Italy and the Italians in the Nineteenth Century

I have bestowed particular attention upon the two principal Italian monarchies, Naples and Sardinia, as these are by far the most important and influential among the native states, by the extent of their territories, their population, and resources.

Venice is the only great Italian city I have not spoken of, because I have not visited it. It happens, however, that this omission is amply supplied by many other travellers, who have described Venice with the greatest accuracy.

"Les Italiens (says Madame de Staël) sont plus remarquables par ce qu'ils ont été et par ce qu'ils pourroient être, que par ce qu'ils sont maintenant." Assenting, as I do, to this general proposition of that illustrious writer, still I think that the Italians are, even now, remarkable and interesting in many respects, and deserve more attention than the generality of travellers seem inclined to bestow upon them. Italy is still the land of genius and enthusiasm, and many warm and generous hearts are to be found under its glowing sky.

My first work contained an account of two different journeys made through Italy after the peace, united with recollections of my former residence in that country; embracing the greater part of Italy

noa.

Naples, Tuscany, Lombardy, Piedmont, and GeI have crossed the Alps by the two most celebrated roads, the Simplon and the Mont Cenis; and I have made several voyages along the delightful shores of the Mediterranean sea, and in sight of its numerous islands.

In the present publication I have introduced whole descriptive chapters, the materials of which were taken during my last journey. I have also added, at the end of the first volume, an historical sketch of the various Governments in the North of Italy under the French, which may prove a useful reference to those who wish to be able to understand the present tone of political feeling in that country. I have followed the course of events, and have availed myself of the most impartial authorities, and particularly of a well-written Italian work which appeared last year in Switzerland, under the title Dell' Amministrazione del Regno d'Italia sotto i Francesi.

At the end of the work I have added a treatise on Modern Literature. To give a complete view of Italian literature would require volumes, and years of labour. This subject has been already treated by Ginguené and Sismondi. I have contented

myself with giving an account of the most distinguished authors of the last and present centuries, in order to afford a guide to those who would become acquainted with their writings. I have consulted for this treatise, Italian authorities, and, with regard to some writers of the last century, the recent and excellent work of Count Ugoni, Della Letteratura Italiana, to which I feel myself indebted.

I think I may say upon the whole, that the present work has several new features which distinguish it from other travels.

The author of this book being a foreigner, although several years a resident in England, inaccuracies of language and exoticisms of style must be left to the indulgence of the English reader. It is a very difficult, if not a hopeless, task for a stranger, even after a long residence in England, to acquire the idiom of the country so as to write as fluently as a native. Having said thus much, I commit myself to that liberality which is so characteristic of the British public.

A. V.

CONTENTS.

VOL. I.

CHAPTER I.-ARRIVAL IN ITALY.-Division of Italy;

North and South; Characteristics; Scenery; Inha-

bitants; Florence, Rome, and Naples; Attractions of

Naples.

. . 1–9

CHAP. II.-NAPLES.-Carnival, Anecdote, Amusements,

Masks; Theatre of S. Carlo; Grand Opera; Ballet of

Hamlet; Opera Seria; Drama of Comminges; Tale of

Comminges; Death of Adelaide; Neapolitan Stage;

Prose Performances; Francesca Da Rimini; Polici-

nella; Inferior Theatres; Re-edification of San Carlo;

Taste for Music. .

10-30

CHAP. III.-DESCRIPTION OF NAPLES.-View of the Bay;

Palapolis and Neapolis; Old Palaces; Former Extent

of Naples; Additions to it; Street of Toledo; Modern

Buildings; Villa Reale; Churches; Santa Chiara ;

House of Anjou; Joanna I; Her Misfortunes; Joanna's

Death; Charles Durazzo; Vicaria; Porta Capuana ;

Poggio Reale; S. Gio. à Carbonara; Tomb of Carac-

ciolo; Joanna II; Second House of Anjou; Charles I.

of Anjou; Lent; Preachers; Neapolitan Sermons;

Holy Week; Sepulchres; Corpus Domini; Proces-

sions

31-65

CHAP. IV.-ENVIRONS OF NAPLES.-Western District
near Naples; Lazzaretto; Pozzuoli ; Ancient Romans;
Temple of Serapis ; Inn at Pozzuoli; Solfatara; Baths
of Nero; Baja, or Baiæ, and Misenum; Gulf of Baja;