Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1882-05-30
For the SPECTATOR.
Ceryantes's History Of Don QnixOte.
A SKETCH OF CERvANTES AND HIS
GREAT WORK.
Compiled from old Menu


Dear readers, have been induced to
present to you some remarks and re-
Elections upon the genius Of that great
writer who gave to the world that
rare production, as unique as profound
Don QUIxoTE. The trouble and
pains have taken in preparing this
sketch was really pleasant task and q
labor of love, besides beinga most agree
able depression from the dry and often
tasteless and rewardless pursuit Of the
Law. 1 might also add here that the
recent reading of what two great men
in English literature wrote as tributes
to the genius of Cervantes also helped
to induce me to contribute my mite of
John Locke wrote: "Of all the books
of fiction. know none that equals Ger
vantes's History of Don Quixote in
usefulness, pleasantly, and constant
decorum. And indeed no writings can
be pleasant, which have not nature at
the bottom, and are not drawn after her
copy. ."-See Locke's Essay on Reading
and Study for Gentleman" And
Halram says: "Don Quixote is the only
book in the Spanish language which
can now be said to possess much of
European reputation. It is to Europe
in general what Ariosto is TO Italy, and
Shakspeare to England-the one book
to which the slightest illusions may be
made without affectation, but not missed
without discredit. Numerous transla
tions, and countless editions of them,
in every language, bespeak its adapta-
tion to mankind; and no critic has been
found paradoxical enough TO withhold
his admiration. Few books of moral
philosophy display as deep an insight
into the mechanism of the mind as Don
Quixote.' And when we look also at
the fertility of invention, the general
probability of the events, and the great
simplicity of the story, we shall think
Cervantes fully deserving of the glory
that attends this monument Of his ge
MUS"
OF course, in an essay designed as
newspaper article. it matters not what
may be the subject treated, it must be
presented in concise and compact
form, and all superfluity must be per-
sistently avoided The importance of
the theme and your own individual in
terest. no matter how great will not
admit of that prolixlty which to the
and even burdensome; therefore, my
brief as possible in my pre- sent treat
ment of the matter in hand, ami try. in
my humble way, TO arouse ) our inter
est in what has So much interested me.
At one period of Cervantes's literary
career, his genius appeared t. be almost
universal, and the extreme versatility
of bis great tale,ts seemed t. embrace
every depaitLl=n f human k;,owledge,
and Cervantes was fully aware of, and
deeply impressed with, the rare gifts
with which he was so grandly endowed.
We are told that AT this brilliant period
of his eventful life he had the femerity
to grapple with the Law and endeavOr
to master the mszss Of its Cretan laby-
rinth; and while be partly gained the
affections of the lovely legal Ariadne,
and came very nearly being devoured
by the fierce Minotaur, yet the boldness
Of the encounter, and the remarkable
degree of true courage it required, added
but fresh laurels to the genius of the
now vanquished hero, who had never
before met with defeat and disaster.
We are told that our literary hero sur
vived his legal experience wonderfully
well, and never once thought of dying
through regret at his i'll success. His
friends, who knew him well and appre'
ciated his great mental capabilities,
came to his rescue, and most truthfuliy
assured him, that in all ages since the
Law had ranked as the nobiest and
greatest of the professions, or from the
time Tribonian compiled the Pandects
of Justinian through all the centuries
down to the '.present Oldest tsvang m