[“The other character mentioned at the start of canto XII, Nicolás Castaño Capetillo (1836-1926) is quite better-known. At the beginning of the 20th century he was the wealthiest man in Cuba. Of Basque origin, he arrived in the island in 1849 and starting with 1851 he worked in Cienfuegos as salesclerk of a winery, street vendor and employee of Esteban Cacicedo until he established himself on his own in a candle factory and a mixed store that he lost in a fire. With a partner, he founded the Castaño Intriago, a commercial and banking house which lasted until 1888. By means of loans he succeeded in becoming creditor of some of the most important shops in the city and owner of various centres. Years afterward, his fortune made a union with that of the Falla family, one of the richest in Cuba. According to some Cuban historians, the origin of his immense fortune was the confiscation of properties belonging to Cubans condemned for their ideals or separatist actions, under the aegis of a Committee of Confiscated Goods. Castaño, lieutenant of the Battalion of Volunteers of Cienfuegos, was a member of one of these committees. Apparently, many of the properties confiscated from the patriots fell into his hands in this way”] (Tr. Roxana Preda).