MORATIN, Nicolas Fernandez, an eminent Spanish poet, was descended from an old Biscayan family, and was born at Madrid in 1737. He became at an early age a convert to the opinions of those who were attempting to drive the romantic drama off the Spanish stage. His friendship with Montiano, a cultivator of the classical tragedy, confirmed his zeal; and his earliest efforts were devoted to the cause of theatrical reform. In 1762 he published a comedy, La Petimétra, written in accordance with French models, and three discourses against the old drama and the Autos Sacramentales. The comedy did not succeed. The discourses were so far successful, that the Autos were condemned by a royal edict in July 1765. His ultimate measure in behalf of the reformation of the drama was taken in 1770, when he produced on the stage his tragedy of Hormesinda, written in entire obedience to the canons which governed
Corneille and Racine. It was received with favour. Meanwhile Moratin had been displaying his finish of diction and his harmony of versification to greater advantage in several poetical works. He had published in 1764 a collection of short pieces, under the title of El Poeta, and in the following year a didactic poem on the chase, entitled Diana. In 1765 had appeared his greatest work, the spirited historical epic styled Las Naves de Cortés Destruídas. Although intimate with several of the chief courtiers, Moratin disdained to cringe for promotion by hanging on the skirts of some great man. He chose rather to live in retirement, and to drudge at the uncongenial pursuit of law for the support of his wife and son. At length his appointment to succeed Ayala in the chair of poetry in the Imperial College placed him in his proper sphere. He directed his professorial instructions to that life-long aim of his, the improvement of the taste of his fellow-countrymen. To further the same project, he gathered around him the principal literary men of the capital. A club was formed, and met regularly in the "Fonda de San Sebastián," to discuss contemporaneous literature, both native and foreign; and, above all, to devise methods for reviving the decaying spirit of the country. Moratin died in 1780. A collection of his poems, with a Life, was published at Barcelona in 1821 by his son, the dramatic poet Leandro Fernandez Moratin. He was also the author of several prose works.