, 1874-11-29
CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS.

AmsTORY OF TIE CHARACTER AND A ACAlEvE-
AESTS or TIE S0-cALLED CAAlsiofaEN a:l:s;
c1ITNBCS. Dy AAnoS GOODRICH. With nu1EeE-
ors Illustrations and an Appendix sso., pp <os.
New Tork: D. Appleton Co.
The world which has for centuries beea
t.;osd to regard Christopher Columbus as one OF
r. srrsndast heroes: to admire his brave, origin
i. Ind da1ins genius to reverence his plety,
p,seace, and courage; and to pity his un-
rss,ned trisls, sorrows, and reverses, is now
t,Tea 1pon By an audacious and hitherto IN
! i,oTn author to uproot and cast out every rudl-
rsat Of its faith in the nAme,-the goodness,
| tse capacity, and the achievements OF the hon
I'd ard Tenerated discoyerer Of America
I na very suggestion Of such demand
Eyss one ehock OF = serious and
izressing character. It is like requiring one
.,rezign bis religion, his belief in the stability
Il the univer4e, his trust in the existence OF
t7b L mans whole nature rebels against such
us,ult upon one OF his most cherished,
| r1h, and settled opinions It threatens de-
| tsz;ioo to the entire framework Of his faith,
| rlRonises to bring crashing in ruins about
/ t. tie round circle Of heroes and divlnitiea
| :. has been his comfort and support to
| Ettnd reverence II We may no longer be-
/ tn.m Christopher Columbus, pray whom may
on:inuo to believe in?
! tnrsyolting to be made the sport Of ignorant
ri qasc,upulous historians, and the dupe Of
C: czo eredulity. Az we read this surprising
upozliun Of the life OF q reputed worthy, which
= nat1dc.s all previous testimony, and
completely upsets all our old ideas, Va
] k1a p|acA in . very unpleasant position
etskepassm, The old faith is rudely shaken,
! nd tbs neH tath is not strong enough to stand
upright Kehive not opportunity to go to the
bottom Of the matter, and examine the evidences
Of The true character and career OF Columbus,
ntac5 liz scattered amid the musty tones and
n1a1sczipta in the archives OF Spain, and
Portugal, and Italy. We must take them at
tscond hand and remain ut the mercy OF the
/ titen 1ho have made it business to hunt
lem out, md Who interpret them according to
IL Light Possessed, and the direction OF pIeju-
e@ O. prepossesslon. In any case, whether or
n&se giys credit to Mr. Goodrich IS q thorough
/ - th!e compiler and manipulation OF facts, he
as dsilt blow to our confidence in Columbus
I Haa which it will never recover.
/ H. Goodrich states, in his appendix, that he
ua been for seven years accumulating, in the
ssaaes and repositories Of State records IN
1 haa1n Europe, the materials for this new
slsasng of the history OF Columbus. There is
/ *ssnony in its composition Of original research;
atasre is display Of some fresh matter,
B '@ta NTH IN altered translation OF much Of
3 ~ !endence heretofore presented, affords the
sa'r considerable ground ON which to rest his
sEinsnt let there is lack OF method and OF
l n the management OF the details, and there
i :s7oeut partisan spirit manifest in the enun-
3 @aoa' which operate strongly sgainst the suo-
I a*of the writer.
4 ~ book is, in the first place, too bulky
7ntents being swelled with discussions
Il .s'snt to the main issue. The nuthor
:. -. attempted to bring two questions
~. ~ ms same debate which have no con-
saoa, riz.: tho history OF Columbus
I - mo civilization Of ancient nations.
=. second topic has no footing in q work osten-
~! aetoted to the first. Mr.. Goodrich has
,.sm oom for it merely that he might erect
! :. s1aw in order to knock him down again.
i .ss.s that the present age does not give due
49, the ancients Tor their advanced knowl-
/ =. ~" 1oe arts and sciences and attempts to
/ M. nsnt by briefly, but not very sagely,
i sing the architectural achievements, the
smu@s, ~. geography. navigation, and learning,
e>s' e.slsst nations. The eixty-eight pages
i r..s. with this matter had better hare been
t CT; 49, Ihere is, contrary to Mr. Goodrieh's
i ~ s,tstaon, pronounced tendency among cur-
/ x,;,~oiszs ssaoiszs 70 magnify the intelligence and
i teats ~ OF the, pagan races Of antiquity,
1 En- expense Of the Christian enlighton-
i r.. The existing century. And, il it
] h. aot 70, his weak aud inoppor-
! ,ss,, eaots In defense Of ancient civilization
w. 70 Tor very little. His account OF the uss
1 as.st nasaet and the compass among antique
! H.. Is pertinent, but is liable to the COM
rHs.< AWKWARD adjustment to the paramount
q sy.,'s 'ual biography Of Columbus is properly
ir-ss. "'sa sketch Of the Mortimer in
~" mention OF the discoveries Of Prince
'es Hslsh neviaator OF tbs twelfth cez-