The turn of the eighteenth century witnessed two new translations of the
novel. In 1700 Capt. John Stevens published his revised Shelton version
and added his own translation of a spurious continuation of Don Quixote
that had appeared in Spain in 1614. Unfortunately for Stevens, however,
was the appearance in the same year of Peter Motteaux's translation, whose
witty style and idiomatic rendering overwhelmed Steven's contribution.
The popularity of Motteaux's translation was lasting: It was reprinted as
the Modern Library Series edition of the novel until recent times.


From the Collection of the George Peabody Library
Collection Number: 863.32 D6 A4 S6q 1755

Better known by modern readers, however, is Tobias Smollett's translation
published in 1755. Although accused of knowing little Spanish
and depending too heavily on Jarvis's version, Smollett's translation
proved to be popular at the time, with thirteen editions circulating
within a few years. More significant perhaps is his comment in the
Continuation of the Complete History of England (1761) of the link
between
Cervantes and Fielding: "The genius of Cervantes was transfused into the
novels of Fielding, who painted the characters, and ridiculed the follies
of life with equal strength, humour and propriety.
