Discussing the contents of La minerva o El revisor general (1805-08; 1817-18), Le Gentil remarks: “Notons enfin un premier essai, visiblement inspiré de Jouy, dans un genre qui devait faire une singulière fortune en Espagne, celui des costumbristas.” The reference is to an article entitled “La ciencia del pretendiente o el arte de obtener empleos,” which appeared in 1817 (X-33). Though the implication that this article is the first costumbrista sketch is open to question, Le Gentil's suggestion that it marks the beginning of Jouy's influence in Spain seems acceptable, for Jouy himself does not speak of translations of his works until 1815, and even then he mentions none in Spanish. After 1817 the costumbrista vogue was apparently well established, as may be gathered from the many articles of the new pattern which appeared in El censor (1820-22). Accordingly when Mesonero, in Mis ratos perdidos, allowed himself to be influenced by Jouy in style, tone, and even content, it would seem that he followed a fairly established vogue.