In the Japanese tea-house Philip sat upon a wicker stool, and received a cup of “ceremonial tea,” a half-pound of the tea, a wafer, some sweetmeats, a souvenir, and elaborate courtesy. He also received a ticket entitling him to enter the tea-houses where the cheaper tea was served. After a long rest within this pretty inclosure, Philip took the electric launch to the southern part of the park, where he wandered about, taking an occasional snap-shot, until he felt his legs would no longer submit to be imposed upon. He went home very weary; but he was getting used to that.
THE JAPANESE “HOUSE OF THE PHŒNIX” ON THE WOODED ISLAND.
PORTRAIT OF COLUMBUS, BY LORENZO LOTTO, 1512.
In the Convent of La Rábida. Lent by James W. Ellsworth.
CHAPTER XIV
The Convent of la Rábida — Old Books and Charts — Paintings — A Fortunate Glimpse of the “Santa Maria” — Portraits of Columbus — The Cliff-Dwellers — Cheap Souvenirs — World’s Fairs in General.
AN ANCIENT
CARAVEL.
As has been said, Harry and Mr. Douglass set out for the Convent of Santa Maria de la Rábida, which means “Blessed Mary of the Frontier,” according to the wise men who write guide-books. Appropriately built upon a point of land, it was surrounded by green turf to the shore, where pointed rocks made an irregular wall. Even to one coming through the Court of Honor—an architectural display unequaled—the quiet little convent presented an aspect of quaint simplicity that was full of dignified repose. Its plain walls and low-pitched roof were relieved only by two features that broke the sky-line, a tower and a belfry. Probably its designers thought little or nothing of architectural beauty, and had attained their object when they had made an inclosed court surrounded by small rooms, with one or two large enough for a refectory and chapel.