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

tuto honor ana greatness, ne returuoo
to his humble dutiea az guardian OF
the little monastery of Santa Maria
de la Rabida. Such was the modest friar.
who, by the order Of Providence, happened
to be passing through the gate of his mon
astery az Christopher Columbus was receiv-
ing his little aims.
Encouraged by the friar's friendly cour-
tesy, Columbus told him of the project in
his mind. and of his design of proposing it
at court. IL seemed as though the words of
Columbus had opened a new horizon to the
friar's eyes, SO great was his attention n
interest. The friar detained him as q
guest and invited a scientific friend, Garcia
Fernandez. a physician of Palos. and sew
eral veteran mariners of the neighborhood
to confer with him. They all became con-
verts to the theory of Columbus, and the
first substantial step towards the discovery
of the new world was taken.
One of these mariners, Martin Alonzo
Pinzon. the head of a wealthy family of
experienced navigators at Palos, offered to
defray tie expenses of Columbus to court.
and, in the event Of his enterprise being
adopted by the sovereiRns. to engage in it
with purse and person. To this man more
than any other. perhaps, was Columbus
indebted for the ultimate success of his
goat enterprise.
To ensure him a favorable reception at
court. the friar gave him a letter to the
queens confessor, Fernando de Talavera, a
priest Of great political influence, and
promised, in the meantime, to maintain
and educate his son, Diego, at tho convent.
Although the glory Of discovering the
western hemisphere ia due to the profound
study, indefatigable perseverance, and cour-
aReous soul of Christopher Columbus. still
his project would doubtless have failed but
for the aid of the two sovere;gns of Spain,
Ferdinand and Isabella, and more especially
that of the latter. In the discovery of the
the new world her name is, and for all time
will be, indissolnbly Joined to that of
Christopher Columbus.
The picture which contemporary authors
have left Of Isabella, although it breathes
throughout the enthusiasm of the writer's,
has been fully confirmed by time. With
out losing any of tn o softer graces of her
sex. she had as much frmness and activity
as any man, and not only took part in coun-
ellis where wars and battles were discussed
and planned, but, dressed in armor, she
rode on horseback and followed the camp;
and in the fatigues of the march, or the
dangers of the battle, the main spur and
encouragement to the soldiers heart was
the sight of their beloved queen in their
midst. Often in the uncertainties and
doubts of war and battle, it was she that
by her energy and the irmness of her meas
ures decided the successful issue of events.
A - lhA .~-o1 As~n@ ,-,LH ~ 1900. e
glory, by the elevation of her mind and by
her conscientious truthfulness, she modified
the too subtle and interested policy of Fer
dinand,
Her character shines still brighter in
civil history. An affectlonate mother to
her subjects, her first thought was to re-
form the laws, and heal the wounds made
by the long intestine wars; and ever intent
on the happiness of her people, with ma
ternal Tenderness, she sought to mitigate,
as much as possible, the rigorous measures
which had to be taken against those of her
subjects who refused to obey the laws of
the gospel; and the Moors and Jews had no
better advocate in the royal council thar
the queen herself.
In the moments of freedom from business
she gathered around her persons of the
greatest learning, and consulted them as to
the most suitable means of advancing
science and literature; and it was through
her protection that Salamanca won a place
among the most famous universities of
that age. She invited to her court. by re-
wards and %favors, men of literature and
science, not only from Spain. but from
other nations; and the mass of books, orig