and persevering to suffer an idea of this importance to rest merely in
speculation, as it had done with Plato and Seneca, who seem to have
entertained conjectures of a similar nature. He determined therefore to
bring his theory to the test of experiment. But an object of that magnitude
required the patronage of a prince; and a design so extraordinary met
with all the obstructions that an age of superstition could invent, and
personal jealousy enhance.

It is happy for mankind that, in this instance, a genius capable of
devising the greatest undertakings associated in itself a degree of
patience and enterprise, modesty and confidence, which rendered him
superior to these misfortunes, and enabled him to meet with fortitude all
the future calamities of his life. Excited by an ardent enthusiasm to
become a discoverer of new countries, and fully sensible of the advantages
that would result to mankind from such discoveries, he had the cruel
mortification to wear away eighteen years of his life, after his system
was well established in his own mind, before he could obtain the means of
executing his projected voyage. The greatest part of this period was spent
in successive solicitations in Genoa, Portugal and Spain.

As a duty to his native country he made his first proposal to the senate of
Genoa, where it was soon rejected. Conscious of the truth of his theory,
and of his own abilities to execute his plan, he retired without dejection
from a body of men who were incapable of forming any just ideas upon
the subject, and applied with fresh confidence to John Second, king of
Portugal; who had distinguished himself as the great patron of navigation,
and in whose service Columbus had acquired a reputation which entitled him
and his project to general confidence. But here he experienced a treatment
much more insulting than a direct refusal. After referring the examination
of his scheme to the council who had the direction of naval affairs, and