2. Notices sur la Literature et les Beaux Arts en Suède. IX. L'Agent Immediat du Mouvement Vital dévoilé dans sa Nature et dans son Mode d'Action chez les Végétaux et chez les Animaux. Par H. Dutrochet. 2. Supplemento alla Storia d'Italia di Botta. 3. Osservazione critiche sulla Storia d'Italia. V. 1. Memoires Anecdotiques sur l'Interieur du Palais, et sur quelques événemens de l'Empire dépuis 1805 jusq'au 1 Mai, 1814, pour servir à l'Histoire de Na- poléon. Par L. F. J. de Bausset, ancien Préfet du 2. Memoires Historiques et Secrets de l'Imperatrice Josephine, &c. Par Mademoiselle Le Normand. 400 VI. Bestimmung des Brechungs und Farbenzerstreuungs XI. Die katholische Kirche, besonders in Schlesien, in . XIII. Anthologie Russe, suivie de Poesies Originales, Dediée à S. M. l'Empereur de toutes les Russies. Par P. J. Emile Dupré de Saint Maure. THE FOREIGN QUARTERLY REVIEW. ART. I.-1. Historia de la Dominacion de los Arabes en España, sacada de varios Manuscritos y Memorias Arabigas. Por el Doctor Don José Antonio Conde, del Gremio y Claustro de la Universidad de Alcala; Individuo de numero de la Academia Española, y de la de la Historia, su Anticuario y Bibliotecario; de la Sociedad Matritense; y Corresponsal de la Academia de Berlin. Madrid. 1820-1. 3 tom. 4to. 2. Histoire de la Domination des Arabes et des Maures en Espagne et en Portugal, depuis l'Invasion de ces Peuples jusqu'à leur Expulsion définitive; redigée sur l'Histoire traduite de l'Arabe en Espagnol, de M. Joseph Conde, Membre de plusieurs Sociétés savantes, Bibliothecaire de l'Escurial, de l'Academie d'Histoire, &c. Par M. de Marlès. Paris. 1825. 3 tom. 8vo. It was one among the many odd speculations of Major Jardine, who obtained considerable reputation some forty years ago by his Letters from Barbary and Spain, that the peculiar excellencies of the Spaniards were to be accounted for by the great mixture of races which in the course of so many revolutions has been effected in that nation. The theory might afford matter for a discussion in which many curious physiological facts might be adduced, but which could lead to no conclusion. It is, however, remarkable that purity of blood should have been so scrupulously regarded in a country where the intermixture, beyond all doubt, has been greater than in any other part of Christendom. There is the old Iberian stock, derived we know not whence, for no affinity to any other tongue has yet been discovered in the Basque language: Kelts, Carthaginians, and Romans succeeded; and then a swarm of Gothic nations possessed the peninsula for three centuries. In addition to all these varieties, the Greeks long maintained their dominion upon the coast; and there was from early times a large infusion of Jewish blood-the only ingredient of which "the most Catholic" nation is ashamed; though of all pedigrees, that which ascends to Abraham might properly be esteemed the proudest. VOL. I. NO. I. B Then came the Mahommedan conquest; under that appellation men of many countries were included Syrian, Moor, Saracen, Greek renegade, Persian, and Copt, and Tatar." The after-influx was mostly from Africa, and for the greater part was drawn from the Berber tribes, who were probably, as they considered themselves to be, of Arabian origin, but with a Numidian, and perhaps an Egyptian and a Punic cross. The Moors remained nine hundred years in Spain, and though difference of religion rendered any approach toward such an union as should have formed the Christians and Mahommedans into one people impossible, a very considerable intermixture took place, at first in favour of the Moors, latterly of the Spaniards, when they in their turn obtained the ascendancy. The Roman and Gothic conquests have produced most effect upon the language and institutions of the people: the Moors have left the noblest remains, and in the south of Spain the manners and physical characteristics of the inhabitants to this day bear traces of their Moorish descent. Of this the French often reminded them in times when the rivalry between the two nations was at its height. Thus Ronsard speaks of "l'escadron ardent Des peuples bazanés, mi-Mores d'Occident;" and in the Satire Menippée the same appellation is given them in bitterness, as if it conveyed a national and stinging reproach. Yet Spain may regard the Moorish ages of its history with pride, in whatever light they are considered. Except the expulsion of the Moriscoes, (which is the most extensive and dreadful act of remorseless policy that has ever been carried into effect in modern times, and by a Christian people,) there is nothing in this whole portion of its annals but what is honourable to the Spanish character. It comprizes the heroic ages of Spain; the romance, the chivalry, the poetry of Spanish history begin and end with it. Hitherto we have only received it as represented by the Spanish historians, except in the brief, but curious and authentic work of M. Cardonne, which he composed from Arabic materials. The deficiency would now have been well supplied, if the author of the work before us had lived to prepare the whole of his papers for the press; and, imperfect as he has left them, they form a most important addition to the historical literature of his own country. Don José Antonio Conde was born at Peraleja, in the province of Cuenca, and educated at Alcala. He was intended for the legal profession; but loving literature for its own sake, and |