Hemlock.
"Let me now ask your attention," resumed Valentine, "to the same mystic
style of treatment, as carried from the sky into the sea. Writhing
defeated behind Columbus's ship, in the depths of the transparent
Atlantic, you have shadowy types of the difficulties and enemies that
the dauntless navigator had to contend with. Crushed headlong into the
waters, sinks first the Spirit of Superstition, delineated by monastic
robes--the council of monks having set itself against Columbus from the
very first. Behind the Spirit of Superstition, and impersonated by a
fillet of purple grapes around her head, descends the Genius of
Portugal--the Portuguese having repulsed Columbus, and having
treacherously sent out frigates to stop his discovery, by taking him
prisoner. The scaly forms entwined around these two, represent Envy,
Hatred, Malice, Ignorance, and Crime generally; and thus the mystic
element is, so to speak, led through the sea out of the picture."
(Another pause. Nobody said a word, but everybody was relieved by the
final departure of the mystic element.)
"All that now remains to be noticed," continued Mr. Blyth, "is the
central portion of the composition, which is occupied by Columbus and
his ships, and which represents the scene as it may actually be
supposed to have occurred.
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