n (Paris, 1893) of
Heredia's _Poesias_ contains an interesting introduction
by the critic Elias Zerolo (_Poesias_, N.Y., 1825; Toluca,
1832; N.Y., 1875; Paris, 1893).

The mulatto poet Gabriel de la Concepcion Valdes,
better known by his pen-name "Placido" (1809-1844), an
uncultivated comb-maker, wrote verses which were mostly
commonplace and often incorrect; but some evince
remarkable sublimity and dignity (cf. _Plegaria page 294
a Dios_). Cf. _Poesias_, Matanzas, 1838; Matanzas, 1842;
Veracruz, 1845; Paris, 1857; Havana, 1886. The greatest
Cuban poetess, and perhaps the most eminent poetess who
has written in the Castilian language, is Gertrudis Gomez
de Avellaneda y Arteaga (1814-1873). Since Avellaneda
spent most of her life in Spain, an account of her life
and work is given in the _Introduction_ to this volume, p.
xxxviii. Next only to Heredia, the most popular Cuban poet
is Jose Jacinto Milanes y Fuentes (1814-1863), who gave in
simple verse vivid descriptions of local landscapes and
customs. A resigned and touching sadness characterizes his
best verse (_Obras_, 4 vols., Havana, 1846; N.Y., 1865).

A lawyer, educator and patriot, Rafael Maria Mendive y
Daumy (1821-1886) wrote musical verse in which there
is spontaneity and true poetic feeling (_Pasionarias_,
Havana, 1847; _Poesias_, Madrid, 1860; Havana, 1883).
Joaquin Lorenzo Luaces (1826-1867) was more learned than
most Cuban poets and fond of philosophizing. Some of his
verse has force and gives evidence of careful study; but
much is too pedantic to be popular (_Poesias_, Havana,
1857). A poet of sorrow, Juan Clemente Zenea,--"Adolfo de
la Azucena" (1832-1871),--wrote verses that are marked by
tender melancholy (_Poesias_, Havana, 1855; N.Y., 1872,
1874).

Heredia was not the only Cuban poet to suffer persecution.
Of the seven leading Cuban poets, often spoken of as "the
Cuban Pleiad," Avellaneda removed to Spain, where she
married and spent her life in tranquillity; and Joaquin
Luaces avoided trouble by living in retirement and veiling
his patriotic songs with mythological names. On the other
hand Jose Jacinto Milanes lost his reason at the early age
of thirty years, Jose Maria Heredia and Rafael Mendive
fled the country and lived in exile; while Gabriel
Valdes and Juan Clemente Zenea were shot by order of the
governor-general.

Since the disappearance of the "Pleiad," the most popular page 295
Cuban poets have been Julian del C