Page:History of the Reign of Ferdinand and Isabella the Catholic Vol. I.djvu/138

cxx cxx LXTRODUCTION. iNTROP. the First, who mingled somewhat of the ridiculous even with his most respectable tastes, to depute a solemn embassy to the king of France, requesting that a commission might be detached from the Flo- ral Academy of Toulouse, into Spain, to erect there a similar institution. This was accordingly done, and the Consistory of Barcelona was organized, in 1390. The kings of Aragon endowed it with funds, and with a library valuable for that day, Dresiding over its meetings in person, and distrib-
 * ting the poetical premiums with their own hands.

During the troubles consequent on the death of Martin, this establishment fell into decay, until it was again revived, on the accession of Ferdinand the First, by the celebrated Henry, marquis of Villena, who transplanted it to Tortosa.^° The marquis, in his treatise on the gaya sciencia, details with becoming gravity the pompous cere- monial observed in his academy on the event of a public celebration. The topics of discussion were " the praises of the Virgin, love, arms, and other good usages." The performances of the candi- dates, " inscribed on parchment of various colors, richly enamelled with gold and silver, and beauti- fully illuminated," were publicly recited, and then referred to a committee, who made solemn oath to decide impartially and according to the rules of the art. On the delivery of the verdict, a wreath of gold was deposited on the victorious poem, which 90 Mayans v Siscar, Orffjcnes sia, (Venczia, 1731,) torn. ii. p. de la Lengiia ICspafiola, (Madrid, 170. — Mariana, Hist, de Espaiia, 1737,) torn. ii. pp.323, 324. — Cre- loin. i. p. 183. — Velazquez, I'oesia scimbeni, Isloria della Volgar Poe- Castellana, pp. 23, 24.