18 MEMOIR OF 



DON FELIX D'AZARA was born at Barbunales, 

 near Balbastro, in the province of Aragon, in Spain, 

 on the 18th of May, in the year 1746. His parents, 

 Alexander d'Azara and Marie de Perera, spent a 

 rural life, on their own property, far removed from 

 the more agitating scenes of the world, contented 

 and happy in their retirement. They had two sons, 

 whose early education they superintended, ere they 

 sent them to the neighbouring seminaries ; whence 

 they were speedily called to engage in public life, 

 where, in their several departments, they both ac- 

 quired very considerable honour and distinction. 



Don Felix first studied in the university of Hu- 

 esca, and was then sent to the military academy of 

 Barcelona. During the course of his education, he 

 scarcely revisited his paternal roof. A few days 

 previous to his birth, his brother, Don Joseph Nico- 

 las, who was then fifteen years of age, had been 

 sent to the university of Salamanca. Thus the 

 brothers never met till the year 1765, when Don 

 Nicolas having obtained, through the influence of 

 the minister, Ricardos, the situation of Agent of the 

 king to the court of Rome in certain ecclesiastical 

 matters, passed through Barcelona, and first saw, 

 and scarcely more than saw, his brother. They 

 were then again separated for the long period of 

 thirty-five years. 



A year before this interview, at the age of eighteen, 

 Don Felix had commenced his military career, and 

 had been appointed cadet (that is, a gentleman 

 volunteer, acting as a common soldier, to learn the 



