The record-union., 1897-01-03

| Lope de Vega About this period he
| espoused Donna Catalina Salazar y
Palac1os of poor but noble parentage.
| An interval of eleven years elapsed be-
| tween the publication of his last comedy
| and Don Quixote." The necessity OF
! providing for his family while living in
| different parts of Spain coura geouSly
battling against adversely. absorbed his
attention. The name of Cervantes was
| almost forgotten, when, in 1905, ap-
/ peared the first part of Don Quixote." "
In accordance with the custom of
| Spanish authors of dedicating their pro-
| duction TO a titled person. Duke de
Bejar was requested TO become the
patron of Don Quixote"; but the Duke
objected having his name connected
with book of chivalry. which he sup
posed resembed those so prolific in
Spanish literature. Cervantes begged
the favor of reading him one chapter,
which resulted in a brilliant success
The Duke overwhelmed the author with
praise and accepted the dedication.
An ecclesiastic, who directed the
Dukes household, attended the reading:
sad and peevish man, to whom the
praise was displeasing, and without
taking the trouble of making a reason
able analysis of the work, abused the
author and heaped reproaches upon the
Duke for the honor bestowed. Cervantes
answered with his usual moderation
but portrayed vivid description of the
monks anger in chapters XXI. and
xxxii-secondv volume of Don Quixote." :"
Owing to his obscure life, the book
did not meet with success, and to res
cue it from oblivion he wrote a small
pamphlet entitled THE Enigma" in
which without praising the new ro-
nance. limited of piquant illusions to
certain members of the nobility. Gu
riosity once aroused, Don QuiXote"
was read with eagerness, each one anx-
ious to discover the clew to the enigma
which still remains unsolved.
To this little book, now very rare,
Don Quxote" owes its reputation. The
first volume met with gratifying sue
cess, 10000 copies being disposed of
within two years, and during the life
time of the author was translated into
most all European languages.
LII Spllo OI the sensation the romance
produced at the court of Philippe Ill,
Cervantes did not receive any compen-
sation, but bon mot of the King re-
veals his appreciation of the work.
From the balcony of the palace he per-
ceived a student seated on the shore of
the Manzanares reading and from time
to time convulsed with laughter. THAT
young man is a fool" the King ex-
claimed, "or else he is reading Don
Quixote.' ;" A page hastened to the
student and discovered it was the world
famed romance which provoked his
merriment.
The following anecdote proves that
foreigners and the French in particu-
lar, were not culpable of the indiffer-
ence attributed to his compatriots. A
French Embassy arrived at Madrid.
The members of the Legation when pre-
sented to the Cardinal of Toledo re-
quested the pleasure of meeting the
celebrated writer whose genius COM
manded their admiration.
Upon leaving Cervantes' presence
they expressed surprise finding him
needy and forsaken when they imag-
med him living in opulence, and one of
the parry eACldlHbed- w Hat a uiSSTdce
for Spain such a genius is not richly
endowed by the public exchequeri That
he should be forced to write for means
of sustenance" On the contrary say,
his companion replied: What a bless
ing for Spain his poverty was the
source of so many chefs d'oeuvre!'
Every author has an aim for his ro-
nance, and if Cervantes' aim was to
destroy the romances of chivalry his
wish has been attained for both good
and evil romances have disappeared
from libraries and those quoted in Don
Quixpte" have become so rare it is al
most impossible to obtain them in
Spain.
While composing a poem, 'The Voy
age of Parnassus,'' he was seized with
a dropsical attack. During a long period
ness of disposition he displayed while
serving under Colonna and in the con-
vict prison of Armante Mami-tne
weakness of body making more appar-
ent the strength of his mind.
April 1S, 1916, Cervantes received the
last sacraments and five days later his
death occurred at the age of 50. His
obsequies We're simple and his remains
were inferred, according to his wish, in
the Convent of the Nuns of La Trinite.
His tomb is mingled with those of his
countrymen, but at the present time
no effort is made to distinguish the
spot where lie the remains of this illus
trious citizen