in jurisprudence, in medicine—­and, though self-taught as a painter—­an artist of considerable skill. (This last was a compliment, coming as it did from the future father-in-law of Velazquez.) Evidently Pacheco was a whole-hearted admirer whose enthusiasm needs discounting.  However, so far as we can check it, his account seems to be correct in the matter of direct observation.  The fact that there is scarcely one flash of humour in the interminable record of the Valladolid trial confirms Pacheco’s report of the prisoner’s habitual gravity.  No doubt the tragic circumstances in which he found himself were not conducive to displays of humour.  When being tried for his life, the merriest of men does not dwell on the innate absurdity of things.  Humour was, however, one of the few gifts which nature had denied to Luis de Leon.  He was aware of this himself, to judge from his statement that he had nothing of the jester or scoffer in him.[161] But if Luis de Leon was relatively poor in humour, he had an abundant store of mordant sarcasm and a faculty for ironic banter, as Medina and Castro learned to their chagrin.[162] Pacheco’s opinion of Luis de Leon’s versatile talent is borne out by the scrap of evidence given at the trial by Francisco de Salinas—­the sightless dedicatee of El aire se serena.  Salinas bore witness that some of Luis de Leon’s admirers were persuaded that he could carry any University chair against all competition.[163] Evidently to those who met him frequently Luis de Leon conveyed the impression of irresistible talent.  Though students voted in professorial elections at Salamanca, and supported Luis de Leon loyally, he did nothing to conciliate them, and expressed his opinion of them with unquestionable candour.  We gather that he was profoundly attached to the ancient order of things[164] and that, though accused of interpreting the Bible in a rabbinical sense, he had never read a rabbinical book.[165] We learn that among his teachers were Guevara, Mancio, Cipriano, and Melchor Cano;[166] of these he would seem most to have esteemed Cano.[167] With such masters, and being the man he was, Luis de Leon would naturally have got together a good theological library, and he was allowed to have some of his books in his prison-cell; it is but natural that most of his requests should be for theological works which would be of service in preparing his defence on technical points.  Reading was his sole solace during his imprisonment, and it is noticeable that, whenever he asks for a book he speaks of it—­not with the dry, meticulous precision of a bibliographer but—­with all the caressing detail of a genuine book-lover.  He indicates the sizes of the various works which he needs, describes their bindings, and mentions in what part of his monastery-cell they will be found.  He wants a Vatable with gilt edges, bound in black; it should be found in a case for smaller volumes which lies on his writing-table.  He asks for a Bible, printed by Plantin, bound in black leather and fastened