er, here; and yonder, in that alley, the piercing air of
winter;--vicissitudes that wake up the extremes of every climate, occur
each twenty-four hours. And he, whose frail system can barely sustain
the slightest shock, must now learn to accommodate itself to atmospheres
of every density; now vapour charged and heavy, now oxygenated to
a point of stimulation that, even in health, would be felt as
over-exciting.

There is something of the same kind experienced here intellectually:
the every-day tone of society is trifling and frivolous to a degree;
the topics discussed are of a character which, to our practical notions,
never rise above mere levity; and even where others of a deeper interest
are introduced, the mode of treating them is superficial and
meagre. Yet, every now and then, one meets with some high and great
intelligence, some man of wide reflection and deep research; and then,
when hearing the words of wisdom in that glorious language, which unites
Teutonic vigour with every Gallic elegance, you feel what a people this
might be who have such an interpreter for their thoughts and deeds. In
this way I remember feeling when first I heard Italian from the lips
of a truly great and eloquent speaker. He was a small old man, slightly
bowed in the shoulders--merely enough so to exhibit to more advantage
the greater elevation of a noble head, which rose like the dome of a
grand cathedral; his forehead, wide and projecting over the brows which
were heavy, and would have been almost severe in their meaning, save
for the softened expression of his large brown eyes; his hair,
originally-black, was now grey, but thick and massive, and hang in locky
folds, like the antique, on his neck and shoulders. In manner he was
simple, quiet, and retiring, avoiding observation, and seeking rather
companionship with those whose unobtrusive habits made them unlikely for
peculiar notice. When I met him he was in exile. Indeed I am not certain
if the ban of his offence be recalled; whether or not, the voice of all
Italy now invokes his return, and the name of Gioberti is associated
with the highest and the noblest views of national freedom.

Well, indeed, were it for the cause of Italy if her progress were to be
entrusted to men like this--if the great principles of reform were to
be committed to intelligences capable of weighing difficulties, avoiding
and accommodating dangers. So late as the day before last I had an
opportunity of seein