Politian's. After sufficient
introductory talk concerning Tito's travels, after a survey and
discussion of the gems, and an easy passage from the mention of the
lamented Lorenzo's eagerness in collecting such specimens of ancient art
to the subject of classical tastes and studies in general and their
present condition in Florence, it was inevitable to mention Politian, a
man of eminent ability indeed, but a little too arrogant--assuming to be
a Hercules, whose office it was to destroy all the literary
monstrosities of the age, and writing letters to his elders without
signing them, as if they were miraculous revelations that could only
have one source. And after all, were not his own criticisms often
questionable and his tastes perverse? He was fond of saying pungent
things about the men who thought they wrote like Cicero because they
ended every sentence with "esse videtur:" but while he was boasting of
his freedom from servile imitation, did he not fall into the other
extreme, running after strange words and affected phrases? Even in his
much-belauded `Miscellanea' was every point tenable? And Tito, who had
just been looking into the `Miscellanea,' found so much to say that was
agreeable to the secretary--he would have done so from the mere
disposition to please, without further motive--that he showed himself
quite worthy to be made a judge in the notable correspondence concerning
the _culex_. Here was the Greek epigram which Politian had doubtless
thought the finest in the world, though he had pretended to believe that
the "transmarini," the Greeks themselves, would make light of it: had he
not been unintentionally speaking the truth in his false modesty?

Tito was ready, and scarified the epigram to Scala's content. O wise
young judge! He could doubtless appreciate satire even in the vulgar
tongue, and Scala--who, excellent man, not seeking publicity through the
booksellers, was never unprovided with "hasty uncorrected trifles," as a
sort of sherbet for a visitor on a hot day, or, if the weather were
cold, why then as a cordial--had a few little matters in the shape of
Sonnets, turning on well-known foibles of Politian's, which he would not
like to go any farther, but which would, perhaps, amuse the company.

Enough: Tito took his leave under an urgent invitation to come again.
His gems were interesting; especially the agate, with the _lusus
naturae_ in it--a most wonderful semblance of Cupid riding on the l