kings of Egypt, on the appearance of men of brass, risen out of the sea.

Nor did this prophecy exist among the Islanders alone. It influenced the councils of Montezuma, and extended almost universally over the forests of America. Cortes. Herrera. Gomara. "The demons, whom they worshipped," says Acosta, "in this instance told them the truth."

P. 258, 1. 5.

He spoke; and all was silence, all was night!

These scattered fragments may be compared to shreds of old arras, or reflections from a river broken and confused by the oar; and now and then perhaps the imagination of the reader may supply more than is lost. Si qua latent, meliora putat. "It is remarkable," says the elder Pliny, "that the Iris of Aristides, the Tyndarides of Nicomachus, and the Venus of Apelles, are held in higher admiration than their finished works." And is it not so in almost every thing?

Call up him that left half-told

The story of Cambuscan bold—

P. 259, 1. 13.

The soldier, Sc.

In the Lusiad, to beguile the heavy hours at sea, Veloso relates to his companions of the second watch the story of the Twelve Knights.-L. vi.

P. 259, 1. 16.

So Fortune smiled, careless of sea or land!

Among those who went with Columbus, were many adventurers, and gentlemen of the court. Primero was the game then in fashion.-See Vega, p. 2, lib. iii. c. 9.

P. 260, 1. 7.

LERMA 'the generous,' AVILA 'the proud;'

Many such appellations occur in Bernal Diaz, c. 204.

P. 260, 1. 11.

Yet who but He undaunted could explore

Many sighed and wept; and every hour seemed a year, says Herrera.-I. i. 9 and 10.

P. 261, l. 17.

While his dear boys—ah, on his neck they hung,

"But I was most afflicted, when I thought of my two sons, whom I had left behind me in a strange country. . . . before I had done, or at least could be known to have done, any thing which might incline your highnesses to remember them. And though I comforted myself with the reflection that our Lord would not suffer so earnest an endeavour for the exaltation of his church to come to nothing, yet I considered that, on account of my unworthiness," &c.-Hist. c. 37.

P, 262, 1. 7.

The great GONZALO

Gonsalvo, or, as he is called in Castilian, Gonzalo Hernandez de Cordova, already known by the name of The Great Captain. Granada surrendered on the 2d of January, 1492. Columbus set sail on the 3d of August following.

P. 262, 1. 11.

Tho' ROLDAN, &c.

Probably a soldier of fortune. There were more than one of the name on board.

P. 263, 1. 3.

War, and the Great in War let others sing,

Not but that in the profession of Arms there are at all times many noble natures. Let a soldier of the Age of Elizabeth speak for those who had commanded under him, those whom he calls "the chief men of action."

"Now that I have tried them, I would choose them for friends, if I had them not: before I had tried them, God and his providence chose them for me. I love them for mine own sake; for I find sweetness in their conversation, strong assistance in their employments with me, and happiness in their friendship. I love them for their virtue's sake, and for their greatness of mind (for little minds, though never so full of virtue, can be but a little virtuous), and for their great

understanding: for to understand little things, or things not of use, is little better than to understand nothing at all. I love them for their affections; for self-loving men love ease, pleasure, and profit; but they that love pains, danger, and fame, show that they love public profit more than themselves. I love them for my country's sake: for they are England's best armour of defence, and weapons of offence. If we may have peace, they have purchased it: if we must have war, they must manage it," &c.

P. 264, 1. 9.

The Cross shone forth in everlasting light!

The Cross of the South; "una Croce maravigliosa, e di tanta bellezza," says Andrea Corsali, a Florentine, writing to Giuliano of Medicis in 1515, "che non mi pare ad alcuno segno celeste doverla comparare. E s' io non mi inganno, credo che sia questo il crusero di che Dante parlò nel principio del Purgatorio con spirito profetico, dicendo,

I' mi volsi a man destra, e posi mente

All' altro polo, e vidi quattro stelle," &c.

It is still sacred in the eyes of the Spaniards. "Un sentiment religieux les attache à une constellation dont la forme leur rappelle ce signe de la foi planté par leurs ancêtres dans

les déserts du nouveau monde."

P. 264, 1. 18.

Roc of the West! to him all empire given!

Le Condor est le même oiseau que le Roc des Orientaux. BUFFON." By the Peruvians," says Vega, "he was anciently worshipped; and there were those who claimed their descent from him." In these degenerate days he still ranks above the Eagle.

P. 264, 1. 19.

Who bears Axalhua's dragon-folds to heaven!

As the Roc of the East is said to have carried off the Elephant. See Marco Polo.-Axalhua, or the Emperor, is the name in the Mexican language for the great serpent of America.

P. 265, 1. 2.

To where ALASKA's wintry wilds retire;

Northern extremity of the New World. See Cook's last Voyage.

P. 265, 1. 3.

From mines of gold

Mines of Chili; which extend, says Ovalle, to the Strait of Magellan.-I. 4.

P. 265, 1. 6.

High-hung in forests to the casing snows.

A custom not peculiar to the Western Hemisphere. The Tunguses of Siberia hang their dead on trees; "parceque la terre ne se laisse point ouvrir." M. PAUW.