BRETON DE LOS HERREROS, Don .1.IAicuEr„ the most popular of modern Spanish poets, was b. 19th Dec., 1800, at Quel, in the province of Logrofio; received his earliest education in Madrid; and served as a volunteer in the army from 1814 to 1822. Subse quently, he held several situations under government, but always lost them on account of his expression of liberal opinion, As early as his 17th year, he wrote a comedy, entitled A la Vejez Virnelits, which, in 1824, was brought upon the stage with great success. Henceforward he furnished theatrical managers with more than 150 pieces, partly original, partly adaptations from the older Spanish classics, and partly transla tions from the Italian and French, most of which have been highly popular. In addition to these, Breton de los Herreros published Poesias Saeltas (Madrid, 1831, and Paris, 1S40); several volumes of satirical verse; a long humorous poem, called La Desrergiienza, Poona Joeoserio (Madrid, 1858), etc. All Breton de los Herreros's poems are remarkable for their singularly sweet, yet powerful diction, and for the harmony of the versifica tion. His peculiar sphere is the comic and the satirical, in which the Spanish or national qualities of his genius find their freest expression, and in which also he displays most ease and self-reliance. Breton de los Herreros superintended the issue of a col lected edition of his poetical works in 1850-52 (5 vols., Madrid). Be died at Madrid in
Nov., 1873.
BRETSCHNEIDER,Emmen GOTTFRIED, a man remarkable for his unsettled life, eccentric habits, and satirical writings, was b. at Gera, Mar. 6, 1739. He was first sent for education to the institute of Herrnhuters at Elbersdorf, and afterwards to the gym nasium at Gera. He became rapt. of horse in a Prussian volunteer corps, in which service be was made prisoner, and retained in a French fortification till 1763. In 1775, B. visited England, France, and Holland; and in 1778 was nominated librarian to the university of Ofen, where he was persecuted by the Jesuits, whose hatred he had excited. This circumstance brought him under the notice of Joseph II., who, in 1782, appointed him one of the inspectors of studies. Ile died in Nov., 1810. B. was the author of tales, poems, and satires. The latter are attacks upon every kind of injustice and falsehood. In his " Almanac of the Saints (Alinanach der lIeiligen) for the year 1788. with copper-plates and music, printed at Rome, with the permission of the prin cipals," the priesthood is severely attacked, and the legends of the monks ridiculed. Like Nicolai, B. was very bitter against the " Werther" mania which was so prevalent in his time.