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APPENDIX.
ture on the joys of this sacred abode, elevated to the third region of the air, and under the happiest skies. is furnished to every sense.
There a pure and never-failing pleasure
T h e eye delights in the admirable clearness
of the atmosphere, in the verdure and beauty of the trees, and the neverwithering bloom of the flowers.
T h e ear is regaled with the singing of
the birds, the smell with the aromatic odors of the land. the other senses have each their peculiar enjoyments.
In like manner
There the vicissi
tudes of the seasons are unknown and the climate unites the fruitfulness of summer, the joyful abundance of autumn, and the sweet freshness and quietude of spring.
There the earth is always green, the flowers are
ever blooming, the waters limpid and delicate, not rushing in rude and turbid torrents, but swelling up in crystal fountains, and winding in peace ful and silver streams.
There no harsh and boisterous winds are per
mitted to shake and disturb the air, and ravage the beauty of the groves, there prevails no melancholy, nor darksome weather, no drowning rain, nor pelting hail ; no forked lightning, nor rending and resounding thun der ; no wintry pinching cold, nor withering and panting summer heat ; nor any thing else that can give pain or sorrow or annoyance, but all is bland and gentle and serene ; a perpetual youth and joy reigns throughout all nature, and nothing decays and dies. T h e same idea is given by St. Ambrosius,in his book on Paradise* an author likewise consulted and cited by Columbus.
H e wrote in the fourth
century, and his touching eloquence, and graceful yet vigorous style, in sured great popularity to his writings.
Many of these opinions are cited
by Glanville, usually called Bartholomeus Anglicus, in his work D e Proprietatibus Rerum ; a work with which Columbus was evidently acquainted. It was a species of encyclopedia of the general knowledge current at the time, and was likely to recommend itself to a curious and inquiring voya ger.
This author cites an assertion as made by St. Basilius and St. A m
brosius, that the water of the fountain which proceeds from the garden of Eden falls into a great lake with such a tremendous noise that the inhabitants of the neighborhood are born deaf; and that from this lake proceed the four chief rivers mentioned in Genesis.]
* St. Ambros. Opera.
Edit. Coignard.
Parisiis. M D C X C .
t Paradisus autem in Oriente, in altissimo monte, de cujus cacumine cadentes aquae, maximum faciunt lacum, que in suocasu tantum faciunt strepitum et fragorem, quod omnes ineolee, juxta praedictum lacum, nascuntur surdi, ex immoderato sonitu seu fragore sensum auditus in parvulis corrumpente.
TJt dicit