The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1854-10-04

J
dawn MS it spread over the sky, grndu
ally raised the shore Of an island from
the waves. It's distant extrcmltics were
lost in the morning mist. 1t asccnded
gradually, like an nmpbithcairc from the
low beach to the summit of the hills
whose dark green covering con,rastcd
strongly with the blue heavens With
in few PAGES of the foam of the wave:
breaking on the yellow sand forests ot
| tall and unknown trees stretched away
| one above another, over the successive
terraces of the island. Green valleys
and bright clcfts in the hollows afforded
half glimpse into these mysteriou:
wilds Here and there could be d;scov
crsa few scattered buts. which, with
their outlines aud roofs of dry leaves
leaked Ike bee-hives. and thin columns
of ilue -uoke rose above tho top. Of the
trees Half rahed groups Of mon, wo-
men and Children, more astoniehcd than
frightened, appeared amongst the thick.
cts near the shore, advancing timidly
and then drawing back, exhibiting, by
their gestures and lemcanor, as much
fear as curiosity and wonder, at tho sight
of these strange vessels, which the pre-
vious night had brought to their shores.
Columbus, after gazirg in silence on
this foremost shore Of the land SO often
determined by his calculations, and so
magniiccntly colored by his Imagination,
found it to exceed even his own cxpccta-
tions. lie burned with impaticnce to be
the first European to set foot on the sand.
and to plant the cross and the flag of
Spain the standard of the conquest of
God and Of his sovercigns, effected By
his genius. But he restrained the ca
gcrncss Of himself and his crew to land,
being dcsirous of giving to the act of ia
king possession of new world q sol.
emnity worthy Of the greatest dced.pcr.
haps, ever accomplished BY a seaman !;
and, in default of men to call God, and
his angels, sea, earth, and sky, as wit
ncsscs Of his conquest Of an unknown
hemisphere lie put Oh all the insignia Of
his dignitics as Admiral Of the Ocean.
and the viccroy Of these future realms
he wrapped himself in his purple cloak.
and, taking in his hand flag cmbroi
dered with a cross, in which the initials
of Ferdinand and Isabella were inter-
laced like their two kingdoms, and sur
mounted by n crown, he entered his boat.
and pulled towards the shore. followed
by the boats of Alonzo and Yanes Pin.
zon. his two lieutenants. On landing,
he fell on his knees. to acknowledge, by
this act of humility and worship, the
goodness and greatness of God in this
new sphere Of his works. He kissed the
ground, and with his face on the earth.
he wept tears Of double import aud of
double meaning. as they fell on the dust
Of this hemisphere. now for the first time
visited by Europeans; tears Of Joy for
Columbus, the overhowing of q proud
spirit, grateful and pious tears of sad.
ness for this virgin soil, seeming to fore
shadow the calamities ard devastation
and fire and sword. and blood and de.
struction which the strangers were to
bring with their pride, their knowledge.
and their power. 1t was the man that
shed these tears but it was the Garth
that was destined to weep.
" Almighty and eternal God" ."said Col.
unbus. as he raised his forehead from
the dust, with Latin prayer. which his
companions have handed down to us.
" who by the energy of thy creative word
hast made the armament, the earth, and
sea, blessed and gloiifi be thy name in
all places May thy majesty and do
miuion bo exalted for ever and ever as
thou hast permitted thy holy namc to be
made known and spread by the most
humble cf thy servants in this hitherto
unknown portion of thy empire" lie
then baptiscd this land with the name of
Christ-thc island of San Salvador. His
lieutenauts, his pilots, and his scamen.
full of eladness, and impressed with a
snpcrstltious respect for him whose
glance had pierced beyond the visible
horizon, and whom they had offended bv
their uhbelief-overcome by the evi-
dcnco Of their eyes. and by that mental
periority which overawes the minds Of
men-frl! at tho feet of the Admiral
kissed his hands and his clothes. and re-
cocrlzed for moment the power and
She almost divine nature Of genius yes.
torday the victims Of his obstinacy-now
The cou,ranions Of his success aud shar.
ors IN t'e glory which they had Knocked
Saoh is LGmarity, Prosecuting discover.
ers, jet roapus the fruits Of their invcn.
tions
SPIRITUAIIsM-Tbis nnppificsn nj hmm.