The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-10-21

Venetian galley. In the ury of the fight
a bursting hand grenade fired the galley,
and both vessels became a flaming mass.
The crews threw themselves INTO the sea.
Columbus seized an oar and swan to the
land, fully two leagues away. This occur
renee marked an epoch in his eventful life.
In 1470 Columbus took up his residence in
Lisbon. where he married. and for some
years supported himself and family by
making and selling maps and charts.
Shortly before that time had commenced
the modern era of discovery. but it was con-
fined to the west coast Of Africa and the
adjacent islands. Prince Henry of Portu-
gal. son of King John the FIRST, had con-
ceived the idea that Africa was ci. cumnav-
igable, and that, by keeping along its
shores, a ship might sail from Europe to
India, as the whole of western Asia was
then called. Henry died without having
achieved the object of his ambition, but he
lived to see his countrymen the greatest
navigators of the world. The spirit of dis
covery which swayed Lisbon took posses
sion of the adventurous soul OF Christopher
Columbus. He was moved by the proposal
of Henry, but conceived u scheme far in
advance of it. This was to circum-
navigate, not Africa. but the globe
itself. The anoients, though they knew
little of Asia beyond the Gauges, believed
that it extended a great distance to the east
ward. This view had been greatly strength
ened by the discoveries of Marco Polo, a
Venetian traveller. who had. IN the four
teenth century, penetrated to the most re-
mote parts of the east, and published glow
ing, though grossly exaggerated accounts
of his adventures.
Columbus believed his idea practicable,
but his belief was principally founded upon
Il misconception. He adopted an opinion
of Alfariabus. a learned Arabian, that the
circumference of the earth was much less
than was generally supposed. Had he
known the truth, and realized the immense
distance that separated Europe, in a west
! erly direction, from the furthest point
reached by Marco Polo. it is very doubtful
if he would ever have seriously thought
of undertaking the enterprise.
For years Columbus studied over his
plan, but without making any decided Of
fort to carry it into execution. About the
time when John II. asoended the throne of
Portugal the attention of scientific men had
again been directed to navigation, and an
instrument possessing the essential advant-
ages of the quadrant had been invented.
This application of the astrolabe to naviga-
tion greatly encouraged Columbus and he
sought an inter view with King John. The
king was much impressed with the plan
and made a secret attempt to carry it into
execution, but his pilots soon lost heart and
returned, r~idiculing Columbus and his pro-
ject. Disguised by this act of peridy and
grieved by the death of his wife, Columbus
i, quilted Portugal and returned to bis native
country.
While at Genoa he made his propositions
to the government, but the once glorious
little republic was in a state of decline. and
they were rejected as a matter of necessity,
if not of choice. Rebutfed in his native
country, he repaired to Venice, but met
with no encouragement from that republic.
Not discouraged by failures, he dispatched
his brother Bartholomew to England to
open negotiations with Henry VIII. and set
out for Spain.
The personal appearance and character
istics of great illustrious personages are
always matters of lively interest. Chrlsto-
pher Columbus was tall of stature, we'll and
strongly proportional, with a noble and
eiSlihCS oOeAa LID AuSS "ao jill
neither fat nor thin; his complexion
was fresh, tending to red, with
some ruddy spots; his nose WAS aauiline,
his eyes light, and his jaws projected
slightly. The portrait of Columbus, by
Gregori, which adorns this work, was
painted after the one portrait taken from
life. that of the Jovian museum, which has
been recently recovered from oblivion and
resto ed to the world of art. He was ex-
ceedingly plain and moderate in his diet
and apparel. He was affable in CONVERSE
tion with strangers. and mild with servants
but preserved always a certain gravity with
both. He was naturally inclined to anger,
but overcame this defect by the strength OF
his will, and no injurious words against
Others ever passed his lips. He was &c
strict in his religious practices that il
might be said that in fasting and recitine
the whole cRnonical Office he was as regular
as a protested religious. He began every.
thing he wrote with Jesus cum Maria sit
nobis iii via.
The first trace We find of Columbus in
Spain is at once striking and peculiar
About hale a league from the little port Of
Pslos, in Andalusia, on q solitary height
overlooking the sea coast and half hidden
in a thick forest of pines, was n monastry
of Franciscan friars, known as Santa Meri,
de la Rabida. Fernandez Garcia relates
that a stranger, on foot. accompanied by q
boy OF about II years, presented himself a
the monastery cato, and asked the brothe
20 ter for a little bread and water. While
father and son wers refreshing themselves
with this simple fare, the father guardian
happened to pass, and discovering from hi
accent that the traveller was a foreigner,
and from his aspect and bearing conolud.
ing that he was a man much superior to hi
present state, out OF curiosity and pity en-
= tered into oonvorsation with him.
The stranger was Christopher Columbus
and the boy his son Diego. 1t ia not known
whence he came, but his mode of travel tell
J plainly enough the condition to which hi
: misfortunes had refused him. He was on
:. his way to the n~eizhboring city of Huely,
y to visit a certain Muliar, his brother.in
T law. II 10 thought he wished TO entrus
t him with the young Diego while he wa
d engaged in urging his project upon tn
o Spanish court. But arriving at Palos, h
must have wanted all means of subsistence