I have endeavoured to keep as literal as possible. This will enable the learner of the Spanish to improve himself, and not be without its advantages to Spaniards who study our language, The illustrations which follow, are introduced when the translation does not thoroughly convey the bearing and application of the Proverb. The Latin quotations, I trust, will not be thought inapplicable: they were added with a view to a further illustration of the sentiment conveyed by the adage, and not for any purpose of displaying the Author's erudition. The Spaniard will here find the trite and significant aphorisms of his language not only translated, but exemplified by passages from classical and other -authors, and he will observe that I have not, alto-gether, forgotten those of his own country.

I present, therefore, this trifle to the world, with the hope that it may not be deficient in usefulness to Spaniards as well as my own countrymen; and have only further to observe, that I trust it will be found as free from errors as most of the publications of a similar description, and thereby prove worthy of the attention and patronage of the admirers of Spanish wit and humour.

J. C.

A

DICTIONARY

OF

SPANISH PROVERBS, &c.

ABAD avariento por un bodigo pierde ciento.—

"The covetous abbot for one loaf loses a hundred."-Avarice commonly occasions injury to the person who is governed by its influence. Abad de bamba lo que no puede comer, dalo por su alma.-"The imprudent abbot, who gives for the good of his soul, what he cannot eat." A taunt upon those who only give away what they cannot make use of themselves.

Aballa pastor, las espaldas al sol.—" Shepherd, turn the backs of your flock to the sun."-In Spain it is considered injurious to the sheep to graze with their heads towards the sun.

A barba muerta, poca verguenza.-" Little respect is paid to the dead."-The greatest of the dead may be insulted by the basest of the living.

A

Abaxanse los adarves, y alzanse los muladares. "The high walls stoop, and the dung-hills rise."-Used when persons of note humble themselves, and base persons assume import

ance.

Sublimes cecidere aula, stabula infima surgunt. Abeja y oveja, y piedra que traveja, y pendola tras oreja, y parte en la igreja, desea à su hijo la vieja." The old woman wishes her son a bee, a sheep, a working stone (or mill), a pen behind his ear, or a clerk's place, and a degree in the church."-Wishing him to enjoy many good things at one time; shewing, the weakness, and fondness of old age.

A bestia loca, recuero modorro.-" A mad beast requires a stupid driver."

Convenit ignavo vehemens agitator asello. A bien te salgan hijo tus harraganadas." Son, God send no harm may come from your youthful pranks."-This is a saying of a father to his son, who from a distance was braving a dead bull. It is used in derision of those, who, when free from danger, boast of their courage. A bocado haron, espolada de vino.-" A lazy mouthful must be spurr'd with wine."-A man with a bad appetite, must stimulate it with a glass of wine.

Bolus iners, stimulante mero, descendit in alvum. A boda ni bautizado, no vayas sin ser llamado."Don't go to a wedding nor a christening without having been invited."-Advising persons not to join in any entertainment without a particular invitation, especially where there is eating and drinking,

Aborreci el cohombro, y naciòme en el hombro. "I disliked cucumber, and it grew out upon my shoulder."-When any thing happens which one most dreaded.

Abre el ojo que, asan carne.-" Open your eyes, they are roasting meat."-Advice to persons to observe prudence and precaution in their affairs, to be prepared for what may happen to them.

Heu cave, jam verubus stridentes aspice carnes. Abrenuncio Satanas! mala capa llevarás." I re

nounce thee, Satan! Thou shalt wear a shabby cloak."-A proverb supposed to be used by two persons. The second part implying, that if a man do not act like his neighbours in getting money, he will be always poor. Abril aguas mil.-" Shewing how useful is rain in

this month."

Imbribus innumeris campos humectet Aprilis.

Abril frio, pan y vino." A cold April, bread and wine."That is, it produces a plentiful season, by retarding the spring.

Abril y Mayo, llave de todo el año.→“ April and May, the key of the whole year."-From their appearance you may form an opinion of the remainder of the year.

Majus et Aprilis spes maxima totius anni.

A buelta del sol, caga el buey en el timon."Towards sun set, the ox dirts the plough." Meaning, when he is free form his day's work and finds himself at ease.

Membra soluta jugo bene bos sibi lambere novit.

A buen bocado, buen grito." From a rich mouthful, a heavy groan."-Epicures suffer generally from the gout, and other disorders, resulting from the indulgence of their appetites. It is also used to express, that we should not be too careful of the expence and labour of an undertaking, when its object is useful.

Difficilia que pulchra.

A buen compañon, buena compañia.-" A good companion should have good company;" or, a good companion makes good company." A buen servicio mal galardon.—" Good service ill rewarded."

A buey viejo, concerros nuevos. "An old ox with new bells."-Applicable to an old beau dangling after the belles.

fair."

"What will not beaux attempt to please the DRYDEN. A buey viejo, no le cates abrigo.-"Do not seek a shelter for an old ox."-Alluding to old persons, who know from experience what they require.

Bos senior cautè consulit ipse sibi. A cabo de cien años, los reyes son villanos, y acavo de ciento y diez los villanos son reyes.-" At the end of a hundred years, kings become clowns, and at the end of an hundred and ten clowns become kings."-This denotes the power of time

"Time is like a fashionable host,

"That slightly shakes his parting guest by th' hand,

"But with his arms out-stretch'd, as he would

fly,

"Grasps the incomer."

SHAK.