LETTER TWENTIETH.

FLORENCE, September 18-.

MY DEAR

I AM delighted to find by your last letter that you are amused by my rather lengthened account of the great Florentine artists. I thought, from your general learning and taste for Italian literature and art, that they would be acceptable to yourself, though perhaps not so much so to others of the dear circle. Being passionately fond of those subjects myself, I transcribe what is written regarding them con vero amore, and have at the same time, another true satisfaction, which is to testify to the beloved friends who have so kindly afforded me the pleasure and improvement of living for a time in this lovely country and classical city, that my time is not wholely wasted in the dolce farniente, but that I am at least employing many hours of each day in the amusing, yet active task, of becoming intimately acquainted with those classical, elegant objects, to which

I have alluded. I consider myself rather fortunate in having met with a companion much older than myself, of considerable talent, and a good deal of industry, who enters into even the amusements of this city in an inquisitive, observant, improving, classical spirit, and who, in the midst, the relaxation of mind, and habits so common in the class with whom he associates, has a sort of strong northern character about him, which, if he was not otherwise so accomplished, I would be inclined to say, resembled much more the invaders of Italy, than the invaded. His observations are excellent, and most useful to a less initiated person, and his habits form a good model for the intelligent traveller. Every person speaks with enthusiasm of Lorenzo de Medici. Almost every corner of this great city bear the marks of his improving and cultivating spirit; and I should conceive it quite impossible for any demi-literary person writing from Florence not to say something of the greatest man it has produced, who, indeed, was the primum mobile of a bright era, a sort of modern Augustan age, and the most celebrated individual of a family, who, more than once occupied the pontificate, had an immense influence for a long period in almost every court of Europe, and were connected by either nuptial or consanguineous ties with many of the greatest sovereigns. The Medici indeed, are the glory of the city, and every institution it possesses, bears the

marks of the munificence, genius, and taste, of that gifted family. The name is identified, not only with statesmanship of the highest order, diplomatic talent of the first class, a wealth, a power, an influence, which elevated them to a high pinnacle of earthly glory—but with a passion for science, art, and literature, which led them to patronise them in every possible way, and afford them an influence and prestige which the immense wealth, exalted station, and power of this great family could alone bestow. There can be no greater luxury than the free access afforded all strangers to the Laurentian library. Though founded by Cosmo de Medici, it takes its name from Lorenzo, as to him it chiefly owes its immense extent and unrivalled magnificence. We often pass a couple of hours here, and have been glancing at Muratori, Machiavelli, Valori, and other Italian authors, on the great subject of conversation here-the Medici, and the conspiracy of the Pazzi. The people of this country spend so much of their time in conversation, are naturally acute, and have so great a taste for literature and the fine arts, that it is quite wonderful the amount of minute knowledge they possess on such subjects; the animation with which they declaim upon them, and the enthusiastic gesticulation which they use. The latter at first appears caricatured to the comparatively phlegmatic native of Great Britain, but he soon discovers that it is a splendid addition to

their beautifully sounding language, and excites the feelings in an extraordinary manner. The Medici are identified with the brilliant era in which literature, science, and art burst from the cloud which had brooded o'er the world for centuries, previous to the dawn commencing in the fifteenth century. No doubt, during the era in which Dante, Petrarch, and Boccacio shone, the Italian language witnessed a bright temporary revival, but after the death of the latter-the last survivor of the celebrated three who had carried this beautiful language to the highest state of refinement, and had even successfully endeavoured to introduce a knowledge of Roman and Grecian literature—a general fall in letters took place, and the Italian language in particular, as is acknowledged by the best critics, fell into its former state of debasement and deterioration. Under the auspices of this celebrated family, and particularly through the munificence and taste of Lorenzo di Medici, the reign of science and true taste was again restored. The world has erroneously bestowed on Leo X. the praise of having restored the honours of ancient literature, but to all who are thoroughly versant in the history of the Medici family, it is universally acknowledged that he was much inferior to his father in talent and taste; and though the son may have promoted the views and objects so dear to the heart of the parent, he had no title to share in the eulogium merited

by the illustrious father. How interesting is it to view the immense improvements which burst forth at this period of history; indeed, one may trace to this era almost every great event from which Europe derives her present advantages. The invention of printing, the Reformation, the discovery of America, the perfection to which the fine arts arrived, the revival of literature and the principles of criticism and taste; form so many brilliant points in this wonderful era, as will render it for ever the object of curiosity and admiration to every future generation. The name of Medici, and the six pills borne as their device, gives a presumption of the ancient family profession, which it would require much ingenuity to invalidate. The great wealth, however, which raised them above all the other citizens of Florence, seems to have been wholely acquired by commerce, for even Lorenzo the Magnificent was a merchant. He is considered by the intelligent and literary of Florence, even though some of his successors assumed the sovereign power, as the most distinguished of the family. As a statesman, he was, perhaps, the most extraordinary person of either that or any other period. Though a private citizen of Florence, he soon governed that state, even when abounding with men of acuteness and talent; he soon became the sole arbiter of Italy, and had a mighty influence on the politics of Europe. Without subjugating his native province, he laid the