Note 30 — LIFE OF CERVANTES.

Pellicer is of opinion that Cervantes intended the Galatea as an homage to the lady of his affections; a sort of literary courtship, not uncommon among the writers of that age. “Catalina, the name of the lady in question,” he observes, “might by a slight change, and the transposition of the letters, be converted into Galatea. In like manner,” he adds, “the fictitious names given to the shepherds in the romance, bear some resemblance to the real ones of the persons to whom they are supposed to apply; viz.—Meliso for Mendoza (the celebrated Don Diego de Mendoza), Lauso for Luis (Luis Barabona de Soto being the individual referred to).”