Columbus, or The discovery of America;

Joachim Heinrich Campe

Description

NJ^ 9^ .v> "^^0^ :\ 1 ^/-d^ % ;^^V^ .>-.v^ %---%.% 4^-% ^^^0*m^^ .^•-. and were equally exhausted with drought and fatigue. Indians faintedSome of the poor and died while the survivors, considering; their deaths but as a prelude to their own, gave themselves up to despair. The only relief they could procure was to fill their mouths with water to cool theirsea parched tongues but this temporary relief only the; mpie increased their thirst. In this terrible situation a gleam ofhope at length beamed oa their desponding minds. It was night, and as the moon rose they perceived axi elevation. 19^ ! 222 COLUMBUS. which they knew to be a rock. This sight made them conjecture that they were near some island that inspired them with; a hope strength sufficient to work their oars to reach it. At length they attained it, but, alas found only mountain, apparentlya barren destitute of the smallest necessary either to eat or drink. What a dreadful disap- pointment ! They notwithstanding left their canoes, and walked over island, more properlythis or, speaking, this mass of stone, with the most poignant despair their hearts. 1 must herein digress, to observe how erroneous it is to give way to despair. Even when all human re- sources frequently is theappear to fail, how hand of the Divine Providence stretched out to help us, very moment we least ex-at the pect it, and most need it !

Sujets

• Columbus

Informations

• Publié par: les_archives_du_savoir
• Nombre de lectures: 33
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 10 Mo

Extrait

-.v^ %---%.% 4^-% ^^^0*m^^ .^•-. and were equally exhausted with drought and fatigue. Indians faintedSome of the poor and died while the survivors, considering; their deaths but as a prelude to their own, gave themselves up to despair. The only relief they could procure was to fill their mouths with water to cool theirsea parched tongues but this temporary relief only the; mpie increased their thirst. In this terrible situation a gleam ofhope at length beamed oa their desponding minds. It was night, and as the moon rose they perceived axi elevation. 19^ ! 222 COLUMBUS. which they knew to be a rock. This sight made them conjecture that they were near some island that inspired them with; a hope strength sufficient to work their oars to reach it. At length they attained it, but, alas found only mountain, apparentlya barren destitute of the smallest necessary either to eat or drink. What a dreadful disap- pointment ! They notwithstanding left their canoes, and walked over island, more properlythis or, speaking, this mass of stone, with the most poignant despair their hearts. 1 must herein digress, to observe how erroneous it is to give way to despair. Even when all human re- sources frequently is theappear to fail, how hand of the Divine Providence stretched out to help us, very moment we least ex-at the pect it, and most need it !" />

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uvy.v.or ,; trtAMns noaroiiCOLUMBUS,
THE DISCOTERY OF AMERlCAi
AS RELATED BY
A FATHER TO HIS CHILDREN,
DESIGNED FOR THE INSTRUCTION OF YOUTH.
TRANSLATED FROM THE GERMAN OF jtHf 'cImPE,
BY ELIZABETH HELME,
AUTHOR OF THE HISTORV OF ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, ROME, kc. i,C.
^;^^'<^
BOSTON
MUNROE AND FRANCIS, AND CHARfc*^^^^^^,
NEW-YORK.{i)9
,^a
PREFACE.TRANSLATOR'S
names Father andIn the following sheets, though the
to the elders, it appears that Mr.Mother are applied
children,Campe's conversations were not held with his own
family circle is usually more in-but with pupils yet as a
;
people, than one farther removed, theteresting to young
followed the literal sense of the Author.Translator has
the discovery of America, Mr. Campe hasIn relating
given their full merit to the adventurers, for courage, pa-
goodtience, perseverance, genius, and all the qualities they
merciful hand the deedspossessed retracing with a thatj
mediumdisgraced them, and skilfully preserving the which
giving his pupils, on theirhe expressed in his Preface, ofnot
idea of their cotempora-entrance into life, an exaggerated
angels or fiends, but mortals possessing aries being either
mingled share of uprightness and error. At the same time
he strongly inculcates those virtues that dignify human na-
ture, exemplifyingthem, as opportunities occur, in the course
of his narrative. Inciting bis youthful auditors to follow
"example, says, Thus, children,meritorious he my have
youths distinguished themselves, even in theirthose early
years, who aspired to great actions. Rejoice, then, if, like
Columbus, you possess that youthful which leads toardourIV PREFACIi.
noble pursuits } but ifyou cannot yet give yourselves that
pleasing testimony, hasten, I conjure you, to endeavour to
obtain it for, in a short time,j the years of preparation will
be elapsed, gone without recal— a loss never to be re-
!"paired
To impress their minds with fortitude and patience un-
der misfortunes, and to implant a firm reliance on Provi-
dence, are leading features in this Work, which the author
illustrates, not only by the conduct of Columbus, but by his
'' "own feelings. Experience," says he, has taught me,
that by supporting misfortunes with fortitude and patience,
firmlyand relying on the Divine will, the clouds ofsorrow
will disperse, when least expected; the night of tribulation
pass like a dream, and the sun of unexpected pleasure en-
liven with its cheering influence the human soul. Learn,
my children, and let this truth be engraven on your hearts,
hour of trial it may sustain your sinking spirits.that in the
That those heavy calamities, which at the time I consider-
ed as my greatest misfortune, have been the immediate
basis on which Providence has established my future suc-
have learned to submit withcesses. Convinced of this, I
to whatever it shall please God to inflict assur-resignation 3
ed that his infinite wisdom is the bestjudge ofwhat is prop-
er for the weakness of the creatures he has made."
these, theFor an endeavour to disseminate sentiments like
can make no apology, and can only wish thatTranslator
power equalled her inclination to impress them with iu-«her
delible characters on the mind* of the rising generation,