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Swarm'd in the sun-shine of my happier

days,

Pursued the fortune and partook the praise,

Now pass my cell with smiles of sour disdain,

Insult my woes and triumph in my pain."

The small island which Columbus had discovered, he called San Salvador. His first interview with the natives was a scene of compassion on the one part, and of astonishment on the other, the other, but highly interesting to both. The natives were simple and timorous, and they viewed the Spaniards as a superior order of beings descensed from the Sun; which, in that island, and in most parts of America, was worshipped as a Deity. By this it was easy for Columbus to perceive the line of conduct proper to be observed to wards that simple and inoffensive people. Had his companions and successors of the Spanish nation pos sessed the wisdom and humanity of this great discoverer, the benevolent mind would have had to experience no sensations of regret, in contemplating the extensive advantages arising to mankind, from the discovery of

America.

In this voyage, Columbus discovered the Island of Cuba and Hispaniola, on the latter of which he erected a small fort; and having left a garrison of thirty-eight men, he set sail for Spain. Returning across the Atlantic, he was overtaken by a violent storm, which lasted several days, and increased to such a degree, as baffled his naval skill, and threatened immediate destruction. In this situation, when all were in despair, and it was expected that every sea would swallow up the crazy vessel, he maintained a serenity and presence of mind, seldom equalled in cases of like extremity. He wrote a short account of the voyage, and of the discoveries he had made; this he hastily wrap.

ped in an oiled cloth, then enclosed it in a cake of wax, and put it into an empty cask, which he threw overboard, in hopes that some fortunate accident might preserve a deposite of so much importance to the world.

The storm however abated, and he at length arrived in Spain, after ha ving been driven by stress of weather into the port of Lisbon, where he had an opportunity, in an interview with the King of Portugal, to prove the truth of his system, by arguments more convincing than those he had before advanced, in the character of a bold projector, but humble suitor. He was received every where in Spain with royal honours; his family was ennobled, and his former stipulation respecting his offices and emoluments, was ratified in the most solemn manner by Ferdinand and Isabella; while all Europe resounded his praises, and reciprocated their joy and congratulations on the discovery of what they called a new world. The immediate consequence was a second voyage, in which Columbus took charge of a squadron of seventeen ships of considerable burthen. Volunteers of all ranks solicited to be employed in this expedition. He carried

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over fifteen-hundred persons, with the necessaries for establishing a colony, and extending his discoveries. In this voyage he explored most of the West India islands; but on his arrival at Hispaniola he found that the garrison he had left there, had been all destroyed by the natives, and the fort demolished. ceeded however in the planting of his colony; and by his prudent and humane conduct towards the natives, he effectually established the Spanish authority in that island. While he was thus laying the foundation of European dominion in America, some discontented persons, who had returned

to Spain, uniting with his former opponents and powerful enemies at court, conspired to accomplish his

ruin.

They represented his conduct in. such a light as to create uneasiness in the jealous mind of Ferdinand, and make it necessary for Columbus again to return to Spam, to counteract their machinations, and obtain such farther supplies as were necessary to his great political and beneficent purposes. On his arriving at court, and stating with his usual dignity and confidence, the whole history of his transactions abroad, every thing wore a favourable appearance. He was received with the same honours as before, and solicited to take charge of another squadron, to carry out farther supplies, to pursue his discoveries, and in every respect to use his discretion in extending the Spanish empire in the new world.

In this third voyage he discovered the continent of America at the mouth of the river Orinoco.

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the prodigious wealth and extent of the countries he had discovered, would soon throw such power into the hands of the Viceroy, that he would trample on the royal autho rity, and bid defiance to the Spanish power. These arguments were well calculated for the cold and suspicious temper of Ferdinand; and they must have had some effect on the mind of Isabella. The consequence was the appointment of Bovadilla, the inveterate enemy of Columbus, totake the government from his hands,

rectified many disorders in his government of Hispaniola, which had happened in his absence; and every thing was going on in a prosperous train, when an event was announced to him, which completed his own ruin, and gave a fatal turn to the Spanish policy and conduct in America. This was the arrival of Francis de Bovadilla, with a commission to supercede Columbus in his government, to arraign him as a criminal, and to pronounce judgment on all his former administration. It seems, that by this time the enemies of Columbus, despairing to complete his overthrow by groundless insinuations of mal-conduct, had taken the most effectual method of exciting the jealousy of their sovereigns. From the pro-, mising samples of gold, and other valuable commodities brought from America, they took ocčasion to represent to the King and Queen, that

This first tyrant of the Spanish nation in America, began his administration, by ordering Colum bus to be put in chains on board a ship, and sending him prisoner to Spain. By relaxing all discipline, he introduced disorder and licentiousness through the colony. He subjected the unhappy natives to a most miserable servitude, and apportioned them out in large numbers among his adherents. Under this severe treatment, many thousands of these innocent people perished in a short time.

Columbus was carried in fetters to the Spanish court, where the King and Queen either feigned or felt a suflicient regret at the conduct of Bovadilla towards their prisoner; he was not only released from con finement, but was treated with all imaginable respect. Although the King endeavoured to expiate the ofience, by censuring aud recalling Bovadilla, yet we may judge of his sincerity, from his appointing Nicholas de Ovando, another well known enemy of Columbus, to succeed in the government, and from his ever after refusing to reinstate Columbus, and to fulfil any of the conditions on which the discoveries had been undertaken.

After two fears of solicitation for this or some other employment, he at length obtained a squadron of four small vessels to attempt new discoveries. He then set out with

1

the enthusiasm of a young adventurer, in quest of what was always his favourite object, a passage into the South Sea by which he might sail to India. He touched at Hispaniola, where Ovando the governor refused him admittance on shore, even to take shelter during a hurricane, the prognostics of which his experience had taught him to discern. By putting into a creek, he rode out the storm, and then bore away for the continent. He spent several months, the most boisterous of the year, in exploring the coast round the gulph of Mexico, in hopes of finding the intended navigation to India. At length he was shipwrecked, and driven ashore on the island of Jamaica.

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returned for the last time to Spain. Here a new distress awaited him, which he considered as one of the greatest of his whole life; this was the death of Queen Isabella, his last and most powerful friend.

He did not suddenly abandon himself to despair. He called upon the gratitude and justice of the King, and in terms of dignity demanded the fulfilment of his former contract. Notwithstanding his age and infirmities, he even solicited to be farther employed in extending the career of discovery, without a prospect of any other reward than the pleasure of doing good to mankind. But Ferdinand, cold, ungrateful, and timid, dared not comply with any proposal of this kind, lest he should increase his own obligations to a man, whose services he thought it dangerous to reward. He therefore delayed and avoided any decision on these subjects, in hopes that the declining health of Columbus would soon rid the court of the remonstrances of a suitor, whose unexampled merit was, in their opi nion, a sufficient reason for destroying him. In this hope they were disappointed --Columbus had not learned to look with indifference "On courts insidious, envy's poison'd

not

stings,

The loss of empire, and the frown of kings!"

His cup of calamities seemed now to be full. He was cast upon an island of savages, without provisions, without a vessel, and thirty leagues from any Spanish settlement. But the greatest physical misfortunes are capable of being imbittered by the insults of our fellow-creatures. few of his companions generously offered, in two Indian canoes, to attempt a voyage to Hispaniola, in hopes of obtaining a vessel for the relief of the unhappy crew. After suffering every extremity of danger and fatigue, they arrived at the Spanish colony in ten days. Ovando, excited by personal malice against Columbus, de- He languished a short short time, tained these messengers for eight and gladly resigned a life, which months, and then despatched a ves- had been worn out in the most sel to Jamaica to spy out the con- signal services that have been dition of Columbus and his crew, rendered by any one man, to an with positive instructions to the Cap- ungrateful world! Posterity is sometain not to afford them any relief. times more just to the memory of This order was punctually execu- great men, than contemporaries ted. The Captain approached the were to their persons. But even this shore, delivered a letter of empty consolation, if it be one, has been compliments from Ovando to the denied to the discoverer of America. Admiral, received his letter, and The continent, instead of bearing returned. About four months af- his name, has been called after one terwards, a vessel came to their re- of his followers, a man of no partilief; and Columbus, worn out with cular merit. And in the modern fatigues, and broken by misfortunes, city of Mexico, there is instituted

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twine,

Far nobler triumphs crown a life like thine; Thine be the joys that minds immortal grace,

As thine the deeds that bless a kindred race."

His son, who wrote his life, has left a particular description of his person, manners, and private character, all of which were agreeable and interesting.

After his last return from America, Columbus passed the short remainder of his life at Valladolid, the capital of old Castile, and then the seat of the Spanish government. He died in that city on the 20th of August, 1506, and was buried in one of its churches. Over his body is a plain stone, inscribed simply with his name, as it is written in Spanish

Christoval Colon.

A BRIEF NOTICE OF JAMES HENRY BER. NARDIN DE ST. PIERRE, AUTHOR OF STUDIES OF NATURE, PAUL AND VIR

• Will Barlow be consistent? Will he, on being introduced to Bonaparte, be true to his principles? For the honour of philosophy, we hope and trust he will remember, and execrate the "blood-stain'd steps!" when he beholds the Emperor at the levee,

GINIA, THE INDIAN COTTAGE, &C. . &c.*

From Inchiquin, the Jesuit's Letters; an American publication. AMES HENRY BERNARDIN JADE ST. PIERRE,

the district of Caux, in the province of Normandy, of an ancient and respectable family; being a near relation to the Abbé St. Pierre, celebrated for his scientific ac

quirements, and especially for his project of a perpetual peace; with which the good Cardinal Fleury was so well pleased, as to write to Fontenelle, that it would be happy for mankind, if princes would take a dose of the elixir of that excellent project. The author of the Studies of Nature, resembles his relation the Abbé, in goodness of heart, and depth of knowledge, and surpasses him in genius and the powers of elegant composition. At an early age he entered upon the profession of arms, and travelled in Russia and Poland. Upon his return, he was sent in the capacity of engineer to the Isle of France.

On his return to France, he renounced his situation in the army as too restrictive of the freedom for study and contemplation he longed to enjoy. Being thus deprived of

his

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pay as an officer; and having trimonial estate he had, in favour generously relinquished what pa of a sister, his finances fell to very low ebb, his prospects were overcast with gloom, and the fate of genius seemed to threaten to be his. But he neither repined nor abandoned himself to despair. While thus struggling with want and uncertainty, he formed an acquaintance with John James Rousseau, whom he resembled in lofty talents, excessive sensibility, and

He also wrote, "A Tour in Silesia ;" which may be found in the 3d vol. of the Belfast Magazine, No. 14, page 219, This tour was, by mistake, inserted under the title of Foreign Literature.

devotion to retirement; though there was none of Rousseau's desponding and unsociable humours about his friend St. Pierre.

Owing in part to the instances of M. de he was prevailed upon to shake off the scholastic diffidence, and the poverty under which he was sinking into solitude; and to present himself to certain personages about the court of Louis XVI. distinguished by their stations, and beneficence to men of let ters in indigence. The person of all others who has now the honour to have interested herself in favour of St. Pierre, was Madame Neckar, wife of the great financier; to whom he was indebted for the patronage of the king, and several eminent characters of his household.

It was at one time generally feared that St. Pierre had fallen a victim to the revolution. But he providentially escaped the perils of that tempest, to live serenely to a good old age, blessing and blessed by his learning, cheerfulness and benevolence.

We observe, with pleasure, that

Professor Barton, of Philadelphia, whom, through his scientific researches, we know as one of the only men of letters in America has given his countrymen an edition of the Studies of Nature. But it is to be regretted, that he has not iutroduced his work with any biographical sketch of the author; because independent of the desire' of most readers to know something of the life of the writer they admire, the qualities of St. Pierre's mind are so strongly reflected in his works, that all persons must read them with greater pleasure and instruction, from knowing that they faithfully represent the virtues and simplicity of the author's character.

It is probable the world would have been gratified with many other of St. Pierre's productions, had he not, at rather a late day, sacrificed his additional fame to marriage, and the enticements of domestic life. This sin against science he attempted to extenuate to his friends by the proverb, "Better late than never."

DETACHED ANECDOTES.

SUDDEN SNAPS.

A FEW years before the death of the late Dr. John Fothergill, a Cumberland gentleman, much addicted to the bottle, and possessed of few virtues, applied to the Doctor for advice. Being introduced, the Doctor who had some knowledge of his person, which however he chose to conceal, inquired what was his ailment, to which the other replied, he was very well in health, eat well, drank well, and slept well; but wished to know how he might be guard

ed against sudden snaps. The venerable physician gave him a prescription for his complaint, in the following deserved reproof. "Do justice, love mercy, walk humbly before thy God, and do not snap the bottle too often."

TIME RECOVERED FROM SLEEP. Various have been the means made use of to overcome the habit of sleeping long of a morning. Buffon, it is said, rose with the sun; he often used to tell by what means he had accustomed himself to rise early. "In my youth," says he

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