In 1612 the "Novelas Ejemplares," or Exemplary Tales, were published with a dedication to the Count of Lemos. Boccaccio's "Decamerone" suggested the idea of these stories. Cervantes proposed to himself to write twelve tales, equal in elegance of style and interesting incident to those of the Italian, combined with higher aims and superior moral tendencies. To these "Novelas" we shall again revert in our that much reliance might be placed critical examination of the works of Cervantes.

In 1614, some nameless person published a continuation of the "Don Quixote," although its author was still living, and had announced the second part of his book as being nearly com- The last work of Miguel de Cervantes pleted. The continuation, an ignorant, was a romance, entitled "The Sufferings worthless attempt, with a libellous pro- of Persiles and Sigismunda," upon which logue, appeared under the fictitious he bestowed much time and care. It signature of the Licentiate Avellaneda. was never quite finished, and did not Cervantes himself has rescued this pro-appear until after his death. This duction from deserved oblivion by men- book was, above all his works, the au

thor's favourite, and he was earnestly as I requested, and we continued our engaged in its completion when he was journey at a moderate pace. In the arrested by the disease which shortly course of conversation, we talked of my after proved fatal. The preface, written illness, but the worthy student gave me only a few days before his death, is a but little hope, saying, 'This illness is wonderful instance of his naturally gay, a hydropsy, which all the water in the careless temperament, and unfading ocean would not cure, if you could drink energy of mind, which all his poverty it; you must drink less, Senor Cervantes, and misfortunes had been powerless to and not forget to eat, for this alone can repress. It gives us, besides, the only cure you!' Several people told me details we possess with reference to his this,' I replied,' but it is as difficult for last illness. We are tempted to extract me to refrain from drinking, as if I had the whole:been born for nothing else. My life draws near its close, and to judge by my pulse, I cannot live longer than next Sunday. You have made my acquaintance at an unfortunate time, for I shall not live long enough to show my gratitude for your expressions of kindness and good-will.' Just then we arrived at the bridge of Toledo, over which I was to pass, while he departed for that of Segovia. As to my history I leave that in the hands of fame; my friends, doubtless, will be eager to narrate it, and I should have the greatest pleasure in hearing it. We embraced again, and once more I offered my services. He spurred his ass, and left me as little inclined to prosecute my journey, as he was well disposed for his; he had supplied my pen with ample materials for pleasantry, but all times are not the same. Perhaps even yet the day may arrive when taking up this broken thread, I may supply that which is now wanting. Adieu, gaiety! Adieu, humour! Adieu, pleasant friends! I must now die, hoping soon to see you all well contented in another world."

"It so happened, beloved reader, that as myself and two friends were journeying from Esquivias, a famous place for fifty reasons, but particularly for its noble families and capital wines, I heard a man approaching behind, vigorously whipping his nag, and apparently very anxious to overtake us. He presently shouted for us to stop, which we did; and when he came up to us, we found that he was a country student, attired in brown, with round-toed shoes and spatter dashes. He had a sword in an immense sheath, with a tape-tied band; he had only two tapes, so that his band got sadly out of place, which he was at great pains to rectify. "Without doubt, Senors,' said he, 'you seek to obtain some office or prebendal stall, from my Lord of Toledo or the king, to judge by the haste with which you journey; for in truth my ass, hitherto considered a famous trotter, has not been able to overtake you.' To which answered one of my companions, 'The fault lies with the stout nag of Senor Miguel de Cervantes, for he is somewhat quick in his paces.' No sooner had the student heard the name of Cervantes than throwing himself from his ass, his cloak-bag falling on one side, and his portmanteau on the other, he sprang forwards and seized me by the left hand, exclaiming This, then, is the famous one-handed author, the merry writer, the favourite of the muses!' When I heard him thus pour forth my praises, I thought myself obliged in politeness to respond; so embracing his neck, whereby I managed to pick off his bands altogether, I said-posthumous work, the "Persiles y SigisThis is an error in which many, being kindly disposed have fallen; Senor, I am indeed Cervantes, but not the fa vourite of the muses, nor any one of the other fine things you have said of me. Mount your ass again, and we will converse together for the short remainder of our journey.' The good student did

A sad picture this of our author's physical infirmities, albeit the record is penned in that cheerful, almost joyous spirit which seems to have distinguished him at all times, and under all circumstances. His illness greatly increasing he received extreme unction, on the 18th of April. The day following he still preserved the same serenity of mind; and anxious to testify his regard for his friend, the Count of Lemos, as a last tribute, Cervantes dedicated to him his

munda." This dedication, singular and touching, from the fact of its being written at such a period, abounds with noble sentiment and lofty expression.

The dying man commences with the remark that he might well address his friend in the words of the antique rhyme :

Puesto ya el pié en el estribo,
Con las ansias de la muerte,
Gran Senor, esta te escribó.

With foot already in the stirrup,
In the agonies of death,

I write you this, my lord,

He continues" Yesterday I received extreme unction; the time is short; my pain increases; my hopes diminish. Yet do I greatly wish that life could be so prolonged that I might see you once again on Spanish ground." The Count of Lemos was then on his way home from Naples.

own portrait in a few graphic words. The passage will be found in his preface to the "Novelas ":" Him whom you here observe with the lean countenance, chestnut locks, smooth and open forehead, lively eyes, wellproportioned aquiline nose, beard silvery, that was golden some twenty years ago; large moustache, small mouth, the teeth, of which he has but six, in bad condition and worse placed, so that they have no correspondence one with the other; of clear complexion, rather inclined to fair than dark; the figure of middle size, somewhat stooping in the

Four days after writing thus, Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra died, aged sixty-shoulders, and not very light of foot; seven years, on the 23rd of April, 1616; on the death-day of our own Shakspere, according to some; but as the Gregorian Calendar was not adopted in England until 1754, it follows thence that the English poet survived Cervantes twelve days.

noble son.

this, I say, is the author of the 'Galatea' and of Don Quixote,' this is he who performed the journey to Parnassus, and is commonly styled Miguel de Cervantes Saavedraa."

We will now proceed to a critical examination of our author's literary No monumental stone proclaims the labours. It were a mere waste of words spot where in deep-tomb silence repose to give a detailed analysis of a work so the earthly remains of Spain's most widely known, and so universally appreHe desired to be interred ciated as the "Don Quixote." We have in the church belonging to the monks all journied with the faithful Rosinante, of the Holy Trinity. This conventual enjoyed the sublime hallucinations of establishment was removed in 1633 to a the ingenioso hidalgo," and heartily new church in the Calle de Cantaranas, laughed over the broader drolleries and and it is supposed that here is the resting-less refined absurdities of that model of place of the mortal remains of Miguel attendant squires, Sancho Panza. It de Cervantes. was our good fortune never to have Our author was ever cheerful and read a translation of the book until affable in manners; thoroughly kind-after the perusal of the inimitable orihearted; a man of warm and earnest ginal, which is written in a style of such sympathies, and of high-toned chivalric matchless grace and beauty, that it is feeling. Without bigotry, he was rigour- quite impossible to gain any worthy ous in the discharge of all the duties en-idea thereof through the medium of a joined by religion; particularly in the observances of the Church of Spain. A few years before his death he became one of a society of religious persons established under the name of the Oratory of Olivaror de Canizares." This association seems to have been highly fashionable, being patronized by Philip III., and the principal nobility of

his court.

Although Cervantes experienced so much neglect from his own countrymen, he was always treated with distinguished regard and attention by foreigners who visited Madrid. They gazed after him with interest and curiosity, as he passed along the streets, and anxiously sought every opportunity of introduction to an author so illustrious.

As to his personel, Cervantes has very characteristically sketched his

foreign language. When some time after we looked into an English version, we were perfectly astonished at the dif ference. It was not that any of the original ideas were lost in the translation. These were, for the most part, well preserved. But it was a certain exquisite and all-pervading grace which had evaporated. This singular influence regarding style may be compared to the wonderful magic of light upon a varied landscape; and the translation to the same combinations of nature, with the sun behind a cloud-the scenery, indeed, has undergone no material change, but an indiscribable charm is fled, and it requires the aid of the magician to touch it into beauty and glory again.

The romance of Cervantes was written in ridicule of the extravagant tales of

knight errantry which inundated Spain servants he maltreats. While he is thus repairing wrongs and redressing injuries, the bachelor Antonio Lopez very properly tells him:-'I do not precisely understand your mode of redressing wrongs; but, as for myself, you have made me crooked, when I was straight enough before; you have broken my leg, which will never be set right all the days of my life; nor do I understand how you repair injuries, for that which I have received from you will never be repaired. It was the most unfortunate adventure that ever happened to me when I met you in search of adventures!'"

at that period, and by their highlywrought wonders, and the distorted views, they presented of actual life, tended greatly to corrupt the purity of the public taste. The hero of the story, Don Quixote of La Mancha, has completely lost his reason through the perusal of these outré-chivalric romances; and imagining himself another Orlando or Amadis, he buckles on his ancient armour, mounts his Rosinante, and accompanied by his trusty squire, Sancho Panza, sets forth with all the enthusiasm of the knights of eld, in quest of "strange adventure." It is his to relieve the distressed, to be a friend to the orphan and the widow, to fight for the defenceless, the injured, and oppressed, and give liberty to the captive, to war with giants, and to break the wand of the enchanter. Such he conceives to be "his mission." And he addresses himself thereto with faith and true-hearted sincerity, with a mind which, although erratic and indeed sadly astray, is yet instinct with generous impulses and pure and lofty feeling. In the words of a Spanish critic, he is "a veritable Amadis de Gaula in caricature."

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truth.

To quote from the discriminating review of Sismondi, Cervantes "has described in Don Quixote an accomplished man, who is, notwithstanding, the constant object of ridicule; a man, brave beyond all history can boast of, who confronts the most terrific not only of mortal but of super-natural perils; a man whose high sense of honour permits him not to hesitate for a single moment in the accomplishment of his promises, or to deviate in the slightest degree from As disinterested as brave, he combats only for virtue, and when he covets a kingdom, it is only that he may bestow it upon his faithful squire. He is the most constant and respectful of lovers, the most humane of warriors, the kindest master, the most accomplished of cavaliers. With a taste as refined as his intellect is cultivated, he surpasses in goodness the Amadises and Orlandos whom he has chosen for his models. His most generous enterprises, however, end only in blows and bruises. His love of glory is the bane of those around him. The giants whom he believes he is fighting are only windmills; the ladies whom he delivers from enare harmless women whom he

chanters, terrifies

upon

their journey, and whose

In thus entering upon a crusade against the indefinite multiplication of knightly romances, it must not be supposed that Cervantes intended to ridicule the spirit of true chivalry-that spirit and those institutions which, arising in the depths of a half-illuminated and semi-barbarous age, tended, perhaps above all other influences, to strengthen, exalt and ennoble, and, at the same time, to soften and refine. The age of chivalry was the age of courage and of daring, of generous impulses and heroic achievements. It steeped the ways of common life and of dull reality in the light of idealism and the rainbow hues of poetry. It made of existence one vast and magnificent tournament, where the victors were crowned with rich garlands by fairest hands, and smiled upon by bright and loving eyes, amid the waving of gorgeous banners and the sound of martial music. Its laws were those of self-denial and high sacrifice. It deified Honour, it raised altars to Beauty, and embalmed the whole universe in the golden mysteries of devotion and of love. It invested the " flowing solitudes" with visions of beauty and of grace, or it peopled them with dimly defined images of fear, of terror or enchantment. It rushed nobly forward to deeds of hard accomplishment, and returned crowned with the "laurels of success," and glad with the light of victory. A dark age, if you will: but still it was a night glorious with stars, and rich in dreams of wonder and delight.

over

Such, we imagine, were a few of the characteristics of that era of past history-

"When chivalry's laws were omnipotent,
And all save honour was given,
To win one smile from the worshipp'd one
The smile that makes earth a heaven."

a few italicisms, that no better work can be placed in the hands of a student of the language.

Every age and every successive development of humanity, is, in some way or other, mirrored in its literature. Thus with the age of chivalry. Its spirit was The "Novelas Ejemplares" consists imaged in the lofty sentiment and wild of twelve tales of much variety and enthusiasm of contemporary romancists, beauty. The first, called "La Gitanilla,” in the strange, quaint recitals of the is a most interesting picture of Gipsy heroic chroniclers; and in the soft and life in Spain. The heroine Preciosa, is tender love-song, or in the ringing war- a beautiful girl who wins the heart of like strains of its errant troubadours. an accomplished cavalier, and induces But, in course of time, this literature him to pass two probationary years lost, in a great measure, its original among the Gipsy band, before she accharacteristics. Spain especially was cepts him as her husband. Of course, overwhelmed with imitative chivalric the tale concludes with the discovery romances, abounding in false, exagge- that Preciosa is a lady of high and noble rated sentiment, improbable incident birth, every way equal in rank to her and every description of wild extrava-lover. gance. It was against such books as these that Cervantes directed his admirable satire, and so successfully, that the publication of the Don Quixote" was the death-blow to all after attempts to revive an interest in the exploits of Roland, Amadis and the famous paladins of old.

The second story, “El Amante Liberal," or The Liberal Lover, relates the adventures of some Christians enslaved by the Turks. Cervantes has here presented us with a vivid picture of his own sufferings, while in captivity, and the entire narrative, which is one of deep interest, bears the stamp of stern truth.

The history of" Rinconete and Cortadillo," presents us with the story of two young thieves. It is an amusing transcript from nature, such as can only be realized by those conversant with Spanish life and character. It illustrates strikingly the strange admixture of de

One remarkable feature in the history of "Don Quixote," is the deep contrast between the refinement and lofty feeling of the Knight, and the vulgar and prosaic character of the Squire. The poetic imagination of Don Quixote colours all nature and every incident of life with its own magic hues. To his ex-votional sentiment and superstition cited fancy, as before observed, windmills are giants, and ordinary women beautiful princesses, in the power of cruel enchanters. Sancho Panza, on the contrary, is just the rude villager, common-place enough, simple and credulous, a lover of fun and good-living; and evidently throughout a transcript from nature. The story abounds with incident and exquisite touches of wit. Here and there, too, are some very choice scraps of criticism. For instance, the Curate's examination of the Knight's library, &c. The forte of Cervantes lay not alone in humourous delineations; for some of the episodical stories he has introduced in the course of his work, are remarkable for pathetic interest, as the tale of the "Shepherdess Marcela," of "Cardenio," &c.

The popularity of "Don Quixote" has been almost unbounded. Thirty editions were published during the author's lifetime. It has been translated into all European languages. No other book is so true an exponent of Spanish character; and its language throughout is so varied, elegant and idiomatic, despite

among beings we might well imagine lost to every sense of religion. Rinco nete inquires of a robber—“ Perhaps, then, you follow the occupation of a thief?" "I do so," is the reply, "in the service of God and of all good people." "The Spanish-English Lady," shews clearly that our author had a very droll idea of England and the English. “The Licentiate of Glass," and "The Coloquio de los Perros," are satirical pieces. The "Beautiful Charwoman," and the "Lady Cornelia," are romantic love stories. Each one of these admirable tales possessing a peculiar charm of its own. They are all different in incident and character, and more or less attractive. To some editions of the "Novelas" will be found an appendix, containing tales, by Dona Maria de Zayas y Sottomayor; and it is interesting to observe how very inferior these are, to the ever-varied productions of Cervantes.

The earliest prose work of our author, the Galatea," a pastoral, was written in avowed imitation of a similar romance, the "Diana," by Montemayor, a Portuguese, who wrote in Castilian. It is interest