Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-11-28

tTONefSy
the College of Cardinals refused to make a
saint of Columbus when a petition signed
by several millions of people requested it In
1892. A book has heen--wEitten to prove
that they were lawfully married. but unfor-
1 nimseif gave ss direct to .he eon
uary. In his will he dHectk his son Diego.
who was his heir-at-law. to take care of
Beatrice Enriques, mother of Don Fernan-
do, my son: supply her with all that can
enable her to live in honorable manner,
she being a person to whom 1 am under
grave obligations, and do this to relieve my
conscience because it weighs heavily on my
soul" - e Is
Columbus Som Fernando.
Her son, Fernando. was a man of high
character and ability, and I have seen the
place where he lived in Seville. He left
magnificent library, which was presented
to the chapter of the Seville cathedral. and
IS buried in front of the altar of that won
Fernando accompanied father on his
last voyage in. LOO, being then fourteen
years old. Subsequently he was appointed
a page at court, and became faverite of
the Emperor Charles ". who gave him a
pension Of 10000 a year. Fernando trav
eled extensively, and we know from his
library of 10000 volumes that he was not
only a man of education and taste, but
stUdious reader and a cultured scholar.
Nearly every volume in his collection con-
tains memoranda giving the date, place
and price of purchase. which afford a ciew
to the extent and direction of his travels,
and marginal notes in many: of the books
demonstrate his learning and ability.
Oviedo, one of the historians Of that day.
refers to him In his sketches of court life
at Toledo during the reign of Charles v,
and describes him as "a person of sweet
disposition, affable manners and nobility of
character"
Diego a Worthless Fellow.
Don Diego Columbus, the legitimate son
of the great admiral, was a very different
person. His mother was a native of Madeira
and he was born in 1475 When Columbus
was about to sail on his first voyage Queen
Isabella made the young man, then seven
teen years of age. page at court. His
father intended him for the priesthood, but
his inclinationS were entirely in the other
direction, and he led useless and dissolute
life. His descendant the Duke of Veragua
has number of letters written to him by
Columbus while the latter was absent on
his several voyages. They were full of af-
lection and solicitude, but complaining of
Diego'S lack of love and respect for him.
well for his brother, Fernando. AL
though he knew that Diego was worthless
fellow he made him his sole heir.
Within twelve days after the death of
Columbus we find Diego importuning the
king for Official recognition and the pecuni-
pealed in vain so long. King Ferdinand
permitted him to bring suit at law against
the crown to test the contract made with
his father, which was decided in his favor,
but 1t was not until after his marriage with
Dona Maria de Toledo, cousin of the king
and member of one of the most influential
families al court. that the verdict was rec
ognized. Don Diego was finally made gov
ernor of the West Indies and awarded one
eighth of all the royal revenues from that
source. His income was thus very large
He erected a magnificent palace, of which
the ruins still stand, on the banks of the
Ozama river. opposite the city of Santo
Domingo, and lived there in great state,
becoming very vain and tyrannical.
He was accused of conspiracy to set UP
an Independent government, and at the
first sign of INSTRUMENTATION was recalled
to Spain, his revenues we're cut off and he
was kept busy explaining things for the
next fourteen years. W6en death ended his
dissipated and tempesNous career, in Feb
ruary, 1925 He left a widow and seven
children, who became so spoor that they
were compelled to live upon, the charity of
Fernando. the illegftmate brother who
seems to have had infinite patience and gen.
crosby. "a
Beautiful Architecture.
There is not much else in Cordova than
architecture, but that is unique and beauti-
full The narrow, crooked streets are lined
on either side with glorious old houses and
through the archwaYs you can catch
glimpses of beautiful courts, where the lives
of the families are quietly spent under the
shade of orange trees and palms The
walls are covered with morning glories and
myrtle, and are stained with golden lichens.
In the center of every, patio is sparkling
fountain from which water from the noun
tains pours in clear, cool streams. But, as
I told you yesterday the town is dead. The
chief business is the sale of photograph
post cards and lottery tickets and you won