JOVELLANOS (or JovE LLANOS), GASPAR MELCHOR DE (1744-1811)  , Spanish statesman and author, was born at Gijon in Asturias, Spain, on the 5th of January 1744 . Selecting law as his profession, he studied at Oviedo, Avila, and Alcala, and in 1767 became criminal judge at Seville . His integrity and ability were rewarded in 1778 by a judgeship in Madrid, and in 1780 by appointment to the council of military orders . In the capital Jovellanos took a good place in the literary and scientific societies; for the society of friends of the country he wrote in 1787 his most valuable work, Informe sobre un proyecto de ley agraria . Involved in the disgrace of his friend, Francois Cabarrus, Jovellanos spent the years 1790 to 1797 in a sort of banishment at Gijon, engaged in literary work and in founding the Asturian institution for agricultural, industrial, social and educational reform throughout his native province . This institution continued his darling project up to the latest hours of his life . Summoned again to public life in 1797, Jovellanos refused the post of ambassador to Russia, but accepted that of minister of grace and justice, under " the prince of the peace," whose attention had been directed to him by Cabarrus, then a favourite of Godoy . Displeased with Godoy's policy and conduct Jovellanos combined with his colleague Saavedra to procure his dismissal . Godoy returned to power in 1798; Jovellanos was again sent to Gijon, but in 18o1 was thrown into prison in Majorca . The revolution of 18o8, and the advance of the French into Spain, set him once more at liberty . Joseph Bonaparte, on mounting the Spanish throne, made Jovellanos the most brilliant offers; but the latter, sternly refusing them all, joined the patriotic party, became a member of the central junta, and contributed to reorganize the cortes . This accomplished, the junta at once fell under suspicion, and Jovellanos was involved in its fall .

To expose the conduct of the cortes, and to defend the junta and himself were the last labours of his

pen . In 1811 he was enthusiastically welcomed to Gijon; but the approach of the French drove him forth again . The vessel in which he sailed was compelled by stress of weather to put in at Vega in Asturias, and there he died on:the 27th of November 1811 . The poetical works of Jovellanos comprise a tragedy'El pelayo, the comedy El delincuente honrado, satires, and miscellaneous pieces, including a translation of the first book of Paradise Lost . His prose works, especially those on political and legislative economy, constitute his real title to literary fame . In them depth of thought an] clear-sighted sagacity are couched in a certain Ciceroman elegance and classical purity of style . Besides the Ley agraria he wrote Elogios; various political and other essays; and Memorias politicas (1801), suppressed in Spain, and translated into French, 1825 . An edition of his complete works was published at Madrid (1831–1832) in 7 vols., and another at Barcelona (1839) . See Noticias historicas de Don G . M. de Jovellanos (1812), and Memorias para la vida del Senor ... Jovellanos, by J . A .

C .

Bermudez (1814) .