I retired to Lirias, a pleasant estate that Don Alfonso gave me, and
there I married happily, and grew old among my children. In the reign of
Philip IV., I went to the court, and served under the great minister,
Olivarez. But I have now returned to Lirias, and I do not intend to go
to Madrid again.

* * * * *




CHARLES LEVER


Charles O'Malley


The author of "Charles O'Malley," perhaps the most typical of
Irish novelists, was of English descent on his father's side.
But Charles James Lever himself was Irish by birth, being born
at Dublin on August 31, 1806--Irish in sentiment and
distinctly Irish in temperament. In geniality and extravagance
he bore much resemblance to the gay, riotous spirits he has
immortalised in his books. "Of all the men I have ever
encountered," says Trollope, "he was the surest fund of
drollery." Lever was intended for medicine; but financial
difficulties forced him to return to literature. His first
story was "Harry Lorrequer," published in 1837. It was
followed in 1840 by "Charles O'Malley, the Irish Dragoon,"