Charlatan, magician, and adventurer who enjoyed enormous success in Parisian society in the years preceding the French Revolution.
Cagliostro travelled to all major European cities, selling an "elixir of long life", summoning up the dead (who, he said, revealed the future to him), and reading the future in the water of a carafe. He also claimed the power to make gold and diamonds from other substances.
He married the Roman beauty Lorenza Feliciani, called Serafina, and in 1776 they appeared in London as Count and Countess Cagliostro.
After 1785, when he moved to France, he became involved in the radical masonic movement and introduced an Egyptian masonic sect that he himself had conceived.
His career of deceit often brought him into conflict with the law. Implicated with the Cardinal de Rohan in the scandal known as the Affair of the Diamond Necklace (1785-86), he spent nine and a half months in the Bastille prison and then was banished from France.
In 1789 he was arrested in Rome after his wife denounced him to the Inquisition. He was tried for attempting to organize freemasonry in Italy and sentenced to death.
Later that sentence was commuted to life imprisonment in the fortress os San Leo in the Apennines.
January 05, 2013
JOSÉ DE CADALSO Y VÁZQUEZ (1747-74)
Spanish writer known for his Cartas marruecas (1793; "Moroccan Letters") in which a Moorish traveller in Spain makes penetrating criticisms of Spanis life.
Educated in Madrid, Cadalso travelled widely, and although he hated war, his patriotism caused him to enlist in the army against the Portuguese during the Seven Years War.
His prose satire Los euridtos a la violeta (1772; "Wise Men Without Learning") directed against the pseudo-learned, was his most popular work.
Cadalso was influenced by the classics, as seen in his neoclassical drama Sancho García (1771) and his anacreontic verse (a convivial and amatory verse named after the Greek poet Anacreon) in Ocios de mi juventud (1773; "Diversions of My Youth").
He is considered a forerunner of Spanish Romanticism because of his Noches lúgubres (1789-90; "Sombre Nights"). The autobiographical prose work, inspired by the death of his love, the actress Mariá Ignacia Ibáñez, embodied a subjective attitude and disillusionment that attracted the interest and the sympathy of Spanish Romantics.
Educated in Madrid, Cadalso travelled widely, and although he hated war, his patriotism caused him to enlist in the army against the Portuguese during the Seven Years War.
His prose satire Los euridtos a la violeta (1772; "Wise Men Without Learning") directed against the pseudo-learned, was his most popular work.
Cadalso was influenced by the classics, as seen in his neoclassical drama Sancho García (1771) and his anacreontic verse (a convivial and amatory verse named after the Greek poet Anacreon) in Ocios de mi juventud (1773; "Diversions of My Youth").
He is considered a forerunner of Spanish Romanticism because of his Noches lúgubres (1789-90; "Sombre Nights"). The autobiographical prose work, inspired by the death of his love, the actress Mariá Ignacia Ibáñez, embodied a subjective attitude and disillusionment that attracted the interest and the sympathy of Spanish Romantics.
RAMÓN CABRERA Y GRIÑÓ (1847-74)
Influential Carlist general and later one of the party´s most controversial figures.
After the death (1833) of Ferdinand VII, those who supported the claim to the throne of Ferdinand´s brother Don Carlos against that of Ferdinand´s daughter Queen Isabella II, rose in rebellion.
Cabrera became a leading insurgent, soon dominating the Carlist bands in Catalonia, and inspiring terror by his relentless cruelty, which rose to a climax after the liberals had shot his mother (1836).
Cabrera, who gained several notable victories, including that of Morella (1838), for which he was created conde de Morella, refused to recognize the Convention of Vergara (1839) which ended the war in the Basque provinces, but in 1840 was driven with 10,000 soldiers over the French border.
In exile, first in France and later in England, he objected to the "abdication" (1845) of Carlos in favour of his son, conde de Montemolín.
From 1846 to 1849 Cabrera again commanded Carlist bands in Catalonia.
In 1860 he married an English Protestant, Marianne Catherine Richards, and settled down in England, gradually growing to advocate a peaceful rather than a military propagation of Carlist views.
He was expelled from the Carlist by an assembly held at Vevey, Switz. in 1870, and recognized the legitimist Spanis king, Alfonso XII, in 1875.
After the death (1833) of Ferdinand VII, those who supported the claim to the throne of Ferdinand´s brother Don Carlos against that of Ferdinand´s daughter Queen Isabella II, rose in rebellion.
Cabrera became a leading insurgent, soon dominating the Carlist bands in Catalonia, and inspiring terror by his relentless cruelty, which rose to a climax after the liberals had shot his mother (1836).
Cabrera, who gained several notable victories, including that of Morella (1838), for which he was created conde de Morella, refused to recognize the Convention of Vergara (1839) which ended the war in the Basque provinces, but in 1840 was driven with 10,000 soldiers over the French border.
In exile, first in France and later in England, he objected to the "abdication" (1845) of Carlos in favour of his son, conde de Montemolín.
From 1846 to 1849 Cabrera again commanded Carlist bands in Catalonia.
In 1860 he married an English Protestant, Marianne Catherine Richards, and settled down in England, gradually growing to advocate a peaceful rather than a military propagation of Carlist views.
He was expelled from the Carlist by an assembly held at Vevey, Switz. in 1870, and recognized the legitimist Spanis king, Alfonso XII, in 1875.
PEDRO ÁLVARES CABRAL (1474)
Portuguese navigator generally credited as the discoverer of Brazil.
Cabral, on a voyage to India for the Portuguese king Manuel I, sailed far to the southwest and sighted the Brazilian coast on April 22, 1500. After 10 days in Brazil his fleet continued on to India, but the remainder of the voyage was filled with misfortune. He lost 4 of his 13 ships rounding the Cape of Good Hope.
In India he established trading posts, but soon disputes arose with the Muslims and in a battle many of Cabral´s men perished. He again made port, and after loading precious spices he started his return voyage home, only to lose two more ships.
Cabral reached Portugal on JUne 23, 1501, with only four ships.
Largely because of his ill-fated voyage Cabral held no further position of authority, even though he still held the esteem of his monarch.
He returned to his estate in the Beira Baixa province of Portugal and spent his remaining years in Santarém.
Cabral, on a voyage to India for the Portuguese king Manuel I, sailed far to the southwest and sighted the Brazilian coast on April 22, 1500. After 10 days in Brazil his fleet continued on to India, but the remainder of the voyage was filled with misfortune. He lost 4 of his 13 ships rounding the Cape of Good Hope.
In India he established trading posts, but soon disputes arose with the Muslims and in a battle many of Cabral´s men perished. He again made port, and after loading precious spices he started his return voyage home, only to lose two more ships.
Cabral reached Portugal on JUne 23, 1501, with only four ships.
Largely because of his ill-fated voyage Cabral held no further position of authority, even though he still held the esteem of his monarch.
He returned to his estate in the Beira Baixa province of Portugal and spent his remaining years in Santarém.
FRANÇOIS CONDE DE CABARRUS (1774)
Financier and economic adviser who made a vigorous contribution to the revitalization of Spain under King Charles III.
Cabarrus originally settled in Madrid as a soap manufacturer but soon became conspicuous within a circle of enlightened reformers who advised the King. He took part in the organization of a bank, the formation of a company to trade with the Philippines, and the reform of currency and taxation.
His efforts were halted when in 1788 the reactionary Charles IV succeeded the reformer Charles III.
Like the other reform-minded advisers, Cabarrus was a suspect and prosecuted by the new government. Accused of embezzlement and imprisoned in 1790, he was released two years later, restored to favour, and made a count.
He was nominated as a Spanish ambassador to Paris, but his appointment was rejected by the Directory on the grounds of his French birth. He took no part in the intrigues by which Charles IV was compelled to abdicate in favour of Joseph Bonaparte. His French origin, however, as well as his intimate knowledge of Spanish affairs, recommended him to Joseph Bonaparte, and under the new government he became minister of finance, a post he held until his death.
Cabarrus originally settled in Madrid as a soap manufacturer but soon became conspicuous within a circle of enlightened reformers who advised the King. He took part in the organization of a bank, the formation of a company to trade with the Philippines, and the reform of currency and taxation.
His efforts were halted when in 1788 the reactionary Charles IV succeeded the reformer Charles III.
Like the other reform-minded advisers, Cabarrus was a suspect and prosecuted by the new government. Accused of embezzlement and imprisoned in 1790, he was released two years later, restored to favour, and made a count.
He was nominated as a Spanish ambassador to Paris, but his appointment was rejected by the Directory on the grounds of his French birth. He took no part in the intrigues by which Charles IV was compelled to abdicate in favour of Joseph Bonaparte. His French origin, however, as well as his intimate knowledge of Spanish affairs, recommended him to Joseph Bonaparte, and under the new government he became minister of finance, a post he held until his death.
BUTSUDAN
Buddhist family altar found in Japanese homes, usually in addition to the Shinto kamidana ("god shelf"). The Buddhist altar generally contains memorial tablets for dead ancestors and in accordance with sect affiliation, representations of various Buddhist divinities.
Incense and candles are lit and flowers are offered by the devout at simple daily services and periodically the family ancestors are memoralized before the butsudan.
The formal precedent for household altars was probably the establishment in 655 AD of a court chapel; an Imperial order called for similar sanctuaries to be set up in every house.
During the 17th century, as a part of a measure yo eliminate Christianity, Buddhist priests were required by the governmento to periodically examine households in their parish to see if butsudans were properly maintained.
Today the butsudan is frequently found in those homes that have given up the Shinto "god shelf".
Incense and candles are lit and flowers are offered by the devout at simple daily services and periodically the family ancestors are memoralized before the butsudan.
The formal precedent for household altars was probably the establishment in 655 AD of a court chapel; an Imperial order called for similar sanctuaries to be set up in every house.
During the 17th century, as a part of a measure yo eliminate Christianity, Buddhist priests were required by the governmento to periodically examine households in their parish to see if butsudans were properly maintained.
Today the butsudan is frequently found in those homes that have given up the Shinto "god shelf".
January 01, 2013
FELIZ AÑO 13 DE LA CRISIS III
Es alucinante los
maleducados y sobradamente preparados que me han amargado en estas cenas
navideñas y esto es de la marca España.
La idea de tener cerca a la Virgen cuando voy al trabajo me llena del todo, y son los varones marcados por ella los más puros y bellos y gallardos e inocentes niños que pueden ejecutar labores heroicas.
Si dejara de rezar por mis hijos/ sería como tirarme piedras sobre mi tejado.../ Algo inminente va a suceder,/ por qué no tomas las riendas de los mandos,/ en la Nochebuena y en la Nochevieja se produce un enfrentamiento entre los valores supremos/ entre los que son de la familia y los que no son de la familia,/ y tú dime joven de qué bando te haces partidista/ cuando ya no vengan los regalos/ ni vengan dos hijos/ y si Dios te dio trabajo/ si antes de que pasara el tiempo,/ te propusiste tener familia/ sin dejar correr la historia,/ y tú con tanto orgullo de ti mismo/ no puedes rezar por tus hijos futuros/ porque sería tirarte piedras sobre tu tejado.
Qué esperaban mis padres que vendría antes de venir yo/ confiaron en su buena alma en el día en que nací,/ y con todo salió bien/ no os descuidéis padres en vuestra salud/ seguid confiando/ cual estrella que guíe mis pasos.
Voy a la comida de empresa,/ a preguntar por mi libertad/ con la edad todos los enemigos se me quitan de encima
Uno recibe cincuenta gotas de ceniza del Vesubio, como en la luna acumula cincuenta cráteres por impacto de meteoritos, a uno le gustaría tener un caparazón de caracol para moverse por el mundo, uno quisiera aislarse y no ir a ninguna parte para reconcentrar energías, no meterse en el meollo del hormiguero y escaparse de la zambra española, de las importunaciones y atribuciones de los demás, y lavar la cara y la ropa limpia de estas impurezas.
La idea de tener cerca a la Virgen cuando voy al trabajo me llena del todo, y son los varones marcados por ella los más puros y bellos y gallardos e inocentes niños que pueden ejecutar labores heroicas.
Si dejara de rezar por mis hijos/ sería como tirarme piedras sobre mi tejado.../ Algo inminente va a suceder,/ por qué no tomas las riendas de los mandos,/ en la Nochebuena y en la Nochevieja se produce un enfrentamiento entre los valores supremos/ entre los que son de la familia y los que no son de la familia,/ y tú dime joven de qué bando te haces partidista/ cuando ya no vengan los regalos/ ni vengan dos hijos/ y si Dios te dio trabajo/ si antes de que pasara el tiempo,/ te propusiste tener familia/ sin dejar correr la historia,/ y tú con tanto orgullo de ti mismo/ no puedes rezar por tus hijos futuros/ porque sería tirarte piedras sobre tu tejado.
Qué esperaban mis padres que vendría antes de venir yo/ confiaron en su buena alma en el día en que nací,/ y con todo salió bien/ no os descuidéis padres en vuestra salud/ seguid confiando/ cual estrella que guíe mis pasos.
Voy a la comida de empresa,/ a preguntar por mi libertad/ con la edad todos los enemigos se me quitan de encima
Este año he decidido dejar
la actitud neutral, me voy a poner guapo y hermoso para las chicas, ya que
existe el cine y todo se graba con cámara, voy a valorar a las guapas, a mirar
a esas guapas naturales según mi concepto de la experiencia vivida, con las que
podría compartir una vida, aunque ni lo busque ni esté disponible en el mercado
de la pareja, a mirarlas por fin pero sin ninguna lujuria apreciando su valía y
regalía, porque si ahí fuera se encuentra alguna belleza porque no admirarla y
como el Buscón don Pablos salir a la calle a encontrárselas, porque eso es
propio del varón que tiene buen gusto en la cata de lo igual pero cuyo secreto
lo hace agrio y final de partida, y así comprobar que entre tanta fealdad del
mundo se levanta una Friné, y pensar que si pasara rozándome a mi lado en la
plaza de los Cubos podría romperme el frenillo del bálano, y si me hago el
creído Zeus me dará todo por perdido.
Uno recibe cincuenta gotas de ceniza del Vesubio, como en la luna acumula cincuenta cráteres por impacto de meteoritos, a uno le gustaría tener un caparazón de caracol para moverse por el mundo, uno quisiera aislarse y no ir a ninguna parte para reconcentrar energías, no meterse en el meollo del hormiguero y escaparse de la zambra española, de las importunaciones y atribuciones de los demás, y lavar la cara y la ropa limpia de estas impurezas.
A mi perro lo llamé
Bruno porque sabía que iba a acabar mal harto de contemplar el mundo y cansado
de ver que nadie cambiaba ni el girar sobre sí mismo ni el dar de manotazos
sobre su lomo cuando se tumbaba a conceptuarlo y definirlo en su brillante viscosidad.
Todo se llena por su
peso al sentir de lo común/ y no puede alterar al próximo/ hasta la
exasperación sin recibir un alejamiento/ y una sobreinvasión,/ así los
pretendidos vapuleos caprichosos acaban en exasperantes soledades,/ y yo tengo
la zolusión/ para este año del marrón,/ del sapo marrón,/ del murciélago
marrón,/ y del oso marrón./ tomémosnos todas las uvas al toprón.
A ti no te sucede que sueñas con una mujer en la noche de Reyes y te la encuentras al día siguiente en la Venta Arias de Navacerrada y das gracias al Dios de la montaña por este acontecimiento en que los pájaros lo cantan entre pinares.
En estas pasadas Navidades el romano del Belén ha perdido la espada y el brazo.
A ti no te sucede que sueñas con una mujer en la noche de Reyes y te la encuentras al día siguiente en la Venta Arias de Navacerrada y das gracias al Dios de la montaña por este acontecimiento en que los pájaros lo cantan entre pinares.
En estas pasadas Navidades el romano del Belén ha perdido la espada y el brazo.
Al bailarín se le
pusieron la cabeza de serrín y los muslos gruesos, y como yo seguía dando
vueltas sin parar y haciendo piruetas hermosas, quiso caparme y me frenó en
seco para echarme un pulso y molestarme, porque él estaba hinchado y cada vez más
lento y yo ágil abriéndome paso a lo no corta el mar sino vuela, y eso es lo
que va a pasar con todos cuando nos miremos cara a cara en la cuesta de enero
que nos vamos a estorbar en la sincronización del baile gracias a estos patosos
adrede.
Yo nunca he estado en Iberoamérica ni en China, pero estos dos monstruos de Tasmania hay que verlos cerca de nosotros y mejorar sus sociedades sacando provecho así como un arquitecto alemán diseñó las calles de Chicago.
En 1900 Lewis Boss hizo un Catálogo de 6.188 estrellas avistadas entre el norte de Albania y el sur de Argentina, y cincuenta años más tarde su hijo Benjamin lo completó con 33.342 estrellas, y así es como el gobierno de los populares ha de ir captando fondos de aquí y de allá para equilibrar las cuentas del Estado español del 2060.
Yo nunca he estado en Iberoamérica ni en China, pero estos dos monstruos de Tasmania hay que verlos cerca de nosotros y mejorar sus sociedades sacando provecho así como un arquitecto alemán diseñó las calles de Chicago.
En 1900 Lewis Boss hizo un Catálogo de 6.188 estrellas avistadas entre el norte de Albania y el sur de Argentina, y cincuenta años más tarde su hijo Benjamin lo completó con 33.342 estrellas, y así es como el gobierno de los populares ha de ir captando fondos de aquí y de allá para equilibrar las cuentas del Estado español del 2060.
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