The other figure symbolizes the Spirit
of Royal Patronage, impersonated by Queen Isabella, Columbus's warm
friend and patron, who offered her jewels to pay his expenses, and who,
throughout his perilous voyage, was with him in spirit, as here
represented. The tawny figure with feathered head, floating hair, and
wildly-extended pinions, soaring upward from the western horizon,
represents the Genius of America advancing to meet her great
discoverer; while the shadowy countenances, looming dimly through the
morning mist behind her, are portrait-types of Washington and Franklin,
who would never have flourished in America, if that continent had not
been discovered, and who are here, therefore, associated prophetically
with the first voyagers from the Old World to the New."
Pausing once more, Mr. Blyth used his explanatory wand freely on the
Spirit of Discovery, the Spirit of Royal Patronage, and the Genius of
America--not forgetting an indicative knock a-piece for the embryo
physiognomies of Washington and Franklin. Everybody's eyes followed the
progress of the wand vacantly; but nobody spoke, except Mr. Hemlock,
who frowned and whispered--"Bosh!" to Mr. Bullivant; who smiled, and
whispered--"Quite so," to Mr.
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