. 92.]

[Footnote 97: Vol. iii. p. 91, 92, note.]

_North_.--Is it possible? And these great men were of your family,
Mr. Landor!

_Landor_.--I have told you so, sir--Philip was one of my Savage
ancestors, [98] and he and Boulter married sisters, who were also Savages.

[Footnote 98: Vol. iii. p. 92, note.]

_North_.--You have lived a good while in Italy? You like the
Italians, I believe?

_Landor_.--I despise and abominate the Italians; and I have taken
some pains to show it in various ways. During my long residence at
Florence I was the only Englishman there, I believe, who never went
to court, leaving it to my hatter, who was a very honest man, and my
breeches-maker, who never failed to fit me. [99] The Italians were
always--far exceeding all other nations--parsimonious and avaricious,
the Tuscans beyond all other Italians, the Florentines beyond all other
Tuscans. [100]

[Footnote 99: Vol. i. p. 185.]

[Footnote 100: Vol. i. p. 219.]

_North_.--But even Saul was softened by music: surely that of
Italy must have sometimes soothed you?

_Landor_.--_Opera_ was, among the Romans, _labour_, as _operae
pretium_, &c. It now signifies the most contemptible of performances,
the vilest office of the feet and tongue. [101]

[Footnote 101: Vol. i. p. 212.]

_North_.--But the sculptors, the painters, the architects of Italy?
You smile disdainfully, Mr. Landor!

_Landor_.--I do; their sculpture and painting have been employed
on most ignoble objects--on scourgers and hangmen, on beggarly
enthusiasts and base impostors. Look at the two masterpieces of the
pencil; the Transfiguration of Raphael, and the St. Jerome of
Correggio; [102] can any thing be more incongruous, any thing more
contrary to truth and history?

[Footnote 102: Vol. i. p. 109, note.]

_North_.--There have been able Italian writers both in verse and
prose?

_Landor_.--In verse not many, in prose hardly any.

_North_.--Boccaccio?

_Landor_.--He is entertaining.

_North_.--Machiavelli?

_Landor_.--A coarse comedian. [103]

[Footnote 103: Vol. ii. p. 252.]

_North_.--You honour Ariosto?

_Landor_.--I do not. Ariosto is a plagiary, the most so of all
poets. [104] Ariosto is negligent; his plan inartificial, defective, bad.

[Footnote 104: Vol. i. p. 290.]

_North_.--You protect Tasso?

_Landor_.--I do, especially against his French detractors.

_North_.--But you esteem the French?

_Landor_.--I despise and abominate the French.