Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1891-10-02
;covERY AND coAsrINa OF CUBA.

For several days the departure Of Co
lumbus was delayed by contrary winds
and Gains, attended by heavy showers.
which last had prevailed more or less
since his arrival among the islands. 1t
was the season Of tue autumnal rains,
which in those ttornd climates succeed
the parching heats of summer-commenc
ing about the decrease Of the August
moon and lasting until the month Of No
vember.
At length at Midnight, Oct. "a, he set
sail from the island of Isabella, but was
nearly becalmed until midday; gentle
wind then sprang up, and, as he observes,
began to blow most amorously. Every
san was spread, and he stood toward the
westsouthwest, the direction in which
he was told the land of Cuba lay from
Isabella. After three days navigation,
in the course Of which he touched at a
group Of seven or eight small islands,
which nv called Islas de Arena-suppoeed
to be the present Mucaras i.lands-and
having crossed the Bahama bank and
thannel, he arrived on the morning Of
the 2Sth of October in sight Of Cuba. The
part which he first discovered is supposed
to be the coast to the west of Nuevitas del
Principe.
AS he approached this noble island he
was struck with its magnitude and the
grandeur of its featuresi - high and
airy mountains, which reminded him OF
those of Sicily; its fertile valleys and
long sweeping plains, watered by noble
~ al r. hal
montories and stretching hcadlan3s,
which melted away into the remotest
distance, lie anchored in beautiful
river of transparent clearness, free from
rocks and shoals, its banks orerhuug
with trees. Here landing, and taking
possession Of the island, no gave it the
name of Juana, i'll honor Of Prince
Juan, and to the river the name of San
Salvador.
On the arrival of the ships two canoes
put off from the shore, but fed on See
ing the boat approach to sound the river
for anchorage. The admiral visited two
cabins, abandoned by their inhabitants.
They contained but a few nets made Of
the tibers Of the palm tree, hooks and
harpoons OF bone, and some other fish
ing implements, and one of the kind Of
dogs he had met with on the smaller
islands, which never bark. He ordered
that nothing should be taken away or
deranged.
Returning to his boat he proceeded for
some distance up the river, more and
more enchanted with the beauty of tine
country. The banks were covered with
high and widespreading trees; sons
bearing fruits, others flowers, while il
some both fruit and flower were min
gled, bespeaking perpetual round OF
fertility; among them were many palms,
but different from those of Spain and
Africa. With tho great leaves Of these
the natives thatohed their cabins.
Tho continual eulogies made By Co
lumDus on the beauty of the country
were warranted by the kind Of scenery
he was beholding. There is a wonderful
splendor, variety and lu1urisnce In the
vegetation of those quick and ardent
climates. The verdure OF the groves
and the colors Of the flowers and bios
SONS, derive 4 vividnsss from the trans
parent purity Of the aK and She deep g.
renity of the azure heavens. The for
ests, too are full Of Life swarming with
birds of brilliant plumage, Painted va
rieties of parrots and woodpecksrs create
Il glitter amid the verdure of tbs grove,
and humming birds rove from flower TO
flower, resembling, Is has well psel said,
animated PARTICLES Of rainbow. The
scarlet famiagees, tQQ. sseg. sometimes