In Old Madrid

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XV, Issue 215, 10 December 1925, Page 5

In Old Madrid

Mammoth Monument TO COMMEMORATE CERVANTES. DON QUIXOTE AND HIS SQUIRE. [By Cable—Press Association—Copyright.] Loncion, Dec. 8. The “Morning Post’s” Madrid correspondent states that the Cervantes committee of Toledo has an elaborated scheme to commemorate Cervantes ’ famous novel, “Don Quixote” and the hero’s squire attendant, Sancho Panza by a statue of the knight mounted on Rosinante 170 feet high, and Sancho Panza on foot, being 95 feet. The statue will take seven years to build and will cost over £1,000,000, but the committee expects Americans to subscribe. When it is complete a railway will run to Rosinante’s hoofs to facilitate the visit of the millions of pilgrims who are expected to come to the most remarkable memorial in the world.—(A. and N.Z.) The first, part of Miguel Cervantes’ Spanish novel “Don Quixote” was published in 1605, the second in 1615, having been proceeded by a spurious second part by one Avellaneda, a year earlier. The story was designed from the beginning to end an attack upon the books of chivalry.” Ror mancos of chivalry had attained an enormous vogue, despic clerical fulminaions and legal interdict. Cervantes wonderful story of Don Quixote, his head turned by reading of romances of chivalry “did instantly what sermons and legislation had failed to do. ’ ’ The story which is said to contain 669 characters, is one of the world’s greatest works of fiction. Tho first English translation was made by T. (Shelton, 1612-20. In the story Sancho Panza, squire attendant on "Don Quixote, is a farm labourer. who mounted on his ass Dapple, accompanies the Don on his adventures, ever dreaming of the governorship of an island with which the knight promises to reward him. Sanco Panza (Panza means paunch) is a droll person, a coward, a misuser of words, and repeater of innumerable proverbs.