Part 8 (1/2)

He opened calm the universal cause To give each realm its limit and its laws, Bid the last breath of tired contention cease, And bind all regions in the leagues of peace.

To yon bright borders of Atlantic day His swelling pinions led the trackless way, And taught mankind such useful deeds to dare, To trace new seas and happy nations rear; Till by fraternal hands their sails unfurled Have waved at last in union o'er the world.

--_Ibid._

RELIGIOUS OBJECT OF COLUMBUS.

J. J. BARRY, M. D., ”Life of Columbus.”

The first object of the discovery, disengaged from every human consideration, was the glorification of the Redeemer and the extension of His Church.

THE n.o.bILITY OF COLUMBUS IN ADVERSITY.

The acc.u.mulations of his reverses exceed human proportions. His misfortunes almost surpa.s.s his glory. Still this man does not murmur. He accuses, he curses n.o.body; and does not regret that he was born. The people of ancient times would never have conceived this type of a hero.

Christianity alone, whose creation he was, can comprehend him. * * * The example of Columbus shows that n.o.body can completely obtain here below the objects of his desires. The man who doubled the known s.p.a.ce of the earth was not able to attain his object; he proposed to himself much more than he realized.--_Ibid._

COLUMBUS BELL.

The congregation of the little colored church at Haleyville, in c.u.mberland County, N. J., contributes an interesting historical relic to the World's Fair. It is the bell that has for years called them to church. In the year 1445, the bell, it is said, hung in one of the towers of the famous mosque at the Alhambra. After the siege of Granada, the bell was taken away by the Spanish soldiers and presented to Queen Isabella, who, in turn, presented it to Columbus, who brought it to America on his fourth voyage and presented it to a community of Spanish monks who placed it in the Cathedral of Carthagena, on the Island of New Granada. In 1697 buccaneers looted Carthagena, and carried the bell on board the French pirate s.h.i.+p La Roch.e.l.le, but the s.h.i.+p was wrecked on the Island of St. Andreas shortly afterward, and the wreckers secured the bell as part of their salvage. Capt. Newell of Bridgeton purchased it, brought it to this country, and presented it to the colored congregation of the Haleyville church. The bell weighs sixty-four pounds, and is of fine metal.

THE PERSONAL APPEARANCE OF COLUMBUS.

GERONIMO BENZONI of Milan, Italy. Born about 1520. From his ”History of the New World” (1565).

He was a man of a good, reasonable stature, with sound, strong limbs; of good judgment, high talent, and gentlemanlike aspect. His eyes were bright, his hair red, his nose aquiline, his mouth somewhat large; but above all he was a friend to justice, though rather pa.s.sionate when angry.

WESTWARD RELIGION'S BANNERS TOOK THEIR WAY.

The Right Rev. GEORGE BERKELEY, Bishop of Cloyne, Ireland. Born at Kilcrin, Kilkenny, March 12, 1684; died at Oxford, England, January 14, 1754. The author of the celebrated line, ”Westward the course of Empire takes its way.”

But all things of heavenly origin, like the glorious sun, move westward; and Truth and Art have their periods of s.h.i.+ning and of night. Rejoice, then, O venerable Rome, in thy divine destiny! for, though darkness overshadow thy seats, and though thy mitred head must descend into the dust, thy spirit, immortal and undecayed, already spreads toward a new world.

COLUMBUS NO CHANCE COMER.

The Hon. JAMES GILLESPIE BLAINE, one of America's leading statesmen. Born in Was.h.i.+ngton County, Pa., in 1830.

Columbus was no chance comer. The time was full. He was not premature; he was not late. He came in accordance with a scientifically formed if imperfect theory, whether his own or another's--a theory which had a logical foundation, and which projected logical sequences. * * * Had not Columbus discovered America in 1492, a hundred Columbuses would have discovered it in 1493.

THE CERTAIN CONVICTIONS OF COLUMBUS.

BARON BONNAFOUX, a French author. From ”La Vie de Christophe Colombe” (1853).

He was as certain of the truth of his theory as if he had seen and trodden on the very ground which his imagination had called into existence. * * * There was an air of authority about him, and a dignity in his manner, that struck all who saw him. He considered himself, on principle, above envy and slander, and in calm and serious discussion always had the superiority in argument on the subjects of his schemes.