The landing of Columbus in the New World must ever be a conspicuous fact in the annals of mankind, and it was celebrated by a ceremonial worthy of the occasion.

On the ensuing morning, after the light had been observed from the ships, being a Friday, the 12th of October, 1492, Columbus, clad in complete armour, and carrying in his hand the royal banner of Spain, descended upon the level shores of the small island [San Salvador, one of the Bahamas] which had first greeted him, and which he found to be very fruitful--fresh and verdant, and "like a garden full of trees." The other captains accompanied him, each of them bearing a banner with a green cross depicted upon it, and with the initials of Ferdinand and Isabella surmounted by their respective crowns--a device that well expressed the loyalty and devotion of Columbus, and had been chosen by him.

These chief officers were followed by a large retinue from their crews.

In numerous lines along the shore stood the simple islanders, looking on with innocent amazement.
THEIR GRATITUDE.
On touching land, Columbus and all the Spaniards who were present fell upon their knees, and with tears--tears of that deepest kind which men do not know the cause of--poured forth their "immense thanksgivings to Almighty God." The man who, of all that embassage, if we may call it so, from the Old to the New World, was certainly the least surprised by all he saw, was, at the same time, the most affected.

For thus it is, that the boldness of a great design is never fully appreciated by the designer himself until he has apparently accomplished his work, when he is apt, if it be indeed a great work, to look back with shuddering awe at his own audacity in having proposed it to mankind.