Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-12-11


collected by the Algerians also, and took
the name of the town.
Just beyond Tarifa, where the straits are
only twelve miles wide, upon an enormous
rock called Europa Point, once stood a col
ossal image of the Mother of Christ, known
as "Our Lady of Europe" and 1t was the
protector Of navigators. 1t is spoken of by
all Of the old guide books, but has disap
peared. and a lighthouse now occupies the
place.
A Scientific Theory.
Tangiers and the low hills Of Africa are
clearly visible to the naked eye. and the
geology on both sides of the straits is so
nearly identical as to suggest to certain
scientists theory that the continents of
Europe and Africa were once connected by
an isthmus at this point. They sustain this
theory by the variations in the depth of the
water and by tradition that in the Mosaic
era the Phoenicians cut a canal across 1t,
that was originally SO narrow that it was
spanned by a bridge but that the banks of
the channel have been gradually worn away
by the action OF the swift water.
Spain occupies a little peninsula on the
African side. where there is a fortress
called Ceuta and a prison in which military
and political offenders are confined. Until
a few years ago it was associated with hor-
rible tragedies, like the Chateau off in the
harbor of Marseille, and people who were
sent to Ceuta seldom returned. No record
was kept of the prisoners, and If they dis
appeared suddenly 1t was not polite to ask
questions
The Career Of Miranda.
One of the most famous Of the inma ties OF
Ceuta in modern times was Miranda, the
leader Of the first organized revolution for
independence in South America He was a
brilliant young man, gifted with many ac-
complishments and unusual personal at
fractions. He came from one of the rich
est families In Venezuela and was educated
In Paris, where. when about twenty-five
years old he fell in with Lafayette and ac-
companied him to the assistance of the
American colonies in 1776 Miranda served
under Washington until our independence
was established, when he returned to his
native country to organize similar move
ment. He aspired to be the Washington of
Venezuela. He was taken prisoner by the
Spaniards and sent into exile. He spent
seven or eight years in Europe trying to
interest the different sovereigns in his
cause. and for two years was the most con-
spicuous lover of that remarkable woman.
Catherine the Great of Russia, who seemed
to be hypnotized by his charms. Returning
to Venezuela he organized another revolu-
ton, was again captured ard this time was
sent to the prison at Ceuta, where he dis
appeared from human knowledge and is
supposed to have been shot.
Trafalgar in Sight.
Just outside of the straits, and in plain
sight of the town of Tarifa. is Cape Trafal-
gar, which witnessed one of the great bat
ties of history on October 81, 1905 Lord
Nelson, in command of twenty-seven small
ships of the line and four frigates of the
British navy, encountered thirty-three
ships of the line and seven frigates Of the
French and Spanish fleets. The secret of
Nelson's victory lay in his novel maneuver-
ing, an inspiration of genius. He divided
his fleet into two Squadrons and thus sue
ceeded in breaking the line of battle of the
enemy, which was also compelled to Li-
vide. The fighting on both sides was he
roic. Lord Nelson was MORALLY wounded,
but lived long enough to realize the extent
and significance of his victory.
1t is a curious fact that the Marquis de
Viliafranca, who commanded the invincible
armada against England in the sixteenth
century, lived in sight Of the scene of the
battle of Trafalgar.