DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.53553#0272
23S
prove? One swallow does not make a summer. Indeed,
people of a certain taste are generally observed to possess a
great deal of taste.”
“ What do you mean, sir?”
“ Mean? Why that this countryman of yours, in the
course of his classical education, had an opportunity to feast
on the delicate fa re of some of the classic authors; that their
minute details of the innocent Tiberian frolics roused in his
classic breast, a classic zeal of imitation; and that having the
means in his power, he at once gratified his classic longing
by settling on this classic spot. Or, to solve the problem in
another not less probable manner, that his expatriation from
England, and subsequent retirement to Capri, was a matter
not of option, but of compulsion. We have had in our own
city of Naples two or three of those choice spirits, who fa-
voured us with their company, because they could no longer
remain in their own country,”
This unprovoked and unfounded piece of malice had very
nearly exhausted the capacious measure of my patience.
I was going to serve Sir Benjamin Backbite in his own coin,
when I recollected myself, by considering his aspersions as
solely proceeding from an innate spirit of contradiction ; a
mental infirmity, which is amply outweighed by his other
good qualities. Don Michele is an excllent father, as good
a husband, and an affectionate friend. His wife, who knows
his failing, is passionately attached to him; he is as fond of
her; and rarely fails complying with her wishes, provided
her requests are framed diametrically opposite to her real
desire. She has assured me herself, that a great part of his
property has been spent in relieving and assisting the dis-
tresses of others, and especially the Calabrese, his country-
men ; an assertion which I ought to credit, when I reflect
on his kindness to me on every occasion, and especially at
the
prove? One swallow does not make a summer. Indeed,
people of a certain taste are generally observed to possess a
great deal of taste.”
“ What do you mean, sir?”
“ Mean? Why that this countryman of yours, in the
course of his classical education, had an opportunity to feast
on the delicate fa re of some of the classic authors; that their
minute details of the innocent Tiberian frolics roused in his
classic breast, a classic zeal of imitation; and that having the
means in his power, he at once gratified his classic longing
by settling on this classic spot. Or, to solve the problem in
another not less probable manner, that his expatriation from
England, and subsequent retirement to Capri, was a matter
not of option, but of compulsion. We have had in our own
city of Naples two or three of those choice spirits, who fa-
voured us with their company, because they could no longer
remain in their own country,”
This unprovoked and unfounded piece of malice had very
nearly exhausted the capacious measure of my patience.
I was going to serve Sir Benjamin Backbite in his own coin,
when I recollected myself, by considering his aspersions as
solely proceeding from an innate spirit of contradiction ; a
mental infirmity, which is amply outweighed by his other
good qualities. Don Michele is an excllent father, as good
a husband, and an affectionate friend. His wife, who knows
his failing, is passionately attached to him; he is as fond of
her; and rarely fails complying with her wishes, provided
her requests are framed diametrically opposite to her real
desire. She has assured me herself, that a great part of his
property has been spent in relieving and assisting the dis-
tresses of others, and especially the Calabrese, his country-
men ; an assertion which I ought to credit, when I reflect
on his kindness to me on every occasion, and especially at
the