Some authors mention that Huelva, a Spanish pilot, driven by a tempest across the Atlantic, touched at an island now known as Santo Domingo; claims also have been advanced by the Portuguese in favour of Martin Behem, who, they assert, discovered Brazil in 1482, and sailed as far south as the Straits of Magellan; and lately we are informed of the discovery of the eastern shores of America (North), by the Northmen, at a very early date; but there can be no doubt that the great Columbus discovered the New World in 1492, not accidentally, but by the result of years of patient investigation, study, and great anxiety.

In 1510, the intrepid Balboa settled on the Gulf of Darien; Pizarro, the conqueror of Peru, being one of his followers; and Cortez would have been of this party had not illness detained him at Hispanola; but which delay hastened the conquest of Mexico, under his command. Balboa was the first Spaniard to see the Pacific Ocean at Panama, in 1513, which led to the discovery of Peru, by Pizarro, about 1526; the conquest of which he completed in a few years, amassing great wealth, particularly in gold, silver, and precious stones.

We will no v retrace our steps, and offer a short account of the history of the Incas.

It would appear that long before the period of the Incas, the aboriginal inhabitants of Peru were in a most barbarous state, living in woods and caverns, worshipping animate and inanimate objects, and each having his own particular good and evil deity. The sea was believed to be the most powerful divinity; they sacrificed their prisoners, and even ate of their flesh; and some there were "who lived as wild beasts, surpassing them in brutality." Approaching nearer to the times of the Incas, Peru was, in all probability, governed by powerful caciques, or chiefs; and some Spanish writers state that these left behind them stone buildings of great magnitude. If this be true, it is not difficult to trace the origin

of the Incas to be the descendants of one or other of these chiefs. The general tradition of the origin of the Incas, as stated by themselves, is the following:

The sun and moon, perceiving the miserable condition of the people, sent from heaven two of their children, a son and a daughter, to collect the Indians together, to govern and give good laws, so that the previously wandering tribes should become reasonable beings, to reside in habitations, labour the earth, tend their flocks, and, above all, to adore the sun, as their ever beneficent deity.

The origin of the name of Peru, Piru, or Perou, is involved in obscurity. The Indian appellation of the country is Tahuantinsuyo, or the four parts of the empire. It may be derived from pelu (a river), or "Beru," the answer an Indian made on being asked his. name, or the name of the country, by one of the discoverers; the native name, however, of the Inca's subjects was, " O Incaprunam."

The Peruvian empire, when discovered by Pizarro, was bounded on the north, near to Quito, by the Ancasmayer (blue river); on the south by the river Maule, in Chili, giving a length of nearly 4,000 miles; on the west, the Pacific Ocean laved its shores; and on the east it was bounded by the cordillera of the Andes.

I. INCA (ruler), MANCO CAPAC,* made his appearance, with his wife, Oello Huaca,† near to the lake Titicaca, about the year A.D. 1038, when the sun, their parent, or Pachacamac, thus addressed them:-"My children, when you have brought the surrounding tribes to obey

you, govern them justly, and be unto them as fond parents to dutiful children. It is I, thy father, who goes round the world daily, to see what may be wanted on earth for the comfort of those who inhabit it."

Cuzco was the first city founded by the Inca, where he built temples to the sun, moon, and stars,§ of cyclopean construction. The scattered Indian tribes were brought together, so that in a few years the Inca was able to form armies to repel the attacks of surrounding nations, and, ultimately, to subject them to his sway. The formation of roads commenced; and, during the first Inca's reign, more than a hundred towns were founded, some containing a thousand "fires," or habitations.

Manco Capac having brought many nations to live in towns, commenced civilizing and instructing them. He appointed curacas (chiefs or governors), to teach, and commanded them to treat the Indians as their children. The ancient idolatry was extirpated, temples to the sun erected, and the people taught to adore the bright luminary as their deity. When there were a sufficient number of females of the Incarial family, these were dedicated to the service of the temples under the names of virgins of the sun; the male progeny became warriors, priests, amautas (or learned men), with whom, in all probability, originated the quippus (or knotted coloured strings), by which their history, such as we have it, and traditions, have been handed down. At no period do they appear to have had pictorial or hieroglyphical characters.

The Inca was distinguished by a crown, called the llautu, composed of a parti-coloured bandage, or fillet, going several times round the head; a tassel hanging in front, and two small feathersone on each side. The llautu of the heir to the throne was yellow; that of a chief, black. The chiefs had their hair cut after a particular fashion, which was done by instruments made of sharp stone (iron being unknown to them, but they had a method of hardening copper); as also the privilege of piercing their ears, with the introduction of certain substances into the perforations, such as wood, wool, ornaments, &c.

At this period skins of animals were used as clothing, and their flesh as food-particularly that of the llama, alpaca, huanacu, and vicuna; these four are known as the camels, or sheep, of Peru-the two former being tame; the latter, wild. Then there was the deer, bear, biscacha (a species of hare), opposum, armadillo-all these were good for food. The puma (maneless lion), jagua (the ounce), with the various species of leopard and tiger-cats, would afford valuable furs. They had birds and fowl of great variety, and their lakes, rivers, and coasts were filled with fish. There is also reason to believe that

§ Colcampata was the name of the palace of the

first Inca, Manco Capac. Intipampa, a large square, in front of the principal temple of the sun. Coricancha, gardens of temple of the sun. Ab Uahuan, residence of the virgins of the sun. Sacshuaman, the fortress of Cuzco.

cotton and flax were known in the earliest times to them.

As to vegetable productions, the following only will be enumerated: The all-important maize, or Indian corn, used as bread, and by fermenting the meal of this grain with water, an invigorating liquid, called chicha, was made; quinoa, a species of millet; the potato, and many tuberose roots and tropical fruits. The leaves of the cuca plant were chewed, as the betel-nut is in India, and said to have highly sustaining qualities.

Their garments would consist of skins; then, in process of time mantles, of wool, cotton or flax, which, at a later period, were fashioned like a tunic; a girdle round the waist, and sandals on the feet.

Manco Capac is said to have invented a plough, various tools, instruments, &c.; likewise the manner of conveying water, by canals, from great distances, even through mountainous countries, so as to irrigate the lands. Under the Incas, the poorer lands in the valleys on the coast were rendered prolific by the use of guano. His coya (or queen) taught the females to spin, and instructed them in the necessary duties of household affairs. To the first Inca is also attributed the following: the instructing of his people in the belief of the immortality of the soul; that the human being was "animated earth," composed of a body and soul, but that the animal creation had no soul or reasoning faculty; that, after death, the good went to a land of joy and tranquillity; the wicked, to cupaypu huacin (or the devil's house). And it would appear that some vague ideas relative to a general resurrection were entertained, when each would resume his original earthly form, and receive, from Pachacamac, rewards or punishments.

The worship of the sun, moon, and stars was fully established; sacrificing to the sun, domestic animals, birds, plants (particularly the cuca plant), and the beverage called chicha; but it appears that there were no human sacrifices, either amongst themselves or of their prisoners; which fact distinguished the Peruvians as a more docile race, from the sanguinary Mexicans, and other Indian nations in the New World.

Manco Capac instituted the order of priests for the services of the temples, taking them from his own family, particularising the ceremonies, sacrifices, and the ornamenting of the sacred edifices, which was done with the precious metals and gems.

The people were enrolled in a public register, having chiefs of different grades, such generally being empowered with civil as well as military authority. There were judges also; and, although the laws enacted by the Inca were severe, they do not appear to have been unjust. There were many languages and dialects in Peru; but the Ymara and the Quechua were, and are still, the principal ones spoken.

The Inca being now in years, called unto him his family, the amautas (or learned men), chiefs, and people, telling them that he was about to leave them and return to his father, the sun;

whom they should adore and love, as well as the moon and stars; and that they should be faithful to his male successors, who were to be called "Incas;" also to the coyas, nustas, and pallasthe females of his race.

He is said to have reigned forty years, and left many children. In his last moments he gave the most politic instructions for the government of the country, leaving his son as inheritor to the Peruvian throne.

II. INCA, SINCHI ROCA (prudent and valiant). After the death of his father, he had him embalmed (a custom continued by the Peruvians), and deposited in the huaca (or sacred restingplace). The wife of this Inca was his sister, Oello Coya; and in this manner was perpetuated the race of the Incas.

After the period of mourning for his father was over, Sinchi Roca called his chiefs together, to assist him in extending his empire, which was done in a peaceable manner, bringing many nations to acknowledge his sway. He was not a warlike prince; but famed for his great personal strength. He had a quiet reign of thirty years, leaving behind him many children. His son was the

III. INCA, LLOQUI YUPANKI.* His queen was named Coya Cava. To extend his possessions he raised a large army, and, after much opposition from former tribes, he succeeded in subduing many of them, erecting on his frontiers pucaras (or fortresses); which he kept well garrisoned.

Some years afterwards he recommenced his conquests; abolishing the idolatrous and savage customs in the country of Collasuyo, and establishing there the worship of the sun. Previously to his death, having reigned thirty years, he visited the whole of his empire, so as to investigate, personally, the conduct of his chiefs and people. He ordered canals to be dug, edifices and temples to be erected, and was the first to throw swinging or suspension-bridges across rivers. His last days were passed in peace and tranquillity at home, and honoured by the nations he had brought together. He left his empire to his son, Mayta Capac. During the reign of Sloqui Yupanki, the amautas increased; and the study of the motions of the heavenly bodies occupied their attention. Sixteen towers were erected at Cuzco; eight to the east, and eight to the west, about twenty feet distant from each other: the spaces through which the sun passed from the rising to the setting, was the solstitial point. The months were counted by moons, twelve of which made a year. From the eclipses nothing favourable was prognosticated. The rainbow, on account of its beauty, and as being caused by the sun, was an object of great veneration. They believed that when the sun set, it had descended into the sea, to rest, so as to reappear the following day, with fresh energy. They were not skilled in medicine; but bleeding they knew to be of service in certain cases; which

* Lloqui, left-handed; yupanki, capable of great deeds.

operation was performed with the point of a sharp stone.

As larger buildings and temples were now required, so their ideas in geometry would be called forth; and in later times, plans and models were made. Their calculations were effected by their quippus, or grains of maize, or pebbles, and by tens. A sort of flute was now invented; some progress in singing and poetry was attained, and they had rude theatrical representations. Their poets (or harivicus) sung the praises and valorous acts of the Incas and chiefs. The following is a specimen of one of their love-songs:

Caylla llapi Pununqui, Chaupituta Samusca

Iron was unknown to the Peruvians; but edge-tools were manufactured from copper, which, as well as gold and silver, was separated, or smelted, from its ores. The heat was increased by blowing with the mouth through reeds. The spines of the cactus were used by the women as pins; and their mirrors were of polished stone, silver, or copper. Rude earthenware was now invented, which, in after times, was highly ornamented with grotesque figures. Everything was peculiar to them, having no relation with any other people on the same continent-much less with nations of the Old World. general opinion, in our times, as to the origin of the Peruvians, as well as that of the other nations of the New World, is, that at a very early period, they came from Asia; and if so, the vicinity of Behring's Straits was probably the point of transit.

The

IV. INCA, MAYTA CAPAC. His queen was Coya Cuca. Like his predecessors, he extended his dominions, although, in his wars with the Collas, he at first sustained great losses. One of the celebrated works of this Inca was the throwing a suspension-bridge, of two hundred paces in length, across the river Apurimac, about eight leagues from Cuzco. The bridge being finished, such was the admiration of surrounding nations, that they immediately submitted to him, believing that one who could produce so wonderful and so useful a structure must be more than human. This Inca moreover made roads through marshy lands; paving them with stones. Having extended his em pire, he returned to Cuzco; and the remainder of his days was occupied in the interior organization of his country. He reigned thirty years, leaving his empire to his son, the

V. INCA, CAPAC YUPANQUI. His queen was Coya Curyllpay. Acosta says that this Inca expelled his father and an elder brother from the throne; but this, Garcillaso, the historian, denies.

(To be concluded in our next.)

Our pages have been so often and so largely indebted to the genius of Mr. Hitchings, that our readers are perhaps the last in the world who need attention drawn to his merits, or an introduction to the volume he has recently published; but though the part of usher is thus quite an unnecessary one, there is no reason that we should not have a gossip about this true poetry; just as one might choose to talk to a companion about the high qualities of a mutual friend.

Books are in one sense-like precious stones. A diamond the size of a pea outvalues a score of common jewels, each many times its circumference; thus a sonnet may shine out like a gem of purest water, while a heavy tome of blank verse may seem, in comparison, but a block of cornelian. Now the little volume before us, neatly and nicely got up, but unpretending in style, and only running to some hundred and fifty pages, is literally a string of precious jewels, without one of low degree-without one unfit to star a regal crown among them. The comparison might seem strained and far-fetched, or it would not be difficult to carry the metaphor farther, and show how some of these poems shine out, as if with the passionate fire-heart of the ruby, the shifting lights of the opal, or the limpid-like prism of the diamond. Like other poets, no doubt Mr. Hitchings has written inferior verses; but he has shown the rare discretion not to publish them. He has not tolerated his ricketty offspring, or asked others to foster them; and the consequence is that his volume is a book of real poetry, in which even an ill-natured and venomous critic would find it difficult to say "strike out this," or "alter that."

Every writer must be indebted, more or less, to those who have gone before; nor would any one wish it otherwise, except those raving idiots who talk nonsense about " originality" and "uneducated genius." It is from the best stores of literature heaped up before the modern author, that he is able to pile it still higher, and make on the hill-top his own bright fresh flowers to bloom. But do not say, because he wisely and gladly seizes the vantage-ground before him, that he is not original; on the contrary, there is no greater proof of width of mind and self-reliance (other phrases for originality) than prompt recognition and avoidance of a fault, quickness and readiness to improve on a hint, and to perceive a beauty, and see to what other excellence that beauty points. In this sense, but in no other, has Mr. Hitchings profited by the long line of English poets of which he is a worthy younger brother. Having the capacity,

*POEMS: BY CHARLES H. HITCHINGS, of the Middle Temple. Fscp. 8vo. (Bosworth.)

Thou wilt," she cried, "that law restore,

Or ere I reigned that pressed them down; That drenched their streets with mingling gore, And armed the crook against the crown. "Now, therefore, prince, a boon of theeThy promise, for this people's sake— And God be judge 'twixt thee and me, If thou that promise falsely break: That law thou wilt no more revive :

The root of so much wrong and painSo may'st thou long and prosperous liveSo may'st thou long and prosperous reign."

He raised her from the palace floor, 'He looked into her angel face, And felt, as ne'er he felt before,

How sweet compassion lendeth grace : Then answered in a softer tone,

"I have no heart to say thee naySo thou wilt reign my queen, my own, And call this day our bridal-day." Then spake she forth: "It cannot be." Whereat the prince in anger sware, "Well, lady, well: it rests with thee, Thy people, if thou wilt, to spare. But, as I live, my former will,

Evil or good, shall hold its way, If thou thy part dost not fulfil Before the sunset close the day."

The tears fell fast adown her cheek,

And heavy drooped her laden eyesShe, struggling vainly, strove to speak,

But found no words. A storm of sighs Heaved her sweet bosom, till she fell A fainting form before his sight, "Lady," he, passing, said, "Farewell! I wait to hear thy will to-night."

PART II.

THE CHAMBER.

She bowed her head-she pressed her hand
In pain across her aching brow:
But yesterday she might command,

And bless but with a wish--and now:
She dashed her starting tears away,
She sat one moment calm and still,
Bent down beneath the maddening sway
Of wounded love and struggling will.
She thought on one whose voice's tone

Had thrilled so oft her listening ear; That spake of all save that alone

Had been her dearest joy to hear. "He loves me-loves me not!" she said: "Would God the fateful truth I knew! Better to rest among the dead

Than wrong a heart whose love is true."

She turned to where the casement stood,
That looked into the crowded street;
She lingered there in pensive mood,

Listening the tramp of clattering feet;
She saw the fountains dance and play-
The banners and the pomp she saw-
And called to mind the joyful day

That doomed to death the fatal law.

There came anear an aged man,

That leaned upon his daughter's arm: Her child beside them leaped and ran, With cheeks like roses red and warm.

"I love ye passing well," she said, As near and nearer still they drew; "But better rest among the dead Than wrong a heart whose love is true!"

With glances on a bashful troop

Of lads, that looked another way, There came beside a dancing group Of bright-eyed damsels, blithe and gay. "I love ye-love ye all," she said,

As near and nearer still they drew ; "But better rest among the dead

Than wrong a heart whose love is true!"

"Than wrong a heart!"-her tears fell fast-
A tender conscience ached and stung,
Till with the goading thought at last

Her soft and gentle soul was wrung.
"What heart? O Self, that can disguise
In mask of worth thine hideous mien !
What hope could lift Theodoric's eyes,

When he was page and I was queen?

"What heart to wrong? "Tis I alone

The severance and the pang must bear ; Mine, only mine, love's bitterest moanNone shall my patient sorrow share. And yet to part”- -She raised her headThe westering sun was sinking lowHis last long beams their radiance shed Upon her cheek, as pale as snow.

There went a pair of lovers by

She heard their whispers soft and meek

She saw the tear in either eye

That told what neither dared to speak. She heard deep words of severance said— O cruel severance !-godlike will!— "Better to rest among the dead

Than duty's mandate unfulfil!"

She dropped upon her bended knee-
She sought her God to lend her aid-
"Pluck out this haunting Self from me ;
Make strong this feeble heart," she prayed.
She snatched the pen-she scrawled in haste,
And slipped a pricely gem between;
"Thank God!" she cried, "this pang is past;
Let love be as it ne'er had been!"

The sun sank down behind the hill

The crownless queen was crowned again, Who cast to earth her dearest will, Her people's freedom to retain. And while the marriage bells were loud, And all, save one, were blithe and gay, A youth went through the exulting crowd, For ever from the court away.

Then learned they of her sacrifice,

Had else the fatal law returned; Stood tears in all her people's eyes; While love in every bosom burned. "Now blessings on our lady's head!" Before her feet their knees they threw. "Better I die," she meekly said,

"Than slight these hearts whose love is true!"

Is not this poem fresh and original, full of gentle tenderness and spiritual lustre, suggesting a hundred things which are not said- -a fit com