his plans, and, after an eight years' struggle with the obstacles thrown in his way by ignorance and malice, he at last succeeded in obtaining three small vessels, and one hundred and twenty men. Two of the vessels were light barks, called caravals, like the coasting craft of modern days, with forecastles and cabins for the crews, but without a deck in the centre. These caravals were called the Pinta and the Niña, and were commanded by two brothers, named Pinzon. The third vessel, on board of which was Columbus himself, was completely decked. The dignity of high admiral and Viceroy of all the countries he might discover, was conferred on him; the former title to be hereditary in his family; and a share in the profits of the voyage was secured to him. It was early in the morning of Friday, the 3d of August, 1492, that Columbus set sail from the Port of Palos. Eighteen years had elapsed since he had first conceived the idea of this enterprise. Most of that time had been spent in almost hopeless solicitation, amidst poverty, neglect, and ridicule; the prime of his life had been wasted in the struggle, and, when his perseverance was finally crowned with success, he was in the fifty-sixth year of his age. Nor should it be forgotten, that it was to Isabella alone he was indebted for the means of executing his project, which had been coldly rejected by the cautious Ferdinand. Having taken in fresh water at the Canary isles, he sailed into an ocean, never navigated before. The courage of Columbus never faltered; but when twenty-one days had elapsed, without the sight of any land, the hearts of his men began to sink. It was certain, they said, that they should perish, and their visionary commander should be forced to return. Some of them even proposed to throw him overboard; and Columbus had to exert all the powers of his daring and commanding spirit, to prevent an open rebellion. The sea now appeared covered with weeds, and showed signs of shoals and rocks. Numbers of birds were also seen. Columbus sailed in the direction from which they flew, and for some days the voyage was continued with revived spirits; but at last the dissatisfaction of the crews broke out into open violence, Columbus, after endeavouring in vain to pacify his men by promises, at last assumed a different tone, and told them it was useless to murmur, that he was determined to persevere. Fully convinced that he must be near land, he promised a reward to whoever should discover it. All hands remained on deck during the night, and Columbus himself first saw the land, and pointed it out to some of his friends. About midnight the cry of Land was raised from the Pinta, which from her superior sailing had kept ahead of the other vessels. On landing, Columbus threw himself on his knees and kissed the earth, returning thanks to GOD. The natives collected round him in silent astonishment, and his men, ashamed of their disobedience and distrust, threw themselves at his feet begging his forgiveness. Columbus drawing his sword planted the royal standard, and, in the name of his sovereigns, took possession of the country, which in memory of his preservation he called St. Salvador. He then received the homage of his followers as Admiral and Viceroy and representative of the sovereigns. Being informed by the natives that there was a rich gold country towards the south, Columbus directed his course thither, and discovered Cuba, on the 28th of October, and Hispaniola on the 6th of December. March 15th, he re-entered the port of Palos, amid the thunders of cannon, the ringing of bells, and the acclamations of the multitude. He hastened to Barcelona, where the court then was, and entered the city in a triumphal procession, with the productions of the newly discovered countries carried before him. A chair was placed for him next the throne, and seating himself, he gave an account of his discoveries. He was created a Grandee, and every mark of royal favour was lavished on him. September 25th, 1493, Columbus, with a large fleet, sailed from Cadiz on his second voyage to the new world; but was soon obliged to return, to vindicate himself against the malicious charges of his numerous enemies. In 1498 he sailed with six vessels on his third voyage. Colum bus on his arrival at St. Domingo, found the colony in a state of confusion; however, he soon restored tranquility by the prudence and firmness of his measures, and then, in order to supply the deficiency of labourers, he distributed the land and the inhabitants among his people, subjecting the natives to the arbitrary will of their masters, and thus laying the foundation of that system of slavery which has continued to our own day. His enemies at home, in the mean time, endeavoured to convince the sovereigns that he had abused his powers, and designed to make himself independent; till at last even Isabella yielded to the wishes of Ferdinand, who had long lent a willing ear to the slanders. An officer was sent to Hispaniola with power to call the Viceroy to an account. Columbus was summoned before him and put in irons. His two brothers were treated in the same manner, and all three were sent to Spain, accompanied with written charges drawn up from the statements of their bitterest enemies. Columbus endured this outrage with noble equanimity, and on his arrival at Cadiz, wrote to a lady of the court, vindicating his conduct, and describing, in eloquent and touching language, the treatment he had received. Isabella was moved to tears, and Columbus was received with the same distinction as formerly. The monarchs, however, never fulfilled their promises of justice, and after waiting two years, Columbus sailed on his fourth voyage, which was a succession of misfortunes and disappointments, and from which he returned to Spain. sick, dispirited, and exhausted. The death of Isabella soon followed, and he urged in vain on Ferdinand the fulfilment of his contract. After two years more of illness, humiliation and despondency, Columbus died, at Valladolid, May 20th, 1506, in the seventieth year of his age. His remains were transported, according to his will, to the city of St. Domingo; but, in 1795, on the cession of the island of Hispaniola to the French, they were removed with great pomp to the cathedral of Havana, in Cuba. The chains he had worn he kept hanging in his cabinet, and requested when he died, that they might be buried in his grave. In his person, Columbus was of an engaging presence, tall, well formed, and muscular, and of an elevated and dignified demeanour. His countenance was remarkable for an air of authority. Care and trouble had turned his hair white at thirty years of age. He was simple in his tastes, eloquent in discourse, engaging and affable with strangers, and of great amiableness and suavity in domestic life. Throughout his life he was noted for a deep and solemn sense of piety, and a strict attention to the offices of religion. The treatment of his court showed that ingratitude to public benefactors is not confined to republics. THE ALPINE FLOWERS. BY MRS. SIGOURNEY. Meek dwellers 'mid yon terror-stricken cliffs! To the cold cradle of eternal snows? Or, breathing on the callous icicles Bid them with tear-drops nurse ye?— -Tree nor shrub Dare that drear atmosphere; no polar pine O'er slippery steeps, or, trembling, treads the verge And marks ye in your placid loveliness; |