uthorities as any histories can
be, the quotations are usually given in an abbreviated form in the
notes, and the text is, in general, an unbroken narrative, in their own
perspicuous and graphic language. Thence, in a great measure, the
popularity and interest of their works. Michaud indulges more in
lengthened quotations in his text from the old chronicles, or their mere
paraphrases into his own language; their frequency is the great defect
of his valuable history. But the variety and interest of the subjects
render this mosaic species of composition more excusable, and less
repugnant to good taste, in the account of the Crusades, than it would
be, perhaps, in the annals of any other human transactions.

As a specimen of our author's powers and style of description, we
subjoin a translation of the animated narrative he gives from the old
historians of the famous battle of Dorislaus, which first subjected the
coasts of Asia Minor to the arms of the Crusaders.

"Late on the evening of the 31st of June 1097, the troops arrived
at a spot where pasturage appeared abundant, and they resolved to
pitch their camp. The Christian army passed the night in the most
profound security; but on the following morning, at break of day,
detached horsemen presented themselves, and clouds of dust
appearing on the adjoining heights, announced the presence of the
enemy. Instantly the trumpets sounded, and the whole camp stood to
their arms. Bohemond, the second in command, having the chief
direction in the absence of Godfrey, hastened to make the necessary
dispositions to repel the threatened attack. The camp of the
Christians was defended on one side by a river, and on the other by
a marsh, entangled with reeds and bushes. The Prince of Tarentum
caused it to be surrounded with palisades, made with the stakes
which served for fixing the cords of the tents; he then assigned
their proper posts to the infantry, and placed the women, children,
and sick in the centre. The cavalry, arranged in three columns,
advanced to the margin of the river, and prepared to dispute the
passage. One of these corps was commanded by Tancred, and William
his brother; the other by the Duke of Normandy and the Count of
Chartres. Bohemond, who headed the reserve, was posted with his
horsemen on an eminence in the rear, from whence he could descry
the whole fi