Page:Life in the Old World - Vol. II.djvu/127

Rh recall one spent at the Neapolitan minister's, in the Palazza Farnese, during which I was so agreeably entertained by a Ligurian count, that the evening hours appeared to me to be minutes. I have forgotten his name, but his conversation, full of striking and fine observations, brilliant and fluent like a continuous improvisation, I can never forget, and in order the better to retain it, I will note down a few expressions regarding Italy and the Italians.

“The Italian nation, composed of widely different original races, has, nevertheless, through the superior influence of climate and scenery, acquired a certain unity, a certain character. The sun has, as it were, amalgamated them into one nation; but it will still require a long time for it to become mature. The Neapolitans represent at once the natural life in its fullness and the life of thought in its intensity. The former is represented by the people in their everyday life and songs—one often meets with improvisatori of both sexes—the culmination of the sun-life. The wealthy and high-born, on the contrary, love to occupy themselves with learned studies, especially the philosophical. The greatest philosopher of Italy, Vico, and in recent times Galluppi, were Neapolitans. At the present day the Neapolitan youths of the higher class cultivate their studies for their pleasure and pastime, never thinking at all of enlightening the world by that means. The bias of the Germans toward the Weltverbeserung is unknown to them. They love to rest and to enjoy, and Germany's great Hegel even strengthens this passion. ‘Questo Hegel, quanto e