ch numbers to see him that the streets could
not contain them. A triumphal procession like his the world had not yet
seen: it was a thing to make the most incurious alert, and even the sad
and solitary student content to come out and mingle with the mob. The
captives that accompanied a Roman general's car might be strange
barbarians of a tribe from which Rome had not before had slaves. But
barbarians were not unknown creatures. Here, with Columbus, were beings of
a new world. Here was the conqueror, not of man but of nature, not of
flesh and blood but of the fearful unknown, of the elements, and, more
than all, of the prejudices of centuries. We may imagine the rumours that
must have gone before his coming. And now he was there. Ferdinand and
Isabella had their thrones placed in the presence of the assembled court.
Columbus approached the monarchs, and then, "his countenance beaming with
modest satisfaction," knelt at the king's feet, and begged leave to kiss
their highnesses' hands. They gave their hands; then they bade him rise
and be seated before them. He recounted briefly the events of his
voyage--a story more interesting than the tale told in the court of Dido
by Aeneas, like whom he had almost perished close to home, and he
concluded his unpretending narrative by showing what new things and
creatures he had brought with him.

MARKS OF APPROBATION.

Ferdinand and Isabella fell on their knees, giving thanks to God with many
tears; and then the choristers of the royal chapel closed the grand
ceremonial by singing the "Te Deum." Afterwards men walked home grave and
yet happy, having seen the symbol of a great work, something to be thought
over for many a generation. Other marks of approbation for Columbus were
not wanting. The agreement between him and the sovereigns was confirmed.
An appropriate coat of arms, then a thing of much significance, was
granted to him in augmentation of his own. In the shield are conspicuously
emblazoned the Royal Arms of Castile and Leon. Nothing can better serve to
show the immense favour which Columbus had obtained at court by his
discovery than such a grant; and it is but a trifling addition to make,
in recounting his now honours, that the title of Don was given to him and
his descendants, and also to his brothers. He rode by the king's side; was
served at table as a grandee; "All hail!" was said to him on state
occasions; and the men of his age, happy in that, had found out anot