ocal work of high and romantic interest, peculiarly suited to his pen.

versies and advancing questionable theories. See this Journal, Vol. lxxi. p. 22. VOL. V.-No. III.

19

There are probably many historical students, who have found statements and opinions in Mr. Prescott's former work from which they are inclined to dissent;

History of the Conquest of Mexico. By but we doubt whether any intelligent reader

William H. Prescott.

Three volumes,

has laid down that now before us, without acknowledging it to be one of the most delightful narratives in his recollection.* We regret much that other pressing calls should have thus long delayed the communication of our sentiments regarding it to our ordinary readers.

We shall not pretend to have examined a narrative which has given us so much pleasure, with the keen scrutiny of a severe criticism; but we can conscientiously affirm, that we remember little or nothing in the manner of its execution which we could have wished otherwise. Mr. Prescott appears to us to possess almost every qualification for his task. He has a pure, simple, and eloquent style-a keen relish

MR. PRESCOTT has long been honorably known as author of one of the most valuable historical works produced in the present age. He has here undertaken a task, less arduous perhaps to himself, but certainly not less interesting to his readers. He has fixed upon one of those great and romantic episodes which are so frequent in the history of the Middle Ages; has made himself thoroughly acquainted with its particulars; and has embodied these in a narrative, which, considered merely as a work of amusement, will bear comparison with the best romances in the language. The 'Conquest of Mexico' is probably of less importance as a collection of facts, and of less merit as an intellectual effort, than the The wish has more than once been felt by "History of Ferdinand and Isabella;' but us, that Mr Prescott would turn his thoughts to we think it even more secure of universal a History of the Spanish Expeditions in quest of popularity. It is impossible to write a El Dorado-a subject quite untouched as a whole, masterly history of the first nation in Eu- and which, with its collateral inquiries and results, would form a Historical work of high and rope for forty years, without raising contro-romantic interest, peculiarly suited to his pen. versies and advancing questionable theories. See this Journal, Vol. lxxi. p. 22. VOL. V.-No. III. 19

for the picturesque-a quick and discerning | and in rousing the curiosity of such as are judgment of character-and a calm, gener- less fortunate. ous, and enlightened spirit of philanthropy. There is no exaggeration in asserting that

*

Towards the southern extremity of the his Conquest of Mexico' combines-some North American Continent, close to its allowance, where that is necessary, being termination in the Isthmus of Darien, and made for the inferior extent and importance at a point nearly equidistant from the Atof its subject-most of the valuable qualities lantic Ocean and the Mexican gulf, lies the which distinguish the most popular histori- beautiful valley of Mexico. It is about cal writers, in our own language, of the sixty-seven leagues in circumference, and present day. It unites the chivalrous but in its centre are four large lakes, occupying truthful enthusiasm of Colonel Napier, and one-tenth of its surface, and either commuthe vivacity of the accomplished author of nicating with one another, or separated by the 'Siege of Granada,' with the patient and narrow necks of land. The central and ample research of Mr. Tytler. And when largest lake, which is that of Tezcuco, is of we call to mind that these delightful vol- an irregular shape. At its southern point umes were, like his preceding work, com- is a strait, connecting it with the lake of posed under the pressure of the severest Xochichalco, which is long and narrow, physical privation to which humanity is and lies in a south-easterly direction. The subject, we cannot refrain from adding, of two remaining lakes, those of Xaltocan and new, the expression of our heartfelt admira- Chalco, are separated by causeways, the tion of the heroic, the noble philosophy, former from the northern end of the Tezwhich could sustain the cheerful vigor of cucan, and the latter from the southern of mind necessary for such tasks. the Xochichalcan lake. Upon an island near It is now time to furnish our readers with the western shore of the lake of Tezcuco, better means of appreciating the 'History stood, at the commencement of the sixof the Conquest of Mexico,' than any pane- teenth century, the imperial city of Mexico, gyric can afford. It would be easy to fill or Tenochtitlan, the renowned and splendid our pages with sparkling quotations, with capital of the Aztec dominions. It comsketches of scenery worthy of Scott, with municated with the shore by three large arbattle-pieces rivalling those of Napier, with tificial dikes, one of which pointed to the pictures of disaster and desolation scarcely north, a second nearly to the west, and a less pathetic than those drawn by Thucydi-third to the south-the latter, however, dides. But Mr. Prescott has, no doubt, too much taste not to accept it as a compliment, when we say that every reader of intelligence forgets the beauty of his coloring in the grandeur of his outline; and that nothing but a connected sketch of the latter can do justice to the highest charm of his work. Indeed we are by no means certain, that the splendid variety of episode and We regret that our limits will not permit adventure with which the great enterprises us to follow Mr. Prescott through his ingenof Cortes are interwoven, does not necessa-ious dissertation upon the probable origin rily withdraw, in some measure, our atten- of Mexican civilization; or through his tion from the naked view of their surpassing sketch of the mysterious races to whom Inaudacity; just as in the wild sierras tra- dian tradition attributes the stately ruins versed by his army, the luxuriant vegetation still to be found amid the savannas of New of the Tropics serves to render less awful Spain. It will be sufficient for our present the frowning brow of the precipice and the purpose to state, that the Aztec tribe apshadowy depth of the ravine. pears to have migrated from the north, and

We shall, therefore, endeavor to lay before our readers a clear and simple outline of Mr. Prescott's work-well content if we succeed in refreshing the memory of such as are already acquainted with its events,

At

verging halfway into two branches, which
met the shore on each side of the strait
opening into the lake of Xochichalco.*
the north-eastern point of the lake of Tez-
cuco lay the royal city of the same name;
nominally the equal ally, but, at the date of
our narrative, in fact the dependent, of her
mighty neighbor.

Prescott's text in preference to his map. AcIn this description we have followed Mr. cording to the latter, both branches of the southern causeway lie to the westward of the strait. But if this is correct, it becomes impossible to understand the numerous passages in which the eastern branch is spoken of as commanded by

• Mr Prescott has, for many years, been blind. the City of Iztapalapan.