I read somewhere, maybe it was in the comics, that "reading a newspaper online is like trying to pray in a casino." And while I admit to occasionally having to consult Google, I never truly believe anything online unless the source is quoted or the source itself comes from an actual document.

What is really disconcerting is journalists citing historical information from Web pages that may be more opinion than fact. I'm noticing a pattern here that either because of laziness or convenience, or both, some journalists would rather click than walk over to an archive or library to dig out the fact themselves. Some so-called "encyclopedic" sources online are so unreliable that any editor or professor worth his salt should ban either their journalists or students from going there.

Many journalists and students are missing the true joy of original research. Like archaeology, there is always great adventure and romance in going though a pile of documents, etchings, and books and discovering something one has been searching for during a lifetime. The discovery can be exhilarating.

In some Latin American countries, in rural parishes, colonial documents may be stacked and abandoned in some room that hasn't seen a researcher in decades. Some of these collections may not even have guides, bibliographies or even been catalogued. This truly can be virgin ground and the most respectful and diplomatic routes may be the only way to get admittance to these collections. Many guardians of these collections are truly territorial over "their" possessions and, in reality, because they are private documents they have every right to restrict access.

Of course, as has been explained to me by some of these guardians or curators, some "scholars" come with preconceived notions or are trying to bolster their politically correct notions of history or cultures, so they will say anything to get at these private papers. These unscrupulous "scholars" make it hard on the rest of us who just want to tell the facts, not twist them to some political point of view or agenda.

Documents and rare books can also be great works of art. In Salamanca, for example, I got to hold an illuminated manuscript in gold and blue lapis. At the Escorial, I had the great honor to examine rare Arabic texts and in Italy rare prints and etchings that made me salivate. Other travels as a retired bibliotecario y archivista have allowed me to examine magnificent private collections. And it is truly amazing how generous private collectors can be, that is, within limits.

Personally, not all my pursuits are academic. For example, I've been searching for years for the Cuentos of Bartolo. I don't have the exact title, author or editor, or when they were published, but I know they exist somewhere in Latin America and copies must have made their way north to us. My grandfather knew them by heart and for me it is mostly a sentimental journey. However, I'll share one with you so you'll understand why I love them so much.

Bartolo was the king's adviser. One day the king told Bartolo, "Bartolo, as brilliant as you are, you pay me no respect. I am your sovereign and I expect you to bow down and kiss my hand when I enter."

Bartolo replied, "With all due respect your majesty, we are all of earth and the earth does not bow down to the earth."

The king said, "I'll fix this rascal." He ordered that a small door be made to the king's chambers so that Bartolo would have to get on his knees to enter. But Bartolo, being a very wise man, entered on his knees but with his buttocks toward the king. The king became enraged.

"Bartolo, despite your wise counsel and genius, you've greatly offended your king and now you must pay with your life."

Bartolo humbly begged the king that he let him choose the method of his execution and suggested hanging. The king, whose love for Bartolo was known, granted him his wish. Bartolo replied, "Thank you my beloved king, and may I choose the tree?"

"Granted," said the king. The execution, of course, never took place because Bartolo chose a tree that was shorter then he.

This collection is like 1,000 Arabian Nights, so write me if you have a lead.

Writer/historian Orlando Romero may be reached at Nambe1@aol.com.