Don Jose, an eminent Spanish sculptor, born at Priego in 1768. He was originally a stone mason, but by talent and perseverance he gained the royal gratuity, which sent him to study at Rome, and there obtained much reputation for his invention, the expression, and the grace of his figures. He was favourably noticed by Napoleon when studying at Paris; and was considered by his countrymen as the Canova of modern Spain. His Ganymede is his masterpiece. He was an uncompromising Spanish Patriot; on which account he was imprisoned at Rome, where he chiefly resided. He returned to Madrid in 1826, but died in about a year. There was another Spanish sculptor of merit named Manuel Alvarez, who flourished about the middle of the last century.—See Bermisdez Dicionario.

ALVERCA, a town and small port on the Tagus, 16 miles north-east of Lisbon. Pop. 3000.