After
From 1902 Galdós, who seems to have lost some taste for Madrid and its streets, alternate spring and summers in Santander, with frequent trips to Spain (Barcelona, \u200b\u200bCartagena) and long periods in Toledo where seasons pass at the "La Alberquilla", on the banks of the Tagus, owned by Sergio Novales who had inherited from his uncle, the famous writer and bibliophile Bartolomé José Gallardo. On other occasions, staying at the Hotel del Lino in the heart of the capital of Toledo, where it is today, gone a few years ago the centennial lodge, the headquarters of a bank. Years later a plaque, placed by the Hogar Canario de Madrid recalled Galdós's stay in the Imperial City.
contact with nature will raise up Galdós a keen interest in the secrets of agricultural science, its "Physiocratic whims" and zoological (he loved dogs and cats, sheep and even geese), all without sacrificing his literary output in these years will be increased with new releases " Alma y Vida" (9 April 1902 in the English Theatre, drama regeneracionista " Mariucha " (July 16 in Barcelona) and successive National Episodes (48 storms "," Narvaez "" The elves clique ").
1904 is a critical year in the life of the writer. Compliments and sixties begin their trouble seeing you lead, after several failed operations to total blindness. On the other hand, his publishing company "Pérez Galdós Works" is in crisis that will lead you to agree with the Successors editorial Hernando (Pearl, Paez and Co.) for the publication of his works that will gradually increase to rate more regular Episodios Nacionales (" The Revolution of July," O'Donnell "," Aita Tettau "," Charles VI in Rápita "), a novel dialogue" Casandra "and new releases theater: " Grandpa" (14 February in the English Theatre, with a resounding success, "Barbara " and "Love and Science " with a more modest reception.)
In the fall of 1906 turns on the idea of \u200b\u200ba national tribute to Galdós, at the initiative of the republican and liberal press, which could be found after the alleged intention to recapture the political life, it is time the ranks of republicanism . In fact, in 1907, seduced again and took to the direct participation in politics. Republicans begin Galdós years, which is not an obstacle to continue more slowly due to physical problems with his literary work, "the sad The destinations "that continues the Fourth Series of the Episodios Nacionales, preceded last year by" The v uelta the world in Numancia "and" Prim . "
In late 1907, new Episode National Rey Spain without "and new love when the writer blanket retirement age 65. Her new lover is called Feodosiya Gandarias and is a widow, 44 years, modest and educated, living in a popular neighborhood, next to the Plaza de Chamberí, at number 53 (now 51) 2 Paseo de Santa Engracia, between the streets Raimundo and Santa Feliciana Lully. The house still exists and has three plants the street, attic can be seen from the street and five holes and balconies on each floor. Feodosiya floor was the first left. In the basement there were two shops, a barbershop and a grocery, now houses a supermarket. Recall that the writer had "stayed" a few years earlier next door at number 49 in the same street or walk, but even then did not live Feodosiya in the area. In this "love nest" street of Santa Engracia the already ailing Galdós will spend time with his beloved Teo, and work without leaving your house on the Boulevard de Alberto Aguilera, and without, of course, its long summers in Santander with family.
Santa Engracia, 51. Possible address of Feodosiya Gandarias
1908 is a busy political year, but less than the next, during which D. Benito, along with significant membership in the Republican (or liberal, as he put it) have time to attend the premiere in the capital flows from the opera " Zaragoza " and to conclude the play "Peter Minio ."
The following year, 1909, Galdós, Republican representative, will attend the event shocked the Tragic Week and Barranco del Lobo, while culminating in a month the very complex episode of "tragic Spain, located in 1870. His health is deteriorating, which is not prevented from examining an interesting and evocative novel Knight delighted "to write his own hand (hereafter have to dictate to his secretary, Paul Nougués," Don Pablífero ") and published serialized in The Liberal. " You'll also get another resounding success with the premiere on February 28 of his drama "Cassandra " in the English Theater, applauded by the audience who accompanied him on opening night to his home of Alberto.
The elections of May 1 of that year gave Madrid the victory in the Republican-Socialist, composed, among others, Galdós and Pablo Iglesias, who say the writer canary with Pablo Iglesias enter in Congress spirit of international solidarity to fight for the dignity and welfare of workers "and making a living feel human and political sympathy.
With the next episode, "Amadeo I " and then " The First Republic (1911), Galdós invent a counterpart, the Light of Tito softly, journalist , womanizing, as Don Benito in his youth, who now was old and semiciego, is still with Mrs Theodosia emperijolado, the widow of Calle Santa Engracia.
be in his apartment on Calle Alberto Aguilera where Dr. Marquis will operate Galdós cataract in the left eye. A difficult case that will, in spite of extreme care, physical and psychological effects on the writer from now you can no longer fend for itself
be because of their semi-blindness as Galdós, do not know exactly where date, moves into what will be his last home in Madrid: the chalet "Moorish-bull" that his nephew José Hermenegildo the bachelor had built in Hilarion Eslava 7, near the Parque del Oeste. The building had two floors and roof and was distilled neomudéjar, with exposed brick, windows and turrets, gables and lattice-style "Arab" according to the tastes of the time. In this small hotel, as reported by Federico Carlos Sainz de Robles "his nephew, Jose Hurtado de Mendoza had booked the best room, on whose threshold were written these words: Office of Uncle Benito 3.
still remember from my days as a college student having spent some time in front of this brick building, where a plate to stated that the writer had lived there. Unfortunately this, like other nearby buildings, the district Pozas, the Church of Good Success, nothing remains but the memories and some old photo (the General Archive of the Administration) which is a soldier of the Republic standing guard at the villa. At least it keeps the label placed by the council in 1924 on the modern building erected in the place 4 .
There, in the ho tel 
of Hilarion Eslava 7, live the "strange community" composed by the writer, his nephew, Joseph Herman, owner of the property, its and older sisters, Concha, the single and Carmen, the widow and a daughter, Rafaelita González, daughter, apparently, the bullfighter Machaquito and a gypsy, Hermenegildo José goddaughter of singles, in addition to the easement. Extramural living with his aunt, the daughter of Galdós, María, given in 1892 with the painter's model Lorenza Cobian, tragically disappeared in recent years after his insanity.
1911 begins "calm and placid" to Galdós in his house in San Quentin, scuffles outside the parliament (although still a deputy, it will be three times, most recently by Las Palmas), while essential and dictates to his secretary "Don Pablífero " Episode " De Sagunto Carthage." On his return to the Town and Court, Galdós continue his political activity as a member of the Republican-Socialist, while economic problems are exacerbated. A hope of a solution to these strictures, it gives the nomination for the Nobel Prize, worth 40,000 crowns, for which he is nominated by the Academy in 1912, although the internal division about his candidacy, in dispute with the figure valetudinarian literary Menéndez y Pelayo, I move away from the deserved award.
In 1912, Galdós is undergoing a new surgery (second cataract in the right eye) held this time in the house of Hilarion Eslava 7. Although the operation itself is a moderately successful, he regained his vision, political activity was self-limited. In literary terms, with 69 years Galdós, misled by the semiceguera and atherosclerosis has yet time to write in six months will be, without him knowing, his latest National Episode, " Cánovas. That same year, shortly before the second operation has been in the small hotel of Hilarion Eslava, the visit of Javier Bueno journalist who does an interview literary magazine destined for World Magazine. So the approach portrays the journalist as the home you live Galdós:
"Faced with the Modelo prison in a large square which was used to shooting, recreation camp kids and military maneuvers, and now begins to urbanize, there is a pink brick little hotel, very modest ... A brick wall hides it until the 1 st floor. Above this wall looks a rose ...." Later
thus intimate portrait of writer's work:
" The room is modest. In a headwall, is a white library, crammed with books in another, a window in the front another library and, ultimately, the door naked. A table of student in which Paul writes Nougués and two red wicker chairs complete the furniture ".
Galdós is sunk in a red velvet armchair.'s almost blind, dark glasses covering her eyes." 5
go in summer San Quentin, as always, recovered partially from view and, therefore, optimistic, even though soon turn age seventy.
The last seven years of his life will Galdós increasingly locked in his nephew's house, presiding family circle formed by his sisters, and very old, his nephew, José Hermenegildo, the engineer, the goddaughter prohijada of it, and a large Raphaelite service. In this house, where all food was eaten on the Canary Islands, will be visited regularly by friends from the Canary Islands with the writer forming a pleasant chat. While continuing harassment of creditors to the extent that Galdós was forced to mortgage San Quentin.
In 1914, Santander installed in the summer, devoted almost exclusively to literary activity, political activity, however, has ceased almost completely, leaving Galdós, by choice, the Conjunction, work on a new dramatization " Celia in hell, "set partly in popular areas for development which he wrote to his beloved Theodosia" think "living documents see as your concierge and other conspicuous figures neighborhoods Chamberí and Cuatro Caminos." The show opens Dec. 9 in the English Theatre and is a great success of the public with the usual accompaniment of friends and supporters of Galdós in happy throng at the door of the English Theatre to Puerta del Sol
That same year novelist's debt was estimated at about 200,000 pesetas from then and his friends and admirers, politicians, writers come to their aid by creating a National Board Tribute to Galdós. Are collected only about 100,000 pesetas, an amount less than estimated, allowing paying some creditors and assigned to Galdós a kind of annuity. At the end of the year, Galdós, which had premiered on April 21 at the Princess Theatre with his usual success Greek tragedy, "Alceste " painful to attend his sister's death Concha and few months later, in February 1915 to their other sister, Carmen, "Mother" of the family galdosiana since its installation in Madrid.
In the summer of 1915, Galdos, who has written a story twilight " The reason of unreason" in San Quentin preparing a drama set in the Carlist War, "Sor Simona "Which will premiere in December in Madrid with a great performance of the young actress Irene López Heredia 6. Another young actress, Concha Catalá, engage a close friendship with the elder Galdós.
What were Galdós habits in these last years of his life? His biographers tell us that the morning went by carriage, rented and always at the house door, walked past the house where he lived at various stages of his life, he made his visits morning and after lunch lengthened the 
ta sies and received in the afternoon at home visits. One of the most assiduous visitors was his daughter Mary Young married John Green, an official, an expert on municipal statistics. The couple with their two young sons, Rafael and Bob, lived in the Calle de Ferraz 22 and in this house also received frequent visits of the writer who dearly loved his children and grandchildren. Galdós also received home visits Hilarion Eslava actors and actresses, as Margarita Xirgu or Concha Catalá, artists and writers such as Pérez de Ayala, Enrique de Mesa or siblings or journalists Quintero as Margarita Nelken. The gathering ended early evening, around 14.30 in the winter and to 16.30 in the past. Don Benito semi invalid and was carried upstairs by her servant, first Victorian and then Paco Menéndez. The dinner was served when he was already lying on his iron bed, little more than a hospital bed or modest pension. Asleep quickly and sleep well. Sainz de Robles tells us that in these final years of his life Galdós was a tall old man, stooped, awkward limp mustache and dark glasses, with very few words.
On February 2, 1916 premiere another drama, "Solomon The stingy" and already in precarious conditions dictate his "Memoirs of a forgetful " for the magazine "The Sphere", which has as it seems and recalls some episodes of his life until 1910, silencing many others. Yet to 73 years know Galdós a final success will bring an economic boom also. Barcelona is the premiere of his " Marianela," in a stage adaptation of the brothers Quintero and the Xirgu in the title role. With it the company made a successful tour of Spain, although the writer, always acclaimed by the audience at the end of representation can only attend the premiere in Barcelona and Valladolid. Still with Xirgu released the following year "Santa Juana de Castilla ", whose premiere in Barcelona will attend the author who was feted by Catalan intellectuals.
In 1917 he visits his friend, journalist and writer, José Montero Iglesias, with his son, thirteen or fourteen, José Montero Alonso. So it was that, years later his son, also a writer José Montero Padilla
" went up to the first floor. In a large room and sober was Don Benito, sitting in an armchair. A blanket covered his legs. His head was shown bareheaded. And his expression was calm, serene. I had almost lost sight seeing, but that afternoon was wearing dark glasses he wore almost every time. A José Montero Iglesias and his son had brought up that sort of modest living, a server, named Paco, who was outstanding at all times of the writer. "Don Benito," he said ... They are ... Galdós smiled. My father remembered that smile kindly and how he raised his head, and directing it to those who came. And he spoke, his voice slow, looked tired and was at once warm, intimate :
- What? I here, you see, prisoner ...
asked by some friends. My grandfather had reported on them. Became interested in other topics. He continued the conversation, but said little Don Benito.
comment on a play that prepared: St. John of Castile. (It premiered at the Teatro Madrid de la Princesa, the night of May 8, 1918).
- That night, "said my grandfather, my son and I applaud you more than anyone else! ...
Galdós's attitude had hitherto been quiet, impassive, almost motionless, as we contemplate the monument made by Victorio Macho and it is located in Madrid's Retiro Park. Suddenly, his voice shaking him. His hand sought Montero Iglesias and shook it loudly:
- How good are you with me! - He cried.
and then he came into the room a young woman dressed in black, very pretty as always stressed José Montero Alonso al evocar estos recuerdos suyos de tan singular ocasión. Era una hija del torero Machaquito y ahijada del novelista. También el servidor, Paco, asomaba con frecuencia por si don Benito quería algo. Éste interrogó, refiriéndose a mi padre:
-¿Y qué hace este muchacho? ¿Estudia? ¿Qué va a ser?
Montero Alonso -un muchacho de trece o catorce años no decía palabra. Le resultaba imposible. Y su padre iba respondiendo por él. Galdós escuchaba, asentía con la cabeza.
Llegó el momento de la despedida. Montero Alonso recordaría siempre las últimas palabras que le dirigió don Benito:
-... And you, boy, keep me on your friend. And always good to know ... " 7
In 1918 his life was like, in the morning went by car, made rounds and came home for lunch. In the afternoon did not leave, he stayed in his office, where they were going to see his friends. Álvarez Quintero brothers and Victorio Macho were those who treated him better, apart from their families. Victorio Macho was the sculptor Palencia, the author of the seated statue of Galdós found in the Park Retirement and reproduces the usual vision of the writer in his workroom, legs covered, as used by a blanket.
enter the writer in 1919 in disastrous physical conditions (since 1914 suffered from arteriosclerosis and 1918 the disease was complicated with spinal cord softening) and, nevertheless, persisted in taking a stroll around Madrid, to make "some" hits.
January 19 inaugurated the statue of Galdós in Retirement, "monument and a sober melancholy severity, with the mayor and the Quintero brothers, of speakers. The writer attends the opening "barely alive in reply block of stone" but is so tired that he was bedridden for several weeks. Granted March 14 will, in which Maria Perez Galdos recognized as his daughter. In these final months was irascible character and completely changed their system of life left in the morning, had lunch out and not come back but at night. The figure of Galdós was known by the people in their journey through the streets of Madrid. Legend has it that the men were discovered along the way and pointed out that women, children excited "He is Don Benito"
began in August not to know, and 22 came out last car on the street and in September and took to her bed. The agony was slow, attended at all times the patient for their unconditional physician and friend Dr. Marañón. The writer's death occurred at half past three the morning of January 4, 1920, Sunday. Upon learning of every theater in Madrid suspended the function. The Government, apropuesta the Minister of Public Instruction (Natalio Rivas) declared national mourning, and took charge of the funeral expenses.
A text, published unsigned in the newspaper "The Sun" of January 5, 1920, expressed the collective feeling of orphanhood:
" The people know that he has died the highest basking of their princes ... there will be an intimate and sincere sorrow that will link all the good English teacher at the tomb of unforgettable. and this will be worth all the decrees that may appear in the Gazette ... "
The chapel of Benito Perez Galdos was installed in the courtyard of the City of Madrid crystals where more than 50,000 people marched. A mass of people followed the next day the funeral procession to the family vault in the cemetery of Our Señora de la Almudena. Who was he could not accompany Gandarias Feodosiya, " schoolteacher, Basque writer, intelligent woman and mother of a son who died still young Galdós " 8 , died a few days before, 31 December, of bronchopneumonia at his home in Santa Engracia. It would be buried in the Almudena, where both would remain neighbors neighborhood in their final resting 9.
© Manuel Martínez Bargueño
December, 2009 (last updated in April 2011 )
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Notes
1. In Paris, through his friend, Ambassador León y Castillo Elizabeth II will visit in his palace of Castile in the Avenue Kleber, leaving as a result of this interview a "nice picture" of the sovereign.
2. Ortiz Armengol doubt among the current number 49 and 51. House are two twins, both with four floors, three floors of balconies five holes. The dance numbers in this section of the street increases the doubts.
3. Federico Carlos Sainz de Robles. " His life, his work, time. "in Collected Works of Pérez Galdós. Volume I. Editorial Aguilar.
4. Ortiz Armengol Write to the opening ceremony of that tombstone municipal council was solemn, and she attended a large crowd.
5. magazine World, III, 15 1912. I read this interview in the book " Benito Perez Galdos. Editing Douglass M. Rogers" . The writer and critic. Taurus. Second edition, 1979.
6. "Sor Simona " opened the first issue of the famous collection "The Short Story" and she pulled 300,000.
7. In http://wwwcasasdeescritores.com/
8. Sebastian de la Nuez. "The latest novels of Galdós through an epistolary love ." Galdós. Centennial Fortunata and Jacinta (1887-1987). Proceedings. International Congress, 23-28 November. School of Information Sciences. Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 1988.
9. Santiago Fernandez " In the tomb of Galdós " Babab, No. 8 May 2001, who visits the grave of Galdós in the spring of 2001, hurt his condition: " in one of the most remote areas and dark of the cemetery ... " in one of those rides that barely spring sunshine, surrounded by majestic vaults, two blackened tombstones floor walk the writer's remains buried " ... " can barely read the Fuzzy titles in one of the tombstones." So remember this country to its children.
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