He was the rich Capitan Basilio, the direct contrast of Don Rafael, Ibarra's father.

He was a man who maintained that after the death of St.Thomas Aquinas the world had made no more progress, and that since St.John Lateran had left it, humanity had been retrograding.
"Gentlemen, allow me to speak a few words about such an interesting matter," he began.

"I speak first even though there are others here present who have more right to do so than I have, but I speak first because in these matters it seems to me that by speaking first one does not take the first place--no more than that by speaking last does one become the least.

Besides, the things that I have to say are of such importance that they should not be put off or last spoken of, and accordingly I wish to speak first in order to give them due weight.

So you will allow me to speak first in this meeting where I see so many notable persons, such as the present senor capitan, the former capitan; my distinguished friend, Don Valentin, a former capitan; the friend of my infancy, Don Julio; our celebrated captain of cuadrilleros, Don Melchor; and many other personages, whom, for the sake of brevity, I must omit to enumerate--all of whom you see present here.