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ships—Genoese carrack—Their corsairs and pirates—The most daring
of the pirates; their terrible fate—Corsairs—Bologna and Ancona—Importance
of Pisa—Her trade with the Saracens, about A.D. 1100;
and ships—Her first great misfortune—Mode of conducting her
trade—Florence—The Florentines ship goods from a port of Pisa—Sale
and transfer of Leghorn, A.D. 1421—First expeditions to Egypt,
Constantinople, and Majorca—Freedom of commercial intercourse
amongst the Florentines—Their frugality, contrasted with their magnificent
public displays—Duties and powers of the board of the "six
consuls of the sea"—Their public vessels, and the trade in which
they were employed—Consular agents—Extent of the Florentine
commerce, and cause of its decline—The smaller states—Decorations
and traditionary emblems of ships—Signals—Manners and customs
of seamen—Their legends—Punishments for gambling and swearing—Superstitions—Manners
and morals, A.D. 1420—General severity
of punishments—Impaling, flogging, &c.—Branding Pages 504-546


CHAPTER XVI.

Spain and Portugal—Importance of their commerce in ancient times;
and its decline during the Middle Ages—Trade with the coasts of
Africa—The maritime discoveries of the Portuguese—Expeditions
along the West Coast of Africa by order of Prince Henry—Discovery
of Madeira, A.D. 1418—Capes Boyador and Blanco, A.D. 1441—Cape
Verde Islands, A.D. 1446, and Azores, A.D. 1449—Equator crossed,
A.D. 1471—John II. of Portugal—First attempt to reach India by
the Cape of Good Hope, A.D. 1487—Ancient dread of the Atlantic—Christopher
Columbus—His ideas of the form of the earth, and love
for maritime discovery—His visit to Lisbon, and treatment by the
Portuguese—His formal proposal in 1480 to the crown of Portugal,
which is referred to a learned junto, who ridicule his idea—He
leaves Lisbon, A.D. 1484; and visits Spain, A.D. 1485—His kind
reception by the prior of the convent of La Rabida—First interview
with the sovereigns of Spain—Its result—The ridicule he endured—Evidences
of an inhabited country to the West of Europe—Orders
given by Ferdinand to provide Columbus with the vessels and stores
necessary for his voyage to the West—Conditions signed 17th April,
1492—Vessels at last provided for the expedition—Their size and
character—Smallness of the expedition—Its departure, 3rd August,
1492—Arrival at the Canary Islands—Great fear and discontent
among the crews—Matters become serious—Contemplated mutiny—Land
discovered 12th October, A.D. 1492—Columbus takes possession
of the island of Guanahani in the name of Spain—The first impressions
of the natives on Columbus 547-581