FERNAN PEREZ DE, the most famous Spanish prose writer of his time, was born at Cordova about 1492. From his boyhood he was remarkable for his unrewarded devotion to letters. He studied successively at Salamanca, Alcalá, Paris, and Rome; and, according to his own account, travelled more than 3000 leagues in pursuit of knowledge. But the chief cause of his fame was his successful attempt to develop the power and resources of the Spanish language, by introducing the custom of using it instead of Latin in serious prose compositions. While he was lecturing in the university of Paris on the ethics of Aristotle, he published in his native tongue a didactic dialogue on the Dignity of Man. The immediate result of this work, displaying as it did the first specimen of correct and elevated Spanish prose, was to establish its author's reputation, and contribute to his promotion in life. He was successively appointed ethical professor and rector of the university of Salamanca; and would have been elevated to other dignities, had not his death happened prematurely about 1533. The ultimate effect of the dialogue was to induce the prose writers of Spain to use henceforth their own language. Oliva was also the author of other didactic discourses, and several translations from the classical dramatists. His writings were published in 4to, Cordova, 1585, by his nephew, Ambrosio de Morales, and in 2 vols. 12mo, Madrid, 1787. (Ticknor's History of Spanish Literature, vol. i., p. 491.)

a town of Spain, province of Valencia, 45 miles N.N.E. of Alicante. It is built in the form of an amphitheatre, on the side of a hill about 13 mile from the Mediterranean. It has an ancient palace, two parish churches, several convents, and an hospital. Many of the inhabitants are employed in agriculture; and the manufactures are almost confined to hempen and linen cloths. Pop. 5600.