New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-05-15

past the Pillars Of Hercules and braved the dangers Of
the Atlantic while he sought TO establish Phenclan colo
MES the western OF Africa and Europe Hanno
discovered the Canares and the Maderas and they be-
the Islands OF the Blessed" and Garden OF the
Hesperides" OF which the ancients spoke when they
pointed westward Aristotle, too, had placed the Island
of Aaants beyond the Pillars of Hercules and Plutarch
I'm his life OF Sertorus had described the Canares as the
Fortunate Isles
But now for ages the discoveries of Hanno had been
buried In oblivion and the Atlantic shrouded mys-
terry. AS late the fourteenth century it described
4" a vast and bonndleSs ocean, which ships burst
not venture out OF sight of land for IL the sailors
knew the direction OF the winds, they would not know
whittier these winds would carry them, and as there s
no inhabable country beyond they would run great
risk OF being lost in the miss and yapors The limit OF
the west il the Atlantic Ocean," To find IA crew bold
enough follow their captain into these tracess waters
was no easy task.
Nor was tho fear OF an untried ocean the only one
which dauned the bravest sailor. Superstition had ln-
vented myriads Of tales which familiar to every
who sailed the According to one Of these, the
way was blocked mp by mountain, which was vast
odesone, attracting men as tho magnet attracts IRON
The unconscious victims laughed and shouted with de-
light while being drawn toward IT, but at length sticking
fast to Its horrible Sides they aughed:no more but per-
shed miserably. Another told Of mountain which ap-
peared to be Of gterng precious stones but was really
composed Of shining interviewer serpens that deVoured
with horrd human creatures covered with hair, and
called gorillas." OF these monsters the women were
the ercer and crushed each white to lifeessjey
I'm their terrible embrace. There other Islands OF
headless men, and others yet OF men whose heads do
grow beneath their shoulders" There shores where
some, sailing further than the rest had seen the great
rocs egg large barrel, and even the bird ITSELF
the Tapping VI whose wings IN the sky darkened the sun
light.
viii tOpep on
matches no wonder mutinies among men always
more supcrsttous than those who tread the sure ana
firm set earth. But the general BELIEF IN Prestei Joh
in here 70 aid Prince Henry's endeayorS IL was
rumored that this puestly ruler held his court IN AOys
sna or near the center OF the African continent Two
brothers, named Yiyald, who had sailed southwark
century before and returned rputed 10 have
been met on tho shores Africa by subjects OF this
great king and royalty entertained that they lost All
desire 70 see their native country again. And was De-
eyed that the meancst subject Of Portugal would be re-
ceved by Prescr John with distinguished honor for ms
nations sake and II he deserved 1t, sent home laden
with gifts.
Heurys FIRST expeditions were made with caution Inc
Canary Islands and the Azores had been undiscovered in
the middle Of the fourteenth century. To Porto santo'
one OF the adcras he sent colony which should form
n convenient port for his outward and homeward-bound
Fhps The Governor Of this colony was Senior Peres-
trcIo, a famous geographor OF Lisbon, who had
daughter aftcrvard married to Christopher Column
bus OF Genoa
when ms colony was planted on the Maderas Henry's
ships tmldy made their way to the Canares' and lett
another colony there. In 1854 his greatest triumph was
made lie lifted out Gil cannes. brave, experienced
sailor 10 20 down the African coast A soon as TINS
CAPTAIN had passed the line which marked the accus
toned tuning pont OF Outwardboun vessels the ere"
began 10 murmer and rebel But GIL Eannes was reso-
lu man and had set bis heart achieving glory lie
quieted his mutuous sailors, aud led his chips 10
Capo Boador n point further south on the
African coast than was then known 10 any civilized man.
II was an immense achievement In navigation. for 10 cs'
tabl.hed the possibility Of sailing still further south
ward.
Prince Henry received GIL cannes with open arms and
did uo, lose ground by any hcsaucy IN prosecuting ms
discoveries But great success crowned hs efforts I'LL
IC0 when be sent Diego Gomez. who sailed past Cape
Boudor over tho Tropc OF Cancer and touched at tho
Cane Verde Islands when he returned 90 claim the
gratitude OF ms lpaton no found that the good Prince
Henry had died during his absence. This was twenty
two years before the FIRST voyage Of Columbus and 20 no
one man prior him is the world more indebted than to
this prnccy navigator Tor the impetus he gave 70 adyen.
ture aud tho enthusiasm he kndled in maritime cutcr-
prise.
Henry bequeathcd an his charts mathematical instru-
mcuts and plans for sca routes, as a rich legacy
IN his ncphcv AIphouso W who had succeeded TO tho
throne This monarch entered with enthusiasm into his
uucc- studies aud hearing the report OF Diego Gomez
that tie Land rendod east beyond Cape Verde, con-
Gfmed in his idea that the Indies could be reached by
sailing past the coast OF Africa Tho new King OF Portu'
gal spent most royalty for the maps and charts for which
his resu became celebrated. Day By day learned
gcographers under tho special patronage OF the court
spent their time IN the royal palace hearing the theories
OF haired and retired mariners aud the narratives
OF sturdy captains newly come 20 port and constructing
improved sea charts and maps OF tho world. In 1909
Apbonso rented the commerce OF tho African coast TO
Fernando Gomez for five years only rescryng the ivory
trade 70 the aud stpulating that every year
Gomez should c1plorc 100 leagues 10 the south.
On the death OF ApLouso the kingdom WAS Inherited
by John H. the monarch stained history by tho un
worthy trek he played upon Columbus. While the
Genoese advonturcr waited the kings answer 10 his re-
oues FOR assistance his enterprise, John himself lifted
out feet under prcte1t OF sending provisions TO the
Portuguese colony at the Cape Verdes but really TO an
clpate the voyage for which Columbus was begging ms
aid This unklngly act quite out OF keeping with
the usual and generous policy OF TINS MONARCH ana
proved descryedly unsuccessful
II Was King John who sent out tho expedition OF Bar
holomew Dias the most notable voyage which preceded
the discovery Of the New World for IL was Dias who
led the way which Da Cana followed step by step inc
Portuguese mariners had crep down the shores OF Africa
but none had yet the rounded outline OF tho cape
| past which they might sail eastward
Just before Dias sail, new rumors arose OF inc
wonderful Prestor John who, it now declared with
postiyeness had turned up In central Ethiopia wherc
dwelt large nation OF advanced civilization and viii
rich and popuous cites THIS report which had 30 mucl
vitality that has obtained credence even In oui
own day, was generally accepted. Das was furnished
with letters from the crown of Portugal 10 the great IN
| known monarch and King John nattered himself will
the hope that he should not only do service to com
merce by his discoveries but that by means OF his ALI
ance with Prcser John he should aid In spreading the
| holy religion the whole world.
The story OF the voyage OF Dlas and his troubles VIII
his crew resembles that OF Columbus as that OF Coum
hus "a repeated IN the trials Of Magellan OF Hudson and
| .,t.r hraya man tnrtuentpd with the unwilling