that each hemisphere contains a large extent of land, one being called the Eastern Continent and the other the Western Continent. 2. The Western Continent.-Now, although we know of events that happened in the Eastern Continent thousands of years ago, scarcely anything was known of the Western Continent, or of its inhabitants, until about four hundred years ago. Previous to that time, people knew only of parts of Europe, Asia, and Africa, and of the latter chiefly those parts that lie on or near the Mediterranean Sea. 3. The Northmen, or Normans. In the northern part of Europe, in a country called Norway, there lived about a thousand years ago, a very bold and hardy race of people, who built small ships in which they sallied forth and made voyages to distant countries. They were fierce warriors as well as seamen. No dangers, either of the land or the ocean, could daunt them. As they lived in the north, they were called Northmen, Norsemen, or Normans. 4. Discovery of Greenland. Some of these people, between eight and nine centuries ago, venturing a long way out on the ocean, came to the island of Iceland, and afterwards discovered that part of America which is called Greenland, where they made settlements. But these, after flourishing more than a hundred years, perished, and were almost entirely forgotten. It is certain, also, that the Northmen visited Labrador, Newfoundland, and, perhaps, New England, and that the last named they called Vineland, from the abundance of grapes which they found there.* * They called the land Vineland (or Vinland), by reason of the grapes and a kind land. The story goes that Lief, the Fortunate, almost as soon as he landed, missed a little old German servant of his father, Tyrker by name, and was vexed thereat: during the night he seeks him, and meets him Text Questions.-1. What are the Continents? 2. When did the Western Continent become known? What was known of the Eastern Continent? What of Africa? 3. Who were the Northmen ? What was their character? Why were they called Northmen, or Normans? 4. How were Iceland and Greenland discovered? When were settlements made? What other places did the Northmen visit? What country did they call Vineland? 5. Progress of Geography.-But there came a time, long after the voyages of these daring Northmen, when people began to desire to know what was on the other side of the great ocean which washed the shores of their countries. Bold navigators arose who studied geography, made maps and charts of the seas over which they had sailed, and tried to find a way by which they might learn more of the surface of the globe on which they lived. In these efforts they were greatly aided by the mariner's compass, which had recently come into use. 6. The Shape of the Earth. Most people would not believe that the earth was a globe. They thought it was flat, and that if any one should sail across the ocean, he might come to the end of the earth, and would be in danger of falling off. The men of science, however, were of a different opinion: they believed the earth to be round, and they wished to learn more about its surface; but these men were comparatively very few. CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS. coming back with smacking lips, and talking highly excited in his old na tive German tongue; and when they got him to talk Norse, he said, 'I have news for you. I found vines and grapes for you.' 'Is this true, foster father?' 'It is,' says the German, for I was brought up where there was never a lack of grapes!""-Charles Kingsley. 5. How was progress made in Geography? By what were navigators aided? 6. What was thought of the shape of the earth? What did the men of science be lieve? 7. Who was Christopher Columbus? His studies and voyages? His project to sail westward? Its object? the bold project of sailing westward across the vast ocean, where no ships had ever before been known to go. The object of this undertaking was to find a short way to a certain rich country in the southeastern part of Asia and the islands near it, called India, or the Indies. 8. The Indies-the route to it. Many persons had already gone to this country and these islands, and had brought back very exciting accounts of the riches to be found there, as well as of the singular character of the people, the animals, the plants, etc.* A considerable commerce was carried on with these countries; and rich silks, precious stones, spices, and other valuable products were brought thence; but the journey to and from the Indies was long and dangerous. Vessels sailed through the Mediterranean Sea to the northeastern part of Africa, where they were unladen, and the goods were carried on the backs of camels across the Isthmus of Suez, and thence again by ship down the Red Sea, and through the Indian Ocean to the Indies. Sometimes the goods were carried overland through Asia, with great labor, difficulty, and expense. 9. Cities made rich by trade with India.-Venice, Florence, and Genoa, cities in the northern part of Italy, actively engaged in this trade with the East, and thus became the chief marts for all the rich merchandise. They consequently became very rich and prosperous, and excited the envy of other cities and nations, who greatly desired to share in this profitable trade. This they felt they would be able to do, if another way to reach the Indies could be found. *The first and most extensive traveler among the eastern nations was Marco Polo, a Venetian, who passed seventeen years in the service of the Khan of Tartary, during which he visited the chief countries and cities of Eastern Asia, among them Japan, the existence of which was not previously known. He returned to Venice in 1295; and subsequently a very interesting account of his travels was written, which had a wonderful effect in encourag ing geographical research. It led to the two great discoveries of America, by Columbus; and of the Cape of Good Hope, by the Portuguese. 8. What is said of the Indies? The route thither? 9. What cities engaged in the trade? What did other cities desire? 10. The Portuguese enterprises. The people of Portugal had made great efforts to accomplish this by sailing southwardly along the west coast of Africa, hoping to be able, if they could sail far enough, to find a way around it, and thus render the passage of the Isthmus of Suez unnecessary. The foremost in encouraging this undertaking was Prince Henry of Portugal, who sent out many vessels, one after the other, each of which succeeded in going farther than the preceding one. It was not, however, until after the voyage of Columbus, that any of the Portuguese vessels succeeded in reaching the Cape of Good Hope, and passing around it into the Indian Ocean (1497). 11. Ideas and plan of Columbus.-Columbus believed that the shortest way was to cross the Atlantic Ocean; for, while he knew that the earth was round, he did not know its size, and therefore had the idea that the shores of Asia were on the other side of that ocean, being, of course, ignorant of the fact that a great continent lay between Asia and Europe. He felt sure he was right; and that, if he could obtain the aid he required in order to supply himself with ships and other necessary things for a long voyage, he should make great discoveries. -Most of those to whom The idea that there 12. How his plan was received. he spoke of his plan, laughed at it. could be people on the other side of the earth, walking with their heads downward, seemed to them absurd. Some thought that, since the earth is round, a ship, in going a long way across the ocean, would be sailing down hill, and that it could never return. Others spoke of terrific monsters living in the regions beyond the great sea. Few sailors could be persuaded to think of such a voyage. 13. Why Columbus was confident.—But Columbus was too wise and brave to have any such notions and fears. 10. What had the Portuguese accomplished? What is said of Prince Henry? When was the Cape of Good Hope first passed? 11. What did Columbus believe was the best way to reach India? Why? 12. How was his plan received? What was thought of it? 13. What made Columbus fecl sure that he was right? |