The Autobiography of Leigh Hunt

THE

AUTOBIOGRAPHY

LEIGH HUNT,

WITH

REMINISCENCES

OF FRIENDS AND CONTEMPORARIES.

"Most men, when drawn to speak about themselves,

Are mov'd by little and little to say more

Than they first dreamt; until at last they blush,

And can but hope to find secret excuse

In the self-knowledge of their auditors."

WALTER SCOTT's Old Play.

IN THREE VOLUMES.

VOL. III.

LONDON:

SMITH, ELDER AND CO., 65, CORNHILL.

1850.

HARVARD COLLEGE LIBRARY
FROM THE LIBRARY OF
HENRY SALTONSTALL HOWE
APRIL 29, 1931

LONDON:

PRINTED BY STEWART AND MURRAY,

OLD BAILEY.

CONTENTS OF VOL. III.

CHAPTER XIX.

LORD BYRON IN ITALY.-SHELLEY.-PISA.

Alamanni and the Emperor Charles the Fifth.-Present feelings of
the Author with regard to Lord Byron.-Circumstances that
modified his Lordship's character.—Singular adventure at Monte
Nero.-Lord Byron and the Gambas.-Leghorn and Smollett.—
Domicile in Pisa.-Vaccà and consumption.-Operatic scene in a
drawing-room.-Death of Shelley, and burning of his remains.
Mirth most melancholy.-Person and character of Shelley.-
Lord Byron's and Author's mode of life at Pisa.-Exterior and
interior of that city.-Ever young look of Italy.—Italian man-
sions.-Leaning Tower of Pisa

CHAPTER XX.

GENOA.

Removal to Genoa.-Shelley's house at Lerici.-Earthquake at
Lerici.-Reputation of Englishmen in Italy for mad courage.
-Courage of Italians.- Porto Venere. Fishy population.-
Maritime Apennines. - Domiciles at Albaro.- Account of the
"Liberal."-Awkward mistake respecting two of its writers.-
Lord Byron and Dr. Johnson

CHAPTER XXI.

FLORENCE-BACCHUS

IN TUSCANY THE VENUS DE'

MEDICI-AND ITALY IN GENERAL.

Boccaccio.- May-day at

Florence. Music at night.- Maiano..

Maiano.-An English "snuggery' in the Convent of St. Bal-

dassare.-Landor.- Mr. Kirkup.-Lord Dillon.- Bacchus in

Tuscany.-Tuscan and English landscape.-Proposed English

magazine at Florence.-Christianism.-Maddalena de Medici.

-The Venus de' Medici.-Finger of Galileo.-An involuntary

bumper at parting with Florence.-The cicala.-The fire-fly.-