ART. XI. A Tour through Italy, exhibiting a View of its Scenery, its Antiquities, and its Monuments, particularly as they are objects of Classical Interest and Elucidation. By the Rev. John Chetwode Eustace. 2 vols. 4to. London: Mawman. 1813.

ΑΤ Ta time when almost every person who undertakes a journey into foreign parts, thinks it necessary, upon his return, to communicate to the public the difficulties which he has encountered, as well as the impatience with which he has borne them, it is gratifying to us to meet with a traveller, who has directed his attention to subjects more important than dirty inns, sandy roads, and surly postilions. Mr. Eustace had higher objects in view, when he visited a country more calculated than any other, except, perhaps, that of Epaminondas and Pericles, to awaken enthusiasm in a classical mind. Cold indeed must be the heart, and dull the understanding that can contemplate unmoved the Eternal City,' which, in the opinion of Mr. Eustace, has been, in the hands of Providence, the instrument of communicating to Europe, and to a considerable portion of the globe, the three greatest blessings of which human nature is susceptible-civilization, science, and religion.' How far the world has been indebted to the Cæsars or the Popes, we shall have occasion hereafter to inquire; but we readily admit, that while gazing upon the remains of those magnificent edifices, which still adorn the Roman Forum, it requires no extraordinary stretch of imagination, to marshal before us in patriotic array, those venerable magistrates, who, tranquilly seated in their curule 'chairs, defied the fury of Bremus, and his barbarian hordes; or to hear Cicero declaiming with honest indignation against the vices and insolence of Anthony. Ascending the stairs that lead to the Capitol, the enlightened traveller appears to be treading on sacred ground. All the heroes who illustrated the annals of the republic, rise in succession before him, distinguished by those rude and manly virtues, which he has been taught at an early period of life to regard with a veneration approaching to idolatry. Yet these exalted feelings will gradually subside, when he reflects that the glory with which they are surrounded, was purchased by the misery and degradation of millions.

True, however, to those impressions of classical taste which he imbibed in youth, Mr. Eustace contemplates the Roman character with enthusiastic delight. This indeed we incline to regard as a pardonable error, and one to which possibly we might never have adverted, had we not felt that, in the actual situation of human affairs, it is our duty to call the attention of our readers to a questiou of the deepest interest to the comfort and prosperity of mankind, viz. the different aspects which war assumes, when carried on from

the

the desolating lust of dominion, or waged in defence of national independence.

Twenty successive years of devastation and slaughter may have led many, who are now acting a distinguished part upon the busy theatre of public affairs, to regard a state of national hostility as the natural condition of man: an opinion the most dangerous that can possibly be entertained, because it tends no less to the subversion of moral order, than to weaken our belief in the benevolence and justice of Providence. Admitting these principles to be founded in reason, no atrocity, which unsatiable ambition can inspire, will want a ready excuse. The unprincipled destruction of Helvetic freedom may theu find an apology in the advantage to be derived from the occupation of a strong military position; and even the infamous invasion of Spain be no longer regarded with abhorrence.

But it is time to turn to the publication before us, we are -informed in the preface that Mr. Eustace is a member of the Church of Rome; and it is with pleasure we find him expressing himself upon this occasion with moderation and candour.

Religion, politics, and literature, are the three great objects that employ every mind raised by education above the level of the labourer, or the mechanic; upon them every thinking man must have a decided -opinion, and that opinion must occasionally influence his conduct, conversation, and writings. Sincere and undisguised in the belief and profession of the Roman Catholic religion, the author affects not to conceal, because he is not ashamed of, its influence. However unpopular it may be, he is convinced that its evil report is not the result of any 'inherent defect, but the natural consequence of polemic animosity, of the exaggerations of friends, of the misconceptions of enemies. He acknowledges that the affecting lessons, the holy examples, and the majestic rites of the Catholic Church, made an early impression on his mind; and neither time nor experience, neither reading nor conversation, nor much travelling, have weakened the impression, or diminished his veneration. Yet with this affectionate attachment to the ancient Faith, -he presumes not to arraign those who support other systems. Persuaded that their claims to mercy, as well as his own, depend upon sincerity and charity, he leaves them and himself to the disposal of the common Father of all, who, we may humbly hope, will treat our errors and defects with more indulgence than mortals usually shew to each other. In truth, reconciliation and union are the objects of his earnest wishes, of his most fervent prayers; they occupy his thoughts, they employ his pen; and if a stone shall happen to mark the spot where his remains are to repose, that stone shall speak of peace and reconciliation.'-xl, xli.

Sentiments like these are very creditable to any man, whatever be his country, or his creed. That Mr. Eustace's political principles are equally liberal, may be inferred from the following passage:

The constitution of England actually comprises the excellencies of all the ancient commonwealths, together with the advantages of the best

forms

forms of monarchy; though liable, as all human institutions are, to abuse or decay, yet, like the works of Providence, it contains within itself the means of correction, and the seeds of renovation. Such a system was considered as one of unattainable perfection by Cicero, and by Tacitus pronounced, a vision fair but transient. A scheme of policy that enchanted the sages of antiquity, may surely content the patriot and philosopher of modern days, and the only wish of both must be, that in spite of courtly encroachment and of popular frenzy, it may last for ever.'-xii, xiii.

Mr. Eustace proceeds to inform the reader that the journey was undertaken with Mr. Roche, a young gentleman of fortune, who spared no expense to render it instructive.' At Vienna they met Mr. Cust, now Lord Brownlow, and Mr. Rushbroke, and finding that their views and tastes coincided, agreed to make the tour of Italy together.'

In a preliminary discourse our author enumerates with considerable detail, the different species of information which he deems it essential for a traveller to acquire, before he visits the classic regions of Italy.' That such preparation might tend to increase both his improvement and gratification, we are by no means disposed to deny, the only misfortune is, that it cannot be obtained without a greater sacrifice of time than even men of the most cultivated intellect, or extensive fortune, have either leisure, or inclination to bestow. A familiar acquaintance with the ancient Latin poets and historians will of course have been acquired in schools and universities; but without possessing the language of the nation which he visits, or being versed in its political annals, a man, as Lord Bacon very wisely observes, goeth to school and not to travel.' The knowledge of medals is far less important, and if it is to be procured at the expense of more useful studies, we think it may safely be omitted. A person of taste may also pass through Italy with tolerable advantage, though he never read Aldrich, Scamozzi, or Palladio. Taste and observation will equally suffice to appreciate the genius of Raffaelle and Praxiteles without submitting to the nausea of an anatomical school. We perfectly agree however with Mr. Eustace that the seductions of music are sufficiently captivating not to require preparatory lessons, because an excessive attachment to this attractive art, often leads to low and dishonourable connections.' The studies of an Englishman ought to be of a more masculine character; he has other and nobler roads to distinction. The nature of the government under which he lives, will, we trust, ever continue to afford to ambition the most glorious objects of pursuit.

From the general tenor of the preliminary discourse, we were induced to expect that Mr. Eustace would have directed his

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attention, more minutely than he appears to have done, to the political institutions of Italy; that her different governments would have been brought under review, and their various merits and errors discussed. We flattered ourselves also that we should have met with an ingenious sketch of the present state of society in that country, with respect to morals, science, and the arts. But in following his steps from Verona to Naples, we were cruelly disappointed at finding these subjects in general either discussed with too much precipitation, or viewed through the medium of prejudice. The architectural proportions of temples and churches, the attractions of romantic scenery, and the frequent adaptation of classical passages, have almost exclusively engrossed his attention; and he expatiates more willingly upon the pomp, the processions, and the pageantries of popery, than on the consequences produced by the abolition of sanctuaries, or the suppression of monasteries. The following passage affords an useful lesson for every traveller.

Nations, like individuals, have their characteristic qualities, and present to the eye of a candid observer, each in its turn, much to be imitated, and something to be avoided. These qualities of the mind, like the features of the face, are more prominent and conspicuous in southern countries, and in these countries perhaps the traveller may stand in more need of vigilance and circumspection to guard him against the treachery of his own passions, and the snares of external seduction. Miserable indeed will he be, if he shall use the liberty of a traveller as the means of vicious indulgence, abandon himself to the delicious immorality (for so it has been called) of some luxurious capital, and forgetful of what he owes to himself, to his friends, and to his country, drop one by one, as he advances, the virtues of his education, and of his native land, and pick up in their stead the follies and vices of every climate which he may traverse. When such a wanderer has left his innocence, and perhaps his health at Naples; when he has resigned his faith, and his principles at Paris; he will find the loss of such inestimable blessings poorly repaid by the languages which he may have learned, the antiques which he may have purchased, and the accomplishments which he may have acquired in his journey?'-Pre. Dis. 59. 60.

After passing a few days in the capital of Bavaria, and admiring the affability and condescension of the elector, and visiting the salt mines, in the vicinity of Salzburg, our travellers proceeded to Inspruck. We select the following passage, because it affords a favourable specimen of the descriptive powers of our author.

'We were now at the very foot of the Alps, and entered their defiles at a place called Unkin, about one mile from Reichenhall: The road first sweeps along the base of a noble eminence, covered with firs; a church spire rises on the side of the hill, and on the summit of the same hill stands a castle in ruins. Proceeding onward, we came to the foot of the precipice, which, with its castle, overhangs the road,

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in tremendous majesty. We then enter a dell, a sudden turn of which presents, on one side, a vast mountain clad with firs, while on the other, the precipice, girded with a zone of forest trees, increases in height and grandeur, and, surmounted with the old ramparts walls, looks like the battlemented dwelling of a race of giants. In front an immense mass, covered with a hundred woods, and half wrapped in fogs and clouds, obstructs the view, and forms an awful foreground to the picture. Still continuing to ascend, we wind along the dell, with a torrent murmuring by the road side, and all around, in various shapeless forms,' (we profess not exactly to understand how a form can be shapeless,) increasing in height, shagginess, and horror.

The scene was here truly tremendous. The defile is very narrow, leaving space only for the road and torrent. The mountains rise on each side so nearly perpendicular, that the vast forests growing on their sides, cast a dismal shade over the road, and loaded as they were with snow, seemed ready to fall, and bury the traveller as he passed below. Now and then a chasm broke the uniformity of this gloomy scenery, and presented an object less dark, but equally terrific, a torrent arrested in its fall by the frost, hanging from the brow of a crag in solid masses, and terminating in immense pointed icicles. The least of these icicles, if detached from the sheet above, would have crushed the whole party; and when contemplated thus suspended over our heads, jam jam lapsura, cadentique assimilis, could not fail to excite some emotions of terror.'-p. 9, 10.

Pursuing the magnificent road made by Joseph II, over the Rhetian Alps, our travellers arrived, without any accident, at Trent, so celebrated for the council held within its walls, about the middle of the sixteenth century. Had Mr. Eustace attended to the narrative given of its proceedings by Sarpi, one of the shrewdest of modern historians, he would not have beheld the labours of that famous assembly in so favourable a light. Without fear of incurring the reproach of temerity, we do not hesitate to declare, that an assembly which is represented as combining the benevolence, the sanctity, and the moderation of Pole and Sadoleti, Contarini and Scripando,' affords to the eye of the philosophic inquirer, a scene of duplicity, craft, and intrigue, which has seldom been equalled, but never surpassed, even in the tortuous politics of the Vatican.

It would be a work of time to point out all the abuses of the Venetian government, we must therefore content ourselves with observing, that its impolitic behaviour towards the dependent states of Verona, Vicenza, and Padua, particularly the invidious distinctions which aristocratic pride had so absurdly created between the senatorial families and the opulent nobility of the terra firma, had excited a general spirit of disaffection, and paved the way for the reception of those revolutionary doctrines which prepared the triumphs of Buonaparte. Men of haughty and pas

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