Encantadas concluded in Putnam's, too soon for the NY Times

Image Credit: yachtpals

This item is interesting for the recognition of a larger, somehow thwarted project. According to the anonymous Times critic, Melville's "Encantadas" ultimately failed to deliver on the promise of a substantial book implied in its splendid opening.

We have reached the conclusion of the “Encantadas, or Enchanted Isles,”—a result which disappoints us. It commenced in the March number, with a display of preparation suited for a lengthened work,—and here, in May, it is suddenly brought to a close.” 

--New York Times, May 1854, Friday, May 5, 1854; found at Fulton History.

Melville in fact did contemplate and partially write a longer book on Tortoise Hunting. Harper & Brothers advanced him $300 for it, so Melville's literary career was not really destroyed by the supposed disasters of Moby-Dick (1851) and Pierre (1852).

The Encantadas in Putnam's Monthly Magazine Volume 3:

• March 1854 via Google Books
• April 1854 via Google Books 
• May 1854 via Google Books

Online text has long been available at http://www.melville.org/encant.htm