The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1873-09-20
HISTORY OF A BOOK.
Translated for the Press from the French Of
Lucien Blast

surrounded with all the sacraments OF the
church, his own house, Plaza de la Cathe-
dral at Puebla. Thirty gears ago, when
presented myself before the Academyof Med
icine in the Mexican Republic, the hcentiate
Perez wa one OF my examiners; TOR at the
same time lawyer, arch9ologist and theCo-
gian, my venerable friend was also learned
botanist.
At dis epoch, his library, one of the most
complete in the New World, contained among
other curiosities two photographic rarities---
one was the first French work ever published
upon America, edited at Paris in 1928 The
other was the Historic general de les Indies"
by Lopez de Gomara. 1t was one of the
first edition, published at Saragossa in 1862,
by the house of A. MILAN. Lopez de Go
mara---I note the fact for have met many
persons ignorant of Twas the first Spanish
writer interested in Mexico. Another cir
cumstance which has not been noted by any
author--the book appeared the same year Of
the treaty of Passau, at the time when
Charles Fifth was compelled to accord to the
Lutheraus liberty of conscience.
The news Of the death of the lcentiate
saddened me, and l re-read many times the
letter which had given me the sorrowtu
news. 1 wished to study---to write, but my
thoughts, despite myself, vent back to the
day, already so far away, when l received the
degree of Doctor. In th4 evening, the good
Jcentate had made me taste a pimento sauce
and drink his celebrated Sherry wine; then,
not understanding all the wealth of the
treasure, 1 admired his Gomara.
Now, L asked myself anxiously, what would
become of the books that an entire life of re-
search had permitted him to accumulate. |
looked at my own library which, without dis
pute. would have equaled that of Perez if /
had been able to fill an empty space between
the history of Torquemada, and that of Soils
space which could be filled by the first edi-
ton of Gonara-Saragossa-M 1852,
that had not been able yet to procure.
/ had lived IN Orizaba for twenty years,
and never visited a sick person without ask
ing to see the books in the house. My curl
osity. so natural, passed for a mania; and
whenever | enter now a Mexican house they
bring me at once their manuals of the Con-
fessional and the works of Lavalle, that 1
have seen an hundred times before.
This poor Perez had the soul of child
kind, generous, charitable. He loved little
too much, perhaps, his books. One day 1
proposed to him to give me his Gomara.
''Not even in exchange for your part of
heaven he answered quickly.
The last time that l saw him, the 9th Of
April 1858, Iasked him, jokingly, to bequeath
me his Gomare at his death. This innocent
proposal troubled him; l thought he seemed
hurt.
Poor Perez! he was good christian, strong
in the taith-but in no hurry to go to thar
better world, of which he had so earnestly re-
fused my share. l could not help this refec-
ton. as l read again the letter which enumer-
ated his name, titles and qualities aud which
closed with the usual formula ''Requiescat in
pace"
''Requiescat in pace'' l repeated mechan-
caly-''what sarcasm! Who knows? Per-
haps, far from reposing in peace, the licentia-
ath Perez, regrets with bitterness that he had
trim maj INTO ,rtln Han ia,
would this precious book fall? Perhaps it
was already destroyed, stolen, sold at a great
price," l walked my study, so entirely was |
overcome by the thought. Suddenly the mid
night bell sounded-I stopped, arrested by
sudden thought.
The diligence which, since 1921, connects
Vera Cruz with Mexico, passed Orizaba
about one o'cleck in the morning-in less than
eighteen hours l could reach Puebla and see
the old servant of Perez, before a prolane
hand had touched Ills books. | wished to
know who were his heirs, aud what were his
last requests. A sudden terror seized me. If
before death Perez had destroyed his Gomara!
But no-he loved his books, and was not a
wicked man.
Without reflection, l packed travelling
bag; awakened my servant, in order to give
p him note for one OF my brother physicians,
10 whom | gave in charge my patients during
my absence. The Indian, haE-dressed, with
open mouth, halt awake, listened to me-not
appearing to comprehend what / said; l was
obliged to tell him three times to shut the
door before he obeyed
One o'clock What if the diligence had
gonei ran, and when | entered the court
yard OF the hotel, there was an unaccustomed
eXcitment. People went and came in great
confI zion. An immense fire of oak branches
illumined with its red light great crowd.
Three carriages, one a small caleche TO
L 4. IL
ranged in file.
Ordinarily, the old yellow diligence, that I
knew so well, stood alone at the entrance of
the court yard. The Travellers fatigued, dus-
ty, sleepy, gded to their places like so many
phantoms-A horn sounded, and the heavy
vehicle drawn by eight mules, moved away,
leaving behind it, shadow and silence.
This night, the manager himself directed
the departure; and his dress was as carefully
arranged as in open day. / went to question
some one, when the crowd gave shout and
rushed around the caleche. Upon the thresh-
hold, dressed in black, her head enveloped in
red MAMIE, appeared young lady. [ am
DO judge Of beauty, but the large blue eyes,
the delicate features of the young traveller
struck me. To my great surprise, the crowd
dof3d their hats when she approached Ian
guidly, leaning upon the arm of cavalier,
laughing and talking with him as she care
lessly scanned the crowd. She mounted her
caleche; woman took a seat facing her, and
the carriage moved away.
''Why ooctor,' slid the manager to me,
"You do not intend to leave to night?"
Eyes, certainly: but what causes all this
uoise?''
''By the life of my patron saint! are you
yet ignorant that company of The Italian
Opera landed here day before yesterday, and
that we transport them to Pueba? You
have seen Tomasi no douot?'
''Not that | know; however, my dear Ma
teo, am more interested that you insure me
seat, than TO see her."
My interlocutor appeared surprised.
go back to bed, doctor,' said he striking
me on the shoulder" go back to bed, I Will
retain you place for to morrow
No, / wish to reach Pueba this evening"
Impossbe-look!
The signal was given, and q crowd of tray.
elers Of both sexes rushed to the diligences.
do not know what sentiment overpowered
me. The Gomara of 1862, with its irregular
margin, its double title, ana its parchment
binding, passed before my eyes. Dropping
my carpet bag, [ Climbed upon the top of
the first carriage, resolved not to descend.
The director. Supplied, looked at me with
out saylhga Tord. Thee travellers, follow
ing my example climbed in their turn the
ladder which led to the airy seat.
The coachman, whose broken arm 1 had
set Twice, was on ms seat, and L crept near
him.
81 must go'', ] said to him.
He turned and touched his hat, "you here
docto7?' measuring with his eye the distance
which separated us from the crowd, 'how did
you do it?'
81 do not know, my good Gutierrez, but 1
must go"
''Unless your honor can take the place of
my gal'-
''Yes, yes, L answered, delighted, and l
took up the bag containing the stones which
the zasal-aid to the coachman-must throw
at the head of the mules that the whip could
not reach.
y am joking, Senior; you, the Doctor Ber-
nagns, to take the place of a zagalp'
THAT is no matter, provided / arrive all
right. Let us be off, added in low voice.
All ready" inquired Gutierrez. eyes
said the director, ''wait until the Doctor de-
scends."
LET US be off, l repeated.
He wnked at me, ran out his tonnue
gathered up his reins, aud struck the pranc,
ing mules. The Indian, standing at the head
OF the restless team to hold them. iumnino
lQStl0ctlVelV AWAY. and yua e+ortoj 20