Delaware journal. [volume] (Wilmington [Del.]) 1827-1832, 1828-04-04
FROM THE LIFE OF COLUMBUS.
BY WASHINGTON IRVING

ton of Columbus return from his successful dscoy-
Try 8
.sTne letter of Columbus to the Spanish mon
archs, announcing his discovery. had produced the
greatest sensation, at court The event it 'commu
ncated was considered the most extraordinary of
their prosperous reign; and following so close upon
| the conquest OF Granada, was pronounced signal
mark OF divine favor, for that triumph achieved in
the cause of the true faith. The soyereigns them
selves were for time dazzled aid bewdered by
this sudden and easy acquisition OF newemplre, Of
indefinite extent, and apparently boundiess wealth
and their first idea wasto secure beyond the reach
of question competition. Shortly after his arri-
val in Seville; Columbus received aletterfrom them,
expressing their great delight and requesting him
to repar Immediately to court, to concert plans tor
second aud more extensive expedition. AS the
summer already advancing, the time favorable
for voyage, they desired him to make any arrange
ment at Seville, elsewhere, that might hasten the
expedition and to inform them by return of the cou
rer, what was necessary to be done on their part
This letter was addressed to HIM by the title of
g Don Christopher Columbus, our admiral OF the
Ocean sea- and viceroy and governor OF the islands
discovered in the Indias - at the time he was
promlsedstill further rewards. Columbus lost no
time in complying with the commands of the sover-
eigns He sent memorandum of the ships, men
and munitions that would be requisite and having
made such dispositions at Seville circumstances
permitted set out on his journey for Barcelona, ia
king with him the six Indians, and the various Curl
ostes and productions which he had brought from
the new world.
1.-The fame ofhis discovery had resounded thro'
the finest and most populous provinces ofSpaln, his
Journey appeared like The progress of a sovereign.
Whittier he passed, the surrounding country pour
ed forth its inhabitants, who lined the road and
thronged the villages In the large towns the streets,
windows and balconies, were filled with eager spec
tators, who rent the air with accamatons. His
Journey was continually impeded by the multitude
pressing to gain sight of him, and of the Indians,
who were regarded with as much admiration, as IT
they had been natives of another planet. 1t was I'M
possible to satisfy the craving curiosity which as
f sailed him and his attendants, at every stage, with
+ innumerable questions popular rumour had exag,
lgerated the truth, and had filled the newly found
country with all kinds OF wonders.
=. Ii was about the middle OF April that Columbus
arrived at Barcelona where every preparation had
been made to give him IA solemn and magnificent re-
ception. The beauty and serenity OF the weather,
in that genial season. and favored climate, contribu-
tod 10 rive spendor to this memorable ceremony.
As he drew near the place, many of the more youth.
fu courters and hldalgos Of gallant bearing, togeth-
er with vast concoursc ofthe populace, came forth
TO meet and welcome him. His entrance into this
noble city has been compared to one OF those til
umphs which the Romans were accustomed to de-
cree to conuuerors. First were paraded the Ind
ans, painted according to their savage fashion, AMI
decorated with tropical feathers, and with their ma
ltional ornaments of gold after these were born
various kinds of live parrots, together with stuffed
birds and animals of unknown species, and rar
plants supposed to be of precious qualities Will
treat care was taken to make conspicuous dspla
of Indian coronets, bracelets, and other decorations
fgold, which might give anidea the wealth Of tn
newly discovered regions. After these followe
Columbus on horseback, surrounded by brlllar
cayalcadc of Spanish cavalry. The streets WeF
almost impossible from the countless muutuoe IN
windows and balconies were crowded with the fair
the roofs were crowded with spectators. 1t SCENE
as il the public eye could not be stated with gain
on these trophies of an unknown world OF on u
remarkable man by whom it had been discovered
There was sublimity in this event, that mingled
}soemn feeling with the public joy. II was iooKe
upon as vast and signal dispensation OF froVldent
and ,ewarded for the piety of the monarchs and Il
majestic and venerable appearance OF the dlscove
Ter, different from the youth and puoyahcy tiiat .
lgenerally expected from rowing enterprise, SEEM
in harmony with the grandeur and dignity OF
:. achievement
P' ssTo receive him with suitable pomp and dlstn
finn. the sovereigns had ordered the throne TO
placed in public, under a rich canopy OF brocade
cold, in vast and splendid saloon. Here the XII
yre' and queen awaited his arrival seated in state WI
the prince Juan beside them, and attended " |,
dignitaries Of their court, and the principal nool'i
Of CASTLE, Valencia, Catalonia, and Arragon
imnat,ent to behold the man who had conferred
!. [incaiculable benefit upon the nation. At lengt
Columbus entered the hall, surrounded by br
liant crowd Of cavaliers, among whom, says l.
Casas. he was conspicuous for his stately and col
man,lnr person, which, with his gray hairs, ga
him the august appearance of Senator of Rom
modest smile lighted up his features, showing til
he enjoyed the state and g0y III wn,ea ns ua
d. and certainly nothing could be more deeply hovl
:.h..,oA h.rn nble amhltInn and CQncO