some of his doings would further all this coming misery. In these
chains Columbus is of more interest to us than when in full power as
governor of the Indies; for so it is, that the most infelicitous times of
a man's life are those which posterity will look to most, and love him
most for. This very thought may have comforted him; but happily he had
other sources of consolation in the pious aspirations which never deserted
him.

We have come now to the end of Columbus's administration of the Indies.
Whatever we may think of his general policy, we cannot but regret his
removal at the present time, when there appeared some chance of solidity
in his government: though we must honestly admit, that the Catholic
Sovereigns, with such evidence as they had before them, were far from
wrong in recalling him, had it been done in a manner worthy of his and of
their greatness.



CHAPTER XI.


REACTION AT COURT.

The career of Columbus had already been marked by strong contrasts. First,
a "pauper pilot," then the viceroy of a new world; alternately hoping, and
fearing, despondent, and triumphant, he had passed through strange
vicissitudes of good and evil fortune. But no two events in his life stand
out in stronger contrast to each other than his return to Spain after his
first voyage, and his return now. He was then a conqueror; he was now a
prisoner. He was then the idol of popular favour; he was now the unpopular