Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1882-06-06

critics argue that what puts the satiri,
purpose Of the Rhine of Sir Topaz on
of all question, is, that this short poem
is 80 managed as, with infinite humor
to expose the leading impertinencies o.
books of chivalry the very same which
Cervantes afterwards drew out and ex-
posed atlarge in his famous history.
One Of these critics reasons that "Sil
Topaz is all Don Quixote in little; az
you will easily see from comparing the
two knights together; who are drawn
with the same features, are character
lied by the same strokes, and differ
from each other but az sketch In min.
iature from a finished and full-sized
picture" Another maintains that Ger
vantes is very particular in describing
the person and habit of his Hero, agree
ably to the known practice of the old
romancers, and that Chaucer does the
same by his knight, and in q manner
that almost equals the arch gravity Of
the Spanish author. It is also cited
that Don Quixote passed his time in the
country before he turned knight errant.
And that Chaucer, in the same spirit,
celebrates his knights country diver
1 =
and wrestling, those known prOlusions
to feats of arms. We admit the knights
of romance were used to dedicate their
services to some paragon of beauty,
such as was only conceived to exist in
the land of Fairy, and could no where
be found in this vulgar disenchanted
world. Hence, one of the strongest
| features in Don Quixote's character is
the sublime passion he had conceived
for an imaginary or fairy mistress: our
critics assert Sir Topaz was not behind
him in this extravagance.
We know Don Quixote's passion, for
this idol of his fancy was so violent,
that, after all the bangs and bruises of
the day, instead of suffering his weary
limbs to take any rest, 1t occupied him
all night with incessant dreams and
reveries of his mistress. 1t is said Sir
Topaz was in the same woful plight.
And we are told the chastity of the hero
of La Mancha is beyond question and
we'll known, from variety of trying
temptations; so Sir Topaz distinguish
ed himself by his knightly virtue. And
ity, that the fight of Sir Topaz with
the Giant of three heads, in honor of
his mistress, together with his arming,
and the whole ridiculous preparation
for the combat, described at large in
several stanzas, 1s exactly in the style
and taste of Cervantes on similar occa-
sions. Cervantes gives us to understand
that 1t was familiar with his knight to
sleep in the open air, to endure all hard
ships that befell, and to let his horse
Craze by him. Chaucer tells, in like
manner, of his knight, with much hu-
NOR.
And lastly, as Cervantes, after the
example of the Romance Writers, will
have it. that knight surpasses all others
of ancient fame, so Dan Chaucer is care.
full to vindicate this high prerogative to
his hero. But enough of this compari-
son.
If we cast a glance on the collected
works of Cervantes, In order to ascer
tain what their author was entitled to
claim as his original property, inde-
pendently of his contemporaries and
MUS of that poet, who is in general only
partially estimated, shines with the
brighter lustre the longer 1t is contem-
plated. That kind of criticism which
Is to be learned, contributed but little to
the development and formation of his
genius. A critical tact, which is truer
guide than any rule, but which aban-
dons genius when 1t forgets itself, Sc
cured the fancy of Cervantes against
the alterations of common minds, and
his sportive wit was always subject to
the control of solid judgment. The
vanity which occasionally made him
mistake the true bent of his talent,
must be confessed to have been pardon.
able, considering how little he was
known to his contemporaries. He did
not even know himself, though he felt
the consciousness of his genius. From
the mental height to which he had
raised himself. he might, without too
highly rating his own abilities, look
down on all the writers of his age.
tai genius, might be placed beside him
in his own country; but of all the
Spanish poets, Cervantes alone belongs
to the whole world.
I am fully persuaded that the most
accurate history of the past three CEN
turies will present no page of real hero
ism and knightly valor, upon which
the truest and best elements in human
ity will fondIy smile and approve, that
will at all compare with Cervantes's
own redoubtable hero, Don Quixote de
la Mancha.
And in all the long and bright array
of illustrious names that have been gar
landed with the unfading chaplets of
divine genius, names which have hon.
ored and elevated the human race, none
have shone with steadier ray, none
will be preserved and sustained with q
more imperishable renown, than that
of Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra.
And now, kind and patient readers,
in concluding these somewhat random
and disconnected remarks, under the
title of "Sketch of Cervantes and his
Great Work, Don Quixote," }" am prone
to indulge the hope, that you will agree
with me in my estimate and admiration
of the famous author and his celebrated
production. If you have not read Don
Quixote, be certain to do so; and if you
have read it, read it over again. thought.
fully and carefully. This will at least
repay me in part for the self-imposed
task / assumed in preparing this article
for your attention and benefit.
G. A. r.
Staunton, Va, May, 1882.
ANOTHER FINE HORsE.-Mr. James
r Keene, of New York, has presented
to his brother.in-law, Capt. Foxhall A.
Daingerfield, of this place, the splendid
bay thoroughbred horse, Dan Sparling,
6 years old, by Imported Glenelg, out
of Item, by Lexington. Dan Sparkling
is to be used as q stock horse. The turf
career of Dan Sparkling was brilliant.
and will be remembered by those inter-
ested In turf matters In 1879, he was
stabie-companion of the rld-renown-
ed dSpendthrift, when Mr. Keene with the