History Of Spain And Portugal Volume One Antiquity To The Seventeenth Century PDF Download

From the preface: "The present is an attempt-the first that has been made in our language-to compose, from the interminable mass of original authorities, a general history of the Spanish and Portuguese Peninsula. That such an attempt has not been made before now, will surprise no one fully aware of the difficulties attending it. Even with the advantages of a long and intimate acquaintance with Spain, -an acquaintance not merely literary, but personal; not confined to one city, but extending over a great part of the country, -we could not foresee their precise extent. The number of authorities, many of great rarity; the trouble and expense of procuring them; the labour of forming a clear and connected narrative from materials generally confused, often obscure and contradictory; above all, the more than Egyptian darkness which at every period involves the political, civil, and ecclesiastical institutions, no less than the social condition, of the Peninsula-subjects, however interesting and important, unaccountably neglected by the national historians-are obstacles formidable enough to intimidate the most resolute student. Could any thing short of actual experience have shown them in their true magnitude, we should assuredly have recoiled from the present task. It is now executed-in what manner remains for the public to decide. In stating these difficulties, we do not wish either to claim merit for diligent research, or to disarm criticism. We have sometimes spoken strongly of others, and we cannot reasonably object to the same treatment in return. We can only expect that the critics who may honour this compendium with their notice, will exhibit the same impartiality, and use the same diligence towards forming a correct opinion, as, we hope, have guided us."