had yet appeared attracted 
 their attention, — no less than a cloud of fly- 
 ing fish, which approached, raised above the 
 surface of the water. Several of them in 
 their passage fell upon the deck, and were 
 taken up by Columbus and his men, who ex- 
 amined with curious attention the long fins 
 which supported them in their flight. The 
 same evening the sea was again covered with 
 weeds ; an appearance which, being still con- 
 sidered as a presage of land, again inspired 
 the crew with the lively hope of being near 
 the term of their voyage. But, alas ! this 
 term appeared from day to day to recede ; 
 and in proportion as happy omens flattered 
 6 
 
G2 
 
 COLUMBUS. 
 
 the expectations of the crew, their grief and 
 disappointment were the more extravagant, 
 — for, having sailed some days longer, they 
 perceived, in spite of all those flattering ap- 
 pearances, their hopes again disappointed. 
 The spirit of discontent and revolt now broke 
 forth without restraint in the three vessels. 
 Forgetfnl of the respect they owed their 
 chief, the sailors murmured loudly ; and the 
 officers, who- till now had always sided with 
 the admiral, declared against him. 
 
 Columbus, pressed on every side, and re- 
 sisting with an admirable firmness the rage of 
 the mutineers, who demanded his death, or, 
 what was more bitter to him, the renunciation 
 of his beloved project, might be compared 
 to the hardy and unsheltered oak, which un- 
 moved resists the fury of the storm. He made 
 a last attempt to quell the tumult, but his 
 eloquence failed ', despair and rage had taken 
 such strong possession of every heart, that the 
 means he had so often employed with success, 
 now lost their effect. Tiiey no longer attend- 
 ed to his expostulations, but loaded him with 
 reproaches, and threatened him with death if 
 he did not immediately tack about and steer for 
 Spain. In this desperate situation he was 
 at length forced to yield to necessity, and 
 to promise the mutineers that he would com- 
 ply with their desires upon condition they 
 would obey his orders only three days long- 
 
COLUMBUS. 63 
 
 * er ; protesting, that if in the space of that 
 time they did not discover land, he would on 
 the fourth day sail for Spain. 
 
 How violent soever the rage of the muti- 
 neers, they could not forbear acknowledging 
 the proposition to be reasonable ; they there- 
 fore complied with it, and the agreement was 
 confirmed on both sides by the most solemn 
 oaths. Columbus was in the meanwhile 
 firmly persuaded that he risked no great mat- 
 ter in the concession he had made ; for the 
 signals of land multij)lied so fast, that he felt 
 assured they should attain it within the stipu- 
 lated time. They had for several days past 
 sounded, and found a swampy bottom, which 
 announced the proximity of a shore ; they 
 saw swarms of little birds of a species that did 
 
 « -not appear formed for long flights, direct their 
 course towards the west, and took out of the 
 sea a branch perfectly fresh, bearing a red 
 fruit. The air was also milder, and the wind 
 more variable, particularly during the nights. 
 These were indubitable signs that the perse- 
 verance and constancy of Columbus would 
 soon be crowned with success. So confident 
 was he upon this point, that the next evening, 
 after the usual duties of the day, he reminded 
 his people of the gratitude they owed the Al- 
 mighty, the protector of their perilous enter- 
 prize, exhorted them to vigilance, and then 
 
64 COLUMBUS. 
 
 ordered them to furl the sails, lest they should 
 during the night run aground. 
 
 Theophilus. What is the meaning of furl- 
 ing the sails ? 
 
 Father. It is shortening or rolHng them 
 up, that the vessel may not be driven by the 
 vv^ind. 
 
 Theophilus. I thank you, dear father. 
 
 Father. Columbus reminded his men of 
 the queen's promise, that the first who de- 
 scried the land they were in pursuit of, should 
 have a pension of three hundred and twelve 
 Spanish crowns ; in addition to which he 
 promised, on his own account, a velvet cloak. 
 The whole crew passed the night upon deck, 
 in the greatest agitation, their eyes constantly 
 turned towards that point from wbich they 
 hoped to discover the long-expected conti- 
 nent. In this situation, I believe, we must 
 leave them until to-morrow, when we shall see 
 whether their hopes were realized. 
 
 The Children, (with eagerness.) Oh, dear 
 father ! 
 
 Father (smiling.) You do not then wish 
 me to leave off ? 
 
 The Children. Oh, no, for pity's sake. 
 
 Peter. This is the most interesting part 
 of all. 
 
 Father. Well. Near two hours before 
 midnight, Columbus, who was on the fore- 
 castle, thought, at a considerable distance, he 
 
COLCMBUS. ' 65 
 
 discerned a light ; he pointed it out to a page 
 belonging to the queen, who was on board, 
 and he showed it to another of the crew. All 
 imagined they perceived it naove ; and from 
 this, if you can conceive, my dear children, 
 what pleasure you yourselves would feel, af- 
 ter a long and tedious absence, on being re- 
 united to beloved parents and friends, you 
 may form some judgment of Columbus's joy 
 on the discovery of the light. He now ex- 
 pected to reap the fruit of his laborious studies 
 and to enjoy the recompense of so many dan- 
 gers happily surmounted ; his incredulous com- 
 panions would now be convinced that his plan 
 was not chimerical, nor himself a vain projector. 
 These pleasing ideas occupied his mind dur- 
 ing the whole night. About two hours after 
 midnight, the air resounded from the Pinta, 
 which was always ahead, with the joyful cry 
 of " Land ! land !" The crew would have 
 yielded to the transports of an immoderate 
 joy on this occasion, but their hopes had been 
 so often disappointed, that doubts and anxiety 
 naturally mingled with it. Divided, therefore, 
 between hope and fear, they waited the break 
 of day with impatience, in order to be con- 
 vinced whether their most ardent wishes were 
 at length realized. The night was insuffera- 
 bly tedious ; each minute appeared an hour, 
 each hour a day. At length, the east began 
 6* 
 
66 COLUMBUS. 
 
 to be enlightened, morning dawned, and al- 
 ready the crew of the Pinta chaunted Te 
 Deum. The crew of the other vessels, at the 
 s^me instant, made the air resound equally 
 with exclamations of thanksgiving, at the same 
 time shedding a torrent of tears, for the long- 
 wished-for land was actually before them. 
 Scarcely was the hymn concluded, when they 
 recollected a second duty, that due to their 
 commander, whom they had distrusted and 
 grievously offended. They threw themselves 
 at his feet, with expressions of repentance, 
 and sincerely entreated pardon for their past 
 offences. 
 
 Columbus, on this occasion, acted consis- 
 tently with his character. The mildness with 
 which he pardoned them, and promised to 
 foget their errors, was not less magnanimous 
 and engaging than had before been the firm- 
 ness with which he combatted their fury. 
 
 John. And what part of America did they 
 discover? 
 
 Father. Columbus himself is at present 
 uninformed. On his landing we may, per- 
 haps, gain some information ; do not there- 
 fore forget to bring with you to-morrow a 
 map of America. 
 
67 
 
 DIALOGUE VI. 
 
 Jahn. Here is the map, my dear father, 
 which you desired me to bring yesterday. 
 
 Father. Well then, draw near, all of you, 
 and observe. These isles (pointing to them 
 on the map) are, in general, called the Lu- 
 caya or Bahama isles ; one of them, which 
 is here, is called Guanahami, otherwise the 
 Isle of Cat. This was precisely the land first 
 discovered. Columbus gave it the name of 
 St. Salvador — intimating that it was the dis- 
 covery of that country which had saved his 
 life ; but this name is not now retained. 
 
 The Bahamas are situated to the south of 
 Carolina, between 12'' and 27° N. latitude, 
 and 73° and 81° W. longitude. They extend 
 along the coast of Florida, down to the Island 
 of Cuba. They are said to be 500 in num- 
 ber ; some are mere rocks. Twelve are 
 large and fertile, yet few of them are inhabit- 
 ed. Though they were the first of Colum- 
 bus's discoveries, they were not particularly 
 expressed or noticed until the year 1718, 
 when, by order of the English government, 
 a settlement was made in the Isle of Provi- 
 dence, and a fort erected for its protection. 
 But we will now proceed. 
 
 The crew, for some moments in silence, 
 
68 COLUMBUS. 
 
 contemplated this unknown world, which, en- 
 livened by the first ray of the sun, transport- 
 ed them with the smiling view of a fertile 
 country, covered with embowering woods, 
 and intersected by numerous rivers, which, 
 meandering in a thousand diflerent directions, 
 heightened the beauty of the picture. 
 
 Columbus at length ordered out the boats, 
 and in one of them himself advanced towards 
 the shore, amidst the sound of warlike instru- 
 ments, with colours flying, and attended by 
 the most considerable of his companions, and 
 some armed men. As they approached, they 
 beheld the shore covered with the natives of 
 the country, drawn together by the new and 
 astonishing spectacle which the European 
 vessels presented. 
 
 At length, having gained the shore, Colum- 
 bus, richly clothed, and in his hand a drawn 
 sword, leaped from the boat, and was the first 
 who set his foot on the land, the discovery of 
 which he had projected with such infinite skill 
 and perseverance. 
 
 Henry. What must have been his feelings 
 at that moment ? 
 
 Father, Never, my dear Henry, till you 
 have conceived and executed some great pro- 
 ject, subject to a thousand pains and difficul- 
 ties, can you enter into the sensations which 
 transported the heart of Columbus at that mo- 
 ment I Immediately on landing, those who 
 
COLUMBUS. 69 
 
 accompanied him fell prostrate, and, kissing 
 the earth in silent transport, in that posture 
 renewed their promises of perfect obedience 
 to him in quality of viceroy of the new world. 
 This first effusion of joy having subsided, they 
 erected on the shore a cross, before which 
 they a second time prostrated themselves, to 
 acknowledge the sacred debt of gratitude due 
 to their Maker. This done, they solemnly 
 took possession of the country in the name of 
 the King and Queen of Spain. 
 
 While these ceremonies were performing, 
 the Indians assembled in crowds round them, 
 looking in silent surprize, sometimes at what 
 they considered as floating houses, and, 
 sometimes at the extraordinary beings which 
 they had conveyed across the waves. Of the 
 meaning of the ceremonies they were perfect- 
 ly ignorant ; for of all the religious and sol- 
 emn acts of the Spaniards they comprehended 
 not one. Alas ! had they knovi^n the conse- 
 quences that were to follow, they would have 
 rent the air with groans, and have shed the 
 last drop of their blood to have driven back 
 the strangers upon whom they now gazed 
 with so much admiration and respect. 
 
 Charlotte. Dear father, you surprize me ! 
 Did any thing particular happen ^ 
 
 Father. Have patience, and you shall 
 know all. The more the astonished Indians 
 examined the actions of the Spaniards, the 
 
iO COLUMBUS. 
 
 less they could comprehend. The colour of 
 tlie Europeans, their beards, their dress, their 
 arms, their behaviour, all was new and won- 
 derful ; but when at length they heard the 
 thunder of the cannon and musketry, their as- 
 tonishment was beyond all bounds, and they 
 looked upon it, as a certainty, that the stran- 
 gers, armed, as they conceived, with the 
 thunder and fire of Heaven, were not mortals, 
 but beings elevated above the condition of hu- 
 man nature, children of their divinity, the Sun, 
 who had condescended to visit them. 
 
 Christian. Did these people then worship 
 the Sun ? 
 
 Fathei'. Yes, my child ; among the Ame- 
 ricans, some, who possessed a little more sense 
 than the rest, were so struck with the beauty 
 and splendour of that great luminary, with its 
 fire, which vivifies all nature, and, with the regu- 
 larity of its course, that they mistook it for the 
 most beneficent and powerful of all beings — 
 for God himself. Others, on the contrary, 
 imagined one or several gods in the human 
 form ; while others again were so simple 
 and dull of understanding, as never yet to 
 have reflected on the cause of the world, 
 or its daily changes. These poor creatures 
 had not, tlierefore, you see any idea of the 
 true God, but lived, careless of knowing 
 whence they came, or what would become of 
 them. 
 
COLUMBUS. 71 
 
 If the appearance of the Spaniards aston- 
 ished the Indians, they were, in their turn, ht- 
 tle less surprized at the many new and singular 
 object they beheld. They saw herbs, plants, 
 trees, and animals of various kinds, totally dif- 
 ferent from those of Europe, and beheld men, 
 who seemed to belong to another class of be- 
 ings than themselves. They were of the mid- 
 dle size ; their skin was of the colour of cop- 
 per, their hair long and black, their chins 
 without beards, their air mild and bashful, 
 their faces, as also other paits of their bodies, 
 painted in a whimsical manner. Some were 
 quite naked, and others nearly so. Their 
 ears, rrostrils, and heads, were loaded with 
 different ornaments, made of feathers, shells, 
 and gold plates. At first they were timid 
 and reserved ; but when Columbus began to 
 distribute amongst them different trifles, such 
 as glass beads, ribbons, and little bells, they 
 reposed so much confidence in their (suppos- 
 ed) celestial guests, that when they returned 
 in the evening, to their vessels, a number of 
 Indians accompanied them in their canoes 
 (which were formed of the trunks of trees hol- 
 lowed,) either with a view of satisfying their 
 curiosity farther, or of bartering for gewgaws. 
 In exchange they gave cotton spun into thread 
 after their fashion ; javelins, the points of 
 which were formed of a strong fish bone ; all 
 sorts of fruits, and paroquettes. Each was 
 
72 COLUMBUS. 
 
 SO eager to procure some European bauble, 
 that they carefully collected the pieces of a 
 broken pot that were scattered on the deck, 
 and joyfully gave twenty-five pounds of fine 
 spun cotton for some copper counters, which 
 could not possibly be of any use to them. 
 The novelty alone, and the idea of receiving 
 them from the white men, gave all the value 
 to these worthless trifles. 
 
 The next day Columbus visited the coasts 
 of the island, accompanied by a great number 
 of the natives, of whom he enquired, by sig- 
 nificant signs, whence they procured those 
 gold plates with w4iich their nostrils were de- 
 corated. He understood, in return, that they 
 were not found in that isle, but in another sit- 
 uated to the south, which, according to their 
 account, produced large quantities. This 
 rich country, Columbus, by their directions, 
 resolved to explore. 
 
 Frederic, Was he then so covetous, fa- 
 ther .? 
 
 Father. I did not tell you that he was 
 covetous ; but having promised the Queen of 
 Spain, and his avaricious companions, that he 
 would conduct them to countries that would 
 enrich them all, it was natural he should be 
 desirous to keep his word. He, accordingly, 
 therefore, re-embarked, accompanied by sev- 
 en Indians, who agreed to serve him as guides 
 
COLUMBUS. 73 
 
 and interpreters, and directed and his course 
 southward. 
 
 In his way he met with several isles, the 
 three largest of wliich only he visited, nanning 
 the;n, S\nta Maria de la Conception, Ferdi- 
 nand, and Isabella. Look for ihem on this 
 other map,* which I have brought for your in- 
 spection. As no gold was to be found in 
 those islands, and the Indians, upon a repe- 
 tition of his inquiries, pointed always to the 
 south, he continued there but a short time, 
 and proceeded on this voyage. In one of 
 these islands they observed dogs that were 
 quite mute, a circumstance that appeared, at 
 that time, singular. They also saw there an 
 alligator, an animal of the lizard kind, very 
 nearly resembling a crocodile. Having con- 
 tinued their course a short time longer, they 
 discovered a country distinguished by its 
 great extent, and the nature of its soil, from 
 the islands they had hitherto seen. Instead 
 of being level and uniform, it presented to 
 the eye mountains and vallies, agreeably di- 
 versified by forests, meadows, and rivers. 
 Columbus himself coulfl not determine wheth- 
 er it was a part of the continent, or only a 
 large island ; but some days after he learnt 
 that it was really an island, and that, in the 
 
 * A map of the Gulf of Mexico, by Ritcbere. 
 7 
 
74 COLUMBUS. 
 
 language of the country, it was called Cuba. 
 Here it is on the map, between the twentieth 
 and twenty-third degree of north latitude. 
 
 JVicholas. Ah ! is it not the island where 
 the Havannah is, the port which is the ren- 
 dezvous of the galleons, when they make their 
 voyage to Spanish America f 
 
 Father. The same ; and of all the regis- 
 ter ships likewise. 
 
 Mathias. What is meant by galleons and 
 register ships ? 
 
 Father. I will tell you. The galleons were 
 the vessels which the King of Spain, every 
 year, previous to the late South American re- 
 volution, sent to America for gold, silver, and 
 other precious things, which were collected 
 there. The register ships, on the contrary, 
 were those which had on board European 
 merchandize, which the Spanish merchants, 
 who purchased the permission, sent to 
 America, in exchange for the productions of 
 the country. These vessels were bound, the 
 one for Vera Cruz, in Mexico, and the other 
 for Carthagena, and Porto Bello, in Terra 
 Firma. Look at the two ports on the map. 
 Theophilus. But still I cannot understand 
 why they :hould call them register ships. 
 
 Father. Because all that was sent from 
 Spain lo America, on board of those vessels, 
 was first exactly registered, lest the privateers 
 should carry into America a greater quantity 
 
COLUMBUS. 76 
 
 of merchandize than the king allowed for the 
 stipend paid. 
 
 John. Are not the galleons called also the 
 silver fleet ? 
 
 Father. Not now. Before they were 
 classed as register ships, a single fleet was 
 yearly sent to America, freighted with mer- 
 chandize, partly on the king's account, and 
 partly on that of private merchants, and re- 
 turned to Spain loaded with gold and silver ', 
 but as these transports are now known by the 
 sole name of register ships, the appellation of 
 silver fleet is no longer in use. But to re- 
 turn, — Columbus cast anchor at the mouth 
 of a large river, impatient to obtain a knowl- 
 edge of the country and its inhabitants ; but 
 at the sight of the European vessels, the lat- 
 ter forsook their cabins, and fled to the moun- 
 tains, — one only had courage to approach 
 the ship in a little boat, and to ascend the 
 deck. Having ensured the friendship of this 
 Indian by some trifling presents, the admiral 
 sent him on shore with one of those he had 
 brought from Guanahami, and two Spaniards 
 were commissioned to reconnoitre the coun- 
 try, and inspire the natives with confidence ; 
 a greater number he justly feared would only 
 intimidate them farther. 
 
 In the mean time the vessels were much 
 damaged, and it was thought necessary to 
 caulk them. Do you know what this means f 
 
76 COLUMBUS. 
 
 Henry, Oh ! yes, father, stopping the 
 leaks of the vessels, and pitching and greas- 
 ing them anew. I know also that for these 
 repairs the ships are usually laid on one side. 
 
 Father. I am pleased to find you so well 
 informed, and will now proceed. The two 
 Spaniards, after having advanced up the 
 country more than a dozen leagues, returned, 
 and made their report to the admiral nearly in 
 these words : — "We found a great part of 
 the country we have traversed cultivated, and 
 the different regions apparently extremely fer- 
 tile. The fields produce maize, or Indian 
 corn, and a root which, when roasted, tastes 
 like bread. We at length arrived at a small 
 town, consisting of about fifty houses all of 
 wood, and containing about a thousand inhab- 
 itants. The most considerable of them came 
 out to meet us, and, having learnt from the 
 Indians what people we were, led us into the 
 town, where they assigned us a spacious lodg- 
 ment. They seated us in a sort of couch 
 made in the shape of some animal ; the eyes 
 and ears were of gold, and the tail served for 
 the back of the seat. We were no sooner 
 placed than the Indians seated themselves 
 beside us on the ground, kissed our hands and 
 feet, and expressed so much veneration for 
 us, that we clearly perceived they took us 
 for celestial beings. They pressed us to eat 
 of their roasted roots, the taste of which very 
 
COLUMBUS. 77 
 
 much resembled chesnuts. We observed the 
 whole assembly was composed of men only ; 
 but these after a certain time withdrawing, 
 were replaced by so may women, who paid us 
 the same honours. To conclude, — when 
 we expressed a desire to return, a crowd of 
 the inhabitants proposed to accompany us ; 
 but we entreated them to remain, and accept- 
 ed this honour only on the part of the cacique 
 or king, and his son, who as you see have ac- 
 companied us, and every where given or- 
 ders that we should be treated with the ut- 
 most attention." 
 
 The admiral expressed his acknowledg- 
 ments to the two princes, and entertained 
 them on board his vessel with great respect. 
 He inquired concerning the country where 
 the gold was found. They pointed to the 
 east, but could not comprehend why the 
 white men should discover such a passion for 
 a metal which, in their estimation, was of lit- 
 tle value ; while the whites, on the contrary, 
 were not less surprized at their smplicity. 
 
 Columbus shortened his sojourn in the isle, 
 that he might bend his course, according to 
 the new direction he had received, to the coun- 
 try in which he hoped to discover the gold 
 mines, which were now the principal object of 
 his pursuit. This country was called by the 
 Indians, Haiti.. He left Cuba on the 19th of 
 7* 
 
78 COLUMBUS. 
 
 November, and took with him twelve of the 
 natives with the design of carrying them to 
 Spain. Strange as it may appear, they left 
 their country with the utmost indifference ; 
 Columbus having prudently taken care to ren- 
 der their abode in the vessel in all points 
 agreeable to thein. The wind blowing con- 
 trary for several days, the admiral was oblig- 
 ed to tack. 
 
 Charlotte. As our sloop did on the Elbe 
 during our voyage to York ?"^ 
 
 Father. Yes. He was in the same man- 
 ner obliged to steer sometimes one way, 
 sometimes another, the wind not permitting 
 him to proceed in a direct line. Alonzo Pin- 
 zon, captain of the Pinta, endeavoured to 
 profit by this circumstance ; and, as his ship 
 was a swifter sailer than the others, attempted 
 to separate from the admiral, with tlie view of 
 arriving first at the country where the gold 
 mines were to found, and loading himself 
 with treasure before his comrades arrived. 
 
 Columbus, who suspected his intention, 
 made a signal for him to bring to ; but Pinzon 
 paid no regard to it, and did all in his power 
 to accelerate the course of his vessel, that he 
 might satisfy the avarice which made him for- 
 get the obedience due to his commander. 
 
 * In the neighbourhood of Stade, 
 
COLUMBUS. 79 
 
 T/ieophilus. Fye ! How base and odious 
 was such behaviour ! 
 
 Frederic. Permit me to ask you, father, 
 what is meant by a signal f 
 
 Father. It is. a sign made either by the 
 report of cannon, the hoisting of certain 
 flags, or other expedients that may be seen 
 from afiir, by which the commander of a fleet 
 or squadron makes his orders known to the 
 captains of the other vessels. Columbus be- 
 ing unable to remedy this misfortune, bore it 
 with patience ; and as the atmosphere became 
 so thick that it seemed dangerous to continue 
 at sea, he returned with the two vessels that 
 remained with him to the isle of Cuba, where 
 he cast anchor in one of its bays. 
 
 He employed the time he was obliged to 
 pass there in reconnoitring the country, which 
 every where presented a fertile and smiling 
 aspect. One observation with respect to the 
 inhabitants at first disgusted the Spaniards ; 
 this was, their greedily devouring a species of 
 large spider, worms bred in decayed wood, 
 and fish half dressed, the eyes of which they 
 swallowed raw. By degrees, some Spaniards 
 were tempted to imitate them, and found no 
 inconvenience from such nutriment. 
 
 As soon as the wind changed, Columbus 
 set sail for the isle of Haiti, and in pursuit of 
 the perfidious Pinzon. The distance vvas 
 but sixteen leagues, and the 6th of Decern- 
 
80 COLUMBUS. 
 
 ber he arrived at Haiti. This island he call- 
 ed Hispaniola, or Little Spain, because it ap- 
 peared, in some measure, to resemble that 
 country in the nature of the soil. Jt is of all 
 the countries he discovered almost the only 
 one that has preserved the name he gave it 
 till tlie present day.^ 
 
 Henry. But is it not also called St. Do- 
 mingo ? 
 
 Father. It is ; because a city which is 
 become the capital of the isle has been since 
 built there, to which the name has been given. 
 
 On the arrival of Columbus the inhabitants 
 fled into the woods ; and as for the Pinta, 
 they could gain no tidings of it. The admi- 
 ral, therefore, soon left the harbour, and 
 steered northward along the coast. Having 
 cast anchor in another haven, he was more 
 successful in gaining the confidence of the 
 natives. An Indian woman whom they had 
 seized and loaded with presents, gave her 
 countrymen so advantageous a description of 
 the Spaniards, that they no longer hesitated 
 to approach them, in order to behold, and in 
 their turn partake of, the wonderful things 
 with which their comrade had been enter- 
 tained. 
 
 With respect to their persons and manners 
 these people differed in nothing from the na- 
 
 * It is now also called Haiti. 
 
COLUMBUS. 81 
 
 tives of Cuba and Guanahami. Like them, 
 they were not clothed, and their skins of a 
 copper colour ; they were ignorant and timid, 
 and had not less of gentleness in their char- 
 acter. Struck with admiration at all they 
 heard and saw, they also appeared to believe 
 the Spaniards were not men, but beings of a 
 superior order ; more gold was displayed in 
 their ornaments than in tliose of the former 
 islanders, but like them they held the metal 
 so cheaply, that they thought themselves hap- 
 py in exchanging it for glass beads, pins, little 
 bells, and other baubles of that kind. When 
 Columbus inquired concerning the place 
 where they found the gold, they pointed to 
 the eastern part ; and, in consequence of this 
 information, he again set sail, in the sanguine 
 hope of soon discovering a source of im- 
 mense riches. 
 
 DIALOGUE VII. 
 
 When they had anchored in another bay 
 of the same isle, the cacique, or king of the 
 country, who had received information con- 
 cerning the white men, deigned to visit the 
 admiral in person. His suite was consider- 
 
82 COLUMBUS. 
 
 able ; four men bore him on their shoulders 
 in a palanquin, a sort of sedan chair, his royal 
 person was not loaded with habiliments any 
 more than were those of his naked supporters. 
 He did not make the least difficulty in com- 
 ing immediately on board ; and when inform- 
 ed that the admiral was at dinner, he desired 
 to be introduced, accompanied by two old 
 men, wlio appeaj'ed to be his ministers. He 
 seated himself by Columbus with a counte- 
 nance expressing respect and confidence, 
 while the two old men placed themselves at 
 his feet. They served him with different 
 dishes, and some wine ; of which having par- 
 taken, he sent the remainder to the people of 
 his suite, who had remained on deck. The 
 repast finished, he presented the admiral with 
 several plates of gold, as also with a belt cu- 
 riously wrought. Columbus in return gave 
 him a string of amber beads, a pair of red 
 slippers, a quilt, and a flask of orange-flower 
 water ; presents with which his Indian Majes- 
 ty was so transported, that in the excess of 
 his acknowledgment, he desired that the ad- 
 miral might be informed that the whole coun- 
 try was at his disposal. 
 
 The demeanour of this naked monarch to- 
 wards his subjects was dignified, but to die 
 Spaniards it was perfectly familiar. He 
 viewed every thing with great attention, and 
 testified infinite surprize at all the extraordina- 
 
COLUMBUS. 83 
 
 ry things he observed in the vessel. In the 
 evening desiring to be re-conducted on shore, 
 he was suffered to use his pleasure ; and to 
 strengthen the impressions of astonishment 
 with which he left the vessel, the admiral ac- 
 companied his farewell with a salute of can- 
 non. This confirmed their opinion of the ce- 
 lestial origin of the Spaniards, since it ap- 
 peared that they disposed of the very thun- 
 der itself. Their veneration for the august 
 strangers carried them so far, as to kiss the 
 very traces their feet had imprinted on the 
 earth. 
 
 As this country was not that which con- 
 tained the gold mines, Columbus prepared to 
 sail further to the east. From all llie infor- 
 mation hitherto received, it appeared that the 
 gold was found in certain mountainous dis- 
 tricts, which depended on a powerful cacique. 
 To this prince Columbus despatched deputies, 
 and, having received from him the most press- 
 ing invitation, sailed immediately to the place. 
 Alas ! had he foreseen the misfortune that was 
 to attend him in this short course, he would 
 have been less eager to embark in it, and 
 rather have renounced all the silver and gold 
 than have paid so dear for the possession of it. 
 Peter, What could happen ? 1 am im- 
 patient to hear. 
 
 . Father. They advanced in their new 
 course till they reached a cape, where the ad- 
 
84 COLUMBUS. 
 
 miral, on account of a dead calm, ordered his 
 men to furl the sails at about a league off 
 land. His anxiety for the last two days had 
 not suffered him to take any repose ; but ex- 
 hausted nature now claimed her rights, and 
 Columbus, having committed the helm to the 
 pilot, with strict orders not to leave it, to- 
 wards midnight went to rest. Scarcely was 
 he asleep when the crew, thinking themselves 
 sheltered from all danger, followed his exam- 
 ple ; even the pilot, presuming on the calm, 
 did not scruple, in contempt of the orders of 
 his superior, to transfer the charge confided to 
 him to a cabin-boy, and to commit himself to 
 repose also. Thus was an inexperienced lad 
 the only watch on board. While the whole 
 crew was buried in profound sleep, a current 
 insensibly carried the vessel towards the coast, 
 and suddenly it received so violent a shock, 
 that the cabin-boy in his fright let go the 
 helm. Roused by his cries, Columbus sprung 
 upon deck, perceived the rocks, and was im- 
 mediately sensible that the vessel had struck. 
 Seized with terror and dismay, every one but 
 Columbus yielded to despair ; he alone pre- 
 served sufficient presence of mind to give the 
 necessary orders for saving the vessel if that 
 possibility remained. 
 
 He commanded some of his men immedi- 
 ately to embark in the long boat, and at a cer- 
 tain distance to cast an anchor, by means of 
 
COLUMBUS. 85 
 
 which they might tow the ship, and disengage 
 it from the rocks ; but such was the despair 
 and the pusillanimity of those whom he de- 
 puted, that, instead of executing his orders, 
 they thought only of their own preservation, 
 and attempted to save themselves on board 
 the Nina. The captain vi that vessel, how- 
 ever, refused to receive nien who had so 
 basely betrayed their trust and forsaken their 
 commander ; they were llierefore obliged to 
 return to the wreck. In the mean time, Co- 
 lumbus, to lighten the vessel, ordeied the 
 masts to be struck, and threw overboard those 
 tilings that uere least necessary ; but all was 
 in vain. The vessel opened near the keel, 
 and the water suddenly poured in in such 
 quantities, that all hopes ol" preserving it was 
 destroyed. The admiral therefore and his 
 men had recourse to the boats, which came 
 to their assistance, and, by dint of oars, reach- 
 ed the Nina. 
 
 The next day Columbus sent to inform the 
 cacique of the misfortune that had happened, 
 and to request the assistance of his vassals in 
 preserving from the wreck that part of the 
 cargo which it was possible to save. The 
 cacique, whose namiC was Guakanahari, ex- 
 pressed the most generous concern at these 
 melancholy tidings, and, with tears in his eyes, 
 attended by all his subjects, flew to the suc- 
 8 
 
86 COLUMBUS. 
 
 coiir of the Europeans. Far from profiting 
 by the accident to embezzle any of the car- 
 go, these generous islanders exerted their ut- 
 most efforts to preserve all. They assem- 
 bled with the greatest celerity a number of 
 canoes, by the help of which, and so many 
 hands, almost every thing of value was trans- 
 ported to land. The kind Guakanahari took 
 all that was preserved under his care, and 
 sent from time to time, entreating Columbus 
 not to be uneasy, and to assure him in his 
 name, that every thing should be restored. 
 He caused the effects of the vessel to be de- 
 posited near his own dwelling, till the huts in 
 which they were to be kept could be emptied. 
 He also for their security appointed a guard 
 over them ; a })recaution which however 
 seemed little necessary, so heartily did his 
 subjects appear to lament the misfortune of 
 the white men. 
 
 Columbus, in the relation he gave on his 
 return to the court of Spain, describes the 
 character of these amiable savages in the most 
 interesting manner.:. — "To sum up all," says 
 be, " these islanders are so gentle, humane, 
 and peaceable, that I think I may venture to 
 assure your majesty, that there are not better 
 men on the earth. They love their fellow- 
 creatures as they do themselves. Their 
 manners are pleasing, gracious, and animat- 
 ed ; and although it must be allowed they go 
 
COLUMBUS. 87 
 
 naked, I entreat your highness to believe that 
 they have among them many laudable cus- 
 toms. The king is served with great respect, 
 and his manners are so noble, that it is a 
 pleasure to see him act ; nor is the excellent 
 memory of these people less worthy of obser- 
 vation, than the ardent desire they discover 
 for improvement." 
 
 Mother. Well, my children, what do you 
 think of those Indians f 
 
 The Children. Think ! Oh, we are de- 
 lighted with them ! 
 
 Mother. Yet they are savages ! — men 
 without education, without even the know- 
 ledge of God ! 
 
 Father. It would be to our shame and 
 eternal disgrace to be surpassed by them in 
 humanity and goodness of heart ! With how 
 many more motives to act well has Providence 
 furnished us than those poor Indians, depriv- 
 ed of all instruction ! Oh, my children ! left 
 us earnestly endeavour to render ourselves 
 worthy of these great advantages. What will 
 become of us, if, one day weighed in the 
 balance with these good savages, we are 
 found Vv^anting in rectitude and generosity ! 
 (Jl short pause, after which the father con- 
 tinues :) Guakanaliari having observed the 
 Europeans' fondness for gold, to console the 
 Spaniards for their misfortune presented them 
 with several plates of that metal, with a prom- 
 
88 COLUMBUS. 
 
 ise that he would cause a more considerable 
 quantity to be brought from a place called 
 Cibao. Several of his subjects also supplied 
 them, delighted with the opportunity of ex- 
 changing their ore for different sorts of Euro- 
 pean trifles. One of them who held a very 
 large piece of this metal in his hand, extend- 
 ed the other towards a Spaniard, who put into 
 it a little bell. The Indian, delighted with his 
 prize, immediately dropped the gold, and ran 
 off as fast as possible. 
 
 While Columbus's men were tasting the 
 sweets of their abode in this island, his heart 
 was a prey to the most distressing anxiety. 
 Tiie best of hib vessels was lost, — the treach- 
 erous Pinzon had forsaken him, and the sole 
 vessel that remained with him was so small 
 and wealherbeaten, that it would neither con- 
 tain all his men, nor could without temerity be 
 employed in so long a voyage as tiiat from 
 America to Spain. What was to be done in 
 this critical situation f After mature reflec- 
 tion, he resolved to re-embark with part only 
 of his people, and, braving every danger, to 
 sail for Spain, to inform the court of the dis- 
 coveries he had made, and to leave the re- 
 mainder of his crew in the Spanish island as a 
 colony. This resolution was universally ap- 
 proved, and applications were instantly made 
 10 Columbus by many of his men for leave 
 to remain. The Cacique Guakanahari him- 
 
COLUMBUS. 
 
 89 
 
 self, so far from opposing their design, thought 
 himself fortunate in detaining some of these 
 strangers of celestial origin, who would defend 
 him and his subjects against their common 
 enemy. 
 
 JVicholas. Had they, then, any enemies ? 
 
 Father. By what they learnt from Gua- 
 kanahari, several isles situated to the south- 
 east were inhabited by a barbarous and fero- 
 cious nation called Caraibees. These people, 
 he said, from time to time invaded his coun- 
 try ; and as his subjects were not in a situa- 
 tion to make head against them, all that re- 
 mained for their preservation was to retreat as 
 speedily as possible to the mountains. Co- 
 lumbus promised to take them under his pro- 
 tection ; and to give them some idea of the 
 military skill of the Europeans, he made his 
 troops perform some evolutions before them. 
 The Indians viewed all with astonishment ; 
 but when Cohu:nbus caused the artillery of the 
 wrecked vessel to be fired, their terror was so 
 great that they fell to the ground stunned, 
 covering their heads with their hands. Gua- 
 kanahari himself was struck with consterna- 
 tion ; but Columbus restored his confidence 
 by giving him to understand that he should 
 employ these thunders only against the Carai- 
 bees. To render him more sensible of the 
 effects of these dreadful engines, he ordered 
 8* 
 
90 COLUMBUS. 
 
 a cannon to be levelled and fired against the 
 wreck, the ball of which passed through the 
 vessel, and fell into the sea. 
 
 The astonishment of the cacique surpassed 
 all bounds ; he returned to his house wrapt in 
 profound meditation, more convinced than 
 ever that his guests were the descendants of 
 Heaven, since like Heaven itself the thunder 
 was at their command. 
 
 Mathias. But. my dear father, I cannot 
 conceive how the Spaniards and the savages 
 could converse, as they were ignorant of each 
 other's language r* 
 
 Father. They spoke by gestures, signs, 
 and single words, which they had caught one 
 from another ; a language very imperfect, no 
 doubt, but sufficient in many cases to commu- 
 nicate their reciprocal ideas. But to con- 
 tinue ; — after this, some days were employ- 
 ed in erecting a sm-all fortress, in doing which 
 the officious islanders gave the Spaniards all 
 the assistance in their power. Unhappy men! 
 they knew not that they were forging for them-^ 
 selves the fetters they were hereafter to wear- 
 Whenever the admiral came on shore, Gua- 
 kanahari paid him some distinguished honours, 
 which were always returned by the liberality 
 of Columbus. One day the cacique conduct- 
 ed him into a hut prepared for his reception ; 
 when taking from his own head a gold crown, 
 he placed it on that of his guest. Columbus 
 
COLUMBUS. 91 
 
 immediately took from his neck a string of 
 small pearls which he usually wore, and tied 
 it on Guakanahari ; he also disrobed himself 
 of a splendid habit, and clothed the cacique in 
 it with his own hands — besides this, he slip- 
 ped on his finger a silver ring, and sent for a 
 pair of red buskins, which he also made him 
 put on. 
 
 These mutual attentions fixed the seal of 
 friendship to the treaty already formed be- 
 tween them. The fort was completed in ten 
 days ; at the end of which time, Columbus 
 selected from those who were desirous of re- 
 maining, thirty-eight, and appointed for their 
 commander Diego de Arada. He enjoined 
 them punctually to obey the chief he had nom- 
 inated, to try all possible means of preserving 
 the good opinion that Guakanahari and his 
 subjects entertained of the Spaniards, and at- 
 tentively to study the language of the country. 
 The place where he left them he called Na- 
 vidad (that is, Nativity.) 
 
 Columbus, having re-embarked on board 
 his shatteied vessel, weighed anchor the 4th 
 of January, 1493, amidst the acclamations of 
 those whom he left behind. What a bold 
 and hazardous enterprize ! It is impossible, 
 without trembling for the life of this brave and 
 excellent man, to behold him in a single bark, 
 weather-beaten and damaged, attempt to brave 
 
92 COLUMBUS. 
 
 the dangers of an ocean yet so imperfectly 
 known. 
 
 Charlotte. Oh ! if he had but remained 
 witli Giiakanahari. 
 
 Theophilus. If that base Pinzon had not 
 left him, they might liave assisted each other. 
 
 Father. Tiie fate of that treacherous 
 wretch and his vessel was an enigma. Co- 
 lumbus had not been able to gain any tidings 
 of him ; he concluded, therefore, either that 
 he had perished, or had sailed for Europe, 
 with the view of being the first to bear the 
 news of the great discoveries that had been 
 made, and perhaps also with the intention of 
 blackening his character at court, in order to 
 deprive him of the recompense he had so just- 
 ly earned. This last suspicion made Colum- 
 bus more sensibly feel the necessity of accele- 
 rating his return, that his presence might de- 
 feat the pernicious designs of his perfidious 
 enemy. In the mean while, effectually to de- 
 stroy every doubt which might arise respect- 
 ing the truth of his report, he had previous- 
 ly ordered specimens of every thing that he 
 had found in the newly discovered countries 
 worthy of observation ; gold especially, as the 
 thing most to be desired, was not forgotten. 
 The natives of the different isles they had 
 visited, who had agreed to accompany him, 
 were also conveyed on board ; as were also 
 several unknown birds, and other curiosities, 
 
COLUMBUS. 93 
 
 as well natural as artificial, calculated to give 
 an idea of the importance of his discoveries. 
 Sailing eastward, Columbus first coasted His- 
 paniola, that he might in passing take a view 
 of the other parts of the country which had 
 before escaped his observation. The day af- 
 ter his departure, he perceived at a distance 
 something that had the appearance of a ship. 
 He immediately steered towards it, and, con- 
 trary to all his hopes, discovered the vessel of 
 Alonzo dePinzon. You will readily imagine 
 what must have been the joy of the admiral 
 and the whole crew on this unexpected ren- 
 counter. 
 
 When Pinzon came on board the admiral's 
 ship, he endeavoured to justify himself by 
 throwing the whole blame of their separation 
 on the bad weather, which had caused him, 
 he said, against his inclination, to deviate from 
 his course. Columbus, though sensible of the 
 falsehood of this excuse, treated him with in- 
 dulgence, being led to do so, not only by the 
 natural generosity of his temper, but on the 
 present occasion by prudence. He accepted 
 his apologies therefore, and restored him to 
 favour, secretly pleased that he was not reiluc- 
 ed to the necessity of trusting the proofs of his 
 discoveries to a single vessel, and that in so 
 bad a condition. 
 
 Charles. Where could Pinzon have stay- 
 ed so long ? 
 
94 COLUMBUS. 
 
 Father. He had anchored on the coast of 
 Hispaniola, in order to traffic for gold, but in 
 a different part from that where Cokimbus 
 had landed ; he had therefore made no new 
 discovery. 
 
 Mother. Well, my children, that you may 
 have cause to rejoice in the discovery of 
 America, your supper this evening shall con- 
 sist wholly of its productions. 
 
 The Children. Indeed ! 
 
 Mother. What do you think of cocoa ? — 
 or something that you will not perhaps so well 
 approve — potatoes ? 
 
 The Children. Oh, potatoes ! potatoes I 
 our favourite dish ! 
 
 Father. Long live the memory of Colum- 
 bus, to whom we are indebted for this favour- 
 ite root ! 
 
 The Children. Huzza ! Columbus for 
 ever ! 
 
 DIALOGUE VIIL 
 
 Father. Come, children, let us attend Co- 
 lumbus in his return to Spain. 
 
 The Children. We are all ready, father. 
 
 Father. A fresh gale from the west op- 
 portunely rose, and, filling the sails of the ves- 
 sels, appeared to lend them wings. Th© 
 
coLUMdus. 95 
 
 crew, overjoyed, already thought themselves 
 in Spain, surrounded by curious enquirers, 
 who listened with avidity to the wonderful de- 
 tails of their adventures. 
 
 Mother. But cannot you, my dear, put 
 them at once on shore, that they may in re- 
 ality ease their^liearts by the recital of their 
 adventures ? 
 
 Father. I would readily follow your ad- 
 vice ; but in the west I see a storm forming 
 on the horizon, which makes me tremble for 
 my poor adventurers. 1 am desirous there- 
 fore of sheltering ihem in some good port ; but 
 unfortunately no land is to be found between 
 Hispaniola and Spain. 
 
 John. Oh, yes, the Azores, father. 
 
 Father. You are right. They certainly 
 might have found refuge there, could they 
 have reached them in time ; but the storm 
 approached rapidly, the darkness increased, 
 and the crew in silent anxiety expected the 
 event, their eyes fixed on the admiral, who 
 gave his orders with his usual intrepidity. 
 The sea swelled insensibly, the vessel became 
 the sport of the waves, the cordage gave way 
 and the masts resounded with the force of the 
 wind. Lightning, the crashing of thunder, 
 and darkness, rapidly succeeded each other, 
 while the rain poured on them in torrents. 
 The atmosphere appeared in flames, the thun- 
 der mingled with the roaring of the ocean, 
 
96 COLUMBUS. 
 
 whose tremendous waves threw the vessels 
 one moment towards heaven, and the next pre- 
 cipitated them into the abyss. 
 
 Terror and dismay seized upon the whole 
 crew. Some on their knees with uplifted 
 hands implored the preservation of their lives, 
 — others silent, pale, and motionless, depriv- 
 ed of all sense, bore a nearer resemblance to 
 dead than living men, — while others, recur- 
 ring to a superstitious expedient, made ardent 
 vows of going on a pilgrimage to some church 
 dedicated to the Virgin, in tlie first Christian 
 country wherein they should land. 
 
 Charlotte. I do not understand what go- 
 
 ing on a pilgrimage is, fathe 
 
 Father. 1 will explain it. Those Chris- 
 tians called Roman Catholics, . formerly 
 thought it an action pleasing in the sight of 
 God, to undertake a long and painful journey, 
 from the place where tliey dwelt, to some oth- 
 er country, in order to pass a certain time 
 there in fasting and prayer. A journey per- 
 formed with this pious intention was called a 
 pilgrimage, and those who undertook it, pil- 
 grims. Pilgrimages were at the time of Co- 
 lumbus very frequent, and were usually ren- 
 dered by the pilgrims as painful as possible. 
 Some travelled bare-foot, wore sackcloth 
 next their skin, and endured on the way all 
 the severities of hunger and thirst, heat and 
 cold. They scourged their bodies with 
 
COLUMBUS. 97 
 
 whips, and esteemed themselves happy in 
 proportion to the misery and torments they 
 suffered ; beheving they should, by their vol- 
 untary mortifications, make their peace with 
 God, and obtain pardon for all their sins. 
 Conformably with this idea, whenever they 
 were in any great danger, they thought it the 
 most certain means of insuring the Divine as- 
 sistance to make a vow of undertaking such a 
 pious journey. This was the expedient to 
 which the sailors in the vessel of Columbus 
 had recourse. Do you now comprehend, 
 Charlotte ? 
 
 Charlotte. Yes, father. 
 
 Father. To return then to my narrative. 
 Columbus and his men remained in the de- 
 plorable state I have described, floating be- 
 tween life and death, expecting every wave to 
 be that which was to decide their fate. In 
 vain Columbus, ever collected and calm, 
 employed all the means that prudence and ex- 
 perience suggested ; he endeavoured to en- 
 courage his men ; all energy was lost, ter- 
 ror had benumbed llieir faculties, and they ap- 
 peared like bodies bereft of souls to animate 
 them, while the storm raged with a fury that 
 nothing could resist. At length, no longer be- 
 ing able to dissemble even with himself, that 
 he must renounce all hope of human succour, 
 with a heavy heart he withdrew into his cab- 
 9 
 
08 COLUMBUS. 
 
 in ; and what, my children, do you think he 
 did f 
 
 Frederic. Prayed to God, father, to be 
 sure. 
 
 Father. Doubtless he directed to Heaven 
 a devout submission and acquiescence in the 
 Divine will ; his hfe he was sensible, belong- 
 ed to him from whom it was received, and he 
 was content to resign it. All he asked of the 
 Almighty in this trying moment was, that he 
 would be pleased to give success to a resolu- 
 tion he had- formed in the very moment of ex- 
 pecting death. 
 
 Ferdinand. What can he have resolv- 
 ed on f 
 
 Father. The greatest source of uneasiness 
 to Columbus, ever more occupied with the 
 general good of his species than with his own 
 safety, was the idea that his death would de- 
 prive Europe of all the probable advantages 
 she would reap fro«t4i^is discoveries. This 
 was a heart-rending reflection ; and he re- 
 solved to think only of preventing a misfortune 
 which he considered as greater than all the 
 rest. When I have informed you of his pro- 
 ceedings, you will judg« what greatness of 
 soul that man must have possessed, who, in 
 momentary danger of death, was capable of 
 such wise resolutions and such unpremeditated 
 activity. He took a parchment, and sitting 
 down wrote upon it the nriost important intel- 
 
 ( 
 
COLUMBUS. 99 
 
 ligence concerning his discoveries ; this he 
 wrapped in Hnen dipped in oil, covered that 
 with a waxed cloth, and put the whole pack- 
 age i^nto a closed cask, which he threw into 
 the sea. 
 
 Mathias. Why did he do this ? 
 
 Henry. I think it is not difficult to guess ; 
 he naturally thought the sea would in time 
 throw the cask on shore. 
 
 Father. Yes ; and in case any person 
 found it, he might discover to the world the 
 treasure it enclosed. He next tied a second 
 cask, containing the same information, to the 
 poop of his own ship, in order that it might 
 remain there when the vessel should strike. 
 1 now ask you, my children, which of us would'' 
 have been capable, in such circumstances, of 
 exerting equal presence of mind ? 
 
 John. Not one of us, 1 believe ; at least 
 it would not have been me. 
 
 Father. Would you wish to know the 
 method Columbus took to acquire this uncom- 
 mon fortitude ? 
 
 John. We are all attention, dear father. 
 
 Father. At your age, my children, he ac- 
 customed himself to restrain his passions ; in 
 every little misfortune or embarrassment he 
 exercised the virtues of courage and forbear- 
 ance, never yielded to terror or despondency, 
 but instantly revolved in his mind the means 
 of surmounting the difficulty. He relied on 
 
100 COLUMBUS. 
 
 himself only for assistance, never claiming 
 the hand of another when his own was suffi- 
 cient for the undertaking he had in view ; for 
 sincerely did he despise those weak effemin- 
 ate beings, who, unfit for every human func- 
 tion, suffer others to think and act for them. 
 By these means, and by a laborious, active, 
 and at the same time a pious life, which he 
 had led from his earliest youth, he acquired 
 the habit of meeting every event with cajm- 
 ness, of shrinking at no danger however great, 
 and of applying on the instant the whole force 
 of his mind either to the averting or surmount- 
 ing it. Thus, my children, must you conduct 
 yourselves, if you would become such men as 
 Columbus. 
 
 Theophilus. And be assured, father, we 
 will endeavour to profit by his example. 
 
 Frederic (to the servant.) Jane, do not 
 to-morrow morning think of helping me to 
 lace my spatterdashes, I shall entirely do them 
 myself; do you hear .^ 
 
 Jane. Oh, never fear ; I shall not press 
 ray services upon you. 
 
 Frederic. 1 would not have you. Fath- 
 er, should I not lace them myself ? 
 
 Father. Certainly. If you would become 
 a Columbus ; if indeed you mean to pass 
 your life like an old woman at your fire-side, 
 it is another thing. 
 
COLUMBUS. 101 
 
 Frederic, Ob, father ! how can you think 
 of such a thing ? 
 
 Mother. But, my children, we lose sight 
 of Columbus ; I am on thorns to know what 
 will become of him. 
 
 Father. 1 will continue, then. The tem- 
 pest still raged with its former violence, and to 
 augment the terrors of death which they eve- 
 ry moment expected, the darkest and most 
 horrible night succeeded ; not a star, whose 
 benign lustre could convey a ray of hope into 
 their depressed hearts, was to be seen ; the 
 thickest gloom obscured both heaven and 
 earth, and the storm, during the whole night 
 abated not an instant its terrors. Thus 
 scarcely breathing, they continued floating be- 
 tvi'een life and death, till at length 
 
 Some of the Children. Oh, poor Co- 
 lumbus ! 
 
 Father. Till at length, my children, this 
 dreadful night being past, the first rays of the 
 . sun returned, and, to the inxepressible trans- 
 ports of the crew, recalled them to life and 
 hope, by the discovery of a distant land which 
 appeared to rise out of the bosom of the 
 ocean. 
 
 The Children. Oh, how rejoiced they 
 must have been ! 
 
 Father. At first the admiral himself could 
 not determine what this land was, but on ap- 
 9* 
 
102 COLUMBUS. 
 
 proaching nearer he found it to be one of the 
 Azores. 
 
 Christian, Heaven be praised, they are 
 safe ! I was in terrible fear for them. 
 
 Father. They are not yet so, dear Chris- 
 tian. Though the land was before ihem, the 
 wind, which continued its violence, rendered 
 the approach to the coast so extremely dan- 
 gerous, that, notwithstanding the ardent desire 
 ewevy one had once more to disembark, they 
 were constrained to pass four days longer in 
 tacking and manoeuvring in the midst of the 
 dangers that surrounded them. The Pinta 
 had disappeared, and it was doubtful wheth- 
 er she had perished, or whether Pinzon, prof- 
 iting a second time by the obscurity and the 
 tempest, had not deserted the admiral to car- 
 ry into Spain the first tidings of the new dis- 
 coveries. 
 
 At length the weather becoming somewhat 
 calm, the admiral embraced the moment to 
 gain the shore, and cast anchor. The Por- 
 tuguese soon flocked to him with the view of 
 selling them refreshments, and of informing 
 themselves at the same time whence they 
 came, and whither they were bound. As 
 Columbus understood from them, that at a 
 short distance from the coast there was a 
 chapel dedicated to the Virgin, he permitted 
 half of his crew to land in order to perform 
 their vow of pilgrimage. With respect to 
 
COLUMBUS. 108 
 
 himself, exhausted with fatigue and watching, 
 he was forced to remain on board ; but he 
 ordered those who left the ship to return as 
 soon as possible, that their comrades might 
 also acquit themselves of the same devotional 
 act. Having promised to attend to these or- 
 ders, the whole party set forward bare-foot, 
 and marched in procession towards the chap- 
 el. Their return was expected in the course 
 of a few hours ; i)ut Columbus was not a lit- 
 tle surprized, when two hours after the ex- 
 pected period elapsed, and no one returned. 
 Night, which now approached and brought 
 no tidings of them, increased his astonish- 
 ment, and gave birth to suspicions which the 
 return of day was necessary to clear. Morn- 
 ing at length appeared, when the cause of 
 their absence was no longer a mystery ; for 
 Columbus with infinite astonishment learnt, 
 that the Portuguese Governor had actually 
 seized upon his unarmed men, and put them 
 in prison. 
 
 Columbus received the intelligence of this 
 treachery with the most lively indignation, 
 and, as his expostulations were ineffectual, 
 protested with an oath, that he would not de- 
 part till he had taken a hundred Portuguese, 
 and ravaged the whole isle ; a menace which 
 had such an effect on the governor, that he 
 sent deputies to question him whether he and 
 his ships were really in the service of the 
 
104 
 
 COLUMBUS. 
 
 King of Spain ; and when they were satisfied 
 on this head, the prisoners were released. It 
 is said, that the governor had received orders 
 from the King of Portugal, his master, to 
 seize if it were possible the person of Colum- 
 bus, apparently with the view of keeping him 
 and his men in confinement during their lives, 
 that he might privately possess himself of the 
 countries he had discovered. But this design 
 having failed on account of Columbus remain- 
 ing on board, the governor judged it prudent 
 to liberate the men, and excuse himself by pre- 
 tending that he did not believe they were 
 Spaniards. Here, again, my children, we see 
 that what we call misfortunes are often real 
 blessings, though to our imperfect view they 
 seldom at the moment appear so. A violent 
 sciatica deprived Columbus of the pleasure 
 of disembarking after a long and perilous voy- 
 age ; this he doubtless regarded as a misfor- 
 tune, but how was he deceived ! It was to 
 him a manifest blessing ; for, had he been in 
 health, he would have left his ship, been ar- 
 rested, and probably passed the remainder of 
 his days in a melancholy dungeon. Happy 
 are we that our destinies are in the hands of 
 God, who, even when he finds it necessary to 
 aflflict us, can turn our misfortunes to a wise 
 and salutary end. Rejoicing in the happy is- 
 sue of this disagreeable affair, Columbus again 
 set sail, hoping in a short time to reach the 
 
COLUMBUS. 105 
 
 term of all his labours ; but Heaven had de- 
 creed liim yet another trial. 
 
 A terrible storm again arose, the vessel 
 was driven from its course, the sails were rent 
 in pieces, the masts shivered, and every wave 
 threatened its destruction. In this desperate 
 situation the vessel had continued forty-eight 
 hours, when on a sudden near midnight some 
 rocks were discerned, towards which it was 
 forcibly driven. Had it proceeded in this 
 direction a minute longer, it had inevitably 
 struck ; but that presence of mind which nev- 
 er deserted Columbus in the moment of dan- 
 ger, enabled him to double the Cape, and by 
 these means happily to save the vessel, and 
 all that it contained. He soon discovered 
 that he was on the coast of Portugal, at the 
 mouth of the river Tagus, where he at length 
 cast anchor. 
 
 At day break he despatched a courier to 
 the court of Madrid, to acquaint the king of 
 Spain with his safe arrival ; and another to 
 Lisbon to ask permission of his Portuguese 
 majesty to proceed up the river to the city, 
 in order to refit. Leave being granted, he 
 immediately sailed for Lisbon, where the 
 news of the arrival of a vessel after so sur- 
 prizing a voyage was no sooner known, than 
 the inhabitants flocked in crowds to the port. 
 The shore swarmed with men, and the river 
 with barks, every one ardently desiring to bC' 
 
106 COLUMBUS. 
 
 hold this extraordinary man, who had project- 
 ed and accomplished so stupendous and haz- 
 ardous an enterprize. Some congratulated 
 him on his success, while others lamented the 
 misfortune of their country in rejecting the 
 overtures of so elevated a genius. The King 
 of Portugal himself could no longer refuse 
 Columbus his esteem, although he with regret 
 foresaw the prodigious increase of riches and 
 power which Spain would derive by his 
 means ; advantages which, misled by evil 
 councils, he had rejected with so little con- 
 sideration. He gave orders that all imagina- 
 ble honours should be paid him ; that he 
 should be furnished with refreshments, and 
 wrote with his own hand to request that he 
 would visit him. Columbus hastened to at- 
 tend the invitation, and, on his arrival, found 
 the whole court, by the express order of the 
 king, assembled. The king, during the in- 
 terview, insisted upon his being seated, and 
 to discourse with his head covered ; while 
 he listened to the account of his discoveries, 
 and alternately testified the greatest admira- 
 tion and the most lively regret. Columbus, 
 on his side, modestly enjoyed the satisfaction 
 of seeing those unworthy parasites who had 
 formerly brow-beaten and ridiculed him as a 
 vain projector, now dazzled with the eclat of 
 his exploits, and overwhelmed with shame 
 and confusion at the recollection of the indig- 
 
COLUMBUS. * 107 
 
 nities they had made him suffer. The king, 
 by the most flattering proposals, endeavoured 
 to engage him in his service, but all was in 
 vain ; such was the integrity of Columbus, 
 that, had he tempted him with the half of his 
 kingdom, his fidelity would have remained 
 unshaken towards the country, to the service 
 of which he had now wholly devoted himself. 
 
 Mother. Excellent man ! 
 
 Father. At length, having taken a re- 
 spectful farewell of the king, and the most 
 necessary repairs of his ship being completed, 
 he set sail, and steered towards the same 
 Spanish port from which he had departed. 
 He arrived there on the 15th of May, 1493, 
 after an absence in all of seven months and 
 eleven days. There we will leave him to re- 
 pose after his fatigues. To-morrow I will 
 give you an account of his landing. 
 
 Peter. Oh, that will be delightful ! it 
 must be interesting ; I only wish to-morrow 
 were come. 
 
 DIALOGUE IX. 
 
 JVicholas. Well, my dear father, is not 
 Columbus going to land f 
 
 Father. All in good time, Nicholas j we 
 
108 COLUMBUS. 
 
 must first see him enter Port de Palos. 
 Scarcely had news arrived of the approach of 
 his vessel, when all the inhabitants flocked 
 thither to convince themselves that so agreea- 
 ble a report was not a delusion. The ves- 
 sel soon approached sufficiently near for one 
 to discern upon the deck a son, another a 
 brother, a third a friend, a fourth a husband ; 
 then was the air rent with joyful acclama- 
 tions ; — then did a thousand beating bosoms 
 press forward to welcome with tears of joy 
 the dear objects of their long solicitude. 
 
 Columbus landed amidst the noise of the 
 artillery of the place, the ringing of bells, and 
 the acclamations of the multitude. Far from 
 presuming on the honours that were paid him, 
 his first care was to acknowledge publicly that 
 the glory of the enterprize was not due to 
 him but to the Almighty, who had crowned it 
 with success. With this view he immediately 
 proceeded to the church, in which, before his 
 departure, he had implored the assistance of 
 the Most High, attended by his crew and all 
 the inhabitants of the town, who accompanied 
 him in procession. Having acquitted himself 
 of this duty, he set out for Barcelona, a city 
 of 
 
 JVicholas. Catalonia, father, a province of 
 Spain ; — is it not ? 
 
 Father. It is ; the court was then kept 
 there. 
 
eOLUMBUB. 
 
 109 
 
 John. But do not historians tell us, father, 
 what is become of Pinzon ? 
 
 Father. They do not agree in their ac- 
 counts concerning liim. Some assert that he 
 entered Port de Palos a short time after Co- 
 junibiis ; others, on the contrary, tell us, that 
 having hinded some days before iiim in Galli- 
 cia, in order to carry to the court the agreea- 
 ble news of the discoveries, the king refused 
 him an audience till the arrival of Columbus; 
 a disappointment which was so severe a mor- 
 tification to this vain ambitious man, that he 
 was seized with a malady which put an end 
 to his life in a few days. 
 
 Henry. Your servant, Mr Pinzon. 
 
 John. See what he has gained by being 
 so vain and perfidious. 
 
 Father. Let us hope that his heart was 
 changed, and that he was sensible of his er- 
 rors. Columbus, wlierever he passed, was 
 surrounded by an incredible multitude, who 
 repeated his name with transport, and rent the 
 air with the most joyful plaudits. He at 
 length arrived at Barcelona, where the king 
 and queen expected him with impatience. 
 To do him honour, the court was ordered to 
 meet him, and the streets were in reality so 
 crowded, that there was scarcely room left 
 for him to pass. 1 will now give you the or- 
 der of his entry into the city. 
 10 
 
110 COLUMBUS. 
 
 First came the Indians, those he had brought 
 from the newly discovered islands, dressed in 
 the manner of their country, — after them was 
 carried all the gold, whether in plates or 
 dust ; — next followed those who bore speci- 
 mens of the natural and artificial productions 
 of the new world, such as chests of pepper, 
 balls of cotton, parroquets perched on canes 
 twenty-five feet long, quadrupeds and birds 
 stuffed, and a number of other things which 
 had never till then been seen in Europe. 
 Lastly appeared Columbus himself, on whom 
 all eyes were fixed with mingled pleasure and 
 amazement. 
 
 To honour him in a peculiar and more dis- 
 tinguished manner, their majesties received 
 him seated on a throne which they had caus- 
 ed to be erected in a public square. On ap- 
 proaching, according to the custom of those 
 days, he would have prostrated himself at the 
 foot of the throne ; but the king prevented 
 him, gave him his hand to kiss, and placed 
 him at his side in a chair that had been pre- 
 pared for him. Columbus then with equal 
 modesty and dignity gave a circumstantial ac- 
 count of his discoveries, and presented the 
 productions he had brought fiom the countries 
 of which he spoke. When his narrative, 
 which filled the whole court with astonish- 
 ment, was concluded, the king and queen, 
 whose example was followed by the numerous ^ 
 
COLUMBUS. 
 
 Ill 
 
 Spectators, prostrated themselves, and return- 
 ed thanks to God for having suffered so me- 
 morable an event, an event that seemed to 
 promise such glorious advantages to Spain, to 
 take place in their days. 
 
 After this, the highest honours were be- 
 stowed on Columbus. All that had been 
 promised before his departure was now pub- 
 licly confirmed. ^Patents of nobility for him 
 and his whole family were ordered to be made 
 out as speedily as possible ; and so highly 
 was he in favour, that the king never went on 
 horseback unaccompanied by him, — an hon- 
 our which was till then reserved only for the 
 princes of the blood. But that which gave 
 him more pleasure than all the rest, was, an 
 order which the king gave, to equip a com- 
 plete fleet immediately for a second voyage. 
 In the interim the king sent an ambassador to 
 Rome, to entreat the pope to allot to the 
 Spaniards (in exclusion of all other powers) 
 the countries that were already, or might in 
 
 * " To perpetuate in his family tli« glory of his achieve- 
 ment, a coat of arms was assigned him, in which the royal 
 arms, the castle and lion, were quartered with his proper 
 bearings, which were a group of islands surrounded by waves. 
 To these arms was afterwards annexed the motto ; 
 
 PorCastilla y por Leon, 
 
 Nuevo mundo hallo Colon, 
 
 (For Castile and Leon 
 
 Columbus found a new world.)" — Irving, 
 
112 COLUMBUS- 
 
 future be discovered in the unknown ocean, 
 to be by them and their posterity hereditarily 
 possessed. The Pope, Alexander the Sixth, 
 granted his request ; and drawing on the map 
 a straight line from one pole to the other a 
 hundred leagues from the Azores, and as 
 much from Cape Verd, decreed, that all the 
 country that should be discovered from thence 
 westward should belong to the King of 
 Spain. 
 
 Charlotte. But how could the j)ope give 
 countries that did not belong to him ? 
 
 Father. In those days, ray child, the 
 pope, as you know froin history, was a very 
 powerful personage, who was thought to have 
 the disposing of the whole earth at pleasure, 
 in his quality of vicar of Jesus Ciirist. A 
 king or prince therefore, who would secure 
 the possession of his dominions, had necessa- 
 rily recourse to the pope to confirm his right. 
 It is not so now. 
 
 Mathias. 1 am glad of it ; for the pope 
 might one day or other take away our good 
 city of Hamburgh. 
 
 Father. In the mean while the equipment 
 of the fleet was carried on so vigorously, that 
 in a short time seventeen vessels, some of 
 them very considerable, were ready to sail 
 from the port of Cadiz. The desire of ac- 
 quiring riches and honour led incredible num- 
 bers of all conditions to offer themselves as 
 
COLUMBUg. 113 
 
 companions of this voyage, and many even 
 expressed a desire of settling in the New 
 World. Columbus not being able to accept 
 all, chose out of the number fifteen hundred, 
 and took care that the vessels were provided 
 with every necessary, not only for so long a 
 voyage, but also for the foundation of several 
 colonies. For this a quantity of tools and in- 
 struments of every kind were necessary ; sev- 
 eral quadrupeds unknown to the New World, 
 such as horses, asses, bulls, cows, &ic. all 
 sorts of European grain, with the seeds of 
 those vegetables which it was supposed would 
 succeed in those distant climates. As the er- 
 roneous opinion that the newly discovered 
 countries were a part of the Indies, supposed 
 to extend into those seas, still prevailed, in 
 order to distinguish them from that already 
 known, they were called the West Indies, the 
 route towards them being westward. Proper 
 India was, on the contrary, from that time 
 called the East Indies. 
 
 Christian. But all America is not called 
 the West- Indies ^ 
 
 Father. No ; under that denomination are 
 now only comprehended the American islands, 
 situated in the great Gulf of Mexico. But 
 to proceed, — the preparations for their de- 
 parture being completed, the fleet sailed out 
 of the port of Cadiz the 25th of September. 
 10* 
 
114 
 
 COLUMBUS. 
 
 Columbus, as before, steered to the Canaries, 
 where he cast anchor the 5th of October. 
 Here he laid in a fresh store of water and 
 wood, and took on board more quadrupeds, 
 especially hogs. From those hogs which 
 were embarked at the Canaries, descend- 
 ed all those which, to this day, exist in 
 South America. 
 
 Theophilus. But others might be taken 
 there afterwards. 
 
 Father, Your remark is just, Theophilus. 
 Columbus and his suite sailed from the Ca- 
 naries the third day, and the wind continuing 
 still favourable, they made in twenty days 
 eight hundred marine leagues ; in this course 
 so little worth observation occurred, that, 
 without further ceremony, they shall disem- 
 bark. On the second of November, there- 
 fore, only twenty-six days after their depart- 
 ure from Spain, they cast anchor at an isle to 
 which Columbus gave the name of Dominica, 
 the day of its discovery being Sunday, which 
 you know in Latin is equally Dies Dominica, 
 or the Lord's day ; and Dies Solis, or the 
 day of the Sun. 
 
 Charles. Is it not one of the little Antilles 
 or C^r^^^^c■ h-'e'=!. which the French in the 
 he English ^ 
 
 Joiia. i^ei tauii) it is ; — look at it on the 
 map. 
 
 Father. Not finding the anchorage here 
 
COLUMBUS. 115 
 
 very safe, Columbus soon again set sail, and 
 shortly after discovered several other small 
 isles, the most considerable of which was Ma- 
 rie Galante. 
 
 John. I never heard it spoken of in our 
 geographical lessons. 
 
 Father, Observe it well, it now belongs 
 to the English. Then Guadaloupe, which 
 now 
 
 Theophilus. Also belongs to the English. 
 
 Father. Columbus called it Guadaloupe, 
 because he had promised the monks of a con- 
 vent in Spain, that he would bestow the name 
 of their abode on some one of the isles he 
 should in future discover. Next Antigua 
 (Ancient.) 
 
 Ferdinand. Belonging to the English. 
 
 Father. Then Porto Rico (Rich Port,) 
 which, as you know, is to this day possessed 
 by the Spaniards. Lastly, Martinico, on 
 which the English have lately seized. On 
 the coast of Guadaloupe they perceived a 
 beautiful cascade, formed by a prodigious 
 quantity of water that issues from a very high 
 and pointed rock. The noise of the torrent 
 is heard at the distance of three leagues. At 
 first they did not discern a single inhabitant, 
 all having on the approach of the vessels de- 
 serted their dwellings, and fled to the moun- 
 tains. At length the Spaniards, who had 
 been sent out to reconnoitre, returned with. 
 
116 
 
 COLUMBUS. 
 
 two boys whom diey had taken ; these in- 
 formed them that they were not natives of that 
 island, but of another, from which they had 
 been forced by the inhabitants of Gnadaloupe. 
 Besides these they found six women, who im- 
 plored the succour of the Spaniards, inform- 
 ing them, that they were captives condemned 
 to perpetual slavery — it being the custom of 
 the islanders to roast and devour all the men 
 whom they took prisoners in war, and to keep 
 the women as slaves. These poor creatures 
 so ardently solicited their compassion, that 
 they could not refuse to take them on board. 
 The other islands at which Columbus touch- 
 ed, confirmed the information of the women ; 
 and the Cacique Guakanahari had before in- 
 formed him of the hostile character and bar- 
 barities of this nation. Almost in every place 
 where he attempted to land he was received 
 as an enemy, and he found every where traces 
 of the inhuman practice of feasting upon the 
 prisoners taken in war. They beheld with 
 inexpressible horror the bones and skulls of 
 men who had been the victims of this detesta- 
 ble practice, scattered round their dwellings. 
 These abominations, added to the ardent de- 
 sire he had of returning to the Spaniards he 
 had left in Hispaniola, determined Columbus 
 to hasten his departure from these recently 
 discovered isles ; the more so, as all his at- 
 tempts to establish a commerce with the na- 
 
COLUMBUS. 117 
 
 tives were fruitless. He continued his course 
 therefore with all diligence, and on 21st of the 
 same month anchored on the coast of Hispa- 
 niola, in a road which was not above a day's 
 journey from Navidad. On their arrival Co- 
 lumbus sent some Spaniards on shore ; but 
 they soon returned to inform him that they 
 had discovered near the coast the bodies of 
 two men, each fastened by the neck with a 
 cord made of the bark of a tree to a piece of 
 wood in the form of a cro3s, — but such was 
 the state of corruption they were in, that they 
 could not say whether they were Indians or 
 Europeans. 
 
 These tidings alarmed Columbus, and gave 
 birth to suspicions which were the next day 
 but too fatally confirmed. He passed a mel- 
 ancholy night, and at day-break being arrived 
 at the height of Navidad 
 
 Charlotte. What is the meaning of the 
 height, father. 
 
 Father. It means that his fleet was oppo- 
 site to or off the coast on which be had erect- 
 ed the little fort. Do you recollect how 
 things appeared to us the day we were on the 
 coast of the Baltic Sea ? Did not the sea 
 appear gradually to rise ^ 
 
 Charlotte. Oh, yes ! when we were at a 
 little distance, it had the appearance of a 
 mountain. 
 
 Father. Well then, since the sea appears 
 
118 COLUMBUS. 
 
 to rise, that part of it from which the coast 
 can be discovered is not improperly called the 
 height. Columbus was scarcely arrived at 
 the height of Navidad, when he ordered out 
 the boat, and proceeded to the shore ; but 
 what was his terror to find neither the Span- 
 iards he had left there, nor the fort which had 
 been constructed ! The ruins only remain- 
 ed, with some arms and tools broken in pieces 
 and scattered on the shore. This sight alone 
 told every thing ; and as a confirmation of the 
 melancholy fate of the colonists, eleven of 
 their bodies were found at some distance, 
 bearing evident marks of a violent death. 
 While Columbus and his companions were 
 lamenting the fate of these unfortunate men, 
 and the greater part of the crew were already 
 thinking of the means of revenging on the na- 
 tives the loss of their comrades, the brother of 
 Guakanahari arrived, and gave a circumstan- 
 tial detail of the misfortunes that had befallen 
 the colony. The substance of it was this ; 
 Columbus had no sooner set sail than the 
 Spaniards who remained, forgetting his salu- 
 tary advice and the orders he had left on his 
 departure, instead of conducting themselves 
 towards the natives with that humanity and 
 justice necessary to preserve the profound 
 veneration they had conceived of the Euro- 
 peans, soon gave way to such excess and in- 
 justice, that the Indians easily discovered, that 
 
COtUMBUS« 
 
 119 
 
 far from being better, they were even worse 
 men than those of a darker colour. The of- 
 ficer whom Columbus had appointed their 
 commander, attempted to keep them within 
 bounds, but neither his exhortations or mena- 
 ces had any effect. Disdainfully refusing to 
 obey him, they over-ran the island in the most 
 disorderly manner, desolating it by their ra- 
 pine, and every kind of violence. Their ex- 
 cursions were especially frequent in the dis- 
 trict of the cacique of Cibao, on account of 
 the gold that was found there. This cacique, 
 incensed at their atrocities, at length had re- 
 course to arms, surprized them at the moment 
 when, least expecting danger, they were dis- 
 persed in parties ; and, having invested the 
 fort, set fire to it. Part of the Spaniards lost 
 their lives in defending it ; and the rest, at- 
 tempting to escape in a canoe, perished in the 
 waves. 
 
 The recorder of these sad events added, 
 that his brother, ever the friend of the Span- 
 iards, although exposed to their insults, had 
 taken arms in favour of them, and that in an 
 engagement with the Cacique of Cibao, he had 
 received a wound, which still confined him. 
 Columbus's men, inclined to suspect the truth 
 of the latter part of this recital, were slill de- 
 sirous of taking a bloody vengeance on the 
 natives ; but Columbus himself was too wise 
 and too humane to enter into their views. 
 
120 
 
 COLUMBUS. 
 
 He endeavoured, on the contrary, to convince 
 them of the necessity there was of effecting 
 the establishment of a new colony there ; of 
 reinstating themselves, if it were possible, in 
 the good opinion of ilie natives, and of regain- 
 ing their confidence. With this view he 
 strongly recommended to all his people to 
 condnct themselves with the utmost circum- 
 spection. He then made a visit to the Ca- 
 cique Gnkanahari, whom he really found con- 
 fined by a wound, which did not appear to 
 have been received fi'om an European 
 weapon, but from an Indian one of wood* 
 The frank and steady conduct of the 
 cacique spoke for the truth of his recital, 
 which perfectly agreed with that of his bro- 
 ther. Beside this, anxious to put his sincer- 
 ity beyond all doubt, he presented Columbus 
 with eight hundrefl little shells, to which 
 the Indians attach a great value, a hundred 
 plates of gold, and three calabashes, filled 
 with gold dust, making together about two 
 hundred weiglit. On his side, Columbus pre- 
 sented the cacique with different European 
 baubles, which were not found less agreea- 
 ble. After this interview, Columbus conduct- 
 ed liis peoj)le into a more pleasant and healthy 
 district, resolving to build there, near the 
 mouth of a river, a regular and well fortified 
 town, which should prove a retreat equally 
 secure and commodious to those whom he 
 
COLUMBUS. 121 
 
 should leave behind. No one was suffered to 
 remain an idle spectator of this labour ; and, 
 by the united force of so many hands in a 
 short time the first European city that was 
 founded in tiie New World was completed. 
 Columbus named it Isabella, in honour of his 
 sovereign the Queen of Spain. 
 
 DIALOGUE X. 
 
 Father. While the city of Isabella was 
 building, Columbus had to encounter a thou- 
 sand difficulties, which a mind like his was 
 alone capable of surmounting. The Spaniards, 
 naturally indolent, and rendered more so by 
 a hot climate, murmured at labours, the 
 necessity of which they had been too much 
 elated to foresee. Intoxicated with the most 
 extravagant hopes, they expected to have 
 found, in the New World, treasures ready 
 culled to their hand ; and from the first mo- 
 ment of their arrival to have passed a life of 
 affluence and idleness. How different was 
 the reality I Condemned, like the meanest 
 mechanics, to toil from day to day, exposed 
 to the sultry rays of a scorching sun, add to 
 this, the bad state of the air, which occasion- 
 11 
 
122 COLUMBUS. 
 
 ed frequent diseases, and the want, which 
 now began to be feit, of many conveniences 
 of life, which, inured to the luxuries of 
 Europe, they iaiew not how to relinquish ; 
 the mountains of gold they had promised 
 themselves, they were not even permitted to 
 search for, because their admiral had resolved 
 to See his city finished before they visited the 
 interior of the. country. 
 
 Such were the causes of discontent, which 
 increased every day ; and at length ended in 
 a conspiracy against the life of Columbus. 
 Happily the design was discovered before its 
 execution. The authors of the plot were 
 seized, some were punished, and others were 
 sent to Spain, to be tried for the crime they 
 had projected. 
 
 Columbus, at the same time, requested of 
 the king, as speedily as possible, fresh rein- 
 forcements, as also a supply of provisions. 
 
 In the interim, in order to divert the atten- 
 tion of the malcontents, Columbus selected a 
 large party of his own men, and began his 
 march, with the design of penetrating into the 
 interior of the country. For this he had also 
 another motive, which was, to show the na- 
 tives the superiority of an European army. 
 He advanced, therefore, with his troops in 
 close ranks, the colours flying, and military 
 music playing, making his cavalry, at the same 
 time, perform evolutions that filled the Indiana 
 
COLUMBUS. 123 
 
 with astonishment. They had never before 
 seen horses, and absolutely at first thought the 
 horse and its rider formed but one individual. 
 After this, you may easily suppose the terror 
 this monster, half man and half beast, inspir- 
 ed. The greater part concealed themselves 
 in their cabins, and were simple enough to 
 fancy they were secure, by barricading the 
 entrance with canes. Columbus, for guides, 
 had taken with him some Indians of Guakana- 
 hari's district. These, whenever they arriv- 
 ed at a cabin, entered, and furnished them- 
 selves with whatever they had occasion for, 
 the owners not leaking the least opposition. 
 It might truly he said, that those good peo- 
 ple possessed all things in common. How 
 different from the selfish spirit of the Eu- 
 ropeans I 
 
 Columbus directed his march towards the 
 rich country of Cibao, and found the account 
 which he had received from the natives of the 
 isle confirmed. It is true, they had no open 
 mines, the Indians never having given them- 
 selves the trouble of digging for a metal, of 
 which they knew not the use ; but every riv- 
 ulet presented grains of gold, which had 
 been washed down from the mountains, a 
 certain proof that the mountains themselves 
 contained abundance of this metal. Colum- 
 bus secured the possession of so rich a coun- 
 try, by erecting a fort ; and, having left in it 
 
124 COLVMBOS. 
 
 a small garrison, set out on his return, being 
 anxious to communicate the good tidings to 
 the new colony. On his arrival he found 
 them in a pitialDle stale. They had scarcely 
 any provisions remaining ; they had not yet 
 had sufficient time to cultivate their lands, 
 and the disorders to which they were expos- 
 ed, in a hot and uncultivated country, had 
 made a rapid progress. All expected to 
 perish either by hunger or contagion. All 
 bewailed tlie folly which had led them to sac- 
 rifice their fortunes, their country, and their 
 health, and to seek a miserable death in a 
 foreign land. All joined in cursing the au- 
 thors of their distress ; the seducers, who, in 
 deceiving them by an exaggerated account of 
 its advantages, had engaged them in this un- 
 fortunate enterprize. Even the priest, who 
 had accompanied them from Spain, in quality 
 of chaplain, was at the head of the malcon- 
 tents, and endeavoured to solace his own 
 woes by exclaiming against Columbus. 
 
 Happily this was not the first assault the- 
 heart of that great man had encountered ; his 
 experience, and the innumerable dangers ta 
 which he had already been exposed, armed him 
 with a prudence and fortitude superior to all 
 attacks. He once more quelled the revolt, 
 and restored tranquillity. This end was no 
 sooner gained, than he resolved to set out in 
 pursuit of new discoveries, and accordingly 
 
GODUMBUS. 
 
 125 
 
 appointed Don Diego, his brother, to com- 
 mand in his absence. 
 
 Peter. AVas it the same he sent to Eng- 
 land f 
 
 John. No ; his name was Bartholomew. 
 
 Father. Don Diego was his second bro- 
 ther. 
 
 Frederic. But why was he called Don f 
 
 Father. It is a term of respect used in 
 Spain before the names of persons of rank. 
 
 Frederic. Oh ! I understand. 
 
 Father. Columbus put to sea with two 
 large vessels, and two barks, steering west- 
 ward. The most remarkable of the discove- 
 ries he made in this new voyage, was that of 
 Jamaica. 
 
 John. Which now belongs to the English ? 
 
 Father. The same ; and the most im- 
 portant of their settlements. It is situated be- 
 tween 17° and 15° North lat. and 75** and 
 79° West longitude from London. About 
 140 miles in length, and 60 in breadth, and is 
 near 5000 miles south west from London. 
 The distance from Cuba is 36 leagues, and 
 39 from the western part of St. Domingo. 
 Port Royal was formerly considered as its 
 capital. It was destroyed by an earthquake 
 in the year 1692. Ten years after it was re- 
 built, and again consumed by fire. In 1722 
 it was reduced to a heap of rubbish by a hur- 
 11* 
 
126 COLUMBUS. 
 
 ricane, and again in 1 774. These repeated 
 calamities caused it to be forsaken, and a;^^ 
 town, on the opposite bny, now bears the prer 
 eminence, which is called Kingston. But to 
 proceed — Columbus having cast anchor, at 
 the height of this isle, he sent his boats, welt" 
 manned, to sound the port. 
 
 Charlotte. What does that mean, father ^ 
 
 Father. Nothing more than that they 
 threw out the sounding line, at different 
 places, to see if the water was deep enough to 
 bear the vessels. The boats were soon sur- 
 rounded by a great number of canoes, filled 
 with armed Indians, who attempted to pre- 
 vent their approaching land. The Spaniards 
 having in vain essayed gentle means to dis- 
 suade them from their design, discharged a 
 shower of arrows, which immediately dis- 
 persed them. 
 
 Theophilus. The Spaniards then had not 
 musquets ^ 
 
 Father. The use of fire-arms was not- yet 
 general ; the greater part of the soldiers, 
 therefore, used only bows and arrows. The 
 haven having been found practicable, Colum- 
 bus entered it to repair his vessels, employ- 
 ing the residue of his time in reconnoitrings 
 the country, which, from the nature of the 
 soil, appeared to him, superior to Hispaniola.^ 
 He did not fail to take possession of this alsoj 
 in. the name of his Catholic Majesty, 
 
COLUMBUS. 
 
 127 
 
 Frederic. Who was that ? 
 
 John. Do not you know that the king of 
 Spain is called so ? 
 
 Father. Froin thence he sailed for the 
 isle of Cuhn, which he had before discovered, 
 with the design of examining wiielher it was 
 really an island, or [)art of a continent. From 
 this period he had a succession of difficulties 
 and dangers to encounter, superior to all he 
 had before experienced. Sometimes he had 
 to struggle, in the most perilous parts of an 
 unknown sea, with violent tempests ; some- 
 times he was enclosed between rocks and 
 banks of sand, which every instant threatened 
 the destruction of his vessel ; sometimes he 
 was perplexed in shallows, while the vessels 
 filled with water so rapidly, that the whole 
 strength of the crew, incessantly occupied at 
 the pumps, was scarcely sufficient to keep 
 them afloat ; sometimes he suffered, with his 
 men, the .severest hunger and thirst ; and 
 when, by a happy turn, they procured re- 
 freshments, he was always the last to reap 
 the benefit, ever being more anxious for oth- 
 ers than himself. He had also to combat the 
 discontent and despair of his men, who, by 
 the most bitter reproaches, revenged the evils 
 they suffered under his command, although 
 he so generously shared all the privations and 
 toils of which they complained. Represent 
 to yourselves, my children, this great man, 
 
128 COLUMBUS. 
 
 ever calm nnd unshaken in the midst of dan- 
 ger, endeavouring, by his arguments and ex- 
 ample, to inspire hope, and raise the droop- 
 ing courage of his companions 5 and judge 
 from your own feelings, whether the obser- 
 vation of an ancient author is not just, viz. 
 that there is not a nobler si2;ht in nature than 
 a good man struggling with ill fortune. In 
 the various descents Columbus made on Cuba, 
 he learned, from the natives, that it was real- 
 ly an island. Some parts of it swarmed so 
 with birds and caterpillars, as to obstruct the 
 light of the sun, and to render the day as dark 
 as it is with us in the blackest tempest. On 
 the northern side he found several small 
 islands scattered, to which he gave the name 
 of the Queen's Garden. One day, sailing 
 among these little islands, he met a canoe, 
 containing some Indians, whose singular mode 
 of fishing deserves to be related. They em- 
 ploy, for this purpose certain fish, about the 
 size of the herring, called kives, whose teeth 
 are reported to be extremely sharp. One of 
 them is tied by the tail to a string, and thrown, 
 into the sea, when the fish immediately as it. 
 sees another, attacks it vigorously with its 
 teeth, and the fishermen draw out their prey« 
 They saw a tortoise of an hundred pounds 
 weight taken in this manner, the fish keeping; 
 so strong a hold with his teeth, that one could 
 not be drawn out without the other. As soois 
 
COLUMBUS. 129 
 
 as the fishermen saw the boats which preced- 
 ed the vessel, they made signs to them, fa- 
 miliarly, not to advance farther. This was 
 complied with ; and when they had taken the 
 tortoise, they came on board to present their 
 capture to the admiral, who in return for this 
 mark of respect, presented them with some 
 European trifles, which he knew would please 
 them. 
 
 While Columbus coasted the isles, in the 
 neighbourhood of Cuba, he observed a singu- 
 lar phoenomenon, which should not be passed 
 over in silence ; it was that the surface of the 
 sea, to the astonishment of the crew, appear- 
 ed in some places s[)otted with green and 
 white, in others, white as milk, and in others, 
 perfectly black. This singular appearance 
 could not be accounted for. At length, after 
 a long and perdous navigation, among rocks 
 and sand-banks, they again cast anchor on 
 the coast of Cuba, where they landed- An 
 old cacique arrived at the moment divine ser- 
 vice was performing publicly before an altar 
 they had erected on the shore. He observed 
 all that passed in respectful silence, and when 
 they had concluded, modestly presented the 
 admiral with some fruit of the island. Then 
 being seated on the ground, he placed his 
 chin upon his knees, and, in that posture pro- 
 nounced, in a firm voice, a discourse, which 
 
130 COLUMBUS. 
 
 was translated to tho admiral, nearly in these 
 terms : 
 
 " Tiiou art arrived in countries which ihou 
 hast never before seen, with a force which 
 spreads terror among us; learn, nevertheless, 
 that we acknowledge, in the life to come, two 
 places for the residence of spirits, one filled 
 with terror and darkness, which is the portion 
 of the wicked, the other, happy and tranquil, 
 where the spirits of those who love peace, and 
 the good of mankind, will repose. If thou al- 
 so believest, that the good or evil which thou 
 doest here will be rendered to thee in the 
 next life, I trust thou wilt do no injury to 
 those who will do thee none. What thou 
 hast hitherto done is blameless ; since it ap- 
 pears that thy design has been to return 
 thanks to a superior power." 
 
 The admiral replied, that he was delighted 
 to find that he believed in the immortality of 
 the soul ; that far from intending to injure 
 the natives, his master, the King of Spain, . 
 had sent him on the most praiseworthy mo- 
 tives, to cultivate friendship and harmony 
 among the different islanders who were peace- 
 ably inclined, and to correct those, who, like 
 the Caribees, were savage and inhuman. 
 
 The cacique, to whom this answer was ex- 
 plained, was affected even to tears, and caus- 
 ed the admiral to be told, that if affection for 
 his wife and children did not detain him, he 
 
COtVMBUS. 131 
 
 would voluntarily make a voyage to Spain 
 with him. His admiration was increased 
 when Columbus presented him with some Eu- 
 ropean trinkets, and falling upon his knees, 
 he enquired several times whether the stran- 
 gers were not descended from Heaven. 
 
 The continued and extraordinary exertions 
 of mind, which Columbus had undergone for 
 some time past, produced at length the most 
 fatal effects on his heahh. A universal de- 
 bility seized his whole frame, attended with a 
 want of rest, whicli, in a short time, impaired 
 his memory. In this melancholy state, as 
 there was great reason to fear for his recove- 
 ry, he set out for Isabella, where Providence 
 had prepared an event which contributed more 
 to his recovery than all the resources of med- 
 icine ; this was no less than the arrival of 
 Don Bartholomew, the best beloved of all his 
 brothers, who had brought from Spain the 
 succours he demanded. A similarity of dis- 
 position, and a cultivation of the same talents, 
 had tenderly endeared these two brothers to 
 each other ; you may judge, therefore, with 
 .what transport they threw themselves into 
 each other's arms, after a separation of thir- 
 teen years ! 1 have already informed you, 
 Bartholomew had been sent to make propo- 
 sals to the King of England, who had approv- 
 ed them ; he was returning to Spain with 
 these agreeable tidings, but in his way, touch- 
 
132 COLUMBUS. 
 
 ing at France, learned that Columbus had al- 
 ready put his project in execution. Rejoiced 
 at this information, he hastened his voyage to 
 Spain, in the hope, at least, of making one in 
 his second expedition ; but on his arrival he 
 found that he had already sailed. 
 
 At the invitation of the king, he repaired 
 to court, where he was received with all the 
 honours due to the brother of the man who 
 had discovered a n5w world. Some time af- 
 ter, when despatches were received from Co- 
 lumbus, descril)ing his embarrassment and 
 want of immediate succours, Bartholomew 
 was nominated to carry them; and he, to 
 whom fraternal love might truly be said to 
 have lent wings, acquitted himself of so agree- 
 able a commission with the utmost diligence. 
 
 He could not have arrived at a more criti- 
 cal moment ; the presence of a brother so ac- 
 tive, so courageous, and so dearly beloved, 
 was a stroke of good fortune, without which 
 Columbus had probably been lost with his 
 whole colony. A happiness so imexpected 
 speedily restored his health, and rendered 
 him capable of preventing the approaching 
 ruin of his infant establishment. The great- 
 est disorder had taken place during his ab- 
 sence : two-thirds of the colony were become 
 the victims of the epidemic disorders which 
 commonly reign in that climate. Margarita, 
 to whom Columbus had confided the com- 
 
COLUMBUS. 133 
 
 mand of the troops, had revolted, and not be- 
 ing able to attain his ends, departed for Spain 
 in one of the vessels, with Father Boyle, the 
 accomplice in his revolt ; while his disbanded 
 troops were dispersed in small parties over all 
 the country, committing every kind of injus- 
 tice and violence on the islanders, who, in- 
 censed by ill treatment, converted their pa- 
 tience into rage, and uniting in a large body 
 massacred several of the Spanish banditti. 
 These unfortunate events threatened the total 
 destruction of the colony. The worst part 
 was, that the Indians, formerly so tranquil and 
 pacific, were at length become sensible of the 
 misfortunes that awaited them. Warned by 
 experience, they extended their views to the 
 future, and saw with alarm that if these stran- 
 gers, once so revered, continued long in the 
 island, famine and slavery must inevitably be 
 the consequence. The indolent and inactive 
 life which they habitually led, together with 
 the heat of the climate, made a very small 
 portion of food necessary ; a handful of 
 maize and a litde cassava* sufficed them. 
 
 * The cassava or manioc Is an American plant, which grows 
 to the height of about four feet. It has large leaves, and a 
 thick stem ; the form of its root resembles the red beet, and is 
 about five or six inches in diameter. In its crude state it has 
 an unpleasant taste, and is unwholesome 5 but when bruised 
 
 12 
 
184 COLUMBUS. 
 
 They saw therefore with infinite surprize that 
 a Spaniard consumed at a single meal more 
 than four of their own people could eat in the 
 whole day. This apparently ravenous appe- 
 tite gave birth to the idea, that the Europeans, 
 had taken so long a voyage for no other rea- 
 son than that of having absolutely consumed 
 all the provisions of their own country ; and 
 that like insects they were obliged to emigrate 
 in order to satisfy their voracity. From 
 hence they drew the inference, that the pro- 
 duce of their isle would not long suffice for 
 them and their rapacious guests ; and that a 
 general famine would not fail shortly to re- 
 duce them to the most cruel extremities. 
 This consideration, together with the violence 
 they daily experienced from the Spaniards, 
 convinced them they must either throw off the 
 yoke immediately, or submit to it for ever. 
 They had the courage to attempt the first, and 
 accordingly took up arms, united under their 
 caciques, and by the junction of these differ- 
 ent powers formed a numerous army. 
 
 Such was the state of things when Colum- 
 bus returned to Isabella. All was in confu- 
 sion, all announced war and carnage. The 
 whole nation of Haitians, except Guakana- 
 
 or pounded, a mealy substance, like flour is taken from it, 
 which dried in the sun, or by firC; furnishes little cakes that 
 are very nutrive and pleasant. 
 
COLUMBUS. 135 
 
 hari, who remained constantly attached to the 
 Spaniards, was under arms, and ready to fall 
 upon the handful of men who oppressed them. 
 Their numbers, it is said, amounted to a hun- 
 dred thousand warriors. 
 
 Columbus felt less the danger which threat- 
 ened him and his colony, than the injustice 
 by which the Christians under his command 
 had animated the peaceable Indians against 
 them. The delightful hopes he had forrtfed 
 of inclining these poor unenlightened Pagans, 
 by a gentle and affectionate conduct, first to 
 venerate, and then to embrace the Christian 
 religion, were now no more ; and he saw 
 himself reduced to the cruel necessity of 
 making a horrid slaughter among men who 
 sought only the security of their property, 
 their liberty, and their lives, against a band of 
 robbers , a sad alternative for a man so just 
 and humane as Columbus ! 
 
 In this deplorable situation he received a 
 visit from the faithful Guakanahari, who came 
 to testify the part he took in his misfortunes, 
 and to offer him succours. This unshaken 
 friend of the Spaniards, by protecting them as 
 he really had done, had incurred the hatred 
 of all the other caciques, insomuch that neces- 
 sity and inclination equally led him to side 
 with the Europeans. Columbus expressed 
 towards him the warmest gratitude, and each 
 began to set his troops in motion. Prepare 
 
136 COLUMBUS. 
 
 yourselves now, my children, for the first scene 
 of war in America ; for a scene which was 
 the beginning of all those horrid tragedies 
 that have since deluged that unfortunate 
 country witli blood. But an event of such 
 importance should be the subject of a sepa- 
 rate conversation. 
 
 DIALOGUE XI. 
 
 The next day their father a|)peared at the 
 usual hour, but with so gloomy an aspect, that 
 all eyes were immediately fixed on him ; and 
 throughout the little circle there reigned an 
 anx^ious silence, which no one ventured to in- 
 terrupt. At length their father, in a tone of 
 voice, which ex|)res3ed how much he was af- 
 fected, addressed them in these words : — 
 
 Oh, my children ! why cannot 1 now draw 
 the curtain and conceal from you forever the 
 atrocities that have been committed in the 
 New World ? But why should I conceal 
 them ? Soon or late you must know them ; 
 for the voice of innocence and humanity cries 
 aloud, and will announce to the remotest pos- 
 terity the injustice and barbarity of which the 
 Christians have been guilty towards their in- 
 
COLWMBUS^ 137 
 
 offensive brethren, the poor Indians. I will 
 without disguise, then, acquaint you with 
 these horrid facts, that you may learn to ab- 
 hor the cruelty men are capable of when they 
 resign themselves to their passions, or, re- 
 nouncing the use of reason, debase themselves 
 to the level of brutes. 
 
 The two armies were already in sight of 
 each other, and the dreadful moment ap- 
 proached which was to decide upon the life 
 of the Spaniards and the liberty of the Indians. 
 On one side a hundred thousand Indians ap- 
 peared armed with clubs, wooden scimitars, 
 pikes, and arrows, the points of which were 
 formed of fish bones or flints. On the other, 
 two hundred foot and twenty European horse 
 were supported by a small body of Indians 
 under the command of Guakanahari ; but 
 what this handful of Europeans wanted in 
 numbers was added in military discipline — 
 weapons, horse, and — shall I speak it — 
 even in dogs ! 
 
 Charlotte. Dogs ! 
 
 Father. Yes, my child. They had 
 brought a number of mastiffs to let loose upon 
 the poor naked Indians, in the same manner 
 as is usual against wild boars and beasts of 
 prey. 
 
 Charlotte. Oh, shameful ! This was not 
 attacking them like men. 
 12* 
 
138 
 
 COLUMBUS. 
 
 Father. The danger, therefore, you see, 
 was nearly equal on the side of the Europeans 
 and that of the Indians, and consequently the 
 issue of the battle difficult to foresee. Co- 
 lumbus made choice of night for the horrid 
 scene he was preparing ; hoping that dark- 
 ness would increase the terror with which the 
 Indians would necessarily be seized on an un- 
 expected attack. Night therefore being 
 come, and his little army divided between his 
 brother Bartholomew, the cacique Guakana- 
 hari, and himself, he fell upon the Indians at 
 the moment they least expected the attack. 
 The shouts aud fury of the assailants, the 
 noise of the fire-arms, the neighing of the 
 horses, the barking of the dogs, struck the 
 Indians with such consternation and terror, 
 that, after a slight resistance, they fled in dis- 
 order and dismay. Some fell by the mus- 
 quetry, some by the sword ; others were 
 trodden down by horses, or torn by the dogs; 
 and others made prisoners ; the residue fled 
 to the forests. Thus the die was cast, and 
 these inoiTensive people constrained to bend 
 beneath the yoke of European slavery ! Co- 
 lumbus, profiting by his victory, over-ran the 
 whole country, the inhabitants of which, in 
 every district, submitted to him without the 
 least resistance ; and thus, in the course of a 
 few months, was this populous isle entirely 
 subjected to Spain. 
 
COLUMBUS. 139 
 
 John, Well, father, Guakanahari is not 
 the man for me. 
 
 Father. How so ? 
 
 John. Because he joined with the Span- 
 iards against his own country. 
 
 Father. But do you not admire the stead- 
 iness of his friendship ? 
 
 John. Certainly I do, father ; in that re- 
 spect I am much pleased with him ; but he 
 ought also to have been faithful to his coun- 
 trymen, nay, more so than to the Spaniards ; 
 he should, therefore, either not have interfer- 
 ed in the quarrel, or have ranged himself on 
 the side of the Indians. 
 
 Father. (To the others.) Do you hear 
 what John says ? How does it appear to 
 you f 
 
 The Children. That is right. 
 Father. In fact, I am of the same opin- 
 ion 5 but it is very hazardous to form a de- 
 cisive judgment of an affair, when the great- 
 er part of the circumstances are perhaps un- 
 known. Can we tell whether the Indians 
 might not, in some rencounter or other, have 
 commenced hostilities against the Spaniards f 
 Do we know if their depredations, on the 
 other hand, in some districts, had come to the 
 knowledge of Guakanahari ^ Might he not 
 consider it advantageous, for the whole na- 
 tion, that a man so wise, powerful, and hu- 
 mane, as he conceived Columbus, should bo- 
 
140 eOLUMBUS. 
 
 come their common chief f 1 do not howev- 
 er say this to justify his conduct ; for what 
 man can ever be justified in taking arms 
 against his country ? I mean simply to show, 
 that Guakanahari might have been actuated 
 by a noble motive ; and, in that case, he rath- 
 er merits our pity than resentment. But let 
 us now return to Columbus. Hitherto we 
 have seen him act only in such a manner as 
 to inspire our admiration, and conciliate our 
 friendship ; but still he was man. Prepare, 
 therefore, to behold him in his turn degene- 
 rate ; and may you from thence learn, that it 
 is necessary for man, how strong soever may 
 be his propensities to virtue, to keep a strict 
 guard on his heart and actions, lest he stum- 
 ble at the moment he reach the goal, and lose 
 the crown which animated him to enter the 
 course. Margarita and father Boyle, Colum- 
 bus's sworn enemies, were, by this time, ar- 
 rived in Spain. He was sensible they would 
 spare no pains to persuade the king, who was 
 naturally inclined to suspicion, that the dis- 
 coveries made were of little importance ; in 
 consequence, he saw a storm gathering, which 
 would inevitably overwhelm him, if not time- 
 ly dispersed. The only probable means of 
 eav^ctiiig this was, to send the king a consid- 
 erable quantity of gold, as a specimen of the 
 riches he had given him reason to expect as 
 the fruit of his discoveries ; and for this pur- 
 
COLUMBUS. 141 
 
 pose he imposed an enormous tax, on the un- 
 fortunate Indians. 
 
 Frederic. What is meant by a tax ? 
 
 Father. That which the inhabitants of a 
 country are obhged to pay their prince, or 
 those wiio govern them, for the protection 
 liiey enjoy ; it is also called a tribute. Co- 
 kunbiis, therefore, commanded such of the 
 subdued Indians as inliabiled the districts 
 where gold was found to bring him, every 
 three months, a certain quantity of that metal, 
 and the others to remit him, each, twenty- 
 five pounds of cotton ; a demand much great- 
 er than these poor people were capable of 
 furnishing. Accustomed, from infancy, to an 
 indolent inactive life, it was insupportable to 
 them to be forced as slaves, to toil the whole 
 day in pursuit of gold and cotton ; produc- 
 tions which, by these very means, must ne- 
 cessarily diminish from week to week. But 
 it was in vain for them to complain ; the or- 
 der was given, and the obdurate Europeans 
 pressed the execution of it with the utmost 
 rigour. Here we lose sight of the humanity 
 wiiich has hither to distinguished Columbus. 
 
 John. But necessity obliged him. 
 
 Father. Necessity ! And what necessi- 
 ty, I pray you, should force the just and vir- 
 tuous man to deviate from the principles of 
 rectitude and humanity ? Is it virtue to per- 
 form our duty as long only as we find it ac- 
 
142 COLUMBUS. 
 
 cord with our temporal interest f True vir- 
 tue, as I have often told you, demands sacri- 
 fices. She requires a willing obedience to 
 her precepts, even when we are certain that 
 our compliance will be prejudicial to us, and 
 that it will draw down the loss of repose, for- 
 tune, honour, nay, even of life itself. What- 
 ever may be my inclination, therefore, to jus- 
 tify Columbus, it is absolutely impossible. 
 The voice of truth which is against him, ex- 
 claiming more powerfully in my heart than 
 the pleadings of friendship, which would ex- 
 cuse his first error; and I cannot forbear con- 
 fessing to youj that his conduct, in this in- 
 stance, was merely selfish, and wholly con- 
 trary to the principles of Christian charity. 
 
 JVlother. But let us not forget, my dear, 
 that fatigues, and a severe malady, had enfee- 
 bled the body and mind of poor Columbus. 
 His intellectual faculties might not yet have 
 regained their native vigour. 
 
 Father. Your observation, my dear, is 
 just. How easy is it, in passing judgment on 
 our fellow-creatures, to forget those circum- 
 stances that may palliate their errors !^ I 
 take shame to myself for not having made the 
 
 * Circumstances may extenuate, but cannot palliate cruelty 
 and oppression. Our own corporeal and mental sufferings 
 should rather teach us humanity, or we profit but little in the 
 school of adversity, 
 
COLUMBUS. 143 
 
 observation before ; it will teach me, in fu- 
 ture, to be more circumspect, and do you, my 
 children, also take warning by my error. The 
 yoke under which the poor Indians groaned 
 was insupportable ; from habit, naturally indo- 
 lent, they were not in a condition to furnish 
 the quantity of gold and cotton to the amount 
 of which they had been taxed ; the rigour with 
 which this was nevertheless exacted, made 
 them at length have recourse to an expedient 
 which despair alone could have suggested. 
 From the idea they had formed of the vorac- 
 ity of the Europeans, it appeared to them 
 practicable, by ceasing to sow their fields with 
 maize and manioc, in a short time to force 
 them, by famine, to evacuate the island. They 
 united, therefore, unanimously, in destroying 
 the seeds which were already put into the 
 ground, and withdrew into their inaccessible 
 mountains, where, for their own subsistence, 
 they had recourse only to wild fruits and 
 roots. But, oh, my children ! lament with 
 me the misfortune of these victims of oppres- 
 sion, who soon fell the sacrifices to their own 
 plan. It was not long before they themselves 
 experienced all the rigour of that famine which 
 they had prepared for their oppressors. A 
 considerable part died of hunger, another was 
 carried off by epidemic maladies, the insepar- 
 able consequence of famine ; and the re- 
 mainder were so exhausted, that they found 
 
144 COLUMBUS. 
 
 themselves, less than ever, in a condition to 
 support the burden under which they groan- 
 ed. With respect to the Spaniards, they 
 doubtless suffered also from the execution of 
 this desperate project ; but by their own ex- 
 ertions, and a fresh supply of provisions, 
 which arrived from Europe, they were very 
 soon guaranteed from an absolute scarcity. 
 Thus did the unfortunate Indians lose, for 
 ever, the hope of delivering themselves from 
 their obdurate tyrants. 
 
 In the mean time the storm, which had 
 been gathering afar, burst over the head of 
 Columbus. Margarita and Father Boyle, 
 upon their arrival in Spain, had drawn so 
 mean a picture of the countries he had dis- 
 covered, and had represented his conduct in 
 such odious colours, that they did not fail to 
 inspire the king with strong suspicions re- 
 specting him. In consequence of this, it was 
 resolved to send to the West Indies a commis- 
 sioner, invested with full powers to examine 
 into the state of affairs, and also into the con- 
 duct of Columbus. The person chosen to 
 fill this office was far from possessing the rec- 
 titude and abilities necessary to the execution 
 of an affair of such importance, having been 
 proposed by the enemies oi Columbus, mere- 
 ly as one who would enter into their views, 
 and further their perfidious designs. His 
 
COLUMBUS. 145 
 
 name was Agiiado, and he was gentleman 
 usher to the queen. 
 
 Puffed up with his own importance, this 
 vain man no sooner arrived at Hispaniola 
 than he made the admiral feel the authority 
 with which he was invested ; he treated him 
 with the most insulting haughtiness, summon- 
 ing to his tribunal all who had comphiints 
 against him, both Spaniards and Indians. 
 Every accusation brought by the malcontents 
 was seized with avidity, to compose a picture 
 proper to represent as a monster the man he 
 had doomed to destruction. The temper of 
 Columbus, as we have frequently seen, was 
 not irritable ; he had been accustomed to 
 bear, — but the mortification which he ex- 
 perienced from the arrogance of Aguado tried 
 his patience to the utmost. He resolved, 
 therefore, to depart for Spain, that he might 
 in person plead his cause at the tribunal of 
 the king and queen, and submit it to the de- 
 cision of their majesties. With this view he 
 appointed his brother Bartholomew, Adelan- 
 tado (or Vice Governor,) to command in the 
 island during his absence ; but unfortunately 
 he constituted Chief Justice, Roldan, a man, 
 as you will find, totally unworthy that author- 
 ity from his great abuse of it. To accelerate 
 his voyage, he sailed with a direct wind for 
 Spain, little conceiving how much this course 
 
 O 
 
146 COLUMBl/S* 
 
 would retard him. Poor Columbus was 
 obliged to learn by experience what no mar- 
 iner is now ignorant of, viz. that this naviga- 
 tion is subject to a thousand difficulties, on ac- 
 count of the trade winds, which in this part of 
 the sea blow almost constantly from the east. 
 It is now well known, that vessels on their re- 
 turn from the West Indies must first steer to 
 the north, to avoid these contrary winds. He 
 soon felt the inconvenience of the course he 
 had chosen ; but not being accustomed to 
 yield to difficulties, he did not pursue it with 
 less constancy. This navigation however was 
 so extremely tedious, that at the end of three 
 months he was still in the open sea, nor could 
 flatter himself with verging towards the end 
 of his toilsome voyage ; and the vexation he 
 experienced on this account was increased by 
 the melancholy observation, that their provis- 
 ions were nearly consumed. It became ab- 
 solutely necessary, therefore, to put his men 
 upon so short an allowance of bread, as 
 scarcely to be sufficient to afford them nour- 
 ishment. Columbus himself, according to his 
 usual custom, invariably observed the same 
 regimen, that no one might have a right to 
 complain. Even this economy did not pre- 
 vent their small store of provisions from di- 
 minishing, insomuch that the distress and de- 
 spair of the crew increased daily. Hunger 
 soon rendered the sailors outrageous, and 
 
COLUMBUS. 147 
 
 suggested to them the horrid design of killing 
 the Indians who were on board and eating 
 them ; or, if this was not permitted, to throw 
 them into the sea, at least, that they might not 
 share with them the miserable remnant of 
 their provisions. But in this extremity Co- 
 lumbus did not swerve from that humanity, 
 which originally formed one of the most noble 
 traits of his character ; he refused with tirm- 
 ness to consent to their design, representing to 
 them that the unfortunate Indians were men 
 as well as themselves, and that, participating 
 in the common distress, they had a right to 
 their share of the little food that remained. 
 By these and .similar remonstrances, he for 
 some time calmed their impatience ; and be- 
 fore they had time to resume such inhuman 
 sentiments, Providence interposed and discov- 
 ered to them the coast of Spain. 
 
 Mathias. Heaven be praised ! I was ter- 
 ribly afraid. 
 
 Theophilus. And so was I ; I trembled 
 for the poor Indians ! 
 
 Father. Rejoice then, that Columbus has 
 a second time escaped destruction, and may 
 this agreeable idea attend you to bed ! 
 
 The Children. There now, this is always 
 the way — Father has finished already, 
 
148 
 
 DIALOGUE XII. 
 
 Father. Let us now see, my children, 
 without further delay, what reception Colum- 
 bus this time had in Spain. With equal for- 
 titude and modesty he appeared before the 
 throne to defend himself against the calum- 
 nies of his accusers. But scarcely had he 
 need of justification, his presence alone rein- 
 spiring his august judges with the same es- 
 teem they had formerly entertained for his 
 merits, and at the same time overwhelming 
 them with shame for their credulity. When, 
 however, he produced the specimens of the 
 valuable productions of the newly-discovered 
 countries, every suspicion was intirely dissi- 
 pated, and they hastened to make him amends, 
 by the most distinguished honours, for the af- 
 front he had experienced. Thus, my chil- 
 dren, will innocence and true merit, soon or 
 late, triumph over the attempts of vile tra- 
 ducers* Provided all be right here (laying 
 his hand on his heart,) the calumnies of the 
 wicked are not to be feared. Fogs may 
 sometimes disrobe the sun of its glory ; but 
 sooner or later they will disappear, and the 
 day resume its original splendour. From 
 this time all that Columbus proposed was 
 
COLUMBUS. 
 
 149 
 
 agreed to ; but his first care was the colony- 
 he had formed in Hispaniola. In order to 
 give it a permanent stability, he procured per- 
 mission of the king to send over as many men 
 and as great a supply of provisions as he 
 thought necessary ; more especially, a suf- 
 ficient number of husbandmen, mechanics, 
 and artists of all kinds, that the colony might 
 derive from itself the necessaries indispensa- 
 ble to the support and comfort of life. Thus 
 far his demands were reasonable ; but the 
 proposition that succeeded was not equally 
 worthy of his usual discernment. That Spain 
 might not be depopulated by supplying the 
 new colonies, he proposed clearing the pris- 
 ons, and transporting the malefactors con- 
 demned to death, or to the galleys, to His- 
 paniola 5 there to be employed in exploring 
 the mines. This also was approved, and or- 
 ders issued to all the Spanish tribunals, to de^ 
 liver up the criminals actually detained, and 
 thenceforth to condemn to transportation all 
 whose crimes should merit a capital punish* 
 ment. But can you tell, my children, why I 
 have represented this measure aa unworthy 
 the discernment of Columbus ? 
 
 Several of the Children exclaim^ I know !. 
 — I know ! 
 
 Father. Henry, tell me your opinion. 
 
 Henry. Why, I think, father, that sending 
 13^ 
 
150 COLUMBUS. 
 
 SO many bad subjects to the West Indies must 
 increase the disorders of the new colony ; be- 
 sides, such wicked men might by degrees in- 
 fect the good, and then Columbus would have 
 a colony of rogues. 
 
 John, To be sure he would ; and the sav- 
 ages seeing such depraved characters among 
 the Christians, would be little inclined to em- 
 brace their religion. 
 
 Father, I am delighted that you have so 
 exactly entered into my sentiments. Sad ex- 
 perience has proved that these fears were not 
 chimerical ; but you will be sensible of this 
 hereafter. At present let us return to Co- 
 lumbus. Notwithstanding the orders which 
 the king had given for the speedy execution 
 of all that he proposed, the equipment of the 
 fleet went on very slowly. This was occa- 
 sioned by the enemies of Columbus, who had 
 for the most part the charge of executing the 
 king's orders. These base men, seeing they 
 had no longer any means left of doing him a 
 personal injury, resolved, as much as was in 
 their power at least, to retard him in his glo- 
 rious career. All therefore that depended on 
 them was performed with the greatest negli- 
 gence, — they took care that he should want 
 first one thing, then another, till, by their re- 
 peated delays, a whole year elapsed before 
 the equipment of the two vessels, that were to 
 carry provisions and supplies to the new colo- 
 
COLUMBUS. 151 
 
 ny, was completed ; and when at length these 
 transports had sailed, Columbus had the vex- 
 ation of waiting another year before he could 
 put to sea with the little squadron destined to 
 the pursuit of fresh discoveries. 
 
 Charlotte. Pray, father, what kind of 
 vessels are those called transports ? 
 
 Father. They are adapted solely to the 
 conveyance of men, provisions, and other 
 things from one place to another ; conse- 
 quently are unfit for any warlike expedition. 
 But do you know, Charlotte, what is meant 
 by a squadron ? 
 
 Charlotte. Yes, father ; you explained it 
 to us when we were reading the Gazette. Is 
 it not an assemblage of several vessels ? 
 
 Father. You are right ; but if the vessels 
 are very numerous, it is then called a fleet. 
 
 John. And if the fleet be very small, it is 
 called a flotilla.* 
 
 Ferdinand. A flotilla and a squadron are 
 the same thing. 
 
 Father. Nearly. The difference is, that 
 the word squadron is sometimes used for a 
 considerable fleet ; whereas by flotilla, we al- 
 ways understand a very small number of ves- 
 sels. The squadron equipped for Columbus 
 consisted only of six sail. 
 
 * This term is peculiar to the Spanish navy. 
 
152 COLUMBUS. 
 
 Prederic. How many sails has a vessel, 
 father ? 
 
 Father. Several, as I think you must have 
 already observed ; but when we say that a 
 squadron has six sail, we do not speak of the 
 sail as of a sheet, but of as many entire ves- 
 sels, each carrying several sails. In this voy- 
 aye Columbus purposed to take a new course, 
 in which he hoped to discover the continent 
 which he supposed to be India. With this 
 view, having touched at the Canaries, he con- 
 tinued steering in the same direction to the 
 Cape Verd Isles, discovered by the Portu- 
 guese. You have not forgotten the situation 
 of these islands ? 
 
 Theopkilus. Forgotten them, father l 
 No ; here they are (pointing them out on the 
 map,) just under the Canary Isles, opposite 
 Cape Verd. 
 
 Father. Very well ; but I have not in- 
 formed you, that, on leaving the Canaries, 
 Columbus sent one half of his vessels bearing 
 the necessary supplies to the colony at His- 
 paniola, giving strict orders to the command- 
 ers to accelerate their course as much as pos- 
 sible. For himself, having passed the first of 
 the Cape Verd Islands, called the Isle of Sal 
 or Salt, he cast anchor near a small sterile 
 isle, into which the Portuguese then sent their 
 leprous for the re-establishment of their 
 health. 
 
COLUMBUS. 153 
 
 Christian. How so ? 
 
 Father. On account of the tortoises, 
 which come in great numbers from the coast 
 of Africa to deposite their eggs in the sands ; 
 for the blood and flesh of these animals, the 
 one employed to wash with, and the other as 
 aliment, are found to be a specific remedy 
 against the leprosy. Those Portuguese, 
 therefore, who were afflicted with that loatli- 
 some malady were sent thither to be healed, 
 these tortoises being easily taken on account 
 of their unwieldy form, which renders it ne- 
 cessary only to turn them on their backs to 
 prevent their escape. Excepting these ani- 
 mals, nothing is found in the island but a pro- 
 digious quantity of goats, which have all been 
 produced from eight European goats which 
 a Portuguese formerly conveyed thither. 
 There was neither tree nor fresh water ; the 
 poor inhabitants, therefore, 1 should say the 
 lepers, who awaited their cure, were reduced 
 to the necessity of drinking the standing rain 
 water, which they collected in the sands ; on 
 which account only seven })ersons were found 
 in good health. 
 
 FrOm thence Columbus continued sailing 
 to the south, being resolved not to turn to the 
 west till he should arrive at the equator or 
 line, that imaginary circle which divides the 
 globe of earth into equal parts ; but having 
 advanced to the third degree of north lati- 
 
154 COLUMBU*. 
 
 tude — You now, I think, all know what this 
 means ? 
 
 JVichoIas. Yes, father ; Columbus was 
 not more than three degrees, or three times 
 sixty-nine English miles and a hali' from the 
 line. 
 
 Father. Justly observed. Having sailed 
 to this point, he was retarded by a dead calm, 
 insomuch that the vessels remained stationary. 
 In the mean while, the rays of the sun falling 
 perpendicularly, caused a heat so intense as 
 to be quite insupportable. The casks split, 
 the provisions and water putrified, and the 
 crew in the deepest despair, expected every 
 instant to see the vessel catch fire. Here 
 again, my children, was a situation to try the 
 fortitude of Columbus. His own uneasiness, 
 and the despair of his pusillanimous compan- 
 ions, were added to a painful fit of the gout, 
 under which he laboured at that time, brought 
 on by too great application and excessive fa-- 
 tigue. Imagine therefore that you behold him 
 a prey to the most excruciating pains, agitated 
 by the idea of the dangerous state of his ves- 
 sel, burnt by a scorching sun, and without a 
 drop of fresh water to revive him. What an 
 accumulation of ills ! How much does he 
 deserve our compassion ! 
 
 Heaven at length had pity on the excess 
 of his misery ; for rain shortly after fell in 
 such quantities, that scarcely any one couM 
 
COLUMBUS. 
 
 155 
 
 remain on deck. The heat it is true continu- 
 ed with little abatement ; but the rain furnish- 
 ed them with a cooling beverage. The calm 
 which had caused them so much eneasiness 
 at the same time ceasing, hope once more re- 
 vived in the breasts of his almost expiring 
 companions, who earnestly entreated him not 
 to persist any longer in his design of running 
 to the south. Columbus, yielding to their 
 intreaties, tacked about to the west, and had 
 for several days steered in this direction, 
 when on a sudden from the top-mast was 
 heard the joyful cry of " Land ! Land !" 
 This sound was like celestial music to the ears 
 of the famished and fatigued navigators, who, 
 struggling against a thousand evils, had so long 
 been tossed between sky and water. The 
 isle now discovered bore the figure of three 
 mountains ; from whence Columbus gave it 
 the name of Trinidad !* which it has pre- 
 served to this day. Here it is (showing it on 
 the map,) not far from the mouth of the river 
 Oronoko. 
 
 Frederic. Ah ! the country where those 
 droll monkeys are found. 
 
 Father. Of what monkeys do you speak ? 
 
 Frederic. Those, father, that are caught 
 in such a whimsical manner. 
 
 Father. Well, tell us how it is performed. 
 
 * Now belonging to England. 
 
156 COLUMBUS. 
 
 Frederic. I have read, father, that a bot- 
 tle of maize is placed under a tree in the 
 woods they frequent ; and when the hunts- 
 man is retired, one of the monkeys comes 
 down and puts in his paw, which, when filled 
 with maize, cannot be withdrawn at the mouth 
 of the bottle. You perliaps imagine, that 
 when the huntsmen appear the monkey will 
 let go the maize, and make his escape ; but 
 such is his folly and fondness for the dainty, 
 that he will sooner suffer himself to be knock- 
 ed down than relinquish his prize. 
 
 Mother. Are not these monkeys gluttons.'* 
 
 Frederic. They are, indeed, mother. 
 
 Mother. But are there not monkeys of 
 the same stamp in this country ^ 
 
 Frederic. Oh, no, mother ; not here. 
 
 Mother. The monkeys I speak of, I con- 
 fess, do not go on four legs ; but should any 
 little two-legged creature be so greedy as to 
 disorder his stomach, and expose himself to 
 sickness, rather than restrain his appetite, 
 what judgment would you pass upon him .'' 
 — would he not be as great a glutton as the 
 monkey f 
 
 Frederic. Ah ! mother, mother, you have 
 certainly an eye on me. 
 
 Mother. Does the cap fit you, Frederic ^ 
 
 Frederic. Well, mother, 1 will never in- 
 dulge my appetite any more. I promise — 
 mind — I call you all to witness. 
 
COtUMBUS. 157 
 
 Father. Enough, my dear boy. If you 
 would become a strong man, and that you de- 
 sire it 1 have no doubt, you must early learn 
 to despise delicacies, and be content with 
 plain, healthful food. This will strengthen 
 you, and create good blood ; while luxuries, 
 on the contrary, will infect your health and 
 enfeeble your whole frame. But to return ; 
 — the Oronoko, in the environs of Trinidad, 
 discharges itself with such rapidity into the 
 sea, that it renders the navigation extremely 
 dangerous. The waves in that part rise and 
 break against each other with dreadful vio- 
 lence, so that a vessel which has the misfor- 
 tune to be drawn within this vortex, is in great 
 danger of being dashed to pieces. Colum- 
 bus, before he was aware, found his vessels 
 in this perilous situation, assaulted on all sides 
 by the waves, sometimes tossed on high, and 
 sometimes precipitated into an abyss, driven 
 like shuttle-cocks to the right and to the left 
 with irresistible force. The exertion of his 
 utmost skill was necessary to retreat from this 
 dangerous course by a strait, which had an 
 appearance so horrible, that they called it La 
 Boca del Drago, or The Mouth of the Drag- 
 on, Look, my children, (showing it on the 
 map) here it is, between Trinidad and the 
 coast of Cumana, which, as you know, is a 
 part of Terra Firma. 
 14 
 
158 COLUMBUS. 
 
 Peter. Then Columbus discovered the 
 continent of America also ? 
 
 Father. Undoubtedly ; he was also well 
 persuaded this land could not be an island, 
 from seeing so large a river as the Oronokd 
 issue from it, and discharge its waters into 
 the sea. 
 
 Peter. But, pray, why was not the coun- 
 try named after him ? 
 
 Father. It is certainly an injustice, of 
 which the age in which he lived ought not to 
 have been guilty ; but it is done, and there is 
 now no remedy. 
 
 Charlotte. And why is it called America ^ 
 
 Father. That you shall know hereafter ; 
 for the present let us endeavour not to lose 
 sight of Columbus's vessels. Convinced that 
 he had at length touched at the main land of 
 the New World, he continued sailing west- 
 ward the whole length of the coast, landing 
 at different times to make his observations. 
 The natives, in general, bore a great resem- 
 blance to those of Hispaniola, except that they 
 appeared to have more understanding and 
 courage, and to have fairer complexions. 
 They ornamented themselves in the same 
 manner with plates of gold, and even with 
 fine pearls, which they readily bartered for 
 European trifles. A native one day, unat- 
 tended, joined Columbus, who was come on 
 shore, and, advancing towards him with con- 
 
COLUMBtJS. 159 
 
 fidence, took from his head a crimson velvet 
 cap, and replaced it with .a crown of gold. 
 Columbus, judging he was a cacique, took 
 care to have him treated with the utmost dis- 
 tinction. These Indians had their heads 
 wrapped in cotton handkerchiefs of various 
 colours, and the fore part of their bodies from 
 the waist to the knees covered with a piece of 
 the same stuff. Tiieir hair was naturally long, 
 but cut short ; and their weapons, bows, ar- 
 rows, and bucklers. 
 
 Columbus would willingly have made a 
 longer stay here to have explored the interior 
 of the country ; but the impaired state of his 
 vessels, and his own infirmities, obliged him to 
 leave this research to others, and steer to- 
 wards Hispaniola. In his way he discovered 
 the Isle of Margarita, now become so impor- 
 tant from the pearl fishery which is establish- 
 ed there. There it is on the map. 
 
 Worn with sickness and the continual ex- 
 ertion of his faculties, he at length landed at 
 his colony, hoping there for some time to re- 
 pose from his fatigues and anxieties 5 but 
 glas ! — Enough however for lo-day. 
 
160 
 
 DIALOGUE XIII, 
 
 Father. The time of repose for poor Co- 
 lumbus was not yet come ; on the contrary, 
 he was attended in the very place, where he 
 hoped for tranquillity, with new cares, new 
 toils, and new dangers, capable of shaking the 
 courage of the firmest, and enervating the most 
 robust. His worthy brother, Don Bartholo- 
 mew, had, during his absence, settled the col- 
 ony of Isabella more advantageously in a dif- 
 ferent part of the coantry, where he had un- 
 dertaken the building of a city, which he 
 named St. Domingo, in honour of his father 
 Dominico. This city, which has flourished 
 even to our days, was long one of the most 
 considerable in the West Indies, and at length 
 gave its name to the whole island. Bartholo- 
 mew, having laid the foundation of this new 
 colony, set out with a part of his forces to 
 visit those provinces of the island into which 
 his brother had not yet penetrated, leaving at 
 St. Domingo the chief judge, Roldan, with 
 the rest of the troops ; but this wretch recom- 
 pensed his confidence with the blackest in- 
 gratitude. He had long wished for an oppor- 
 tunity of ruining Columbus and his brothers, 
 and of rendering himself sole master of the 
 
COLUMBUS. 161 
 
 island. The departure of Bartholomew, and 
 the absence of the admiral, appearing favour- 
 able to his wishes, he did not fail to profit by 
 the occasion, inciting the Spaniards that were 
 left, by every means in his power, not only 
 against Bartholomew, but against Diego, his 
 younger brother. Unfortunately he succeed- 
 ed but too well, for the greater part engaged 
 in his interest. He was soon acknowledged 
 as their chief, and, having -taken up arms 
 against the Adelantado, seized upon all the 
 provisions, and attempted to carry the fort, 
 which had been constructed at St. Domingo, 
 by assault. This last attempt, however, from 
 the vigilance and skill of the commander, fail- 
 ed, and the rebels were obliged to remove to 
 another part of the island. Here they em- 
 ployed all their efforts to bring over the in- 
 habitants of the district to their party, and 
 were so successful, that the island, in a short 
 time, became a scene of revolt. Such was 
 the desperate stale in which Columbus- found 
 affairs on his return. Judge, my children, if 
 he could be at ease. 
 
 To complete his vexations he learned, with 
 the utmost astonishment, that the three vessels 
 which he had despatched with provisions 
 from the Canaries, were not arrived ; it was 
 but too probable, therefore, that they had, by 
 some accident, perished. Though this mis- 
 14* 
 
162 COLUMBUS. 
 
 fortune had not, in reality, happened, they 
 were still lost to Columbus. Storms and 
 currents had driven them out of their course ;, 
 and, after having attempted different unknowa 
 regions, in the end they arrived safe at His- 
 paniola, but precisely on the coast where Rol- 
 dan and his accomplices had settled ; whert 
 this artful rebel, concealing his revolt from 
 the commanders of the three vessels, had the 
 address to make them land a part of their 
 men, under pretence of conducting them to 
 St. Domingo. As the greater number of 
 these was the refuse of the Spanish prisons, 
 they no sooner learnt the true design of Rol- 
 dan, than they joyfully flocked to his standard, 
 hoping there would be opportunity for rapine 
 and pillage ; the first proof of that ill-digest- 
 ed council Columbus had himself given. 
 
 Some days after the arrival of the admiral,, 
 the three vessels appeared in the road of St. 
 Domingo, but with small supplies, the greater 
 part of .the troops having already been given 
 up, and almost all the provisions on board 
 consumed. In the mean while the insolent 
 Roldan, proud of the superiority of his num~ 
 bers, which was but too manifest, openly ridi- 
 culed the weakness of Columbus, whose in- 
 dignation rose to the highest pitch. Had he- 
 Hstened to its suggestions, he would immedi- 
 ately have put himself at the head of the few 
 soldiers who remained faithful, and have 
 
COLUMBUS, 163 
 
 attacked the traitors, preferring rather to per- 
 ish in attempting to chastise them, than to live 
 in inaction under the flagrant insult he had re- 
 ceived ; but, for the sake of the colony which 
 had experienced this violent shock, ere it had 
 acquired strength to sustain it, he reined in 
 his passion, shocked at the idea of a civil war, 
 and generously resolved to pass over the per- 
 sonal affront he had received, and to try if it 
 were not possible, by gentle means, to bring 
 back the ungrateful Roldan and his deluded 
 followers to their duty. With this view he 
 first published a general pardon, for all who 
 repenting of their error would immediately 
 return to their duty. He also made the same 
 offer to Roldan in particular, promising that 
 he should retain the same dignity with which 
 he had formerly been invested. By this con- 
 descension, after many disagreeable negotia- 
 tions, he accomplished his purpose, and en- 
 joyed the satisfaction of having stifled a dan- 
 gerous rebellion without shedding a single 
 drop of blood. 
 
 His next step was to despatch a vessel for 
 Spain, to inform the court of the discovery he 
 had made of a main land, and also of the re- 
 volt he had just appeased. To specimens of 
 the productions of the Continent, consisting of 
 pearls, ingots of gold, and a quantity of fine 
 linen of various colours, he added a journal, 
 in which he had exactly noted the course of 
 
164 COLUMBUS. 
 
 his vessels, and every thing remarkable that 
 occurred. Roldan and his associates failed 
 not to write also to the king by the same con- . 
 veyance, to blacken the admiral and justify 
 their own proceedings ; and unfortunately the 
 monarch was so weak and unjust as to give 
 more credit to their representations than to 
 those of Columbus, though truth dignified the 
 one, and the most infamous calumnies dis- 
 graced the other. But let us pause here, my 
 children, for a few minutes, and take a glance 
 at another part of the world, where, while the 
 West Indies has been the object of our at- 
 tention, many things equally interesting have 
 been transacting. 
 
 The King of Portugal, too late regretting 
 his blindness to the merit of Columbus, and 
 the disdainful rejection of his offers, in some 
 measure to repair his error, resolved to spare 
 no expence in exploring a passuge to the 
 East Indies, by the way of Africa. With this 
 view he fitted out a squadron, and gave the 
 command of it to an experienced navigator of 
 great merit, named Vasquez de Gama. 
 
 Difficulties apparently insurmountable op- 
 posed this enterprize ; but Gama, like Co- 
 lumbus, luckily bore the stamp of a grea£ 
 character, and, like him, never suffered him- 
 self to be diverted by any obstacles, how 
 great soever, from the projects upon which he 
 had once resolved. In vain the unknowm 
 
COLUMBUS. 165 
 
 coast of Africa presented its long chains of 
 rugged rocks, shelves, and banks of sand ; in 
 vain did the sun dart his most scorching rays, 
 and threaten the vessels with conflagration, or 
 the tempests let loose their fury against them, 
 — to all these difficulties he opposed an un- 
 shaken courage, surmounted them, and hap- 
 pily gained the most meridional point of Af- 
 rica, The Cape of Good Hope. But the 
 pursuits of so great a genius were not to rest 
 here ; he doubled the Cape, sailed up the 
 opposite coast, and at length arrived at Me- 
 linda, which, as you may see on tbe map of 
 Africa, is situated on the coast of Zanguebar. 
 Here he was agreeably surprized, instead of 
 the savage nations he had hitherto met on the 
 African coast, to find a civilized race, in many 
 respects resembling the Asiatics. They en- 
 tered into an extensive commerce with him, 
 professed the Mohammedan religion, and were 
 acquainted with those arts which were known 
 only to polished nations. Presuming on the 
 happy success of his enterprize, he set sail 
 on the 22d of May, 1498, and had the satis- 
 faction of attaining the object of his voyage, 
 viz. the coast of India. 
 
 John. At what place did he land ? 
 
 Father. At Calicut. 
 
 Peter. Ah, on the coast of Malabar ^ 
 
 Henry. In the Peninsula, on this side the 
 Ganges ^ 
 
166 COLUMBUS* 
 
 Father, The same. He was greatly as- 
 tonished at the riches of the country in all 
 sorts of valuable productions, the regularity of 
 the government, and the civilized manners of 
 the inhabitants ; but unfortunately his vessel 
 contained nothing that he could offer in ex- 
 change for the rich merchandizes of the coun- 
 try, — for European baubles, of which the 
 savages were so desirous, possessed little val- 
 ue in the estimation of these civilized indi-- 
 ans. De Gama therefore made a short stay 
 here, and hastened his return to Europe, to in-- 
 form his sovereign of the happy issue of his- 
 enterprize. 
 
 Thus, at nearly the same time that Colum- 
 bus discovered the New World, another part 
 of our globe, already indeed known, but from^ 
 which the Europeans had hitherto derived 
 little advantage, was, by means of navigation, 
 more immediately connected with Europe. 
 From this time the inexhaustible treasures of 
 India poured in torrents into the little king- 
 dom of Portugal, — to the great mortification 
 of the Spaniards, who could not without jeal- 
 ousy behold their neighbours derive from In- 
 dia such immense riches, while from all their 
 discoveries they had not yet cleared even the 
 expence of their armament. A rage for dis- 
 covery had now insensibly seized upon all. 
 Kingdoms and republics, gentlemen and ple- 
 beians, all were desirous of tempting fortune^ 
 
COLUMBUS. 167 
 
 all were ambitious of fitting out vessels, and 
 of embarking or causing others to embark in 
 some enterprize. A man named Ojeda, who 
 had accompanied Columbus in his second 
 voyage, persuaded some merchants of Seville 
 to fit out four vessels under his command in 
 this speculation, and permission was asked 
 and obtained without consulting Columbus, 
 though quite contrary to the treaty the court 
 of Spain had entered into with him. 1'he 
 Bishop of Badajos, the king's minister in the 
 department of the West Indies, and sworn 
 enemy of Columbus, not content with thus far 
 mortifying the object of his haired, had the 
 baseness to submit to the inspection of Ojeda 
 the journal and sea charts which Columbus 
 had sent to the court of Spain. 
 
 Ojeda was accompanied in his voyage by 
 an Italian gentleman named Armerigo Ves- 
 pucci, or, as he is called by the English, from 
 the Latin, Americus Vesputius. 
 
 So?ne of the children exclaim. Ah, ah, 
 Americus ! 
 
 Father. This Italian soon acquired so 
 much importance among his companions, that 
 every step was taken lather by his direction 
 than. that of Ojeda. At length, however, by 
 exactly following the course of Columbus, he 
 arrived on the coast of Paria, on which he 
 made several descents ,and entered into some 
 commerce with the natives. He then coasted 
 
168 COLUMBUS. * 
 
 farther to ascertain that the land was not an i 
 island, but part of a continent. When he 
 had advanced far enough to put this matter 
 beyond a doubt, he returned triumphant to 
 Spain ; where he set so high a value upon 
 his exploits, that it was absolutely forgotten 
 that the discoveries were in reahty not his, but 
 merely a confirmation of what had before been 
 discovered by Columbus. 
 
 Characters that are truly great, my chil- 
 dren, are never vain boasters ; satisfied with 
 performing noble actions, they are in no haste 
 to blazon them to the world, and such had 
 been the conduct of Columbus. He had sent 
 to the court a journal of his voyages for the 
 satisfaction of the king and queen ; but with- 
 out a single idea of rendering them public. 
 Americus, on the contrary, a vain and ambi- 
 tious man, no sooner returned to Spain than he 
 published his account, relating his stoty with 
 so much skill, that those who either heard it 
 or read it, could not avoid regarding him, and 
 not Columbus, as the man who had first dis- 
 covered the Continent. The falsehood of 
 this relation was known only to the few who 
 had perused Columbus's manuscript ; and as 
 the greater part of these consisted of the cour- 
 tiers that were his enemies, they took care 
 not to rectify the mistake. Thus, the person 
 to whom we owe the discovery of the fourth 
 
COLUMBUS. 169 
 
 part of the world was deprived of the honour 
 justly his due, and it was named after the pre- 
 suming boaster, Americus. 
 
 Henry. What injustice I 
 
 Father. It was so ; but it furnishes one 
 useful lesson, as it proves the injuries that de- 
 serving men frequently meet from their co- 
 temporaries. They are sometimes wronged, 
 and even hated ; and villains enjoy the re- 
 ward due to their virtues. If, therefore, as I 
 wish, you mean hereafter to dislinguish your- 
 selves by pursuing a line of honour and recti- 
 tude, do not build, I conjure you, on the vain 
 applause of men ; but let your object be the 
 approbation of that merciful Being, who, see- 
 ing your good actions in secret, will not fail to 
 reward them openly ; for, short will be the 
 reign of the unjust, — sooner or later all will 
 be revealed, and each receive according to 
 his deserts. The instance before us illus- 
 trates this truth. What advantage is it now 
 to Americus that the New World was unjustly 
 named after him ? Is not his memory more 
 despised than honoured on that account ? 
 while, on the contrary, that of Columbus is 
 admired and esteemed, and will be remem- 
 bered when that of his ungrateful cotempora- 
 ry is sunk in oblivion. Judge from your own 
 feelings, my children, would you rather be 
 Columbus or Americus ^ 
 15 
 
170 COLUMBUS. 
 
 JVicholas. I would, a thousand times^ ra- 
 ther be Columbus. 
 
 Henry. And I also, though my discoveries 
 were never known to the world. 
 
 All the Children exclaim, And so would I. 
 
 Father. You see, therefore, that virtue 
 though deprived of exterior recompense, 
 ceases not to be lovely and desirable. From 
 this time Arnericus made repeated voyages in 
 search of discoveries ; but a detail of them 
 would lead us too far from Columbus, to 
 whose narrative 1 will return after one more 
 short digression. In order to reap all possi- 
 ble advantage from De Gama's discovery of 
 the way to tlie East Indies, the King of Por- 
 tugal fitted out a complete fleet, freighted with 
 merchandize of all kinds, calculated for a lu- 
 crative commerce, and gave the command to 
 a man named Cabral. Aware of the little 
 certainty there was by keeping the coast of 
 Africa, when he had passed the line he steer- 
 ed westward across the main ocean, and pur- 
 suing this direction, to his great astonishment 
 arrived at an extensive tract of land, which 
 he perceived from afar to be more than an 
 island. What country do you judge this 
 to be ^ 
 
 Some of the Children. South America, I 
 dare say. 
 
 Father. But what province ? 
 
 Henry. Brazil, I should guess. 
 
COLUMBtS. i"^! 
 
 Father. You are right. It was the rich 
 province of Brazil which Cabral thus acci- 
 dently discovered. He immediately took 
 possession of it in the name of the King of 
 Portugal, and sent one of his vessels with the 
 agreeable news to Lisbon. Thus were the 
 different parts of America successively dis- 
 covered, manifesting still more upon what 
 solid principles the penetrating genius of Co- 
 lumbus had formed its conjectures. Let us 
 now return to the author of these interesting 
 discoveries, whom we left in an uneasy Situa- 
 tion in the isle gf liispaniola ; but I scarcely 
 know ho'vv to proceed, my tongue is unwilling 
 to relate the miseries that overwhelmed this 
 worthy man, — X will therefore cease awhile. 
 In the mean time, my children, prepare for a 
 recital that cannot fail to draw tears of corn- 
 passion from your eyes. 
 
 DIALOGUE XIV. 
 
 Prepared by the last conversation fo** the 
 recital of some melancholy event, the whole 
 party awaited it in silent anxiety, until their 
 father at length began as follows : — 
 
 God, my children, in his infinite wisdomj 
 
173 ^ COLUMBUS. 
 
 not unfrequently permits circumstances to 
 happen, the cause of which we poor short- 
 sighted mortals are not able to discover ; but 
 numberless examples daily occur, sufficient 
 to teach an attentive observer, that in each of 
 these the ultimate object is the well being of 
 all his creatures. Should, therefore, an event 
 surpassing the comprehension of our feeble 
 reason occur, let us beware of supposing, even 
 for an instant, that the dispensations of his 
 Holy Providence are not always the wisest 
 and the best. I have, my children, for a con- 
 siderable number of years, been an inhabitant 
 of this world, and have experienced the many 
 vicissitudes mortality is heir to. I have 
 known happy days, I also have been subject 
 to the reverse ; the scene has frequently been 
 so dark and gloomy around me, that my heart 
 shrunk as I extended my trembling views to 
 the future. In these moments the weakness 
 of my nature has prevailed, and I have ex- 
 claimed, " Why, O ! merciful Creator of the 
 Universe, hast thou destined thy creature to 
 struggle through so wearisome and thorny a 
 path, while others, perhaps more faulty than 
 myself, are, in all appearance, so prosperous 
 and happy ?" Such, my children, have been 
 the indiscreet murmurings of my ignorance, 
 which could not comprehend the wisdom that 
 chastised me. My doubts are, however, now 
 
COLUMBUS* 
 
 173 
 
 vanished ; and experience has taught me, that 
 by supporting misfortunes with fortitude and 
 patience, and firmly relying on the Divine 
 will, the mists of sorrow will disperse when 
 least expected, — the night of tribulation pass 
 like a dream, — and the sun of unexpected 
 pleasure enliven, with its cheering influence, 
 the human soul. For myself particularly, O, 
 my God ! how shall I express the extent of 
 thy bounty ? Learn, my children, and let this 
 truth be engraven on your hearts, that in the 
 hour of trial it may sustain your sinking spir- 
 its, that those heavy calamities, which at the 
 time I considered as my greatest misfortune, 
 have been the immediate basis on which Prov- 
 idence has established my future successes. 
 Convinced of this, 1 have learned to submit 
 with resignation to whatever it shall please 
 God to inflict ; assured, that his infinite wis- 
 dom is the best judge of what is proper for 
 the weakness of the creatures he has made. 
 My dear children, I cannot dwell on this sub- 
 ject without tears ; but they are tears of joy 
 and thankfulness, and overflow on the reflec- 
 tion that it is only since I have had this entire 
 confidence in the Divine will, that I have been 
 enabled to enjoy content throughout all the 
 variableness of fortune. 
 
 Here the father, surrounded hy his chil- 
 dren, kneeled down, and prayed earnestly 
 16* 
 
174 
 
 COLUMBUS. 
 
 that God would inspire their youthful hearts 
 with equal confidence in his dispensations. • 
 
 My children (at length resumed he,) I 
 thought it necessary to preface my recital of 
 this day in the manner 1 have adopted, as it 
 might prevent the question that might other- 
 wise naturally arise, Why did God suffer 
 Columbus to experience such heavy mis- 
 fortunes ? 
 
 Where is the mortal who has presumption 
 sufficient to reply ? Columbus now, doubt- 
 less, enjoying the reward of his labours, may 
 compreliend and praise God that, by a short 
 suffering, he prepared him for endless felicity. 
 Let not us, however, pj-esume to judge be- 
 yond the limits of our weak understanding, but 
 submit with resignation, and adore the im- 
 penetrable decrees of the Most High. But 
 to return to our narrative. 
 
 Columbus, as I informed you, had succeed- 
 ed in suppressing the rebellion which had been 
 excited in Hispaniola ; but he could not ef- 
 fect a general or lasting tranquillity. Discon- 
 tent and discord still smothered among the 
 embers of revolt ; and though Roldan had 
 apparently returned to his duty, he lost no op- 
 portunity of blackening the conduct of Co- 
 lumbus to the court of Spain. Added to this, 
 the authority of Columbus had suffered great- 
 ly by his forbearance, which was denominated 
 weakness by the malcontents, and the dis- 
 
COLUMBUS. 175 
 
 turbances became more general, sometimes in 
 one province, sometimes in another ; so that, 
 with his brothers, he was obliged to be in con- 
 tinual preparation against assault, — a circum- 
 stance that so entirely employed him, that he 
 could neither find leisure to take the necessa- 
 ry steps to justify himself to the court of 
 Spain, nor yet to pursue his discoveries, his 
 mind being harrassed with discontent, and 
 his bodily strength weakened by repeated fa- 
 tigue. 
 
 Collecting all the forces that remained in 
 his power, he was endeavouring to re-estab- 
 lish peace and good order throughout Hispan- 
 iola, by the most wise and meritorious regula- 
 tions — at the same time he was also devising 
 means to satisfy the avarice of his compan- 
 ions, and fulfil the hopes of his employers, by 
 opening a rich mine — when the storm that 
 had long threatened burst forth against him 
 in Spain. Roldan and his partizans had, as 
 1 before informed you, used their utmost en- 
 deavours to clear themselv^es of the share they 
 had taken in the confusion that had distracted 
 the colony, throwing all the opprobrium on 
 Columbus. A number of malcontents also 
 who had returned from the New World, dis- 
 appointed in their expectation of gaining im- 
 mense wealth without pain or labour, loaded 
 Columbus with curses and accusations, as the 
 cause of their failure ; and, supported by his 
 
176 
 
 COLUMBU». 
 
 more powerful enemies, brought their eorri' 
 plaints even to the foot of the throne, praying 
 some recompense for the losses thej had sus- 
 tained, and the oppression they pretended to 
 have experienced on the part of the admiral. 
 The rags with which they were covered, the 
 paleness of their countenances, and their half- 
 starved appearance, at once inspired pity and 
 a degree of belief in their hearers. It is not, 
 therefore, to be wondered at that the king^ 
 who was naturally suspicious, should at length 
 give ear to such repeated accusations ; or 
 that the queen, who had constantly befriend- 
 e<l him, should relax in her friendship to- 
 wards him. 
 
 it was then agreed that a commissioner 
 should be sent to the West Indies to examine 
 into the conduct of Columbus. The person 
 appointed to this trust was nominated by his 
 enemies, and called Francis de BovadillaK 
 The dangerous power with which he was fur- 
 nished was not only sufficient to displace Co- 
 lumbus, if he found his conduct reprehensi- 
 ble, but also to take his place in the govern- 
 ment. Nothing more could therefore be 
 necessary to insure his fall with so unprinci- 
 pled a man as Bovadilla. 
 
 At the period this unworthy commissioner 
 arrived in Hispaniola, Columbus by his inde- 
 fatigable cares had succeeded in re-establishing 
 peace throughout the island. The malcon-. 
 
COLUMBUS. 177 
 
 tents were subdued ; and the Spaniards and 
 Indians had alike returned to their duty, and 
 submitted to the laws. Some very rich mines 
 had been opened, and the earth had also been 
 cultivated with extraordinary success; a con- 
 currence of circumstances that must unavoid- 
 ably have justified Columbus, had not his ac- 
 cusers resolved upon his condemnation before- 
 hand. When Bovadilla arrived at St. Do- 
 mingo, the admiral was at a considerable dis- 
 tance in the island, making some necessary 
 arrangements. Equity and justice, there- 
 fore, required that his judge should have 
 awaited his return before he proceeded against 
 him. But neither equity nor justice formed 
 any part of Bovadilla's character ; and he 
 had no sooner landed than he caused himself 
 to be conducted to the admiral's house, of 
 which he took Immediate possession, declaring 
 that, and all it contained, to be his. He then 
 publicly announced that the king had sent 
 him to depose the governor, and to give satis- 
 faction to all who should have any complaint 
 against him. Not content with this, he also 
 immediately set at liberty all those whom Co- 
 lumbus had caused to be confined ; desiring 
 they would lay before him an exact account 
 of the rigour and injustice they had experi- 
 enced. You may judge, my children, whether 
 men of that description wanted much persua- 
 sion in such a case. 
 
178 COLUMBUS. 
 
 Bovadilla's conduct was undoubtedly cruel 
 and unjust ; yet it was nothing, comparatively 
 speaking, to the flagitious insults he heaped 
 upon the truly great Columbus. Hear then, 
 my children, and deplore the fate of a man 
 who had such just claims upon both the grati- 
 tude and affection of his cotemporaries. 
 ^What a disgrace to be handed down to pos- 
 terity, that the man to whom they owed such 
 infinite obligations should be treated like a 
 common malefactor ! 
 
 The infamous Bovadilla sent a messenger 
 to Columbus, commanding his immediate 
 presence before his tribunal, to give an ac- 
 count of his conduct ; at the same time he 
 remitted to him a letter from the king, which 
 enjoined him to conform to the orders of his 
 plenipotentiary. 
 
 The thunder suddenly biiisling over the 
 head of the traveller in the midst of his secu- 
 rity and pleasure, cannot excite more aston- 
 ishment than did this news to Columbus. On 
 the first reading of the king's letter he doubted 
 the evidence of his senses, and perused a 
 second time, before he could credit its con- 
 tents, the paper that was thus defiled with in- 
 gratitude and insult. The man who had dis- 
 covered a New World, and who bad been 
 guilty of no crime, was in effect summoned to 
 appear before the tribunal of a villain, who 
 was not worthy to be his most menial domes- 
 
COLUMBUS. 
 
 179 
 
 tic. Columbus, as you may judge, was deep- 
 ly wounded at this outrage, and felt all the 
 pangs that injured honour and just indignation 
 could inflict on a susceptible heart. He did 
 not, however, hesitate a moment on the part 
 he should pursue. His brother Bartholomew 
 was with him ; he had the command of many 
 armed men, and might easily have increased 
 his numbers, so as to have returned his unjust 
 judge an answer sword in hand. But his 
 great soul disdained every means of defeace 
 that was incompatible with the duty and obe- 
 dience he judged he owed to the King, how- 
 ever he was misguided by false accusations 
 against one whose merits might have claimed 
 a belter reward. He, therefore, as I said 
 before, did not hesitate a moment, but took 
 the road to St. Domingo, resolved to receive 
 his sentence, whatever it might be, with resig- 
 nation and fortitude. On his arrival being 
 announced to Bovadilla,that despicable wretch 
 refused to give him an audience ; exclaiming, 
 Let him be put in irons, and strictly confined. 
 This inhuman order was punctually executed; 
 Columbus was loaded with chains, and forced 
 on board a vessel, where he was carefully 
 secured. 
 
 \_Here their father made a short pause, 
 while his youthful auditors gave a free vent to 
 the expressions of compassion, which they could 
 not suppress.'l 
 
180 COLUMBUS. 
 
 Represent to yourselves, my dear children, 
 in all its magnitude, this unworthy scene. 
 Behold Columbus treated like a culprit, in 
 the presence of his subalterns, and before his 
 own house, where a villain usurped his right, 
 and refused him entrance, not even deigning 
 to converse with him, but ordering him, un- 
 heard, to be chained, and dragged from a land 
 of which his industry and genius, in despite of 
 every danger, and at the imminent hazard of 
 his own life, had given the king possession. 
 The resignation and conscious dignity with 
 which he received these insults proclaimed 
 at once, in a language more energetic than 
 words, his innocence and greatness of mind. 
 His sufferings were not, however, completed ; 
 for, as they dragged him ignoniiniously along, 
 the Spanish settlers, who, as I have informed 
 you, were composed of the most infamous 
 wretches, accompanied him with shouts and 
 rejoicings. 
 
 Bovadilla was, however, not yet satisfied ; 
 for, well knowing that his noble prisoner 
 would suffer doubly in the affronts offered to 
 his brothers, he caused them also to be put in 
 irons, and, in order that they might receive 
 no consolation, by mutual intercourse, com- 
 manded that each should be confined in a 
 different ship. He at length proceeded on 
 their trial, and without formality, condemned 
 them to death. Fortunately he had not the 
 
COLUMBUS. ^ 181 
 
 audacity to execute his sanguinary purpose ; 
 he dreaded a future scrutiny, and feared, in 
 his turn, becoming the victim. He had, how- 
 ever, no doubt, but his friend and relation, 
 the Bishop of Bajados, the irreconcilable 
 enemy of Columbus, would take care to put 
 his design in execution ; and, in this persua- 
 sion, he resolved to send the admiral to Spain, 
 with an account of the trial and sentence 
 passed upon him. 
 
 I dare say, my dear children, that you can 
 scarcely believe such complicated wickedness 
 existed as I have related of Bovadilla ; thanks 
 be to God, such villains are not numerous, 
 and are happily contrasted by good men, 
 who are ever ready to repair the injustice of 
 the bad ! 
 
 The captain, who was to conduct Colum- 
 bus and his brothers to Spain, had no sooner 
 set sail, than approaching his noble prisoner 
 with compassion and respect, he offered to 
 release him from his chains ; but Columbus, 
 though sensible of this kindness, refused to 
 accept it. " Leave me as I am,'* said he ; 
 " I wear these fetters by command of the 
 king, my master, and his orders shall alone 
 remove them." Thus resolved, he continu- 
 ed in irons during the whole of the voyage to 
 Spain. 
 
 Bovadilla had commanded that the prison- 
 16 
 
182 COLUMDUS. 
 
 ers, on their arrival, should be delivered into 
 the hands of the Bishop of Bnjados, in order 
 to deprive them of the means of interesting 
 the queen in their favour ; but an honest pi- 
 lot, named Martin, grieved at the unmerited 
 sufferings of the admiral, quitted the vessel 
 secretly, and hastened to the court with a let- 
 ter, in which Columbus informed her of all 
 that had passed. 
 
 This information caused the utmost aston- 
 ishment to the king and queen, as they had 
 never suspected Bovadilla would abuse his 
 power. The unmerited treatment of a man, 
 to whom the country owed such infinite obli- 
 gations, they had no doubt would render them 
 despicable in the eyes of all Europe, and or- 
 ders were immediately sent to set Columbus 
 and his brothers at liberty. At the same time 
 he received a pressing invhation to come to 
 court, and also a sum of money, necessary to 
 equip himself in a manner agreeably to his 
 rank. 
 
 On entering into the presence of the king 
 and queen, he threw himself at their feet, 
 without power to articulate a word ; so great- 
 ly did the remembrance of the injustice he 
 had suffered overwhelm him. It was some 
 minutss before he could recal his spirits ; 
 when, fortified by conscious recliuide, he 
 entered upon his defence with so much ener- 
 gy ana courage, proving his innocence so evi- 
 
COLUMBUS. 
 
 188 
 
 denily, and the malice and calumny of his ac- 
 cusers, that the king and queen were con- 
 vinced of his probity, and expressed the most 
 lively regret for what had passed, which they 
 declared was without their knowledge or ap- 
 probation. To leave no doubt on the mind 
 of Columbus, tiiey immediately gave orders 
 that Bovadilla should be divested of his em- 
 ployment and trust. All this was some repa- 
 ration for the injustice Columbus had sustain- 
 ed, but when it became necessary to appoint 
 some one to replace Bovadilla in the govern- 
 ment, it was evident that they were not entire- 
 ly free from the mistrust they had formerly 
 entertained. They used their utmost en- 
 deavours to avoid the appearance of ingrati- 
 tude towards him ; but, to re-establish him as 
 viceroy, seemed too dangerous an expedient 
 for them to hazard, as he would then have it 
 amply in his power to revenge all the injuries 
 he had suffered. In consequence, they re- 
 tained him at court, under divers flattering 
 pretences, and nominated to the government 
 Nicholas Ovando. 
 
 It was in vain that Columbus pleaded his 
 right to that distinction, which had been posi- 
 tively decreed to him and his heirs from the 
 commencement of the enterprize. In vain 
 he urged the fresh injustice committed against 
 him, and demanded why, after having been 
 convinced of his innocence, he was still to be 
 
184 COLUMBUS. 
 
 treated like a culprit ? These complaints 
 were answered by numberless excuses, and 
 at length, it was finally decided that Ovando 
 should go to Hispaniola. 
 
 This was a severe blow to Columbus, whose 
 heart was yet lacerated with his preceding 
 misfortunes. He experienced the most lively 
 indignation, nor did he endeavour to conceal 
 it. Wherever he went he carried the fetters 
 he had worn with him, as a proof of the in- 
 gratitude with which his services had been re- 
 quited ; he caused them to be hung constant- 
 ly in his sight, and even desired that they 
 should be buried with him. Here, my dear 
 children, we will cease for this day. 
 
 Some of the Children exclaim, Poor Co- 
 lumbus ! He was indeed shamefully treated. 
 
 DIALOGUE XV. 
 
 Mathias. Did not Columbus afterwards 
 return to the West Indies ? 
 
 Father. Of that I shall inform you here- 
 after. At the present period of the history, 
 there was no appearance of his ever more see- 
 ing it ; for his complaints were disregarded, 
 and Ovando departed. 
 
COLUMBUS. 185 
 
 The fleet that was confided to the new 
 Governor was the largest that had been sent to 
 the West Indies. It consisted of thirty sail, 
 and had on board two thousand five hundred 
 people, the greater part of whom were de- 
 signed to be established in Hispaniola. 
 
 Ovando could not have arrived more for- 
 tunately at the new settlement ; for the in- 
 justice and imprudence of Bovadilla had 
 nearly brought the colony to utter ruin. This 
 wicked man hoped to confirm, by oppression 
 and illicit measures, the authority he had ac- 
 quired ; with this view he revoked all the 
 wise laws enacted by Columbus, and permit- 
 ted the Spaniards to live at their liberty. His 
 predecessor had considered himself as a fa- 
 ther to the poor Indians, and defended them 
 against the tyranny of the Spaniards. Bo- 
 vadilUa, on the contrary, had given up this 
 unfortunate people to every species of op- 
 pression and violence. Having caused an 
 exact account of the number of the natives to 
 be taken, he portioned them into lots as slaves 
 to his creatures, who employed these wretched 
 men in the mines, and treated them with the 
 most savage barbarity for the smallest failure. 
 The fatigue incurred by this slavery, and the 
 inhuman usage they experienced, in a short 
 space destroyed great numbers of the Indians, 
 who were naturally weak ; and had not 
 16* 
 
186 
 
 rOLUMBUS. 
 
 Ovando arrived, in all probability, in no great 
 length of time, this unhappy nation would 
 have been entirely cut off. 
 
 The first act of the nev/ governor was to 
 dismiss Bovadilla, and to send him, with his 
 accomplice, Roldan, to Spain, to answer for 
 his conduct. Then, conformably to the or- 
 ders he had received from the king, he abol- 
 ished slavery, declaring all the Indians free, 
 and forbidding the smallest violence to be 
 offered to them. By new laws he restrained 
 the atrocities of the Spaniards, whom he per- 
 mitted to continue their search after gold ; 
 but, with this restriction^ that the moiety of 
 their profits should belong to the king, as sov- 
 ereign of the isle. 
 
 John. I am glad, however, that the gov- 
 ernment was given to a good man. 
 
 Father. Let us hope to find him continue 
 such. What he had already done was by 
 the express orders he had received ; when 
 he came to act from himself, we shall be 
 better judges of his merit. But let us re- 
 turn to Columbus. Yet what can I relate of 
 him that will not either excite your pity or 
 concern ^ Behold him, bending under the 
 weight of his vexations, demanding justice 
 from an ungrateful court, that was deaf to his 
 complaints ; demanding, not as a favour, but a 
 right, the performance of the contract which 
 the king had signed, and which entitled him. 
 
COLUMBUS. 18*7 
 
 to the exclusion of all others, to the vice- 
 royalty of the countries he should discov- 
 er. Behold, also, his unworthy adversaries, 
 laughing in his face at the unheeded represen- 
 tations, and then judge what he must feel 
 from such unworthy treatment ! 
 
 Henry. I know what I should have done 
 in such a case. 
 
 Father. What, my son ^ 
 
 Henry. I would have given myself no far- 
 ther trouble with them, but have chosen some 
 spot to pass the remainder of my days in 
 peace ; or, otherwise, I would have offered 
 my services to some other nation. 
 
 Father. As for the last alternative, Hen- 
 ry, experience had already taught Columbus 
 that he had little more to expect from other 
 courts than from that of Spain. This noble- 
 minded man also, perhaps thought, that a 
 forfeiture of promise, on the part of the king, 
 could not authorise him to fail in the duty he 
 owed to the country, to whose welfare he had 
 devoted his services. For your first obser- 
 vation, Henry, it was not for a character so 
 great as Columbus, to entirely renounce his 
 plan, and pass his life in inactivity. He was 
 convinced, that in his last voyage, he had 
 discovered the coast of a continent ; and the 
 false idea he had entertained, that India ex- 
 tended so far, if not entirely dissipated, was 
 at least greatly weakened by the observations 
 
188 COLUMBUS. 
 
 he had made. He now conceived, that, in 
 all probability, this continent and India were 
 separated by a large sea, — which of you can 
 tell me, whether this supposition was well 
 founded ? 
 
 Ml the Children. Doubtless it was ! The 
 Great Pacific Ocean. 
 
 Father. By this reply, my children, you 
 may judge how much better we are now ac- 
 quainted with the globe, than at that time 
 were the wisest men. What Columbus could 
 not fathom, a child can now reply to with cer- 
 tainty. By this you may judge of the extent 
 of our obligations to tliis navigator, without 
 whom, the one half of the earth might have 
 remained unknown for many ages longer. 
 
 Columbus also conceived, and not without 
 probability, that near the isthmus of Darien 
 — You doubtless know where that isthmus is 
 situated ^ 
 
 John. If we did not know that, father, we 
 must be very dull indeed. It is between 
 North and South America. 
 
 Father. Very well. He thought then, as 
 I before said, that near this isthmus, the land 
 might be separated by a strait, by which a 
 communication might be opened from the 
 Atlantic into the unknown sea, and from 
 thence to India. 
 
 JVicholas. But that idea was erroneous ; 
 for (pointing it out on the map) North and 
 
COLUMBUS. 189 
 
 South America are joined by the isthmus of 
 Darien, which is divided in no part. 
 
 Father. You are right, Nicholas ; yet 
 you see notwithstanding that the land is very 
 narrow, and that Columbus was not far distant 
 from the truth. It appeared to him of the 
 utmost importance to certify whether such a 
 strait as he surmised really existed ; for how 
 many windings, and how much distance, 
 would it save in the voyage from Spain to 
 India, could they sail through America instead 
 of coasting round Africa, as first discovered 
 by the Portuguese ! The good of mankind 
 overpowered in the mind of Columbus the in- 
 juries he had received, and determined hira 
 once more to expose his grey hairs to all the 
 dangers and inconveniences of a new voyage. 
 He communicated this design to the court, 
 who were glad of any pretence to get rid of 
 him ; for the presence of a man to whom 
 they owed so much, and whom they had 
 treated so unjustly, was to the king and queen 
 a continual reproach. They also promised 
 themselves he would be equally successful in 
 this enterprize as in his former, and accord- 
 ingly gave immediate consent, and ordered a 
 squadron to be fitted out for the purpose. 
 
 But what a squadron, my children ! It 
 consisted only of four shattered vessels, the 
 largest of which did not exceed seventy tons 
 burden, which is not half the size of an ordi- 
 
190 
 
 COLUMBUS. 
 
 nary merchant ship. This was the whole 
 force given hirn for so important an enter- 
 prize, in which he was again to encounter 
 the dangers of a distant and unknown ocean, 
 and endeavour to discover a way, by which 
 his employers promised themselves to readily 
 obtain the immense treasures of India. 
 
 Few men would have ventured on so haz- 
 ardous an expedition under such disadvan- 
 tages ; but Columbus's first voyage was too 
 firmly engraven on his memory to make him 
 hesitate trusting his life a second time in ves- 
 sels equally shattered as those in which he had 
 before crossed the main ocean between Europe 
 and the West Indies. He therefore embark- 
 ed boldly, accou)panied by his brother Bar- 
 tholomew and his second son, Ferdinand, then 
 aged thirteen, and who afterwards became the 
 historian of his father's actions. 
 
 They sailed on the 29th of May, 1502, 
 consequently ten years after his first voyage, 
 steering as usual for the Canaries. His voy- 
 age this time was peculiarly fortunate, had it 
 not been that one of his ships, and that the 
 largest, was so bad a sailer, that it could not 
 keep up with the rest ; he therefore steered 
 for Hispaniola, in order to endeavour to 
 change it for one in better condition. 
 
 Arrived off the island he sent to inform the 
 Governor, Ovando, of his request, and to en- 
 treat permission to enter the port ; but the 
 
COLUMBUS. 191 
 
 governor had the insolence to refuse. Co- 
 lumbus then informed him, that being assured 
 from some certain signs, which experience 
 had rendered him mindful of, that they were 
 on the eve of encountering a dreadful tempest, 
 he desired only to remain in the harbour un- 
 til the storm was passed ; and as the governor 
 was on the point of sending off a considerable 
 fleet for Spain, he also advised him to delay 
 it a few days, that it might escape the danger. 
 His entreaties were, however, rejected ; and 
 his advice contemned as the ridiculous dream 
 of an idle prognosticator. He was strictly 
 forbidden to enter the port ; and the fleet 
 bound for Spain set sail. Thus was the man 
 who had, through numberless dangers, dis- 
 covered this New World, treated like a sus- 
 pected character, and refused an asylum 
 against the threatening tempest, which com- 
 mon humanity ought to have granted to a 
 stranger ; a new blow for the susceptible 
 heart of Columbus ! 
 
 Though Columbus suffered this insult with 
 patience. Heaven, in this case, revenged his 
 cause. The tempest he had foretold effectu- 
 ally happened, and the wise precautions he 
 had used preserved his weak barks from de- 
 struction ; while, on the contrary, the rich 
 and well-equipped fleet which had sailed for 
 Spain, and consisting of eighteen vessels, all 
 perished in the storm except three. Roldan 
 
192 COLUMBUS. 
 
 and Bovadilia, who were on board, in this 
 dreadful conflict of the elements, met the re- 
 ward of their villainy ; both were lost, and 
 with them the ill-earned riches they had ac- 
 quired in the Island of Hispaniola. A re- 
 markable circumstance in this event is, that 
 the only vessel which received no injury, and 
 was able to continue its way to Spain, was 
 that in which the shattered remains of Co- 
 lumbus's property were embarked, and which 
 the malice of his enemies had chosen as the 
 most likely to founder. The other two which 
 had escaped, regained St. Domingo in a very 
 wretched condition. 
 
 Mother. Behold, in this event, my chil- 
 dren, the hand of Providence, that, sooner or 
 later, frequently even in this world, repays to 
 each according to his deeds ! 
 
 Father. Remember this circumstance, 
 and observe, in your own journey through life, 
 if you do not experience what I have frequent- 
 ly proved in mine. Whenever 1 was perfect- 
 ly satisfied with the uprightness of my own 
 conduct, I was certain to be successful, and 
 scarcely remember a single failure of any 
 consequence; — on the contrary, if I had 
 given cause to the upbraidings of my con- 
 science, nothing prospered entirely with me, 
 and I was in continual expectation of some 
 impending misfortune. This observation is 
 aQ undeniable proof, and let me entreat you, 
 
C0HJMBU8. 193 
 
 my dear children, to remark, at the end of 
 twenty or thirty years, if you are not of the 
 same opinion ; and should 1 not be in a state 
 to recai to your mind your duties, do not for- 
 get to thank God for having familiarized you, 
 through me, with the decrees of his provi- 
 dence, at a time when you could not fathom 
 them yourselves. 
 
 The destruction of the Spanish fleet, in- 
 stead of impressing the minds of the people 
 with the justice of the Almighty, in whose 
 power alone is the destiny of man, inspired 
 them with the foolish and superstitious idea 
 that Columbus was a magician, and that by 
 his art he had raised this tempest, in order to 
 be revenged upon his enemies; — " Or how," 
 said they, " would it have been possible that 
 the only vessel which escaped should be that 
 which had his property on board ?" 
 
 Columbus with just indignation quitted a 
 coast that had refused him a shelter in so 
 he^vy a calamity, and, with his vessels in a 
 very shattered state, steered westward for the 
 Continent. 
 
 This voyage was attended with many dan- 
 gers ; at length they reached an island called 
 Guanaia, not far distant from the Coast of 
 Honduras. There, my children, (pointing it 
 out on (he mapi) is the coast, and near it 
 the isle. 
 
 17 
 
194 COLUMBUS. 
 
 Having cast anchor, he sent his brother 
 Bartholomew with some men to reconnoitre 
 the country. On approaching the shore, they 
 perceived a large canoe constructed far more 
 mechanically than any they had yet seen 
 among the savages. It was of considerable 
 length, eight feet in width, and had in the 
 middle an awning of palm leaves, so that it 
 must in some measure have resembled the 
 gondolas in which we sometimes take our 
 pleasure on the Alster.* Under this cover- 
 ing were seated several women and children, 
 besides whom they counted twenty-five men 
 in the canoe. 
 
 They endeavoured to join them ; which 
 was executed without much difficulty, though 
 the Indians were armed. On examining the 
 cargo of this canoe, they found some mat- 
 tresses, a kind of shirts without sleeves, made 
 of cotton, some other articles of clothing, and 
 a sort of mantle for the women. They had 
 also large wooden swords, the edges of which 
 were made of stone, let into a joint, and ren- 
 dered firm by a kind of thread and rosin ; 
 hatchets of copper, and different utensils of 
 the same metal. Their food was similar to 
 that of the natives in Hispaniola, except that 
 their drink was a kind of beer made from 
 
 * A river in Hamburgh, which formg a spacious basin, on 
 which parties of pleasure are frequently made. 
 
COLUMBUS. 195 
 
 boiled maize. They had also a good store 
 of cacao, which being their representative 
 of coin were proportionably valued. This 
 was the first species of money that Columbus 
 had discovered among the Indians. 
 
 I must not here forget an observation re- 
 
 o 
 
 specting these savages that will give you 
 pleasure ; they appeared to have a due sense 
 of modesty, which praiseworthy decorum of 
 manners caused them to cover the parts of 
 the body which decency requires to be con- 
 cealed. The admiral, pleased with these 
 people, treated them with the utmost kind- 
 ness ; exchanged European goods for such of 
 theirs as he wished to obtain, and at length 
 dismissed them, well pleased, in their canoes. 
 He, however, detained on board his own ship 
 an old man, who appeared the most intelli- 
 gent of the party, and who made no scruple 
 to remain with him. His intention was to 
 obtain from him what information he could, 
 and to use him as a kind of interpreter with 
 the savages he might hereafter meet. This 
 old man informed him, that, towards the west, 
 there was a great country where gold was to 
 be found in large quantities; and plainly made 
 him comprehend, by his signs, that the inhab- 
 itants there wore crowns of that metal on their 
 heads, as also rings on their arms and legs, 
 and that they decorated their household fur- 
 niture with it. On being shown some coral, 
 
196 fOLUMBtS. 
 
 spices, and other valuable articles, he assured 
 them that the country he mentioned abounded 
 in them. Need 1 tell you he meant the rich 
 country of Mexico f 
 
 However great the inclination of Colum- 
 bus's men to procure. these treasures, he had 
 a wish beyond them, — it was, to attain the 
 end for which he made the voyage, and to dis- 
 cover the passage he had supposed to be situ- 
 ated near this spot ; therefore, without delib- 
 eration, he relinquished the immense riches 
 which he was assured were so near him, and 
 deaf to the murmurs of his crew, steered east- 
 ward, veering along the coast of the main 
 land. 
 
 Mother. This last trait of character proves 
 Columbus truly great. To have it in his 
 power to enrich himself, yet to withstand it 
 in order to fulfil his duty, and, in spite of the 
 murmurs of his companions, to be useful to the 
 world in preference to himself, cannot be toa 
 much commended. Oh, my children ! should 
 any of you hereafter encounter such a trial 
 may you act with equal nobleness of mind ! 
 
 Father, I am convinced they will do so, 
 my dear ; I think I may venture to promise 
 for them. If I did not judge thus, I would 
 pray to Heaven to remove us from this world 
 before w^e witnessed their first dishonour. 
 My dear children, I hope, will remember my 
 counsels, and shun every species of disgrace ; 
 
COLUMBUS. 197 
 
 and rather prefer to pass through life poor and 
 despised, than for a single moment to forfeit 
 their honour and duty. Should interest ever 
 prompt tliem to a mean action, they will say 
 to themselves, " Our father warned us to be- 
 ware of this ; and he well knew what is good 
 for man below, and to procure his everlast- 
 ing happiness hereafter. He had no motive 
 but our welfare, and we will follow his pre- 
 cepts." Will you not think thus, my dear 
 young friends, and end-eavour through life to 
 stifle all evil propensities, and to act with rec- 
 titude and unblemished honour ^ 
 
 The children threw their arms around their 
 parents, the elder ones cKclaiming — Should 
 we disgrace such a father, we must be un- 
 pardonable indeed. 
 
 DIALOGUE XVI. 
 
 Father. Columbus, following his first in- 
 tention, steered eastward towards the coast of 
 Honduras, in search of the strait, which the 
 savages had informed him he would really 
 find in that direction. 
 
 17* 
 
198 COLUMBUS. 
 
 John, They had then deceived him, fa- 
 ther ? 
 
 Father, Not intentionally. They had 
 misunderstood each other. Columbus had 
 shown them the drawing of a strait, whicb 
 they had mistaken for an isthmus, and under 
 this supposition they had directed him to that 
 of Darien. During this voyage on the coast^ 
 they discovered that the natives were far more 
 savage than those they had before seen. 
 They were entirely . naked, and ate their 
 meat and fish raw, without the least prepara- 
 tion. Theii* ears, by the weight of the orna- 
 ments they wore, were lengthened to their 
 shoulders ; and their whole bodies were in- 
 dented with fire in figures of elks, lions, and 
 other animals. The most considerable 
 among them were distinguished by cotton 
 caps of different colours. Some had their 
 faces painted black, others red, and some of 
 divers colours, others had only their lips, nos- 
 trils, and eyelids stained. The holes pierced 
 through their ears were so large, that a hen's 
 egg might easily have been passed through 
 them. Columbus named this part of the 
 coast La Costa de la Oreja (that is. Coast of 
 the Ear,) in reference to the remarkable ears 
 of the natives. From hence he pursued his 
 voyage, though but slowly, having continually 
 to struggle against contrary winds and cur- 
 rents, until he reached a promontory, where 
 
COLUMBUS. 199 
 
 the land trending off to the south gave hlra an 
 opportunity of prosecuting his voyage with a 
 trade wind. Never forgetting to attribute ev- 
 ery fortunate event to the Giver of all good, 
 he named this cape Gracias a Dios (that is, 
 Thanks to God.) Look for it upon the map. 
 Some days after, having cast anchor farther 
 on the coast, several canoes filled with armed 
 natives attempted to prevent their landing, 
 until perceiving that they were pacifically in- 
 clined, they approached them with confidence, 
 and offered to sell their merchandize, which 
 consisted of different kinds of weapons, as 
 bows, spears made of a black and hard wood, 
 and pointed with fish bones, also clubs, he. 
 cotton, and small gold ornaments which they 
 wore on their necks. The admiral presented 
 them with several European trifles, refusing 
 any thing in exchange — a compliment that 
 did not appear to please them ; and as the 
 ship's company also declined going on shore, 
 they appeared to consider it as a want of con- 
 fidence in them, — they, therefore, deputed 
 an old man of a respectable appearance, and 
 two young girls with gold plates on their 
 necks, to go on board of Columbus's vessel. 
 The old man carried in his hand a sort of 
 banner, doubtless as a token of peace, and 
 being introduced to the admiral, they were 
 highl)' pleased with their reception, for, after 
 entert;aining them with great hospitality, he 
 
200 COLUMBUS. 
 
 sent them back with a present of clothes, 
 and several articles that had attracted their 
 attention. 
 
 The brother of Columbus going on shore 
 the next day, saw all the articles that had 
 been presented to the natives piled together 
 in a heap ! — doubtless these poor people did 
 not like to accept presents without making 
 some return. On his landing he was receiv- 
 ed by two of the principal of the natives, who 
 each took him by the arin, and invited him to 
 Bit with them on the grass. Don Bartholo- 
 mew did as they desired, and by the assist- 
 ance of his interpreter asked them divers 
 questions, ordering his secretary to take down 
 their answers in writing. But they no sooner 
 saw the pens, paper, and inkhorn, than starting 
 up they fled, with all those that had accom- 
 panied them, with the utmost precipitation- 
 The ignorance and superstition of these poor 
 people caused them to imagine that the ma- 
 terials for writing were implements of sorcery, 
 which were to be employed to do them injury. 
 This ridiculous idea was not eradicated with- 
 out some trouble, nor would they again ap- 
 proach the Spaniards until they had, accord- 
 ing to their own opinion, secured therrselves^ 
 from the magic art of the secretary. The 
 means they used were as follows : — they 
 threw towards the Spaniards a certain powder, 
 which raising a smoke, they blew it towards 
 
tfOLUMBUS. 201 
 
 the supposed magician to prevent his charm 
 taking effect. Bartholomew after this accom- 
 panied them to their city. What he there 
 saw most remarkable was a large building of 
 wood, which served as a burial-place. He 
 found in several of the tombs bodies envelop- 
 ed in cotton cloth, one of which was embalm- 
 ed. Over each of these sepulchres was a 
 board carved with the figures of beasts, or 
 the effigfes of the deceased, with the native 
 ornaments. 
 
 The admiral, the next day, in order to pro- 
 cure what information he could, entertained 
 several of the natives on board his vessel ; 
 when their companions, concluding it was only 
 to obtain ransom for them, sent deputies with 
 two young pigs, requesting the release of the 
 prisoners. Columbus made them at length 
 understand that their companions were not 
 captives, and should be sent back in safety 
 without ransom ; he then purchased their 
 pigs, and sent them on shore perfectly sat- 
 isfied. 
 
 On the deck where they had put the hogs, 
 was a wild cat of a grey colour, and in size as 
 large as a young greyhound. It had been 
 taken by one of the sailors, after having one 
 of its paws cut off. This animal was as quick 
 in its movements as a squirrel, and in a simi- 
 lar manner would jump from tree to tree, 
 sometimes suspending itself from the branches 
 
Ji02 . COLUMBUS. 
 
 by the tail. The pigs no sooner saw this 
 creature, than with the utmost fear they en- 
 deavoured to escape ; one, however, was 
 stopped and given to the cat, who immedi- 
 ately twisted her tail round his snout, and 
 with her fore paws on each side of its throat 
 would infallibly have killed it, had it not been 
 taken from her. It is said that in Spain the 
 wolves use the same means to despatch their 
 prey. After some few days sail, the admiral 
 cast anchor at the mouth of a river, and sent 
 some soldiers to the shore, but a multitude of 
 the native? opposed their landing ; more than 
 a hundred entering into the sea as high as 
 their middle, presenting their lances, sound- 
 ing a horn, beating a kind of drum, throwing 
 water at the Spaniards, and spitting chewed 
 herbs at them, in token of hatred and disdain. 
 The Spaniards had received orders to be- 
 have with the utmost moderation ; and, in 
 consequence, after a short time, a more pa- 
 cific communication took place, and the sav- 
 ages entered into traffic with them, by which 
 they procured sixteen pieces of gold, of the 
 value of 150 ducats, in exchange for a few 
 bells. Would men in general behave as the 
 Spaniards did in this instance, how many 
 sorrows and misfortunes would they prevent ! 
 It certainly will sometimes happen, that we 
 meet with .people on whom reason has no 
 power, and that our endeavours for peace will 
 
COLUMBUS. 203 
 
 fail in their effect. It is, then, doubtless, jus- 
 tifiable to take measures to secure- ourselves 
 from injury or insult, even by en)ploying vio- 
 lent means. In this case, we should be par- 
 ticularly careful to guard against suffering re- 
 sentment to degenerate into passion and ven- 
 geance, and to restrain it within the bounds 
 of a just and honourable defence. Of this 
 Columbus has given us a proof, which may 
 serve as an example. 
 
 The very next day the savages appeared 
 to consider the patience with which the Span- 
 iards had received their insults as marks of 
 fear and timidity, and therefore gave full rein 
 to their petulance, so much so that, when the 
 ship's boat endeavoured to reach the shore, 
 they attacked them with their zngyas, or long 
 darts. The Spaniards could not now avoid 
 showing them that they neither wanted cour- 
 age nor strength to defend themselves. Co- 
 lumbus, therefore, ordered a cannon to be 
 fired ; which caused them to fly in the great- 
 est precipitation, more particularly as one of 
 them was also wounded by an arrow from the 
 vessel. The Spaniards then landed, but did 
 not pursue the runaways, on the contrary, by 
 amicable signs, entreated them to return ; an 
 invitation they at length accepted, convinced 
 that the strangers had not, unprovoked, wish- 
 ed to do them injury, though they possessed 
 ample means. At length they laid down their 
 
204 COLUMBUS. 
 
 weapons, returned to the shore, and changed 
 their plates of gold for European goods, with- 
 out the least hostility. 
 
 Columhus, after taking information of the 
 nature of the country, its soil, its inhabitants, 
 and productions, set sail, and continued to 
 steer along the coast, still hoping to discover 
 the strait he was in search of. In this course 
 he at length reached a bay, which formed a 
 spacious and secure harbour, near which the 
 Indians had built a town, which was very 
 populous, and surrounded with well cultivated 
 lands. Columbus named this port Porto 
 Bello, (that is. Beautiful Port,) on account of 
 the fine harbour. 
 
 The inhabitants of this town appeared very 
 peaceably inclined ; they brouglit fine cotton 
 and provisions to the ships, willingly exchang- 
 ing them for nails, needles, bells, and other 
 commodities of the same sort. Eight miles 
 farther, Columbus reached the spot where the 
 town of Nombre de Dios(Name of God) now 
 stands. You will find it on the map. The 
 bad weather obliged him to remain some days 
 in this place, which time he employed in re- 
 . pairing his vessels. At length he set sail, 
 but was again prevented from proceeding by 
 the stormy weather, which obliged him to put 
 into a small port, which he named El Re- 
 trette, or Retiring Place. 
 
 The natives at first appeared very familiar ; 
 
COBUMBUS. 205 
 
 but tlie imprudent conduct of some of the 
 sailors, so exasperated them, that, trusting to 
 their numbers, they prepared for a general 
 attack, with a design, no doubt, of gaining 
 possession of the vessels. The admiral had, 
 alternately, recourse to gentleness and threat- 
 enings, to engage them to remain peaceable, 
 but in vain ; and finding all other means un- 
 availing, he ordered some cannon to be fired 
 with powder only, concluding that the noise 
 would alarm and disperse them. In this he 
 was, however, mistaken ; for, observing that 
 they received no injury, they became only the 
 more daring, expressing their derision by loud 
 cries, striking the trees with their clubs, and 
 other actions, tO show how little they feared 
 the noise of the artillery. 
 
 Columbus was then necessitated to show 
 them it consisted of somewhat more than 
 merely noise, and therefore ordered a cannon, 
 with ball, to be fired against a hillock, where 
 a number of them were assembled. The 
 effect of this second stroke soon convinced 
 them of the dreadful power of the thunder 
 they had contemned, and, struck with horror 
 and dismay, they fled into the forests. 
 
 These Indians were the handsomest of any 
 
 they had yet seen, being well shaped, and of 
 
 a good stature. There was, in this port, a 
 
 great number of large alhgators, which came 
 
 18 
 
206 
 
 COLUMBUS. 
 
 on shore to sleep, and emitted a strong scent 
 of musk. They were cowardly when attack- 
 ed, but used their utmost skill to surprize any- 
 one, in order to devour them. 
 
 Columbus, at lengtl)^ despairing to find a 
 passage from the Atlantic Ocean into the 
 South Sea, and being also continually detain- 
 ed by the bad weather, resolved to return, 
 and steer for a land called Veragua, (that is, 
 Real Water,) where the savages had informed 
 him there were many gold mines. Look for 
 it, some of you, on the map. 
 
 A dreadful storm, that lasted several days, 
 added to a great scarcity of food, rendered 
 this navigation both dangerous and toilsome. 
 All the provisions that remained, after being 
 eight months at sea, now consisted of a little 
 biscuit, so spoiled by the heat and moisture of 
 the climate, that nothing but the most ex- 
 treme hunger could force them to eat it ; it 
 was, literally speaking, alive with maggots, so 
 that those, who were obliged to have re- 
 course to it, seemed rather to swallow a mass 
 of insects than bread, and took the precau- 
 tion to eat it in the dark, in order to avoid 
 seeing the disgusting morsel with which they 
 were obliged to alleviate the cravings of na- 
 ture. From this example, my children, you 
 may surmise to what dreadful extremities 
 hunger may reduce men. Heaven be prais- 
 ed ! you have hitherto known it only by name. 
 
COLUMBUS. 207 
 
 At this time the vessels were surrounded by a 
 great number of sharks. 
 
 Charlotte. Excuse my interrupting you, 
 father ; but pray what are sharks ? 
 
 John. They are sea monsters. Do you 
 not remember the account of them, when we 
 were reading natural history t 
 
 Charlotte. It is so long since that I have 
 forgotten. 
 
 Father. Relate, my son, what you recol- 
 lect respecting them. 
 
 John. Willingly. In the first place, they 
 are very large 5 some are said to be from 
 twenty to thirty feet long, their bodies are 
 very thick and their mouths are monstrous, 
 being armed both at the top and bottom with 
 three rows of teeth, with which they easily, at 
 one snap, bite off an arm 01 a leg -, added to 
 this, they have such prodigious strength in 
 their tail, that a stroke from it will break a 
 limb, and even sometimes kill a man on 
 the spot. 
 
 Frederic. What a dreadful monster it 
 must be, brother ! 
 
 Father. It is also very voracious ; indeed 
 so much so, that it greedily swallows what- 
 ever presents itself, even to iron hooks and 
 hatchets that chance to drop from the ves- 
 sels. I have read an account of a sailor, 
 who was thrown overboard, wrapped in a 
 large piece of coarse cloth, (as is the cus- 
 
208 COLUMBUS. 
 
 torn at sea, where they have no other means 
 of burial,) being found entire in the belly of 
 a shark, which the crew had taken the day 
 following. The flesh of this rreature is bad 
 tasted, and smells of oil, notwithstanding 
 which, the African negroes eat it with great 
 pleasure ; and, in order to render it more de- 
 licious, expose ii to the sun, for seven or eight 
 days, until it begins to stink and putrify. 
 
 Charlotte. How nasty it must be ! 
 
 Father. The superstitious companions of 
 Columbus regarded the appearance of these 
 sea monsters as an evil omen ; yet their fears 
 and disgust at length gave way to hunger, and 
 they fed heartily upon them, in preference to 
 their nauseous biscuits. 
 
 Ferdinand. But how did they contrive to 
 take them, father ? 
 
 Father. Nothing more easy. Their vo- 
 racity makes them an easy prey, and leads 
 them, as improper passions do mankind, to 
 their destruction. As they snap at whatever 
 is thrown from the vessels, the sailors only 
 put a piece of red cloth on a large hook fixed 
 to an iron chain, and throw it into the sea, 
 and they are certain to catch these gluttons, 
 who eagerly swallow it, and by means of the 
 chain are dragged into the vessel. One was 
 taken by the crew of Columbus's ship, and 
 when cut open, there was found in his sto- 
 mach aUve turtle, which, when released from 
 
COLUMBUS. 209 
 
 his prison, walked upon the deck. In an- 
 other shark they found the head of one of its 
 own species, which the sailors had thrown 
 overboard. From this circumstance you 
 learn, that they will even devour each other. 
 But surely we have talked of sharks long 
 enough for this evening ; to-morrow we will 
 return to Columbus. 
 
 DIALOGUE XVII. 
 
 Father. Before they reached Veragua, so 
 much extolled for its gold mines, Columbus 
 was frequently obliged, by the bad weather, to 
 cast anchor on different parts of the coast, in 
 order to shelter himself from the sudden 
 squalls of wind. 
 
 In one of these spots where he anchored, 
 a particular circumstance struck him ; it was 
 ihat the inhabitants, instead of living on 
 the ground, constructed their houses in 
 the air. 
 
 Frederic. I wonder how they managed 
 that. 
 
 Father. Much in the same manner as it 
 is said Queen Semiramis formerly constructed 
 18* 
 
210 COLUMBUS. 
 
 her gardens. You remember that account ? 
 Do you not, Frederic f 
 
 Frederic. Oh, yes, father ; the hanging 
 gardens at Babylon. 
 
 Father. Well then, in the same manner 
 as these gardens are reported to have been 
 constructed, on terraces supported by arches, 
 were the huts of these savages erected on the 
 branches of great trees ; so that they might 
 truly be said not to dwell on the earth, but 
 hke birds, in the air. 
 
 Charlotte. What could be their reason 
 for this f 
 
 Father. Perhaps they did not think them- 
 selves safe on the ground ; they might dread 
 inundations, wild beasts, or the attack of 
 enemies. 
 
 Charles. I wonder how they mounted up 
 to their houses. 
 
 Father. By ladders, which they drew up 
 after them ; thus securing themselves from 
 intrusion. 
 
 Theophilus. They were cunning, how- 
 ever, father. 
 
 Father. At length Columbus reached 
 Veragua, to the great joy of his companions, 
 who already anticipated the treasures they 
 expected to find there. They cast anchor at 
 the mouth of a river, to which the admiral, in 
 compliment to the day, (being twelfth day,) 
 gave the name of Bethlehem ; but being in- 
 
COLUMBUS. 211 
 
 formed, that by a few days sail up the river, 
 they would reach the residence of their king, 
 who was called Quibia, he determined to 
 proceed. Columbus sent his brother Bar- 
 tholomew first, with some manned boats, to 
 compliment his Indian Majesty ; who was no 
 sooner informed of his arrival, than he came 
 to meet hirn with great kindness. 
 
 The next day the king resolved to pay a 
 visit to the admiral, who received him with 
 the distinction due to his rank ; and making 
 him a present of some European baubles, his 
 friendship was entirely obtained. In the 
 mean time Bartholomew had cautiously in- 
 formed himself of the situation of the gold 
 mines, and, with some of his men, went to 
 examine the spot. Near the roots of the 
 great trees he found some gold dust, and no 
 farther proof was necessary to convince him, 
 that the soil contained abundance of that pre- 
 cious metal. After collecting some scattered 
 grains, they returned to the admiral with the 
 agreeable news of their success. 
 
 The design Columbus had conceived of 
 forming a colony in this country, was strength- 
 ened by this event, and he immediately gave 
 orders for some dwellings to be constructed 
 near the mouth of the river. This work was 
 carried on with such diligence, that, in a short 
 time, the houses were conipleted. They 
 
212 COLUMBUS. 
 
 were built of wood, and covered with palm 
 leaves. 
 
 Columbus chose, in order to form this colo- 
 ny, eighty men from his crew, appointing his 
 brother the Governor. He also furnished 
 them with weapons and tools necessary for 
 their defence and labour ; together with a 
 large quantity of fishing tackle, as there were 
 great numbers of fish, both near the coast and 
 in the river ; and, among others, a kind of 
 pilchard, or anchovy, of a most exquisite fla- 
 vour, and which the natives caught in a man- 
 ner which I must relate to you. These fish, 
 when they are pursued by any other, leap out 
 of the water, and lodge themselves on a dry 
 spot, until the dangei" is past ; when they re- 
 turn to their element. In consequence of 
 this observation, the Indians cover the middle 
 of their canoes with palm leaves, and, as they 
 cross the river, make a loud noise with their 
 ours, to alarm the fish, who, taking the usual 
 leap, mistake the canoe for land, and thus 
 are caught. 
 
 All being arranged, Columbus was about 
 to depart for Spain, when he learned, to his 
 great astonishment, that King Quibia, jealous 
 of the establishment the Europeans had made 
 in his country, had formed the project of 
 burning all the dwellings they had erected. 
 He consulted with his brother how to avoid 
 this misfortune ; when both were of opinion. 
 
COLUMBUI. 213 
 
 that the only means to prevent the attack, was 
 to seize upon the person of the cacique — 
 a resolution that had the most fatal con- 
 sequences. 
 
 Don Bartholomew engaged to put this plan 
 in execution, and accordingly, with a good 
 number of soldiers, repaired to the town of 
 Veragua, near which, on a lonely hill, stood 
 the dwelling of the cacique. As they ap- 
 proaciied, Quibia sent them word that he 
 would come and meet them ; upon which 
 Bartholomew, taking only five men with him, 
 left the rest, with orders to follow at a distance 
 until they heard the report of a musquet, 
 when they were to hasten forward, surround 
 the cacique's dwelling, and prevent any per- 
 son from making their escape. The cacique 
 unsuspecting the evil that threatened him, 
 advanced to receive his visiter, and found 
 himself in a few moments a prisoner. The 
 signal was given, the dwelling was surround- 
 ed, and all within partook of their master's 
 fate. 
 
 Some of the Children. What shameful 
 treachery ! 
 
 Father. Indeed, my children,! must per- 
 fectly agree with you, and would willingly, if 
 it were possible, efface from the history of our 
 friend CoFumbus, in many respects so noble 
 and disinterested, this disagreeable stain upon 
 his character. 
 
214 COLUMBUS. 
 
 Henry. The cacique, father, had first 
 given the offence, and he only meant to se- 
 cure himself from his designs. 
 
 Father. That is true, my boy ; but pray, 
 what right had the Spaniards to make a settle- 
 ment in his country without his permission f 
 
 Henry. They did wrong in that. 
 
 Father. Undoubtedly they did ; for who 
 can attribute it a crime in a sovereign, to ex- 
 pel strangers whom he thinks dangerous to his 
 subjects and kingdom ? 
 
 Henry. It can be no crime, father. 
 
 Father. Where then v/as the great injus- 
 tice the Spaniards complained of, and which 
 authorized them to violate the sacred laws of 
 hospitality ? All that can be said in this case 
 to excuse Columbus is, that he perhaps had a 
 good intention in founding this colony. Un- 
 der the direction of his brother, he perhaps 
 hoped to civilize the natives, and teach them 
 the worship of the true God ; that his design 
 in seizing the king was perhaps only to enter 
 into some negotiation for the security of his 
 people, and to endeavour to gain the friend- 
 ship of Quibia. If such indeed were his mo- 
 tives, we must allow they were praise-worthy ; 
 but the means which he used to accomplish 
 them were nevertheless unjust, and unworthy 
 in the utmost degree of a man of sense and 
 humanity. Thus much for his motives. 
 Whatever they were, this precipitate action 
 
COLUMBUS. 315 
 
 involved him in a number of disagreeable 
 events, that concluded only with his life ; and 
 those 1 shall relate lo you. 
 
 Their prisoner, the cacique, was put into 
 the boat, in order to be conveyed to the ves- 
 sel, with his hands and feet bound, and fas- 
 tened against the side. It was dark, — and 
 be complained so heavily of the pain be en- 
 dured from his hands being too straitly tied, 
 that one of the party loosened him from the 
 boat, but used the precaution of letting him 
 remain bound ; notwithstanding which he 
 leaped overboard, dragging the guard who 
 held him along with him, and by favour of 
 the night escaped all pursuit. How he man- 
 aged to swim with his hands and feet bound is 
 difficult to be conceived by us Europeans, 
 who have little skill in that art even with our 
 limbs at liberty. 
 
 The rapacity of the Spaniards made this 
 event a pretence to seize upon whatever be- 
 longed to the cacique, imputing his escape as 
 a crime. His dwelling was pillaged, and the 
 gold they found amounting to the value of 
 three hundred ducats, shared among them, 
 reserving a fifth for the king of Spain. Qui- 
 bia, in the mean time, prepared to take ven- 
 geance upon his oppressors, and, when least 
 expected, having traversed thick woods, with 
 his people uttering hideous yells, fell upoQ 
 the colony with a shower of heated arrows, 
 
216 COLUMBUS. 
 
 with which they hoped to set fire to the com- 
 bustible roofs of the newly-erected dwellings. 
 The distance, however, prevented this design 
 from taking effect, and an obstinate combat 
 ensued, which must have ended in the de- 
 struction of the colony, had not the courage 
 and skill of Bartholomew saved it ; for, with 
 a small number of his men, he repulsed the 
 enemy so vigorously, that at length he put 
 them to flight. 
 
 The Indians lost many men in this encoun- 
 ter. On the side of the Spaniards one man 
 was killed, and several were wounded ; 
 among them was Bartholomew, who was 
 struck with an arrow in the stomach, — the 
 wound, however, was not mortal. 
 
 It was hoped that this defeat would have 
 deterred the cacique from any fresh hostilities. 
 But they mistook his character ; he became 
 doubly furious against them, and appeared 
 resolved on vengeance, so that the colony 
 must doubtless have fallen a victim to his re- 
 sentment, had not the settlers unanimously 
 declared that they would sooner trust them- 
 selves to the fury of the waves, in the shat- 
 tered vessel that was left them, than remain 
 on a spot where they should be daily exposed 
 to the vengeance of a cruel and implacable 
 enemy. Columbus, informed of all that had 
 passed, was therefore obliged to relinquish 
 his undertaking, and ordered them to come on 
 
COLUMBUS. 217 
 
 board ; a command they gladly obeyed, 
 reaching his vessel in a boat moored between 
 two canoes, for the ship that was to be left 
 for their use was so dreadfully shattered, that it 
 was scarcely better than a wreck, it was 
 therefore left behind, and the other three 
 set sail. 
 
 The admiral's utmost desire was now to be 
 able to make the Isle of Hispaniola in his 
 crazy vessels, for it was not to be supposed 
 that they could ever reach Europe. But 
 even the very elements seemed to conspire 
 for the destruction of this great navigator. 
 He was assailed with constant hurricanes, 
 which were rendered yet more terrible by 
 the storms which are frequent in those cli- 
 mates, and which, agitating the ocean to its 
 very bottom, tossed the vessels with such fu- 
 rious velocity, that the crews became bewil- 
 dered with fear. In vain did Columbus en- 
 deavour to enforce every measure that his 
 experience suggested ; they were deaf to his 
 orders, or, if attended to, the general per- 
 plexity prevented their execution. Thus one 
 of the ships perished, and the two that re- 
 mained were so leaky, and had so many feet 
 water, that the united strength of the crews, 
 who laboured constantly at the pumps, could 
 scarcely keep them afloat. 
 
 In this distressing situation Columbus steer- 
 19 
 
218 COLUMBUS. 
 
 ed for the Isle of Cuba, in hopes of being 
 able to make the most necessary repairs to his 
 vessels ; but this intention was speedily frus- 
 trated, a fresh storm arose when he was in 
 sight of the coast, and soon threw him at a 
 considerable distance. In this tempest, the 
 two vessels struck against each other with 
 such dreadful violence that the crews of both 
 expected to be instantly overwhelmed. 
 
 Notwithstanding this extreme danger, it 
 pleased the Almighty to prolong the toilsome 
 life of Columbus, and to exercise his fortitude 
 by fresh trials. 
 
 The joints of the ships, however unexpect- 
 edly, had withstood the shock they had re- 
 ceived ; and as they in the mean time had 
 gained the coast of Jamaica, the admiral suc- 
 ceeded in running his vessels aground at the 
 very moment they were on the point of sink- 
 ing. By this skilful manoeuvre he saved 
 his own life, and also those of his companions. 
 
 Henry. Poor creatures ! but how could 
 they get from thence when they had no ships ? 
 
 Father. That care Columbus left to Prov- 
 idence, contenting himself in fulfilling those 
 indispensable duties the present danger re- 
 quired. 
 
 It was now totally out of the question to 
 think of refitting the vessels, as they were 
 shattered beyond all repair ; yet it was of the 
 Utmost importance to the admiral that they 
 
COLUMBUS. 319 
 
 should not go to pieces, as two powerful rea- 
 sons made him concUide that it was better to 
 stay with his unhappy companions on the 
 wreck, than to venture to reside on shore. 
 First, he was in greater security against the 
 attacks of- the natives ; secondly, he could 
 more easily prevent his people from insuhing 
 or ill treating them, as their friendship, in the 
 present crisis, was of the utmost importance 
 to him. He ordered the vessels, therefore, 
 to be cleared as much as possible, erected 
 sheds upon the decks for his men, and strictly 
 forbade any one to go on shore without per- 
 mission. 
 
 A number of Indians soon came on board ; 
 and as, by order of Columbus, they were 
 very civilly treated, they showed the utmost 
 confidence and affection for the strangers, 
 bringing provisions in abundance to barter for 
 their European gewgaws. With great satis- 
 faction they received a sheet of tinsel for two 
 geese, a loaf of maize they gave for a glass 
 bead, and what they held in the highest esti- 
 mation they readily parted with for a bell. 
 
 Among the many deliberations Columbus 
 held with his friends how he should get from 
 this island, one plan alone appeared feasible ; 
 which was, to inform the Governor of His- 
 paniola of their distress, and to entreat him to 
 send a vessel to take them on board. But 
 the question was, how to convey the intelli- 
 
220 COLUMBUS. 
 
 gence to him ; for they liad not even a sin- 
 gle boat remaining, and from Jamaica to 
 Hispaniola was a distance of above thirty 
 leagues, as you see upon the map. This was 
 a difficulty hard to be surmounted ; yet per- 
 severance at length overcame it. 
 
 Columbus had, by his cautious conduct, so 
 entirely conciliated the friendship of the na- 
 tives, that they consented to sell him two of 
 their canoes. It must be confessed that they 
 were poor vessels, not even deserving the 
 name of boats, being only the trunks of large 
 trees simply made hollow in^the roughest man- 
 ner, and at most only proper to sail along the 
 coast, as the smallest gust of wind would 
 overset them, or the lightest wave overwhelm 
 them. 
 
 Notwithstanding all the disadvantages at- 
 tending so long a voyage, in such miserable 
 barks, among the companions of Columbus 
 were two men sufficiently courageous to offer 
 to hazard their lives for the safety of the ad- 
 miral and his unfortunate men. One was 
 named Mendez, the other Fiesco ; the first a 
 Spaniard, the second a Genoese. 
 
 It is with pleasure, my dear children, that 
 I mention those brave men to you ; their 
 courage, and attachment to the commander 
 under whom they served, render their names 
 worthy of being handed down to posterity, 
 and remembered with honour. Each em- 
 
tOLUMBUS. 221 
 
 barked in a separate canoe, accompanied by- 
 six Spaniards and some natives to work the 
 oars. It was agreed, that if they should be 
 fortunate enough to reach Hispaniola, Fiesco 
 should return and inform the admiral, while 
 Mendez should proceed by land to St. Do- 
 mingo to perform his business with the 
 governor. 
 
 Thus they departed with the warmest wishes 
 of their friends for their safety ; but after hav- 
 ing steered for forty-eight hours the course 
 that had been prescribed them, and suffering 
 the most intolerable heat, they began to fear 
 that they had mistaken the course, and enter- 
 ed the main sea beyond Hispaniola. You 
 may easily surmise the alarm this caused 
 them, and more particularly as they had al- 
 ready consumed all their stock of fresh vvater> 
 and were equally exhausted with drought and 
 fatigue. Some of the poor Indians fainted 
 and died ; while the survivors, considering 
 their deaths but as a prelude to their own, 
 gave themselves up to despair. The only 
 relief they could procure was to fill their 
 mouths with sea water to cool their parched 
 tongues ; but this temporary relief only the 
 mpie increased their thirst. In this terrible 
 situation a gleam of hope at length beamed oa 
 their desponding minds. It was night, and 
 as the moon rose they perceived axi elevation. 
 19^ 
 
222 COLUMBUS. 
 
 which they knew to be a rock. This sight 
 made them conjecture that they were near 
 some island ; a hope that inspired them with 
 strength sufficient to work their oars to reach 
 it. At length they attained it, but, alas ! 
 found only a barren mountain, apparently 
 destitute of the smallest necessary either to 
 eat or drink. What a dreadful disap- 
 pointment ! 
 
 They notwithstanding left their canoes, and 
 walked over this island, or, more properly 
 speaking, this mass of stone, with the most 
 poignant despair in their hearts. 1 must here 
 digress, to observe how erroneous it is to give 
 way to despair. Even when all human re- 
 sources appear to fail, how frequently is the 
 hand of the Divine Providence stretched out 
 to help us, at the very moment we least ex- 
 pect it, and most need it ! Who would have 
 judged, my children, that God had destined 
 this same mountain to furnish what alone 
 could preserve them from perishing ? And 
 yet it was immediately so. The hollows of 
 the rock were full of rain water, as clear and 
 fresh as if taken from a river. The discovery 
 of this blessing was unfortunately not received 
 with the moderation it ought ; parched with 
 drought, they swallowed such quantities, that 
 some died in consequence, and all were great- 
 ly disordered. Of the first mentioned, many 
 fell dead on the spot ; the second were after- 
 
COLUMBUS. 223 
 
 wards attacked with fevers, consumptions, and 
 dropsies. So true is it, my children, that ex- 
 cess of the best and most wholesome things 
 may be converted into poison, and that the 
 imprudence of man frequently turns the bless- 
 ings of Heaven into a curse. 
 
 Notwithstanding the most pressing want of 
 our adventurers was satisfied, yet the dread 
 of hunger still remained. Fortunately, on 
 the shore of this desolate spot they found 
 some fish which the waves had thrown upon 
 the coast ; and these sufficing to remove the 
 cravings of nature, the conductors resolved to 
 remain during the heat of the day, and take 
 some rest, and in the evening re-commence 
 their toilsome voyage, uncertain whether they 
 should ever reach the object of their pursuit. 
 Here we will leave them, my dear auditors ; 
 to-morrow I will let you know the event of 
 their labours. 
 
 A numher of the Children exclaim, Oh, 
 dear, dear father, at least tell us whether the 
 poor fellows ever reached Hispaniola ^ 
 
 Father. Why, surely, you would not be 
 cruel enough to wish me to disturb these poor 
 men, who are just taking a nap after their 
 fatigue f 
 
 Frederic. Oh, no, father! but only tell us. 
 
 Father. Well, if 1 must^ Towards 
 
 evening then, they embarked, and, after hav- 
 ing rowed all night by the light of the moon, 
 
224 COLUMBUS. 
 
 landed at length, to their inexpressible joy, on 
 the western coast of Hispaniola. Are you 
 satisfied now, niy young friends ? 
 
 The Children. Oh, yes, father. 
 
 Father, Well, then, good night. 
 
 DIALOGUE XVIII. 
 
 Father. Let ns now, my children, as we 
 have safely landed the two noble fellows, 
 Mendez and Fiesco, in Hispaniola, return to 
 Jamaica, and see how our friend Columbus 
 has passed his time. My heart whispers that 
 perhaps we may sooa lose him. Let us 
 therefore make much of the interval he has 
 to remain vvitli us. 
 
 Theophilus. 1 hope he is not going to die, 
 father ? 
 
 Charlotte. If I thought he was, I believe 
 I should run away before I heard any more. 
 
 Frederic. And' so should I. 
 
 Father. Reluctance is vain, my dear 
 children ; we cannot fly from the will of 
 Heaven, nor reverse the decrees of the Al- 
 mighty. Thus, instead of repining at the 
 death of those we love, it is best to hold 
 ourselves prepared for such events, that we 
 
COLUMBUS. 225 
 
 may support them with fortitude, and submit 
 with becoming resignation. 
 
 Day after day the crews of the vessels 
 cast their anxious looks towards the coast, 
 from whence they expected Fiesco to return 
 with the agreeable news that his companions 
 had safely reached Hispaniola. Alas ! their 
 eyes were strained in vain ; Fiesco did not 
 arrive, and the unhappy crews were plunged 
 in despair. They had no doubt but that the 
 two deputies had perished in their hazardous 
 attempt, and all hope of deliverance expired 
 with them. This idea overwhelmed them 
 with sorrow ; — but this was not all, as usual, 
 they considered Columbus as the author of 
 their coumion misery, and cursed the hour 
 when they committed themselves to the di- 
 rection of so bold an adventurer, who was 
 predestined to involve all in ruin who joined 
 his pursuits. Weary at length with com- 
 plaints and useless imprecations, an inclina- 
 tion to revolt began to show itself, and the 
 death of Columbus was sworn among them. 
 Indeed this great man, who had escaped so 
 many dangers, was on the point of falling a 
 victim to the blind fury and murderous de- 
 signs of his subalterns. He was confined to 
 his bed with the gout, and a number of his 
 crew were also ill ; the greater part of those 
 in health had joined the conspiracy, the chiefs 
 of which were two brothers named Porras, 
 
226 
 
 COLUMBUS. 
 
 In this situation the elder of these miscreants 
 came to the admiral's bed, and insolently de- 
 manded the reason why he did not return to 
 Spain. Columbus, with his usual forbear- 
 ance, replied, that however great his desire 
 was to return, it was now impossible ; but 
 that if he, or any of his companions, could 
 point out the means, he would willingly listen 
 to them. Nay, more, it was hio intention to 
 call together all his officers, to consult them 
 on tiie subject. This answer, however rea- 
 sonable, made no impression on Porras, who 
 replied, that there was no longer time to lose 
 in cnnsultations, and that for his part he wish- 
 ed to sail immediately. " Let those among 
 you," added he, addressing the crews that 
 had assembled, "who mean to join me, now 
 declare yourselves." 
 
 This question was the signal for a general 
 revolt; the greater part of the men immedi- 
 ately crying out, " We are ready to follow 
 you." Columbus, though disabled with the 
 gout, and exhausted with repeated vexations, 
 at this insult leaped from his bed, with the 
 view of forcing the mutineers back to their 
 duty ; but his attendants, who with reason 
 feared they would mm-der him, withheld him, 
 as they also did his brother Bartholomew, 
 who, armed with a pii<e, rushed among them. 
 The revolters then seized upon ten canoes, 
 which the admiral had purchased of the sav- 
 
COLUMBUS. 
 
 227 
 
 ages, and embarked in ihem ; a sight which 
 shook the fidehty of the few that had remain- 
 ed firm to their dniy, and the greater part 
 eagerly entreated to join tliem. 
 
 Columbus, his brother, and his son Ferdi- 
 nand, were spectators of this vexatious scene, 
 and beheld themselves abandoned by all but 
 the sick, who were unable to go, and their 
 few faithful domestics. Columbus having 
 called these around him, in the more ener- 
 getic manner thanked them for the proof of 
 attachment they had given him, exhorted them 
 to continue in their duty, and to fix their 
 thoughts upon a speedy termination of their 
 sorrows, through the means of Him who has 
 promised a recompense both in this world 
 and in the next to those who strictly pursue 
 the path of rectitude. The rebels steered 
 towards the eastern point of the island, in 
 order to make for Hispaniola, rending the 
 ajr with their exclamations of joy, and every 
 time they landed, during this navigation, rob- 
 bing and ill treating the natives ; at the same 
 time telling them, that as the admiral was the 
 sole cause of what they did, they must apply 
 to him for redress, — addijig, that if he did 
 not make amends to their satisfaction, they 
 were welcome to kill him. It was thus they 
 endeavoured to embitter the minds of the In- 
 dians against their betrayed and much-injured 
 commander ; and at length having overpow- 
 
228 COLUMBUS. 
 
 ered a number of these poor savages, they 
 obh'ged them to embark with them to work 
 their oars, and again put to sea. 
 
 They had liardly made four leagues, when 
 the sea became so agitated from a contrary 
 wind, that their miserable boats began to fill 
 with Waaler. In order to lighten them, I 
 shudder with horror to relate it, these mon- 
 stej;3 did not hesitate to murder some of the 
 defenceless Indians, and to throw them into 
 the sea ; a siglit which made others leap 
 fro.-n the canoes, struck with terror and de- 
 spair, swimming around them and crying 
 aloud for mercy. But, barbarity unparallel- 
 ed ! when these unhappy sufferers, exhausted 
 with swimming, endeavoured for an instant to 
 relieve themselves by catching hold of the 
 canoes, these Europeans fiends, can you 
 credit it, my children? cut off their hands, 
 and left them to perish miserably I Not less 
 than seventeen were thus barbarously sacrific- 
 ed ; and in all probabihty not one would 
 have escaped, if the Spaniards, despairing of 
 feeing able to proceed, had not formed the re- 
 solution of returning to Jamaica, and, on this 
 account, kept them to work the oars. 
 
 ]f it be possible, my children, efface this 
 horrible relation from your memories ; or, if 
 you cannot, whenever it may intrude, deplore 
 the disgrace that humanity sustained by such 
 monsters bearing a human form, — wretches 
 
WOLUMBUS. 229 
 
 destitute of every sentiment that ennobles 
 man. 
 
 Columbus's conduct in this distress was 
 equally as great as in his former trials. His 
 fortitude never forsook him. Though ill him- 
 self, with truly paternal care he considered 
 the necessities of his people, and took the 
 best measures In his power for their recovery. 
 Heaven seconded his designs, for in a short 
 time he had the saiisfaclion to see all his in- 
 valids re-established. 
 
 Fresh difiiculties however attended him ; 
 the Indians who had hitherto supplied his peo- 
 ple with provisions, began to dread lest these 
 voracious strangers meant to fix their resi- 
 dence among them, and should devour all the 
 produce of their lands. 'Jhis apprehension, 
 added to the bad treatment they had experi- 
 enced from the rebels, filled their minds with 
 fear and hatred against the Europeans, and 
 made them suddenly desist from supplying 
 them with provisions. 
 
 The knowledge and understanding of Co- 
 lumbus, even in this dilemma, furnished a re- 
 source. By his skill in astrononjical calcula- 
 tions he knew there would speedily be an 
 eclipse of the moon, and took advantage of 
 this circumstance to bring back the natives to 
 their former sentiments of respect and be- 
 nevolence, which he did as follows : — 
 20 
 
230 COLUMBUS. 
 
 By means of a savage that he had brought 
 with him from Hispaniola, he convened the 
 chiefs of the natives, informing them that he 
 had something to communicate of the utmost 
 importance ; and on their being assembled, 
 by means of liis interpreter he addressed them 
 to this purport. That himself and his com- 
 panions were men who served the God that 
 created the heaven and the earth ; the God 
 who protected the good and punislied the 
 wicked, and would not fail to punish them, if 
 they continued to refuse to supply his wor- 
 shippers with food for their subsistence. To 
 prove the truth of what he averred, even that 
 very evening they would see the moon rise 
 with an angry aspect, and of the colour of 
 blood ; from which they might judge of the 
 punishment that hung over them, if they did 
 not hasten to supply the Europeans with food 
 as before. 
 
 This prediction was at first a subject of 
 derision to the savages ; but when in reality 
 the moon arose as Columbus had foretold, 
 and they saw the darkness overspread it, their 
 ridicule gave way to universal terror. Cry- 
 ing and howling they sought Columbus, and 
 entreated him to intercede with his God, 
 that the chastisement that threatened them 
 might be removed, and they would faithfully 
 promise, never more to let the Spaniards want 
 food . 
 
COLUMBUS. 
 
 231 
 
 Columbus, on these conditions, promised 
 to do all in his power, and retired to his cabin 
 until the time when he knew the eclipse 
 would begin to decrease ; when returning to 
 them, he bid them not make themselves un- 
 easy, — "Since God," said he, "sees with 
 pleasure that you have changed your conduct, 
 he will not punish you for the past ; and to 
 prove his pardon, the moon will speedily put 
 off her angry appearance, and resume her 
 usual lustre." 
 
 This new prediction being accomplished 
 by the termination of the eclipse, the natives 
 praised the God of the Christians, and pro- 
 vided ample for the man whoiiad announced 
 'his will to them in so marvellous a manner. 
 Well, my children, what do you think of 
 this ? Was it right and prudent of Colum- 
 bus thus to work upon the ignorance of these 
 poor folks .'^ 
 
 None of the children replying, their father 
 continued; — What say you, John.'* — will 
 you not give me your opinion.^ 
 
 John, Certainly, father. The action 
 might undoubtedly be prudent ; but for right, 
 indeed, I cannot think it. 
 
 Father. And why so, friend John ^ 
 
 John. I do not very well understand how 
 to explain my meaning ; yet 1 think the name 
 of God should never be used to a falsehood. 
 
 Father. In that case I think as you do, 
 
232 COLUMBUS. 
 
 yet I know not whether from the same cause ; 
 you will therefore giv^e me your reason. 
 
 John. Because, father, we may lead oth- 
 ers into erroneous ophiions by representing 
 him falsely. 
 
 Father. You are right, my son. You all 
 know of how much importance it is to have a 
 just and true idea of the Divinity. The er- 
 roneous opinions of weak minds is supersti- 
 tion ; thus what Columbus on this occasion 
 made the Indians believe, deserves tliat name, 
 and was calculated to lead them into error. 
 We cannot, therefore, approve the conduct of 
 Columbus ; yet surely if ever a fault, blame- 
 able in itself, deserves to be excused, this 
 does. He saw himself and his people reduc- 
 ed to the greatest extremity ; and though the 
 idea he impressed was erroneous, yet it incul- 
 cated into the minds of these ignorant men 
 the existence of a God, and, by that means, 
 disposed them in future to receive better in- 
 structions. If any palliative can be found for 
 his deception, it must be this : — - 
 
 As eight months had passed since the de- 
 parture of Mendez and Fiesco, no doubt re- 
 mained but that they had perished ; an event 
 that reduced the companions of Columbus to 
 despair, and gave rise to the idea of abandon- 
 ing their chief, and joining the' rebels, who 
 continued their depredation throughout the 
 island, living by rapine and violence. 
 
COLUMBUS. 233 
 
 But at the moment these revohers were on 
 the point of putting their design in execution, 
 they were agreeably surprized by the sight of 
 a small European vessel, which cast anchor 
 at a short distance from the coast. The com- 
 mander soon landed, and brought to the admi- 
 ral a letter from the Governor of Hispaniola, 
 a cask of wine, and two flitches of bacon, 
 which he had no sooner presented, than, re- 
 entering his boat, he soon reached his vessel, 
 and set sail. The letter he brought contained 
 nothing more than some unmeaning compli- 
 ments. Doubtless you cannot guess, any 
 more than did the crew of Columbus, the 
 meaning of this sudden appearance ; I must 
 therefore explain it to you. Ovando, the 
 Governor of Hispaniola, whom we have al- 
 ready spoken of, desired nothing more than 
 to see Columbus, whose right he usurped, 
 perish in his distress : for he feared, that, 
 should he live to return -to Spain, he would 
 again solicit to be reinstated as Viceroy to the 
 West Indies ; in which case he, Ovando, 
 must lose his government ; he therefore wish- 
 ed to learn the real situation of the man whom 
 he so sincerely longed to get rid of, could he 
 effect it by retarding, yet some time longer, 
 the vessel which was to be sent for his deliv- 
 erance. Thus say some historians, in ac- 
 counting for the sudden departure of the 
 20* 
 
5^4 eoLUMBug. 
 
 deputy, as soon as he had examined into the 
 distress of the admiral. Others allege a less 
 criminal motive. Ovando, say they, fearerf 
 that the wreck of Columhus's sliip was only s^ 
 pretence, in order that he might return to^ 
 ~ Hispaniola, and re-establish himself, by force^. 
 in the situation he had been deprived of ; he- 
 therefore sent a spy, to be exactly informed' 
 of the truth. You are now at librrty to adopt 
 which of those opinions you choose. To 
 which do you give the preference ^ 
 
 Some ofihe Children. To the last, father. 
 
 Father. Why so f 
 
 Henry. Because we have it only upon 
 conjecture, that Ovando was so despicable a 
 character ; and, in doubtful cases, you have 
 ever taught us to believe the good, in prefer- 
 ence to the evil. 
 
 Father. Very well ; preserve that princi- 
 ple, my son, and you will never repent having 
 adopted it, should you even suppose your fel- 
 low creatures better than you in reality find 
 them. I had rather be mistaken ten times, in 
 that case, than a single one in the other. 
 
 Columbus, as it is said, suspected that 
 Ovando was actuated by the first mentioned 
 motive ; but too noble minded to sink under 
 calamity, he carefully concealed, from his 
 people, the vexation that preyed upon him, 
 and the desperate situation to which he con- 
 sidered himself reduced. Assuming, there- 
 
COLUMBUS. 
 
 235 
 
 fore, an air of serenity, he informed his com- 
 panions, that the reason of the vessel so 
 speedily setting sail was, that it was found 
 too small to receive their effects ; that Men- 
 dez and Fiesco had happily reached His- 
 paniola, and had orders to procure, on his 
 account, a vessel capable of conve^^ing them 
 ail, and w-hich would, in a short time, ar- 
 rive. Columbus had, in reality, obtained 
 information of the two brave men who had 
 devoted themselves to the service of their 
 companions. You have already heard that 
 they arrived safe in port. The reason that 
 Fiesco had not returned was as follows: — 
 
 Notwithstandin«: he had caught a severe 
 fever^ in the rocky island where they had 
 cast anchor bj' the way^ j'et, faithful to his 
 promise, he was anxious to return to Co- 
 lumbus, in order to inform him of the success 
 of the enterprize ; but he found it impossi- 
 ble to persuade a single man among his 
 comrades to attempt, a second time, so dan- 
 gerous a vo3'agc. Entreaties and threats 
 were equally unavailing; and he was obliged 
 however contrary to his inclination, to ac- 
 company the rest to St. Domingo, where, 
 joining his solicitations to those of Mendez, 
 he earnestly entreated the Governor to sell 
 him a vessel, that he n)ight hasten to the as- 
 sistance of his admiral ; but the Governor, 
 whatever were his motives, constantly, by 
 
236 COLUMBUS. 
 
 some frivolous excuse, deferred the accom- 
 plishment of this request. 
 
 During this interval Columbus had been 
 endeavouring to bring the rebels back to 
 their duly, but in vain ; they not only per- 
 sisted in their revolt, but also demanded of 
 the admiral half of the clothes, and other ef- 
 fects, on board the wrecked vessels, threat- 
 ening, in case of a refusal, to enforce their 
 request in a more hostile manner. Their 
 demand being rejected, they were prepar- 
 ing to put this threat in execution. As 
 Columbus still remained indisposed, he sent 
 his brother Bartholomew, at the head of his 
 men, armed, to meet the revolters, ordering 
 them, however, to try the most conciliatoF'y 
 conduct, before they had recoui'se to harsher 
 measures. Bartholomew scrupulously ob- 
 served these commands, once more offering 
 a general amnesty ; but the rebels, who re- 
 garded this overture but as a proof of weak- 
 ness and timidity, replied only by a com- 
 mencement of hostilities. Six of them had 
 engaged, upon oath, to confine their attack 
 to Bartholomew, until they saw him fall ; 
 but, with the same intrepidity he always 
 possessed, he repulsed them so vigorously, 
 and was so well supported by his men, that 
 he gained a complete victor}'. Some fell by 
 the sword, others were made prisoners, and 
 the rest fled. Among the prisoners who 
 were put in irons, and taken on board, was 
 
COLUMBUI. 237 
 
 the leader of the rebels, Porras, whom Bar- 
 tholomew had seized and disarmed, at the 
 trifling expence of a wound in his hand. 
 
 Those who had fled, speedily after the 
 defeat, sent to supplicate the admiral's par- 
 don, who, more ready to forgive " than re- 
 venge, easily yielded to their entreaties. 
 Thus, contrary to all hope, tranquillity was 
 again re-established. All returned to their 
 duty ; all were pardoned, except the leaders 
 of the mutiny, who were kept in irons, in 
 order to undergo the fate they had justly 
 deserved. 
 
 During this interval Mendez and Fiesco 
 had not ceased to importune the Governor 
 of Hispaniola for a vessel to fetch their ad- 
 miral from Jamaica. For a considerable 
 time he put them off with vague excuses ; but 
 at length, fearing he should meet reproofs 
 from the Court of Spain, for his neglect, he 
 consented that they should purchase a ship. 
 Thus was Columbus's distress relieved at a 
 moment when he least expected it; a cor- 
 roborating proof, my children, that we 
 should never despair, even though earthly 
 hope appears lost, but, relying on the assis- 
 tance of our Creator, persevere in our duty 
 to the last extremity. Thus did Columbus, 
 and thus may we act, should it ever be 
 necessary to exert ourselves, in a similar 
 situation. 
 
 The purchased vessel at length arrived at 
 
238 COLUMBUS. 
 
 Jamaica, where Columbus had, for a whole 
 year, been enduring repeated trials and vex- 
 ations. You rriay, therefore, readily believe 
 how joyfully the whole party embarked, and 
 sailed for St. Domingo. 
 
 In order to conceal his baseness, by mean 
 and despicable servility, the governor re- 
 ceived Columbus with the most distinguish- 
 ed honours; yet while his lips flattered the 
 man whom his heart detested, he could not 
 entirely restrain the rancour he internally 
 felt, and which showed itself in a manner 
 highly insulting to his guest. The leaders 
 of the mutiny, whom the admiral was .taking 
 with him to Spain, in order that they might 
 be tried for their misconduct, he commanded 
 to be set at liberty ; and even threatened 
 those who had remained faithful to their 
 commander, with a severe investigation of 
 their conduct. 
 
 Columbus had patiently sustained too 
 many vexations to sink under this ; and, 
 hastening to leave a country, which he ap- 
 peared to have discovered only to over- 
 whelm him with unha[)piness, he set sail for 1 
 Spain as soon as two vessels could be pre- 
 pared for his departure. 
 
 In this last voyage he experienced the 
 same fate, which the impenetrable decrees of 
 Povidence had ever destined to ^pursue him 
 in all his enterprizes ; he was overtaken by 
 most dreadful storms, which so entirely 
 
•OLUMBUS. 239 
 
 damaged tlie vessel in which he had em- 
 barked, ihat it was obliged to return to Flis- 
 paniola. A more than common stock of 
 courMgo and skill was therefore necessary 
 to proceed on the voyiige in the olher, as 
 that had also snff(Mcd severely in the tem- 
 pest ; it having lost both main and fore-n»ast, 
 and had received consid('ral)le damage in its 
 hull. Notwithstanding this, ColuHd)US con- 
 tinued his couise, and sailed seven hundred 
 marine leagues in a ship little better than a 
 wreck ; and after the greatest dangers, reach- 
 ed the hai bour of St. Luear, in Andalusia. 
 
 And now, my dear pupils, you tloubtless 
 expect to find his misfortunes happily ter- 
 minated. But the hope is vain; for he had 
 scarcely set foot on land, before he was ap- 
 prised of the most melancholy event that 
 could have happened to him — his firm 
 friend and protectress, the Queen Isabella, 
 was just dead. It» her he had placed his 
 wdu)le hope of obtaining either justice or 
 recompence for the rej:)ealcd injtiires he had 
 sustained, and now, alas! that hope was en- 
 tirely destroyed ; for he could promise him- 
 self no success from the suspicious contract- 
 ed temper of the king, who had never en- 
 tered cordially into his views. 
 
 Notwithslatiding this severe disappoint- 
 ment, as speedily as his licalth wouhJ pei-mit 
 he repaired to court, in order to accjuaint 
 the king with the success of his voyage, and 
 
240 COLUMBUS. 
 
 every occurrence that had happened to him. 
 He was, however, received with tlie most 
 ungracious coldness ; his just complaints of 
 the ill treatment he had rtceived were disre- 
 garded ; and his equally just request to be 
 reinstated in his rights and privileges, was 
 answered by pitiful and frivolous excuses. 
 
 Thus this deserving man, who had merited 
 so greatly from the Crown of Spain, was ne- 
 cessitated to devote the close of his labori- 
 ous and useful life to the fruitless humiliation" 
 of soliciting justice fron) an unjust judge, and 
 suj)plicating tlie bare performance of his 
 riglits from a king who withheld them, until 
 at length it pleased Heaven to terminate his 
 sufierings and vexations. Exhausted by the 
 numberless difficulties and sorrows he had 
 encountered, he died at Valadolid, in the 
 year 1506, in the 59th, or, as some authors 
 say, in the 65th yciw of his age. 
 
 The close of his life was worthy the man- 
 ner in which he had lived ; the same tran- 
 quillity of mind and pious resignation, that 
 he h id shown in the most disastrous situa- 
 tions, did not now forsake him ; and his care- 
 worn spirit appeared j<^'yfully to take its flight 
 to the mansion of that Being, before whose 
 judgment-seat kings themselves must bow. 
 
 [The Father here made a pause, but at 
 length continued,^ 
 
 Would you wish, my children, that I 
 should describe the person and character of 
 
COLURIBUS. 241 
 
 Columbus, as we have received it from his 
 hisiorinns? 
 
 Some of the Children. Oh ! yes, dear 
 father ! 
 
 Father. He is reported to have been tall 
 and well formed, his deportment noble and 
 commanding, his face long, his nose aqui- 
 line, his complexion fair, his eyes blue and 
 animated. Jn his youth his hair was inclin- 
 ed to red, but hibour and sorrow had turned 
 it grey at an early period ; for his whole 
 life was a mingled scene of happiness and 
 misery, of applause and disgrace, of the 
 highest honours and the most humiliating de- 
 gradations. His hours of satisfaction were 
 few and fleeting ; but seldom did a day pass 
 in which he had not to support the exiremi- 
 tiess either of pain, sorrow, or vexation. 
 
 He naturally possessed a good constitu- 
 tion, and great strength and activity. His 
 deportment was easy and prepossessing, his 
 manners mild and unaffected ; he was affa- 
 ble to strangers, humane to his domestics, 
 and cheerful with his friends, — but what 1 
 think particularly distinguished him was, the 
 fortitude and patience he showed in every 
 reverse of fortune. 
 
 His conduct in all the perilous events of 
 
 his life plainly demonstrates that he possessed 
 
 an elevated mind, a strong genius, and a 
 
 penetrating knowledge ; to which was add- 
 
 21 
 
242 eoLuMBus. 
 
 ed, a heart that nobly withstood the calami- 
 ties that assailed it. Few have equalled him 
 in prudence and perseverance, none have 
 surpassed him in fortitude and patience. 
 
 Notwithstandini!; he had passed two-thirds 
 of his life in an inferior station, yet he had 
 no sooner risen hy his merit, than he natural- 
 ly assumed the behaviour proper to his rank, 
 and appeared born to command ; he was 
 distinguished by a becoming gravity, and no 
 one possessed niore perfectly that impressive 
 and persuasive eloquence so necessary to in- 
 spire respect and obedience. He spoke lit- 
 tle, but always with energy and effect. 
 
 He was abstemious in his diet, modest in 
 his clothing ; and in all those expeditions 
 that were attended with scarcity or danger, 
 he willingly resigned all indulgences that his 
 companions could not partake. 
 
 In his youth he had carefully applied to 
 study, and therefore surpassed most of his 
 cotemporaries ; but what more than all ren- 
 ders him worthy our esteem and emulation, 
 was his unaffected piety and unshaken pro- 
 bity, of which he gave evident proofs on va- 
 rious occasions. He was naturally passion- 
 ate; but combating this vice by the princi- 
 ples of religion, he so entirely subdued it, 
 that the utmost insolence and repeated af- 
 fi'onts of his enemies could not provoke him 
 to anger. Such was the man to whom Spain 
 was guilty of such flagrant injustice, but 
 
coLUMBUi. 248 
 
 ivhose fame will be held in remembrance lo 
 the latest posterity, and excite admiration in 
 the hea'rls of all those who properly appre- 
 ciate such virtue as dignified Columbus. 
 
 Their father ceased, and the young people 
 for some time remained in melancholy si- 
 lence, until Charlotte, clasping his neck, 
 said, — But, my dear father, is there no con- 
 tinuation of this history? You know not 
 how anxious we are on the subject. 
 
 Father. Of that I shall think at some fu- 
 ture period ; enough has been related for 
 this day, therefore 1 must bid you good night. 
 
 DIALOCfUE XIX. 
 
 At the close of the last dialogue, the young 
 people had easily discovered that there was 
 some relation yet to follow, though they could 
 not devise the subject, and eager to satisfy a 
 laudable curiosity, Charlotte said to her fa- 
 ther, as they were seated around him in the 
 evening, — My dear papa, will you be good 
 enough to continue your narrative a little ? 
 We are all so anxious, that we shall scarcely 
 sleep if you do not gratify us. 
 
 Father. I should be sorry to break your 
 rest, and, as I love to oblige you when you 
 
244 
 
 COLUMBUS. 
 
 have cheerfully fulfilled the duties of the 
 day, am willing to resume my recital. 
 
 Some of the Children. Thank you, thank 
 you, father ! 
 
 Others. Silence ! let my father begin. 
 
 Father. Columbus being dead, J shall 
 hereafter relate to you the life of a man who 
 has rendered himself scarcely less conspicu- 
 ous in history. 
 
 Frederic. Dear father, what was his 
 
 name 
 
 Father. Patience ; that I shall not men- 
 lion yet. 1 m.ust first relate to you what 
 happened after the death of Columbus, until 
 this personage became publicly known, 
 should I neglect w^hich, you would not com- 
 prehend his history. 1 must first lead you 
 back to Hispaniola, in order to see how af- 
 fairs were situated undeT the administration 
 of Ovando; but I shudder to relate, as you 
 will also to hear, the atrocious barbarities 
 committed in this unhappy and devoted 
 country. 
 
 Ovando, with regard to the Spaniards, was 
 not a bad regent. He made several wise 
 regulations, and succeeded in re-establishing 
 peace and good order in the colony. By 
 the opening of several mines he enriched 
 the king, his companions, and himself; and 
 what has proved of the greatest advantage 
 to this island, as well as to all Europe, he in- 
 troduced the cultivation of the sugar cane, 
 
COLUMBUS. 
 
 245 
 
 the plants of which he procured from the 
 Canaries. Happy thought!* How many 
 millions of pounds of sugar have since been 
 produced in those climntes, where none be- 
 fore that period grew ; and how many thou- 
 sand people have been supported by this 
 important branch of commerce ! 
 
 Thus far all was well. But why was it 
 necessary that a man, who in some cases 
 made such prudent reiiulations, should con- 
 duct himself towards the unhappy natives of 
 this country, as a monster deserving only 
 the abomination of every mind susceptible 
 of humanity ? Listen, my children, and 
 judge whether I speak too severely of him. 
 
 Not content with having subdued the le- 
 gitimate owners, and reduced the innocent 
 inhabitants of the island to slavery, and with 
 having condemned them to furnish a yearly 
 
 * The translator must differ in opinion from Mr, Campe, 
 and consider it as a pernicious thought, for those millions of 
 pounds of sugar cannot surely be put in compeiition with the 
 numberless barbarities the culture of that plant has occasioned, 
 any more than can the luxury of Europeans be considered of 
 sufficient conseqnence to be purchased at the yearly expence 
 of the lives of thousands of their fellow creatures. In the eye 
 of the world, the death of a few negroes may be immaterial ; 
 but in the eye of God, will it not be the death of men and 
 brethren, who, however destitute of external advantages, and 
 deficient in the refinements of education, are equally estima- 
 ble in his sight as the polished European ? 
 
 21* 
 
246 
 
 COLUMBUS. 
 
 tribute infinitely above their ability to col- 
 lect, he treated them as beasts of burthen, 
 which he could dispose of at pleasure, there- 
 fore lo render himself popular with his ava- 
 ricious compaiiiotis, he i^ave to one twenty, 
 to another fifty, and to a third an hundred of 
 these unfortunate Indians, with the same un- 
 concern as a proprietor would distribute 
 sheep or pigs among his dependants. At the 
 same time fie gave permission for them to be 
 employed as their owners chose, and to be 
 treated according lo their inclination. 
 
 In consequence of this distribution, this 
 weak and inoffensive people were so inhu- 
 manly treated by their barbarous tyrants, 
 that the greater part died from fatigue or 
 other oppressive causes; and many others, 
 weary of a life so replete with wretchedness, 
 sought relief in an untimely death. When 
 Coluiribus discovered this country, the num- 
 ber of natives was estimated at one million, 
 and only fif(een years after, sixty thousand 
 souls alone remained. Thus, you see that in 
 this short space not less than nine hundred 
 and forty thousand persons had perished by 
 the barbarity of the Europeans. 
 
 There was still in the island a district, the 
 inhabitaats of which, though they were trib- 
 utary, yet enjoyed the satisfaction of being 
 governed by their own queen. Her name 
 was Anacoana. She was the decided friend 
 of the Spaniards, and regularly paid the 
 
eOLUMBtTS. 247 
 
 tribute they had imposed upon her subjects. 
 Unhappily, in the district she governed, sev- 
 eral of the unprincipled partizans of Roldan 
 had settled ; and though received and treat- 
 ed by the queen and her subjects with the 
 utmost kindness, yet they could not restrain 
 their natural propensity to evil, committing 
 repeated acts of injustice and violence against 
 the natives, until the queen was at length 
 necessitated to reprove their conduct. This 
 deserved reprimand so highly exasperated 
 these villains, that they resolved upon re- 
 venge, and in consequence formed the abom- 
 inable project of destroying this inoffensive 
 people. To accomplish their purpose they 
 applied to Ovando, at St. Domingo, inform- 
 ing him that the Queen Anacoana had a 
 design to revolt, and speedily to free herself 
 from the yoke of Spain ; they therefore 
 counselled him to prevent her, by seizing 
 upon her person, property, and territories. 
 
 Ovando possessed too much penetration 
 not at once to discover the dark design of 
 these wretches. He well knew the false- 
 hood of their accusation ; but coveting to 
 possess the wealth and territories of the 
 queen, he was vile enough to pretend a be- 
 lief of this accusation, and took steps ac- 
 cordingly. 
 
 The queen's power was, however, not to 
 be contemned ; her district was extensive, 
 
248 
 
 COLUMBUS. 
 
 and not less than three hundred caciques 
 were said to be her vassals. 
 
 Frederic. What are vassals, father ? 
 
 Father. It is proper you should learn 
 that, being one yourself. 
 
 Frederic. 1 ! father ? 
 
 Father. Undoubtedly you are, as are 
 also your brothers, my vassals. Have I not 
 given to each of you a portion of ground for a 
 garden ? In return for which, have you not 
 engaged to dig, sow, weed, or water my gar- 
 den when 1 require it ? Do 1 not protect 
 you, so that no one dare injure your land, or 
 take any thing from it without your permis- 
 sion ? And should any of you quit me, or 
 chance to die, should I not have a right to 
 take back my ground, either for my own 
 use, or to give to another ? 
 
 Frederic. Certainly, father. 
 
 Father. I then am your lord, or chief, 
 and you are my vassals or dependants. Do 
 you comprehend the meaning of the word, 
 now, Frederic ? 
 
 Frederic. Perfectly. 
 
 Father. The Queen Anacoana had, as I 
 before informed you, three hundred caciques, 
 that were her vassals, and consequeruly 
 were engaged to assist her whenever she 
 required their services. Ovando was ap- 
 
 {)rised of this circumstance, and consequent- 
 y feared to show his intention by open hos- 
 tilities, as his own soldiery were greatly re- 
 
COLUMBUS. 249 
 
 duced by the unwholesome air of the cli- 
 mate ; he therefore resolved to have re- 
 course to the most mean and despicable 
 treachery. 
 
 With this view he sent word to the queen, 
 that in order to strengthen the bonds of 
 friendship between her and the Spaniards, 
 he had resolved to pay her a visit, with a 
 retinue suited to her high rank, and speedily 
 after departed for that apparent purpose, 
 attended by three hundred foot, and seventy 
 horsemen. 
 
 The queen, far from entertaining any sus- 
 picion of the people to whom she was sin- 
 cerely attached, was delighted at this visit, 
 and, in order to receive them with the more 
 distinguished honours, assembled her numer- 
 ous vassals, and prepared to meet the per- 
 fidious Ovando. 
 
 On his approach, Anacoana, according to 
 the custom of her country, received him with 
 singing, dancing, and every token of satis- 
 faction ; then conducted him to her dwell- 
 ing, where she endeavoured, with unwearied 
 kindness, to render every thing convenient 
 and agreeable, both to Ovando and his com- 
 panions, ordering, for several days succes- 
 sively, a repetition of diversions, which were 
 usual to the nation. 
 
 Ovando testified the utmost satisfaction, 
 and at length requested the queen to suffer 
 him to entertain her and the court, in his 
 
250 fOLBMBUS. 
 
 turn, with an European entertainment. This 
 offer was accepted with thanks, and the day 
 following the whole court, as well as great 
 numbers of Indians, assembled, to see the 
 promised diversions. Ovando, in the mean 
 time, retired, as he said, to make the neces- 
 sary arrangements for the entertainment, 
 which was to consist of a tournament. 
 
 He soon afterwards returned with his cav- 
 alry, followed by the infantry, who, without 
 the appearance of design, took possession of 
 all the avenues, while himself, at the head 
 of the horsemen, in close ranks, advanced 
 towards the place of entertainment, which 
 consisted of a spacious hall, simply covered 
 •with a roof, supported by a great number of 
 pillars, and where the whole court was as- 
 sembled. The unsuspecting Indians, de- 
 lighted with this warlike spectacle, testified 
 the utmost pleasure, until Ovando gave the 
 appointed signal, by laying his hand on a 
 cross which he wore. In a moment every 
 sword was drawn, and the treacherous 
 guests fell upon^their betrayed and panic- 
 struck entertainers with the most savage bar- 
 barity, slaying an infinite number, without 
 distinction of age or sex. The queen was 
 seized and loaded with irons, and the ca- 
 ciques tied to the pillars of the building ; 
 when, to complete the tragedy, the fiend- 
 like Ovando ordered the edifice to be set on 
 fire, which being executed, the unhappy 
 
COLUMBUS. 251 
 
 victims of his cruelty were consumed in the 
 flames. 
 
 You shudder, my dear children, and with 
 reason ; but reserve a portion of your sym- 
 pathy for the unfortunate queen, who was 
 far more to he pitied than those who perish- 
 ed by the fire or sword. Like a defenceless 
 lamb, in the Tangs of a ferocious wolf, she 
 was dragged by her executioner, to St. Do- 
 mingo, not to spare her life, but in order to 
 lengthen her suffering, and to give his bar- 
 barity, the specious appearance of justice. 
 At length she was brought to trial ; and 
 without the smallest proof of guilt, on the 
 deposition of the treacherous villains who 
 accused her, she was condemned to be 
 hanged ; and this execrable sentence was 
 executed. 
 
 The emotion of the young people, for some 
 minutes, caused their father to remain silent ; 
 at length he resumed : — 
 
 From this time, fear, despair, and horror, 
 possessed the minds of the Indians ; nor had 
 any the courage to attempt shaking off the 
 tyrannic yoke of the Spaniards. Queen 
 Isabella, during her life, showed herself a 
 zealous protectress of these unfortunate peo- 
 ple, and in some measure, restrained the 
 cruelty of their oppressors ; but, after her 
 death, they were left to the mercy of their 
 unfeeling tyrants. It is true, that a worthy 
 priest, called Bartholomew de las CasaSj 
 
252 COLUMBUS. 
 
 boldly spoke aloud in their defence, not 
 only in the West Indies, but in Spain ; but 
 the voice of one man crying for mercy on 
 these sufferers, was soon stifled by the united 
 clamour of their barbarian masters, who 
 easily refuted the just complaints and hu- 
 mane reasoning of Las Casas, by the ingots 
 of gold they transmitted to Spafn. 
 
 The few Indians their cruelty had left, 
 decreased so visibly, that they had no long- 
 er a sufficient number to work the mines ; 
 Ovando, therefore, proposed to the king, to 
 transport thither the inhabitants of the Lu- 
 cayo Islands. You doubtless remember 
 that Columbus discovered these on his first 
 voyage ? 
 
 Nicholas. Perfectly, father. 
 
 Father. Ovando's proposal was, to trans- 
 port the natives of these islands to Hispanio- 
 la, in order, as he said, that they might, more 
 commodiously,be instructed in the Christian 
 religion. The kinj; consented, and Ovando 
 devised a new artifice, the more easily to 
 entrap these innocent victims — an artifice 
 worthy of his degenerate soul. Some ves- 
 sels were equipped with the utmost despatch, 
 and sent to the Lucayos, where the crea- 
 tures of Ovando, who perfectly understood 
 the language of the natives, with hypocriti- 
 cal knavery held out the following falsehood 
 to the credulous Indians. 
 
 " Hearken, good people, to the agreeable 
 
COLUMBUS. 253 
 
 news we bring unto j^ou. We are just ar- 
 rived from the land of souls, where your 
 deceased ancestors lead a life of such ex- 
 quisite felicity, that it is impossible to de- 
 scribe it. By us they entreat you to repair 
 to them immediately, and partake their hap- 
 piness ; to which request, if you are wise 
 enough to consent, we are willing to conduct 
 you to them." 
 
 Thus spoke these unprincipled hypocrites ; 
 and the Indians, too simple to suspect the 
 treacherous plot that was devised against 
 them, without deliberation, rushed by multi- 
 tudes into the vessels, delighted with the 
 supposition that they were going to be re- 
 united to those who had been most dear to 
 them. The number of these unfortunate 
 victims amounted to forty thousand. 
 
 They no sooner arrived at Hispaniola, 
 than they found their niistake. Some died 
 from sorrow and vexation ; others made a 
 last effort to withdraw themselves from the 
 fans^s of these tigers ; among these last men- 
 tioned, some were met and taken up l)y a 
 Spanish vpssel, on the open sea, at the dis- 
 tance of fifty leagues from Hispaniola. They 
 were seated on the trunk of a tree, and en- 
 deavouring, by the help of their oars, to re- 
 gain their native land. All their provision 
 consisted of a few calabashes, filled with fresh 
 water, which they had tied to the trunk. 
 22 
 
254 
 
 COLUMBUS. 
 
 Frederic, What is a calabash, father ? 
 
 Father. The calabash is the fruit of a 
 tree that grows in the West Indies, not unlike 
 our large gourds. Its skin is tough ; but 
 beneath it is a pulpy substance, rather acid, 
 and not unpleasant to the taste. The out- 
 side is used by the Indians for several pur- 
 poses, such as drinking vessels, dishes, &;c. 
 
 But to return to our narrative. When the 
 Spaniards discovered the poor Indians, and 
 intercepted their voyage, they had nearly 
 reached their island ; and their grief and de- 
 spair may be more easily imagined than de- 
 scribed, when they found themselves again 
 obliged to bend their necks to the yoke of 
 slavery, from which they had escaped at the 
 imminent hazard of their lives. Artifice was 
 now out of reason ; the Spaniards had re- 
 course to violence ; and thus these well- 
 peopled islands were, in a few years, left 
 without a single inhabitant. 
 
 Henry. What abominable wTCtches ! Had 
 I lived in those days, I would have devoted 
 myself to punish such villains. 
 
 Father. My dear boy, in all probability, 
 you would not have succeeded better than 
 Las Casas, who also devoted himself to the 
 service of the unhappy Indians ; therefore, 
 rather let us thank God that we exist in an 
 age when such atrocities are not committed. 
 Las Casas tried all possible means to save 
 
COLUMBUS. 255 
 
 the wretched creatures, whose defence he 
 had undertaken ; but his kindness was una- 
 vailing, and at length his zeal so far blinded 
 his better judgment, that he involved, in their 
 destruction, another species of men. He 
 advised, that, for the most laborious works, 
 the Spaniards should purchase negroes from 
 the coast of Africa, as they were more 
 healthy and robust than the Americans. This 
 counsel was adopted ; and thence arose the 
 inhuman practice of purchasing slaves, which 
 for some years past has deprived above forty 
 thousand of our negro brethren of their liber- 
 ty, happiness, and often their lives. How- 
 ever, this vile traffic now appears to be 
 declining, as the legislature of the first com- 
 mercial nation in the world, has nobly stepped 
 forth, and decreed its extinction. 
 
 Henry. Pray, father, what is the present 
 state of Hispaniola ? 
 
 Father. Rather say, Haiti ; for it is now 
 called by its former name. But to answer 
 your question satisfactorily, it will be neces- 
 sary to recount the events of a few years that 
 have passed away. Haiti then, as you all 
 know, was first discovered and possessed by 
 the Spaniards ; but, for a long time past, the 
 most considerable part has been in the power 
 of the French, to whom also the Spanish pos- 
 sessions in the island were likewise ceded 
 
S56 COLUMBUS. 
 
 by a treaty between the two nations, in. the 
 year 1795. 
 
 The French towns are Cape Francois, 
 (the capital ;) Fort Dauphin ; St. Mark ; 
 Leogane ; Petit Goave ; Jeremie ; Les 
 Cayes ; St. Louis, and Jacmel. 
 
 The population of the island, in the year 
 1788, was estimated at twenty-seven thou- 
 sand, seven hundred and seventeen white 
 people; twenty-one thousand, eight hun- 
 dred and eight free people of colour ; and 
 four hundred and five thousand, five hundred 
 and twenty-eight slaves. The importation of 
 negro slaves being, that year, in this island 
 alone, twenty- six thousand, five hundred and 
 six ; they were sold for eight millions of 
 dollars. 
 
 In the night between the 22d and 23d of 
 August, 1791, a most alarming insurrection 
 commenced on the French plantations, mark- 
 ed by the most horrid cruelty. In a short 
 time, an hundred thousand negroes were in 
 open rebellion, and all the manufactories and 
 plantations, of more than half of the northern 
 part, appeared in flames. Plains and moun- 
 tains were filled with carnage, and deluged 
 with blood. From that time to this period 
 there have been most dreadful con- 
 flicts, in which the people of colour, have 
 proved, in general, successful ; retaliating, 
 with vindictive cruelty, upon their oppressors. 
 
COLUMBUS. 
 
 257 
 
 Their chief, proceeding; upon the model of 
 an European usurper, of great notoriety, as- 
 sumed the title of Emperor, and for several 
 years exercised tyrannical sway over his 
 black brethren, till they, grown tired of cruel- 
 ty and arbitrary rule, divided into factions, 
 brought about another revolution, and are 
 now (1826) governed by President Boyer. 
 
 But it is now time to conclude for the 
 evening. Farewel. 
 
 DIALOGUE XX. 
 
 Henry. Dear father, shall we hear no 
 more of Don Bartholomew, the brother of 
 Columbus ? 
 
 Father. I am glad you have reminded 
 me of him ; — we should not forget the af- 
 flicted family of our deceased friend. 
 
 The eldest son of Columbus, whose name 
 was Diego, insisted, after the death of his fa- 
 ther, that the contract he held from the king, 
 should be fulfilled, demanding it as his right, 
 to be acknowledged as Viceroy of the West 
 indies, which was stipulated to be hereditary 
 in his family. Ferdinand was, however, 
 22* 
 
258 COLUMBUS* 
 
 equally unjust to the son as to the father, and 
 all representations on the subject were fruit- 
 less. At length Don Diego coinraenced an 
 action against the king, in the tribunal ap- 
 pointed to examine into all American causes; 
 and let it be remembered, to the immortal 
 glory of this court, that the judges had the 
 probity and courage to decide against the 
 monarch, and to declare that justice demand- 
 ed that the promise made to Columbus should 
 be ratified to his son. 
 
 Some of the Children. I am glad of that, 
 however. 
 
 Father. Notwithstanding this decree, the 
 king probably might have paid little regard to 
 the injunction, had not Don Diego found 
 means to strengthen his legitimate right, by a 
 yet stronger interest. Raised by the decree 
 of the court to the highest rank of the Spanish 
 empire, he asked in marriage the daughter of 
 one of the first lords in the kingdom, and 
 niece to the Duke of Alba, and found no dif- 
 ficulty in obtaining her. This powerful fam- 
 ily did not cease importuning the king in fa- 
 vour of Don Diego, until at length he was 
 compelled to do him justice. Ovando was 
 therefore recalled, and the family of Colum- 
 bus, triumphant over malice and injustice, 
 embarked for Hispaniola. 
 
 J^icholas. Ah, I wish Columbus had been 
 alive to see it. 
 
COLUMBUS. 259 
 
 Father, The soul of the just man, my 
 son, is superior to earthly pleasure. In the 
 enjoyment of celestial happiness, should a 
 thought intervene of worldly things, they 
 must be regarded as a dream, or only give 
 cause for rejoicing ; as the soul, purified from 
 the grossness of mortality, can only regard 
 sufferings on earth as the preliminaries of 
 happiness. 
 
 Accompanied by his brother, his uncle, and 
 his wife, Don Diego departed with the utmost 
 magnificence for Hispaniola, where he resided 
 in a style of splendour proportionate to the 
 merits of his father. A number of people of 
 rank and fortune followed him, and in a short 
 time, gave a very different appearance to the 
 colony. Several respectable families that at 
 this day flourish in Spanish America, are de- 
 scendants from these companions of Don 
 Diego. 
 
 Let us now examine how the territories of 
 the Spaniards were, by degrees, extended. 
 
 During the government of Ovando, a man, 
 named Juan Ponce, had asked permission to 
 establish a colony in the Island of Porto Rico, 
 which was discovered by Columbus. On 
 obtaining leave he sailed thither, accompa- 
 nied by a number of adventurers, attracted 
 by the hope of making their fortunes, as this 
 island was said to abound in gold. 
 
 The natives resembled those of Hispaniola, 
 
260 
 
 COLUMBUS. 
 
 in the mildness of their disposition. They 
 also received the strangers in an hospitable 
 manner, regarding them as beings of a su- 
 perior order ; and one of the caciques, par- 
 ticularly to show his veneration and friend- 
 ship, caused himself to be immediately named 
 after the Spanish commander, Juan Ponce 
 Agueynaba. But these supposed celestials 
 soon threw off the mask, and by their brutali- 
 ty and inhumanity speedily undeceived the 
 Indians, who could scarcely suppose them 
 men, but monsters, from their atrocious 
 deeds. In order, however, to be assured 
 whether they were in reality mortal, the chiefs 
 of this unhappy people resolved to make an 
 experiment on one of them as soon as possi- 
 ble ; and the opportunity was not long 
 wanting. 
 
 A young Spaniard, who rambled about the 
 island without fear or precaution, one evening 
 entered the hut of a cacique, in order to re- 
 quest a lodging for the night ; he was received 
 and entertained with the utmost hospitality, 
 and the cacique next morning sent some In- 
 dians with him as guides, whom the cacique 
 had previously instructed how to act. 
 
 They conducted the Spaniard to the banks 
 of a river, where one of the Indians offered 
 his services to carry him over ; which being 
 accepted, he took him upon his back, but, 
 having reached the depth of the water, pur- 
 
COLVIMBUS. 261 
 
 posely made a stumble and threw the young 
 man under bim, where, with the assistance of 
 bis companions he held him until there were 
 no signs of life, and then dragged the body to 
 the opposite shore. 
 
 Notwithstanding the appearance of death, 
 the prejudice the Indians had imbibed of the 
 immortality of the Spaniards was so strong, 
 that they could not persuade themselves but 
 that he would yet revive, and accordingly ask- 
 ed him a thousand pardons, and made as 
 many excuses for the accident that liad hap- 
 pened ; protesting that they had rendered 
 him every assistance in their power. Al- 
 though the body was entirely bereft of life, 
 they continued with it three days, repeating 
 their protestations, and momentarily expect- 
 ing to see it revive. At length the putrid 
 smell which began to exliale from the corpse, 
 convinced them that he was in reality dead ; 
 when, losing no longer time in excuses, they 
 hastened to the cacique with the joyful tidings 
 that the white men were not immortal, as they 
 had succeeded in killing one ! 
 
 This discovery was of the utmost- import- 
 ance, and information was in consequence 
 sent to the other caciques, who unanimously 
 resolved to deliver themselves from their 
 tyrannical intruders. But, alas ! what suc- 
 cess could be expected from a naked and un- 
 armed multitude, opposed against experienc- 
 
263 COLUMBUS. 
 
 ed warriors, furnished with swords, fire-arms, 
 horses and dogs ? It is true that they suc- 
 ceeded in cutting off about a hundred that 
 were stragghng in different parts of the island ; 
 but this success was dearly earned, by the 
 total loss of their liberties and happiness, — 
 for Ponce, collecting his army, which was 
 entirely composed of veteran soldiers, pursued 
 the Indians into their retreats, where those 
 who did not fall by the sword, were taken 
 prisoners and condemned to slavery. 
 
 During this engagement with the natives 
 some reinforcements having arrived from 
 Spain, the Indians were simple enough to be- 
 lieve that the Spaniards they had killed were 
 come to life again, and that in consequence 
 opposition was vain. This superstitious idea 
 completely overpowered their courage, and 
 tremblingly they submitted to receive the 
 heavy yoke which the cruelty of their tyrants 
 imposed upon them without mercy. In de- 
 scribing the carnage made at Porto Rico, the 
 historians of that day speak highly of the sa- 
 gacity and courage of a large dog, called 
 Bezerrillo, who, as they recount, performed 
 wonderful execution among the natives. 
 *' He could perfectly distinguish," say they, 
 " which of the Indians were friends, and which 
 were enemies ; and so ferocious was he, that 
 they were more afraid of ten Spaniards with 
 this dog, than of a hundred without him," 
 
COLVMBUS. 263 
 
 In otder to ingratiate themselves with so tre- 
 mendous an enemy, before the commencement 
 of hostilities they never failed to present him 
 with the same portion of food, gold, and num- 
 ber of slaves as they presented to each Span- 
 iard ; a circumstance that rendered him very 
 profitable to his master. Among other proofs 
 of the discernment of this animal, the follow- 
 ing anecdote is related, of which you may 
 believe as much or as httle as you please. 
 Some inhuman Spaniards wishing to destroy 
 an old Indian woman, who had by some 
 means displeased them, sent her to a distance 
 with a letter, and immediately despatched the 
 dog after her in order to worry her. The 
 poor creature seeing him run furiously to- 
 wards her, threw herself upon her knees, and 
 holding out the letter, said, " Ah, dear mas- 
 ter, I pray your greatness to spare me ; I am 
 taking this letter from our lords, the Chris- 
 tians." At these words (says our grave his- 
 torian) the dog appeared pacified, caressed 
 her, wagged his tail, and turned back without 
 doing her the smallest injury. 
 
 But enough, my children of this unfortu- 
 nate people. We will now turn to other parts, 
 of this oppressed country. As the Spaniards 
 continued to extend their discoveries and con- 
 quests, I shall confine myself to the most con- 
 siderable. The first step that Don Diego took 
 to increase his own authority, and enlarge 
 
264 COLUMBUS. 
 
 the possessions of the king, his master, was, 
 to establish at Cubagua, an island discovered 
 by his father, a colony for the pearl fishery. 
 Look on the map — there is the island, near 
 that of MargLiarita, on the.coast of Cumana. 
 
 Frederic. Do they fish for pearls, father ? 
 
 Father. Pearls are formed in oysters and 
 muscles, that are found in particular parts of 
 the sea, and in some rivers, from whence 
 they are collected. Some authors think they 
 are produced from sandy concretions ; the 
 effect of a disorder to which shell-fish are 
 subject, as stones sometimes form in the blad- 
 der of the human body. Others suppose 
 that pearls are composed of nothing more than 
 a superfluity of the fluid which forms the shell, 
 and that issuing from the fish remains in drops, 
 and coagulates into pearls. Thus much for 
 opinions. The pearl fishers, who are usually 
 poor slaves, stop their nostrils and ears with 
 cotton, and hold in their mouth a piece of 
 sponge dipped in oil, and by the assistance of a 
 -cord are let down into the sea, in order to 
 gather up the oysters and muscles. It is 
 easy to conjecture that this perilous business 
 costs many unhappy creatures their lives ; 
 yet ladies who affect great sensibility do not 
 scruple to ornament their necks and arms at 
 the expence of the lives of these devoted 
 victims. 
 
 Don Diego thought that the Indians, ac- 
 
COLUMBUS. 265 
 
 customed to dive and swim, would find this 
 employment less laborious than working in the 
 mines ; he therefore sent a considerable num- 
 ber, under European inspectors, to Cubagua, 
 where his father had observed the sea to 
 abound in pearl oysters. The advantages 
 which the king, as also his emissaries derived 
 from this fishery were immense ; but the 
 miserable Indians who were employed nearly 
 all perished, which, added to the barrenness of 
 the island, in a short time obliged the Span- 
 iards to remove to that of Margnarita. 
 
 At nearly the same period Don Diego took 
 possession of Jamaica. Colonies were estab- 
 lished there, and the ancient possessors were 
 condemned to endine the same oppression 
 to which the neighbouring islanders had 
 submitted. 
 
 Diego then turned his thoughts on Cuba, 
 and intrusted the conquest to a man named 
 Velasquez, who, during the life of Columbus, 
 had frequently distinguished himself. Num- 
 bers of people, led by the hope of making 
 their fortunes, joined in the expedition, and 
 landed with Velasquez on the eastern part 
 of Cuba. 
 
 This country was then under the dominion 
 of a cacique, named Hatuey, who, to escape 
 from slavery, had quitted Hispaniola, and es- 
 tablished himself at Cuba. Sworn enemy to 
 23 
 
266 COLUMBUS. 
 
 the oppressors of his country, he had for a 
 considerable time expected this intrusion, and 
 therefore constantly kept spies in Hispaniola, 
 to apprise him of the approaching danger. 
 When informed of the mischief he dreaded, 
 he assembled his subjects and allies, and hav- 
 ing communicated the alarming news he had 
 received, entreated and encouraged them to 
 defend their hberty, and rather to lose their 
 lives than submit to the yoke of the Spanish 
 invaders. This request they unanimously 
 promised to fulfil. 
 
 " It is well, ray friends," said Hatuey, 
 " but if you resolve to keep off these tyrants, 
 one thing is still necessary. Do you know 
 what is the cause of their coming hither ? It 
 is to seek for the God whom they adore ; and 
 if any of you are yet ignorant of what that 
 God is, behold it there." Thus speaking, he 
 pointed to a basket which contained some 
 gold, assuring them that that metal, which 
 was in reality good for nothing, was the God 
 for which the Christians exposed themselves 
 to every danger, and for whose sake alone 
 they wished to take possession of the island. 
 " Let us hasten therefore," added he, " to 
 do honour to this power, in order that we 
 may obtain its protection." They then began 
 to sing and dance round the basket ; in which 
 devotional act they continued, as is the cus- 
 tom of the Indians, until the night was far 
 
COLUMBUS. 267 
 
 advanced, and fatigue and intoxication obliged 
 them to separate. 
 
 On the following day Hatuey again assem- 
 bled his people, and, addressing them, said, 
 that having maturely reflected upon the sub- 
 ject of their fears' he conceived, that notwith- 
 standing the homage they had paid to the 
 God of the Spaniards, there would be no 
 security for them as long as it remained upon 
 the island. "Vain," added he, " would be 
 the attempt to conceal it ; should you even 
 swallow it, they would not hesitate to rip you 
 open, and tear out your bowels to obtain it. 
 Let us, therefore, without delay, clear our 
 country of the temptation by throwing it into 
 the sea." This plan was unanimously adopt- 
 ed, and all the gold that could be collected 
 was disposed of according to the advice of 
 Hatuey. Notwithstanding these precautions 
 they soon discovered the Spanish flag waving 
 on their coast, where Hatuey, with manly 
 resolution, opposed their landing. A battle 
 in consequence ensued ; when the army of the 
 unfortunate chief, after a short resistance, was 
 put to flight, himself taken, and, in order to 
 intimidate the other caciques of the island, 
 condemned to be burned alive. 
 
 Some of the Children exclaim^ What dread- 
 ful monsters were the Spaniards ! 
 
 Father. He was tied to the stake, and the 
 fagots piled round him, when a Franciscan 
 
268 COLUMBUS* 
 
 friar drew near, in order to describe to him 
 the joys of Heaven. Hatuey having listened 
 to him for some time, asked, — if there were 
 any Spaniards in that region of delights ? 
 *' Doubtless !" replied the friar, " all those 
 that are worthy." " The best are good for 
 nothing," returned Hatuey, " it is therefore 
 in vain to persuade me ; 1 will not go to a 
 place where there is the least danger of meet- 
 ing a single man of them." 
 
 The inhuman desth of Hatuey occasioned 
 so universal a dread among the Indians of 
 Cuba, that without farther resistance they 
 submitted to the yoke of slavery. Thus the 
 Spaniards in a few days became masters of 
 one of the most extensive and richest islands 
 in the world, without the loss of a single 
 man. 
 
 During this interval there were many voy- 
 ages made to the continent discovered by 
 Columbus, and the Spaniards began already 
 to form settlements and enslave the natives ; 
 but of this I shall speak hereafter. One re- 
 markable event, however, at this period, I 
 must not forget. Ponce, who had conquered 
 the island of Porto Rico, had frequently heard 
 from the natives that northward there was an 
 island, in which was a fountain, whose waters 
 possessed the miraculous property of restoring 
 youth to those who bathed in them. Not- 
 withstanding the absurdity of this fable, it 
 
COLUMBUS. 269 
 
 excited the curiosity of the credulous Span- 
 iard, who, without further deliberation, re- 
 solved to go in search of this wonderful 
 fountain. With this intention he left Porto 
 Rico, and steered towards the north, on the 
 coast of tlie Lucayos, according to the ac- 
 count he had heard^ until reaching the twen- 
 ty-sixth degree of north latitude, he changed 
 his course for the west, where he found, to 
 his great joy 
 
 Frederic, interrupting him. The fountain, 
 father ? 
 
 Father. No, Frederic, not the fountain, 
 but an extensive and beautiful country, which 
 we at present know to be part of the conti- 
 nent of North America, and to which Ponce 
 gave the name of Florida; either from its 
 blooming and flowery appearance, or because 
 it was discovered on Pahn Simday, alluding 
 to the name of that day in the Spanish lan- 
 guage. Thus did a ridiculous tale occasion a 
 discovery of the greatest importance. 
 
 From this period the attention of the Span- 
 iards was turned to another part of the 
 world, which till then had remained unknown. 
 They had before reason to suppose, that in 
 the region where the populous and rich city 
 of Mexico lies, there was a conntry hitherto 
 undiscovered, but no one had yet attempted 
 to search. This enterprize was, however, 
 
270 COLUMBUS. 
 
 now resolved upon, and a man presented cal- 
 culatedj to be intrusted with so important a 
 commission, but wiiose name is yet a stran- 
 ger to you. 
 
 Frederic. Dear father, what is it ? 
 
 Father. Cortez. JBut enough for the 
 present, 1 may sometime hereafter gratify 
 you with his history. 
 
 EKD OF COI.UMBCS. 
 
JUVENILE CLASSICS, 
 
 MuNROE & Francis intend to publish a series of Books 
 for Children, comprising- History, Biogra-Phy, Moral 
 Tales, tScc. 5 to be done up in a neat, cheap, and durable 
 manner, forming excellent Books for Juvenile Libraries. 
 
 They have begun with the HISTORY OF COLUMBUS, 
 the HISTORY OF CORTEZ will follow, then the HIS- 
 TORY OF PIZARRO. 
 
MUNROE & FRANCIS 
 
 HAVE JUST PUBLISHED, 
 
 THE PEARL; being the First of an Annual Present for 
 youth. An original work, embellished with six engravings, 
 bound in silk, and other fancy bindings. By the author cf 
 many approved works for children. 
 
 TII2 MIRROR; or Eighteen Juvenile Tales and Dia- 
 logues, after the manner of Berquin. By a Lady of Phila- 
 delphia. With ten engravings. 
 
 THE YOUNG AMERICANS; or an account of a Voyage 
 to Europe, by a family consisting principally of children. By 
 the author of * The Mirror." 
 
 GODFREY HALL; or Prudence and Principle, illus- 
 trated in the conduct of two young ladies, brought up under 
 the care of Lady Godfrey. 
 
 THE YOUNG BOTANIST; or a Sketch of the Life of 
 Linnoeus, particularly of his youth ; a most interesting work 
 for Children. 
 
 THE YOUNG CADET ; or Henry Delamore's Voyage 
 to India, his Travels in Hindoslan, his Account ofthe Burmese 
 War, and the Wonders of Elora. By Mrs. Hofland. 
 
 STORIES FOR EMMA; being a Series of Easy Read- 
 ing Lessons, with the syllables divided. By the author of 
 The Mirror. 
 
 STORIES FROM ROMAN HISTORY ; with 18 designs 
 on wood ; being the most interesting parts ofthe events that 
 occurred in Rome, condensed for the instruction of children. 
 
 EUGENE AND LOLOTTE ; an interesting account of 
 two young French Orphans, expelled from France, in the lime 
 of the Revolution. An interesting little story. 
 
 GERMAN POPULAR STORIES; New Series, by the 
 Baron Grimm. Illustrated with nine copperplate engravings, 
 designed by Cruikshauk. 
 
 FAMILIAR TALES FOR CHILDREN ; being thirty 
 entertaining little stories, with pictures, divided into nine books, 
 at 6 cents each, or 50 cents a dozen. 
 
 JAN 281949 
 

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