The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-07-10
MRS C. COLUMBUS.
SHE DISCOVERED CHRISTOPHER
AND he DISCOVERED AMERICA.

SHE DISCOVERED CHRISTOPHER
AND he DISCOVERED AMERICA.
ton of Two Lovely women-His
Wife Put Him Up to it-His Queen
Furnished the Funds-Christoph
Married Life.
(Copuioht)
New YORK, July s.-Sinoe the time
when, ''in the beginning" Eve coaxed
Adam to eat the apple. and thereby estab-
lished the precedent Of woman's power
men have never attained distinction, either
for good or evil deeds, without the aid and
guidance Of lovely-or otherwise gifted
woman. To Ewes inquiring mind and active
ambition Adam owes his place In the worlds
history. Had he been lett to himself be
would never have been known beyond the
confines Of Eden
The career OF Christopher Columbus
affords striking example Of renown gain ed
by achievements which wore instigatsd by
a woman. Who was the potent she whose
influence PROFESSIONALLY awakened within
him the spIr it of discovery Let history tell
the tale.
About the year 1885, there appeared in
the gay circles of Lisbon's high life, an
italian cavalier named Filippo Palestrelli,
who had wandered from his sunny home In
Piacenza to Portugal. presumably in the
pursuit OF pleasure. That the Portuguese
capital found favor in his eyes may also be
surmised, for be tarried there and In time
became naturalized TO the extent Of chang
ing the photography Of his name, writing II
Perestrello. His son, Bartholomew, entered
the service Of Prince Henry, son OF John l.
of Portugal and Philippe, his English
queen.
In the early days Of the fifteenth century
Prince Henry became deeply interested In
the scheme of reaching India, the land OF
sweet spices and golden promise, by the
decentralization of Africa Prior to his
time Portuguese mariners had been ex-
ceedingly humorous about venturing far
from their coast. The Sea OF Darkness as
the Atlantic was then called, possessed IN
told terrors for them. Prince Henry, In
scholarly manner, endeavored TO overcome
superstition. He established a naval COL
lege and observatory at Sagres,
summoned the most eminent professors
of nautical science, caused improved
maps and charts to be made and the COM
pass to be more generally used. At last be
aroused degree of interest in his schemes,
and In 141S be dispatched three OF his most
skillful navigators, Joao Goncalvsz Varoo,
Tristac Vaz Taxeira and Bartolomeo de
Perestrello, on a voyage Of exploration along
the coast of Barbary. They had scarcely
gotten out Of sight Of land when violent
storm arose which drove their vessel out of
its course. By what seemed a special provi-
dence they drifted into safe harbor on the
shore Of an unknown island. which they
named, in gratitude for their deliverance,
Porto Santo. When the storm abated they
perceived what was apparently low bank
Of clouds Ia the western horizon, but which
proved, upon investigation, to be another
island. Astounding in timber lands, in oonse-
quence of which fact they named 10 Ma
deira, the Portuguese for timber. Elatsd
with their success, they made all possible
speed back 70 Portugal and reported to their
royal commander.
Prince Henry at once fitted out three
ships, which he gave to his captains. with
orders to return and COLOMBO the islands.
To PerestFello he assigned the governorship
OF Porto Santo. Filled with ambition by
the honor conferred upon him by bis prince,
Perestrello sought in his enthusiasm TO
rival the achievements OF the first great
naval captain. Noah. Had he been content
20 emulate the maratme successes only Of
that time-honored sailor all would have
been well with him. Unfortunately be
ploits as well, not rejecting that
Noah, In his day and generation
possessed the earth, compared to
which his little island was a somewhat lin
tied domain. Two and two be conveyed
variety OF animals aboard his ship for
transportation to his distant home that they
might there increase and multiply and thus
insure an always well-illed larder in the
gubernatoTial mansion. Among them was
pair of rabbits, the choice Of which proved
conclusiyely that Don Bartolomso had
given more attention TO the study of navi-
CATION than economy. In an incredibly
short space OF time the rabbits owned the
island. They multiplied to an extent that
detied determination and by their Unsuitable
voracity destroyed every plant and blade Of
grass so that the fertile island soon became
desert, aud Dom Bartolomeo was obliged
TO leave them to their own destruction aud
return to Portugal He did not lose courage,
however, but in 1446 again visited Porto
Santo, and was then accompanied by his
second wife, Dona Isabella Eonis. Guided
by her wise counsels, and possibly profiting
a trifie by xperience-goats were sub
stituted for rabbits on the later expedition
he was more successful in his administration
of affairs, aud Porto Santo became their
permanent home.
Dona Isabella bore several children,
among them a daughter, Felipa, who was
the pride of her fathers heart Dom Bar
tolomeo made her his companion on the
cSSeAStCAAusA
talked with her on the subjects which had
always engaged his mind, and from him she
imbibed daring spirit and love Of ad-
venture quite unusual to her sex. In the
year 1470 Dom Bartolomso died, and his
widow returned to Lisbon, placed Dona
Felipa in the convent at All Saints to COM
pleter her education.
Shortly after this time Christopher Co
lumbus drfted to Lisbon. Prosy historians
assume that he was drawn thither by the
fame Of the Portuguese discoveries, which
had spread far and wide, and which were
attracting the curious and venturesome Of
every CLINE to the Portuguese capital. The
fact that his brother, Bartholomew, was a
resident of Lisbon, where he was engaged In
the business Of making maps and charts
and the sale of books, accounts more reason
ably for the appearance Of Columbus there,
especially as he became partner in the
business.
He was then about % years Of age, tall
and well proportional, affable, yet digni-
fed in manner and pleasant in speech. His
rather long face was rudy from exposure
his eyes were keen and bright; he had an
aquiline nose, and his jaw projected
slightly. His hair was already turning
gray; at 80 it was quite white. Naturally,
he was Of fiery and impetuous tempera-
ment. but by strength Of will held himself
in excellent control.
a