theories on which to thread their observations; and, as few persons have
so just a claim to theorize as those who have added largely to the number
of ascertained facts (a privilege which they generally make abundant use
of), so Columbus may well be listened to, when propounding his explanation
of the wonderful change in sea, air, sky, and magnetic current, which he
discerned at this distance of a hundred leagues from the Azores.

His theory was, that the earth was not a perfect sphere, but pear-shaped;
and he thought that, as he proceeded westwards in this voyage, the sea
went gradually rising, and his ships rising too, until they came nearer to
the heavens. It is very possible that this theory had been long in his
mind, or, at any rate, that he held it before he reached the coast of
Paria. When there, new facts struck his mind, and were combined with his
theory. He found the temperature much more moderate than might have been
expected so near the equinoctial line, far more moderate than on the
opposite coast of Africa. In the evenings, indeed, it was necessary for
him to wear an outer garment of fur. Then, the natives were lighter
coloured, more astute, and braver than those of the islands. Their hair,
too, was different.

Then, again, he meditated upon the immense volume of fresh waters which
descended into the Gulf of Paria. And, in fine, the conclusion which his
pious mind came to, was, that when he reached the land which he called the
island of Gracia, he was at the base of the earthly Paradise. He also,
upon reflection, concluded that it was a continent which he had
discovered, the same continent of the east which he had always been in
search of; and that the waters, which we now know to be a branch of the
river Orinoco, formed one of the four great rivers which descended from
the garden of Paradise.