fe as that of Las
Casas, all words of eulogy seem weak and frivolous. The
historian can only bow in reverent awe before a figure which
is in some respects the most beautiful and sublime in the
annals of Christianity since the Apostolic age. When now and
then in the course of the centuries God's providence brings
such a life into this world, the memory of it must be
cherished by mankind as one of its most precious and sacred
possessions. For the thoughts, the words, the deeds of such
men there is no death; the sphere of their influence goes on
widening forever. They bud, they blossom, they bear fruit,
from age to age."

OF THE ISLAND OF CUBA

From 'A Relation of the First Voyage'

The Spaniards passed, in the year 1511, into the Island of Cuba, which
contains as much ground in length as from Valladolid to Rome. There
were formerly fine and flourishing provinces to be seen, filled with
vast numbers of people, who met with no milder or kinder treatment
from the Spaniards than the rest. On the contrary, they seemed to have
redoubled their cruelty upon those people. There happened divers
things in this island that deserve to be remarked. A rich and potent
Cacique named Hatbuey was retired to the Island of Cuba to avoid that
slavery and death with which the Spaniards menaced him; and being
informed that his persecutors were upon the point of landing in this
island, he assembled all his subjects and domestics together, and made
a speech to 'em after this manner:--"You know," said he, "the report
that is spread abroad that the Spaniards are ready to invade this
island; and you are not ignorant of the ill usage our friends and
countrymen have met with at their hands, and the cruelties they have
committed at Hayei." (So Hispaniola is called in their language.)
"They are now coming hither with a design to exercise the same
outrages and persecutions upon us. Are you ignorant," says he, "of the
ill intentions of the people of whom I am speaking?" "We know not,"
say they all with one voice, "upon what account they come hither, but
we know they are a very wicked and cruel people." "I'll tell you
then," replied the Cacique, "that these Europeans worship a very
covetous sort of god, so that 'tis difficult to satisfy him; and to
perform the worship they render to this idol, they'll exact immense
treasures of us, and will use their utmost endeavor to reduce us to a
miserabl