New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-12-18
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
PREsCOTT's PHILIP THE SECOND.

bosoSi Paihps, sampson Co.
The portion Of European history embraced IN
these volumes extends from the sbdlcation OF
Charles " in 1855 TO the death OF Queen Isabella
in 1868. Apart from the important politcal rela-
tons of that period, it 10 crowded with events oil
stirring and romantic interest in singular mar
moDy with the genius sli taste OF the eminent
historian who has devoted the ssslduous laoors OF
several years TO it's study aud record The ALL
snce between Spain and England and the marriage
of Philip to the "bloody" Mary,-the war with
Pope Paul IV.,-tbe retirement Of Charles V. at
Yuste, and the details of his private life at the
celebrated Jeronymite Convent at that place.
| the extirpation Of Protestantism in spsln,-the
career of Alva in the Ne.herlsnds,-the siege OF
Malts,-the fatss Of Don Carlos and his step
mother the beautiful Elizabeth OF FraDce-are
among the highly suggestive themes which thai
era presents to the pen of the hi.torisn.
The principal English authority on the subject
has hitherto been found in the pages OF Watson, a
writer Of moderate prentensions, who although
| in some respects sufficiently agreeable nara
tor, was not imbued with the spirit of historical
criticism as to elevate his work to the rank OF
permanent classic in English literature. In regard
to this point, Mr.. Prescott presents strong aud
admirable contras. to his predecessor. One OF bis
most signal merits as historian aud which, of
course lies at the foundation of all distinguished
excellence in this department of literary arts
his obvious accuracy and discrimination of re-
search In tits quality, without the apparent ped
antry of the Germans, be shares their uhsur-
passed preeminence. No difficulties in the path
of investigation are too formidable for his enter
prise ard perseVerapce. Few writer's exhibit
higher degree of intellectual courage in leaving the
beaten paths of tradition and ascending to the
original sources Of information. In his devotion
to the purest and most authentic evidence, he
enulates the fidelity of Gibbon himself and even
surpasses that of Robertson, who we should
Judge is bis favorte model of historic composition.
In procuring the materials for this work, he has
been siDgularly fortunate. The public archives of
the great European capitals have been freely
opened to his inspection Many which have been
hid beneath the dust of ages are now literally ex
posed to the examination of the scholar, and Mr..
Prescott has not Ieelected to avail himself effect
lively of the advantage. A detailed account Of his
procedure in the collection of materials is given
in the preface TO these volumes, and will be read
with interest by every scholar.
Nor is Mr.. Prescott less remarkable for the dis
erection with which he handles his materials than
for his zeal in tracing them to the most satisfactory
sources. He is always calm, temperate, Judicial
He weighs evidence, if not always with the subtle
nicely of historical skeptcism. with caution, fair
ness, and good sense. Free from deep enthusiasm,
AZ I'D, 81
ing fances, and with passion for tracing general
principles in the development of events, he is not
liable to become the victim Of foregone theoretical
conclusions. Less q thinker than student, he
never permits the influence of favorite ideas to
throw a coloripg the procession.of affairs.
Without the intensity of conviction which grows
out of the conflict of thought. his mpartiality can
seldom be called in question. He makes no ap-
proach to the character of b subjective historian
Never, like Caryle for instance, does he melt and
trsnsmute the facts OF history in the fiery furnace
of his intellect, reproducing them with the fresh
ard brilliant stamp of his own genius. He never
looks at external objects in the light Of spiritual
suggestion attempting TO explore their profound
significance, to detect their relations with universal
humanity, or to seize the religious, prOvidentisl
Interpretation, which the interpretive student
like Emerson discovers in the phantas nagoric
march of secular history. But it does not follow
from this, that the objective element holds an IN
due proportion in his mind Mr.. Prescott does
not identify himself with the scenes which he de-
scribes. He writes like a cool, considerate, unm-
passioned spectator never like one who has sat at
tie council board of kings, who has been hurried
away by political exci,ements, who has been in
the thick of the battle, who has felt the pangs of
the MARTYR. who has shared in the deirium of love-
who hiss shouted in the exultation of victory, or
turned pale amid the carnage and death groans of
bloody field In this respect, Mr.. Alison, whom he
resembles in bis refined and elegant tastes and his
conservative habits of mind, ia far more effective
Alison. with all his superfciali.y and common
place, has wonderful talent in taking his reader
into the scenes of which he presents the portrait
ures II is because he throws himself wholly,
with all his heart and soul, into the incidents which
he rehearses. He thus makes us hear the clash
of arms, the tramp of charging troops, the din and
roar of the battle field. His sketches possess
stronq vitality. because he has lived in them him
self Mr.. Prescotts forte is undoubtedly object
i've description-n this line, he is almost always
successful often eminently happy, and sometimes
even ipspiripg-but still his most vivid pictures
want the glow, the thrilling life, the intense move
ment, which proceed only from q creative poetic
nature. II is not always, perhaps never, tina! the
most frigid temperament gain, the most accurate
perception of external facts. In the outward
world, as well as in the sphere Of character and
affection, intelligence comes from sympathy. We
never understand what we do not love, and Ger.