University of Virginia Library

“Of the main work we may repeat that it possesses the value of important
history and the magnetism of romantic adventure. It sustains in every respect
the reputation of Irving.” “We may hope that the gifted author will treat in like
manner the enterprises and exploits of Pizarro and Cortes; and thus complete a
series of elegant recitals, which will contribute to the especial gratification of
Americans, and form an imperishable fund of delightful instruction for all ages
and countries.”

“As he leads us from one savage tribe to another, as he paints successive
scenes of heroism, perseverance and self-denial, as he wanders among the magnificent
scenes of nature, as he relates with scrupulous fidelity the errors, and
the crimes, even of those whose lives are for the most part marked with traits
to command admiration, and perhaps esteem—everywhere we find him the same
undeviating, but beautiful moralist, gathering from every incident some lesson
to present in striking language to the reason and the heart.”

“This is a delightful volume; for the preface truly says that the expeditions
narrated and springing out of the voyages of Columbus may be compared with
attempts of adventurous knights-errant to achieve the enterprise left unfinished
by some illustrious predecessors. Washington Irving's name is a pledge how
well their stories will be told: and we only regret that we must of necessity defer
our extracts for a week.”

“On the whole, this work will sustain the high fame of Washington Irving.
It fills a blank in the historical library which ought not to have remained so
long a blank. The language throughout is at once chaste and animated; and
the narrative may be said, like Spenser's Fairy Queen, to present one long gallery
of splendid pictures.”

“Collecting his materials from various historians, and adopting in some
degree the tone and manner of a monkish chronicler, he has embodied them in
a narrative which in manner reminds us of the rich and storied pages of Froissart.
He dwells on the feats of chivalry performed by the Christian Knights,
with all the ardor which might be expected from a priest, who mixed, according
to the usage of the times, not only in the palaces of courtly nobles, and their gay
festivals, as an honored and welcome guest, but who was their companion in
the camp, and their spiritual and indeed bodily comforter and assistant in the
field of battle.