New-York daily tribune., 1858-02-05
Ne,u:Uork DAILY Gfibm,te
NEW PUBLICATIONS.

THE SPANISH Conquest IN AMERICA By AarHus
HELPs Vol III. I2mo. pr. $50. Harper Brothers
Mr. Helps is one of the most honest and least
ambitious of chronicters. A man of refined and
cOntempatiye nature, addicted TO the pursuit OF
purely speculative inquiries, and cherishing the
most daiIt literary tastes, he has devoted himself
to the history of the Spanish conquest in America
with remarkable absence Of theory, diligent
study of the original sources, and an unwayering
impariaity which is rare even in these days of phi
losophical equilibrium In the present volume the
narrative is brought down TO the landing of Pzarro
in Peru, and the execution Of Atahuaps, with
whom the long line of Peruvian Incas was brought
to an eud. The peculiar charm Of this volume, like
those which have preceded it, consists in the antique
aroma impaired to its style by the free use of the
early records of the Spanish invaders We copy .
few paragraphs from description Of
FERNANDO CORTEZ.
II may not be ont Of place to remind the reader
what kind Of man Cortez was at the time OF the con-
quest Of Mexico. One who knew him well aud whose
descriptions of are often as minute a. if he was
noting animals fo- SALE thus depicts Cortez " He
Il good make and stature, weu-proportioned and
stawart. The color Of his face inclined to pallor,
and his countenance was not very joyful II LIS face
had been longer, it would have been Handsome. His
eyes, when he looked at you, had an amiabo ex-
preston; otf erwise, naughty one. His beard was
dark and thin, and was his hair. His chest was
deep, and bis shoulders finely formed. He was
slender, with very little stomach somewhat bow
legged with well-turned thighs aud ankles He was
a good hOrseman, and dexterous n the Use q; all
arms, as well on foot as on horseback; aud, above
all he had heart and soul which are what = nor 10
the purpose The same author dwells on the son.
derful patience of Cortez. When very angry, there
was Vein which sweled il his forehead aud another
in bis throat; but however eDraged, his words we're
always mild and decorous. He might Indulge with
bis friends in such an expression a. Plague upon
you" but to the common soldiers. even when they
sad the yudest things 10 hun, he merely replied, "Be
silent or go in Gods name, and from henceturward
have more care in what you say or 1t will cost You
dear, and shall have 10 chastise YOU. II appears
that in extreme Of anger he had a curious haDit
OF throwing of his ccsk; but even then he always
kept himself from and violent laDgusge--a
wile practice. for furious gesture h readily forgiven
lit is sign of the passion of the speakerl; not
single hasty word, which may kindle all the fires
of vanity in the pereon spoken 10. In his mode Of
argument the same composure was visible, and ne
was master in the arts Of persuasive rhetoric.
He WAS remarkably clean and neat in his person, not
delghting much IN tine silks or velves, or gorgeous
ornaments. One chain only, Of exquisite workman.
ship, he wore with an image OF the Virgin depending
from il, and one diamond ring He was very fopd Of
games 6f chance, but good or Ill fortune IN them never
disturbed hs equanimty though it gave him cpportU
pity for witty sayings. He was very firm in his re-
solves. To those who have read the history OF Mex
I'D 10 tDr time, IL IL 10
this fact. But no human virtue Is without its
responding drawback, 1t appears probable from some
words his chaplain let's fall, that Cortez occss sionsly
carried bis military resolve into civil life, and sOod
more upon bis rights in Legal matters than was always
wise or prudent He was not whet may be called
profuse man. and was occasionally even parsimonious
though immensely liberal lover friend, or
when he thought 20 carry purpose in war, or when
he wished 10 crafty any particular fancy.
His present grandeur Of estate sat upon him with the
easiness Of lifting robe that had long been worn
and he prescribed in no way the appearance Of new
made man. He seemed rather 10 baye come 10 some
high fortune which had been awaiting him from his
birth ANY one, however who has seen the singular
dignity and grace Of bearing which Spanish peasant
Of the prese ut Gay will manifest, under difficult
circ uulstances easily imagine that desce endant
Of good family, with P'zarTos and AltamranOs for
immediate ancesto:s would be very little dscoucerted
being suddenly called to 1T in tie seat OF judgment
to dispense rewards among obeceut followers, and to
sway Obsequous people accustomed 10 be ruled by
monsfchs of like lmperous dignity end cOmposure.
IL is probable that Corez, partially at least, tulned
the Quses Of that character OLe Of the rare to be
met Nth, and very much wanted at that time 10 the
Indieg-an adm able Of business. Rare, almost,
as great psets-rarer perhaps, than veritabe saints
and martyre-ere oonsummate men OF business. A
msD TO be excellent in this way, must not only be
riousy gifted but bis gifts should be nicely pfopcr
ior ed to another He must have in higa degree
that virtue which men have always torrd the least
pleasant of ymtues-prudence. His prudence, how
ever, will not be merely ofa cautious and quescent
der, but that which, being actively engaged, is
more htly called discretion than prudence. Such
uap must have an almost 9pOmilious love of details