COLUMBUS EMBARKING AT PALOS, SPAIN, FOR HIS VOYAGE OF DISCOVERY, 1492

1. The Continents.-Most pupils, before they commence the study of this book, will have seen a map of the Eastern and the Western Hemisphere. These, they know, represent the two halves of the surface of the earth, which is round

Map Questions.-(See map, page 10.) Where are the Bahama Islands? The West Indies? Where is Guanahani, called by Columbus San Salvador? The island of Hispaniola, St. Domingo, or Hayti?

like a ball. They have also learned that each hemisphere contains a large extent of land, one being called the Eastern Continent and the other the Western Continent.

2. The Western Continent.-Now, although we know of events that happened in the Eastern Continent thousands of years ago, scarcely anything was known of the Western Continent, or of its inhabitants, until about four hundred years ago. Previous to that time, people knew only of parts of Europe, Asia, and Africa, and of the latter chiefly those parts that lie on or near the Mediterranean Sea.

3. The Northmen, or Normans. In the northern part of Europe, in a country called Norway, there lived about a thousand years ago, a very bold and hardy race of people, who built small ships in which they sallied forth and made voyages to distant countries. They were fierce warriors as well as seamen. No dangers, either of the land or the ocean, could daunt them. As they lived in the north, they were called Northmen, Norsemen, or Normans.

4. Discovery of Greenland.—Some of these people, between eight and nine centuries ago, venturing a long way out on the ocean, came to the island of Iceland, and afterwards discovered that part of America which is called Greenland, where they made settlements. But these, after

flourishing more than a hundred years, perished, and were almost entirely forgotten. It is certain, also, that the Northmen visited Labrador, Newfoundland, and, perhaps,

Text Questions.-1. What are the Continents? 2. When did the Western Continent become known? What was known of the Eastern Continent? What of Africa? 3. Who were the Northmen? What was their character? Why were they called Northmen, or Normans? 4. How were Iceland and Greenland discovered? When were settlements made? What other places did the Northmen visit? What country did they call Vineland ?

New England, and that the last named they called Vineland, from the abundance of grapes which they found there.*

5. Progress of Geography.—But there came a time, long after the voyages of these daring Northmen, when people began to desire to know what was on the other side of the great ocean which washed the shores of their countries. Bold navigators arose who studied geography, made maps and charts of the seas over which they had sailed, and tried to find a way by which they might learn more of the surface of the globe on which they lived. In these efforts they were greatly aided by the mariner's compass, which had recently come into use.

6. The Shape of the Earth.-Most people would not believe that the earth was a globe. They thought it was flat, and that if any one should sail across the ocean, he might come to the end of the earth, and would be in danger of falling off. The men of science, however, were of a different opinion: they believed the earth to be round, and they wished to learn more about its surface; but these men were comparatively very few.

7. Columbus.-One of the boldest and wisest among

"They called the land Vineland (or Vinland), by reason of the grapes and a kind land. The story goes that Lief, the Fortunate, almost as soon as he landed, missed a little old German servant of his father, Tyrker by name, and was vexed thereat during the night he seeks him, and meets him coming back with smacking lips, and talking highly excited in his old native German tongue; and when they got him to talk Norse, he said, 'I have news for you. I found vines and grapes for you.' 'Is this true, foster father?' 'It is,' says the German, for I was brought up where there was never a lack of grapes !'"-Charles Kingsley.

5. How was progress made in Geography ? By what were navigators aided? 6. What was thought of the shape of the earth? What did the men of science believe? 7. Who was Christopher Columbus? His studies and voyages? His project to sail westward? Its object?

them was Christopher Columbus, a native of Genoa (jen'-oah), in Italy. He had studied the subject for years, and

CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS

had made himself familiar with all that was

then known of the
science of geography, of
which he was very fond.

He had also made many
This great

voyages.

man formed the bold project of sailing westward across the vast ocean, where no ships had ever before been known to go. The object of this undertaking

was to find a short way to a certain rich country in the southeastern part of Asia and the islands near it, called India, or the Indies.

8. The Indies-the route to it.-Many persons had already gone to this country and these islands, and had brought back very exciting accounts of the riches to be found there, as well as of the singular character of the people, the animals, the plants, etc.* A considerable com

*The first and most extensive traveler among the eastern nations was Marco Polo, a Venetian, who passed seventeen years in the service of the Khan of Tartary, during which he visited the chief countries and cities of Eastern Asia, among them Japan, the existence of which was not previously known. He returned to Venice in 1295; and subsequently a very interesting account of his travels was written, which had a wonderful effect in encouraging geographical research. It led to the two great discoveries: of America, by Columbus; and of the Cape of Good Hope, by the Portuguese.

merce was carried on with these countries; and rich silks, precious stones, spices, and other valuable products were brought thence; but the journey to and from the Indies was long and dangerous. Vessels sailed through the Mediterranean Sea to the northeastern part of Africa, where they were unladen, and the goods were carried on the backs of camels across the Isthmus of Suez, and thence again by ships down the Red Sea, and through the Indian Ocean to the Indies. Sometimes the goods were carried overland through Asia, with great labor, difficulty, and expense.

9. Cities made rich by trade with India.-Venice, Florence, and Genoa, cities in the northern part of Italy, actively engaged in this trade with the East, and thus became the chief marts for all the rich merchandise. They consequently became very rich and prosperous, and excited the envy of other cities and nations, who greatly desired to share in this profitable trade. This they felt they would be able to do, if another way to reach the Indies could be found.

10. The Portuguese enterprises.-The people of Portugal had made great efforts to accomplish this by sailing southwardly along the west coast of Africa, hoping to be able, if they could sail far enough, to find a way around it, and thus render the passage of the Isthmus of Suez unnecessary. The foremost in encouraging this undertaking was Prince Henry of Portugal, who sent out many vessels, one after the other, each of which succeeded in going farther

9. What cities engaged in the trade? What did other cities desire? 10. What had the Portuguese accomplished? What is said of Prince Henry? When was the Cape of Good Hope first passed?