enced seaman, acquired so great authority amongst his companions, that they willingly yielded to him the superintendence of the voyage. The crafty Florentine made an extraordinary use of his situation. Soon after his return to Spain, he transmitted an account of his adventures to one of his own countrymen; so ingeniously framed, as to make it appear that he had the glory of first discovering the continent of the new world. His narrative was drawn not only with art, but with elegance. It contained an amusing history of his voyage, and judicious observations on the natural productions, the inhabitants, and customs, of the places which he had visited. His description was the first given to the public. It circulated rapidly, and was read with admiration. The country, of which Amerigo was supposed to be the discoverer, gradually received his name, or a modification of it; an error, which the injustice. of mankind has continued.

In the summary view, which, previous to our entering on the voyages of Columbus, was given, of the gradual progress of discovery in the eastern hemisphere, we last allud ed to the advance of Diaz within sight of the great southern cape of Africa. Rather stimulated than depressed by the amazing issue of the patronage which they had denied Columbus, the Portuguese attentively pursued their fa Yourite object. Their endeavours were successful. the 20th of November, in the year 1497, Vasco de Gama, employed by the king of Portugal, "doubled" that cele brated promontory, and, in the month of May following, arrived at Calicut, on the coast of Malabar.

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Twenty-three years after that great event, Magellan, a native of Portugal, in the service of Spain, penetrated into the Pacific ocean, by the strait which bears his name, situated at the southern extremity of the American continent; thus, opening a new route to the East Indies, and developing a vast region of water, interspersed with beautiful and fertile islands.

It seems owing to accident, that England had not gained the renown which accrued to Spain, the fortunate en ployer of the persevering Genoese. In his voyage thither, Bartholomew Columbus was captured by pirates; who, having entirely robbed him, detained him a prisoner for many years. When, at length, he arrived in London, his Indigence was so great, that he was obliged to employ himself, during a considerable time, in drawing and selling maps, as a means of raising money sufficient to purchase a

decent dress, in which to appear at court. He was there treated with merited respect. Notwithstanding the excessive caution of Henry the seventh, he received the overtures of Columbus with more attention than any monarch to whom they had been before presented, and invited him to England. But it was then too late. The achievement was already accomplished. Bartholomew, in his return, was informed, at Paris, of the issue of his brother's voyage; an event not less exhilarating than unexpected.

CHAPTER II.

Newfoundland discovered by Cabot. Abortive attempts to settle Roanoke, by Sir Walter Raleigh.

THE English were the second people that ventured to the new world, and the first that discovered the continent of America. Two years had not elapsed, after the consummation of the great navigator's hopes, when Giovanni Gaboto, (or Cabot,) a Venetian who had settled in Bristol, and his three sons,, were commissioned, by Henry the seventh, to sail in quest of unknown countries, and endeavour to reach India by a western course; agreeably to the system of Columbus, which the former had adopted. Accordingly, the father and his second son, Sebastian, were despatched from that city, the place of the latter's nativity, on board a ship furnished by the king, accompanied by four small barks provided by the merchants. Sebastian, for it was he who had the direction of the voyage, conjectured, that by steering farther to the north, he might reach India, by a shorter course than that chosen by Columbus. On the 24th of June, 1497, he discovered a large island, to which he gave the name of Prima Vista, or first seen; now called Newfoundland. He then changed his course; steering to the north: but, finding that the land continued to oppose him in that direction, and that there was no appearance of a passage, he tacked about, and ran as far as Florida; the island of Cuba, as he relates, being on his left. Here, his provisions failing, he resolved to return to England; having on board three natives, who accompanied him from Newfoundland.

The commercial progress of the English did not relax, during the succeeding reigns of Henry the eighth and Ed

ward the sixth. In the former reign, many adventures were made, along the southern portion of America; in the latter, the fisheries on the banks of Newfoundland became an eager object of attention. But, after the accession of Mary, their enterprises were directed towards another quarter. That she might allay the jealousy of the Spanish monarch, to whom she was espoused, the queen devoted all her patronage to an intercourse opened in the preceding reign with Russia.

On the accession of Elizabeth, a period commenced, highly auspicious to mercantile extension. The domestic tranquillity; the peace with foreign nations, which subsisted more than twenty years after she was scated on the throne; her economy; all, were favourable to that rising spirit. The opening of a direct intercourse with India, by sea, was again attempted: but a route was marked out, different from any that was before pursued As every attempt to accomplish this by the west, and the north-east, had proved abortive, a scheme was formed, to hold an opposite course. by the north-west; the conduct of which was entrusted to Martin Frobisher. In three successive voyages, that enterprising officer examined the coast of La1576-'7-'8 brador; but without discovering any rational appearance of a passage. The disappointment, however, was in some measure compensated by sir Francis Drake; who accomplished, about this time, his celebrated voyage round the globe; an exploit, which, in conjunction with their other marine achievements, impressed the English with a just confidence in their own abilities and courage. They had displayed their flag in every region to which na vigation then extended; and were not excelled in naval exploits by any nation of the age.

A more interesting period of our history now approaches. The British at length began to form plans of settling colonies in those countries, which, hitherto, they had only visited. The projectors and patrons of these were chiefly men of rank and influence. Amongst the number, sir Humphrey Gilbert, of Devonshire, an officer distinguished for his military talents, and his attention to naval science, obtained a patent from the queen, investing him with the necessary powers. But, two expeditions, both of which ne conducted in person, were unfortunate. The last voyage

was awfully disastrous: when returning to England, 1530 without having performed any thing more importan than the empty ceremony of taking possession of Newfound

land, the frigate in which he sailed was lost at sea, and all on board found a watery grave.

But that misfortune did not discourage his relative, sir Walter Raleigh. Adopting all the ideas of his brother-inlaw, he applied to the queen, in whose favour he stood high, at that time, and procured a patent, with similar jurisdic tion and prerogatives. Raleigh despatched two small vessels, under the command of Philip Amadas and Ar1.584 thur Barlow. They sailed on the 27th of April, and

reached the coast now called North Carolina on the 4th of July; making their passage in sixty-seven days: which was by no means long, when we consider their course, by the Canary and West India islands, and their having spent many days, at those places, in trading and recruiting their provisions. They touched first at an island, which they call Wocokon, (probably Ocacoke;) then, at Roanoke, near the entrance of Albemarle Sound; and, after spending a few weeks in trafficking with the natives, and visiting the adjacent continent, returned to England. Amadas and Barlow gave so splendid a description of the country; its beauty, fertility, mildness of climate, and serenity of atmosphere; that Elizabeth gave it the name of Virginia, as a memorial that this happy discovery was made under a maiden queen.

The great profusion of grapes attracted their particular notice. So plentiful were they along the shore, that the surge of the sea overflowed them; and, in all places, they observed so many, on the sand in the plains, and on the verdant ground upon the hills; on every little shrub, and climbing towards the tops of the lofty cedars; that, in the whole world, they declare, a similar abundance had not been found. When they discharged their arms, so large a flock of cranes arose around them, and with so loud a cry, re doubled by many echoes, that the noise equalled the combined shouting of an army. They had remained at the island two days, before they saw any of the natives. On the third day, they beheld a small boat rowing towards them. containing three men; one of whom was taken on board, and presented with some clothes, meat, and wine; with which, he was highly pleased. The pleasure he received was not unrecompensed. He returned to his little boat, and, after fishing for about half an hour, and lading it as deeply as it would allow, he came to a point of the land; then, dividing his fish into two parts, assigned one as the portion of the ship, the other as the share of the pinnace; and, having thus

raid his debt, he departed. The following day, there appeared several other boats. In one of these, was Granganimeo, brother of the king Wingina; accompanied by forty or fifty men; "very handsome and goodly people, and, in their behaviour,” it is said, 66 as mannerly and civil as any in Europe." In the present age, this comparison may seem, at the first view, extravagant and unjust: but, if we consider the state of civilized society more than two centuries ago, and reflect, that whilst these have been con. stantly advancing, the other, from nearly the same cause, have been declining, in their acquirement of what is supposed to be the standard of refinement, we shall no longer doubt its general correctness.

Encouraged by this pleasing report, Raleigh fit 1585 ted out a squadron of seven small vessels, with one hundred and eighty adventurers: which sailed from Ply. mouth, under the command of sir Richard Greenville. This colony, he left on the island of Roanoke, under the care of captain Lane, assisted by some men of eminence amongst whom, was Hariot, a distinguished mathematician The latter individuals faithfully discharged their duty, in obtaining a more ample knowledge of the country; having carried their researches farther than could have been expected, with so inconsiderable aid, and from a situation so disadvantageous. But the same praise is not due to Lane, and the majority of his subordinate companions. They seemed to think nothing worthy their attention, except gold and silver. Amused by the Indians, with extraordinary tales, concerning pearl fisheries and rich mines of those precious metals, they neglected the cultivation of the soil; and, being disappointed in attaining treasures, which were only the invention of a people, now as anxious to destroy, as they were before to assist, these dangerous intruders, they were assailed by a two-fold calamity, hostility and famine. Reduced to extreme distress, they were preparing to disperse in quest of food, when sir Francis Drake, returning from the West Indies, appeared with his fleet, and offered them assistance: but his generous intention was frustrated by a storm. A small vessel, with provisions destined for their service, was dashed to pieces; and, as he could not supply them, a second time, with adequate relief, at their unanimous request, le carried them home to Eng land. Thus ended, that ill-conducted experiment, after a trial of nine months.

Only a few days had expired, when a small bark, with some