DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.62267#0251
Dis,. THROUGH ITALY. 241
in the slightest degree, with that poisonous in-
gredient. I have already mentioned the ease
with which it may be acquired: all its sounds
may be found in every language ; and if it be
difficult, perhaps impossible, for foreigners to
acquire all the graces of its modulation, they
may, w;th very little labor make themselves
masters of its essential parts, so as to xpfess
themselves with facility and with peispicuity. •
But it may perhaps be objected, that a change
of diplomatic language might at present be
difficult, if not impossible. The difficulty is not
so great as may be imagined *. What has been
done may be done again. Let any one of the
* This revolution might have been effected in Vienna in
the year 1794, that is, shortly after the commencement of
the revolutionary war, if the court had supported the Anti-
Gallican spirit of the gentry and the people, who pretty
generally came to a resolution to dismiss all French teachers,
and to forbid in their families the use of that language upon
any occasion : a similar disposition was manifested in the
year 1896 in Petersburg, in g much higher quarter, as the
Emperor is said to have publicly declared, that he never ex-
pected to be addressed in any language but English and
Russian, but in neither case was this patriotic resolution
supported; the burghers of Vienna resumed their French
grammars, and the Emperor Alexander submitted to French
influence.
VOL. IV. B
in the slightest degree, with that poisonous in-
gredient. I have already mentioned the ease
with which it may be acquired: all its sounds
may be found in every language ; and if it be
difficult, perhaps impossible, for foreigners to
acquire all the graces of its modulation, they
may, w;th very little labor make themselves
masters of its essential parts, so as to xpfess
themselves with facility and with peispicuity. •
But it may perhaps be objected, that a change
of diplomatic language might at present be
difficult, if not impossible. The difficulty is not
so great as may be imagined *. What has been
done may be done again. Let any one of the
* This revolution might have been effected in Vienna in
the year 1794, that is, shortly after the commencement of
the revolutionary war, if the court had supported the Anti-
Gallican spirit of the gentry and the people, who pretty
generally came to a resolution to dismiss all French teachers,
and to forbid in their families the use of that language upon
any occasion : a similar disposition was manifested in the
year 1896 in Petersburg, in g much higher quarter, as the
Emperor is said to have publicly declared, that he never ex-
pected to be addressed in any language but English and
Russian, but in neither case was this patriotic resolution
supported; the burghers of Vienna resumed their French
grammars, and the Emperor Alexander submitted to French
influence.
VOL. IV. B