1792' the clean of Badajo%, a tale. 203 



THE DEAN OF BADAJOZ, A TALE. 

 "Translated from the Frejich of the abhe Blanche t *. 



X HE dean of the cathedral of Badajoz pofsefsed more 

 learning than all the doctors of Salamanca, Alcala, 

 and Coimbra united. He was master of every 

 language living or dead. He knew all sciences, di- 

 vine as well as human ; but unfortunately he was 

 ignorant of magic, and was inconsolable for it. He 

 was told of a most famous magician, who resided in 

 the suburbs of Toledo, called Don Torribio ; he or- 

 dered his mule to be saddled, set out for Toledo, 

 and alighted at the door of a miserable house, where 

 this great man lodged. Sir magician, said he, as he 

 came up to him, I am dean of Badajoz. The learn- 

 ed of Spain do me the honour to call me their master, 

 I come to you to request a more glorious title, that 

 of becoming your disciple : Be kind enough to ini- 

 tiate me in the mysteries of your art, and reckon 

 that my gratitude wiU be deserving such kindnefs. 



Don Torribio was not very polite, thougli he 

 piqued himself on living with the best company in 

 hell. He told the dean he might seek another master 

 of magic ; that for him he was quite tired of 

 a trade where he gained only compliments and pro- 

 mises, and that he would no longer disgrace the 

 occult sciences by prostituting them upon ingrati- 



* The abbe Bl.inchct took the idea of this tile fiom an okl book 

 much esteemed in Spain, called El Conde Lucanor. The Editor has 

 been favoured with a life of this singular person, by the ingenious tran« 

 t)ator of this tale, which will be publifhed as soon as the head can be got 

 properly engraved. 



