JOSE BETTENCOURT MACHADO in a study of Machado de ssis notes that the latter, like Dostoyevsky, employs universal characters as opposed to narrow types.' Bettencourt's observation is entirely warranted, but it falls short of indicating the truly vast areas of similarity over and above the general element of universality of character, for beneath the obvious exterior of Dostoyevskian intensity and the minor-key of Machado there exists a perhaps surprising kinship. A study of Memndrias P6stumas de Bras Cubas (1881) and Quincas Borba (1890)2 reveals many similarities with Dostoyevsky's Crime and Punishment (1866). Among these are the elements of friendship and loyalty, chance and its uses, the employment of dreams and delirium for various effects, death and insanity, physical infirmities, and the very strong autobiographical impulse. The existence of significant similarities in the lives and personalities of the two authors cannot be disregarded in the analysis of the novels under study here. The almost friendless state of the principal characters is significantly repeated in these three works. In this highly restricted circle of friends, which serves as one of the strongest unifying elements in the stories, loyalty is put to the test as an added ingredient. For example, Raskolnikov has one real friend, Razumikhin, and although the latter is subject to a rain of insults and bad manners in general, he does not dissolve their friendship. Bras Cubas, in turn, has one life-long friend, Quincas Borba, and even though Quincas promptly picks his pocket after a long absence, Bras does not break with him, but rather meditates on regenerating him. Quincas seems to be the most blessed with friends, as he can count two, Bras and later Rubido. Just as Bras was abused by Quincas, so is Rubido, who is informed repeatedly by Quincas of the latter's low opinion of his intelligence. But Rubido does not desert the old philosopher; although he does not know whether he will receive any inheritance at Quincas death, he is really fond of this man whom he considers as his superior in many ways. When Quincas dies, Rubi5o inherits not only his fortune, but also his dog of the same name, which becomes Rubido's only true friend. The poor animal, even though he is never to know another happy day, remains loyal to his new master until death. The value of