“I have had the pleasure of receiving your letter, accompanying the three first volumes of the translation into Italian of the ‘Life of Leo X.;’ and I assure you I am fully sensible of the honour done to my work in its being thought worthy of being adopted into the language of that country to which it more particularly relates. This satisfaction is greatly increased by the consideration that those literary studies and pursuits, that have been so long repressed by the calamitous state of public affairs, are again reviving, as well in Italy as in other parts of Europe, and that we may hope once more to enjoy that friendly intercourse which extends the family of mankind, and is indispensable to their improvement and happiness.
“For the favourable manner in which you have spoken of my
work, and for the attention you have paid in giving a faithful version of it, I
feel myself much indebted, and can add with pleasure that, as far as I have
examined it, I find it rendered with sufficient accuracy:—of the propriety of
dividing the chapters into sections I entertain some doubt. But if, on the one
hand, it interrupts the thread of the narrative, on the other, it may, perhaps,
tend to assist the recollection of the reader, which in a very long
| LIFE OF WILLIAM ROSCOE. | 347 |
“The disadvantages incurred by your having commenced your work from a French translation is a subject of much greater regret, as some of the passages omitted are essential to the course of the narrative, or consist of those reflections which naturally result from it. The omission of those passages by the French translator would be unpardonable, were there not some excuse from the wretched state of subjugation to which the press has been reduced in France by the jealousy of her rulers. You have, however, done all that was in your power to repair this defect; and in case your work should be reprinted will, I doubt not, take care that these passages are properly restored, so that the work may be, as you express it, genuina ed intiera in tutte le sue parti.
“I should have been happy to have marked my approbation of
your labours, by complying with your request of furnishing you, with such
additional documents as have come to my hands since the publication of my last
edition; but my opportunities of collecting additional information since the
publication of my work have not been great; and I am more likely to be indebted
to those who have done me the honour of translating them, particularly into the
German and Italian languages, than they are to
| 348 | LIFE OF WILLIAM ROSCOE. |
“As a testimony of my respect, and of the sense I feel of the honour you have done me, may I beg your acceptance of a copy on large paper of the ‘Life of Leo,’ which I have ordered to be delivered to M. Vittore Lanetti, to be forwarded to you at Milan.”
