“I had yesterday the pleasure of receiving, through the kindness of Lord Douglas, your very obliging letter of the 4th of June last, informing me that you had sent me a copy of your translation from the English, of the ‘Life of the Mag. Lorenzo de’ Medici.’ This translation I had, indeed, already seen with the sensations of a parent who finds his offspring returned from a distant journey, improved in his appearance, language, and address. I shall, however, receive with additional pleasure, when it arrives, the copy with which you have honoured me; and shall regard it as a monument of that sincere esteem and attachment which a conformity of studies and pursuits cannot fail to inspire.
“You will readily conceive the satisfaction it must have
afforded the author of a work on Italian literature, to find that his labours
had been received by the judicious and learned of that country with not only
indulgence, but protection and favour; but if there is a person whose
approbation I should have wished to have
| 190 | LIFE OF WILLIAM ROSCOE. |
“With regard to the work which, by your partiality, now
appears in an Italian dress, let me be allowed to remark, that although I have
observed, on some occasions, a difference of opinion between us, as appears by
the Notes you have subjoined, yet, upon the whole, so far from being surprised
at this diversity, I cannot but think it extraordinary that, in a work of such
length, which has been the subject of consideration to two persons in different
countries, of different religious habits, and opportunities of acquirement,
there should be, in general, such an union between us, not only in matters of
fact, but of judgment. In one instance (vol. iv. p. 112.), I could have wished
that the original passage had either been given with the note, or the passage
omitted without so pointed a reprehension; but it is of little importance; and
I cannot, perhaps, expect that, in a passage where I certainly have not
consulted the feelings of a great and respect-
| LIFE OF WILLIAM ROSCOE. | 191 |
“Since the publication of the work which has procured me the honour of your notice, I have employed a considerable portion of my leisure in compiling the ‘Life of Leo X.;’ in which I have made such progress, that I expect to send the first volume to the press in the course of the ensuing winter. As soon as this is completed, I shall have the pleasure of transmitting you a copy, as well as another for Monsignor Fabroni, to whose learned work on the same subject I shall stand greatly indebted, particularly in the more advanced stages of my narrative. As this publication will probably extend to three or four volumes, it will be some time before I can hope to see it completed; but I shall make a particular object of forwarding to you the volumes as they come from the press, and shall think myself much honoured by any observations that may occur to you on the perusal.”
