If the readers of this volume will be so kind as to
take their credentials for the different places which
are the subject of its author’s reminiscences,
from the Author himself, perhaps they may visit them,
in fancy, the more agreeably, and with a better understanding
of what they are to expect.
Many books have been written upon Italy, affording
many means of studying the history of that interesting
country, and the innumerable associations entwined
about it. I make but little reference to that
stock of information; not at all regarding it as a
necessary consequence of my having had recourse to
the storehouse for my own benefit, that I should reproduce
its easily accessible contents before the eyes of
my readers.
Neither will there be found, in these pages, any grave
examination into the government or misgovernment of
any portion of the country. No visitor of that
beautiful land can fail to have a strong conviction
on the subject; but as I chose when residing there,
a Foreigner, to abstain from the discussion of any
such questions with any order of Italians, so I would
rather not enter on the inquiry now. During
my twelve months’ occupation of a house at Genoa,
I never found that authorities constitutionally jealous
were distrustful of me; and I should be sorry to give
them occasion to regret their free courtesy, either
to myself or any of my countrymen.
There is, probably, not a famous Picture or Statue
in all Italy, but could be easily buried under a mountain
of printed paper devoted to dissertations on it.
I do not, therefore, though an earnest admirer of
Painting and Sculpture, expatiate at any length on
famous Pictures and Statues.
This Book is a series of faint reflections—mere
shadows in the water—of places to which
the imaginations of most people are attracted in a
greater or less degree, on which mine had dwelt for
years, and which have some interest for all.
The greater part of the descriptions were written
on the spot, and sent home, from time to time, in
private letters. I do not mention the circumstance
as an excuse for any defects they may present, for
it would be none; but as a guarantee to the Reader
that they were at least penned in the fulness of the
subject, and with the liveliest impressions of novelty
and freshness.
If they have ever a fanciful and idle air, perhaps
the reader will suppose them written in the shade
of a Sunny Day, in the midst of the objects of which
they treat, and will like them none the worse for
having such influences of the country upon them.
