The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1864-01-12

u is Intended 10 illustrate the History Of
Christopher Columbus, the DiscoVerer Of
the american Continent.
No. !. The western door contains four
panels; the first panel, beginning at the
bottom, represents Christopher Colum-
bus before the council of Salamanca.
Here it was that Columbus propounded
his theory of the rotundity of the globe.
Washington Irving we'll describes the
scene and the trials of the great diseov-
erer. "The persons composing this
council were professors Of astronomy,
geography, mathematics, and other
branches of science, together With vsri-
Gus dignitaries of the church and learn
ed friaUs." These are represented In this
panel, and Irving says: "BefOre this cru
dite assembly Columbus presented him
self to PROFOUND and defend his concIu-
sions. He had been scoffed at by the vul-
gar and the ignorant, but he was con-
Vinced that he only required a body Of
enlightened men to listen dispassionate-
ly to his reasonings to ensure triumphant
success" We are told that when he be-
gan to state the grounds of his belief,
the friars of st. Stephen alone paid at
tentiOn to him-that convent being more
learned in the sciences than the rest of
the university. The others appear to
have entrenched themselves behind one
dogged position, that after so many pro-
found philosophers and cosmographers
had been studying the form of the world,
and so many bold navigstors had been
sailing about it for several thousand
years, it was great presumption in an
ordinary man to suppose that there re-
manned such vast discovery for him to
make.
No. 2. The second panel shows COlum-
bus leaving the convent La Rabids, sur
rounded by the good monks who had al
ways been his kind friends. We see
him upon his mule, ready to start upon
his journey, to meet Ferdinsnd and lsa-
bel, in the camp before Grenada.
No. 3. The third panel represents the
audience of Columbus before Ferdinand
and Isabel. Here the great man is plead
ing his cause; and with the aid of his
good friend, the Queen, who as Irving
tells US, chad always sustained him." he
finally secured the consent of the mon
archs to begin his great expedition. 1t
viii be ercsiVed that the King and Queen
sre earnestly listening TO his eloquent
appeal.
No. 4. The fourth panel represents
Columbus departing from Palos. Wash
ington Irving describes his departure as
foIIo-o. CG11bo aouadrop ha;D- - H. -
put to sea, Columbus impressed with the
solemnity of his undertaking, confessed
himself to the friar, Juan Percy, and
partOOk of the sacrament Of the commun-
ion. His example was followed by his
officers and crew. A deep gloom was
spread over the whole community of Pa
los at their departure, for almost every
one had some relative or friend on board
the squadron. The spirits of the seamen,
already depressed by their own fears,
were still more cast down at the affiie-
tion of those they left behind who took
leave of them with tears and lamenta-
tions, and dismal forebOdings, as Of men
they we're never to behold sgain".
The semi-circular panel over the
doors, which is called the transom, rep
resents the landing of Columbus at the
Island of San Salvador. Irving tells US,
as to this landing: columbus made sig
nal to the ships to cast anchor, and the
boats to be manned and armed. He en-
tered his own boat richly ataired in scar
let, and holding the royal standard,
whilst Martin AIonzo PeDzon and Vim
cent James, his brother, put off in COM
pany in their boats, with banner Of the
emblszoned with green cross,
having on the other side the letters Z
and Y-the Initials of Ferdinand and
Ysabel-surmounted By crowns" The
observer win notice the surprise Of the
natives excited by this unexpected ar
rival. 'On landing" as Irving tells us,
sColumbus threw himself upon his knees,
kissing the earth, and returned thanks 70
G5d, with tears Of joy. His example
was followed by the rest. Columbus
then rising, drew his sword, displayed
the royaI standard, and assembled around
him the two captains, with ROderigO De
Roderigo Sanchez, and sbe
rest who had landed; be took solemn
in the name Of the Castillian
sovereigns, giving the Island the name Of
San Salvador"
No. 5. The ffth panel, which is on
the top Of the eastern door, represents
the meeting of Columbus With the In
dianr. on the Island of Hispsniola. Il
will be seen that the Spsniard carrying
the woman to Columbus is an hiusira-
,so~, oF b;s daefra N uroufffsfa fha nn-
tives, aud that be comes 70 them only
with offers of friendship and peace.
No. 6. The sixth panel represents
Columbus triumphant entry into BARGE
Iona. The progressive navigator having
TO his own country IS vel
coined IS eonqueror and hero, and
the populace, headed by the magnates Of
the realm, are greeting him as such. r.
wing says: "The soversigns sent him 3