Explorers in the New World. By Marion MoM. Mulhall. (Longmans
and Co. 6s. 6d. net.)—" Both before and after Columbus," Mrs. Mulhall adds to her title. Of the " Predecessors of Columbus." who occupy the first chapter, there is little to be said. It is now pretty well agreed that certain Norsemen found the great Western continent some four centuries before the voyage of Columbus ; but all the evidence comes within a very narrow compass, and there is no likelihood of being able to add to it. But Mrs. Mulhall conducts us along many picturesque byways of history. During the early part of the nineteenth century there was a lively time in South America, and countrymen of ours had much to do with it.. In 1806 Major-General Beresford with sixteen hundred and thirty-five men captured Buenos Ayres. About million in treasure was taken, and for a while everything looked well. But the force was too small ; part was detached to convoy the treasure, and no reinforcements were forthcoming. In the end the whole force was itself captured. In the following year Monte Video was captured by General Auchmuty. The British force may have amounted to four thousand. The enemy lost eight hundred killed, five hundred wounded, and two thousand prisoners, besides the hundred and eighty guns with which the city was protected. The occupation did not continue long, but it was a distinct success. In 1807 came Whitelock's expedi- tion to Buenos Ayres. But Whitelock was not of the same type as Beresford and Auchmuty, and the affair ended in disaster, and even disgrace. More satisfaction is to be found in reading about the services of various volunteers—mostly Irishmen—who helped the cause of South American independence. There is the story of the British Legion at Carabobo, in Venezuela, serving under the command of Bolivar the Liberator. These were confronted by a Spanish force four times as numerous, and could get no reinforcements, and, for a while, no ammunition. By the time this had come the nine hundred were reduced to six hundred. The Colonel in command and his successor had fallen. Then they charged with the bayonet—" the bayonet in the hands of British soldiers is irresistible "—and the Spaniards broke. The battle of Carabobo settled the war, but tho British Legion lost two-thirds of their number ; the rest of the army lost
two hundred only. Well might Bolivar salute the survivors as Balroadores di mi. patria ! But he might have sent reinforcements.
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