were attended by members of the different parties; the utterances of the different characters were taken to represent the author's personal opinions, and every speech which could be brought into connection with current politics was applauded by one half of the house and derided by the other half. A zarzuela named El Conde de Castralla was given amid much uproar on 20 February 1856, and, as the piece seemed likely to cause serious disorder in the theatre, it was suppressed by the government after the third performance. Ayala's rupture with the Moderates was now complete, and in 1857, through the interest of General Leopoldo O'Donnell, he was elected as Liberal deputy for Badajoz. His political changes are difficult to follow or explain, and they have been unsparingly censured. So far as can be judged, Ayala had no strong political views, and drifted with the current of the moment. He took part in the revolution of 1868, wrote the Manifesto of Cadiz, took office as colonial minister, favored the candidature of Antoine, Duke of Montpensier, resigned in 1871, returned to his early conservative principles, and was a member of Alfonso XII's first cabinet. Meanwhile, however divided in opinion as to his political conduct, his countrymen were practically unanimous in admiring his dramatic work; and his reputation, if it gained little by El Nuevo Don Juan, was greatly increased by El Tanto por Ciento and El Tejado de Vidrio. His last play, Consuelo, was given on 30 March 1878. Ayala was nominated to the post of president of the congress shortly before his death, which occurred unexpectedly on 30 January 1879. References External links 1828 births 1879 deaths People from Sierra Norte (Seville) Spanish male writers Members of the Royal Spanish Academy Writers from Extremadura Overseas ministers of Spain Presidents of the Congress of Deputies (Spain)