ABSTRACT
In every other country, to treat of its literary men is at the same time to give a history of its literature. From early times Spain was the birthplace of men of eminence in literature. Despotism and the Inquisition, ignorance and superstition, have been unable to level the noble altitude of their souls; and even while the manifestations of genius have been crushed, genius has survived. The enthusiastic patriotism which had gathered as waters in a mountain tarn, overflowed from the heights to which it had retreated, and finally poured over the whole land. The civil wars and rebellions that desolated Spain at this time checked the literary spirit, and prevented the cultivation of learning. The rhythm and the subjects were more artful and scientific than the songs of Castille, and thus at one time it was held in higher regard by the Spanish sovereigns who wished to introduce learning and poetry among their subjects.
