covered by the Northmen, and repeatedly visited, too, why was a country so fertile in comparison with Iceland or Norway, so suddenly abandoned? The traditions say because of the hostility of the natives; and surely this is a sufficient reason. The first Spaniards who attempted to colonize

Florida met the same resistance.

UT do we find any traces of the visit of the Norwegians, in the country said to have been visited? The Jesuit missionaries inform us, that they found the cross, and a knowledge of the stars, a superior kind of worship, a more ingenious mind, among the natives of the coast said to have been colonized by the Northmen. They even assure us that many Norwegian words are to be found in the dialect of the people.

In forming a judgment of the truth of the records and traditions, we may reject some of the circumstances, but must think that the main assertion, that America was discovered and repeatedly visited by the Northmen, is as well supported as most of the accounts of ancient contemporary historians, and is, therefore, as clearly to be believed.

The researches of oriental scholars have lately brought to light the traditions of the East Indian nations, which are important, as leading to the conclusion that the Pacific coast of North America was known to them long before it was known to Europeans. These traditions speak of a country many degrees to the westward, inhabited by red men, whose habits are so described, that the application of the description to the Indian tribes of California, and the coast further north, seems inevitable. Perhaps, when China and the Chinese records are better known to us, we shall be astonished to learn that the "New World" of the European was long before visited by the Asiatics.

DISCOVERY OF AMERICA BY COLUMBUS.

He subsequently went to Lisbon, where his brother Bartholomew found a profitable occupation in constructing sailing charts for navigators.

At this time the government of Portugal encouraged navigation and maritime discovery. Columbus soon embarked on an arduous voyage to the north. He made several other voyages to England and to the islands possessed by Spain and Portugal in the western ocean. In consequence, he soon became the most experienced navigator of his time. He took notes of everything he saw, and kept his mind intently fixed upon the studies in which he was destined to effect so great a revolution.

HILE a resident of Lisbon, Columbus married the daughter of Palestrello, an Italian cavalier, who had been one of the most distinguished navigators under Prince Henry of Portugal, and had colonized and governed the island of Porto Santo. By this marriage, he obtained access to the charts and papers of Palestrello, and of other experienced navigators connected with his wife's family. The passage round the Cape of Good Hope had not yet been discovered. The great object, at this time, was to discover the shortest route to the East Indies, whose wealth enriched the cities of the Mediterranean. In his conversations with the geographers and pilots whom he found in Lisbon,

Columbus consulted them on the possibility of a western passage to the

countries of Cathay and Zipangu, described by Marco Polo. By this means he became acquainted with a number of facts which confirmed a theory he had already formed.

Pedro Forrea, his wife's relation, had found on the coast of Porto. Santo, pieces of carved wood, evidently not cut with a knife, and which had been carried thither by strong westerly winds. Other navigators had picked up in the Atlantic, canes of an extraordinary size, and many plants not apparently belonging to the Old World. The bodies of men were found, thrown by the waves on the shores of the Azores, who had features differing essentially from those of Africans or Europeans, and who had evidently come from the west.

These facts gave additional force to the reasonings which Columbus founded on his thorough knowledge of the existing cosmographical science of his time; and he was finally induced to attempt the discovery. Not having the means of fitting out a suitable expedition at his own expense, he obtained an audience of John II., King of Portugal, and fully unfolded to that monarch his plan. He proposed, in case the king would furnish him with ships and men, to undertake a shorter and more direct route to India, than any which had yet been attempted, by sailing directly to the west, across the Atlantic. The councillors and men of learning were directed to examine the project; and the king was advised to fit out an expedition to undertake the discovery without the knowledge of its projector.

CARAVEL was despatched, with the ostensible purpose of carrying provisions to the Cape de Verd islands; but with secret orders to pursue the route laid down in the papers of Columbus. But Providence interfered on behalf of justice. The caravel stood westward from the islands for several days, and then the weather grew stormy and the pilots afraid. They put back to Lisbon, and covered their own want of courage by ridiculing the project of Columbus.

With a just indignation at this attempt to defraud him of the results of his labors, Columbus abandoned Portugal, towards the end of the year 1484, and arrived at the port of Palos, in Spain. Here he experienced the fate of most men whose projects are grand or startling. Ferdinand and Isabella were at this time engaged in a war with the Moors of Granada; and although they listened to Columbus' proposals, they were too much occupied to give him the ad necessary for carrying out his great enterprise. Wearied out by years of fruitless solicitation, he had de

termined to abandon the country, and had actually left the court for France, when his friends, St. Angel and Quintanilla, by their earnest and eloquent intercessions, induced Queen Isabella to recall him. The queen, now fully convinced of the importance of the enterprise, displayed her zeal for its success by offering to pledge her jewels to raise the required funds. This was not necessary, however, and arrangements were speedily made for fitting out the expedition.

On the 17th of April, 1492, were signed the articles of agreement, by which Columbus received from the sovereigns the hereditary titles of Admiral and Viceroy of all the seas, islands, and countries he should discover. He was entitled to reserve for himself one-tenth of all pearls, precious stones, gold, silver, spices, and other articles of merchandise in whatever manner found, bought, bartered or gained within his admiralty, the costs being first deducted; and he was permitted to contribute an eighth part of the expense of the expedition, and to receive an eighth part of the profits.

HE vessels were prepared for the voyage,

in the port of Palos. The largest, which was decked, was called the Santa Maria, and on board of this ship Columbus hoisted his flag. The second, called the Pinta, was commanded by Martin Alonzo

Pinzon. The third, called the Nina, had latine sails, and was commanded by Vicente Yanes Pinzon. About one hundred and twenty persons embarked on the expedition.

On Friday, the 3d of August, 1492, the adventurers sailed. They