New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-09-19
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
THE FAIR GOD.


TnE FAIR GOD; Or THE LAST or THE TINS BY
LEW. WALLACE. l2mo. pp.6S6. James r. Osgood
4 Co.
The literary genesis of this brilliant production is
not without tinge of romance. ltwas written in
the guse Of translation from one of the quaint old
Mexican chroniclers. but the artifce too trans
parent for concealment, and in note to the
volume the author Acknowledges that 1t Is
an original work. The illusion. however is
sustained in the printed edition, giving
certain antique air TO the narrative, ana klhdlhg
the description of military events with the hre OF
the tropics. Mr. Wallace has thrown himself WIN
oat reserve into the gorgeous panoramic scenes ol
Che Mexican conquest Although his work ls not
the reDort Of an eyewitness 1t has all the vvacty
and splendor of colOring that could have been I'M
parted by spectator the spot. Ihere is no trace
of the formality and restraint that usually impair
tbe ,novcment of the historical romance. The
rnoldy annals Of the past are revived with the
freshness of living reality. We are transported into
the paaces of Montezuma and the battle grounds OF
Cortes. with no sense of the necromantic glamour
which SO often casts a misty haze over the attempt
to evoke the spirits Of the dead from their obscure
abode.
The story is founded upon the fulillment of a
prophecy which announced the approaching down
fall of the empire of Montezuma. Quetzal, the
"Fair Godv of the Aztecs. had laid the foundation
OF their powerful dominion. Upon his entrance
into the valley. which was the seat OF empire the
people were rude and savage. He changed their
manners and customs taught them agriculture ana
9th r arts and raised them to a high degree OF
material prosperity. While he remained in the
land famine was unknown, the harvests were
abundant. industry crowned with suc-
cess and happiness in every house
hold. At length the people became dlscon-
tented with their lot The ungrateful governors
threw off bis authority, and banished him from the
country. They renowned his religion, demolished
his temples and introduced the worship of idols, and
human sacrifices which he had prohibited Driven
away he went to the sea-cOast. and made his abode
In the quarter of the rising sun. But before his de-
partuIe he prOmisedt 10 return, and restore hls own
religion and take possession of the empire Al
the time when the story opens. his return was be-
heved to be at hand The people and the rulers ex-
pected him every hour universal dread had set
tied over the community In order to propitiate the
vengeance Of the god, the people had been sum
moned solemn sacrifices appointed and
course Of splendid cOmbatS was to take place.
The scene Of the magnificent ceremonies which
were to be enacted in depreciation of the
wrath Of the offended God was the ancient
city of Tenochttlan. which had been made
the capital of the nation. lt now con-
tanned sixty thousand houses and three hundred
dwellings aud its streets. Its market was cele-
brated throughout the land. Wealth was abundant,
and its walls resounded with the hum of myriad
life. The eve Of the great day is described IN
manner which prepares the reader tor the high 80
IDENTITIES that were TO follow.
over the city from temple 10 temple passed the wal
az the watchers. and quarter Of the night was gone
Few heard the cry without pleasure: for tomorrow
Qaetzas day, which would bring feasUng music com
Among Diners tue proclamation Of the passing time
made from temple in the nelghb0rhood OF me
built hy Of the first kings OF Tenochutian ard IKE
but one story and had but one tower At the south
ts washed by canal on ali the other sides
II WAS inclosed by stone walls high probably, as
mans head The three SIDES walled were bounded by
and faced 10y houses, some OF which were higher
Tae canal on the south ran parallel Win the aso2aa
point nearly half a mile above the great pyramid
The antique pile thus formed square of vast extent
According TO the belief that there were blessings in the
orient rays Of the sun the the east, where
fight Of steps wide the whole building led from the
roof crowned IN the center by round tower Of wood
quantity carved with religious symbols Entering
the door of the tower, the deyotee might at once knee
before the sacred image Of Quetzai,
crcutOus stairway outside the tower conducted TO
its summit. where bazed the fire. Another flight Of
steps midway the and the verge OF
III shade OF cOlOnnade were dUOrs and windows OF
habable apartments and leading far into the
and darkness, once slept ate prayed and studied OF
dreamed, the members OF fraternity powerful As the
Tcmplars aud gloomy as the Fratres MinOres.
Tue interior was cnt INTO rooms, aud long winding
halls. and countless cellular deus
Such the ca Of QuetziP-stern, sOmber. and
in ite hrst DAYS unchanged III All save tine
prosperity of ts priesthood and the popularity Of it,
shrine. Time was when every cell contained its volta
and kings, returning nom battle, bowed before
the altar. But MOHtezuma had built new edihce
and set mp there new dol and as If king could bet
make goa than custom. the people abandoned the
old ones 10 desuetude. Up Ia the ancient cupOla,
however. the image SAID 10 have been carved by
Que,zals own hand still the fair face looked out be
ngnlY its realm OF ar careiessy the winds waved
the plumes Of IRE that decked It's awful head and
one stony hand YET gIasptd gOdeh scepJei whle the
Other held alOft the painted symbols OF it's do
Ininion. servitOrs and surphced mystics
gone the cells were very soindes the last papa lin-
geTed protect the image and It's mansion. All unWt
Ting how his fathfulness OF love, ne himself had
snmed the bI CHEST prerOgatlVe OF a god.
The IRE from the urn the tower flashed red glow
down over the 0<Oteds near corner OF which MuaOX
stood, his beard white ana moving as MS surplice
Thought Of days PALMER for himself and glorious
Tor ms temple ana god struggled TO his lips.
children OF Azatau yt nave strayed from his shrine
and on has shield The temple is OF has hsndi-
work, hut his chambers are vOlceless; the morning
comes falls asleep its steps and foot dsturb
IL no one seeks blessings. Where Is the hvmu OF
the chOrl Where the prayeri Where the holiness that
rested. Ike a spell. around the altari Is the valley
fruItess, and The gardens without flowers that he
should be without Offering or saeIldcei All!
well ye know that the day Is not distant when he Will
Qsor again in the valley when he will come. not OF
old he departed the full harvest quick rpeuing his
footsteps but with the power OF Mctan, the owl on his
skirt, and death IN his hand Return, children, and
TenOcbttau may Yet 1--we -
In the OF his peadiDgs there a clanG OF
him and stopped. one OF them the hood and long
biack gown Of priest the other fun military grb,-
nia0ut escIuDi and mdIdA andsandals the thongs Of
which were embossed with silver he also carried "A
1ayenn, aud shield ~lth an o" painted on ITS race
Indeed. will travel lar before nndng among Chris
Nlaus unbeIeyers, his peer He was then not more
Than twenty-five years old tall aud nobly proportional,
aud with bearing truly royal In spain nave seen
large aud lustTOus but none or such power ana
variety OF expression His complexion was merely the
brown OF the sun. IhOush very masculine MS features,
especially when the spirit was IN repOse, were sOitened