i79i« ti>^ dean of Badcljoz, a tale. '2c j 



lowing such Avise principles that the learned prejate 

 filled all Christendom with the fame of his merit ; 

 and when he expected it least, he saw himself nomi- 

 nated to the archbifhoprick of Compostella. 



The people and clergy of Badajoz, as may be ea- 

 sily imagined, lamented such an event, as it deprived 

 them of their worthy pastor ; and the canons of the 

 cathedral, as the last mark of their respect and attach- 

 ment, unanimously desired of him to name his suc- 

 cefsor. Don Torribio did not mifs so good an oppor- 

 tunity to advance his son : He asked the billioprick 

 of the new archbilhop, and it was with all the grace 

 imaginable, that the archbifhop refused it him. " He 

 had so much veneration for his dear master ! — he was 

 so grieved I — so very much aftiamed to refuse what 

 appeared scarcely a request I — But how could he act 

 otherwise ? Don Ferdinand de Lara, constable of 

 Castile, had asked this bifhoprick for his natural 

 son ; and though he had never seen the constable, he 

 was under such strong, secret, and old obligp^tions 

 to him, that he felt it as his indispensible duty to 

 prefer the old* benefactor to the new one : But if he 

 would consider his will, it would not appear so very 

 harfli ; for lie would see what he might with certainty 

 depend upon when his turn came, and come it soon 

 must." The magician had the politenefs to believe 

 all this, and made himself as happy as he could with 

 Its being given up to Don Ferdinand. 



Nolliing v/as thought of now, but the preparations 

 for setting out to take pofscfsion of Compostella, 

 though it was scarce worth while, considering the 

 ihort lime thv-y were to remain there. A chamber- 



