This book is presented to scholars with a broad interest in modern languages and literatures. It contains articles written in English, French, German, Italian, and Spanish. The topics rangein time from the Middle Ages to our day; geographically, from Europe and Africa to Latin America; in substance, from literary analysis to the study of manuscripts, stylistics, and the use of acronyms. The authors were given complete freedom to write papers on subjects of their choice, in their respective fields of specialization. The indis­ treatment, and a pensable ingredients were originality of material or genuine contribution to knowledge in the general area of modern languages and literatures. While responsibility for content rests with individual authors, we deeply appreciate the counsels of wisdom and experience given by Pro­ fessor Nicolae Iliescu of Harvard University; Professor Rene J asinski, emeritus, of Harvard; Professor Luis A. Murillo, of the University of California at Berkeley; Professor Erich Von Richthofen, of the Uni­ versity of Toronto. These distinguished scholars, with their usual kindness, interrupted their own work to read portians of the manuscript of particular interest to them. To the Administration of Boston College, we acknowledge a debt of gratitude for the generaus subsidy which encouraged this labor of love among colleagues and helped to bring the project to a successful, printed completion.