Legends of the Conquest of Spain, by the Author of
" the Sketch-Book," is the production classed under the head of His- torical Fable. The two chief subjects of Spanish history which Mr. Iaviatc handles' in this revivification of the old chroniclers, are the story of Don Roderick and the narrative of the Arab conquest. We have read little more than the introductory chap- ter ; which is remarkable for general elegance of composition, and at least one inaccuracy in fact. The Americans seem to bare but scanty skill in classical chronology : a writer of the second century can be no authority for the characters of the fifth. Our legendary refers to JUSTIN, or rather he in a manner translates him ; but what the abridger of Taocus POMPEIUS applies to the aboriginal Iberians, Mr. IRVING describes as being said of the mingled Iberian and Gothic races,—a junction which did not take place till centuries after his quoted authority had ceased to exist.
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