THE ITALIAN SKETCH BOOK. INTRODUCTION. THERE are countries of the globe which possess a permanent and peculiar interest in human estimation; an interest proportioned in each individual to his intelligence, culture and philanthropy. They are those where the most momentous historical events occurred, and civilization first dawned; and of which the past associations and present influences are, consequently, in a high degree exciting. The history of these lands affords one of our most attractive sources of philosophical truth, as the reminiscences they induce excite poetical sentiment; and, hence, we very naturally regard a visit to them as an event singularly interesting, not to say morally important. And yet personal impressions, on such occasions, are confessedly dependent upon circumstances which B are, for the most part, uncontrollable. There are, however, certain positive methods, the adoption of which will not, indeed, bring about a complete agreement in the notions and sentiments of travellers, but will tend to a much more useful purpose -that of inducing a satisfactory result upon their own minds. Among these is a sense of the true nature of the comprehensive object they are about to contemplate; a patient determination to bestow a degree of time and study in a measure corresponding with the subject; a preparedness for disappointment, and an unyielding spirit of candour. Such a state of mind will especially influence happily the experience of the trans-atlantic sojourner in Italy, since it may not be denied that many things exist there, to qualify the enjoyment of the enthusiastic expectant, who has turned the eye of his imagination thither through the long and magnifying space which divides our continent from the old world. The invalid discovers that even these genial regions are not exempt from wintry influences; the ardent observer must grieve to find the most interesting ruins contiguous to, and even invaded by, the scenes of ordinary life, and the more conventional characteristics of the country fast disappearing before the ever increasing encroachments of the stranger multitude; while the benevolent are constantly pained by the sight of distress which they cannot alleviate. Yet, perhaps, these very drawbacks tend to direct attention more completely to the many existing sources of satisfaction, and they certainly are not without a moral benefit. Never does the paramount importance of the innate habit and the comparative worthlessness of the outward scene become so selfevident, as when we thus feel the superiority of anticipation to enjoyment. And we know not, until standing by the spots renowned as the scenes of mighty exploits, denuded of the exhaustless drapery of fancy, that it is the acts themselves, with all their beautiful philosophy, which alone have hallowed these portions of earth. But frequent and favourable observation will develope the legitimate influences of Italy, and render us less and less sensible to untoward or disagreeable circumstances. Antiquity will become, in our view, more sacred; art will awaken a deeper interest; society will discover new charms; and, when we start upon our homeward pilgrimage, we shall perceive, with a sensation of wonder, the strength of the chain which binds us to the land, and realize the subtle power of the agencies which have so silently weaved it. The impressions of an individual mind, noted during a considerable interval of time, will therefore possess more of this deliberate and eventual character. In imparting them, it seems unwise, at least, to run into the common error of portraying minutely the details of statutes, paintings and edifices-descriptions, which often have the effect of exciting without satisfying curiosity; while graphic delineations of manners and customs have been too frequently and faithfully drawn to be attempted in the present instance. The aim has rather been to lead from particular descriptions, to the moral contemplation of such general subjects, as are prominently indicative of the scenes and intellectual influences of Italy. "The Niobe of nations! there she stands, "Yet, this is Rome, That sat upon her seven hills, and, from her throne B 2 |