ships and one hundred and forty men, sailed for the same country. After coasting along the shore from Labrador to Rhode Island, they there landed, passed the winter, and had considerable intercourse with the natives. During their stay at this place, Gudrida, the wife of Thorfinn, the commander of the expedition, bore a son, who was called Snorre, from whom has descended many distinguished individuals, of whom Thorwaldsen, the great sculptor, is one. Other voyages from Greenland were afterwards made to this country; but no account has reached us of any made after the year 1347. Narratives of the voyages, of which a very brief abstract is here given, have been lately published, under the superintendence of the Royal Society of Antiquaries, at Copenhagen, from manuscripts recently discovered in northern libraries. They are not universally credited; but the reasons for believing them are more cogent than those by which many undoubted historical facts are supported.

It has not been ascertained that the knowledge acquired by the Greenlanders of the existence of America was ever communicated to the inhabitants of the eastern continent. It is known, however, that a constant intercourse was kept up between Greenland and Iceland, and that the English often visited the latter island for the purposes of traffic. And it is mentioned in the journal of the expedition of Thorfinn, that a party of eight men, going in search of the settlement of Lief, were driven by westerly gales to the coast of Ireland, and there made slaves. This gives some countenance to the tradition that the chieftain Madoc, with a portion of his followers, came to this country from Wales.

At this period, the mariners of Northern Europe were more adventurous, if not more skilful, navigators than those of more southern latitudes. The latter were accustomed to cruise, in frail barks, along the coast, not daring to lose sight of land; but the increase of the arts among them, the extension of geographical knowledge, and more especially the invention of the mariner's compass, about the year 1300, gave an impetus to navigation which led to important discoveries. The first was that of the Canary Islands. Afterwards a squadron, sent by the Portuguese to explore the coast of Africa, passed beyond Cape Non, which had not before been doubled, and reached Cape Bojador. Thus encouraged, they sent out other expeditions for the same purpose, which were successful, discovering, in 1418, the Island of Porto Santo, and, in 1419, the Island of Madeira. Soon after, the Islands of Cape de Verd and the Azores were discovered by companies of mer

chants.

John II., who ascended the throne of Portugal in 1481, partook of the enthusiasm for discovery which had begun to

animate his whole people. In 1484, a powerful fleet was despatched to cruise along the coast of Africa, which advanced fifteen hundred miles beyond the equator, and discovered the kingdoms of Benin and Congo. În 1487, Bartholomew Diaz, in command of another fleet, discovered the Cape of Good Hope, the southern extremity of Africa.

Exalted ideas of the wealth of the East Indies were then entertained by Europeans; and it was the darling object of all engaged in commerce to find a less expensive route to that country than the one by land then pursued. The information obtained in these expeditions, and in one by land to Abyssinia and the coast of Malabar, gave rise to the hope that India might be reached by sailing first along the western coast of Africa, doubling the Cape of Good Hope, and then sailing northward to the region of riches. This voyage, now so easily, accomplished, was then only contemplated as a possible achievement, difficult, if possible, and sure to crown him who should first perform it with never-ending fame.

Among the navigators of that age was Christopher Columbus, a native of Genoa, but a resident of Lisbon. He was distinguished for experience and skill in his profession, for extensive knowledge, and for a bold and original genius. Reflecting that the earth was round, he conceived the project of seeking India by sailing directly west. No sooner had he conceived the project, than his mind and his industry gathered arguments and facts which convinced him that it was feasible. Some ancient writer had declared that the diameter of the earth was not so great as was generally supposed; from the accounts of others he was led to believe that India extended farther eastward than geographers had laid it down; and in his intercourse with mariners and others, he had learned that pieces of carved wood, reeds of immense size, trunks of huge pine trees, and, most important of all, the bodies of two dead men, whose features differed from any known race of people, all driven towards Europe by westerly winds, had been taken from the sea at various places. All these, acting upon an enthusiastic temperament, not only confirmed his belief, but impelled him to devote all his energies to the accomplishment of his project. He even considered himself singled out by the Deity, as its agent, to execute this, its own stupendous design.

Being unable to defray the expenses of an expedition, Columbus obtained an audience of the king of Portugal, explained to him his project, and solicited aid. It has been said that he first applied to his native city: but recent investigation throws doubt upon this statement. The king listened to his application with favour, and referred it to his council; but they, instead of reporting favourably upon it, recommended that

Columbus should be kept in suspense, and a vessel despatched to make discoveries in the route which he had designated. One was accordingly sent, but returned unsuccessful. Indignant at this unworthy conduct, he immediately left Portugal, and, repairing to the court of Spain, sought an audience of its joint sovereigns, Ferdinand and Isabella.

By the friendship of the archbishop of Toledo, he at length obtained access to the sovereigns; but he remained a long time in Spain, following the court from city to city, tantalized by encouragement often held out and as often withdrawn, without succeeding in his object. When hope had almost deserted him, two of his friends made a last attempt to persuade the queen to furnish the necessary funds. By their zeal and eloquence her generous spirit was enkindled, and she declared she would undertake the enterprise for her crown of Castile, and would pledge her private jewels to raise means to fit out the expedition.

On the 17th of April, 1492, Columbus was appointed admiral, viceroy, and governor of all the islands and continents which he might discover,-which offices were made hereditary in his family, and other powers, rights, and privileges were granted to him. Two armed vessels were provided, to which a third was afterwards added, he furnishing a part of the expenses; and on Friday, the 3d day of the following August, he set sail from the port of Palos, steering towards the Canary Islands.

He arrived there on the 9th, remained there three weeks to refit his vessels, and then departed, steering directly west, and boldly venturing into seas which no vessel had yet entered. As the heights of the westernmost island faded from view, the hearts of the crews failed them. They were leaving every thing dear to the heart of man-country, friends, and relatives; before them every thing was mystery and peril. Many shed tears, and some broke into loud lamentations. The admiral, to soothe their distress, described to them the countries teeming with gold and precious stones, to which he was about to conduct them, and promised them lands, and riches, and every thing that could encourage them or inflame their imaginations.

Apprehensive that the crews would be alarmed if they knew how fast they receded from home, he kept two reckoningsone private and correct, for his own guidance; the other, which was open to general inspection, exhibited a daily progress several leagues less than the actual sailing of the ship. On the 13th of September, having sailed about six hundred miles from the Canaries, he noticed the variation of the needle, which had never before been remarked. He made no mention of the circumstance; but, a few days afterwards, it attracted the attention of the pilots, and filled them with consternation.

They apprehended that the compass was about to lose its mysterious virtues; and without this, their only guide, what was to become of them in this vast and trackless ocean; He tasked his ingenuity for an explanation; and that which he gave, although it did not perfectly satisfy himself, quieted the alarm of his companions.

After

They soon arrived within the influence of the trade wind, which blows constantly from the east to the west between the tropics, and then advanced rapidly over a tranquil sea. proceeding about one thousand miles from the Canaries, they met with indications of land, such as weeds and birds, which animated and encouraged the crews. They continued to sail onward; but their expectations were disappointed, and they became agitated and alarmed at the distance left behind them, and at the thought that it might be impossible to return. They recalled to mind that the scheme had been condemned by the learned, and ridiculed by the ignorant. Some proposed that Columbus should be compelled to return; others, that he should be thrown into the sea, and his friends informed, upon their return to Spain, that he had fallen overboard while taking observations of the stars.

Amidst these difficulties, Columbus displayed those traits of character which proved the greatness of his mind, and his peculiar fitness for the arduous duties of his station. He appeared among the crew with a calm and cheerful countenance, as if satisfied that he should succeed in his undertaking. Somtimes he soothed them by holding out the prospect of riches and fame, and by reminding them of the gratuity which had been offered to him who should first discover land. Sometimes he assumed a tone of authority, and threatened the most refractory with the vengeance of their sovereigns, should they compel him to relinquish the undertaking.

These encouragements and threats prevented open resisttance to his authority. Meanwhile the squadron proceeded onward; the indications of land became more frequent; but none being discovered, the crews again became turbulent and clamorous; they insisted upon abandoning the voyage as hopeless, and returning home. Columbus endeavoured to pacify them; but finding the clamour to increase, he told them it was useless to murmur, and that he was determined to persevere until he had accomplished the enterprise.

Fortunately, the next day, the signs of land were such as to remove all doubt, and every eye was strained to discover it. At ten o'clock in the evening, Columbus saw a light glimmering at a distance. It soon disappeared, but at two o'clock in the morning of the 12th of October, a gun from the Pinta gave the joyful signal of land. Passing from one extreme to the

5

other, they who, a few days before, had reviled and insulted their commander, now regarded him as one whom the Deity had endowed with knowledge and penetration above the common lot of mortals.

At sunrise, Columbus, in a rich and splendid dress, landed, and with a drawn sword in his hand, and displaying the royal standard, took possession of the island for the crown of Spain, all his followers kneeling on the shore, and kissing the ground with tears of joy. The natives, who had assembled in great numbers on the first appearance of the ships, stood around the Spaniards, gazing in speechless astonishment.

"The Europeans were hardly less amazed at the scene before them. Every herb, and shrub, and tree, was different from those which flourished in Europe. The inhabitants appeared in the simple innocence of nature-entirely naked. Their black hair, long and uncurled, floated upon their shoulders, or was bound in tresses around their heads. Though not tall, they were well shaped and active. They were shy at first, through fear, but soon became familiar with the Spaniards; from whom, with transports of joy, they received various trinkets, for which in return they gave such provisions as they had, and some cotton yarn, the only commodity of value they could produce."

To this island Columbus gave the name of St. Salvador. The natives called it Guanahani, and by that name it was known. It was one of the Bahama Isles, and is above three thousand miles from Gomera, the most western of the Canaries. From the poverty and ignorance of the inhabitants, Columbus was convinced that he had not yet arrived at the rich country which was the object of his search. Leaving Guanahani, he discovered and visited several other islands, and at length arrived at one called Hayti, and by him Hispaniola. Here he remained a few weeks, and then returned to Spain.

The news of his wonderful discovery filled the kingdom with astonishment and joy. His reception at court was accompanied by flattering and splendid ceremonies ordained for the occasion; and he was honoured by many proofs of royal favour. He made three subsequent voyages, and, in 1498, discovered the continent of America, at the mouth of the Oronoco, a river of the third or fourth magnitude in the New World, but far surpassing the largest in the Old.

The honour, however, of first discovering the continent, must, without diminishing the merit of Columbus, be given to John Cabot and his son Sebastian. They were Venetian merchants, resident in Bristol, but, soon after the result of the first voyage of Columbus was known, were sent, by the king of England, on an expedition of discovery, in the same direction. In June,