Note 12.--It is a curious fact, that, to the Antwerp edition of the Araucana, 157., and to several others, there is affixed an approbation from captain Juan Gomez, praising Ercilla for his historical veracity, which he, the captain, could vouch for, from his having resided twenty-seven years in Peru, near the scene of the Araucan war. A strange recommendation of an epic poem! [Footnote 33: Araucana, canto XXXVI.] [Footnote 34: Araucana, canto XIII.] [Footnote 35: Cristobal Suarez de Figueroa, Hechos de Don Garcia Hurtado de Mendoza, edit Madrid, 1613, p. 18.] [Footnote 36: Araucana, Preface, p. IV. Madrid, 1776.] [Footnote 37: Suarez de Figueroa, Hist. of Don Garcia, Madrid, 1613, pp. 103, 104.] [Footnote 38: Arauc. canto XXXVII.] [Footnote 39: Arauc. canto XXXVI.] [Footnote 40: Suarez de Figueroa, pp. 104, 121.] [Footnote 41: Ibid. p. 104.] [Footnote 42: Ibid.] [Footnote 43: Suarez de Figueroa, p. 104.] [Footnote 44: Herrera, decada VII lib. I. cap. I. p. 2.] [Footnote 45: Arauc. canto XXXVI.] [Footnote 46: Arauc. canto XVIII.] [Footnote 47: Araucana, canto XXXVII.] [Footnote 48: _Avisos para Palacio_, p. 194.] [Footnote 49: Most of the celebrated Spanish dramatists (_Lope de Vega, Calderon, Moreto_, and others,) became clergymen in their old age, and deplored that they had written for the stage.] [Footnote 50: Araucana, canto XXXVII.] [Footnote 51: Vol. II. p. 199.] [Footnote 52: Quarterly Review, II.] [Footnote 53: Voltaire, Essai sur la Poësie Epique, liv. 8. Raynouard, p. 406.] [Footnote 54: Bouterwek, Hist. of Spanish Literature, trans, Lond. 1823, p. 412.] CERVANTES 1547-1616. It is most certain, that all those capable of feeling a generous interest in the fate of genius will turn with eager curiosity to the page inscribed with the name of Cervantes: not even Shakspeare has so universal a reputation. While the sublime character of Don Quixote warms the heart of the enthusiast, the truth of the sad picture which his fortunes present tickles the fancy of the man of the world. Children revel in the comedy, old men admire the shrewdness, of Sancho Panza. That this work is written in prose increases its popularity. Imperfect as all translations must be, none fail so entirely as those which attempt to transfuse the etherial and delicate spirit of verse into another language. But though to read "Don Quixote" in its native Spanish infinitely increases the pleasure it affords, yet so does its mere meaning speak to all mankind, that even a translation satisfies those who are forced thus to content themselves.