the same place which is occupied by the notes detached from them. But the writer, on his return to England, considered that the appendix to the Canto would thus be swelled to a disproportioned bulk, and that the numerous readers of the poetry would be better pleased if the choice, whether or not they were to be furnished with a volume of prose, were to be left altogether to themselves. Under this impression, such only of the notices as were more immediately connected with the text of the poem, were added to that work, and perhaps the writer may, even in the present instance, have to apologize for not being contented with less copious extracts. Some of the longer notices of this vo lume are, it will be seen, dissertations not . at all requisite for the intelligibility of Childe Harold, although they may illustrate the positions or the objects therein contained. The writer did not like to touch upon the topics connected with a view of the ruins of Rome, without recurring to the best authorities on that subject. His researches naturally made him diffuse, and he will be well pleased if they have not made him desultory and tedious. He must own himself not to have been idle during the time employed in his investigation, which occupied several months of his residence at Venice; but he will also confess, that it is very likely he ought to have protracted that time, and more carefully revised his compilation. Those who may discover the errors of these notices, are intreated to remember, that in questions depending upon the consultation of authorities, the most assiduous attention may overlook a book, a phrase, or a word, which may change the whole face of the controversy; that industry and fairness may be demanded from all writers, but that the endless details of erudition forbid the antiquarian enquirer to hope for any other than qualified applause. It is trusted, however, that the information here collected is such as a traveller in Italy would wish to find prepared for him; and such also as those whose voyages are confined to their libraries may esteem, if not a substitute for an actual survey, at least an addition to their stock of knowledge on subjects which will never lose their interest, until the example of the greatest, the best, and the wisest of mankind, shall be found too painful and impracticable a lesson for modern degene racy. CONTENTS. ATTACHMENT of the Italians to their distinguished Fellow-citizens 51 want of Interest attached to the Cesarean City 195 Notice of the Tomb of Cecilia Metella Doubts respecting the Destruction of the Palace of . the Cæsars. Desolation of the Palatine mains in that Quarter Enquiry respecting the Story and the Site of the Temple of the Roman Piety On the Castle of St. Angelo Roman Catholic Religion, and the Ceremony of the Italy TURE OF ITALY, and a general Charac- ter of the Lives and Writings of Cesarotti, Drawings of the Albano Vases 559, 560 |