The Cities of Italy, and the "operum labor," always have been and are an admiration. The words "Egregias urbes" suggest the general stateliness and wealth--"operumque laborem," the particular buildings--Temples, Basilicas, Theatres, and Great Works of the lower Utility. A summary and most vivid expression of a land possessed by intelligent, civilised, active, spirited, vigorous, tasteful inhabitants--also an eminent adorning of the land. SEWARD. Lucretius says, that in spring the Cities are in flower--or on flower--or a flower--with children. And Lucan, at the beginning of the _Pharsalia_, describes the Ancient or Greek Cities desolate. They were fond and proud of their "tot egregiæ urbes" as the Modern Italians are--and with good reason. NORTH. How judiciously the Critics stop short of the lines that would overthrow their criterion always! The present case is an extraordinary example. Had Mr Alison looked to the lines immediately following, he would not have objected to that One. For "Tot congesta manu præruptis oppida saxis, Fluminaque antiquos subter labentia muros" is very beautiful--brings the whole under the domain of Poetry, by singular Picturesqueness, and by gathering the whole past history of Italy up--fetching it in with a word--_antiquos_. SEWARD. I can form no conjecture as to the meaning of Mr Alison's objections. He quotes a few fine lines from the "Praise of Italy," and then one line which he calls prosaic, and would have us to hold up our hands in wonder at the lame and impotent conclusion--at the sudden transformation of Virgil the poet into Virgil the most prosaic of Prosers. You have said enough already, sir, to prove that he is in error even on his own showing;--but how can this fragmentary--this piecemeal mode of quotation--so common among critics of the lower school, and so unworthy of those of the higher--have found favour with Mr Alison, one of the most candid and most enlightened of men? Some accidental prejudice from mere carelessness--but, once formed, retained in spite of the fine and true Taste which, unfettered, would have felt the fallacy, and vindicated his admired Virgil. NORTH.