of Columbus's rank, in the haughty and ceremonious court of Castile. 9. It was, indeed, the proudest moment in the life of Columbus. He had fully established the truth of his long-contested theory, in the face of argument, sophistry, sneer, scepticism, and contempt. He had achieved this not by chance, but by calculation, supported through the most adverse circumstances by consummate conduct. The honors paid him, which had hitherto been reserved only for rank, or fortune, or military success, purchased by the blood and tears of thousands, were, in his case, a homage to intellectual power successfully exerted in behalf of the noblest interests of humanity. 10. After a brief interval, the sovereigns requested of Columbus a recital of his adventures. His manner was sedate and dignified, but warmed by the glow of natural enthusiasm. He enumerated the several islands he had visited, expatiated on the temperate character of the climate, and the capacity of the soil for every variety of production, appealing to the samples imported by him as evidence of their natural productiveness. He dwelt more at large on the precious metals to be found in these islands, which he inferred less from the specimens actually obtained than from the uniform testimony of the natives to their abundance in the unexplored regions of the interior. 11. Lastly, he pointed out the wide scope afforded to Christian zeal in the illumination of a race of men whose minds, far from being wedded to any system of idolatry, were prepared, by their extreme simplicity, for the reception of pure and uncorrupted doctrine. The last consideration touched Isabella's heart most sensibly; and the whole audience, kindled with various emotions by the speaker's eloquence, filled up the perspective with the gorgeous coloring of their own fancies, as ambition, or avarice, or devotional feeling predominated in their bosoms. When Columbus ceased, the king and queen, together with all present, prostrated themselves on their knees in grateful thanksgivings, while the solemn strains of the Te Deum were poured forth by the choir of the royal chapel, as in commemoration of some glorious victory.-W. H. Prescott. On the old oak-table; "My wife and I have tried A good stout bit of cable 5. "To the fence just over there, Though we screamed ourselves as hoarse Not one word went through it! 6. "Don't talk to me, I pray, Through sunken cables: Of such old fables!" Josephine Pollard. LESSON 116. HOW THE GATES CAME AJAR. I WAS whispered, one morning, in Heaven TW How the little child-angel May, In the shade of the great white portal, Sat sorrowing night and day. How she said to the stately warden Him of the key and bar — “O angel, sweet angel! I pray you, Set the beautiful gates ajar, Only a little I pray you, Set the beautiful gates ajar! 2. I can hear my mother weeping; 3. Then up rose Mary the Blessed, 4. "And this key for no further using, But may catch the glory afar; Helen L. Bostwick. FAR LESSON 117. FALL OF CARDINAL WOLSEY. Wolsey. AREWELL, a long farewell to all my greatness! This is the state of man; to-day he puts forth The tender leaves of hope; to-morrow, blossoms, And bears his blushing honors thick upon him, The third day comes a frost, a killing frost, And when he thinks, good, easy man, full surely And then he falls, as I do. I have ventured, But far beyond my depth; my high-blown pride Enter CROMWELL, amazedly. Why, how now, Cromwell? Crom. I have no power to speak, sir. Wol. What! amazed At my misfortunes? Can thy spirit wonder, A great man should decline? Nay, if you weep, I am fallen indeed. Crom. How does your grace? |