369 



for the lack of philosophy, by the apparent reality of his representa- 

 tions and the exquisite coloring of his descriptions; he brings the 

 distant near; or rather, he carries us, like some Arabian enchanter, 

 into that far distance ; he plants us upon the deck of the Caravel ; 

 we stand beside that lonely admiral, that visionary viceroy of undis- 

 covered realms, in his darkest moments : we share in 



'-the emotions dread that filled 



His frame on that October night, 



When watching by the lonely mast 



He saw on shore the moving light, 



And felt, though darkness veiled his sight, 



The long-sought world was his at last." — B. Simmons. 



Laying no claims to philosophy, the charming narrative was 

 addressed to the great world of English and American readers, and 

 that world has pronounced its opinion, in loud and continued 

 applause. 



Such I understand to be the significance of the gold medal pre- 

 sented by Greorge IV, to Irving, for the greatest excellence in histo- 

 rical composition. There were two medals ; the other was presented 

 to Mr. Hallam. In both these awards, unlike as were the medallists, 

 the first gentleman in Europe only echoed the voice of the educated 

 people of England and America, who had already signified their 

 approbation and delight. 



The literary ofispring of his Columbus, or rather of his Spanish 

 researches, were numerous, and worthy their illustrious progenitor. 

 They were the Chronicles of the Conquest of Granada, published in 

 1829; the Voyages of the Companions of Columbus, 1831; the 

 Alhambra, 1832; the Legends of the Conquests of Spain, 1835; 

 and, much later, during his rural retirement at Sunnyside, on the 

 Hudson, the History of Mahomet and his Successors. 



The Voyages of the Companions of Columbus, may be regarded 

 as an appendix to his Columbus ; not so rich in interest nor so care- 

 fully written; and, by no means, so generally read. 



But as I read his story of Granada and the Alhambra, my fancy 

 beholds him wandering in the gardens of the deserted palace, and 

 plucking a beautiful flower from the luxuriant roses in the court of 

 the lions. We stand by his side, we share his thoughts. 



I fancy him gazing in reverie upon the Sierra Nevada and the 

 Alpuxarras beyond, still resonant of Moorish war-cries and Christian 

 defiance, as in the day when Granada was the last stronghold of the 



VOL. VII. — 2 x 



