Page:History of the Reign of Ferdinand and Isabella the Catholic Vol. II.djvu/188

164 164 RETURN OF COLUMBUS. PART quadrupeds unknown in Europe, and birds, whose '- — varieties of gaudj plumage gave a brilliant eifect to uis progress the pascant. The admiral's progress through the 10 Barce- -To r & O^ lona. country was everywhere impeded by the multitudes thronging forth to gaze at the extraordinary spec- tacle, and the more extraordinary man, who, in the emphatic language of that time, which has now lost its force from its familiarity, first revealed the exis- tence of a " New World." As he passed through the busy, populous city of Seville, every window, balcony, and housetop, which could afford a glimpse of him, is described to have been crowded with spectators. It was the middle of April before Columbus reached Barcelona. The nobility and cavaliers in attendance on the court, together with the authorities of the city, came to the gates to receive him, and escorted him to the royal presence. Ferdinand and Isabella were seated, with their son, Prince John, under a superb canopy of state, await- ing his arrival. On his approach, they rose from their seats, and extending their hands to him to salute, caused him to be seated before them. These were unprecedented marks of condescension to a person of Columbus's rank, in the haughty and ceremonious court of Castile. It was, indeed, the proudest moment in the life of Columbus. He had fully established the truth of his long-contested theory, in the face of argument, sophistry, sneer, skepticism, and contempt. He had achieved this, not by chance, but by calculation, supported through the most adverse circumstances by consummate conduct. The honors paid him, which had hitherto