Page:Reviews of Bancroft's History of the Pacific States from British Quarterly Review and London Times.pdf/5



These two volumes, which are devoted to a History of the Conquest of Mexico, are in many ways remarkable. Mr Bancroft, by this masterly work, justifies all the hopes that his "History of the Native Racer of America excited. He shows not only learning and research, and rare literary power—grace and charm of style, without extravagance or rhetoric—but quick sympathy, together with great independence and impartiality of judgment. He follows no former historian, and doubtless will lay himself open to attack by the freedom with which he handles former authorities. Neither Robertson nor Prescott escapes, and he speaks rather coldly of Sir Arthur Helps's histories as well-meant and thoughtful, but imaginative—theories of the man standing too much in place of research and exact knowledge. Learning lays no weight on Mr Bancroft's narrative; this proceeds as lightly as though his course had not been impeded by the difficulties inseparable from original research. His authorities occupy over a hundred pages of small type. His treasury of manuscripts seems to be unique and extensive. If he is a little over-cynical now and then, this may well be pardoned to a man who has had to wade so far into the stagnant deeps of human nature. He might, how. ever, have qualified and allowed for exceptions sometimes, as when he writes like this: "As for honor, integrity, and all those virtues which go to make a man, we must not expect them in princes or in politicians. The chief merit of these two volumes is the combination in them of exactitude and exhaustive knowledge with sympathy and humane comprehension. The magnificence of the conception which contemplated the conquest of half a continent, and the daring enterprise and bravery with which it was achieved, do not blind him to the defects of the actors. No historian has more faithfully painted his heroes, both in light and in shade, than Mr Bancroft has painted Hernando Cortés in these pages. He lives before us as we read—the very man in form and pressure. While Mr Bancroft deprecates the lack of moral elevation in Cortes, and never fails to enforce the fact, his records, nevertheless, contain a due sense of the magnificence and daring of his exploits. And this all the more that those who were associated with Cortés, while as powerful in character as he, show far nobler traits and possibilities. Mr Bancroft brings forward the lieutenants, and paints them in their own features and independent personality. In this he shows the rarest power; for he preserves relations, and makes the more marked traits the one emphasize and relieve the contrasted traits in the other. The portraits of Don Gonzalo di Sandoval, Leon, and Aguilar are simply masterly. A few strokes, and the character is fully revealed; and we understand how the man will act. The sketches of Montezuma and of the more distinguished Aztecs are also vivid, and exhibit such comprehensiveness of character and purpose as few historians have surpassed. The tragedy deepens as it proceeds—the duplicity, the greed, the unscrupulousness, the cruelty are all undisguisedly set forth, and with such effect as makes us ashamed of our boasted European civilization. The characters of the Mexicans, in essential points—their sensitiveness, their honor, their desire to sacrifice so much to be at peace—are honestly set forth. In spite of a cruel, debasing religion, they showed fine traits. Something of their submissive