Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1883-01-01

in his place. But little more than twenty
years has elapsed since the discovery OF q
new world b. Cslnmbus, aud now this
g5apd disooverr OF Nunez de Balboa cre-
ates scarce less sensation throughout
Esrope. Yet not content with the glory
already achieved, he conceiyes and exc.
cutes the mighty project of building ships
ON these shores from timbers grown on the
Northern coast, and they were carried over
chain OF mountains on the naked backs
of Indian serfs, beses by poisonous rep
tiles, and breathing noxions airs under a
tropical sun or through heavy rains. No
wonder is it that hundreds of lives were
laid tribute to Balboa's ambition. This
forerunner OF Magellan, Saavedra and those
other navigators who carried the Spanish.
flag across its broad surface, now glories
in the success of his plans.
"What bright vision it is that greets him
as he drops down into the ses-his own sea,
that he had found and well nigh lost again.
Heaven is indeed beautiful, if it be any
thing fairer silver and gold, and pearl
are IN the sunshine, land and sky; while
the sea, the murmuring, gladdening and
majestic sea, it would inspire brute with
nobility-one sight of it. Dreams and
realities Wild as had been the dreams OF
these ignorant and voraoious men, dreams
with their. Indies and Araby Isles. they fell
far short Of reality"
Balboa is beheaded, victim to the re-
lentless hate of the hosry- headed old Gov
ernor.
Time, which throws misty cloud be-
tween the present and the past, and strips
the hideousness from many iniquitous
deeds, drops no friendly mantle over the
horrors Of that day at Acla. One century
after another goes by, and the colors on she
canvas deepen; the red gore dripping from
the sesffold becomes redder, the black heart
of Pedrarias becomes blacker, and the gen.
eroua qualities and brilliant achievements
of Vasco Nunez shine yet brighter. y ID.
459.
CONCLUSION.
By RELOCATING to the foot.notes discussions
and abstruse matter interesting chiefly to
the student, Mr. Bancroft has made his
work no less interesting than valuable.
His style is at once vigorous and suaye
descending now with Hume into the pro-
fundities of philosophic thought; now soar
ing with Ruskin into the realms of poetic
fancy, or breaking forth frequently with the
unmistakable briiiancy of genius. Heshows
ability in depicting the beauties Of nature,
and in portraying character and motive.
Nor does he fail in the subtleties of sar-
casm and in the use of classic illusions
he shows a prudence admirably distinct
from the affsetation of mere Slippers at
the Pierian fountains. Though precise
like Gibbon, he avoids his formahty;
though massive, he rounds his
acute stateliness While displaying
at times his cynic onslaught on antiquated
and superstitiols forms, ne never descends
to actual railing against beliefs hallowed
by millions, nor does ne fall so deeply in
love with his theme as to forget puritanic
instinct for stern impaTtislity. Hisisin many
respects the uncompromising spirit OF Car
lyle, Of whoge style occasional glimpses
appear Republican.like, be leans toward
the oppressed, tbs people, against looming
despatism. OF absorbing individuality of rul-
ers. But. then, Gibbons sympathies were
stamped by the decline and fall of
great people. Mr.. Bancrofs's are
tinged with the exalting views of the rise
aud progress OF a race. Such history is
fuller Of healthy dramatic incidents, and,
like Macaulay, he fails not TO make good
use thereof. without yielding to his color
ing and hero-worship. America may well
be proud of her western historian, who
must take his place with the foremost of
the age