sailing to the west on a voyage of discovery. King Henry, who was rather
a prudent manager of the public treasure, than an encourager of great
undertakings, as some historians say, rejected his proposals: but others
of equal credit affirm, that the king entered into an agreement with
Bartholomew, and sent him to invite his brother to England; and that the
nation in general were fond of the project, either from motives of mere
curiosity or prospects of commercial advantage.

[Sidenote] A. D. 1492.
[Sidenote] The discovery of Columbus.

In the mean time Columbus, after surmounting several discouragements and
difficulties, found employment in the service of Spain. Queen Isabella
agreed with him on his own terms, and went so far as to sell her jewels
in order to furnish him with every thing requisite for his intended
expedition. Accordingly he embarked in August 1492, and sailed from Palos
on one of the greatest enterprises ever undertaken by man. Steering
towards the west, through what was then deemed a boundless ocean, he
found abundance of scope for all the arts of navigation of which he was
possessed; and, after surmounting numberless difficulties, from a
mutinous crew and the length of the voyage, he discovered one of the
Bahama islands. Here he landed, and, after falling on his knees and
thanking God for his success, he erected the royal standard of Spain in
the western world, and returned to Europe.

[Sidenote] 1494.
[Sidenote] The discovery of John Cabot.

Upon his arrival in Spain, the fame of this bold adventurer and the
success of his voyage, quickly spread through Europe, and excited general