Isalella. AND so, Don Gomez, it is your conclusion that we ought to dismiss the proposition of this worthy Genoese.

Don Gomez. His scheme, your majesty, seems to me fanciful in the extreme; but I am a plain, matter-of-fact man, and dɔ not see visions and dream dreams, like some.

EI

Isa. And yet Columbus has given us cogent reasons for believing that it is practicable to reach the eastern coast of India by sailing in a westerly direction.

Don G. Admitting that his theory is correct, namely, that the earth is a sphere,t—how would it be possible for him to return, if he once descended that sphere in the direction he proposes? Would not the coming back be all up hill? Could a ship accomplish it with even the most favorable wind?

Columbus. Will your majesty allow me to suggest that if the carth is a sphere, the same laws of adhesion and motion must operate at every point on its surface; and the objection of Don Gomez would be quite as valid against our being able to return from crossing the Strait of Gibraltar.

Don G. This gentleman, then, would have us believe the monstrous absurdity that there are people on the earth who are our antip'o-dēs;" who walk with their heads down, like flies on the ceiling.

Col. But, your majesty, if there is a law of attraction which makes matter gravitate to the earth, and prevents its flying off into space, may not this law operate at every point on the round earth's surface?

Isa. Truly, it so scems to me; and I perceive nothing absurd in the notion that this earth is a globe floating or revolving in

Брасс.

Don G. May it please your majesty, the ladies are privi leged to give credence to many wild tales which we plain, mat

Columbus died in the erroneous belief that it was the eastern shore of

Asia, and not a new continent, that he had discovered.

+ Practise the Exercises on the twenty-third elementary sound, page 40

ter-of-fact men cannot admit. Every step I take confutes" his

ΕΙ

visionary idea of the earth's rotundity. Would not the blood run into my head, if I were standing upside down? Were I not fearful of offending your majesty, I would quote what the great Lactantius says.

Isa. We are not vain of our science, Don Gomez; so let 18 have the quotation.

Don G. "Is there any one so foolish," he asks, "as to believe that there are antip'o-des with their feet opposite to ours; that there is a part of the world in which all things are topsy-turvy; where the trees grow with their branches downward, and where it rains, hails and snows, upwards?”

Col. I have already answered this objection. If there are people on the earth who are our antip'o-des, it should be remem bered that we are theirs also.

We know

Don G. Really, that is the very point wherein we matter-offact men abide by the assurance of our own senses. that we are not walking with our heads down.

Isa. To cut short the discussion, you think that the enterprise which the Genoese proposes is one unworthy of our serious consideration; and that his theory of an unknown shore to the westward of us is a fallacy.

Don G. As a plain, matter-of-fact man, I must confess that I so regard it. Has your majesty ever seen an ambassador from this unknown coast?

Isa. Do you, Don Gomez, believe in the existence of a world of spirits?

Don G. I accept what the church says.

Isa. But have you ever seen an ambassador from that un known world?

Don G. Certainly not. By faith we look forward to it.

Isa. Even so by faith does the Genoese look forward far over

the misty ocean, to an undiscovered shore.

Col. Your majesty is right; but let it be added that I have reasons O! most potent and resistless reasons for the faith that is in me the testimony of many navigators who have picked up articles that must have drifted from this distant coast;

the nature of things, admitting that the earth is round; the reports current among the people of one of the northern nations, that many years ago their mariners had sailed many leagues westward till they reached a shore where the grape grew abundantly: these and other considerations have made it (next to faith in my Saviour) the fixed persuasion of my mind that there is a great discovery reserved for the man who will sail patiently westward, trusting in God's good providence, and turning not back till he has achieved his purpose.

Don G. Then truly we should never hear of him again. Speculation! mere speculation, your majesty! When this gentleman can bring forward some solid facts that will induce us plain, matter-of-fact men to risk money in forwarding his enterprise, it will then be time enough for royalty to give it heed. Why, your majesty, the very boys in the street point at their foreheads. as he passes along.

Isa. And do you bring forward the frivolity of boys, jeering at what they do not comprehend, as an argument why Isabella should not give heed to this great and glorious scheme — ay, sir, though it should fail, still great and glorious, — urged in

--

language so intelligent and convincing, by this grave and earnest man, whom you think to undervalue by calling him an adventurer? Know, Don Gomez, that the "absurdity," as you stylo it, shall be tested and that forthwith.EL

Don G. Your majesty will excuse me if I remark that have from your royal consort himself the assurance that the finan'ces are so exhausted by the late wars, that he cannot con scnt to advance the necessary funds for fitting out an expedition of the kind proposed.

Isa. Be mine, then, the privilege! I have jewels, by th pledging of which I can raise the amount required; and I hav resolved that they shall be pledged to this enterprise, without any more delay.

Col. Your majesty shall not repent your heroic resolve. I will return, your majesty, be sure I will return, - and lay at your feet such a jewel as never queen wore yet- an imperish. able fame—a fame that shall couple with your memory the

benedictions of millions yet unborn in climes yet unknown to zivilized man. There is an uplifting presentiment in my mind a conviction that your majesty will live to bless the hour you came to this decision.

Don G. A presentiment? A plain, matter-of-fact man, like myself, must take leave of your majesty, if his practical common sense is to be met and superseded by presentiments! An ounce of fact, your majesty, is worth a ton of presentiment.

Isa That depends altogether upon the source of the presentiment, Don Gomez. If it come from the Fountain of all truth,

shall it not be good?

Don G. I humbly take my leave of your majesty.

Don Gomez. WHAT! what is this you tell me? Columbus returned? A new world discovered? Impossible!

ΕΙ

Secretary. It is even so, sir. A courier arrived at the palace but an hour since with the intelligence. Columbus was driven by stress of weather to anchor in the Tagus. All Portugal is in a ferment of enthusiasm, and all Spain will be equally excited The sensation is prodigious.

Don G. O! it is a trick! It must be a trick!

Sec. But he has brought home the proofs of his visit: gold and precious stones, strange plants and animals; and, above all, specimens of a new race of men, copper-colored, with straight hair.

Don G. Still I say, a trick! He has been coasting along the African shore, and there collected a few curiosities, which he is passing off for proofs of his pretended discovery.

Sec. It is a little singular that all his men should be leagued with him in keeping up so unprofitable a falsehood.

Don G. But 't is against reason

that such a discovery should be made.

against common sense

Sec. King John of Portugal has received him with roya. magnificence—has listened to his accounts, and is persuaded that they are true.

Don G. We shall see we shall see. Look you, sir, a plain, matter-of-fact man, such as I, is not to be taken in by any such preposterous story. This vaunted discovery will turn out no discovery at all.

Sec. The king and queen have given orders for preparations on the most magnificent scale for the reception of Columbus. Don G. What delusion! Her Majesty is so credulous! A practical, common-sense man, like myself, can find no points of sympathy in her nature.

Sec. The Indians on board the returned vessels are said to be unlike any known race of men.

Don G. Very unreliable all that! I take the common-sense view of the thing. I am a matter-of-fact man; and do you remember what I say, it will all turn out a trick! The crews may have been deceived. Columbus may have steered a southerly course, instead of a westerly. Anything is probable rather than that a coast to the westward of us has been discovered.

Sec. I saw the courier, who told me he had conversed with all the sailors; and they laughed at the suspicion that there could be any mistake about the discovery, or that any other than a westerly course had been steered.

Don G. Still I say a trick! An unknown coast reached by steering west?-Impossible! The earth a globe, and men standing with their heads down in space? - Folly! An ignorant sailor from Gen'oä in the right, and all our learned doctors and philosophers in the wrong? Nonsense! I'm a matter-of-fact man, sir. I will believe what I can see, and handle, and understand. But as for believing in the antip'o-des or that the earth is round or that Columbus has discovered land to the west Ring the bell, sir call my carriage- I will go to the palace and under ceive the king.

1. FERDINAND and Isabella, having been informed of the return and discoveries of their admiral, by the messenger whom he had despatched from Lisbon, awaited him at BarcelonaTM with