Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

doubtedly qualities of style as well as mental and moral characteristics in which he resembled both Goldsmith and Addison, the two with whom he is most frequently compared, while in others it would be impossible to confound them.

The first volume of "Mahomet and his Successors," which had been prematurely advertised for the beginning of the year, appeared at its close, December 15, with the following preface, which gives a succinct history of the origin and scope of the work, and its gradual and intermitted composition :

Some apology may seem necessary for presenting a Life of Mahomet at the present day, when no new fact can be added to those already known concerning him. Many years since, during a residence in Madrid, the author projected a series of writings illustrative of the domination of the Arabs in Spain. These were to be introduced by a sketch of the life of the founder of the Islam faith, and the first mover of Arabian conquest. Most of the particulars for this were drawn from Spanish sources, and from Gagnier's translation of the Arabian historian Abulfelda, a copy of which the author found in the Jesuits' Library of the Convent of St. Isidro, at Madrid.

Not having followed out, in its extent, the literary plan devised, the manuscript Life lay neglected among the author's papers until the year 1831, when he revised and enlarged it for the Family Library of Mr. John Murray. Circumstances prevented its publication at the time, and it again was thrown aside for years.

During his last residence in Spain, the author beguiled the tediousness of a lingering indisposition by again revising the manuscript, profiting in so doing, by recent lights thrown on the subject by different writers, and particularly Dr. Gustav Weil, the very intelligent and learned librarian

VOL. III.-11

of the University of Heidelberg, to whose industrious researches and able disquisitions he acknowledges himself greatly indebted.*

Such is the origin of the work now given to the public; in which the author lays no claim to novelty of fact, nor profundity of research. It still bears the type of a work intended for a family library; in constructing which, the whole aim of the writer has been to digest into an easy, perspicuous, and flowing narrative, the admitted facts concerning Mahomet, together with such legends and traditions as have been wrought into the whole system of Oriental literature; and at the same time to give such a summary of his faith as might be sufficient for the more general reader.

In April, 1850, Mr. Irving gave to the world the second volume of "Mahomet and his Successors," which was greeted with the following notice from the same pen which heralded the appearance of his "Life of Goldsmith:"

The progress of the Moslem dominion, from the death of Mahomet in the year 622 to the invasion of Spain in 710, forms the subject of the present elegant volume. During this period of less than a century, the Moslems extended their dominion over the wide regions of Asia and Africa, carried their conquests in one direction to the walls of Constantinople, and in another to the farthest limits of Mauritania, and trampled down the dynasties which once held universal sway in the East. "The whole," says Mr. Irving, "presents a striking instance of the triumph of fanatic enthusiasm over disciplined valor, at a period when the invention of firearms had not reduced war to a matter of almost arithmetical calculation. There is also an air of wild romance about many of the events recorded in this narrative, owing to the character of the Arabs, and their fondness for stratagems, daring exploits, and individual achievements of

* Mohammed der Prophet, seine Leben und seine Lehre, Stuttgart, 1843.

an extravagant nature." Mr. Irving has not felt himself bound to follow the example of the most cautious historians in suppressing or softening down these romantic adventures, but has interwoven them with consummate skill into his narrative, and has thus given it a fresh and vigorous vitality, in unison with the exciting and triumphant career of the people whom he describes.

In deciding on the plan of his work, Mr. Irving disclaims all pretensions to being consulted as an authority, and has attempted only to present a digest of current knowledge adapted to popular use. He has accordingly adopted a form between biography and chronicle, admitting of personal anecdotes and a more familiar style of narrative than is compatible with the severe dignity of historical composition. We scarcely need say, that, in a department of literary effort so congenial to the studies and tastes of the admirable author, we find the same flowing beauty of expression and felicitous grouping of individuals and events, which give such a magic charm to every production of his honey-dropping pen. The only sentence which we regret in the volume, is the concluding one, which expresses a doubt of the continuation of the fascinating narrative to its natural and legitimate close. "Whether it will ever be our lot to resume this theme, to cross with the Moslem hosts the Straits of Hercules, and narrate their memorable conquest of Gothic Spain, is one of those uncertainties of mortal life and aspirations of literary zeal which beguile us with agreeable dreams, but too often end in disappointment."

The biography of Goldsmith, and the two volumes of "Mahomet and his Successors," were added to the list of Mr. Irving's collected works while the publication of the revised edition was yet incomplete. The "Alhambra" followed the last volume of "Mahomet and his Successors" in May; and the "Conquest of Granada," which closed the series, and of which he had written some new chapters from new lights, appeared in the succeeding summer. The publication of this work in a revised form, seemed to revive his anxiety to complete the two manuscript volumes of "Moorish Chronicles," mentioned in a previous chapter; while at the same time he expressed the most earnest desire to begin anew upon his "Life of Washington," which had been made to give place to the "Life of Goldsmith," and the preparation of the two volumes of "Mahomet and his Successors." "All I fear," was once his language to me, " is to fail in health, and fail in completing this work at the same time. If I can only live to finish it, I would be willing to die the next moment. I think I can make it a most interesting book-can give interest and strength to many points, without any prostration of historic dignity. If I had only ten years more of life!" he exclaimed. "I never felt more able to write. I might not conceive as I did in earlier days, when I had more romance of feeling, but I could execute with more rapidity and freedom."

CHAPTER XIII.

LETTERS TO GOUVERNEUR KEMBLE. DURAND'S PICTURE. THE HORRORS OF THE STEAM WHISTLE. LETTER TO GEORGE TICKNOR.-THE "EMBOZADO." -LETTER TO MRS. STORROW.-DEATH OF PRESIDENT TAYLOR. -VISIT TO JAMES K. PAULDING.-JENNY LIND. -LETTER TO MISS HAMILTON. -THE AUTHOR'S HEGIRA.

HE following is a reply of Mr. Irving to his friend Kemble, who had requested him, when in town, to call at Durand's, the artist, and tell him what he thought of a landscape he had some idea of purchasing when it was finished:

MY DEAR KEMBLE:

NEW YORK, April 7, 1850.

I have called with to see Durand's picture, and we were both delighted with it. It is beautiful - beautiful. Such truth of detail with such breadth; such atmosphere, such harmony, such repose, such coloring! The group of trees in the foreground is admirable; the characters of the trees so diversified and accurate; the texture and coloring of their barks; the peculiarities of their foliage. The whole picture had the effect upon me of a delightful piece of music. I think it would be a charming addition to the Kemble gallery.

I shall avail myself of the railroad, one of these days, to pay you the visit you suggest; but I must first get out of the clutches of the printers.

« AnteriorContinuar »