A. The Assyrian: founded at Babylon, on the Euphrates, by Nimrod, the grandson of Ham, A. M. 1800. Q. Where does the river Euphrates empty ?-(See map of Asia.) Note. The scholar ought to have a knowledge of Geography before he commences the study of history: therefore the author recommends questioning him in regard to all places and rivers mentioned in the history. Q. Which was the second universal empire? A. The second universal empire was the Persian; founded by Cyrus upon the ruins of the Median and Babylonian kingdoms, A. M. 3468. Q. Which was the third universal empire? A. The third universal empire was the Grecian; founded by Alexander the Great, 330 B. C. Q. Why was Alexander called the Great? A. He was called the Great, not on account of his virtues, but on account of his natural valor, and the great success of his arms. Q. Which was the fourth universal empire? A. The Roman; founded by Romulus, B. C. 753. A. Because they extended over the greatest part of the then known world. Q. When was the foundation of the present French empire laid? A. About the year A. D. 481, by a German nation, under Clovis. Q. At what period did Portugal become a kingdom? A. It became a kingdom about the middle of the twelfth century. Q. Where is Portugal, and how is it bounded?-(See map of Europe.) Q. At what period did the Romans first invade Britain? A. Fifty-five years before the Christian era. Note. Columbus was the first European that set foot in the new world. He landed in a rich dress, and with a drawn sword in his hand: his men followed, and all kneeled, and kissed the ground they had so long desired to sec. Discovery of America by Christopher Columbus. THE most considerable part of the discoveries of man have been owing to chance; that of the New World was solely the fruit of genius and reasoning. COLUMBUS, from that justness of mina and reasoning which mathematical knowledge gives, calculated very justly, that if our earth was a globe, which he thought beyond a doubt, we knew yet only a part of it, and that in setting out from Europe, and steering always towards the west, he must either meet with new lands or arrive at the eastern coasts of Asia. Struck with this fortunate and equally simple idea, he successively addressed himself to Genoa, his country, to France, England, and Portugal, every where soliciting for the means to be able to execute what he had conceived; but every where he was repulsed as a madman; so much have old errors the advantage over new truths. Lastly, the perseverance of Columbus, after eight years of solicitation, succeeded with Isabelia of Castile. He set out in 1492, with some small vessels given up to his solicitations, more than confided to his wisdom; and after a navigation of thirty-three days, during which interval the continual mutiny of his crew, who looked upon him as mad, had exposed him to continual danger, he landed at one of the Bahamas, which his personal situation induced him to call St. Salvador; for he must infallibly have perished by the hands of his crew, if he had not at last found land. From this little island, Columbus landed on another, greater and more populous, abounding in gold and productions of all sorts; it was called Haiti; he gave it the name of Hispaniola; it is the same which we now call St. Domingo, The fortunate admiral returned then to Europe. Let us judge, if we can, of his joy, his satisfaction, his glory, when his first word proclaimed to the ancient world, the existence of a new one. It is related that his debarkation was a true delirium, and his route through Spain, a triumph. This is the history of the true discovery of America. The good, honest, and worthy Columbus died in Spain in 1506, after four successive voyages, intermixed with every thing the most bitter that envy, disgust, ingratitude, and injustice can present. HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. CHAPTER I. DISCOVERY. Q. By whom was America discovered? A. By Christopher Columbus. Q. Of what country was Columbus a native? Q. Where is Genoa?" A. In Italy. Q. What led him to suppose that there was another continent to discover? A. He conceived that another continent must necessarily exist, that the globe might be properly balanced, with a due proportion of land and water. Q. With what did he suppose this continent was connected? A. With the East Indies. Q. By whom was he assisted in the undertaking? A. The year 1492. Q. What land did he first reach ? A. One of the Bahama Islands, named by him St. Salvadore. Q. Can you tell how this island is situated?—(See map of the West Indies.) Q. How many voyages did Columbus make to the new world? A. Four. Q. In which of them did he discover the continent? A. In the third. Q. Where? A. At the mouth of the river Oronoco, in the north part of South America. t Q. What discoveries did he make in his fourth voyage A. He discovered the harbor of Porto Bello and the Gulf of Darien. Q. When and by whom was Greenland discovered? Q. Is Greenland a part of the continent? A. Late discoveries render it probable that it is separated from the continent. Q. Why was the country called America? A. It was called America after Amerigo Vespucci, who was sent out the year after Columbus had reached the continent, to explore, still farther, the new regions; his description of them was the first published, and they, in consequence, gradually received his name. Q. How were the discoveries of Columbus limited? A. In 1496 he explored the coast of Labrador, and in 1497 discovered Newfoundland. Q. Which is the oldest city in America? A. Mexico, built by the Spaniards in 1521. Q. Who first sailed round the world? A. Sir Francis Drake. Q. What effect had this enterprise on the English nation? A. It impressed them with a just sense of their own abilities and courage, as equal to any undertaking. Q. By whom was the Pacific Ocean first entered? A. Magellan, a native of Portugal, then in the service of Spain, through the straits which bear his name. Q. Where are the straits of Magellan ?-(See map of South America.) Q. How long after the discovery of America, before any permanent English settlement was made? A. 115 years. Q. In what years were the first English settlements attempted? A. In the years 1583, 1584, and 1585. |