NOTES TO THE PROLOGUE.

(1) It appears that Clara Gazul wished to represent the celebrated and unhappy Portier, better known in Spain by the title del Marquesito (the little marquis), a nick-name which his soldiers gave him. Whether he followed the Marquis de la Romana to Fuenen is not perfectly clear; but it is certain that, after the entry of Ferdinand VII. into his kingdom, Portier openly declared in favour of the constitution of the Cortes, which he had so ably defended in the war of independence. An attempt which he made, in September 1815, for proclaiming the Constitution at Corogne obtained no success; and, betrayed by his unworthy companions, Portier was delivered to the military authorities, condemned to death, and shot, October 3, 1815. The following epitaph was composed by himself: "Here rest the "remains of Don Juan Diaz Portier, General of the Spanish armies, "who was successful in what he undertook against the enemies of "his country, but who died a victim to civil dissentions. sensibility, respect the ashes of this unfortunate man !”

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Souls of

(2) The basquina is a short and narrow petticoat, and the mantilla a black veil without which the Spanish ladies seldom if ever go

out.

(3) The war of the Partizans.

(4) At Espinosa. The Marquis de la Romana was at that time in England.

(5) It should never be forgotten that this comedy was written during the constitutional government.

(6) A soldier of a free company.

NOTES TO THE PLAY.

Note in p. 16, line 4.-Bernadotte, then Prince de Ponte-Corvo, now King of Sweden.

(2) Battle of Vimeira, gained the 21st June 1808, by Sir Arthur Wellesley (Duke of Wellington) over General Junot and the French army, which capitulated at Cintra, and embarked for France.

(3) A German custom.

(4) The women of Andalusia are renowned all over Spain for the smallness of their feet, and the sweetness of their accent.

(5) The tragic death of the unfortunate Porlier is known to every

one.

(6) Historical.

(7) At Baylen, where the army of General Dupont was obliged to capitulate to the levées-en-masse of Castanos and the Swiss General Reding.

(8) In Spanish guerra or cuchillo. The famous answer of General Palafox, to the proposal of an honourable capitulation at the first siege of Saragossa.

(9) See the bulletins and proclamations of Napoleon and Murat. Mouchards are spies of the most contemptible kind.

(10) A name of contempt, by which the French military designate the civilians.

END.

PROLOGUE.

LADIES AND Gentlemen:

The author of the comedy you are about to judge has taken the liberty to diverge from the beaten path he has brought upon the scene, for the first time, certain personages whom our nurses, wet and dry, have taught us to revere. Many persons will be scandalized at this boldness, and will term it sacrilege; but to exhibit upon the stage the cruel ministers of a God of clemency, cannot be justly construed into an attack upon our holy religion. The errors of its interpretors can no more obscure its brightness, than a drop of ink can discolour the crystal waters of the Guadalquiver.

Spaniards, now happily emancipated, have learned to distinguish true devotion from hypocrisy. It is by such the author wishes to be judged; confident that they will look upon that only as a jest, in which the worthy Torquemada would have found matter for an auto-da-fé, with the full complement of san benitos.