THE POEM OF THE CID. 
221 
and cattle-tending ; and they will find invaluable any knowledge 
secured of rough carpentering and the handling of tools generally. 
Waggon-travelling on the prairie is so essentially different from 
any journeying at home, that there is a great charm in it, although 
it is lonely, and comforts are conspicuous by their absence. 
THE POEM OF THE CID. 
SYLLABUS OF LECTURE BY REV. J. ERSKINE RISK, M.A. 
(Read 7th March, 1889.) 
The poem itself necessarily the chief object of enquiry. I. The 
historical personality has been disputed (by an alleged descendant !), 
but without reason. Some at least of the recorded events mani- 
festly historical. Fragmentary opening of the poem, and quotation. 
II. Particulars respecting the poem and its literary character; 
place where written, and manner of recitation. Query as to 
author. Contents, plan, and historical (i.e. non-mythical) character. 
Poem composed of two cantos, which Spaniards call "cantares," 
each cantare terminating with a marriage — first, of Cid's daughters 
with the Counts of Carrion ; second, of the same ladies with the 
Princes of Arragon and Navarre. Truth and naturalness of the 
poem. Illustrated by account of sally, from the beleaguered Castle 
of Alco£er, against the Moors. Episodes in the poem. "The 
Forest of Carpes" and "The Cortes of Toledo." Incident in the 
combat with the Counts of Carrion, and their final overthrow. 
III. The poem as an historical monument. Similarity of early 
Spanish and French manners, customs, and superstitions. Bearing 
of this on the question of the formation of the Spanish tongue. 
Instances of French influence on the language of the poem, as 
well as on the versification. Style of the versification not Arabic, 
but distinctly modelled on the old French types. Proof from the 
old Provencal and French romances and chansons. 
