[Born at Genoa, 1436. Died at Valladolid, in Spain, 1506. Aged 70.]
Lord Bacon says, that he, who unites the faculties of speculation and of
action, is like one born, according to the faith of the astrologers,
under Saturn and Jupiter in conjunction, and may command the world.
Columbus--profound in thought, intense in action--did even more. To one
world he gave another. He was essentially an intellectual hero; for he
dared to believe, on grounds sufficing to reason, that which the world
disbelieves, and scoffs, and scorns. He was essentially a practical
hero: witness his persevering urgency of kings and states to undertake
the first visiting of a world which his instructed spirit already
discerned in the far off seas. Witness also his conduct of his fleet,
wearied with vain expectation on the silent main, and rising to mutiny
on the apparently confirmed disappointment of its hopes. His services to
man no human gratitude could repay, yet he died overwhelmed with
affliction, great vexation and bodily infirmity. In 1492, he discovered
San Salvador, Cuba, and St. Domingo. In 1493, his eager foot first trod
the Antilles. In 1498, America opened to his importunate gaze. His
fourth voyage of discovery was delayed by an event that merits record in
every history of the world’s progress. He was thrown into prison.
Obtaining liberty, his eager and mysteriously informed spirit was
brooding again on the wide ocean. He reached the Gulf of Darien. We
witness to-day, in the prosperity, might, and civilization of the
American people, the latest glorious results of the restless intrepidity
and bright intelligence of Christopher Columbus. Before the dazzling
spectacle we may yet learn humility, if we will only remember the sorrow
of those upon whom the unveiling of America instantly let in the sword
and the fire. Columbus was the first observer of the variation and the
dip of the needle.
[By Raimondo Trentanove.]