The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1893-06-10
WORLDS FAIR.
Convent de La Rabida-Its Historic Inter-
est and Ancient Contents Relics
Of Colu1.bus and His Time.

OF Uolun bus and bis lime.
To the lover of American history it's
has a deep charm. While we do
not know all the details of that first
exploit which gave
au thentic revelation of a new continent,
we seek eagerly for positive evidences
that it was a fact and delight to witness
those evidences with our own eyes.
Hence it is with a high degree of expect
ancy and veneration, the visitor at the
worlds fair approaches the old Convent
of La Rabida in the southeast portion OF
the fair grounds on the lake shore. The
building is an exact reproduction OF the
old convent to which Columbus retired
and sought shelter when broken down,
and we'll nigh discouraged he appealed
for aid to the Franciscan prlest-Father
De Marchena. Nor sought he in vain.
This replica of the quaint old convent il
here used in which to place and exhibit
the rare old relics pertaining to Colum-
bus himself, his b~enefactors and the
mementoes OF his voyages and time
gathered from every quarter OF the
globe. The old fashioned building rep
resenting the quaint religious architect
ure of Spain in the middle ages is in
striking contrast to the majestic struc-
lures of the rest OF the exposition, pat
termed after the highest ideas of classic
and modern architecture. It resembles
more a little Irish village, but within
its quadrapgular buildings is an almost
amending series Of doubly separated
rooms, each full of time honored relics.
There is much here that is 400 years
old, much that was old with year before
these four centuries commenced their
ravages Of time. Here are doors, stills,
windows and nails of the house in which
Columbus lived on the MADEIRA Islands
when he was first married. Then, there
are pictures of those early scenes handed
down from Italian artists; there are we'll
preserved copies of the very books on
astronomy, geography and travel which
he handled and studied-Ptolemy,
| Copernicus and Marco Polo. There are
writings and drawings in his W hand
and many others by contemporaries and
later admirers of his. In other rooms
are mementoes and relics OF his visits to
| the West India islands, Knives spears,
bows and other crude warlike stone
implements Of the early San Domingo
natives; bells and curiosities of all
descriptions, dating from 1854 and
earlier. There are also many relics from
La Vega, founded in Columbus day and
destroyed by an earthquake in the afore.
said year, and least but not lastly, q
portion OF the remains OF Columbus
himself in an urn, carefully guarded by
soldiers. One has little idea to what
extent Christian civilization took posses.
sion of these West India islands even
in the life time of Columbus until he
sees the evidences Of it that have come
down in material things, here presented
from the first half Of the 10th century.
The different paintings or portraits OF
Columbus found in this old convent are
something bewildering. Every artis,
from the discovery of America to the
present time must have tried his hand
and imagination at it and hung up the
result of his effort here. Among other
curiosities are some famous re.
mlnders Of the old West India buccaneers
crude little cannon, old rusty pistols
match and flint locks, swords, native
canoes used for war vessels, etc.
The most interesting exhibit, however
and the one which holds the crowd in
the hall under the tower, is the private
letters and correspondence OF Columbus
written in a fine bold hand, we'll pre-.
served though faded with time, his in
ventories of supplies for the voyage Of
discovery, the royal commission Of
Ferdenand and Isabella, his reports Of
discoveries and letters of congratulation
and confering Of honors by digpatoriee
of both church aud state, the original
copy Of Queen Isabella's will, papal bulls
and other valuable documents, almost
without number. These are very closely
watched and guarded by armed soldiers
who never leave the room, q condition or
which the precious relics we're received
from the Spanish government.
Constipation causes grief,
But the trouble need be brief,
For Ayers Pills give prompt relief.
Reduced Hates 20 Chicago.