Weekly Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1853-1861, 1856-01-24

Book Notice.

HISTORY OF THE REIGN OF PHILIP THE SIC
OND, King OF Spain, by WILLIAM X. PsE=corTr cor
responding member ofhe Institute OF France, Of the
Royal Academy OF History al Madrid, &C.. &c. In
two volumes. Boston: Phillips, Sampson, * Co.,
1855. For sale b. MERRILL q Co., indianapolis.
We are indebted to the publishers for a
copy of this splendid work. 1t is an honor,
not only to its gifted and distinguished au-
thor, but to the country. It's appearance has
elected the most fiattering encomiums at
home and abroad. It will ind place in ev-
cry library, and remain lasting monument
Of the great historians fame, so long as civ
ilization lasts. No one who has read Pres
colts Ferdinand and Isabella need be told
that in this work we have an addition to lit
erature, the value of which can scarcely be
over-estimated. We promise ourselves a
rich treat in reading it--of course We have
had time as yet to do no more than glance
through IT, We need only cay in addition,
that the s-raeehanieAl .sxacltionse Ethesszxel-
umes is worthy OF the work and its author.
A foreign journa. (the London Atheneum)
saysof it:
Mr.. Prescotts narrative Of the remarka.
bic and diversified events distinguishing the
period, is constructed in great part of new
materials. AS the history extends over many
countries. and touches the fortunes of many
States, so the historians researches have run
through nearly all the libraries of Europe
He has drawn from the archives and private
collections of Great Britain, Belgium, the
Netherlands, France, Spain, Germany, and
Tfof riaIs eh uiU N is hO0 an
original as we'll as anauthoritative character.
With this mass Of new evidence he has COM
pared the published records of the time, and
the result is narrative, which, ss far az it
has gone, deserves to rank with the best his
torieal works by contemporary writers. For
in addition to its substantial value as a con-
tribution to the political. religious, and social
annals of Europe, It derives some of ics most
admirable qualities from the peculiar genius
of its author. In warmly colored style
clear, flexible, and full OF yariety-Mr Pres
colt narrates the incidents of Philips reign.
His story moves swiftly, but IS nowhere in
complete. The personages are well grouped
the order of circumstances and the order
Of time are neither confused nor isolated.-
The book Is at once pictorial aud sober, crit
ical and dramatic.
gular art, the obvious difficulties of his sub
ject. The extension of Philips influence
into the policy of 80 many 6tates-his yari-
Gus wars, his multitude Of political transac-
tons, simultaneous or uccessiye-rendered
it no easy task to preserve the clearness and
unity of the narrative. Mr.. Prescott recog-
nizes this perplexity. aud oyercomes it by
adopting system of historical grouping, in
which the several events revolve round one
principle, which was the guiding force OF
Philips reign--his determination to uphold
the power of the Chsrch in relation with
that of the Throne throughout his domin-
ions. Tracing the origin and cause of these
political, religious, and military events, Mr.
Prescott fills his canvass with accessory de-
tails-with ,lelicately tinted pictures of So
cial life-with grand architectural perspect.
ives-with rsgeants described in language
which reflects the gorgeous varieties Of Bur
gundian pomp sndsplendor."