Larra (Mariano José de), distinguished Spanish author, b. Madrid, 4 March, 1809. He went with his family to France and completed his education. He returned to Spain in '22. At eighteen he published a collection of poems, which was followed by El Duende Satirico (The Satirical Goblin). In '31 appeared his Pobrecito Hablador (Poor Gossip), a paper in which he unmercifully satirised the public affairs and men of Spain. It was suppressed after its fourteenth number. He edited in the following year the Revista Española, signing his articles "Figaro." He travelled through Europe, and on his return to Madrid edited El Mundo. Larra wrote also some dramas and translated Lamennais' Paroles d'un Croyant. Being disappointed in love he shot himself, 13 April, 1837. Ch. de Mazade, after speaking of Larra's scepticism, adds, "Larra could see too deep to possess any faith whatever. All the truths of this world, he was wont to say, can be wrapped in a cigarette paper!" Larroque (Patrice), French philosopher, b. Beaume, 27 March, 1801. He became a teacher and was inspector of the academy of Toulouse, 1830-36, and rector of the academies of Cahors, Limoges, and Lyons, 1836-49. In the latter year he was denounced for his opposition to clerical ideas and lost his place. Among his numerous works we mention De l'Esclavage chez les Nations Chrétiennes, '57, in which he proves that Christianity did not abolish slavery. This was followed by an Critical Examination of the Christian Religion, '59, and a work on Religious Renovation, '59, which proposes a moral system founded upon pure deism. Both were for a while prohibited in France. M. Larroque also wrote on Religion and Politics, '78. Died at Paris, 15 June, 1879. Lassalle (Ferdinand Johann Gottlieb), founder of German Social Democratic party, b. of Jewish parents, 11 April, 1825, in Breslau, studied philosophy and law at Breslau and Berlin. He became a follower of Hegel and Feuerbach. Heine, at Paris, '46, was charmed with him. Humboldt called him "Wunderkind." In 1858 he published a profound work on the philosophy of Heraclitus. For planning an insurrection against the Prussian Government he was arrested, but won his acquittal. Died through a duel, 31 Aug. 1864. Lastarria (José Victorino), Chilian statesman and Positivist, b. Rancagua, 1812. From youth he applied himself to teaching and journalism, and in '38 was appointed teacher of civil law and literature in the National Institute. He has founded several journals and literary societies. From '43 he has been at different times deputy to the legislature and secretary to the republic of Chili. He has also served as minister to Peru and Brazil. In '73 he founded the Santiago Academy of Science and Literature; has written many works, and his Lecciones de Politicia Positiva has been translated into French by E. de Rivière and others, 1879.