Larra

(Mariano José de), distinguished Spanish author, b. Madrid, 4 March, 1809. He went with his family to France and completed his education. He returned to Spain in ’22. At eighteen he published a collection of poems, which was followed by El Duende Satirico (The Satirical Goblin). In ’31 appeared his Pobrecito Hablador (Poor Go ip), a paper in which he unmercifully satirised the public affairs and men of Spain. It was suppre ed after its fourteenth number. He edited in the following year the Revista Española , signing his articles “Figaro.” He travelled through Europe, and on his return to Madrid edited El Mundo . Larra wrote also some dramas and translated Lamennais’ Paroles d’un Croyant . Being disappointed in love he shot himself, 13 April, 1837. Ch. de Mazade, after speaking of Larra’s scepticism, adds, “Larra could see too deep to po e any faith whatever. All the truths of this world, he was wont to say, can be wrapped in a cigarette paper!”