and devotion of Columbus,
and had been chosen by him. These chief officers were followed by a large
retinue from their crews. In numerous lines along the shore stood the
simple islanders, looking on with innocent amazement.

THEIR GRATITUDE.

On touching land, Columbus and all the Spaniards who were present fell
upon their knees, and with tears--tears of that deepest kind which men do
not know the cause of--poured forth their "immense thanksgivings to
Almighty God."

The man who, of all that embassage, if we may call it so, from the Old to
the New World, was certainly the least surprised by all he saw, was, at
the same time, the most affected. For thus it is, that the boldness of a
great design is never fully appreciated by the designer himself until he
has apparently accomplished his work, when he is apt, if it be indeed a
great work, to look back with shuddering awe at his own audacity in having
proposed it to mankind. The vast resolve which has sustained such a man
throughout his long and difficult enterprise, having for the moment
nothing to struggle against, dies away, leaving a strange sinking at the
heart: and thus the greatest successes are often accompanied by a peculiar
and bewildering melancholy. New difficulties, however, bred from success
(for nothing is complete in life), soon arise to summon forth again the
discoverer's energies, and to nerve him for fresh disappointments and
renewed endeavours. Columbus will not fail to have his full share of such
difficulties.

GENERAL RECONCILATION.

The followers of the great man, whose occasional faintheartedness must
often have driven all sleep from his weary eyelids throughout the watches
of the night, now began to think with remorse how much suffering they had
needlessly inflicted upon their greatly-enduring leader. They sought his
pardon with tears, and, subdued for the moment by his greatness when
illustrated by success, expressed in loving terms their admiration, their
gratitude, and their assurances of fidelity. The placable Columbus
received their gracious sayings with all the warmth and tenderness that
belonged to his large-hearted and amiable character.

THEY TAKE LEGAL POSSESSION.

The great business of the day then commenced; and Columbus, with the due
legal formalities, took possession, on behalf of the Spanish monarchs, of
the island Guanahani, which he forthwith named San Salvador. The gravity
of the proceeding must have astonished