400 CHARACTER OF COLUMBUS. 



were in their behalf; and it gave him infinite distress, 

 that the plans he had formed for their civilization and 

 happiness were neglected and counteracted by his suc- 

 cessors. 



An illustrative remark of some interest, perhaps, may 

 be made upon the extreme susceptibility of Columbus to 

 the beauties of nature. ' As I arrived at this cape,' says 

 he, ' there came off a fragrance so good and soft, of the 

 flowers and trees of the land, that it was the sweetest 

 thing in the world.' ' One could live there forever,' 

 he observes of some quiet and delicious scene ; and 

 then Cuba first broke upon him like an elysium, 

 ' It is the most beautiful island,' he says, ' that eyes 

 ever beheld.' On another occasion, the breeze was 

 blowing from the shore after the usual evening shower ; 

 and it brought with it the sweetness of the land, the 

 distant songs of the natives, and the sound of their rude 

 music, as they were probably celebrating with their fes- 

 tive chants the arrival of the white men. So delightful 

 were these things to Columbus, that having spent the 

 whole night in enjoying them, he declared it had passed 

 away like an hour. 



Such was the character of Columbus quite as extraor- 

 dinary, on the whole, as his life. Indeed, we can 

 scarcely refrain, after reviewing it, from sympathizing 

 with him in his own solemn persuasion, that he was 

 raised up, qualified, and supported by Divine Providence 

 for the great destinies which he fulfilled. Had he never 

 lived, however, undoubtedly this continent could not 

 have remained long undiscovered. Still, the glory is his 

 that he went far beyond his contemporaries, not in origi- 

 nating the theory only, but in fearlessly undertaking and 

 victoriously completing the prosecution of its proof, in 

 the face of every moral and physical opposition and ob- 

 stacle, which it is possible to conceive. And how me- 

 morable is the lesson to be gathered from this glorious 

 triumph of naked intellect and energy ! How should it 

 animate and elevate, in all countries and in all climes, the 

 exertions, the hopes, the ambition of that vast portion of 

 mankind, who are compelled by circumstances to be the 

 artificers of their own fortune and their own fame ! 



