tivals (Herrera. I. iii. 4) that the country would be laid waste on the arrival of strangers, completely clad, from a region near the rising of the sun. Ibid. II. 5. 2. It is said that Cazziva, a great Cacique, after long fasting and many ablutions, had an interview with one of the Zemi, who announced to him this terrible event (Hist. c. 62), as the oracles of Latona, according to Herodotus (II. 152) predicted the overthrow of eleven kings in 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." Page 110, line 9. 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 Page 112, line 9. The soldier, &c. 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. Page 116, line 7. Tho' ROLDAN, &c. Probably a soldier of fortune. There were more than one of the name on board. Page 118, line 1. 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, shew 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. 66 Aquella noche triste." The night, on which Cortes made his famous retreat from Mexico through the street of Tlacopan, still goes by the name of LA NOCHE TRISTE. -HUMBOLDT. Page 123, line 4. Then, inly gliding, &c. Many a modern reader will exclaim in the language of Pococurantè, "Quelle triste extravagance!" Let a great theologian of that day, a monk of the Augustine order, be consulted on the subject. 66 Corpus ille perimere vel jugulare potest; nec id modò, verùm et animam ita urgere, et in angustum coarctare novit, ut in momento quoque illi excedendum sit."-Lutherus, De Missa Privata. The Roman ritual requires three signs of possession. M Page 124, line 21. And can you shrink? &c. The same language had been addressed to Isabella.— Hist. c. 15. Page 134, line 4. What long-drawn tube, &c. For the effects of the telescope, and the mirror, on an uncultivated mind, see Wallis's Voyage round the World, c. 2 and 6. Page 137, line 8. Reigns there, and revels, &c. There also was heard the wild cry of the Flamingo. What clarion winds along the yellow sands? Page 140, line 12. And sires, alas, their sons in battle slain! War reverses the order of Nature. In time of peace, says Herodotus, the sons bury their fathers; in time of war the fathers bury their sons! But the Gods have willed it so. I. 87. Page 144, line 2. Who among us a life of sorrow spent, For a summary of his life and character see "An Account of the European Settlements."-P. I. c. 8. Of Him it might have been said as it was afterwards said of Bacon, and a nobler tribute there could not be " In his adversity I ever prayed that God would give him strength, for greatness he could not want. Neither could I condole for him in a word or syllable, as knowing no accident could do harm to virtue, but rather help to make it manifest."-B. JONSON. Page 147, line 7. A phantom wandering in the light of day! See the Agamemnon of Eschylus, v. 82. Page 149, line 1. Here, in His train, shall arts and arms attend, "There are those alive," said an illustrious orator, "whose memory might touch the two extremities. Lord Bathurst, in 1704, was of an age to comprehend such things—and, if his angel had then drawn up the curtain, and, while he was gazing with admiration, had pointed out to him a speck, and had told him, 'Young man, there is America—which, at this day, serves for little more than to amuse you with stories of savage |