IV. SOURCE OF BROWNING’S KNOWLEDGE.--Proof has already been given of the statement that Browning had a strong, lasting interest in the arts, even before he went to Italy. The remark in the letter to Miss Haworth (1838) concerning disappointment in Canova, implying previous knowledge, was written during his first visit to Italy. It is certain, then, that he had formed an opinion of one Italian sculptor before going to that country. Probably some of his knowledge of sculpture was gained from reading, also. In every case in which he described a particular piece of work, he had previously visited the place where it was located. _Sordello_, while it refers to artists rather than particular works, and exhibits an art knowledge that was probably gained from reading, was published two years after Browning’s first Italian visit in 1838. _Pippa Passes_ (1841) was one of the direct results of the same trip, when Venice and delicious Asolo were visited. _My Last Duchess_ contains none but imaginary works. _The Bishop orders his Tomb_ (1845) has its architectural setting at Rome, one of the points included in Browning’s second visit in 1844. _Christmas-Eve and Easter-Day_ (1850) also mentions Rome. _The Statue and the Bust_ (1855) refers to Florence, _Old Pictures in Florence_ (1855) has the same setting; and _The Ring and the Book_ (1868-9) refers to Rome and Florence, visited in 1844 and 1847. These data all tend to support the foregoing statement that the poet had seen the things of which he wrote. CHAPTER III ITALIAN MUSIC IN THE POEMS OF BROWNING. I. GENERAL STATEMENT.--Only ten poems refer to Italian music or musicians--seemingly a small number for a writer who is known as the musician’s poet. Thirteen Italian musicians--Bellini, Galuppi, Palestrina, Verdi, Rossini, Abt Vogler, Grisi, Corelli, Guarnerius, Stradivarius, Paganini, Buononcini, and Geminiani--constitute the group of performers whom he mentions. Four of these were famous violinists; one was a vocalist. Only two, Galuppi and Abt Vogler, received any extended treatment, though an entire poem is also devoted to Master Hugues of Saxe-Gotha, an imaginary composer. There are many references to musicians of other nationalities in Browning; but every poem having this art as its main theme, unless it be _Saul_, in which the influence of music is prominent, is included among the ten referring to Italy.