Christopher Columbus, perhaps the most extraordinary genius which the world ever produced, conceived and executed the design of discovering a new hemisphere. He was, by birth, a Genoese; and from that natural love of one's own country, which is always strongly felt by an ingenuous mind, imparted to the chiefs of the republic his bold design, and his important expectations. They, unable to perceive the solidity of his views, or from that jealousy which is ever felt by little minds. at the conception of extensive schemes, or, perhaps, from that contempt which men generally entertain for the opinions of those whom they have never been accustomed to look up to with veneration, disregarded his representations, and discouraged his hopes. But Columbus, though disappointed, was not easily depressed: Obstacles tended only to increase his ardour. He now made application to several other maritime nations of Europe, and, with that confidence which great minds, when sincere, usually entertain, proposed his schemes, and explained his expectations. There he met with a reception, which would have discouraged any ordinary mind: By some he was contemned; by others neglected; at one time, he was treated as a visionary enthusiast; at another, he was looked on as a worthless or a dangerous character.

Europe was, at this period, in a very unsettled state. The Gothic darkness with which this quarter of the world had long been overspread, was only beginning to disperse. The governments which it contained were disinclined, and, indeed, were unable, to encourage the schemes of any adventurer, and especially of one, whose designs were so vast and unheard of, as those of Columbus. The republics of Venice and Genoa, though possessed of a lucrative trade, seemed incapable of extending their narrow views beyond the pillars of Hercules. The republic of the Hanse towns, which the barbarism of a rude age

could have alone rendered necessary, was already in its decay. France, torn by internal dissentions, was equally ignorant and careless of the advantages of commerce. Henry the Seventh of England was too cautious, and too much engaged in securing his power, and in curbing the spirits of a restless nobility, to engage in any uncertain schemes. John of Portugal, though himself adventurous, not only disregarded the merit of Columbus, but meanly and treacherously endeavoured to rob him of those advantages and that glory, to which he was so highly entitled. Holland, enshackled, was unable to avail herself of her natural advantages by any useful exertion. Spain was therefore, though engaged at this time in a war with the Moors, the only kingdom in which Columbus could hope for success; and here, after many obstacles and tedious delays, his uncommon perseverance was rewarded. He was at length enabled to equip three small ships, and after surmounting obstacles which nothing but the most determined courage and the highest prudence could have accomplished, but which it is not here our business to record, he arrived at the world which he was destined to discover.

The wealth, the power, the glory, which Spain acquired by this stupendous event, roused the attention, excited the envy, and redoubled the ardour of the other nations of Europe. But Spain had been nearly a century in possession of the most valuable portions of the new world, before any competitor appeared; and, to this hour, possesses the most extensive and the most valuable portions of South America. Holland, France, and England, having at length established a few settlements in the islands of the western Archipelago, have produced important changes in the state of transatlantic politics. Several of these events, not less curious than important, it will now be our business to record.

CHAPTER II.

Discovery of Jamaica.-Original Inhabitants.-Their Religion, Manners, Arts, Dress, and State of Civilization.—Their Mildness, Benevolence, and Happiness.-Second Visit of Columbus.—His precarious Situation.-Complete Possession of the Island taken by the Spaniards.-Their horrid Massacre of the innocent and helpless Natives.-Invasion of the Island by the English Troops under Sir A. Shirly.—Subsequent Invasion by Colonel Jackson.

JAMAICA*

was discovered by Christopher Columbus, in the year 1494, from the birth of Christ. It is situated in the Atlantic Ocean, among what are called by Geographers, the Greater Antilles, in 18° 12' of north latitude, and 76° 45' west from London. It is nearly of an oval form, is 140 English miles in length, and where broadest, about 50 in breadth. It is bounded by the island of St. Domingo on the east, by Cuba on the north, by the bay of Honduras on the west, and by Carthagena in New Spain, on the south.

This island, when first visited by Columbus, was peopled by a numerous race of men, remarkable for simplicity of manners, mildness of temper, and docility of behaviour. On his arrival, the timorous natives fled to the mountains, supposing, as they afterwards informed him, that the ships contained Charaibs, a race of Cannibals, at that time inhabiting some of the Windward Islands. But the prudent behaviour of Columbus gained their confidence; and the unsuspecting natives, regarding with

*The island was called by the Indians, Xaymaca, which signified, in their language, a land abounding with springs.

astonishment the dress, white skins, and offensive weapons of the Spaniards, treated them as if they had been a superior race of beings, kissing their hands and feet, and cheerfully giving them all that they possessed. Their new guests, after receiving all the gold which they could procure, and making anxious enquiries where it was to be found in greater plenty, took leave of these hospitable natives, and sailed again in quest of their favourite metal.

The natives, though simple in their manners, were not in a state of barbarism. Their government was monarchical and hereditary; and their chief, or Cacique, was obeyed implicitly, and treated with reverence. Their religion, though superstitious, was not bloody. They believed in a future state, and supposed that the spirits of the just were conveyed to a pleasant valley, called Coyaba; a place of indolent tranquillity, abounding with guavas and other delicious fruits, cool shades and murmuring rivulets; a country, where thirst never raged, and the hurricane was unknown. Here too they believed, that they should enjoy the company of their friends and forefathers. In celebration of the deeds of their heroes they composed hymns, which were recited at public festivals, called Arietoes, accompanied with dances, musical instruments made of shells, and a kind of drum, the sound of which was heard at an immense distance. Expressions of national triumph for victory, lamentation in times of public calamity, the voice of festivity, and the language of love, were also the subjects of these exhibitions, whilst the dances were grave or gay, as their feelings dictated, and the subject required.

They had no beard; and their colour was a clear brown, not darker, according to Columbus, than that of a Spanish peasant, who has been much exposed to the influence of the sun. Their clothing consisted solely of a piece of cotton cloth wrapped

round the waist; but in the women, this covering extended to the knees, whilst the children of both sexes went completely naked. Their hair was uniformly black, without any tendency to curl; their features were hard, the nose being thin and flat, and the face broad; but their eyes streamed with good-nature, and there was an indescribable something in their countenances, which invited confidence, and proclaimed a frank and gentle disposition*.

Their progress in the arts and in agriculture was considerable. Notwithstanding the spontaneous growth of the most delicious fruits, of plantains, yams, and other vegetables, they cultivated maize to a considerable extent, and displayed great skill in their preparations of cassavi-bread from the maniock. They not only manufactured excellent cloth from their cotton, but they also possessed the art of dyeing it with a variety of colours, some of them of the utmost brilliancy and beauty. Their domestic utensils were various and beautiful. The elegance of their earthen ware, their chairs of ebony, and their curiously woven beds; their implements of husbandry; the size, structure, and ornaments of their canoes, some of them navigated by forty oars, and covered with an awning, composed of mats and palm-tree leaves, in order to secure their women and children from the spray of the sea, all evince, that far from being in a state of nature, they possessed in abundance, not only the necessaries, but even the comforts and elegancies of life. Indeed, considering their want of tame quadrupeds, their ignorance of commerce, and of the use of the metals, they seem to have arrived at a surprising degree of refinement, and were unquestionably, the gentlest, the most benevolent, and the happiest of mortals.

Such was the state of these ill-fated islanders, when Columbus,

* Peter Martyr informs us, That the natives of Jamaica were far more lively, acute, and ingenious, than any whom the Spaniards had met with in the other islands.