New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-09-19
TIcKNoR.s SPANISH LITERATURE.

HISTORY ~ SPANISH LlTTKA1trr. Hy croroa
nckAoa. IN Tl'"s 'e.en'. iiHp. Ilit MN. 49,
Llf.on. Co.focied I'D En.afs'A I-lit.f f.rli'
In tho department OF literature. IL which this
elaborate work Is classcd. Nj Ticknor las won a
brilliant, and substantial reputation which may Vel
bc onyied by any American or European scholar
Ile hss devoted longer term Il years than b often
employed by literary men In active studies 20 Tho
composition and Improvement 81 these volumes.
almost every page be'rys Tie spiHi of aa,e'iora'e
interest In the subject vith which D. has lalond.
there are 10 traces u taskw OK tho diligence OF
mere mechanical habit. BIO has ncy,r suffered him
sell to grow weary Ia the manifold researches cascn-
iial to the intelligent execution 81 Ais plan; Gnd
while the experience Of students who have Lad O.
cas.on TO rely upon the authority Of BIS statements
will bear ample testimony 10 their comp ctcncss
accuracy, and point, bis work Is poryadcd with e
uehifll literary freshness both In tho ter, and
notes; The npc Judgment and cultivated taste Of The
author never sleep; and vast treasures o! historical
biographical and critical kuoslcdge are 81 forth IN
a style remarkable for its soholArlko tone and pol
ish, rs e1acincss of detail, and is conscientious
finish, though never losing the vital qualities Of
animation, facility and grace. The present edition
OF Bitul NoIh s'ttiNtt bsAb'i'SS ~
ant notifications. II will be found TO differ each
TALLY from tho form in which 1t Was originally pre-
sented as well AS from tho transletions OF II which
have been made into various European languages.
The largo space, for instance, formerly devoted 10
the primitive Castilian poems has been greatly cur
tailed, and only such extracts ere now published as
will enable the reader TO form correct idea Of their
peculiar value and significance. Tho lives Of
Garcilasso do Ia Vega, and Of Luis do Leon, have
been entirely rewritten from sourccs Of Information
not previously accessible. Tho Biographies Of
Coryantes, Of Lope do Vega, and Of several other
eminent Spanish authors, have, in Ike manner re-
ceyed valuable additions or corrections, enhancing
the interest Of the personal sketches which form
such an agreeable feature Of the work. Many au-
thors Of lees consequence, also, now for tho first
time find their appropriate place; whilc no small
portion of the critical estimate Of books has been
subjected to fresh revision. In preparing the now
edition for the press variety of materials not be
fore examined snd to an extent which would be alb
solutcly bcwildcring 10 the majority OF Students
has been opened TO the author fulfilling the assuf-
ancc that "to him that hath it shall be- gwen, ana
he shall have the moro abundantly." or thcse' III
has not failed 10 make most effective use, never
woaricd with passing over ground already tra'eled'
or daunted by tho prospect of exploring IMMENSE
and apparently, boundoss treasures not yet visited
Mr.. Tcknor may we'll be congratulated not only on
the patrican rank which his work has held for years
in the realm Of letters, but upon tho courage ana
vigor with which he has completed the ardnous TASK
of its thorough revision. 1t forms a noble monn'
mcnt Of American cultivation and scholarship, ana
will crown the memory Of its author with enduring
fame. With his pathetic " Hail and Farewell to
the readers Of the Iew edition, take our leave q