The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1892-10-27

much attention was directed to the
study of cosmography and navigation
when all the talent of the time, it
seems, had been directed into these
channels, that Columbus should have
had to labor and wait nearly eighteen
years until he could even begin to carry
his idea into effect. Yet, such was the
case. In the council of learned men,
who had assembled to pass upon the
merits of Columbus scheme, he had
class of men to deal with whose minds
were not open to conviction; and who
in. order to prove his theories false, even
went so far as to quote scripture in Or
der to SubStantiate their argument.
Notwithstanding all their learned pref
uaices Columbus succeeded in convinc-
ing few that there was something
more in his scheme than an idle fancy
The fact that Columbus was an obscure
foreigner, and one without even col
lege degree, coming and offering his
services to the Spanish mOnarchS, and
making such eXtravagant demands in
return, stamps him as an exceptional
man. He demanded in return for his
services only what seemed to him to be
propOrtiOnate to the Importance and
greatness of his proposed discoveries.
There is this to admire in his negOtia
tions with the Spanish sovereignS: that,
though he was reduced to absolute pOv-
erty he could not be induced to mOder-
ate his terms one particle, but preferred
to abandon his scheme rather than to
accept anything less than what he
thought commensurate with his Serv-
ices. After overcoming all the oppOsi-
tion at the court of Ferdinand, and re-
ceiving his commission. he had things
more easy-thOugh it is true he i'm
pressed the greater part of his crew,
and that they were likely to mutiny
and defeat his project. He showed
great foresight and sagacity in keeping
false reckoning for the inspection Of
his pilots, and an accurate one for his
own private use. Much of the success
of his voyage is due to this stratagem
on the part of Columbus, and the fav-
orable weather which prevailed during
the entire voyage, for there is no doubt
that if his crew had known at one time,
the actual distance traversed, or had
the weather proved boisterOus, they
would have compelled him to return to
Spain. In case of which event, it is
extremely doubtful whether America
would have been discovered until a
much later period. Had Columbus,
during a trading voyage been driven
from his course and reached the shores
of America, no merit could have been
attached to his discovery, but striking
out boldly as he did into vast expanse
of water, with no charts or maps to
guide him, but merely his own convic-
tiOn as to the form of the earth, his
voyage is one of the most daring ex-
ploits recorded in history. While we
admire his courage in that great under
taking, yet, there is something in the
character of the man which inspires in
us still greater admiration for him.
Though not exempt from the faults of
the age in which he lived, yet, his vir-
tues were far greater than his vices.
passing over the story of his neglect
and suffering, and dwelling only on his
grand achievement. The patience with
and his magnanimity and sOlicitude he
exhibited for his adopted sovereigns
who had so cruelty neglected him, and
deprived him of his well earned re-
ward, is a lesson to all, and one from
which we might profit. He labored
faithfully for his own, and his SOvereign'S
renown; and though he was neglected
and allowed to die beggar, he eX-
pressed himself content if only his pos
terity could enjoy the fruits of his
labors. Few men of rare genius do not
leave something to mar the brilliancy
of their achievements, and it is with a
reverent feeling that such names are
treasured up by posterity.
FRANCIS