AZZARA

AZZARA, JOSEPH FELIX NICHOLAS DE, a celebrated Spanish naturalist. He was born in 1731, at Barbanales, a village near Barbastro, in the province of Aragon. He discovered an early disposition towards the arts and sciences, which was directed and stimulated by his near relation the celebrated painter Mengs. He entered into the military service at an early age, and in the capacity of officer passed to South America, and resided many years in different parts of the province of Buenos Ayres. Here he indulged his disposition for the study of zoology, and lived many years in some of the most sequestered parts, making collections and drawings of the various animals of that extensive country. The latter, with descriptions, were at length published at Paris in 1801. When he returned from South America, he was employed in the diplomatic department, and appointed ambassador to Pope Clement XII., by which he was brought into contact with Buonaparte, who was then occupied in the conquest of Italy. He became much attached to that conqueror, and obtained the appointment of ambassador to him from the court of Madrid. Amidst the shifting politics of that court, he seems to have been, in his latter years, the frequent victim of its indecision. He was at one time recalled suddenly, then banished to Barcelona, again appointed to the embassy, and again as suddenly deprived of it. These vexations affected him, and are said to have hastened his death. He died in Paris on the 26th of January 1804.