THE
SKETCH BOOK OF GEOFFRY CRAYON, Esq.
2 Vols.
Had Mr. Irving left no other memorial of his genius than the Sketch Book, it would be alone sufficient to a pedestal in the Palatine Library of the XIXth. century. Justly may he contend with the “Enchanter of the North” in the rare quality of story-telling, for never was a tale more pleasantly told than “The Legend of the Sleepy Hollow.” Neither is there a more exquisitely beautiful or sentimental fragment in all the heart-moving scenes drawn by that able and amiable writer than Irving’s sketch of “The Broken Heart.”
VOYAGES AND DISCOVERIES OF
THE COMPANIONS OF COLUMBUS.
By Washington Irving. With Illustrations.
The extraordinary actions and adventures of these men may be said to unite romance and truth. Chivalry had left the land, and launched upon the deep in the ships of these Spanish discoverers. Contempt of danger, and fortitude of suffering, a passion for vain-glorious exploit, and a bigoted zeal for the propagation of their faith, are the characteristics of these marine heroes. The extravagant career of the daring Ojeda, particularly his adventures along the coast of Terra Firma, and the wild shores of Cuba—the sad story of Nicuessa—the singular cruise of Juan Ponce de Leon, who fell upon the coast of Florida, in his search after an imaginary fountain of youth—and above all, the chequered fortunes of Vasco Nunez de Balboa, whose discovery of the Pacific Ocean forms one of the most beautiful and striking incidents in the history of the New World,—are so many examples of knight-errantry upon the high seas. The charm of Mr. Irving’s style has never been displayed more strikingly than in this little manual of true romance.
THE UNIVERSAL HISTORY FROM THE CREATION OF THE WORLD.
By Alexander Fraser Tytler, Lord Woodhouselee.
6 Vols.
Perhaps few works in general literature were ever produced more synthetically, or with more vigilant caution than “The Universal History.” Mr. Gilpin requested his most learned and judicious friends to criticize his MSS., and for many years they were submitted to this wholesome ordeal. The Universal History at first appeared in the form of Lectures, and was received with the most entire approbation of the students. The sketch thus carefully made for oral delivery was gradually filled up, and the picture completed in every part.