Cape Non. The light of science, however, began to dawn. The works of the ancient Greeks and Romans began to be read with admiration and profit. The sciences cultivated by the Arabians were introduced into Europe by the Moors settled in Spain and Portugal, and by the Jews who were numerous in both kingdoms. Geometry, astronomy and geography, the sciences on which the art of navigation is founded, became objects of studious attention. The vessels sent on the discovery doubled that formidable Cape which had terminated the progress of former navigators, and proceeded a hundred and sixty miles beyond it to Cape Bojador. This voyage increased the passion for discovery, which began to arise in Portugal.

PRINCE HENRY OF PORTUGAL.

THE extraordinary success of the king's expedition against the Moors of Barbary, added strength to the spirit of enterprise in the nation, and pushed it on to new undertakings. In order to render these successful, it was necessary that they should be conducted by a person who possessed abilities capable of discerning what was attainable, who enjoyed leisure to form a regular system for prosecuting discovery, and who was animated with ardour, that would persevere in spite of obstacles and repulses. Happily for Portugal, she found all those qualities in Henry duke of Visco, the fourth son of king John by Philippa of Lancaster, sister of Henry IV. king of England. That prince in his early youth having accompanied his father in his expedition to Barbary, distinguished himself by many deeds of valour. To the martial spirit, which was the characteristic of every man of noble birth at that time, he added all the accomplishments of a more enlight

ened and polished age. He cultivated the arts and sciences, which were then unknown and despised

by persons of his rank. He applied with peculiar

fondness to the study of geography; and by the instruction of able masters, as well as by the accounts of travellers, he early acquired such knowledge of the habitable globe, as discovered the great probability of finding new and opulent countries, by sailing along the coast of Africa.

Such an object was formed to awaken the enthusiasm and ardour of a youthful mind, and he engaged with the utmost zeal to patronize a design that might prove as beneficial as it appeared to be splendid and honourable. In order that he might pursue this great scheme without interruption, he retired from court immediately after his return from Africa, and fixed his residence at Sagres near Cape St. Vincent, where the prospect of the Atlantic invited his thoughts continually towards his favourite project. In this retreat he was attended by some of the most learned men in his country, who aided him in his researches. He applied for information to the Moors of Barbary, who were accustomed to travel by land into the interior provinces of Africa, in quest of ivory, gold dust, and other commodities. He consulted the Jews settled in Portugal. By promises, rewards and marks of respect, he allured into his service several persons, foreigners as well as Portuguese, who were eminent for their skill in navigation. In taking these preparatory steps, the great abilities of the prince were seconded by his private virtues. His integrity, his respect for religion, his zeal for the honour of his country, engaged persons of all ranks to applaud his design, and to favour the execution of it. His schemes were allowed by his countrymen to proceed neither from ambition nor the desire of wealth, but to flow from the warm benevolence of a heart, eager to pro

mote the happiness of mankind, and which justly entitled him to assume a motto for his device, that described the quality by which he wished to be distinguished, the talent of doing good.

JOHN II.

THE warm and active spirit of discovery, received an unfortunate check in the death of prince Henry, and it languished for some time. It revived, however, when this king ascended the throne. He possessed talents capable both of forming and executing great designs. As part of his revenues, while prince, had arisen from duties on the trade with the newly discovered countries, this naturally turned his attention towards them, and satisfied him with respect to their utility and importance. In proportion as his knowledge of these countries extended, the possession of them appeared to be of greater consequence.

er.

John declared himself the patron of every attempt towards discovery, and promoted it with all the ardour of prince Henry, and with superior powThe effects were immediately felt. A powerful fleet was fitted out, which after discovering the kingdoms of Benin and Congo, advanced fifteen hundred miles beyond the line, and the Portuguese for the first time beheld a new heaven, and observed the stars of another hemisphere. John was not only solicitous to discovery, but attentive to secure the possession of those countries. He built forts on the coast of Guinea; sent out colonies to settle there; established a commercial intercourse with the powerful kingdoms; and he endeavoured to render such as were feeble and divided, tributary to the crown of Portugal. Some of the petty princes voluntarily acknowledged themselves his vas

sals. Others were compelled to do so by force of arms. A regular and well digested system was formed with respect to this new object of policy, and by firmly adhering to it, the Portuguese power and commerce in Africa were established upon a solid foundation.

BARTHOLOMEW DIAZ.

He was one of those many bold and skilful navigators, to whom mankind are greatly indebted. King John having sent an embassy to the emperor of Abyssinia to obtain information, he also gave the conduct of a new voyage to Bartholomew Diaz. He was an officer whose sagacity, experience and fortitude, rendered him equal to the undertaking. He stretched boldly towards the south, and proceeding beyond the utmost limits to which his countrymen had hitherto advanced, discovered near a thousand miles of new country. Neither the danger to which he was exposed, by a succession of tempests, in unknown seas, and by the frequent mutinies of his crew, nor the calamities of famine, which he suffered from losing his store-ship, could deter him from prosecuting his enterprise. In recompense of his perseverance, he at last descried that lofty promontory which bounds Africa to the south. But to descry it was all that was in his power. The violence of the winds, the shattered. condition of his ships, and the turbulent spirit of his sailors, compelled him to return, after a voyage of sixteen months, in which he discoverd an extent of country far greater than any preceding navigator. Diaz had called the promontory which terminated his voyage the Stormy Cape; but the king his mas ter, as he now entertained no doubt of having found the long desired route to India, gave it a name more

inviting, and of better omen, The Cape of Good Hope. While these discoveries were making, an account was brought to Europe of an event no less extraordinary than unexpected, the discovery of a new world situated in the west, and the eyes and admiration of mankind turned immediately towards that great object.

CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS

HAD the distinguished honour to make that discovery. He was a native of the republic of Genoa. Neither the time nor the place of his birth are known with certainty; but he was descended of an honourable family, though reduced to indigence by various misfortunes. His ancestors following a seafaring life, Columbus discovered in his early youth the peculiar character and talents which mark out a man for that profession. His parents confirmed this propensity by the education which they gave him. He was particularly instructed in geometry, cosmography, astronomy, and the art of drawing. At the age of fourteen, he began his career on that element, which conducted him to so much glory. His early voyages were to those parts of the Mediterranean which his countrymen frequented. This being a sphere too narrow for his active mind, he made an excursion to the northern seas, and visited Iceland. Having satisfied his curiosity by this voyage, he entered into the service of a famous captain of his own name and family, with whom he continued for several years, no less distinguished for his courage, than for his experience as a sailor. In an obstinate engagement off the coast of Portugal with some Venetian caravels, the vessel on board of which he served took fire. In this dreadful extremity, his intrepidity and pre