The subsequent essays cover topics such as his admiration for the Cordovan woman in Spain, to women writers in general, and especially his adoration of Saint Theresa. There is a three part essay exploring and musing on the nature of money and wealth and its impact on happiness, prosperity and cultural progress. A heavy Catholic religious underpinning colors this essay, which made it less palatable for the reviewer. Finally, he devotes one essay each to Goethe's "Faust", and to Shakespeare. The style tends at times to ramble, and the literary allusions serve as distractions that can be counterproductive to his ability to come to a conclusion of sorts. Valera appears happiest when painting colorful portraits of fictional Spanish characters, particularly strong and inspiring Spanish women, and less at home in the literary essay genre. This volume gave me much less satisfaction than reading either of the two volumes of novels. Recommended primarily for literary completists who are eager to explore some of the lesser byways of Nineteenth century Spanish writing.