(17) See Washington's Farewell Address to his fellow-citizens. (18) "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 men and uncouth manners; yet shall, before you taste of death,'" &c. - Burke in 1775. (19) How simple were the manners of the early colonists! The first ripening of any European fruit was distinguished by a family festival. Garcilasso de la Vega relates how his dear father, the valorous Andres, collected together in his chamber seven or eight gentlemen to share with him three asparaguses, the first that ever grew on the table-land of Cusco. When the operation of dressing them was over (and it is minutely described) he distributed the two largest among his friends; begging that the company would not take it ill if he reserved the third for himself, as it was a thing from Spain. North America became instantly an asylum for the oppressed; Huguenots, and Catholics, and sects of every name and country. Such were the first settlers in Carolina and Maryland, Pennsylvania and New England. Nor is South America altogether without a claim to the title. Even now, while I am writing, the ancient house of Braganza is on its passage across the Atlantic, Cum sociis, natoque, Penatibus, et magnis dis. (20) Je me transporte quelquefois au delà d'un siècle. J'y vois le bonheur à côté de l'industrie, la douce tolérance remplaçant la farouche inquisition; j'y vois un jour de fête; Péruviens, Mexicains, Américains libres, François s'embrassant comme des frères, et bénissant le règne de la liberté, qui doit amener partout une harmonie universelle. Mais les mines, les esclaves, que deviendront-ils ? Les mines se fermeront; les esclaves seront les frères de leurs maitres. - Brissot. There is a prophetic stanza, written a century ago by Bp. Berkeley, which I must quote, though I may suffer by the comparison: Westward the course of empire takes its way. The four first acts already past, A fifth shall close the drama with the day. (21) See Paradise Lost, X. (22) Cortes. A peine put-il obtenir audience de Charles-Quint: un jour il fendit la presse qui entourait le coche de l'empereur, et monta sur l'étrier de la portière. Charles demanda quel était cet homme ; C'est," répondit Cortes, "celui qui vous a donné plus d'états que vos pères ne vous ont laissé de villes."- Voltaire. 66 (17) "Almost all," says Las Casas, "have perished. The innocent blood which they had shed cried aloud for vengeance; the sighs, the tears of so many victims, went up before God." (24) L'Espagne a fait comme ce roi insensé qui demanda que tout ce qu'il toucheroit se convertit en or, et qui fut obligé de revenir aux dieux pour les prier de finir sa misère.— Montesquieu. (1) The Convent of La Rábida. (2) See Bernal Diaz, c. 203; and also a well-known portrait of Cortes, ascribed to Titian. Cortes was now in the forty-third, Pizarro in the fiftieth year of his age. (3) Augustin Zaratè, lib. iv. c. 9. (4) An interpolation. (5) Late Superior of the House. (6) In the chancel of the cathedral of St. Domingo. An anachronism. The body of Columbus was not yet removed from Seville. It is almost unnecessary to point out another in the Ninth Canto. The telescope was not then in use; though described long before, with great accuracy, by Roger Bacon. (7) The words of the epitaph. "A Castilia y a Leon nuevo Mundo dio Colon." (8) Mexico. (9) Afterwards the arms of Cortes and his descendants. (10) Fernandez, lib. ii. c. 63. (11) B. Diaz, c. 203. (12) "After the death of Guatimotzin," says B. Diaz, "he became gloomy and restless; rising continually from his bed, and wandering about in the dark." "Nothing prospered with him; and it was ascribed to the curses he was loaded with." |