Text: Edgar Allan Poe (?), Literary, Broadway Journal (New York), March 1, 1845, vol. 1, no. 9, p. ???-???

[page 129, column 2, continued:]

PRESCOTT’S FERDINAND AND ISABELLA.

The Harpers have lately issued the tenth edition of Mr. Prescott's invaluable “History of the Reign of Ferdinand and Isabella, the Catholic.” It is not our intention of course, at this late day, to say anything critically of a work whose preeminent merit is as definitely settled, and as generally admitted as that of any history in existence. It would be difficult indeed, to urge anything, with a show of reason, against the book, considered with reference to Mr. Prescott's intention in undertaking it — and it seems a matter of nearly [page 130:] equal difficulty to add, in the way of approbation, a syllable to what has already been said. We are guilty of a sheer true-ism in maintaining that “Ferdinand and Isabella” is a thorough, elaborate, well arranged, well-toned, and original record of an epoch replete with events of importance to mankind and of special importance to Americans. If there lies upon this record a shadow of blame it is on the score of a very pardonable partiality for the principal personages introduced.

Our purpose in penning this notice, now, is simply to call attention to the issue of a new edition, and to say a word or two of the book as a book merely, and as a very desirable acquisition to any library which shall happen to be without it.

It is the sole work giving a particular account of the epoch it discusses — the reign of Ferdinand and Isabella — although there are particular narratives, in an unbroken series, from Charles the First to Charles the Third. Yet it was in the reign of Ferdinand and Isabella that the several provinces into which Spain had been so long parcelled off, were reduced into one dominion — that the kingdom of Naples was conquered — that the Spanish Arabian empire was overthrown — tliat the Jews were banished — that the Inquisition was es-tablished — and, finally, that America was re-discovered by Columbus. This reign, too, (which should have been the historical basis of all the others) was rendered notable not only through Columbus, but through the illustrious statesman Ximenes, the “Great Captain” Gonsalvo de Cordova, and several other remarkable individuals, to say nothing of Isabella herself, in the illustration of whose character alone a bulky volume might be profitably written.

The only continental histories of the period are “L’Histoire des Rois Catholiques Ferdinand et Isabelle par L’Abbe Mignot” — and the “Geschichte der Regoierung Ferdinand des Katholischen, von Rupert Becker.” These works, however, are very brief and compendious; neither of them equalling in bulk one of our ordinary novel volumes. Their authors refer only to the most accessible materials, and make no claim to research.

The truth is, that previous to the period at which Mr. Prescott commenced his task (which was, we believe, in 1826 or 1827), there were comparatively no facilities for its accomplishment. The researches of Spanish literati have lately thrown much light, at random, on various points of the theme. Llorente, for example, the noted Secretary of the Inquisition, has issued his pregnant history of that memorable institution; Conde has given a literal version of the Spanish Arab chronicles; Sempere, Marina, and Capmany have written diffusely on the political aspect of Spain; Navarrette has made an extensive collection of original documents concerning Columbus; and Clernencin has completed the sixth volume of the Memoirs of the Royal Academy of Spanish History. To these sources Mr. Prescott is. of course, very very greatly indebted, and he is the first to avail himself of the vast advantages they afford. Mr. Irving's “History of Columbus” and “Chronicle of Granada” were very partial and very unexpected, although unquestionably very beautiful anticipations of small portions of Mr. Prescott's great design.

The edition now issued by the Messrs. Harpers, is carefully prepared from the third English edition, which embraces many important matters not embodied in the original work. While the second edition was passing through the press, Mr. Prescott!received copies of two valuable Spanish works having reference to his theme, but which from the recency of their issue, had not previously come to his know,

ledge. He was also enabled to avail himself of the “Ma-hommedan Dynasties of Spain,” a book of great merit just then published by Don Pascual de Gayangos, and which throws much light upon the Arabian portion of the Peninsular Annals.

The mechanical execution of the “Ferdinand and Isabella” is every thing that can he desired. It is issued in three royal octavo volumes of about 400 pages each, printed on fine thick paper, with bold type, and illustrated with portraits of Isabella, Ferdinand, Columbus, Ximenes, and Gonsalvo of Cordova. It furnishes also numerous autographs of these and other celebrated personages of the time discussed. The binding is very neat and durable.