52 



TRINIDAD : THEN AND NOW 



to follow the court from one place to another or to 

 attend any appointed consultation, he was attached 

 to the royal suite and lodgings provided for him, 

 with necessary sums of money to defray his expenses. 



His project was again submitted to a council 

 of scientific men and he was directed to attend their 

 conference. They at length reported to their Majes- 

 ties, that the proposed scheme was vain and im- 

 possible, and that it did not become such great 

 princes to engage in an enterprise of the kind on such 

 weak grounds as had been advanced. During all this 

 time he was exposed to continual scoffs and the very 

 children in the streets, being taught to regard him 

 as a kind of madman, pointed their fingers to their 

 heads and tapped their foreheads. 



Notwithstanding the unfavourable report, the 

 sovereigns were unwilling to close the door upon a 

 project which might be productive of such import- 

 ant advantages. However, Columbus was informed 

 " that the great cares and expenses of the wars ren- 

 dered it impossible for the sovereigns to engage in 

 any new enterprise ; but when these wars were con- 

 cluded they would have both time and inclination to 

 treat with him about what he proposed." 



Knowing that all further reliance on vague pro- 

 mises — which had so often led to disappointment — 

 were vain, he gave up all hopes of support from the 

 throne, and turned his back upon Seville, indignant 

 at the thought of having been beguiled out of so 

 many precious years of waning existence. 



