Page:The life of Christopher Columbus.djvu/77

] nobility, of virtue? Besides, had not the noble origin of the wool-comber been proved, the influence of his example should suffice to testify that an exalted tradition was perpetuated at his fireside, which revealed the nobility of his race, struggling against the misfortunes of life, and the monotony and the fatigue of daily labors.

Although he saw them destined to the labor of their hands, the honest wool-comber wished to give his children all the education his scanty means permitted. Struck with the intelligence of his eldest son, he resolved to second his abilities, and give him the most complete education that was then given. He sent him to the University of Pavia, where his extreme youth was, no doubt, patronized by some member of his family, which, as we have said, was originally from Lombardy. Christopher, at that time, was scarcely ten years old. It was a very tender age for such laborious studies as natural philosophy, astrology, and, — the teaching of which rendered that University celebrated.

Learned researches have been made to know who the masters were from whom the boy learned the elements of the sciences. It has been forgotten that the science of these masters could have profited him but little, for he studied only from the age of nine to twelve years. At fourteen he was already gone to sea; and we know that between his leaving the University and his maritime enrolment, he passed some time as an apprentice, learning the trade of his father. We do not question the merit of these professors; and we will take care not to seek, as others have had the curiosity to do, what influence they exercised on him.

What is certain is, that he was attentive to the lessons of those masters who are at present unknown; and that from his assiduity and precocious intellect he derived fruits enough to utilize afterwards these elementary studies. Having prematurely quitted the University, — no doubt because the resources of his father had failed, — he returned to Genoa, to work at his trade and labor with his father.