In our ninth number, we extracted that portion of Mr. Washington Irving's Life and Voyages of Columbus, which related to the first arrival of the renowned navigator and discoverer in Spain, poor and friendless, not having wherewith to satisfy the attacks of hunger on himself, or to prevent its blanching the cheeks of his child, the youthful companion of his misfortunes. From his destitute and hopeless condition, joined with his commanding and intelligent appearance, when craving food of the hospitable father of Rabida, may be dated the origin of the discovery of the western hemisphere. We now proceed to lay before our readers another portion of the work equal in interest to the extract before given, the part we have chosen is that which details his return, after having completed his first voyage, and the joyful reception he met with from his former friends the inhabitants of Palos, which arrival is most admirably contrasted with VOL. I. N

the return of his companion in adventure, the dissatisfied and avaricious Alonzo Pinzon, who deserted from him in his vessel the Pinta, at Cuba. To this we have added his reception at the Spanish Court.

RECEPTION OF COLUMBUS AT PALOS.

The triumphant return of Columbus, was a prodigious event in the history of the little port of Palos, where every-body was more or less interested in the fate of his expedition. The most important and wealthy sea-captains of the place had engaged in it, and scarcely a family but had some relative or friend among the navigators. The departure of the ships, upon what appeared a chimerical and desperate cruise, had spread gloom and dismay over the place; and the storms which had raged throughout the winter had heightened the public despondency. Many lamented their friends as lost, while imagination lent mysterious horrors to their fate, picturing them as driven about over wild and desert wastes of water without a shore, or as perishing amidst rocks and quicksands, and whirlpools; 12-SATURDAY, MARCH 29, 1828

or a prey to those monsters of the deep, with which credulity, in those days, peopled every distant and unfrequented sea. There was something more awful in such a mysterious fate than in death itself, under any defined and ordinary form.

When the news arrived, therefore, that one of the adventurous ships was standing up the river, the inhabitants were thrown into great agitation, but when they heard that she returned in triumph from the discovery of a world, and beheld her furling her sails in their harbour, the whole community broke forth into transports of joy. The bells were rung, the shops. shut, all business was suspended; for a time there was nothing but the hurry and tumult of sudden exaltation and breathless curiosity. Some were anxious to know the fate of a relative, others of a friend, and all to learn particulars of so wonderful a voyage. When Columbus landed, the multitude thronged to see, and welcome him, and a grand procession was formed to the principal church, to return thanks to God for so signal a discovery made by the people of that place, the unthinking populace forgetting, in their

exultation, the thousand difficulties which they had thrown in the way of the enterprise. Wherever Columbus passed, the streets resounded with shouts and accla mations; he received such honours as are paid to sovereigns, but to him they were rendered with tenfold warmth and sincerity. What a contrast was this to his departure a few months before, followed by murmurs and execrations; or, rather what a contrast to his first arrival at Palos, a poor pedestrian, craving bread and water for his child, at the gate of a convent!

Understanding that the court was at Barcelona, Columbus felt disposed to proceed thither immediately in his caravel; reflecting, however, on the dangers and disasters he had already experienced on the seas, he resolved to proceed by land. He despatched a letter to the king and queen, informing them of his arrival, and soon after departed for Seville to await their orders, taking with him six of the natives whom he had brought from the New World. One had died at sea, and three were left ill at Palos,

It is a singular coincidence, which ap.

pears to be well authenticated, that on the very evening of the arrival of Columbus at Palos, and while the peals of triumph were still ringing from its towers, the Pinta, commanded by Martin Alonzo Pinzon, likewise entered the river. After her separation from the Admiral in the storm, she had been driven before the gale into the Bay of Biscay, and had made the port of Bayonne. Doubting whether Columbus had survived the tempest, and, at all events, anxious to anticipate him, and to secure the favourable prepossessions of the court and the public, Pinzon had immediately written to to the sovereigns, giving information of the discovery he had made, and had requested permission to come to court and communicate the particulars in person. As soon as the weather permitted, he had again set sail, anticipating a triumphant reception in his native port of Palos. When, on entering the harbour, he beheld the vessel of the admiral riding at anchor, and learnt the enthusiasm with which he had been received, and the rejoicings with which his return had been celebrated, the heart of Pinzon died within him. He called to mind his frequent arrogance and insubordination, and his wilful desertion off the coast of Cuba, by which he had impeded the prosecution of the voyage. It is said that he feared to meet Columbus in this hour of his triumph, lest he might put him under arrest; but it is more probable that he was ashamed to appear before the public in the midst of his rejoicings, as a recreant to the cause which excited such universal admiration. Getting into his boat, therefore, he landed privately, and kept himself out of sight until he heard of the admiral's departure. He then returned to his home, broken in health, and deeply dejected. Palos had been his little world, in which he had moved with unrivalled importance; out now he found himself fallen in public opinion, and fancied the finger of scorn continually pointed at him. All the honours lavished on Columbus, all the rapturous eulogiums of his enterprise, sunk into the soul of Pinzon as so many reproaches on himself; and when at length he received a severe and reproachful reply to the letter he had written to the Sovereigns, his morbid feelings added virulence to his malady, and in a few days he died, the victim of envy and

remorse.

He was a man of great spirit and enterprise, one of the ablest seamen of the age, and the head of a family that continued to distinguish itself among the early discoverers. He had contributed greatly to encourage Columbus when

poor and unknown in Spain, offering him his purse, and entering with hearty concurrence into his plans. He had assisted him by his personal influence at Palos, combating the public prejudices, and promoting the manning and equipping of his vessels, when even the orders of the sovereigns were of no avail; he had advanced the part of the funds to be borne by the admiral; finally, he had embarked with his brothers in the expedition, staking life as well as property on the event. He had thus entitled himself to participate largely in the glory of this immortal enterprise: but forgetting the grandeur of the cause, he had deserted the high object in view, and by yielding to the impulse of a low and sordid passion, had tarnished his character for ever. That he was a man naturally of generous sentiments is evident from the poignancy of his remorse: a mean man could not have fallen a victim to self-upbraiding for having committed a mean action. His story shows how one lapse from duty may counterbalance the merits of a thousand services; how one moment of weakness may mar the beauty of a whole life of virtue; and how im portant it is for a man, under all circum> stances, to be true, not merely to others, but to himself.

COLUMBUS'S RECEPTION AT THE SPANISH

COURT OF BARCELONA.

Columbus's entrance into the noble city of Barcelona, when on his way to the Spanish Court, has been compared to one of those triumphs which the Romans were accustomed to decree to conquerors.First, were paraded the Indians, painted according to their savage fashion, and de corated with their national ornaments of gold. After these were borne various kinds of live parrots, together with stuffed birds and animals of unknown species, and rare plants, supposed to be of precious qualities; while great care was taken to make a conspicuous display of Indian coronets, bracelets, and other decorations of gold, which might give an idea of the wealth of the newly-discovered regions. After this, followed Columbus on horseback, surrounded by a brilliant cavalcade of Spanish chivalry. The streets were almost impassable from the countless multitude; the windows and balconies were crowded with the fair; the very roofs were covered with spectators. It seemed as if the public eye could not be sated with gazing on these trophies of an unknown world; or on the remarkable man by whom it had been discovered. There was a sublimity in this event that mingled a solemn feeling with the public joy was looked upon as a vast and single dis

It

To receive him with suitable pomp and distinction, the sovereigns had ordered their throne to be placed in public, under a rich canopy of brocade of gold, in a vast and splendid saloon. Here the king and queen awaited his arrival, seated in state, with the prince Juan beside them, and attended by the dignitaries of their court, and the principal nobility of Castile, Valentia, Catalonia, and Arragon, all impatient to behold the man who had conferred so incalculable a benefit upon the nation. At length Columbus entered the hall, surrounded by a brilliant crowd of cavaliers, among whom, says Las Casas, he was conspicuous for his stately and commanding person, which with his countenance, rendered venerable by his grey hairs, gave him the august appearance of a senator of Rome; a modest smile lighted up his features, shewing that he enjoyed the state and glory in which he came; and certainly nothing could be more deeply moving to a mind inflamed by noble ambition, and conscious of having greatly deserved, than these testimonials of the admiration and gratitude of a nation, or rather of a world. As Columbus approached, the sovereigns rose, as if receiving a person of the highest rank. Bending his knees, he requested to kiss their hands; but their was some hesitation on the part of their majesties to permit this act of vassalage. Raising him in the most gracious manner, they ordered him to seat himself in their presence; a rare honour in this proud and punctilious

court.

At the request of their majesties, Columbus now gave an account of the most striking events of his voyage, and a description of the islands which he had discovered. He displayed the specimens he had brought of unknown birds, and other animals; of rare plants of medicinal and aromatic virtues; of native gold in dust, in crude masses, or laboured into barbaric ornaments; and, above all, the natives of these countries, who were objects of intense and inexhaustible interest; since there is nothing to man so curious as the varieties of his own species. All these he pronounced mere harbingers of greater discoveries he had yet to make, which would add realms of incalculable wealth to the dominions of their majesties, and whole nations of proselytes to the true faith.

The words of Columbus were listened to with profound emotion by the sovereigns. When he had finished, they sank on their knees, and raising their clasped hands to heaven, their eyes filled with tears of joy and gratitude, they poured forth thanks and praises to God for so great a providence: all present followed their example, a deep and solemn enthusiasm pervaded that splendid assembly, and prevented all common acclamations of triumph. The anthem of Te deum laudamus, chanted by the choir of the royal chapel, with the melodious responses of the minstrels, rose up from the midst in a full body of sacred harmony; bearing up, as it were, the feelings and thoughts of the auditors to heaven, "so that," says the venerable Las Casas, "it seemed as if in that hour they communicated with celestial delights." Such was the solemn and pious manner in which the brilliant court of Spain celebrated this sublime event; offering up a grateful tribute of melody and praise, and giving glory to God for the discovery of another world.

When Columbus retired from the roya presence, he was attended to his residence by all the court, and followed by the shouting populace. For many days he was the object of universal curiosity, and wherever he appeared, he was surrounded by an admiring multitude. While the mind of Columbus was thus teeming with glorious anticipations, his pious scheme for the deliverance of the holy sepulchre was not forgotten. It has been shewn that he suggested it to the Spanish sovereigns at the time of first making his propositions, holding it forth as the great object to be effected by the profits of his discoveries. Flushed with the idea of the vast wealth that was now to accrue to himself, he made a vow to furnish within seven years an army, consisting of four thousand horse, and fifty thousand foot, for the rescue of the holy sepulchre, and a similar force within the five following years. This vow was recorded in one of his letters to the sovereigns, to which he refers, but which is no longer extant, nor is it certain whether it was made at the end of his first voyage, or at a subsequent date, when the magnitude and wealthy result of his discoveries became more fully manifest. He often alludes to it vaguely in his writings, and he refers to it expressly in a letter to Pope Alexander VI., written in 1502, in which he accounts also for its non-fulfilment. It is essential to a full comprehension of the character and motives of Columbus, that this wild and visionary project should be borne in recollection. It will be found to have entwined itself on his mind with his enterprise of discovery, and that a holy crusade

tend :

Shall then that earth, which witness'd my renown,

Behold such insults on my glory thrown? This sceptre be my guard, fair Truth my shield,

And all my deeds in council and in field!
But Justice shall her ear to mercy lend,
Nor on th' offender's head the stroke descend
Lo for your merits I your crime forgive,
And hid you for your lov'd Rinaldo live.
Let Argillan alone the victim fall.
And with his blood atone th' offence of all.

Who, urg'd by light suspicion rais'd th' alarms,
And fir'd your erring bands with rebel arms.

While thus he spoke, his looks with glory

beam'd,

And from his eye the flashing lightning stream'd;
Ev'n Argillian himself, surpris'd and quell'd,
With awe the terrors of his face beheld.
The vulgar throng, so late by madness led.
Who pour'd their threats and curses on his
head;

Who grasp'd, as rage supply'd, with ready hand
The sword, the javelin, or the flaming brand;
Soon as they heard his voice, with fears were

struck,

Nor longer durst sustain their sovereign's look, But tamely, while their arms begirt him round; Saw Argillan in sudden fetters bound.t

Book VIII,

Well, boys! says Bowers, "let's see, what'll you have?-one of the Lee Virginneys, or the saucy Gee's ? *— Come, I'll give you a saucy Gee.

"Well, you see, when I sarved in the Go-along Gee-Captain D*** (he as was killed at Trafflygar aboard the Mars, seventy-four-aye, and as fine a fellow as ever shipped a swab, † or fell on a deck.

-There warn't a better man aboard from

half

stem to starn. He knew a seaman's duty, and more he never ax'd; and not like. your capering skippers, what expect unpossibilities. It went against his grain to seize a grating-up, and he never flogthe lash himself!—and as for starting,ged a man he didn't wince as if he felt blow me if he didn't break the boatswain by a court-martial for rope's-ending Tom Cox, the captain o' the fore-top in Plymouth-Sound. And yet he was'nt a man what courted, as they call it, cocularity; for once desarve it, you were sure to buy it; but do your duty like a man, and, d-n it, he'd sink or swim with you!

"He never could abide to hear a man abused-let's see, was't to the first or second leeftenant he says-no, 'twas the second-and blow me, too, if I doesn't think 'twas the third-it was the third, kase I remember, now, he'd never a civil word for no one. Well, howsomever, you see, says the skipper, mocking the leeftenant, in a sneering manner, morn, who'd just sung-out, "You sir! you know, to one o' the topmen, You sir, I mean,' says the skipper, looking straight in the leeftenant's face,pray, sir, says he, how do you like to be you sir'd yourself?"

one

"Well, the leeftenant shams deafness, you know; but I'm blowed but he hard every word on't-for never a dolphin adying tarned more colours nor he did at the time! But avast there, a bit-I'm yawing about in my course. Howsomever you know, 'tis but due to the dead, and no more nor his memory desarves, so here's try again-small helm bosteady-ey-a. Well, you know, the Go-along-Gee was one o' your flash Irish cruisers the first o' your fir-built frigates and a hell of a clipper she was! Give her a foot o' the sheet, and she'd go like a witch-but somehow o' nother, she'd bag on a bowline to leeward. Well,

*Gee is the sailor's name for a favorite ship +Evaette