Geronimo Benzoni of Milan, Italy. Born about 1520. From his "History of the New World" (1565).
He was a man of a good, reasonable stature, with sound, strong limbs; of good judgment, high talent, and gentlemanlike aspect. His eyes were bright, his hair red, his nose aquiline, his mouth somewhat large; but above all he was a friend to justice, though rather passionate when angry.
WESTWARD RELIGION'S BANNERS TOOK THEIR WAY.
The Right Rev. George Berkeley, Bishop of Cloyne, Ireland. Born at Kilcrin, Kilkenny, March 12, 1684; died at Oxford, England, January 14, 1754. The author of the celebrated line, "Westward the course of Empire takes its way."
But all things of heavenly origin, like the glorious sun, move westward; and Truth and Art have their periods of shining and of night. Rejoice, then, O venerable Rome, in thy divine destiny! for, though darkness overshadow thy seats, and though thy mitred head must descend into the dust, thy spirit, immortal and undecayed, already spreads toward a new world.
COLUMBUS NO CHANCE COMER.
The Hon. James Gillespie Blaine, one of America's leading statesmen. Born in Washington County, Pa., in 1830.
Columbus was no chance comer. The time was full. He was not premature; he was not late. He came in accordance with a scientifically formed if imperfect theory, whether his own or another's—a theory which had a logical foundation, and which projected logical sequences. * * * Had not Columbus discovered America in 1492, a hundred Columbuses would have discovered it in 1493.
THE CERTAIN CONVICTIONS OF COLUMBUS.
Baron Bonnafoux, a French author. From "La Vie de Christophe Colombe" (1853).