ect versions of the early traditions, and for
historical facts and the chronological order of events, Sarmiento is the
best authority.

But no one can supersede the honest and impartial old soldier, Pedro de
Cieza de Leon, as regards the charm of his style and the confidence to
be placed in his opinions; nor the Inca Garcilasso de la Vega as regards
his reminiscences and his fascinating love for his people. Molina and
Yamqui Pachacuti give much fuller details respecting the ceremonial
festivals and religious beliefs. Polo de Ondegardo and Santillana supply
much fuller and more reliable information respecting the laws and
administration of the Incas. It is in the historical narrative and the
correct order of events that Sarmiento, owing to his exceptional means
of collecting accurate information, excels all other writers.

There is one serious blemish. Sarmiento's book was written, not only or
mainly to supply interesting information, but with an object. Bishop Las
Casas had made Europe ring with the cruelties of the Spaniards in the
Indies, and with the injustice and iniquity of their conquests. Don
Francisco de Toledo used this narrative for the purpose of making a
feeble reply to the good bishop. Under his instructions Sarmiento stated
the Viceroy's argument, which was that the King of Spain was the
rightful sovereign of Peru because the Incas had usurped their power by
conquest and had been guilty of acts of cruelty. Hence the constant
repetition of such phrases as "cruel tyranny" and "usurping tyrant"; and
the numerous interpolations of the Viceroy himself are so obvious that I
have put them in italics within brackets. He goes back as far as the
first Inca to make out the usurpation, and he is always harping on
illegitimacy. If we go back as far as Sancho IV the title of Philip II
to Spain was voided by the grossest usurpation, while we need only go
back to Henry II to see how Philip's title was vitiated by illegitimacy.
As for cruelty, it would be a strange plea from the sovereign by whose
orders the Netherlands were devastated, the Moors of Granada almost
annihilated, and under whose rule the Inquisition was in full swing. It
is the old story of preaching without practice, as Dr Newman once
observed in quoting what James I said to George Heriot:

"O Geordie, jingling Geordie, it was grand to hear Baby Charles
laying down the guilt of dissimulation, and Steenie lecturing on
the turpitude of inconti