ABOARD THE YACHT "HALLENA"
Before leaving Paris Colonel Harris was solicitous that his son Alfonso
should accompany him to Rome, and Leo urged the artistic advantage of a
trip to Italy, but Alfonso had attractions in Holland of which the father
knew not. Leo, of course, had his suspicion, but did not wish to betray
his friend, and so Alfonso returned to the Netherlands ostensibly to
study art.
Before leaving New York it was frequently stated by Leo that when he
reached Rome he hoped to be able to even up favors with Alfonso by a
series of visits among his relatives, the famous Colonna family. While
Leo regretted seriously to lose this opportunity, he was quick to see
that the change of plans would leave him much in Lucille's company, the
thing that gave him most pleasure. Lucille before leaving Harrisville had
a severe attack of the grip, and Mrs. Harris hoped the journey abroad
would prove beneficial to her health.
The ocean voyage had brought the roses back to her cheeks, but the
railway trips, the over-work of sight-seeing, and especially the
excitement of the Paris wedding, had renewed frequent complaints of heart
difficulty, and at night Lucille was restless and failed to secure
satisfactory sleep. Of course the mother was anxious, and was glad when
the express arrived at Nice, on the Mediterranean. Fortunately this was
not the fashionable season, so quiet quarters were secured overlooking
the terraced promenade, the small harbor open to the southeast, and the
smooth sea beyond. Here Mrs. Harris hoped that her daughter would
speedily recover her health.
Nice is charmingly situated in a small plain near the French frontier at
the foot of the triple-ridged mountains, which shelter the city on the
north and east against northern winds, while the river Paglion bounds
Nice on the west. Far beyond stretch the snow-clad peaks of the Maritime
Alps.
In the cold season thousands of foreigners, especially the English, visit
this winter paradise. On the high background are Roman ruins and an old
castle enclosed by bastioned walls; leading to two squares, one of which
is surrounded with porticoes, are streets embellished with theater,
public library, baths, and handsome homes that are frescoed externally.
In Nice the patriot Garibaldi first saw the light, and just above the
town on a sunny hillside lies buried the illustrious Gambetta.
Lucille was soon able to sit on the portico and watch the vessels in the
harbor come and go, also parties of excursionists in pleasure boats, and
well dressed people in the shade of the great palms on the adjacent
promenade. Thus hours went pleasantly by while Leo often played
delightfully on his guitar.
Few if any places in the world are like the Riviera where in winter
months royalty and aristocracy gather. Here come the gay world of fashion
and the delicate in health to beg of death a respite of a few more days.
The physician in attendance upon Lucille advised much outdoor air, and
frequent coach rides along the shore were taken to Cannes, to Monaco, and
Mentone.
In the seaport town of Cannes, a bright gem set in groves of olives and
oranges, Napoleon landed from Elba on the first of March, 1815. The
tri-color of France was again thrown to the breeze, and en route to Paris
Napoleon received on every hand the renewed allegiance of officers and
garrisons. The French were wild with excitement, but Europe was filled
with amazement. Again France was conquered without the shedding of blood,
a victory unparalleled in history.
Lucille particularly enjoyed the ride of eight miles east along the
peaceful Mediterranean, also the visit to Monaco, capital of the
principality of its own name, with an area of about 34,000 acres. Monaco
is beautifully situated on a promontory in the sea, and has an attractive
palace and cultivated terraces. The ruling prince resides here six months
and at Paris the other six months.
Monte Carlo is a veritable bit of paradise so far as nature and art can
work wonders. Around this famous gambling resort grow aloes, orange
trees, and tufted palms. Within the handsome casino weak humanity of all
nationalities is allured by glittering promises of wealth. No wonder
a dozen or more suicides occur every month.
It was three o'clock on the sixth day of the stay at Nice, when Colonel
Harris sitting on the porch of the hotel and using a marine glass,
discovered to the southwest a tiny craft rapidly approaching Nice. For
three days he had been anxiously watching and waiting for the arrival of
the "Hallena," built at Harrisville for the son of his special friend Mr.
Harry Hall.
Before leaving Paris, Harry Hall Jr. had invited the colonel's family to
coast along the Mediterranean in his new yacht. It was arranged that the
"Hallena" should touch at Nice and take aboard the colonel's family.
Young Mr. Hall was to rejoin his yacht at Gibraltar, and doubtless he was
now aboard.
The colonel grew nervous as he observed the approach of the little boat.
It had been agreed between Harris and Hall that the yacht would fly the
Union Jack at the bow, the national banner at the flag-staff, and a
streamer bearing the yacht's name at the mast-head.
As the colonel again wiped the dust from his glasses, Lucille said,
"Father, please let me try the glass, perhaps my eyes are better." While
Lucille eagerly looked toward the yacht, Leo watched every motion, as the
mention of young Hall's name in connection with his great wealth had
awakened jealousy in his heart.
Suddenly Lucille shouted, "There she is! I can see the stars and stripes;
how welcome is the dear old flag, we see it abroad so rarely!"
"Hasten, Leo," said the colonel, "and ask the hotel proprietor to raise
the stars and stripes over his hotel."
Colonel Harris had promised Mr. Hall to do this, and so advise him where
the Harris family were stopping. No sooner was the red, white, and blue
given to the breeze above the hotel, than a puff of white smoke was seen
on the yacht, and then came the report of a gun in response to Harris's
flag signal. Bills were paid at once, and the Harrises took carriage down
to the landing. As the "Hallena" glided in between the piers, she was as
graceful as a swan, or as Leo expressed it, "as pretty as a pirate."
Harris himself when at home saw the yacht launched, and he was as proud
of her behavior then as were the officers of the Harrisville Ship
Building Company.
The yacht had now approached so near that Colonel Harris and Harry Hall
saluted each other, and in five minutes the Harris and Hall parties were
exchanging cordial greetings on the deck of the "Hallena." "Captain
Hall," as Harry was known at sea, was very cordial to all. Colonel Harris
was glad again to meet some of his old Harrisville business friends.
Luke Henley and wife were of the Hall party. He was stout, resolute, and
ambitious; his wife womanly and well dressed. Henley early learned that
money was power. Combining what he fell heir to with his wife's fortune,
and what he had made by bold ventures in the steel, ore, and coal trade,
he was enabled to live in a fine villa, overlooking the water, and to
carry on an immense business on the inland lakes.
His business, however, was used as a cover to his real designs in life.
Influential in the local politics of Harrisville he had experienced the
keen pleasure of wielding the silver sceptre of power, and he longed not
only to be the "power behind the throne," but to sit on the throne itself
and guide the Ship of State.
Major Williams also was one of the "Hallena" party. He was young,
slender, and had a cheerful smile for everybody. He had climbed to the
presidency of the Harrisville Bank which had thousands of depositors, and
which wielded a gigantic financial power.
It was decided not to start for Genoa till the next morning. Dinner was
soon announced and Captain Hall offered his arm to Lucille, whom he
placed at his right hand, and Mrs. Harris at his left. The dinner hour
and part of the evening were spent in pleasant reminiscences of what
each had seen since leaving Harrisville. The marriage of George Ingram
and Gertrude was also a suggestive topic, and many agreeable things were
spoken. Captain Hall was present at the Paris wedding, and it was the
stately beauty of Lucille more than all else that prompted him to invite
the Harrises to take the Mediterranean cruise.
Some of the mothers of fine daughters in Harrisville had exhausted their
wits in trying to entrap Harry Hall, who was impartially attentive to
all, but was never known to pay marked attention to any young lady. That
Captain Hall should overlook the other women on the yacht, and place
Lucille at his right hand was so marked that Major Williams after dinner,
lighting his cigar, said, "Henley, why wouldn't Harry and Lucille make a
good match?" "Lucille is a beautiful girl," was all Henley said, and as
the lights of Nice disappeared, the "Hallena" party retired for the
night.
An early breakfast was ordered as everybody wished to be early on deck to
witness the yacht's departure for Genoa. As the "Hallena" responded to
her helm, the United States consul at Nice hoisted and lowered the flag
thrice, as a _bon voyage_ to the American yacht, and the consul queried
whether the American statesman was yet born who was wise enough to
introduce and maintain such a national policy as would multiply his
country's commerce and flag on the sea. Patriotic Americans stopping at
Monaco also responded with flag and gun, as the "Hallena" steamed swiftly
away.
The sun had reached the zenith, when Captain Hall sighted Genoa, and he
called Lucille to stand with him on the bridge. "Superb Genoa! Worthy
birthplace of our Columbus," said Lucille.
"Yes," said Harry, "Genoa is older than Borne; she was the rival of
Venice, and the mother of colonies."
As the "Hallena" approached this strongly fortified city of northern
Italy, the capacious harbor was a forest of masts, and a crazy-quilt of
foreign flags, but not one ship was flying the stars and stripes, a fact
which saddened the hearts of the tourists. The "Hallena" steamed past the
lighthouse and moles that protect the harbor, and all the guests of
Captain Hall stood on the forward deck admiring the city with its
palaces, churches, white blocks, and picturesque villas that occupy land
which gradually rises and recedes from the bay.
On landing, the officials were very courteous, and gave Captain Hall and
his party no trouble when it was learned that that "Hallena" brought
travelers only. The Genoese are very proud of their city and its past
history, and they are courteous to Americans, especially so since the
Columbian World's Fair.
The tourists found the streets in the older part of Genoa narrow, seldom
more than ten feet wide, with lofty buildings on either side. But in the
new portions, especially on the wide Strada Nuova and the Strada Balbi,
the palaces and edifices present fine architecture.
Nearly a day was spent in driving about Genoa with its flower-crowned
terraces. It was after five o'clock when the party stood before the noble
statue of Columbus recently dedicated in a prominent square filled with
palms and flowering shrubs, and near the principal railway station. Here
the statue welcomes the coming and speeds the parting guest. Its design
is admirable. Surmounting a short shaft is Columbus leaning upon an
anchor, and pointing with his right hand to the figure of America; below
him are discerned encircling the shaft ornaments symbolic of Columbus's
little fleet, while other statues represent science, religion, courage,
and geography; between them are scenes in bass-relief of his adventurous
career.
Dinner was taken aboard the yacht as it steamed away from Genoa. The
flowers that Harry had bought for Lucille's stateroom she thoughtfully
placed on the table, and with the porcelain they added artistic effect.
The day's experiences were reviewed, and, as the appetizing courses
were served, the conversation drifted back to the World's Columbian Fair
which all had attended. Many of the wonders of the "White City" were
recounted, and Henley in his off-hand manner repeated a compliment
which was paid by a cultivated Parisian who visited the Fair. The
Frenchman said that at the last Paris Exposition, he saw immense and
unsightly structures, such as one might expect to find in far-off
Chicago, but that at the Columbian World's Fair, he beheld buildings
such as his own artistic Paris and France should have furnished; that the
Columbian Fair was an artistic triumph that had never been paralleled
except in the days of imperial Rome by her grand temples, palaces,
arches, bridges, and statues.
"The Parisian is right, and he pays America a most deserved compliment.
Never was so elegant a panorama enrolled as at Chicago," responded
Colonel Harris.
"You are correct, Colonel," said Captain Hall, "the triumph of our
Exposition was largely due to the masterly supervision which evoked
uniformity of design and harmonious groupings by employing only those
of our architects, sculptors, painters, and landscape gardeners, who
possessed the highest skill."
Leo ventured to add that the "White City" seemed to him dream-like and
that under the magical influence of Columbus, as patron-saint, all
nationality, creed, and sex, were harmoniously blended in ideal beauty
and grandeur.
Lucille, who had just sipped the last of her chocolate, also bore
testimony, and Harry watched her admiringly as she said, "At times,
especially in the evening, when thousands of incandescent lights outlined
the Court of Honor with its golden Goddess of the Republic and the
façades, turrets, and domes, it seemed to some of us as if we had stepped
out upon a neighboring planet, where civilization and art had been
purified, or that the veil was lifted and we were gazing upon the
glories of the New Jerusalem."
The ladies now sought the deck of the "Hallena," and were soon followed
by the gentlemen, who smoked their fragrant Havanas, enjoying every
moment's vacation from business anxieties at home. The yacht, like a
slender greyhound, in charge of the first officer was swiftly running
towards the Isle of Elba, en route to Naples. The stars never shone more
brilliantly in the Italian sky, and land breezes were mingling their rich
odors with the salt sea air.
The spell of Columbus's great discovery stirred the soul of Harry Hall.
Holding his half-smoked cigar, he repeated the familiar couplet,
"Man's inhumanity to man
Makes countless thousands mourn."
"Strange that four centuries go by before even Genoa erects his monument,
which we have admired to-day; though monuments to the memory of Columbus
have been erected in many cities, yet, how tardy the world was to
appreciate the value of Columbus's discovery, a third of the land of the
globe. How pitiful the last days of Columbus, who, old and ill, returning
in 1504 from his fourth voyage to the new world, found his patroness
Isabella dying, and Ferdinand heartless. With no money to pay his bills,
Columbus died May 20th, 1505, in poor quarters at Valladolid, his last
words being, 'Into thy hands, O Lord, I commit my spirit.' It is now
natural perhaps that many cities should claim his birth and his bones."
"Yes," said Lucille, "how encouraging some of the world's kind epitaphs
would be if they were only spoken before death came. Two hemispheres now
eagerly study the inspiring story of Columbus's faith, courage,
perseverance, and success."
Henley said, "Captain Hall, you are young yet, but by the time you reach
my age you will have little use for the sentiment young people so often
indulge in. When New York tries her hand with expositions she will
doubtless deal with facts. The truth is, Columbus was human like the
rest of us, and followed in the wake of others for his own personal
aggrandizement. He was not the first man to discover America. The
Norsemen antedated him by five centuries."
"What if the Norsemen did first discover America?" said Colonel Harris.
"The discoveries of the vikings were not utilized by civilization. It is
held by the courts that a patent is valid only in the name of the
inventor who first gives the invention a useful introduction. Columbus's
discovery was fortunately made at a time when civilization was able with
men and money to follow up and appropriate its advantages."
"The true discoverer of America," said Henley, "I believe to be Jean
Cousin, a sea captain of Dieppe, France, who crossed the Atlantic and
sailed into the Amazon River in 1488, four years before Columbus reached
San Salvador. Then Spain, Portugal, the States of the Church, Ferdinand,
Isabella, and Columbus attempted to rob Cousin of his bold adventure. In
brief these are the facts: Jean Cousin was an able and scientific
navigator. In 1487 his skill so contributed in securing a naval victory
for the French over the English that the reward for his personal valor
was the gift of an armed ship from the merchants of Dieppe, who expected
him to go forth in search of new discoveries.[A]
[Footnote A: _The True Discovery of America._ Captain R.N. Gambier.
_Fortnightly Review_, January 1, 1894.]
"In January, 1488, Cousin sailed west out into the Atlantic, and south,
for two months with Vincent Pinzon a practical sailor, second in command.
He sailed up the Amazon River, secured strange birds, feathers, spices,
and unknown woods, and returned to the coast of Africa for a cargo of
ivory, oil, skins, and gold dust. Pinzon quarreled with the natives,
fired upon them, and seized some of their goods, so that they fled and
would not come back to him. He thus lost a valuable return cargo. At
Dieppe the merchants were enraged; Pinzon was tried by court martial for
imperilling the trade of Africa, and banished from French soil. He
thirsted for revenge and went back to Palos to tell his brothers Alonzo
and Martin, shipowners, of the mighty Amazon; often they speculated as to
the vast lands which the Amazon drained.
"Columbus, discouraged, ridiculed, and begging his way, started out to
meet at Huelva his brother-in-law and secure promised help, so that he
could visit France. Suddenly he changed his route, stopped at the little
convent La Rabida, met Juan Perez, who knew Queen Isabella, and Fernandez
the priest, the latter a close friend of the three Pinzon brothers.
Columbus got what he wanted at court, returned to Palos, and with the
Pinzon brothers sailed west, with Vincent Pinzon, Cousin's shipmate, as
pilot. The conclusion that Jean Cousin, and not Columbus first discovered
America, seems irresistible. Pope Alexander VI., by Papal bull, had
already divided all the new discoveries made, between Catholic Spain and
Portugal. Dieppe and France were in the Pope's black books. What chance
of recognition had Cousin against Columbus, the protégé of this Pope?"
"You seem to win your case," said Major Williams, "what romance in
history will be left us? William Tell is now a myth, and Washington's
little hatchet story is no more."
Lucille quieted Leo with a smile, cigars were thrown overboard, the light
on the Isle of Elba was visible, and all retired for the night, while the
alert yacht, like a whirring night-hawk, flew on towards Naples.
On the yacht "Hallena" early to bed and early to rise was an unwritten
law. By six o'clock next morning, breakfast had been served, and the
tourists were on deck with glasses, each anxious to discover objects of
interest. During the night busy Leghorn on the coast, and Pisa, and
Florence up the Arno, were left behind. Leo was proud of sunny and
artistic Italy and he much desired that Lucille should see at Pisa the
famous white marble leaning tower, with its beautiful spiral colonnades;
its noble cathedral and baptistry, the latter famous for its wonderful
echo, and the celebrated cemetery made of earth brought from the Holy
Land. At Florence she should see the stupendous Duomo, with the
Brunelleschi dome that excited the emulation of Michael Angelo; the
bronze gates of Ghiberti, "worthy to be the gates of paradise," and the
choice collections of art in the Pitti Palace and the Uffizi Gallery
connected by Porte Vecchio. But Leo contented himself with the thought
that when the yacht episode was over, and Harry Hall had passed out of
sight, he could then take Lucille over Italy to enjoy a thousand-and-one
works of art, including masterpieces by such artists as Michael Angelo,
Raphael, Titian, Correggio, Guido, and others.
Lucille had studied art in Boston, and she was fond of Leo because he
passionately loved art and could assist her. She began to comprehend what
Aristotle meant when he defined art as "the reason of the thing, without
the matter," or Emerson, "the conscious utterance of thought, by speech,
or action, to any end."