Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1872-03-14

tor ana Wnen he was brought DeIOft
the King his emotion was such that he
was unable to speak. The King was
greatly indignant at seeing Columbus in
chains. and ordered that he be immedi-
ately released. He also ordered that
Bovedilla return to Spain, as he had
very much abused and overreached his
authority. Again Columbus was justi-
fed but he was not reinstated as COVER
nor. His enemies had carried one point
against him Notwithstanding all he
undertook fourth voyage, but, on ac-
count of the many obstacles thrown in
his way by those to whom he had given
prominent and lucrative positions on
islands that he had discovered, and the
envious ones at home, he soon returned
to Spain broken down, sick and sadly
troubled. He was obliged to remain
long time at Seville to recuperate his
health, and while there learned of the
death of Queen Isabella.
This was deep affection, as by her
death he had lost his only remaining
friend In 1905, Columbus presented
himself to the court, but the courtiers,
who, before, bowed as he passed, no
longer noticed him. He soon found
himself poor, miserable and entirely for
gotten, while others grew rich on the
treasures that he had discovered, In a
letter to his son, Diega, he says: 4 re-
ceiye nothing from the revenues that are
due me, and I have to live by borrowing
or charity I have gained very little
profit from twenty years Of hard ser
vice, peril, fatigue and suffering, since |
do not possess in Spain even roof to
shelter me. If | desire to eat or sleep
must go to public house, and oftcncr
than otherwise | have nothing with
which to pay my account.
1t seems to be a destiny of great gent
uses who have risen to the apex of glory
to fall by the hand of envy and calumny
and to die forgotten III the midst of
griefs and priyations.
The King, through the influence Of a
few friends, had been induced to listen
to Columbus entreaties and to allow his
claims to his rightful income, but it was
too late On the goth day Of May, 1905
Christopher Columbus died alone and
forgotten
In 1913, the remains Of the great dis
coverer were placed in the chapel of
st. Anna, in Seville In 1886, with the
remains of his son, Diego, they were de
posted with great pomp in the cathedral
Of San Domingo, then the capitol # the
island of Hayti
4 thousand thoughts crowd themselves
upon the mind as We reflect upon the
adventurous life Of this great man Few
have had an existence 50 varied Inde-
tatigablc study. struggles tliumphs
honors imprisonment and poverty. all
passed rapidly in the scale of human at
fairs. He was born poor and died poor
but his name viii live As long az the
world remains. The opposition that
was waged against him by envious per
sons, pignlies who, not being able to
rise above the nothingncss to which their
incapacity condemned them, desired to
keep others upon their own level, can
not deprive him, for a moment, Of the
admiration and gratitude of the civilized
world
+ His strong and loyal soul qualjcd
at the sight Of obstacles to be overcome
or became dishcartened at defeats, but
each ncw difficulty seemed to inyigoratc
him and give him new strength to prose
cute what he had already marked out
Neither was he satisfied with ordinar,
. success. Each victory was for him the
advance guard of another, and the pa
tient archaeolegist, rubbing and clearing
a corroded stone, succeeds in bringing
to light ancient hieroglyphlcs which
/ were engraved by others, 50 Columbus
/ by discovery upon discovery. succeeded
/ in rending the vail which hid the known
world from the unknown. rich. bcauti-
full and fertile In all his trials he never
murmurcd or complained, and his last
letters to his children breathe sweet
resignation, censuring no one. His
motto was "Fede Costange Faith
and Constancy.) LIT it be ours.
". %, T..