Such is His custom.

I have shown thee what thy Creator hath done for thee, and what He doeth for all.

The present is the reward of the toils and perils thou hast endured in serving others.' I heard this," adds Columbus, "as one almost dead, and had no power to reply to words so true, excepting to weep for my errors.

Whoever it was that spoke to me finished by saying, 'Fear not! All these tribulations are written in marble, and not without cause.'" [Footnote 23: A sarcasm to "catch the conscience of the king."] RELIGIOUS ENTHUSIASM.
"Though this be madness, there is method in it;" but still, the whole character of Columbus forbids us to assume that this alleged vision was merely an ingenious device for remonstrating with the Sovereigns.

It must not be forgotten that in those times the popular belief as to such matters was very different from that which obtains now; and that Columbus was as credulous as his contemporaries on the subject of the supernatural.