The genius of Italy

Front matter

THE

OR, FACT AND POETRY FROM

Italian fife, f iterated, aiii ^riijioii

Preface

Let no one suppose that, in the following pages, we are about to inflict npon him another Tour in Italy. Our object is not so much to write incidents of travel, or descriptions of scenery, roads, public buildings, and that '^ sort of thing,'' with which most volumes on Italy are filled to repletion ; but to furnish some idea of the real character and spirit of the Italian people ; to give brief, and, if possible, vivid glimpses of their life, literature, and religion, as these are embodied in men and books, in history and usages.

In order to do this with greater freshness and interest, we have taken our readers along with us through the principal parts of the country, especially the larger and more influential cities, and have indulged only in such occasional descriptions of scenery and localities as might furnish a sufficient background for our observations, or a becoming framework for our portraits.

The genius of a country is always localized ; and it gives one a clearer and more ioipressive view of its religion, literature, and viii PREFACE.

politics, to see them in loco, or to become acquainted with them in the very scenes with which they are associated.

The plan is similar to that pursued in '* The Genius of Scotland/* with perhaps less of description and incident, and more of history and biography, general observation and reflection. That work, which has enjoyed a reception far beyond the author's expectation, was written somewhat rapidly, as a simple relaxation from severer duties. The present, though more carefully finished, and containing a greater amount of information, possesses a similar character. A portion of it was written in Italy, during a brief but delightful tour through that country, and the rest at such times as the author could spare from more important engagements. The recent changes and revolutions in Italy will be found described, in their appropriate places.

He has aimed especially to furnish a just idea of the present state and future prospects of the Italian race. Those who wish further information upon this subject, will find it in the volumes of Balbo and Azeglio, and especially of L. Mario tti, professor in the London University, and author of " Italy, Past and Present, "the two former in Italian, the latter in English. Mariotti has thoroughly mastered the intricacies of the English language, and writes with energy and eloquence. He deserves the thanks of all lovers of Italy and Italian literature, for his able and ingenious expositions of both.

It may be well to state here, that some of the earlier portions of the work having been written previous to the late revolutions in Italy, a passage here and there m^y appear almost obsolete.

PREFACE. IX

We have chosen, however, to let such passages stand without modification, because they serve to indicate, in a striking manner, the nature of the changes which have occurred. Let the reader pass on, and he will find a tolerably accurate account of the present condition of things in the leading Italian States, and some suggestions as to their probable destiny.. The present, indeed, is a most critical juncture in the affairs of Continental Europe. War has already commenced in the north of Italy ; and a few days may produce an entire revolution in the whole Italian peninsula. Liberty and despotism have met front to front. The Pope, once liberal, calls to the enemies of his country, to restore him to his throne, over the dead bodies of his once beloved flock, the patriots of Rome ! What will be the issue of this strange drama, time alone will reveal. After all, the age of despotism is past; and even if Austria should triumph, her triumph will be brief and unsatisfactory. Liberty, crushed and wounded, shall rise again, and assert her right to supreme and universal dominion.

But the ink from our penis scarcely dry, when we are startled with the news that Charles Albert, at the head of the Sardinian army, has been completely routed by the Austrians, and that he has abdicated his thl^one in favor of his son, Victor Emmanuel, to whom it is supposed the Austrian government will concede much which they might withhold from his father. , The Pope, then, we presume, goes back to Rome, as we predicted in the body of the work ; the preface, which is the first thing seen by the read-

PREFACE.

er, but the last written by the author, giving us an opportunity of referring to this circumstance. So also, in all probability, the Grand Duke of Tuscany returns to Florence, and the newly formed Italian republics may once more become monarchies. Austria, as of old, will regulate the aflfairs of the peninsula, and dispose of its revenues.

Thus freedom recedes for the present, but only to gather fresh strength for another and more successful effort at some future day. Perhaps, too, it may be well, that, for a few years longer, the strong hand of power should hold in check the wild and irregular impulses of Italian democracy, and thus condense it into greater compactness and vigor. We trust it will learn wisdom, by the things which it is called to suffer.

In the hope that the present volume may aid in giving some just conception of the genius, the present state, and probable destiny of one of the most interesting countries in the world, and supply some useful hints on the various topics which it embraces, the author commits it to the kind consideration of his friends and the public.

Hartford, Conn,

NOTE TO THE THIRD EDITION.

While the present edition has been subjected to a thorough revision, we have preferred, as in the first, to let those parts of the work written before the revolutions in Italy, remain unaltered.

NOTE TO THE REVISED EDITION.

It is proper here to say, that owing to the rapid changes which have occurred in Italy since the revolutions of 1848, the author of the following work has found it necessary, as the successive editions have been called for, slightly to modify or add to some of his statements. This, of course, has been done within very narrow limits, as the work is stereotyped. He believes, however, that little of any moment has been omitted, which is not entirely familiar to the reading public. A few passages, left unchanged, may seem anomalous and almost obsolete ; but they are permitted to stand, as they serve to mark the singular transformations of Italian society, and may thus possess a certain historical interest. Several conjectural predictions which the author ventured to make, in the first edition of the work, have been remarkably verified. Others yet remain to be fulfilled.

Sardinia, under its present enlightened government, has en tered upon a noble career of improvement. Eome, Venice, and Milan are biding their time. Florence is not without hope, and even Naples, one of these days, may cast off the incubus which oppresses her. Great obstacles are in the way ; but freedom, like truth, is strong and immortal. Crushed down under mountains of despotism, it swells and flames up, like the subterranean fire of Vesuvius, rushing resistless through thick strata of superincumbent rock. To-day it seems dead and silent as the grave, to-morrow it rises and shouts vivas to the gathering millions.

I^OTE TO THE REVISED EDITION.

"Through all the long, dark night of years

The people ^s cry ascendeth ; And Earth is wet with blood and tears,

But our meek sufferance endeth !

The Few shall not for ever sway,

The many moil in sorrow : The Powers of Hell are strong To-day,

But Christ shall rise To-morrow !"

In the Appendix will be found some additional notices of Mazzini, the leader of " Young Italy," as also of Gavazzi, Garibaldi, and others, which will supply all that is necessary to give the reader a tolerable idea of the character and power of the revolutionary element.

It is not, however, the aim of a work of such narrow compass and desultory character to occupy much of the reader's attention with the politics of Italy, transitional as they are, but rather to introduce him to some of its treasures of nature and art, and especially to give him an idea (albeit a slight one) of its resources of beauty and power, as developed in the lives and productions of its great thinkers, artists and poets.

Our obligations are due, for valuable documents, to Mr. Secchi De Casali, the accomplished Editor of VEco de Italia.

Chapter I

Introductory — Claims of Italy — Prayer of Petrarch — ^Beauty the principal feature in the Italian landscape — Its position and general aspect — Language and Literature — Characteristics of its Sculptui'e, Painting and Music — Harmony between Natural and Moral Beauty — Spirit and Form — Final Reconcilement of all things — Design of this work. 17

Chapter II

First view of Italy — Descent of the Alps—Lago Maggiore — Borromean Isles — Cardinal Borromeo — The Church in Locarno — Its persecutions and trials — Final Banishment — Persecution in Italy — Religious Liberty — Arona — Evening Scene on the Lake — Ippolito Pindemonte — His verses on Night. .... . . 80

Chapter III

Lombardy — Aspect of the country— Condition of the inhabitants — Brief sketch of the History of Lombardy— Milan — Description of the city — The Cathedral — View from the summit — Sunset on the Alps — Interior of the Cathedral 41 xii CONTENTS.

Chapter IV

Silvio Pellico — Sketch of his Life — Distinguished Writers in Milan — Establishment of the Conciliator — Its suppression — Imprisonment of Silvio Pellico, Maroncelli and others — The " Mie Prigione," My Prisons, of Silvio Pellico — ^Extracts — Canzone written in prison. . . 49

Chapter V

Ugo Foscolo — Sketch of his life — Hymn to the Graces — Poem of I Sepolcri — Alessandro Manzoni — Tragedy of the *' Conte Carmagnola" — Ode on the Death of Napoleon — Monti — His Career — Poetry — " The Fall of Jerusalem," from the Bassevilliana — Parini — Beccaria. 60

Chapter VI

Venice — View from the Tower of St. Mark — Sketch of Venetian History — Prosperity — Freedom — Degeneracy — JSTarrow and Despotic Policy — Cruelty — The Foscari — Council of Ten — Police — Anecdote of a French Nobleman — Revolution — First, Second and third Acts of the Drama — Hope. 77

Chapter VII

Celebrated Venetians — Marco Polo — Pietro Bembo — Era Paolo Sarpi — Titian — Tintoretto — Goldoni — Canova — Ocello of Sienna — Specimen of his Preaching — " Justification by faith." . . . 91

Chapter VIII

Ferrara — ^The Days of Duke Borso — Ferrara the Asylum of Literary Men — Its Distinction in Literature — Duke Alphpnso and his Sisters — Ariosto—Sketch of his Life — Orlando Furioso — Specimens of his Poetry. . . 103

CHAPTER IX. Tasso— His Character and Genius — The " Gerusalemme Liberata.** 118

CONTENTS. xiii

Chapter. X

The Ducal Circle in the youth of Tasso — Queen Renee and her daughters — Visitors — Calvin and Marot — French version of the Psalms — Madame de Soubise and her daughter Anne of Parthenai — Giraldi — Fulvio Morata — Curio — Aonio Palaeario — Calcagnani — Pier Manzolli — Oljmpia Morata. 131

Chapter XI

Sunrise among the Apennines — Scenery — Feudal Castles — Spirit of the Early Republics — Tendencies in Italy to Centralization — False views of Liberty — Its true nature — Based on Virtue — Ko true freedom in Italy — Hopes — Scenery^Fellow-Traveliiers — Conversation on Religion — Catholic miracles, &c. — Approach to Florence — Its beauty — Associations and distinctions — Sketch of the History of Florence — Its present state and prospects 142

Chapter XII

Florence distinguished in Literature — Dante and the Divina Commedia — His Character and Genius — Early Days — Portrait — Beatrice and the Vita N"uova — Wanderings — Controlling Spirit and Object of his Life — His Death — Honors — Extraordinary Genius — Real import of the Commedia — Dante and Michael Angelo — Characteristics of Dante's Poetry — Origin of the Commedia — Its general character and aim . 162

Chapter XIII

Petrarch and Boccaccio — Their Character and Genius — Influence upon Literature 19t

Chapter XIV

Lorenzo de Medici — Pulci — Curious Scientific Anticipations — Da Vinci as a Philosopher — Politian — Machiavelli and the Politics of the Age iv CONTENTS.

— Leo Tenth and Religion — The Reformation — Decline of Italian Literature in the Seventeenth Century — Filicaja — Science — Galileo — Kepler — Discoveries of Galileo — His spirit — Science devout — Persecutions of Scientific Italians — Galileo's condemnation by the Inqtiisition — Death — Triumph of his opinions — Interview between Galileo and Milton — Science in Italy^ — Poetry — Alfieri — ^Niccolini and others — Abbe Lambruschini — Mazzini. . . . . . . . 209

Chapter XV

Kome — The Campagna — Approach to the city — Its general aspects- View from the Capitol — Its sacred or ecclesiastical character — Rome a Church — Its citizens, priests, monks, shrines, relics, churches, ceremonies, etc. — The Pope — Religious services — Pagan element — A stroll towards the Vatican, Coliseum, etc. — Capella della Humilta — Services — Preaching 233

Chapter XVI

Pope Pius the Ninth — The strongest and weakest of the Popes — Contrasts — Pope Hildebrand and Pope Pius — Flight from Rome — The Pontificate of Gregory Sixteenth — Pontificate of Pius Ninth — Changes — Revolution — Real position of Pius — Prospects of Italy. . . 257

Chapter XVII

Gioberti, " The Prophet of Italy" — His Primato — Theocratic views — Reception in Italy — Effect upon Charles Albert, Marquis Azeglio and others — ^Their probable fate — Father Ventura — His character and relations to Pius Ninth — His eloquence — Views and influence — Funeral Sermon for O'Connell — Problem of Gioberti, Ventura and Pius Ninth — Anticipated Fall of the Papacy , 276

CHAPTER XVIII. The Bay and City of Naples— Government and People — Revolution

CONTENTS. XV

— Counter-revolution — ^The Villa Reale — Posilipo — Virgil's Tomb — Pozzuoli, the ancient Puteoli — Grotto of Posilipo. . . 288

Chapter XIX

Churches of Naples — Religious and moral condition — Peculiarities of the people — Lazzaroni — Campo Santo, etc. .... 301

Chapter XX

Literature of Naples — Sannazzaro — Costanzo — Marini — " Fading Beauty" — Italian Philosophers — Mirandol^ — Neapolitan Philosophers — Vico — The " New Science" — Closing paragraph of the " Scienza Novella" — Genovesi — Giannone — Filangieri 316

Chapter XXI

A Sail on the Bay — Views — Island of Ischia — Vittoria Colonna — Her Life and Poetry — Naples by Moonlight — Hope for the Future. ; 325

ITALY,

PROEM.

On a soft summer afternoon, two friends were wandering on the banks of Lake Leman. They had seen all that was to be seen in Switzerland, and some other European countries. It was their desire to visit Palestine ; but the season was too far advanced, and their time of furlough nearly exhausted. The question then was discussed, where, they should go next, before returning to their distant home. Turning quickly to his companion, after a slight pause, one of them said —

" Know'st thou that land f

"What land r

*' That land — the most beautiful in the world, and next to Palestine the most famous in song and story."

" England, or perhaps your own Scotland ?"

" No, not even Scotland, dear as it is."

"Well, then, what landf

" Why, you know it well enough, for it must have been the dream of your youth, when conning the classic page ; —

'^ ' That land where the lemon- trees bloom —

Where the gold orange glows in the deep thicket's gloom, Where a wind ever soft from the blue heaven blows, And the groves are of myrtle, and laurel, and rose — Know'stthouit?'"

PROEM

"Ah ! you mean Italy ; for these are the words of Mignon, in Wilhelm Meister's Wanderjahre ; and most exq-uisitely do they picture some of the exterior peculiarities of her native clime* — But—"

"But what? You must not say a word, we are going thither. Come, let us be off by sunrise to-morrow morning. We shall have a charming ride along the banks of the Rhone, and across the Bernese Alps, and such glorious views of Italy, on the further side of Alpine summits, as shall well repay us for the whole journey, even before touching Italian soil."

" Excuse me, but we haven't time, and really your enthusiasm is a little extravagant. To be sure, Italy has points of interest, but, as a whole, it is but a poor, priest-ridden country. I'd rather go to some other land. Even Austria, and above all, Hungary would be better. Everybody goes to Italy, and scribbles about it all sorts of magniloquent nonsense. The whole region has been written to perfect inanity. I'm. almost tired of the very name. Florence, Rome, Naples — why, they are almost as common as Broadway. And to tell the honest truth, Italy is by no means the glorious land which it is ' cracked up' to be. The literature is feeble, the religion superstitious, and the politics absurd. No — I would rather go any whither than Italy."

A cunning smile played about the lips of our friend, and we concluded he did not quite believe what he said. At any rate, we were quite sure he was mistaken, in many respects, so we replied, with energy —

" Nonsense, and you know it. Every one who has the slightest tincture of taste or scholarship, well knows that Italy is one of the most interesting countries in the world. Poor and priestridden she may be, yet glorious still — glorious in her monuments and memories, glorious in her spirit of beauty and song. The

PROEM..

soil is hallowed by the grandest associations. Every spot is classic ground. Besides, we shall see it with our own eyes^ and although myriads of others have gazed upon its beauty, that beauty will appear new and peculiar to us."

'* Granted," said our friend, with a grave complacency, " but — "

" There, again, that ominous but — hut I won't hear it. We are going to Italy ; that's settled. And you might as well confess that you are pleased with the prospect. Ah, ' such times' as we shall have wandering among the green Apennines, plunging in shady groves of orange and olive, or gazing in rapt wonder upon the sculptured glories of genius and art !"

" Well, well, have it your own way. Italy has faults enough, God knows, and you know ; and I honestly confess to a certain prejudice against her, not indeed on account of any intrinsic defect in the country as such, or in the native character of the people, but on account of the horrible system of error and despotism under which she has groaned for ages."

" The more worthy of our pity on that very account, and pity, you know, is akin to love."

We returned to our lodgings, after having engaged a passage across the lake to Lausanne, whence we intended to take the diligence along the banks of the Rhone and across the Alps to Milan. But far into the night we kept musing on Italy, recounting to ourselves her various attractions, in a sort of straggling monologue. Much of this, and something more, may be found in the succeeding chapter. Hasty or impatient readers may pass it, if they please, and begin the book with the second chapter. We trust, however, that some gentle readers may honor it with their attention.

GENIUS OF ITALT.

Chapter I. Introductory

Claims of Italy — Prayer of Petrarcli — Beauty the principal feature in the Italian Landscape — Its Position and General Aspect— Language and Literature — Characteristics of its Sculpture, Painting, and Music — Harmony between Natural and Moral Beauty — Spirit and Form — ^Final reconcilement of all Things — Design of this "Work.

Few countries have played a more important part in the affairs of mankind than Italy. Fewer still present, to cultivated minds, more varied points of attraction and study. Once the queen of the world, she swayed her sceptre over a population of more than a hundred and twenty millions, and embraced, in her ample grasp, a territory which touched the gray hills of Scotland and the burning sands of Africa, which stretched beyond the Pillars of Hercules, and swept eastward to the Euphrates and the Caspian sea. For ages Italy was the centre of military power and splendor ; the scene of boundless ambition and incredible exploits. This was the home of the Scipios and the Caesars, of Cato and the Gracchi ; here sang Horace and Virgil, Terence and Tibullus. It was in Italy that Christianity found an early home, and acquired a dominion wider and more magnificent than that of the Caesars. In the lapse of time she was overrun by northern barbarians, but retained her beauty and pride, conquered her conquerors by the silent might of her knowledge and refinement, and shone like a star in the night of ignorance which enveloped the neighboring nations. From her fair bosom sprang the republics of Genoa, Florence, and Venice, which diffused, far and wide, as from a centre, the influence of science and letters, of freedom and the arts. Often drenched in blood, and torn by intestine broils, falling into weakness and decay, writhing under the iron hoof of the Gaul, the Spaniard and the German, divided into petty kingdoms, and oppressed by miserable despots, civil and ecclesiastical, Italy remembers, and will ever more remember, the days of old, and struggle upward, amid agony and tears, to grasp the fair ideal of truth and liberty. Hope lies warm at her bleeding heart, and will yet realize her fondest dreams in the better time to come.

But these are not the only claims which Italy oflTers to our regard. It is the very home of beauty, the land of poetry and song, the haimt of all fair forms, of all divine melodies. Here Dante, Tasso and Ariosto sang ; here Eaphael, Titian and Angelo painted, as with hues of heaven ; here Machiavelli and Vico speculated, and here "the starry Galileo," from the- heights of Fiesole, gazed into the opening heavens. It is a country in which, through a long series of ages, the human intellect has displayed all the resources of genius and power ; whose scholars first revealed to Europe the literary treasures of antiquity ; whose jurists expounded those "principles which form the basis of jurisprudence in most of the European nations ; whose navigators added to the boundaries of the old world the vast regions of the new ; whose poets first fired the bosoms of Chaucer and Milton, and lent a strange melody to the native strength and grandeur of those masters of tlie lyre ; whose genius, moreover, during the long night of despotism and degradation, maintained its supremacy over the minds of men, and is now beginning once .more to gleam, with a new and increasing radiance, along the banks of the Arno, and in the shadow of the Coliseum.

That Italy has deep and grievous faults, aL will admit. That some of her features even now are dark and repulsive, none will deny. Here, under the very shadow of the cross, rose some of the most terrific forms of superstition and tyranny. Lust and cruelty, anarchy and bloodshed, have marred her beauty. The most glorious hopes of man have, even here, been trodden in the dust. Truth and error, freedom and despotism, have struggled in deadly combat ; the groans of dying martyrs have ascended to heaven ; and all that is beautiful in the devotion of heavenborn souls has been quenched in blood. Nevertheless, Italy has claims not only to our admiration, but to our gratitude. No one can become acquainted with her history without love and pity. Few even of those who are the most averse to her institutions and spirit, can fail to sympathize with the prayer of Petrarch, in one of his Canzones.

" O my own Italy ! Though words are vain

The mortal wounds to close, Unnumbered that thy beauteous bosom stain ; Yet may it soothe my pain

To sigh forth Tiber's woes And Arno's wrongs, as on Po's saddened shore, Sorrowing I wander, and my numbers pour.

Ruler of heaven I by the ^11-pitying love That could thy Godhead move, To dwell a lowly sojourner on earth, — Turn, Lord, on this thy chosen land thine eye I"

The principal feature of the Itahan landscape is beauty. Lymg between the blue waves of tbe Mediterranean and the Adriatic, backed by the ''sovereign Alps," with their dark forests and glacier peaks, traversed through hei whole length by the lofty but beautiful Apennines, with here and there the bare and blackened summit of an extinct volcano, and crowned, at the bay of Naples, with the smoking cone of Mount Vesuvius, Italy has features of grandeur and majesty; but her predominant aspect is that of serene beauty. With a sky of the softest blue, an atmosphere the clearest and blandest in the world, a fertile soil, and a rich garniture of verdure and trees; gladdened moreover by limpid streams brawling among the hills, or sleeping, in pellucid pools and crystal lakes, in the depths of valleys ; covered with vines and olive trees, myrtles and aloes, among which the white villa, the trellised cottage, the old church, and the hoary ruin of bygone days are gleaming ; with here and there some ancient palace, or old tower crowning the summits, or, it may be, some splendid city lying on the waters, like N'aples and Venice, or standing on the plain amid surrounding hills, like Florence and Rome, or seeu from afar upon a mountain ledge, like Genoa, Gaeta and Amalfi— the whole land presents an aspect of rich and ever-varying beauty. This feature of Italian scenery is often referred to by her poets, with a sort of passionate admiration. It is also frequently specified as the great temptation of her invaders, and one of the causes of her degradation and suffering. Thus Pietro Bembo, in one of his sonnets, exclaims :

"Fair land, once loved of Heaven o'er all beside, Which blue waves gird, and lofty mountains screen, Thou clime of fertile fields and sky serene, Whose gay expanse the Apennines divide 1 What boots it now that Rome's old warlike pride Left thee of humbled earth and sea the queen ? Nations that served thee then now fierce convene To tear thy locks and strew them o'er the tide."

Byron, too, catcliing the spirit, and indeed using the language of the ItaUan poets, breaks out in those beautiful and burning lines :

" Italia ! Oh, Italia, thou who hast The fatal gift of beautv which became A funeral dower of present woes and past, On thy sweet brow is sorrow ploughed by shame, And annals graved in characters of flame.

Oh God ! that thou wert in thy nakedness Less lovely or more powerful, and couldst claim Thy right, and awe the robbers back, who press To shed thy blood and drink the tears of thy distress 1"

This, however, is but a free and happy translation of one of Filicaja^s odes, commencing thus :

" Italia, oh Italia ! hapless thou Who didst the fatal gift of beauty gain, A dowry fraught with never-ending pain, A seal of sorrow stamped upon thy brow "

Alessandro Manzoni, one of the most original and striking writers of modern Italy, makes a similar reference to his native land, in one of the choruses of his " Conte Carmagnola/'

" thou devoted land that canst not rear In peace thine offspring ! thou the lost and won, The fair and fatal soil, that dost appear Too narrow still for each contending son ! Receive the stranger in his fierce career, Parting the spoils ! thy chastening has begun ! And wresting from thy kings the guardian sword, Foes whom thou ne'er hadst wronged sit proudly at thy board."

But not only is beauty the predominant feature in the physical aspect of Italy, it is the chief element in its language and literature. The language is melody itself, and wonderfully harmonizes with the soft beauty and mellow splendor of the landscape. The very common people speak it with a grace which is irresistible. It seems to warble from the lips of children like the song of early birds. It is ever gliding into poetry and song. Hence the wonderful facility of the Italian Improvisatori. It is indeed capable of the utmost compression and force. The Italian translation of Tacitus occupies less space than the original.* Nothing can exceed the rugged energy of some parts of Dante's Divina Commedia, or the trenchant force of Alfieri's tragedies. Nevertheless, the language is naturally soft and melodious, imaging, in its clear flow, all forms of beauty, and sparkling with the sunny radiance of its native skies. This, however, as some good judges have affirmed, has tended, particularly in the case of inferior writers, to corrupt Italian literature ; so that poverty of thought is often disguised " under a melodious redundancy of diction." Hence, too, some of their graver compositions, and especially their specimens of eloquence, are defective in simplicity and force. Some allowance, however, must be made for the influence of a sunny clime, and an ardent temperament. What seems flashy and magniloquent in northern Europe or America, may be perfectly natural in southern Italy. The soft and luxuriant beauty of their diction, soon palling upon our ear, may possess for them an irresistible and unwearied charm. A sense of harmony, a passionate love of the beautiful, a refined taste and a cultivated ear, seem almost universally difi*used among the people. Some of the finest strains of Petrarch, Tasso, and Ariosto, are familiar to multitudes among the lower orders. The