18 ADDRESS. 



ened nations was confined within the circumference of a few 

 thousand miles in extent. At length Columbus taught the world 

 the pathway to a new hemisphere ; and other voyagers, at various 

 successive periods, discovered New Holland, New Zealand, and 

 the numerous groups of islands throughout the Indian, Pacific, 

 and Southern oceans. With these discoveries commences the 

 era of modern geography. 



The very existence of the Pacific ocean was unknown to Euro- 

 peans until 1513, when Balboa, a Spanish commander, guided by 

 some natives, crossed the dividing ridge of the Andes at the 

 Isthmus of Darien. It was now an important desideratum to 

 open a passage by sea to this unexplored ocean, and thence by a 

 new route to arrive at the Moluccas, and the East Indian posses- 

 sions of the Spanish crown. It was for this purpose that Ma- 

 gellan set out upon his memorable voyage, for which he was 

 fitted out by the Emperor Charles V. The results of this expe- 

 dition proved him well suited for the prosecution of so bold a 

 design. 



In November, 1520, he succeeded in passing the straits bearing 

 his name, and determining the southern limits of the new conti- 

 nent ; and as he beheld the mighty expanse of ocean opening 

 before him, is said to have shed tears in the fulness of his triumph 

 and joy. The Pacific was traversed, the Spice Islands reached, 

 and though Magellan himself fell ingloriously by the spear of a 

 native, his successor in command returned in safety home, laden 

 with treasures and the most curious and valuable productions of 

 nature and art. 



Thus terminated the most remarkable voyage on record, that 

 of Columbus alone excepted. He stands alone, and at an unap- 

 proachable distance above every other competitor. To him be- 

 longs the undivided, unparcelled praise of having conceived and 

 accomplished that which the most daring navigator had not the 

 science to imagine, nor the moral courage to propose. Magellan, 



