256 



COLUMBIAN HISTORICAL EXPOSITION AT MADRID. 



Xo. 131. THE ISABELLA GROUP, MADRID. 



There is still a monumental group in Madrid which, while it was erected in honor 

 of Queen Isabella, may be said to honor Columbus in equal degree, though his effigy 

 is no part of it. This conception represents his royal patroness in bronze, holding 

 aloft a cross, and seated on a richly caparisoned horse, whose reins are held on the 



one side by a monk and on the other side by a soldier, 

 with an unsheathed sword resting on his left arm. 



Xo. 132. THE SHIELD OF COLUMBUS. 



There is in the Armeria Real (Royal Armory) at 

 Madrid a remarkable shield, intended to commemorate 

 the discoveries of Columbus, which was designed by 

 Julio Romano, one of the most celebrated pupils of 

 Rafael. It is said to have been made at the order of 

 Charles V. According to mythology, Hercules divided 

 the two mountains, Calpi and Abyla, which stood 

 where now is Gibraltar, at the entrance of the Medit 

 erranean Sea, placing one in Europe and the other in 

 Africa, and then erected two pillars on their summits, 

 bearing the inscription, &quot;Non plus ultra,&quot; which 

 means &quot; there is nothing beyond.&quot; The design of the 

 shield represents the moment when the pillars of Her 

 cules are being extended to include the countries dis 

 covered by Columbus. Charles V stands upon a richly 

 carved ornamented vessel, holding the standard of 

 Spain, and crowned by victory. Fame, with her trum 

 pet, is before him,, and hands him a shield, upon which 

 are the words &quot; plus ultra&quot; (thereissomethingbeyond). 

 In the background Hercules appears, bearing the pillars 

 away, to the astonishment of Neptune and other gods. 



No. 133. THE TRIUMPH OF COLUMBUS, SKETCHED BY HIMSELF (page 257). 



The contracts, commissions, and other papers of Columbus have been published in 

 a book called the Codice Diplomatico, with some facsimiles. Among other relics is 

 a sketch called The ^ _._-__ Triumph of Colum- 



to Columbus s own SHIELD oy COLUMBUS. hand Although 



none of the drawings ascribed to him are 



authentic beyond doubt, it is true that he had the reputation of being a good drafts 

 man. Feuillet de Conches, the well-known French writer, doubts its authenticity. 

 The sketch is surrounded by explanatory notes in the manuscript of Columbus, or a 

 very good imitation of it, and at the lower left-hand corner are the initial letters he 

 was accustomed to use with his rubric. 



MONUMENT TO ISABELLA AT 

 MADRID. 



