APPENDIX.
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son, appeared struck with surprise to find I had come quite to Moguer, merely to visit the scene of the embarkation of Columbus ; and still more so on my telling him, that one of my leading objects of curiosity was his own family connection ; for it would seem that the worthy cavalier had troubled his head but little about the enterprises of his ancestors. I now took my seat in the domestic circle, and soon felt myself quite at home, for there is generally a frankness in the hospitality of Spaniards, that soon puts a stranger at his ease beneath their roof. The wife of Don Juan Fernandez was extremely amiable and affable, possessing much of that natural aptness for which the Spanish women are remarkable. In the course of conversation with them I learnt, that Don Juan Fernandez, who is seventy-two years of age, is the eldest of five brothers, all of whom are married, have numerous offspring, and live in Moguer and its vicinity, in nearly the same condition and rank of life as at the time of the dis足 covery. This agreed with what I had previously heard, respecting the families of the discoverers. Of Columbus no lineal and direct decendant exists ; his was an exotic stock which never took deep and lasting root in the country ; but the race of the Pinzons continues to thrive and multi足 ply in its native soil. While I was yet conversing, a gentleman entered, who was introduced to me as Don Luis Fernandez Pinzon, the youngest of the brothers. He appeared between fifty and sixty years of age, somewhat robust, with fair complexion, gray hair, and a frank and manly deportment. He is the only one of the present generation that has followed the ancient profession of the family ; having served with great applause as an officer of the royal navy, from which he retired, on his marriage, about twenty-two years since. He is the one, also, who takes the greatest interest and pride in the historical honors of his house, carefully preserving all the legends and documents of the achievements and distinctions of his family, a manuscript volume of which he lent to me for my inspection. Don Juan now expressed a wish that, during my residence in Moguer, I would make his house my home. I endeavored to excuse myself, alleg足 ing, that the good people at the posada had been at such extraordinary trouble in preparing quarters for me, that I did not like to disappoint them. The worthy old gentleman undertook to arrange all this, and, while sup足 per was preparing, we walked together to the posada. I found that my obliging host and hostess, had indeed exerted themselves to an uncommon degree. An old rickety table had been spread out in a comer of the little room as a bedstead, on top of which was propped up a grand cama