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MIGUEL DE CERVANTES SAAVEDRA.

THE peculiarities of national character the romancists, verily their name is are ever visibly impressed upon the na-"Legion." They offer to the attention tional literature. It is very interesting of the student a mine of unexplored to study the varied characteristics thus wealth; much that is worthless, proshadowed forth. In the literature of bably, but still, amid all, many fair England, we observe the practical com- jewels in their strange, wild incidents, mon sense, the high moral tone, the true and abounding wit and humour. and just sentiment which distinguish In the galaxy of Spanish authors, the English people; in that of France there is one 'bright and particular we are presented with a sparkling mir- star," that in brilliancy outshines all ror of a clever and volatile nation; and the rest. Lope de Vega and Calderon the literature of Germany bears the are familiar names, but Cervantes is impress of the deep thought, poetical a "household word." The works of feeling and delicious dreamy mysticism the former adorn our libraries, we study for which the German people stand pre- and admire them; but the Knight of eminent; for to them was given the La Mancha, and] Sancho Panza, are "empire of the air." Nor are the pro- enshrined evermore in our memories. ductions of Spanish writers less characteristic. Standing as it were apart, insulated amid the brotherhood of nations, but little visited by tourists, its inhabitants not addicted to travel, Spain has been, until quite lately, the country least known to foreigners of all in Europe. It might, therefore, be well imagined, that her literature should be still more striking in individuality, and rich in distinctive character.

"Don Quixote" has not only attained an unrivalled popularity in Spain; it has, moreover, achieved a world-wide reputation, and found a welcome and a home amongst all people in all classes, whatever their age or country. There can be no better proof of its intrinsic worth than this. Some one has well said, that Genius is cosmopolitan; that its utterances are expressed in one broadly comprehensive and universal language: that its dictates are inscribed upon one fair and far-flashing scroll, raised high in the sight of all the nations, like the unfurled banner of the regal night with the profusion of its starry splendours. We do, indeed, find that the revelations of genius meet with recognition and sympathy, not only in the land where they first arose, but amid all people, wherever there is a heart to love and appreciate, and a soul to comprehend.

The people of Spain are generous and impulsive, proud beyond measure, truly, passionate, impetuous, but hospitable to strangers, firm in friendship, and constant in love. They have much of oriental indolence. Their conversation is tinged with eastern hyperbole. Their devotion oversteps the bounds of intelligent belief; but, as a whole, they are in truth a gallant and chivalric nation. These constituent elements of character are admirably developed in the national literature, which is especially rich in The early history of MIGUEL DE CERballad poetry, in the drama and ro- VANTES SAAVEDRA is involved in some mance. As might be anticipated, the obscurity. His family, although poor, Spanish have but few writers on theo- appears to have been originally noble; logy and philosophy, although they pos- for according to the learned Marquis de sess an abundance of devotional works, Mondejar, it was equal in distinction to in the form of Guides and Manuals. any in Europe. Of little consequence Among the earliest valuable specimens this truly; we ever hold to our faith of Spanish literature, may be mentioned that genius is the best patent of nothe true spirit-stirring ballads illustra- bility, and shall not, therefore, trouble tive of the history of the Cid, already ourselves to trace our author's geneafamiliar to the English reader through logical tree, through interminable ramithe admirable translation of Mr. Lock-fications. The subject of our memoir hart. Spain has produced no really great poet, if we except the dramatists; although many of the effusions of Boscan, Garcilaso, Mendoza, and Ponce de Leon, are exquisite in their way. As to

was the younger son of Rodrigo de Cervantes, and his wife, Dona Leonor de Cortinas. He was born in Alcala de Henares, in October, 1547. Madrid, Seville, and other cities, have disputed

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as to which of them might claim the it is most natural to conclude that his honour of having been his birth-place, instructions were anterior to this period; It seems, however, that he was baptized and that either as a private master, or on the 9th of October, in the parish out of Madrid, he had taught his celechurch of Alcala, dedicated to Santa brated scholar, so far as to call him Maria la Mayor. This fact has been with propriety his disciple, after he had established in the most authentic and been only eight months presiding in convincing manner-" del modo mas the above-mentioned chair-a conjecture autentico y convincente." It is sup- that admits of entire confirmation, it posed that the early education of Cer- being certain that Cervantes, as he has vantes was conducted beneath the pa- himself informed us, studied two years rental roof; but this is not certainly in Salamanca, and matriculated in that known. He displayed a deep love of University, and resided in the Calle de poetry and the drama from childhood; los Moros." Hence his intimate acand so great a passion for reading, that quaintance with the peculiar features he treasured carefully the torn frag- of that city and its student-life, so ments of written paper which he found graphically delineated in the second in the streets. Notwithstanding these part of the "Don Quixote," in the indications of the student, we ever fancy story of the "Licentiate of Glass" and the young Cervantes, as a boy among other portions of his writings. boys, simple, frank, good-natured, a first poetical efforts meeting with approhearty lover of fun, and ready at all bation, Cervantes was induced to give times for frolic and adventure. to the world further specimens in the form of sonnets, romances, and a pas toral called "Filena," which has been lost.

His

He studied grammar and the belleslettres, under Juan Lopez de Hoyas, a learned ecclesiastic of Madrid; and made considerable progress while under These first flowerings of genius the tuition of this master, advancing doubtless attracted some notice in the also in the development of his poetical literary circles of Madrid. In the faculties. It appears that Juan Lopez, autumn of 1568, at the period of the "being charged with the arrangement queen's funeral, Cervantes visited the of the histories, allegories, emblems and capital. About the same time the papal inscriptions, which were directed to be legate, Aquaviva, arrived, with compli placed in the church of the Descalzas ments of condolence from Pope Pius Reales in celebration of the magnificent V. to Philip II., on the death of the obsequies of the Queen Isabel de Valois, Prince Don Carlos, who had perished in in that town, on the 24th of October, prison the previous July. The court of 1568, employed his scholars in these Rome had also given instructions to compositions. Some were in Latin, and the legate, for the purpose of obtaining others in Castilian. Among these redress in some case in which the scholars, Cervantes was one of the most king's ministers had trespassed upon distinguished." The history published the ecclesiastical jurisdiction. Neither by Lopez, detailing the circumstances of mission was agreeable to Philip. He the last illness, death, and funeral of had expressly commanded that no one this princess, contains many tributes to should presume to condole with him her memory from the pen of the young on the decease of his son, whose myspoet; and among these an elegy of con- terious death, so shortly followed by siderable merit, dedicated to the Car- that of the queen, gave much reason for dinal Espinosa, inquisitor general. In conjecture and suspicion. Certain it is the course of the work, Hoyas frequently that Monseignor Aquaviva received his refers to his pupil, affectionately desig-passport on the 2nd of December, with nating him as, su caro y amado dis- an order that he should depart for Italy cipulo." within sixty days. He did go accord "The common opinion has been that ingly, taking with him in his suite, as it was at Madrid that Cervantes prose-chamberlain, our Cervantes, who had cuted his studies with Juan Lopez; but probably gained his attention through considering that Lopez did not ob-his copy of verses dedicated to the Cartain the chair of grammar and belles-dinal Espinosa, for the legate was a lettres in that city until the 29th of decided lover of literature and delighted January, 1568, when Cervantes was to encourage genius. The young already more than twenty years of age, Spanish nobility considered it no de

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In the course of these campaigns, our author visited all the principal cities of Italy, and acquired an intimate acquaintance with the Italian lauguage and literature; a knowledge he turned to excellent account in his writings, thus increasing the resources of his own native Castilian. He also studied well the best models of antiquity, and his mind was stored with varied experiences and richest thought, more to be prized than all the subtleties and abstractions of the schools. Notwithstanding these undoubted acquirements, there many envious contemporaries of Cervantes (accomplished sciolists, truly!) who dignified him with the title of " ignoramus," because he was not learned in the sense in which they, forsooth! understood the term. Their idea of a savant being limited to one who had obtained a doctor's degree, and other high university honours.

were

In the September of this year, the confederates directed their forces against Algiers; their league with the Venetians being dissolved on account of the dishonourable conduct of the latter. Don John, with twenty thousand soldiers, among whom was Cervantes, set sail for Tunis, on the 24th. The object of the Prince was to dethrone Aluch-Ali, and to restore Muley Mahomet, "thus depriving the Corsairs of their favourite stronghold." Philip II., however, had far different ends in view, in sanctioning this expedition. He coveted for himself the sovereignty of Algiers. The forces landed at Goleta in October, and finding the garrison abandoned they took possession of the fortress. Tunis was also taken. Here again our hero greatly distinguished himself, and was appointed to a station in the island of Cerdena. Don John having obtained permission to return to Spain, was on his way thither, when he received notice that his presence was required in Italy. This was in the early part of 1574. During his absence the Turks arrived with fresh forces, to reconquer Goleta and Tunis. They succeeded in both attempts. Goleta was taken by assault, after a long and cruel siege, and most vigorous defence, Tunis was re-captured in twenty days. The news of these reverses occasioned much annoyance to Don John. He sent reinforcements, but violent storms compelled the fleet to take refuge in the Sicilian ports. It appears that Cervantes remained in garrison with his regiment at Cerdena, from the end of 1573, to the May of the succeeding year; that "thence he sailed to Genoa, in the ships of Marcello Doria, to await in Lombardy the orders of Don John of Austria, who at the be- The bright home-visions of the reginning of August, when he sailed from turning Spaniards were soon dashed to Spain, took with him that regiment to earth. They were attacked by pirates, Naples and Majorca, and reinforced and after a gallant defence were obliged with his best soldiers, the ships, with to surrender to superior numbers. All which he had intended to succour were taken prisoners and conveyed to Goleta; that after that occurrence Algiers. Cervantes fell to the share of Cervantes waited with the same regiment the Captain, Dali Mami, a Greek renein Sicily, the orders of the Duke of Sesa, gade, who finding his captive's recomwhen he incorporated his regiment with mendatory dispatches from the Prince, the forces of that country in the absence Don John and the Duke of Sesa, of of his master of the camp; and that the course judged thence that he was a perPrince Don John on his return to son of distinction, and that he might Naples, in June, 1575, gave leave a little consequently hope for a large ransom. time afterwards to Cervantes to return He was loaded with chains, rigorously to his native country, after so long an guarded, and treated with severity, in absence, and so long-continued merito-order that he might, with the greater rious services." instance, importune his friends to make

Such is a slight sketch of the military career of Cervantes, during the time he fought, to use his own words, "beneath the conquering banners of the son of that thunderbolt of war, Charles V., of happy memory." Finding that his services were far from being adequately remunerated, he resolved to solicit in Spain the recompense he so richly deserved. He accordingly set sail from Naples, in company with his brother Rodrigo, the late Governor of Goleta, and other distinguished officers. Don John gave him letters of recommendation to Philip II., praying his majesty to confer upon him the command of a company, in some regiment, as a reward due to his signal bravery. Don Carlos de Aragon, Duke of Sesa, presented him also with testimonials to the king.

exertions for his redemption. Cervantes soon attempted to escape, with several of his companions in bonds, but being abandoned the first day by the Moor who had consented to act as their guide, the fugitives were obliged to return to Algiers, and submit to still harsher treatment than before. The failure of this dearly-cherished plan, must have been a source of deep grief to the suffering exiles. Cervantes mentions his attempts to regain freedom, and gives besides a vivid picture of his captivity in his drama of "El Trato de Argel."

The captives only dared to venture without the cave during the night. And what days and nights of fearful, anxious anticipation must those have been! How many times beneath the moonlit skies must the watchers have gazed across the deep, in hopes of some friendly sail. Imagination pictures the whole scene before us. A fair, still evening. No cloud upon the untroubled skies. A thousand stars shine gloriously, like jewelled diadem upon the brow of the queenly night, herself a softer, milder day. No sound floats through the lonely air. A gentle breeze just fans the bending feathery grasses and bright flowers, and breathes the music of a spirit's whisper amid the shadowy masses of surrounding foliage. A few dark figures are flitting about the entrance of the cave, half hidden in the deep gloom of bowering trees. These are Cervantes and his friends. They gaze expectantly athwart the dark blue waves, bright with the silvery light of stars. There is a murmur of suppressed voices, of half-uttered lamentationsfor, as yet, no speck appears upon the "waste of waters." One stands among the watching band, with high, proud forehead, with eagle glance, the light of conscious power within his eyes, and

In 1576, some of his friends being ransomed, he charged them with letters to his parents, detailing the deplorable situation of himself and brother. His father instantly sent as large a sum as he was able to raise by mortgage on the whole of the family patrimony, by which indeed he himself was reduced to the extreme of poverty. The ransom, however, appeared too small for so illustrious a captive in the eyes of Dali Mami, whose avarice was unbounded, and he accordingly refused to accept it. In August, 1577, Dali was induced to receive this ransom for Rodrigo alone. Miguel entreated his brother, on reaching Spain, to use all means, that an armed frigate might be sent out for his own rescue and that of his fellow-genius flushing on his brow. That is captives.

Cervantes. And he looks forth, hoping, trusting-and is not deceived, for surely a ship is afar-and the angel of Liberty bends above the deep. But no-it is nothing yet.

It so happened that the Alcaide Azan, a renegade, had a pleasure garden near the sea, about three miles distant from Algiers. This garden was under the care of a Christian slave named Juan, a Alas! for those brave, true hearts, native of Navarre. In the most retired and all their ardent hopes and blissful part of it there was a cave, and through dreams! A vessel had, indeed, been the advice of Cervantes, many of the actually equipped and dispatched from Christians took refuge here, early in the Spain. It arrived in the vicinity of year 1577. They were joined in time Algiers about the 28th of September, by others, and when Rodrigo departed keeping at a distance from the shore for Spain, there must have been about in order to avoid discovery by the a dozen or fifteen concealed in the cave. Algerines. During the night, it apThe gardener and another slave, called proached the shore near to the garden, El Dorador, were possessed of the secret, where it could give notice of its arrival and supplied the refugees with provi- to the captives. A Moorish fishingsions. It is surprising how, for so many barque, hovering near, gave the alarm, weeks, Cervantes could have been the and although the Spanish vessel once presiding genius of this little commu- more attempted to approach the coast, nity, without leaving his master's house. the second effort fared worse than the A striking instance, truly, of his ever- first, for the Spaniards fell into the ready tact and fertile resources of hands of their enemies, and so ended invention and contrivance. In Sep- this unfortunate expedition. At first, tember, when he daily expected the the refugees knew nothing of the caparrival of the frigate which was to ture of the friendly ship. They were liberate himself and friends, Cervantes doubtless consoling themselves with fled to this subterranean hiding-place. | bright hopes, amid the damp and dis