1 this is an original production,admirably calculated to please all those whose imaginations are sufficiently lively, and whose hearts are generous enough to regret the famous times of chivalry. Those happy days when love, courage, and piety were mingled in every action! The manners and characters, it is frankly allowed, may appear singular, but yet they were at the same time replete with noble and shining traits; and if every thing was not strictly governed by the laws of reason, yet folly itself had something that both pleased and charmed." It must be allowed, indeed, that the situation of the Arabs in Spain, presents one of the most extraordinary spectacles to be met with in modern history. These adventurers were at first conquerors, but being at length vanquished in their turn by the mildness of the climate, they soon changed their characters. From ignorant bar. barians, they became not only one of the most polished and learned nations, but they even renounced those customs which their pride, their prejudices, and above all, their religious dogmas seemed to render it difficult, if not impos sible to surmount. "Instead of remaining in an unsociable state, with their wives shut up in harems, and reduced to a degrading captivity, they restored the latter to liberty, and rendered them the arbiters of their destiny, the sovereign objects of all their thoughts and of all their sentiinents. At once voluptuous, enthusiastic and warlike, they submitted to the discretion of these objects of their tenderness, the morals, the laws, the fortunes of the state itself: in fine, they placed them on the throne, and the love of them seemed to be a species of worship. From the moment that treason had delivered over this country to the Moors, to the period when they were forced to abandon it, they unceasingly combated for its possession. Still more attached to the fair sex than to glory, at the critical period when their defeats multiplied, and their total overthrow appeared to be certain, the Moslems seemed to increase their homage towards this adored sex. Despoiled by degrees of all the provinces which they had inva ded; driven towards the borders of the sea, and penned up in that delicious corner of the earth, justly termed the Paradise of Grenada, they converted it into an clysium for their mistresses. "Never were public festivals more frequent, or more pompous; never were carousals, feasts, nocturnal serenades, and dances more brilliant, than during those unhappy times, when the great Captain Gonzalva de Cordova approached the gates of the last city; when their empire was about to be extinguished, and the Moorish name to be eff iced for ever from the European continent." The beautiful kingdom of Grenada, formed out of the wreck of five flourishing monarchies, was, as we have just seen, the last asylum of the Moslem chevaliers. The different families which had reigned in the other states, had now taken refuge in the capital of the empire, and its nobility and its splendour were continually augmented. But these illustrious hosts introduced with themselves a certain rivalship, in respect to rank and origin, which did not fail to prove highly detrimental. At the head of these factions, were the Zegris, descended from the sovereigns of Morocco and Fez, and the Abencerrages, sprung from the ancient kings of Yemen. It has already been intimated, that a singular revolution had taken place, in respect to the manners of these Africans, who from being gross and barbarous in their native country, had become not only civilized, but the very models of elegance and urbanity under a foreign sky. Yet it ought also to be mentioned, that this same people so polished on one hand, were on the other more laborious, and exhibited a greater share of invention in all the useful arts, than those very Spaniards who treated them as barbarians. At the same time, by a contradiction truly inexplicable, the Christians were melancholy and severe in their manners. The married women were indeed termed the companions of their husbands, but they were actually subjected to a rigorous dependence, and condemned to strict seclusion. Although professing a religion, no portion of which is in opposition to the progress of human knowledge; which even commands labour and favours industry, the cultivation of the ground was neglected, literature remained in its infancy, and the arts were condemn ed to scorn. At At this very period, the Moslems had brought their female slaves from the recesses of their harems, in order to render them at once the charm and the ornament of society. In consequence of the assiduity of their la bours, they had forced a fruitful soil to double its treasures, by increasing its products. The country appeared at the same time adorned with useful monuments of all kinds, and the ar chitecture, which was bold, elegant, and singular, gave pleasure even to those who had visited Italy, and thus converted Spain into a classical region. Meanwhile the inhabitants either invented or improved all the useful arts, they assiduously cultivated the sciences, rendered themselves famous for their poetry; and as if to render the whole more singular, this was effected in the midst of battles, of pleasures, and of romantic adventures, which seemed to constitute the sole occupation of their lives. Yet this extreme degree of civilization, this rapid passage to a state which did not accord with their ancieat traditions and their ancient manners, and above all their religious prejudices, constituted the principal cause of their destruction. Without losing, perhaps, any portion of that courage which among them seemed to be hereditary, their affection to their country gradually diminished, and was at length wholly extinguished. In this state of affairs, the Spaniards to ok advantage of their intestine divisions, to conquer the Moorish nations one after another, by subduing the differeat provinces which these foreigners had overrun. And when they had forced them to retreat to the last portion of the country which remained in their possession, these valiant Grenadins presented themselves before the enemy, not as a people animated by one common interest, and inflamed alike by patriotism and a zeal for religion, but as a multitude divided by hatred, pride, and rivalship, destitute, of national spirit, and almost of religious principles. Such a situation, we are told, is the constant precursor of the fall of empires, and the Spaniards, in addition to this, found a multitude of traitors in Grenada: among these were the Abencerrages, one, of the most illustrious families among the Arabs, and hitherto greatly at tached, not only to the prosperity of their country, but also eminently zca, lous for the conservation of its conquests. While they were at the head of one portion of the nobility, the Zegris, who in their manners possessed something of the ancient rudeness, and ferocious valour of the African Moors, directed the councils of those who were their rivals. These two houses, which were actuated by an implacable hatred against each other, filled all Grenada with troubles and factions, without its being in the power of the feeble monarchs who reigned in that capital, and who were driven from the throne one after the other, to oppose their tumultuous proceedings. In fine, to wards the the latter periods of their history, we find two or three kings reigning at once, and such was the disorder, that whole cities and provinces passed in succession under the dominion of the Christians. While formidable armies were menacing the capital, and a total and sudden destruction seemed to be inevitable, the Moors were either needlessly wasting that precious blood which appertained to the state, or plunging into those voluptuous follies so celebrated in Spain by the appellations of the delights of Grenada. "The sun," says our author, "never lighted that devoted city, but to witness new festivals, and new disasters. The kings, chevaliers, and ladies nay, all the people, seduced and borne away by an inconceivable frenzy, were nover satisfied with carousals, feasts, and running at the ring. It frequently occurred also, that ferocious duels occasioned blood to be spilt, amidst their zambras, or dances, their serenades, and their nocturnal amours. In the mean time, the kingdom possessed great warriors, but not a single great man; and while the Mahometans were thus destitute of leaders, the Castillians enjoyed a great king in the person of Isabella, two audacious and cunning politicians in Xinnenes and Ferdinand, and a number of accomplished soldiers antong their princi pal chevaliers." This work ought to be considered as a collection of the most remarkable events which signalized the last moments of the kingdom of Grenada. It is not on one hand, to be deemed a romance, nor ou the other a grand history; but something between both. Truth, indeed, is not scrupulously sought after by the author, and then reconuted recounted without exaggeration; but yet the recital is not altogether quesLionable, because it is often extraordinary, and even improbable. The facts here detailed, have all actually occurred, and evidently appertain to the times in question, although they are sometimes embellished by the imagination of the writer. We are frequently presented with a true and lively picture of the hostilities, the manners, the passions, the vices, and the virtues of this singular people. The most famous warriors, the most celebrated beauties of the court of Grenada, appear by turns in those affairs of gallantry which generally ended in a duel. Sometimes a Spanish chevalier challenges the bravest of the Moorish warriors; all burn for the combat, which is decided by lot, and he on whom it falls repairs full of joy to his apartments, to prepare him self for some memorable exploit. While he is getting ready his arms, a page brings him, on the part of the beauty whom he adores, and by whom he is tenderly beloved, a pesnan, or banner, richly embroidered by her own hand, and which is covered with cyphers and love devices. The chevalier receiving it with transport, immediately adorns the end of his lance with this emblem of affection, which is to him a pledge of victory. At length the hour of combat is announced, and the Alhambra resounds with the noise of trumpets and clarinets. The combatant then leaves the city, and advancing into the plain of Grenada, there encounters his haughty adversary, who also marches to the sound of warlike instruments. Meanwhile the queen, and all the ladies of the court seated in their bal. conies, become spectators of this noble combat. The two gallant opponents now advance against each other with fury, and deal about deadly blows; all that address or strength can achieve is employed both in the attack and defence every heart is moved, more especially that of the young Moorish or Christian virgin, who in secret adores her brave knight. The engagement is not always deadly; nay, it frequently occurs that the conqueror finding his rival ready to faint through fatigue and wounds, generously holds out his hands, and invites him to stop the unequal combat. It is then that the two heroes, precipitating themselves in each other's arms, swear an cternal friendship, after which they join their respective friends. amidst the unanimous acclamations of both parties, At other times, the combat is more serious, for a troop of chevaliers sally out of tire city at the head of a little army, and go in quest of the Spaniards. The two hostile bodies at length behold and meet each other; a terrible action ensues, in which the vulgar warriors fight in the crowd, and triumph or perish without glory, the bravest knights of both nations single each other out, and engage in single combat. After this, on their return from battle, and even from a defeat, the Arabians were accustomed to repair to a festival, and every knight engaging in the Zambras or Morisco dances, where love and pleasure alone reigned, thus happily forgot the occurrences of the day. their adventures, whether of gallantry or of war, were celebrated in romances, which flying from mouth to mouth, in process of time became so many authentic traditions, and it is from these, that the present work has been compiled. The original author was a Moor of Grenada, and therefore, it is not to be much wondered at, if he should prefer the Mahometans to the Christians, and consequently incline rather to the former than to the latter. VOYAGES AND TRAVELS. All "Voyages dans l'Amerique Meridionale,par Don Felix D'Azara, &c." Travels in South America, by Don Felix de Azara, commissary and commandant of the Spanish limits in Paraguay, from the year 1781 until 1801; con. taining a geographical description of the river La Plata; the history of the discovery, and conquest of those countries; numerous details relative to their natural history, as well as the savage nations that inhabit them; a recital of the means employed by the Jesuits to subject and civilize the natives, &c. &c. Published from the author's manuscripts, with a notice relative to his life and his writings, by C. A. Walkenaer; enriched with notes by G. Cuvier, perpetual secretary of the Class of Physical Sciences of the Institute, &c. To which is added, the natural history of the birds of Paraguay, and La Plata, by the same author; translated from the Spanish original, and augmented with a number of notes by Sonini; accompanied with an atlas containing twenty-five plates, 4 vols. 4 vols. 8vo. Printed at Paris 1809, and imported by Mr. De Boffe, Nassau street. In the course of a short introduction, the author details his reasons for visiting America on board a frigate commanded by Don Joseph Varela-y-Ulloa, and two other naval officers in the service of Spain. He then relates that his employments on his arrival naturally induced him not only to repair to, but to note down his observations relative to the various provinces through which he travelled. As the country was for the most part flat, he was generally enabled to form an ideal line of march, between two different latitudes, by means of the compass; but on other occasions, he employed two men on horseback, who were detached in succession to given distances. To determine the exact position of the rivers, these were navigated by Don Felix de Azara in person; particularly the Paraguay, which he followed all the way from Jauru; the Parana, the Tiete, the Yesui, the Tebicuary, the Gatemy, together with part of the Aguaray, &c. were all explored, and great care was taken to mark the points of intersection with other streams. After detailing the names and the labours of his assistants, our author proceeds to notice various collateral sources of information. Among these he enumerates the archives of the Assumption, Buenos Ayres, Corrientes, and Santa-Fé. He then mentions the memoirs of Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca, who in 1542, received orders to complete the conquests already made; and the famous work of Herrera, towards the conclusion of the 16th century, “ who without knowing any thing of the country, transmitted to Madrid those communi*cations which bear his name." Schmidels visited South America, in quality of a simple soldier in 1595, and wrote a history of what he had seen, in Ger. man; Barco-Centenera, a priest of Estremadura, repaired thither in 1573, and afterwards composed his Argentina, or history of the river La Plata, in verse, from its first discovery until 1581. Ruy-Diaz de Guzman, born in Paraguay in 1554, in 1612 transmitted a manuscript account of "La Argentina," to the duke of Medina Sionia. Lozans, so well known for his history of the Jesuits, also composed an acMONTHLY MAG. No. 208. count of Paraguay, and the river De la Plata: the latter was afterwards corrected by one of the fathers named Guevara, a person equally diminutive in body and mind;" and at the expulsion of the order of Jesuits, a manuscript history of this country was discovered in the college of Cordoba. In addition to all these ought to be mentioned the manuscript works of Don Tadeo Haenk, who employed many years in travelling over South America. He confined his labours, however, to the natural history of the province of Cochambamba, and its vicinity, and was brought from Germany by the Spanish government, expressly for that purpose; a memoir drawn up by him serves as an appendix to the present work. The author commences vol. 1. with an account of the climate and winds, which prevail in this extensive territory, the southern limit of which is the Strait of Magellan, a portion of the Cordillieras on the west, the coast of Patagonia on the east, and the country under the parallel of sixteen degrees towards the north. These limits include a very irregular surface, containing a portion of land equal to the whole of Europe. The climate varies with the latitude; but it is generally observed, that the south and south east winds bring cold along with them, while the north blows warm. "The atmosphere is always humid, and soils the furniture every where, more especially at Buenos Ayres; there the chambers exposed to the south are always damp, and generally covered with moss, while the roofs abound with tufted grass, of about three feet in height, which is constantly eradicated every two or three years. It is very rarely that the vapours condense to such a degree as to form mists or fogs; the sky is clear and serene, and I have been told that snow never fell, except once at Buenos Ayres, and even then the quantity was but small. This snow produced nearly the same effect on the inhabitants of the country, as rain does on those who live at Lima. Hail too occurs but seldom; however, in the storm of the 7th of October 1789, some of the congelations were three inches in diameter. The annual quantity of rain is much more considerable here than in Spain; and 4 U the the lightning occurs ten times more frequently.' As to the cold, it is observed, that the southern hemisphere is always more in. tense, under the same latitude than the ncr bern. Yet, although Buenos Ayres and Cadiz are situate nearly in the same degree of latitude, in the latter city, great use is made both of chimneys and braziers; while chimneys are unknown in the former, and braziers but seldom recurred to. In respect to health, there is no country in the universe, we are told, more salubrious than Buenos Ayres. Even the immediate vicinity of lands that have been inundated, or are generally covered with water, produces no bad effect, as with us. Under the head of "disposition and quality of the soil," we learn that the vast surface formis nearly one extensive plain, the whole being a horizontal level, with the exception of a few elevations, scarcely exceeding ninety yards above their respective bases. One consequence proceeding from this is, that many of the rivulets, on descending from the Cordillieras, remain in the plain below, without running off, and, like the raius, are dissipated by evaporation alone. Another Rect from the same cause, we are told, is this, that artificial canals can never be employed to water the country, and because there is no descent, watermills are of course unknown. Another consequence of a very flat country, we are told, is an abundance of lakes, with an extensive surface and a small depth of water; and this actually occurs in all cases without exception. The famous lake of Los Xarayes is very large at one period of the year, and spreads its waters all around; but at other times it is entirely dry, and filled with aquatic plants. Even in the times of the in. undations, it is too shallow to be navigable. As to the soil, the massive rock which forms the substratum of these countries, is covered with a thin layer of earth: this consists chiefly of clay, which assumes a black appearance on the surface, from the decayed vegetables that accumulate there. Sand abounds in many places, and the little hill, called Cerrito Colorado, to the south of the river La Plata, is entirely formed of a fine species, capable of being used in hour-glasses. Under the head of "salts and minerals," we learn that towards the north, the cattle eat with great avidity, arf earth called barrero, which abounds in ditches, and is of a very saline taste. This is sometimes devoured to such a degree, as to occasion indigestion, and sometimes death. In the Brazils too, notwithstanding the fine pasturage, it is impossible to rear stock without salt, and this commodity is so absolutely necessary, that it is brought on purpose from Europe. There are whole nations, however, in those territories, to whom salt is still unknown; but they are supposed by our author, to supply the want of it, by means of fish and wild honey. In a flat country, minerals never abound. At the village of Maldonado, a few grains of gold are sometimes found in the sand of the rivulet called San Francisco; but the quantity is too small to pay for the expence of searching after it. In the plains of Monte Video, there were certain appearances which seemed to denote the existence of a silver mine; but on an experiment being made, the deception was disco vered. It is considered as probable, however, that there are actually mines of gold and precious stones in the chain of mountains called San Fernando, as well as in those denominated the Moxos. "I shall here describe a rare phenomenon of nature: it consists of a singular and unique block of native iron, flexible and malleable, but extremely hard. This mass contains a large portion of zinc, and on this ac count remains in high preservation, notwithstanding the variations of the climate. It is 15 palmos in length, by 8 in height, and in the whole, contains 624 cubic palmos. I am incapable of explaining the origin of this mass, and I am inclined to think that it is as ancient as the world, and has teca left precisely in its present state by the hand of the Creator." There are three considerable rivers enumerated and described in Chap. IV. besides innumerable rivulets * 1. and The Paraguay, anciently denomnated Payaguay, which rises in the mountains termed Sierra del Paraway. 2. The Parana, the sources of which are in the mountains termed Goyazes. And, 3. The Uruguay, which has been traced to the vicinity of the island of St. Catharine. springs. |