The Visions of Quevedo

Transcribed from the 1832 Literary Rooms edition by David Price, email ccx074@pglaf.org
TRANSLATED FROM THE SPANISH.
BY WM. ELLIOT, ESQ.
PHILADELPHIA: LITERARY ROOMS, 121 CHESNUT STREET HENRY H. PORTER, PROPRIETOR.
1832.
Entered according to the Act of Congress, in the year 1831, by Henry H. Porter, in the Clerk’s Office of the District Court, of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
The Translator of the Visions of Quevedo, can truly say, that the pleasure he himself derived from their perusal in the original, alone gave him the idea of translating them into English. It is believed by the writer of this article, that the present is the only English translation of the Visions of Quevedo, although they have been translated into many other languages, and into French no fewer than five several times by as many different authors: the last of which, that has fallen under his notice, was published at Paris in 1812, the plan of which has been followed in the present version. The advertisement to that edition, contains the following just remarks—“The Visions , are regarded as the most piquant production, that ever came from the fruitful and ingenious pen of Quevedo, one of the best Spanish writers. In general, the criticisms they present, although mixed with some tedious detail, have much point, and do not fail in their application at the present day.” It is hoped the reader will condescend to excuse any inaccuracies that have escaped the translator’s attention, and realize from the perusal entertainment sufficient to recompense him for his time.
Fracois de Quevedo de Villegas, a Spanish gentleman, and knight of the order of Saint James, was born in 1570, at Villa Nueva de l’Infantado; and not at Madrid, as has been asserted by Moreri, and repeated after him in the Historical Dictionary of Lyons. He was lord of Juan Abbate, in the province of La Mancha, an estate of which he bore the title. After having visited Italy, France, and all Spain, and rendered the most signal services to the Spanish ministry, he took up his residence at Madrid.