The Sun. — 1849-01-25 (London, England)

BUSCAPIE. By Cervantes. Translated from the Spanish by Thomasina Ross. It is difficult to say which portion of this volume is the more interesting and„attractive, that which contains the " Buscapie," or that which relates the history of Cervantes. The history of Cervantes as here detailed, is almost as marvellous and eventful as are the adventures of the Knight of La Mancha himself, as a brief epitome of his fortunes may testify. Destined for one of the learned professions, the young Miguel was educated at the University of Salamanca, where he distinguished himself by some poetical compositions. His education completed, be entered the service of Cardinal Acquiviva, in whole suite he visited Rome. He some time after entered the army as a private soldier, and was ,present at the battle of Lepanto. Although suffering from fever, he insisted upon taking part in the action, and gloriously distinguished himself. He was severely wounded, and lost his left arm on this occasion, but nevertheless " the memory of this day," says his biographer, " the 7th October, 1571, was to Cervantes like a ray of light beaming through the clouds of this past recollections." Cervantes was twenty-four at the battle of Lepanto. In 1675, while returning to his native land, having in the meantime continually taken part in the enterprises of Don John of Austria, Cervantes was made prisoner by the Algerines, and spent five weary years in captivity at Algiers. The narrative of his attempted escapes—escapes planned with so much skill, and undertaken with so much courage as to cause the Dey of Algiers to exclaim, "he should consider his slaves, his barks, and the whole city of Algiers perfectly safe, could he but get rid of that one-handed Spaniard"—is given in such an interesting manner by Miss Thomasina Ross, that we will not diminish its attractions by abbreviating it. Suffice it to say, that after many cruel disappointments, and many imminent perils, Cervantes returned to his native land at the close of five years' captivity. Here his literary history begins, but even this, the most tranquil period of his life, is crowded with extraordinary incidents—at one time he is thrown into prison on an unfounded charge of embezzlement, on another occasion he writes a prize poem and is rewarded with three silver spoons; and again he is arrested on suspicion as a homicide. For a further detail of these very interesting adventures we must refer our readers to this newly published volume. One incident, however, is too curious to omit quoting. " Don Quixote" on its first appearance created such general eucitement, even in royal circles, that King Philip, standing one day in the balcony of his palace, and happening to observe a student on the opposite bank of the Manzanares earnestly reading, who at intervals struck his forehead with his hand and burst into fits of laughter, exclaimed, " That student is either crazy or he is reading Don Quixote.'" The King's conjecture, on inquiry, proved correct. This very interesting biography of the great Spaniard is prefixed to a translation of "El Buscapie," a work which is indeed a curiosity of literature, for, after having baffled the researches of the learned, it has been introduced to the public for the first time, more than two centuries after it was written ! The importance of the work is naturally enhanced by the mystery which has hitherto enveloped it. It was originally intended as an explanation and defence of "Don Quixote," which work has, however, fought its way without the assistance of "El Buscapie." "El Buscapie" is composed of a dialogue between two travellers who meet in the course of their wanderings. The conversation, which is lively and sarcastic, turns upon the merits of romance and romantic literature in general and of " Don Quixote "in particular. It is well worthy of perusal for its own sake, while the .circumstances under which it was written and preserved considerably increase its interest. The little work written to support " Don Quixote " owes its own existence, at this day, the celebrity of " Don Quixote." It is not the first time that the patron has been patronised by the protegee. The elegant little volume containing Miss Ross's admirable translation is adorned with a very beautifully engraved portrait of Don Miguel de Cervantes. It appears from this biography that Cervantes died on the same day as-Shakspere.