DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.62267#0045
Ch. I.
THROUGH ITALY.
35
names of any very illustrious writers born in it,
or formed in its schools. We may therefore
consider the import of this verse, as far as it
confers on the Milanese any pre-eminence of
talent, as merely poetical and complimentary *.
Another mark of resemblance I must mention,
which is, that the modern like the ancient town
is surrounded with a double wall, which is per-
haps raised on the foundations of the old double
circumference, and may be considered as an in-
dication that the city covers as great a space
now as formerly, and perhaps contains as many
inhabitants.
I shall say nothing' of the intended embellish-
ments, nor of the future Forum of Bonaparte :
the present government has a great talent for
destruction, and is now occupied in the demo-
lition of ramparts, convents, and houses, to make
room for the latter edifice, destined hereafter to
* The author does not mean to insinuate that Milan has
produced no great men, or no celebrated authors; but that
the great men and celebrated authors which she has produced^
either as natives or students, have not acquired that pre-
eminence of fame which distinguishes the denizens of several
other cities, such as Verona, Padua, and Florence ; and of
course that they were not entitled to the appellation of very
illustrious writers,
® 2
THROUGH ITALY.
35
names of any very illustrious writers born in it,
or formed in its schools. We may therefore
consider the import of this verse, as far as it
confers on the Milanese any pre-eminence of
talent, as merely poetical and complimentary *.
Another mark of resemblance I must mention,
which is, that the modern like the ancient town
is surrounded with a double wall, which is per-
haps raised on the foundations of the old double
circumference, and may be considered as an in-
dication that the city covers as great a space
now as formerly, and perhaps contains as many
inhabitants.
I shall say nothing' of the intended embellish-
ments, nor of the future Forum of Bonaparte :
the present government has a great talent for
destruction, and is now occupied in the demo-
lition of ramparts, convents, and houses, to make
room for the latter edifice, destined hereafter to
* The author does not mean to insinuate that Milan has
produced no great men, or no celebrated authors; but that
the great men and celebrated authors which she has produced^
either as natives or students, have not acquired that pre-
eminence of fame which distinguishes the denizens of several
other cities, such as Verona, Padua, and Florence ; and of
course that they were not entitled to the appellation of very
illustrious writers,
® 2