edge of Asia, to make a barrier between them. By sailing westward across the Atlantic, he would arrive at India; that was his great idea; and its only defect was that he underestimated the size of this ball of the earth, and could not know all that its surface held of lands and seas. He had a marvelous conception, far in advance of his time, and if it did not, as he expected, establish a direct sea route, and insure successful commerce with the rich wonderland of the Far East, it did far greater things to further civilization.
But at the time, Columbus was probably inspired more by desire for wealth and position than by any urge to advance civilization. He became thoroughly convinced that his that his idea was reasonable and feasible, and he set at work to find the financial backing needed for his adventurous plans, a difficult job, for the monied men of that day were no swifter in loosening pursestrings for visionary schemes than they are now. He had many a rebuff, many a derisive laugh at his wild plan of high finance. At last he succeeded in persuading the King and Queen of Spain to supply the needed funds in return for Spanish dominion over any lands he might discover. Nor did Columbus overlook his own ambitions. It was agreed
