The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1892-01-29
RECEPTION or coIUNBrs By THE SPANISH
COURT AT BARCELONA

CHAPTER XXI
RECEPTION or COLUMBUS By THE SPANISH
CCCKT At BARCELONA.
The letter II Columbus 10 the Span
ISL monarchs had produced the greatest
sensation At court. The event he an
nonnced was considered the most extra
ordinary " their prosperous reign. and
following % close upon the conquest OF
Granada was pronounced asignal mark
OF divine favor for that triumph
achieved in the cause Of true faith The
sov-rrigns themselves were for . time
dazxie! by this sudden and easy acquisi-
rion Of a new empire. of indefinite ex-
tent and apparently boundless wealth.
and their first idea was 10 secure it be-
vond the reach Of dispute. shortly after
his arrival in Seville Columbus re-
ceivei q letter from them expressing
their great delight and requesting him
20 repair Immediately 70 court. to con-
cert plans for 4 second and more extern
ave expedition.
- the surnmer. the time favorable for
voyage was approaching. they desired
him 10 make any arran yernents at Seville
or elsewhere mat might hasten the ex-
petition, and 10 inform them, by the re-
turn Of the courier, what was to Be done
on their part This letter was addressed
70 him by the title Of Don Christopher
Columbus. orr admiral Of the ocean sec.
and viceroy and governor Of the islands
discovered in the Indies.r at the same
time be was promised still further 70
wards Columbus lost no time in COM
plying with the commands Of the sover-
eigIs He sent . memorandum Of the
ships. men and munitions requisite. and
having made such dispositions 1t Seville
A. circumstances permitted. set ont for
Barcelona. taxing With him the six In
dams and the various curiosifies and
productions brought from the New
World.
The fame OF his discovery had 10
sounded throughout the nation, and ~
bis route lay through several of the fin
est and mo-tpopulous provinces Of spain.
his journey appeared like the progress Of
. sovereign Wherever be passed the
country poured forth its inhabitants,
who lined the road and thronged the
villages. The streets, windows and bal
COMES Of the towns were filed with
eager spectators. who rent the mir with
trclamations H. journey was contin-
uslIy imreted by the multitude pressing
70 gain = sight Of him and Of the In
dams, vino were regarded with ~ much
astonishment IS II they had been natives
Of another planet Il was impossible to
satisfy the craving curiosity which ~
sailed him and his attendants at every
stage with innumerabie Questiens: pop
ular y usual. had exaggerated
the truth and had filed the newly found
,Ountry with Gil kinds Of wonders-
About the middle Of April Columbus
arrived n Barcelona. where every prep
ararion had been made 70 give him =
solemn and magnificent reception. The
beauty and serenity Of the weather in
that genial SEASON and favored climate
contributed to give spiendor 70 this
memorable ceremony. As be drew neal
the place many Of the youthful courtiers
and hidaigos, together with . vast con.
course Of the -populace. came forth Ia
meet and welcome him His entrance
into this noble city has been compared
10 on Of those triumphs which the Ro-
mans we're accustomed to decree to con.
qnerors- First were paraded the In
disns. painted according TO their savage
fashion and decorated With their M
tionaI o. gold After thesl
were borne vano1s kinds Of live parrots,
together with stuffed birds and ANIMAL
Of unknown species. and rare plants sup
posed to BE- Of precious qualities. while
great ARE was token to make : conspic
ions display Of Indian coronets. brace.
l-fs and other decorations Of gold which
might give an idea Of the wealth Of ths
newly discovered rcgions-
After this followed Columbus on horse.
back. surrounded BY brilliant caval
cnds Of spanish chivalry. The streets
were almost impassable from the count
lee multitude. the Window and balco
nice were crowded with the fair; tn
very roofs wers covered with SPECTATOR
II seemed asif the public eye could mol
b. stated with gazing o. these trophies
Of IN unknown world. or on the remark
able man by whom Il had been discov
cred There was . sublimity IN THU
event that mingled . solemn feeling with
the public JOY. u was looked upon n
vast and signal dispcnsation q Provf
dence Ia reward for the piety of tn
munsrchs, and the majestic and venera
be appearances ~ the discoyerer. % diff
ferent from the youth and buoyancy
generally expected from rowing enter
prise, seemed in harmony with the gran
deur'and dignity Of his achievement
III receive him with suitable pom,
AMI distinction the scyer.igns had or