26.-Description of the Scenery of the Dargle, 27. On the Claims of Chatterton to Fame, independently of the Poems attributed to 29.-Biographical Sketch of John Henderson 164 30. On the Origin of Chivalry.... 31.-On the Sources of the Pleasure derived THE PONDERER. No. 1. Sic honos et nomen divinis vatibus, atque Carminibus venit. HORACE. "It is thus fame and honor are given to poets and to song." THE literary history of few countries presents more materials for reflection, or contains a more instructive lesson, than that of Spain. At the revival of letters, this country acquired an immortality of reputation by its distinguished services in the cause of literature, and presented an assemblage of genius and ability which might have aspired to divide the palm of literary glory even with Italy itself; while, in reference to futurity, it promised a succession of talents capable of elevating Spain to a degree of intellectual superiority among the nations of Europe, which should be commensurate with the rank it obtained B by its political relations under Charles the Fifth. It is a subject of notoriety that these flattering expectations have been altogether disappointed; nor will it admit the shadow of a doubt, that the intellectual as well as political degradation of Spain must be ascribed to the influence of that tyranny, which, in Italy, procured the imprisonment of a Galileo, and, in Spain, produced a retrogression of mind, by arresting its progress. At the present period, Spain, together with its language and literature, are become objects of peculiar interest, and consequently receive a considerable portion of attention. This is not to be ascribed entirely to the political connexions subsisting between that country and Great Britain, but must in a great degree be attributed to Lord Holland's "Life of Lope de Vega," which has diffused a taste for Spanish literature, and rendered the acquisition of the language in some measure essential to every one, who is ambitious of obtaining the reputation either of an accomplished, or an elegant scholar. To the same object Mr. Hayley has contributed in no inconsiderable degree by his notes to the "Essays upon Epic Poetry," which contain an interesting analysis of the Araucana,' with translations of its most beautiful passages, and a biographical notice of the poet. For these services Spanish literature in England is under the highest obligations to Mr. Hayley, who has not only given the most ample information respecting this celebrated epic poem, but, I believe, the only account capable of affording gratification to an enquirer into the merits of Spanish poetry, which the English language furnishes.* These general observations are designed to introduce to my readers a biographical sketch of the Spanish lyric poet Villegas, a cotemporary of Lope de Vega, and, as an author, extolled by the Royal Academician who published his poems, for his correct taste, originality of conception, and elegance of style. To this praise Villegas may be acknowledged to possess some pretensions ; but when his editor afterwards adds, that he united the suavity of Catullus, and the festivity of Anacreon with the peculiar elegance of Tibullusthat he managed with equal skill the lyre of Horace, and the reed of Virgil,-it may be granted that the biographer exhibits a facility of composition, but it must at the same time be confessed that he betrays a lamentable deficiency in accurate discrimination. This conduct, with which editors * Dillon's Letters on Spanish Poetry, 8vo. 1781, contain a biographical sketch of Ercilla, and a brief notice of Villegas. |