Pictures from Italy: AMERICAN NOTES FOR GENERAL CIRCULATION AND PICTURES FROM ITALY

IF the readers of this volume will be so kind asto take their credentials for the different placeswhich are the subject of its author’sreminiscences, from the Author himself,perhaps they may visit them, in fancy, the moreagreeably, and with a better understanding ofwhat they are to expect. Many books have been written upon Italy,affording many means of studying the history ofthat interesting country, and the innumerableassociations entwined about it.

I make but littlereference to that stock of information; not at all regarding it as a necessary consequence of my having had recourse to the storehouse for myown benefit, that I should reproduce its easilyaccessible contents before the eyes of myreaders.

Neither will there be found, in these pages, anygrave examination into the government ormisgovernment of any portion of the country.

No visitor of that beautiful land can fail to have  a strong conviction on the subject; but as Ichose when residing there, a Foreigner, toabstain from the discussion of any suchquestions with any order of Italians, so I wouldrather not enter on the inquiry now.

During mytwelve months’ occupation of a house atGenoa, I never found that authoritiesconstitutionally jealous were distrustful of me;and I should be sorry to give them occasion toregret their free courtesy, either to myself orany of my countrymen.