ERA I.

ERA OF DISCOVERIES AND MISSIONS.

(1685-1790.)

INTRODUCTION.

OME two hundred years ago, had one been in Versailles (ver sălz′), he would have found Louis XIV. on the throne, with all France delighting to honor the "Grand Monarque." What sights were to be seen in the gay capital! The king's magnificent palace, with its beautiful grounds, playing fountains, blooming flowers, and singing birds, was the center of all life and pleasure. Groups of richly-dressed ladies and gentlemen were on all sides, for Louis would have none other about him. But one morning there were even more gayety and animation than usual, for wonderful news had come to the king and his court. "La Salle (lä säl) has returned from America!" was the announcement that caused such a stir among the royal household. America was still a continent of which little was known, but much was told. People were ready to believe that there they could find the "Fountain of Perpetual Youth." That the Indians possessed uncounted treasures. That the wealth of Sind

bad the Sailor was naught compared to what one might accumulate in that land beyond the sea. It is not to be wondered, then, that the French were so eager to hear what La Salle had to say.

Robert, Cavalier de la Salle.-This Robert, Cavalier de la Salle, was of a good French family, and had been carefully educated, as his parents intended him for the priesthood. However, being fond of adventure, and hearing such wonderful stories of the New World, he abandoned the idea of becoming a priest, and went to Canada, where he engaged in fur-trading. He afterward decided to devote his energies to discovering a new route to China, and began by sailing down the Ohio River. He thought the Ohio emptied into the Pacific Ocean. But he discovered that the Mississippi, not the Ohio, was the great river of the continent. Continuing his journey, he arrived at the mouth of the Mississippi, April 19, 1682, one hundred and forty-one years after De Soto saw the great Father of Waters. La Salle took possession of all the lands on both sides of the river in the name of his king, Louis XIV., while his heart beat fast with the pure joy of patriotism as he looked upon all the beautiful country he was winning for his beloved France.

La Salle's Return.-This was the man who had returned to France, and was now standing before the king telling of his voyages and adventures. As in glowing

words he pictured the grand Mississippi, with river after river paying it tribute, and at last the great stream giving up its burden to the Gulf; as he told of the rich

land on either side that now belonged to France, the king smiled, and a murmur of applause ran through all

the court.

unfolded his plan for the future and begged his Majesty's approval. He asked that he be sent with a colony to settle at the mouth of the Mississippi, prophesying that the city founded there would be the largest in America. He showed that this course would not only hold all his discoveries for France, but would also in time give Louis an opportunity of conquering Mexico, which was already occupied by the Spanish. In spite of the plots of enemies, La Salle succeeded in obtaining from