"My to-day's journal consists of what I omitted yesterday. To-day was much as usual. Have rather a better opinion of the writings of the Schlegels than I had four-and-twenty hours ago; and will amend it still further, if possible. "They say that the Piedmontese have at length risen--_ça ira!_ "Read S * *. Of Dante he says, 'that at no time has the greatest and most national of all Italian poets ever been much the favourite of his countrymen.' 'Tis false! There have been more editors and commentators (and imitators, ultimately) of Dante than of all their poets put together. _Not_ a favourite! Why, they talk Dante--write Dante--and think and dream Dante at this moment (1821) to an excess, which would be ridiculous, but that he deserves it. "In the same style this German talks of gondolas on the Arno--a precious fellow to dare to speak of Italy! "He says also that Dante's chief defect is a want, in a word, of gentle feelings. Of gentle feelings!--and Francesca of Rimini--and the father's feelings in Ugolino--and Beatrice--and 'La Pia!' Why, there is gentleness in Dante beyond all gentleness, when he is tender. It is true that, treating of the Christian Hades, or Hell, there is not much scope or site for gentleness--but who _but_ Dante could have introduced any 'gentleness' at all into _Hell_? Is there any in Milton's? No--and Dante's Heaven is all love, and glory, and majesty. "One o'clock. "I have found out, however, where the German is right--it is about the Vicar of Wakefield. 'Of all romances in miniature (and, perhaps, this is the best shape in which romance can appear) the Vicar of Wakefield is, I think, the most exquisite.' He thinks!--he might be sure. But it is very well for a S * *. I feel sleepy, and may as well get me to bed. To-morrow there will be fine weather. "'Trust on, and think to-morrow will repay." "January 30. 1821. "The Count P.G. this evening (by commission from the Ci.) transmitted to me the new _words_ for the next six months. * * * and * * *. The new sacred word is * * *--the reply * * *--the rejoinder * * *. The former word (now changed) was * * *--there is also * * *--* * *.[22] Things seem fast coming to a crisis--_ça ira!_ "We talked over various matters of moment and movement. These I omit;--if they come to any thing, they will speak for themselves. After these, we spoke of Kosciusko. Count R.G. told me that he has seen the Polish officers in the Italian war burst into tears on hearing his name. "Something must be up in Piedmont--all the letters and papers are stopped. Nobody knows any thing, and the Germans are concentrating near Mantua. Of the decision of Leybach nothing is known. This state of things cannot last long. The ferment in men's minds at present cannot be conceived without seeing it. [Footnote 22: In the original MS. these watch-words are blotted over so as to be illegible.] "January, 31. 1821.