SO DESCRIPTIVE GEOGRAPHY. 
the South, with some French, Portuguese, Germans, Dutch, &e. "The 
negroes are Africans and their descendants, who were purchascd a 
slaves in their native country and brought hither from time to time. 
6. The aboriginal population consists of two distinct races; the 
Ksquimaux* inhabiting the shores and Islands of the Arctic regions. 
and the copper-colourcd Indians who are spread over the rest of the 
continent., 
7. America is called the Western continent, because it lies 
westward of Europe, and the New World {from its recent dis- 
covery. It was unknown to European nations until the year 
1492, when it was discovered by Christopher Columbus, a 
native of Genoa, in Italy, and the most skilful navigator of 
his age, 
8, The great object which thon engaged the attention of the mari 
time nations of Europe, was a passage by sea to the East Indies. 
9. The spherical figure of the earth, which Columbus understood, 
led him to believe that the eastern parts of the world stretehed go far 
towards Europe, that they might be reached in a moderate space of 
time by sailing westward, and he proposed to undertake the voyage. 
10. This project, however, was regarded generally as so visionary, 
that it was only after many years of ardent solicitation, that Ferdinand 
and Isabella, King and Queen of Spain, were induced to patronize the 
undertaking. 
a {me 
T—— 
11. Columbus was furnished by these sovereigns with 
three small vessels, and ninety men, and left Palos, a port on 
the south of Spain, August 3d, 1492, On the 12th of Octo- 
ber following, he discovered Guanahani Island, one of the 
Bahamas, which he named St. Salvador. 
12, He visited at that time several of the adjacent Islands, and re- 
turned fo Spain, where he was received with the greatest honours, He 
made three other successful Voyages of discovery, but was, notwith- 
standing, treated with gross injustice by those who were envious of 
the fame he had acquired: 
Theo Negroes? 6, The Aboriginal population? 7, What is Ame 
rica frequently called? In what ycar was it discovered? Who dis. 
covered it? 8, What great object engaged the attention of the 
zations of Europe at that period? 9, What iden did Columbus can- 
ceive? 10, Who patronizcd him? ‘11. What did they furnish him 
with? When did he leave Spain? When did he discover Guanahani 7 
12, What did he visit at that time? How was he received in Spain 
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