Ferdinand and Isabella, though fully occupied by their operations against the Moors, paid so much regard to Columbus as to refer the consideration of his plan to the queen's confessor, Ferdinand de Talavera. He consulted such of his countrymen as were supposed best qualified to decide upon a subject of this nature: these pretended philosophers selected to judge in a matter of such moment, did not comprehend the first principles, upon which Columbus founded his conjectures and hopes. Some of them, from mistaken notions, concerning the dimensions of the globe, contended that a voyage to those remote parts of the earth, which Columbus expected to discover, could not be performed in less than three years, others concluded he would find the Ocean to be of infinite extent, according to the opinion of some ancient philosophers; or if he should persist in steering towards the west, beyond a certain point, that the convex figure of the globe would prevent his return, and that he must inevitably perish in the vain attempt to open a communication between the two opposite hemispheres which nature had for ever disjoined. Some contended it was presumptuous in any person to suppose that he alone possessed knowledge superior to all the rest of mankind united; that if there were really any such countries as Columbus pretended, they could not have remained so long concealed, nor would the sagacity and wisdom of former ages have left the glory of this invention - to an obscure Genoese pilot.

Columbus's patience was put to the severest trial in listening to these ignorant and malignant insinuations: after innumerable conferences, and wasting five years in fruitless endeavours to inform and satisfy them, Talavera at last made such an unfavourable report to Ferdinand and Isabella, as induced them to acquaint Columbus, that until the war with the Moors should be brought to a final period, it was impossible for them to engage in any new and expensive enterprize.

This declaration Columbus considered as a total rejection of his proposals. But happily for mankind superiority of genius is usually accompanied with an ardent enthu siasm, which can neither be cooled by delays, nor damped by disappointment. The insolence of office may depress, but cannot extinguish it, as it soars above the littleness of human pride.

Columbus was of a sanguine temper, though he felt deeply the cruel blow given to his hopes, and retired immediately from a court where he had been long amused with vain expectations. His confidence in the justness of his own system did not forsake him; and his impatience to demonstrate the truth of it became greater than ever.

Having thus failed of success with sovereign states, he next applied to persons of inferior rank, and addressed the dukes of Medina, Sidonia, and Medina Celi, who, though subjects, were possessed of power and opulence sufficient for the enterprize which he projected. His proposals to them were, however, fruitless; they did not choose to countenance a scheme which Ferdinand had rejected, even if they had approved of the enterprize. They were afraid of alarming the jealousy, and offending the pride of Ferdinand, by acting counter to his judgment. Such a succession of disappointments excited the most painful sensations; and his distress was augmented by his not having received any accounts from his brother, whom he had sent to the court of England. In his voyage to that country Bartholomew fell into the hands of Pirates who stripped him of every thing, and detained him a prisoner several years. At length he made his escape, and arrived in England, but in such extreme indigence, that he was compelled to employ a considerable space of time in drawing and selling maps, in order to obtain as much money as would enable him to purchase a decent dress, in which he might venture to appear at court. He then laid before the king the proposals with which he had been entrusted by his brother; and, notwithstanding Henry's excessive caution and parsimony, which rendered him averse to new and expensive undertakings, he received the overtures of Columbus with more approbation, than any monarch to whom they had hitherto been presented.

Columbus in the meanwhile unacquainted with his brother's fate, and all hopes of succeeding in Spain being vanished, he resolved to visit the court of England in person. He had already made preparations for this purpose, and taken measures for the disposal of his children during his absence, when Juan Perez, the Prior of the monastery of Ribada near Palos, in which they had been educated, earnestly solicited him to defer his journey for a short time. Perez was a man of considerable learning, and of some

credit with queen Isabella, to whom he was personally known. Warmly attached to Columbus, and prompted by curiosity or friendship, he entered upon an accurate examination of his system, in conjunction with a physician, who was a good mathematician.

This investigation satisfied them so thoroughly with respect to the principles upon which Columbus founded his opinion, that Perez fearing his country would lose the glory and benefit of so grand an enterprize, ventured to write to Isabella, conjuring her to consider the matter over again, and with the attention it merited.

Isabella was so far moved by this representation, that she desired Perez to repair immediately to the village of Santa Fé, in which, on account of the siege of Granada, the court resided at that time, that she might confer with him upon this important and interesting subject.

The first effect of their interview was a gracious invitation of Columbus back to court, accompanied with the present of a small sum to equip him for the journey. As there was a near prospect that the war with the Moors would be speedily brought to an happy issue, by the reduction of Granada, which would leave the nation at liberty to engage in new undertakings; this, as well as the mark of royal favour with which Columbus had lately been honored, encouraged his friends to appear with greater confidence than formerly, in support of his scheme.

Of these, Alonzo de Quintanilla, comptroller of the finances in Castile, and Luis de Santangel, receiver of the ecclesiastical revenues in Arragon, whose zeal in promoting this great design, entitles their names to an honorable place in history; these gentlemen introduced Columbus to many persons of high rank, and interested them warmly in his cause. Ferdinand's distrustful prudence could not be easily overcome, he considered the project as extravagant and chimerical; and in order at once to destroy the efforts of his partizans, and render them ineffectual, he employed in the new negociation persons who had formerly pronounced his scheme impracticable.

To their astonishment Columbus appeared before them with the same confident hopes of success as formerly, and insisted upon the same high recompence. He proposed that a small fleet should be fitted out, under his command, to attempt a discovery, and demanded to be appointed perpetual and hereditary admiral and viceroy of all the seas

and lands he should discover, and to have the tenth of the profits arising from them, settled irrevocably upon him and his descendants. At the same time he offered to advance the eighth part of the sum necessary, for accomplishing the design, on condition of his enjoying a proportional share of benefit from the adventure. If the enterprize should totally miscarry, he made no stipulation for any reward or emolument whatever.

Instead of viewing this last proposition as the clearest evidence of his full persuasion, with respect to the truth of his own system, or being struck with admiration with that magnanimity which after so many delays and repulses, would stoop to nothing inferior to its original claims, the persons with whom Columbus treated, meanly objected to the expense of the expedition, and the value of the reward which he demanded.

The expense they affirmed would be too great for Spain, in the present exhausted state of its finances. They contended the honors and emoluments claimed by Columbus, were exorbitant, even if he should perform the utmost of what he had proposed; and that if the expedition should prove abortive, such vast concessions to an adventurer would be deemed inconsiderate and ridiculous.

These cautious objections were so consonant with the natural disposition of Ferdinand, that he cordially approved of them, and Isabella discouraged, declined giving any countenance to Columbus, and abruptly broke off the conference.

The mind of Columbus firm as it was, could hardly support the shock of such an unforeseen reverse. He withdrew in deep anguish from court, with an intention of prosecuting his voyage to England, as his last resource.

About that time Granada surrendered, and Ferdinand and Isabella, in triumphal pomp, took possession of a city, the reduction of which rendered them masters of all the provinces extending from the bottom of Pyrenees to the frontiers of Portugal. Quintanilla and Santangel taking advantage of this favourable event, made one more effort in behalf of their friend. They addressed themselves to Isabella, and after expressing their surprize that she who had always been the liberal patroness of generous 'undertakings, should hesitate so long to countenance the most splendid scheme that had ever been proposed to any monarch; they represented to her, that Columbus was a man

of sound understanding, and virtuous character, well qualified by his experience in navigation, as well as his knowledge of geometry, to form just ideas with respect to the structure of the globe, and the situation of its various regions; and that by offering to risk his own life and fortune in the execution of his scheme, they gave the most satisfying evidence both of his integrity and hope of success; that the sum requisite for equipping such an armament was inconsiderable, and the advantages that might accrue from his undertaking, were immense; that he demanded no recompence for his invention and labour, but what was to arise from the countries which he should discover; that as it was worthy of her magnanimity, to make this noble attempt to extend the sphere of human knowledge, and to open an intercourse with regions hitherto unknown; that Columbus was on his way to foreign countries, where some prince would close with his proposals, and Spain would for ever bewail the fatal timidity which had excluded her from the glory and advantages that she had once in her power to have enjoyed.

These powerful arguments, urged by persons of such authority, and at a juncture so well chosen, had the desired effect. Isabella's doubts and fears were all dispelled; she ordered Columbus instantly to be recalled, declared her resolution of employing him on his own terms, and regretting the low state of her finances, generously offered to pledge her own jewels in order to raise as much money as would be wanted for making the necessary preparations for the voyage. Santangel transported with gratitude kissed the queen's hand, and rather than she should have recourse to such a mortifying expedient for procuring money, engaged to advance immediately the sum that was requisite.

Columbus, ignorant of this change in his favour, had proceeded some leagues on his journey, when the messenger overtook him. Upon receiving the account so flattering to his hopes, he returned directly to Santa Fé, not without some diffidence mingling with his joy. But the cordial reception which he met with from Isabella, together with the near prospect of setting out upon that voyage which had so long engrossed his thoughts and wishes, soon effaced the remembrance of past sufferings, during eight years tedious solicitation and anxious suspense.