of his father's fame by that of Vespucci in Europe
outside of Spain.

The four discoverers-- Columbus, John Cabot, Se-
bastian Cabot, and Amerigo Vespucci--have fared
variously at the hands of modern historical criticism.
John Cabot has been raised from almost complete
obscurity to become a prominent but still shadowy
figure. Sebastian Cabot has been pulled down from
the lofty pedestal which he apparently erected for
himself, his veracity is impugned, his scientific at-
tainments disputed, and his lack of filial piety ex-
posed to a glaring light. Around Vespucci the
storms of controversy have raged for three centuries
and a half, and he has suffered from them like
Sebastian Cabot. His claims for himself have not
stood the test. While he has been cleared of
complicity in having his name attached to the New
World, it is generally accepted that he antedated
his first voyage to secure a distinction which did not
belong to him, and that his narratives unduly exalt
himself at the expense of others equally entitled to
honor. The position of Columbus alone has not
been materially affected by the modern scrutiny
into his career. Opinion has differed about his
character, but the record of his achievements has
been unshaken and the estimate of its significance
has risen rather than fallen.

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