The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1865-05-12

languages uHuer inc Dauner OF the fGe-
deemer. The power of his ruling passion
showed itself outwardly, in the quiet dig
nifty and authority of his demeanor. He
was ready to spend himself and be spent
for the success of his plans. And Meth
er arguments, nor entreaties, nor even
tears, could shake his convictions or turn
him aside from his projects.
The baldest sketch of his great life
would be too long for the present paper.
Its history cannot be condensed without
injury. Washington Irving's charming
work is within the reach of all. Later
writers have differed from his well-known
conclusions as to the island first seen by
the discoveries. In the fIandfall of Co.
lumbus," by Captain Beecher, R. N, Of
the photographic Office, Admiralty, the
whole question is carefully examined and
set at rest. To this the interested may
refer with satisfaction, for accounts of the
various fortunes through which this great
navigator went, and the difficulties that he
overcame; till, after long delay, his expo.
dition was fitted out at the little port Of
Palos, in Andalusia, under tho counte.
nance of Ferdinand and Isabella, sover-
eigns OF CASTLE; and amid the tears and
dismay of relations, he sailed with three
vessels and complement of not more than
hundred men in all, on Friday, the Sd
of August, 1902, "half an hour before
sunrise.
More than two months of westward sail
ing over the "Sea of Darkness" brought
them to the Bahama Banks. Many times
the superstitions of the sailors perilled the
success of the expedition, and even the
life of the admiral. At last, from natural
signs, they deemed that they drew near
to land; mutinous tempers grew calm
oil hearts took courage. When day broke,
on Friday, 18th October, they found
themselves at an island, called by the ma.
tives Guanahani, which Columbus hence
forth "named San Salvador, in romem-
baance of that Almighty Power which had
so miraculously" showed it to him. 1t is
styled now, by Europeans, "Watling Is
land after certain buccaneer captain
The San Salvador of modern maps is
falsely SO called.
This was the discovery of the New
World. The tabled Cipango, by which
some have understood Japan, and the
mainland of India, had yet to be reached
For these the admiral continued to search,
drawn towards west or east at the sight Of
larger islands opening up in the horizon,
till he came to Cuba, (Which I believe
said he, "must DO Cipango."
Here | leave him. He had succeeded
in his great aim. Before his death he
made three more voyages across the At
lantic to the newly discovered Indies
After two years of sickness, he died in
Spain, on the 18th May, 1906, and was
buried in the Convent of San Francisco,
at Valladolid. Seven years later, his body
was removed to the Monastery of Cartujos
dc los Cuevas, in Seville. From there,
according to wish expressed in his last
will, it was taken to the West Indies, and
buried by the altar in the Cathedral of
San Domingo. In 1705, when that ISL
and was given up to France, his remains
were transferred from San Domingo to
Cuba, and rest finally on the right side of
the high-altar in the Cathedral in the city
Of the Havana.
The personal appearance of Columbus
was not a bad index of his character
His general air expressed the authority
which he knew so we'll how to EXERCISE
His light-gray eyes kindled easily at sub
jects of interest. He was tall and we'll
formed. His complexion was fair and
freckled, and inclined to ruddy. Trouble
soon turned his light hair gray, and at
thirty years of age it was quite white
Moderate in food, and simple in dress,
temperate in language, bearing himself
with courteous and gentle gravity, rcli-
gious without being Journalist, repress-
ing his irritable temper with lofty piety,
he was the model of a Christian gentle
man. The devout reference of his success
es to the Divine favor, with which he con-
cludcs the report of his first voyage to the
sovereigns of CASTLE, is highly Characters.
tic of the man.
"This is certain" he writes, "that the
Eternal God our Lord gives all things to
those who obey Him, and the victory
when it seems impossible, and this evil
IDENTIFY is an instance of it, for although
people have talked of these lands, all was
conjecture, unless proved by seeing them,
for the greater part listened and judged
more by hearsay than anything else.
"Since, then, our Redeemer has given
this victory to our illustrious king and
queen, and celebrated their reigns by such
a great thing, all Christendom should re-
joice and make great festivals, and give
thanks to the Blessed Trinity, with solemn
praises for the con version of so much peo.
pie to our holy faith" &c. II.