DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.62267#0320
310 CLASSICAL TOUR Dis.
and of respect. Dinners, though not uncommon
in Rome, Naples, and Milan, are not much in
fashion. The Italians are very indifferent to the
pleasures of the table; their repasts are short,
and too hasty in their opinion, for conversation,
They devote the whole evenings, and part of
the night to society, when they love to meet and
enjoy their friends at leisure. In this respect they
differ much from us, and indeed from most trans-
alpines; but I know not that we have reason
to condemn them. If we consult conviviality,
they look to health, and perhaps to economy.
On which side rational self enjoyment, and even
social is to be found, it is not difficult to deter-
mine. Nor, if they are biassed on this occasion
by economical motives do they deserve much
censure. Their taste for expence takes a dif-
ferent direction. They prefer Minerva to Bac-
chus ; and take less pleasure in regaling them-
selves on turtle, venison, Champagne, and Bur-
gundy, than in contemplating pictures, statues,
marble halls, and pillared porticos.
As for courage, it is a quality common to
the whole species: every nation arrogates it to
itself, a proof that it belongs to all. If any seem
deficient in it, the deficiency is to be attributed,
not to innate cowardice, but to ignorance of the
art of war; to want of discipline; to conscious-
and of respect. Dinners, though not uncommon
in Rome, Naples, and Milan, are not much in
fashion. The Italians are very indifferent to the
pleasures of the table; their repasts are short,
and too hasty in their opinion, for conversation,
They devote the whole evenings, and part of
the night to society, when they love to meet and
enjoy their friends at leisure. In this respect they
differ much from us, and indeed from most trans-
alpines; but I know not that we have reason
to condemn them. If we consult conviviality,
they look to health, and perhaps to economy.
On which side rational self enjoyment, and even
social is to be found, it is not difficult to deter-
mine. Nor, if they are biassed on this occasion
by economical motives do they deserve much
censure. Their taste for expence takes a dif-
ferent direction. They prefer Minerva to Bac-
chus ; and take less pleasure in regaling them-
selves on turtle, venison, Champagne, and Bur-
gundy, than in contemplating pictures, statues,
marble halls, and pillared porticos.
As for courage, it is a quality common to
the whole species: every nation arrogates it to
itself, a proof that it belongs to all. If any seem
deficient in it, the deficiency is to be attributed,
not to innate cowardice, but to ignorance of the
art of war; to want of discipline; to conscious-