AMERICA.                     49

graphy, Astronomy, and the art of Drawing. Thus
qualified, he went to sea at the age of fourteen, and began
his career on that element, which conducted him to so
much glory, and proved so interesting to mankind in
general and to the inhabitants of Europe in particular.
  As his early voyages were confined to those ports in
the Mediterranean, which were frequented by his country-
men, the Genoese, his active mind could not be satisfied,
until he had made an excursion to the northern seas and
visited the coasts of Iceland, to which the English and
other nations had begun to resort on account of its fish-
eries. The fame which was now acquired in navigation,
excited such emulation among the more enterprising mar-
iners, that Columbus ventured to proceed several degrees
within the polar circle and' advanced beyond that island,
which is called the Thule of the ancients. Having satis-
fied his curiosity by this voyage, which tended more to en-
large his knowledge of naval affairs, than to improve his
fortune, he entered into the service of a famous sea cap-
tain of his owe. name and family. This man commanded
a small squadron, with which he curised sometimes
against the Mahometans, sometimes against the Venetians,
the rivals of his country in trade. With him Columbus
continued several years, no less distinguished for his
courage, than for his experience as a sailor. At length,
in an obstinate engagement off the coast of Portugal,
with some Venetian caravals, returning richly laden from
the Low Countries, the vessel on board which he served
took fire, together with one of the enemy's ships to which
it was fast grappled. In this dreadful extremity his in-
trepidity and presence of mind did not forsake him.
He threw himself into the sea, laid hold of a floating oar,
and by support of it, and his own dexterity in swimming,
he reached the shore, though above two leagues distant,
and saved a life reserved for great undertakings.
   Cjwnmbus immediately repaired to the court of Portugal,
where they conceived such a favourable opinion oi4his
merit, as well as his talents, that they warmly solicited
                          5*