New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1842-12-13
VOL. He. NO. Gil.

distinguished author. For the information of our
readers, we will state as briefly as possible the
points in controversy writer in the Messenger,
whe evidently understands himself and his subject,
and who yields most vigorous and pointed pen,
refers to the research and learning exhibited in
IRvlsc's Columbus, for all of which the author
has heretofore received undivided credit. He goes
to state that, for tasrtyre gears, Signor Nava-
rette. an eminent literary gentleman of Spain, with
Industrious associates, was assiduously employed
under pay of his government, in exploring all the
Libraries, both public and private, throughout the
kingdom for manuscripts relating to the elder
yovagers of Spain. Amid dust and the worm
in war and peace, he had gone through all that
time, with an industry that never tagged, amass-
ing folio on folio until, in 1925, he published, as
the first fruits of his labor two volumes relating to
the life and voyages of Columbus These con-
tanned great number Of documents and facts,
never before published, all from original sources,
copied and deciphered with almost infinite labor
and skill, and verified with equal care and accu-
racy The work had just issued from the press,
when Mr.. IRVING is found in Madrid; ard III
twen,y-one months thereafter, his History in three
octave volumes came, finished from his hands
The writer in the Messenger contends, first, from
the nature of the case, that Mr. Irving must have
made free use Of the invaluable work thus com
pairing passages frem each work. to show that he
did actually take from Navarette sketches of pnr-
ticular characters and documents never before
brought to light. And he contends that the very
general terms in which he acknowledges his in
debtedness to this distinguished Spanish author
do not convey correct impression of the matter
to his readers And the claim set up for him, by
his admirers, that he "sought and discovered in
the libraries of Spain, by assiduous personal re-
searches, the original and unpublished documents
by which he has been enabled to correct the errors
and supply the defects of preceding writers, the
writer maintains does gross injustice to the dlsn-
suished scholar to whom he was in fact so deeply
indebted. These points urged at some length
| and with most forcible argument by the writer in
the Messenger His papers are written with con-
summatc ability; and, ere their statements are
discredited, must be answered by something more
effective than the page of snecrs and uery undig.
nifed well as very pointess abuse of the knick-
erbocker. IL is natural that the Editor, as well
as the other admirers of Mr. IRVING, should feel
some little astonshment, and perhaps Indignation,
that such charge should be brought against him
but the mere expression of that astonshment, with
a theatrical uplifting Of the hands at the 'pitifH
critic who has dared to prefer it, will not suffice
to rebut the facts and logic of his article.
awe will not, says the Knickerbocker, $50 far
SANDER the intelligence of our readers, nor un
derrate their opinion Of WAsHINGToN IRVING, rs
for one momen. to believe that, after perusng this
and kindred proofs in the paper to which we
alude, and to which we have directed their atten-
tion they will not applaud our resolution to per-
mi; no farther reference to this sefdscomited
hypercrtc in the pages of this Magazine Let it
be remembered only that
An eagle, towering in his pride OF place,
Was by a mousng owl hawked at
but not killed The owl it was that died -
This is smart enough but still most unsa,isfnc-
tory IF the Knickerbocker has good defence
for Mr. IRVING we think its presentation due to
that gentleman. If not, perhaps, its resolution to
maintain dignifed silence is the most discreet.
We regret to see in the knickcrbocker the very
thrilling and dramatic passage concerning the fate
of Colt. 1t can effect no possible good, but Is
directly calculated TO stimulate most pernicious
sympathy with criminals and q distrust of the
established tribunals of Law and of Justice which
must sadly weaken the pillars of Society and woik
harm to all its members.
THE DIARY: For lS3 Being an easy mode oil Registering
Incidents OF Past. Present and Anticipated Occurrence.
The practical method OF keeping Diary or
Journal suitable either for the Merchant, Professional
man, Mechanic or Housekeeper Containing a list OF
soners appointed 10 take acknowledgements IN other
States, Public kotaries and Commissioners in the CITY
OF New-York Masters and Examiners in Chancery,
Sheriff July for SlS Foreign Consuls, Banks and In
surance Companies, Time Table; also, many useful
memoranda relating the different Courts. New
Xork: JANSEN BELL, Dealers in Law, l!S Nassaus
ANY one who will take the trouble To read the
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Establishment of jansen & Bell in Nassau-stteet.
Their elegant new store is filled with every article
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Lawyers Us heretofore
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This is u beautiful edition of very charming
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