The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1874-03-17
HISTORIC MYTfES AND pKDs,-
LENS

AS historical investigation proceeds and
the glamour which has surrounded events.
or supposed events, is dispelled we find
very many of the so-called romances of
history vanishing into thin air, Instead of
being facts illustrating the better side of
human nature, or plain variations of the
sayings or doings of heroic individuals,
they are pure invention and fable-as much
so as the tales of the Arabian nights. Take
the touching story of William Tell, for in
stance, who bearded the lion in his den in
the shape of the tyrant Gessler, and shot
the apple from his sons head. After Tells
unerring aim had sent the arrow piercing
through the center of the apple, leaving the
boy unframed, SO the legend goes, Gessler
noticed another arrow in the marksmans
hand, and asked him the purpose thereof
With supposed lofty patriotism and I'M
daunted herosm, he is said to have replied
that if the first had harmed the boy, the
other was destined for the heart of his
country's tyrant and oppressor. The story,
of course, would not be complete, il it
were not recorded that although the arrow
did not pierce the heart, the words did the
conscience Tell was dismissed loaded
down with favors, and Gessler became the
beneinctor rather than the oppressor Of his
country. This, all must admit, is very
pretty story, and is beautiful illustration
of the power of truth, courage and love of
country. Hardly boy can be found but
has read il and rc-read ii, ana resolved that,
should occasion offer, he would be second
William Tell, provided always he could
shoot straight, had son and could meet
Gessler. Unfortunately, however, the
whole story is pure fiction. There never
were such persons as Gessler, William
Tell or his son. Moreover, the same
story is told of some ten or n dozen differ
ent persons and in as many different coun-
tries, ALL of course, differing somewhat as
to details, dates and the particular circum-
stances under which the display was made.
Notwithstanding the complete fllsity of the
story-as the relation or an actual occur
rence-has been demonstrated, we doubt
not that it will continue to be published
read and believed until time shall be no
more. 1t would be as difficult to convince
the mass OF mankind that it had no founda-
ton in fact, as it would be to make them
believe that the romantic story of the saw
ing of the life of John Smith by Pocahon-
tas and her subsequent life, as so often de-
tailed, was pure fiction. Yet both stories
are entitled to the same credcncc, and no
more, as are those recitaIs of adventure
contained in Gullver's travels.
So, until at comparatively recent date,
1t has been accepted by the learned and
uhlearned, that the American continent
was first discovered by white men, by
John and Sebastian Cabot, some fourteen
months before Columbus, in his third vow
age, first viewed the main land, and nearly
two years prior to the date when Amerigo
Vespucci, for the first time, sailed west of
the Canarles This discovery, if discovery
1t can be called, of the Cabots was made in
June, 1497, or five years after the first voy-
age of Columbus. Following in the same
beaten path of accepted history, we have
the attempted settlements by Spaniards of
Florida, of Port Royal by the French,
Others in North Carolina and elsewhere,
and, finally, the permanent settlement of