adventures were limited for the most part to islands which were known and not far distant; nor does it appear that their early expeditions were made for any other than the purposes of plunder: The first regular and authentic voyages for discovery were made subsequent to the year 1364, by the Portuguese navigators. Portugal was then the smallest and least powerful of the European kingdoms, but the courage and intrepidity of her seamen and adventurers had gained for her an envious celebrity. By their daring enterprize her dominions became more widely extended, till under the auspicious reign of John I. they spread from the Tagus to China. Don Henry, the third son of John I. gave a still prouder and more vigorous impulse to the progress of improvement in naval science, by founding an academy for its study and promotion. He also erected an excellent observatory, and large numbers of his subjects were yearly instructed in astronomy, cosmography, and the art of navigation. The pupils from these schools became intelligent and practical seamen, by whose exploits in naval enterprize nations long unknown to civilized Europe were discovered to mankind, while the boundaries of human knowledge were extended and enlarged. Don Henry died in the year 1463; but the enterprizes for discovery which were projected during his reign were fostered with equal ardour, and prosecuted with great success, under John II. who is reputed to have been "a prince of profound sagacity and enlightened sentiments." The course of these explorations extended along the coast of Africa, where forts were erected for the establishment of commerce, till at length they passed its southernmost point which the prophetic spirit of the enthusiastic monarch called the CAPE OF GOOD HOPE. They thence passed on to the INDIAN OCEAN.

Is The progress of navigation was now more rapid in a it brief century than it had been during all the centuries. y which had preceded. The geography of the globe bercame better known, and the actual character and condi

tion of its inhabitants more perfectly understood. The 5. vague and superstitious theories of the ancients were fdissipated by the narratives of men who had penetrated the very regions which had for so many ages been regarded as the abodes of perpetual solitude, cursed by the Creator, uninhabitable by any human being, and uncheered even by the existence of vegetable life.

At this period in the world's history, so bright with promise and so fruitful of hope, we turn aside from the general developements of science, and the enterprize of nations, to mark the career of a single individual, whose name must ever be cherished among the most illustrious benefactors of our species. The brilliant enterprizes of the Portuguese navigators had already attracted the wonder and admiration of all Europe. Among those who were thereby lured into their service was Christopher Columbus, a native of Genoa. He was descended of an honored ancestry, although his own parents had been reduced by misfortune from their original position to a more humble rank in life. They possessed, however, the means of giving him as liberal advantages of education as were thought useful or necessary in those times, and he applied himself with a zealous ambition and industry to the improvement of the opportunities which were afforded him. There is one part of the character of Columbus which we feel bound to notice, as historians have not given to it that prominence which its importance demands. It was the strong religious feeling which always pervaded his spirit, and, from his earliest years, gave a complex

ion and a shape to all his purposes. It is a conceited, a cheerless, and a frail philosophy, which would exclude the operation of our religious feelings from among those causes which produce the amelioration of the condition of mankind, and overlooks the part they have in advancing the interests of society. In all ages they have had their peculiar influence, and the results which have followed their action have marked the condition of our race, accordingly as they have been freed from, or intermingled with error, ignorance, superstition, or bigotry. Their effect upon the mind of Columbus was, to inspire him with the belief that he was destined to an instrumentality which should extend the dominions of the church, and spread the beneficent influences of the religion of the cross throughout the world. This presentiment, if we may so express it, seems to have accompanied him through all his early life, to have grown with his growth, and strengthened with his strength,” and at all times to have regulated his desires and his aims, in his riper years.

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CHAPTER III.

AT the time when Columbus was training his youthful mind, the course of education pursued in the schools included geometry, cosmography, astronomy, and the art of drawing; which were taught chiefly in the Latin tongue. At the age of fourteen, so industriously had

he applied himself, he had become proficient in these several branches of education. Being strongly inclined to a sea-faring life, he now resolved to commence his career on the ocean, influenced not more by the love of adventure, than the consideration of the opportunities it would afford for enlarging his knowledge, and for the more practical study of those sciences of which he was already so enamored. He accordingly entered on board of a vessel bound for discovery. He performed several voyages, during which he penetrated the northern seas beyond the limits at which other voyagers had terminated their adventures, and advanced far into the polar circle. These expeditions added to his information, but not to his fortune, and he found it necessary to pursue them in a different capacity. He accordingly entered into the service of a then famous sea captain, the commander and owner of a small squadron of vessels, who by his naval skill and daring prowess had acquired both wealth and reputation. Columbus remained in his employ for several years, during which time he became himself distinguished both for his intrepidity as an adventurer and his skill as a navigator. While the fleet of this adventurer was returning from a successful expedition to the low countries, it was attacked by a piratical squadron off the coast of Portugal. The vessel under charge of Columbus was set fire to, and he was compelled to trust himself to the less fearful element for safety. Throwing himself into the sea, with the aid of a single oar which had floated from the wreck, after long struggling and exposure, he reached the shore in safety, though much exhausted and enfeebled, and it was long before he recovered from the weakness and indisposition. induced by this calamity. His recovery took place just at the time when the naval enterprizes of the Portuguese

were most signally successful and triumphant. His mind and imagination became fascinated by the fame of their remarkable discoveries, and he repaired immediately to Lisbon, with a view to learn what course they had pursued in accomplishing these results, as well as to investigate the data upon which their calculations were founded, and by which their efforts had been prompted and encouraged. Here, while pursuing his investigations, he formed a matrimonial alliance with the daughter of one Bartholomew Prestello.

Prestello was celebrated as well for the many voyages which he had performed, as for his superior skill and intelligence as a navigator. Columbus was permitted free access to the documents and charts of this illustrious adventurer, and, making himself also familiar with the accounts given of their discoveries by the Portuguese, he became inflamed with a desire to know more of the countries which they had visited. With this view he entered into their service, where he continued for several years, until he himself at length became one of the most skilful and scientific navigators of the age. His inquisitive and enthusiastic genius was easily affected by the spirit of curiosity and adventure which had been awakened, and he set about to devise something new and more splendid than any of the enterprizes which had yet been projected, and persuaded himself that discoveries still more stupendous and astonishing could yet be accomplished. With a mind at once capable and reflective, he carefully revolved and investigated the theories of ancient philosophers, and comparing these with the data furnished by his own observations, aided by his speculations upon the developements of more recent discoveries and the suggestions of his religious faith, he became strongly impressed with the